TISH + TIM:: MARRIED: CONCORD, NC

Batts Forson Ceremony

A beautiful day in March after a long, cold and rough winter. What a way to bring in Spring. Tish and Tim exchanged personal vows written from their hearts which left not one dry eye in the barn. This ceremony was filled with love from not only the couple saying their I Do's but the friends and family surrounding them. The ceremony will hold memories for us for years to come. We can't wait for their reception in September! A definite do not miss even with more warmth, fun and excitement to come.  To be continued...

There's Nothing Like Family...

 Mom and Son... So Sweet!

 The Happy Couple

Venue: Frank Liske Park 

Photographer: Melody Curtis Photography

Great to work with Melody and her assistant... Great team! 

Officiant: Reverend Stephanie Sebero

Day of Coordination: It's a Bridal Thing Too

SUE + ANDREW:: MARRIED: CORNELIUS, NC

Paris Dornbusch Wedding

A beautiful day on the lake to marry in the mist of friends and family. This wedding was very intimate and was posed with such style and grace for this DIY bride. We were glad to share the day with Sue and Andrew.

This destination wedding for this couple was an unforgettable celebration. We wish this couple many years of happiness and endless love. They have blended a beautiful family!

Venue: Jetton Park - Waterford Hall

Photographer: JT Photography

Musician: Stephen Savastano (Guitar Soloist)

Hair & Make Up: Sweet Southern Glam

Officiant: Reverend Victoria Hutchins

Caterer: Catering by Tara

Coordinator: It's a Bridal Thing Too

Florals: Braswell Interiors & Florals

ASHLEY + ANDREW:: MARRIED: CHARLOTTE, NC

Dillard Vanderberry Wedding

Everything about this wedding was stunning. Ashley was breathtaking, the Charlotte skyline overlooking uptown was amazing, and the detail categorized through the venue from flowers, attire, and food was just unbelievable. 

We were excited and waited eagerly to see this day unfold. The wedding was everything that you would see in a movie. The Foundation of the Carolinas was the perfect venue for this exquisite day. We were delighted to share this time with such gracious friends and family of the bride and groom. 

Here are some classic moments from the warm September day:

A beautiful day, for a beautiful couple. We wish them all the happiness life can bring!


Venue: Foundation of the Carolinas

Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Vera Wang
Photographer: Lauren Friday Photography

Bridesmaid’s Dresses: WToo by Watters

Bride’s Jewelry: PearlsOnly
Coordinator: It's a Bridal Thing Too

Cake: Hatley on Main

Caterrer: Best Impressions Caters

DJ: AAA Entertainment

Hair & Make Up: Sweet Southern Glam

ARE YOU TRYING TO RUIN YOUR WEDDING DAY?

Being a Bridezilla Can Destroy Your Whole Wedding Experience

Yes, believe it or not there are some brides that just decide to take it to Bridezilla mode on the wedding day. Let us assure you, not only will it not work in your favor but it will ruin your day. Apparently, Sandy with Weddings in Vieques has experienced the same:

"Just a little bit of sugar goes a long way in wedding planning. Now I know I've written before about getting the most bang-for-your-buck with your wedding planner, and how to work with your photographer, and how to get the most out of your DJ, and in all of these blogs I've explained that being nice will get you just about anything if you're a bride and groom about to be married. So if I've explained this all over and over again, what is it that these Bridezillas and Groomzillas are missing?

I am dead freaking serious here. And it's not just me. I've been talking with colleagues in the industry and we're all wondering the same thing -- has seeing brides and grooms misbehaving on reality television given everybody the idea that it's okay to behave as though you were raised in a barn just because you are the clients? The answer is no. Being a bride does not give you a license to be rude.

Here are some tips for things that brides and grooms can do to make their wedding planning experience fun and enjoyable for everybody. A wedding planner who adores you will move heaven and earth to help you undo something that she's not even responsible for, while somebody you've been abusing via email for the past six months will likely not have any nail polish to lend you in the shade you're requesting... even if you see it on her toes. A little bit of honey goes a long way...

- Do your homework. 

The planner will give you lists of things that ONLY YOU can complete. She will give you deadlines. Adhere to them. She's answering to vendors on the other end who want to know where your ceremony plan, DJ playlist and dinner orders are.

- Follow instructions. 

Your planner will send you forms to complete. Fill them out as instructed. Don't create your own ginormous spreadsheet of everybody invited, attending, dinner orders, accommodations, etc. We need you to provide the specific information requested in the format it was requested in. On the actual forms we sent you.

- Read and return contracts in a timely manner. 

When you get a contract from your planner, for them or for another vendor, review it and respond with questions within 24-48 hours. Or respond with a completed contract and payment within 72 hours. The vendors are holding a date/time slot for you based on your wedding planner's word. We prefer that you aren't irresponsible about responding with contracts and deposits.

- Keep on top of your budget. 

Your planner will be keeping a spreadsheet of some form for you (I hope) and you can ask for an update at any point. With that said, you are the one who is signing all the contracts and you have all the numbers in front of you. Don't play stupid. Plus, shopping like a madwoman at home and buying two wedding gowns and ending up with 25 more guests than you'd initially budgeted for are not the wedding planner's problem. Taking it out on her might make you feel better (after you've already fought with your fiancé and parents about it), but really, is that the best way to handle things?

- Use the words "please" and "thank you." 

Not just to your wedding planners, but to every vendor, waitress, and staff member you encounter through your wedding weekend. Don't you think that if you take a second to compliment the bartender at your wedding, he's going to take extra special care of you? Don't you think it's a great idea to be polite to the photographers who are going to be shadowing you all evening? Trust me, you don't have to be super friendly to anybody. But common courtesy is expected. Unfortunately, it doesn't always happen.

- Pay your bills on time. 

Unless you've got a reason to question the invoice or the contract, pay your balances as soon as possible when you get your final invoice from the planner. Even if the invoice is late on the planner's end, it's your obligation to get the payments returned quickly. Sometimes those delays are unavoidable and your planner is holding all your vendors or her word -- and sometimes her credit card.

Now I want to make something perfectly clear - the wedding planner is NOT always right, and brides and grooms, as clients, should absolutely question anything they feel is appropriate to question - lack of responsiveness, a problem on a contract, etc. It's the way that you go about doing it that will yield you so much more success.

If your goal is to fire your wedding planner or another vendor, go ahead and call her names and tear her up and CC everybody in creation if it makes you feel better. But it's not going to make life pleasant as she's transferring over all your wedding planning information to you. You will get exactly what is owed to you and not one iota more. And I'm not even speaking from experience on this one. I just know what happens.

Send a respectful email listing your problems and concerns and ask what's going on in a manner that gives the vendor an opportunity to fix the problem with their response email. Fight the urge to get nasty unless you get a nasty reply back. Most vendors say "OMG" when they get a well-written complaint email from a client, and do everything possible to fix the situation to make the bride or groom happy. But if you attack the person -- especially if there's the slightest chance it's not their mistake -- you're not going to get the end result that you desire.

Don't you want to have fun planning your wedding? Don't you want a long-term friendly relationship with your wedding planner? I'm not going to lie and say I've never had a pissed-off client -- but I will boast that the vast majority of our clients have stayed in touch and share baby pictures and good news on a regular basis. That's the kind of relationship we want with our clients. And trust me, you want your wedding planners to anticipate your arrival with enthusiasm, not joke about it with dread for a month before your wedding."

Through experience, we couldn't agree more. Thank you Sandy; very well stated and appreciated from one professional to another. 

Wedding Planner & Your Wedding Budget

Kiss Your Budget Goodbye Without the Help of a Wedding Coordinator

A common question among many brides: "Should I hire a wedding planner?" And the answer is yes! 

Whether you're planning a month or months in advance; you only benefit on the day of your wedding. Who wouldn't want a wedding professional on their side to handle all the logistics. Many see hiring a planner as an added expense, but the reality is that its a savings in every aspect of your wedding day!  

The reality remains: timing is everything! Parents and couples may hire a wedding planner based upon all the details involved for a successful wedding day. Hiring a wedding planner provides another opportunity to the family to enjoy their day that much more. Above all, hiring a wedding coordinator saves! It saves money, saves energy and equally important; it saves time.

Wedding coordinators are working to assist with every detail from your initial meeting up to the departure for the honeymoon. They will assist you with your budget, vendor referrals, negotiating contracts, and focus on the theme you have encrypted as your special day.

We all know planning a wedding is an enormous task and undoubtedly stressful. It's important that you are able to place emphasis on the positive highlights and why this day is important. Enjoy the moments that lead up to the wedding.

Your next question may be: How do I find the right wedding planner?
Key factors: Don’t hire the first person you meet who says she once planned a wedding for her brother, sister, cousin, or aunt. Ask friends or family members that have recently married, search various associations or through online resources. Just remember, a wedding planner should be professional and trained. A true wedding planner does not plan weddings on the side. It's their career. You want to make sure you feel comfortable and this individual is working for you. Many brides have felt as if they were working along side their new best friend. It should be a great experience.

There are independent event coordinators who work alone, and there are those who have turned it into a larger business. Some coordinator businesses include a full service event, wedding coordinating and might even have a store associated which may have everything from wedding invitations to wedding accessories.

I urge all brides to utilize a wedding planner, so that at the end of the day, you can be among those that say, "I don't know how I could have gotten through the day without you!"

CHOOSING WEDDING VENDORS: TIPS AND ETIQUETTE TO FINDING YOUR EXPERTS

Tips and Etiquette in Finding Your Wedding Experts

Well, just who wouldn't love a wedding that is perfect with every last detail. It is such a memorable day and it is great to be able to reflect back upon your wedding day and just smile. Sometimes it is just that one detail that generates a special emotion that jogs the bond that brought you and the groom together. But! we all know that having your desired details and a day that runs with perfection means delegating the experts to your wedding day. Experts aren't the aunts, uncles, family friends or the bridal party to tend to these details. The word expert is referring to industry professionals with a focus and experience in event planning, day of wedding coordination, photography, videography, floral design, catering, and entertainment.

The realization that finding the right vendor can be time consuming, daunting, tricky and even frustrating; but once they are in place it minimizes the stress of planning. Here are a few tips and etiquette caveats that you should try out.

What Are You Dreaming Up?

Make a clear list of what you expect from your vendors. For example, write of list of 10 photo ops you must have in you collage of wedding pictures from your photography. Chances are they already know, though.

Compare and Contrast.

It may be worthy to note, that your should research no more than three - four vendors in each expertise and decide on one. Interviewing more than four vendors can get a bit confusing and you may confuse the difference in what each offers.

Make Your Calls.

So you've surfed the web and spent most of your time looking at packages online at the click of your mouse and found a few professionals that have peaked your interest. It is time to pick up the phone and call. This is where you trim your long list. Turn that list of four into a st of three, choose one and have your back up just in case your date is not available.

Grab a Latte.

Okay, so your felt good about things after your time on the phone; now it's time to sit down with them and go over some details for your day. Get to know your professional over a coffee or tea. This will give you an opportunity to share your clear vision of what you want for your wedding day. An expert in this industry has a great balance of knowing what to do and how to be flexible. They may not be able to give you a 'yes' for all the items on your checklist, but as a professional they may be able to work within your budget or offer alternatives that could be just a satisfying. And last but not least...

Do Not Leave Anyone Hanging!

By this time you should have a good grasp as to who you are going to hire for your wedding day. With or without, a deposit - you have probably selected the professionals that are going to take the load off your shoulders, grasped your vision and shares your passion. 

This is important! 

During your research you talked to other vendors and centered their time around you and your day. If you have decided not to hire them for whatever reason: Now! ..is a good time to let them know: "Thank You, but..". Follow up on these inquiries, these industry professional devoted time to answering your questions. Send a quick email, text or pick up the phone and provide an update in that you have selected a competitor. Consider the time they invested in your inquiry. The duration of their time may have been more than the time it will take you in letting them know they will not be hired the job. They will appreciate that you did!

We're getting Married! OMG! What's Comes Next?

There are so many steps in the process of planning a wedding that is fun and smooth for you and your guests. Although, planning can be overwhelming at times; it can be fun too. Brides may experience everyone giving their advice, tips, desires and wishes from others, but ultimately, it is your day. 

You ask what comes next after the proposal? 

You got it! Set the date.

Once you have set the date; it is time to hire your wedding planner. No excuses, make sure you make this a part of the budget. After, you hire your planner, you'r Wedding To Do List can fall right in line with what comes next. There's no perfect time to hire your planner other than sooner than later. Most couples think you have to wait until 6-9 months; which is truly a misconception. There further in advance you hire; the more time you will have to pay for the consulting fees. Also, it will give your planner additional planning time and to ensure you are able to reserve top notch vendors. generally, couples can hire a wedding planner/ coordinator from 2 years or up to 2 months prior to the event. 

Here are some tips as to why organized planning helps the engagement time less stressful for you and the groom: 

1. Your Wedding Planner/ Coordinator - They book up fast. You may have to look at an alternate date because the date you selected is not available. Give yourself some flexibility by reserving your date as soon as you have decided as a couple. 

2. Booking the Venue/ Church - Venues and Ceremony locations book fast too. When booking your church banquet hall, or venue, the date you have chosen an already reserved date. Having an alternate date will help you and your planner in booking the venue you want. This notion does apply to other vendors, as well.

After you have booked your venue for the ceremony and reception; your wedding planner/ coordinator can ensure your to do list falls right in line with your wedding day.

 There's still much to be done, like hiring the:

3. Photographer 

4. Caterer

5. Videographer

6. Florist

7. Band or DJ Service

8. Cake

9. Transportation

10. Invitations 

11. Save-The-Date Announcements 

12. Wedding Dress 

13. Bridesmaids Dresses 

14. Decoration Rentals 

Your wedding planner/ coordinator is designer to take much of the stress of wedding preparations, so that you and your fiance can enjoy every bit of the wedding day.

CARLI + KYLE:: MARRIED: GREENSBORO, NC

Nelson Odell Wedding 

Thanks for sharing such an important day with Nuptials. A unique venue for an amazing wedding. We wish you many years of happiness. We hope your honeymoon will have the same lasting memories as the ceremony and reception. Carli, one word for the bride: breathtaking!

Venue: Greene Street Club 

Ceremony Music: Greyson Clifton

Accomodatons: Proximity Hotel

Photography: Glessner Photography

Wedding Coordinations: It's a Bridal Thing Too

Pair it up! Gown and Shoe choices for every type of Bride!

Image: luigi diamanti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Happy 2011! 

I know we have been gone for awhile but, we were off enjoying the holiday season!  We're back now and ready to tackle a new year.


In this months post we are going to talk about how to "Pair it Up". Of course I am talking about dresses and shoes.

Taking a look at some of the Spring 2011 trends we have put together some dress and shoe pairings for four bride "types". 

Traditional

 Our traditional bride is longing for the lace, bows and taffeta. It's going to be white and if there's an accent color it's strictly pastel. Think Shelby in "Steel Magnolias".

Our Gown Choice:

This beautiful gown made by Bonny style #042 is a beautiful mix of what the traditional bride wants. A sweetheart bodice that leads down into a luxuriously full ball skirt. This dress is accented by beaded lace and a cathedral train.

 Our Shoe Choice:

Simple but elegant white satin shoe by Benjamin Walk, (makers of Liz Rene Couture, Touch Ups and Johnathan Kayne, and Dyeables). Perfect choice for a more traditional bride.

 Modern

Our Modern Bride is ready to hit the ground running. She has discussed, with her planner, the ways the wedding can be more "green" and has made sure that local produce will be used for the reception dinner. 

Our Gown Choice:

 This light and flowy gown by Bonny   style #048, is perfect for our modern bride.A wonderful mix of couture style and clean design.  This one shoulder dress drops down into an empire waist and then to an a-line skirt with cathedral train.

 Our Shoe Choice:  Another wonderful shoe by Benjamin Walk. Strappy but, not over the top with a beautiful symmetrical rhinestone accented diamond design.

 Funky

Be ready for anything that this Bride throws at you! She may be arriving atop and elephant with the local high school marching band providing fanfair. Or, you may be set on a city-wide scavenger hunt to find the reception location! You just never know. 

Our Gown Choice:   

It's the non-traditional color of this dress that appeals to our funky bride. This dress with its strapless bodice, dramatic pick-up skirt and semi-cathedral train it sure to help her make the entrance she is looking for!                                     

Our Shoe Choice:

This bootie, by Benjamin Walk, adds that bit rock and roll style our Funky Bride is looking for.

Destination 

She is ready to start the new adventure of married life with an adventure. She has her passport in hand at all times. She might not even make it to the reception, if she can convince her husband that that 8:00 pm flight to Spain is a better idea!

Our Gown Choice:  

              A perfect choice for that on the beach in Barbados wedding! This Bonny gown style #052 made from chiffon. Starts at a sweetheart neckline, flows into a beautiful flared skirt and has elegant lack up ties  in the back.  Accented with a simple rhinestone broach.                

Our Shoe Choice:

Don't be afraid to get this one wet! This jeweled jelly shoe from Benjamin Walk is perfect for that after vows walk in the surf!

We here at It's A Bridal Thing can make any of these, and many more choices, possible for your big day!

Feel free to take a look at our website at It's A Bridal Thing.com or give us a call at 704-893-0201 and see how we can make your big day special!

We hope you like our selections! Please let us know!

Get Great Ideas Online!

When you first meet your wedding planner, it's good to come with some general ideas about how you want your big day to look. Here are some websites we  here at It's A Bridal Thing think will help get you started!

Want to see how Jessica Alba, Carrie Underwood or Gwen Stefani  looked on their big day? Take a look at In Style Weddings. They have their Best Dressed Celebrity Brides list which includes people like Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Diana and Katie Holmes. They also have great galleries of wedding cakes and  floral arrangements organized by color!

 The Brides.com Idea Gallery is another great resource! In addition to having wedding cake and floral galleries, they have galleries for  Stationary and Invitations, Wedding Favors and Food and Drinks!


A Wedding Sketchbook is a blog by Michelle Mospens. She details her thoughts on unique wedding invitation ideas, how to make the most out of an engagement photo shoot and backyard wedding reception ideas. Our favorite part of her site is her Wedding Color Trends for 2011 Part 1 and Part 2. Some of Michelle's picks for 2011 wedding colors? Amazon Green, Oyster Gray, Mauve, Celadon, Violet Purple and Clementine Orange!


Want something to help you put all of these ideas together for when you meet with your planner? Try The Knot.Com's Wedding Inspiration Boards. All you do is choose the template you like best, add images(either from The Knot's website or your own photos) and save and share. Tons better than Post-It-Notes in all of those bridal magazines you've bought!




Here are a few non-planning websites that we want to share.

My Wedding.com allows you to make a wedding website, with all the bells and whistles for FREE. They offer beautiful design templates, photo galleries and you can even add music!

Need a laugh to relieve wedding stress? Check out And The Bride Wore... . Hilarious site that covers fashion mishaps from wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses and even tuxedos. 

As always, we here at It's A Bridal Thing are here for all of your wedding planning needs! We cover everything from gowns, tuxedos, flowers and invitations! Call us at 704-893-0201 and let us give your big day a beautiful touch.

Fall and Winter Weddings

Hello Friends!
It's the time of year when the leaves start to fall, the air gets colder and the possibility of snow is upon us(maybe!).

Image:Evgeni Dinev/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Did you know that October is second only to June as the most popular wedding month!

Some great fall/winter wedding ideas are:

 Instead of a traditional wedding cake why not have a decorated spice or pumpkin cake?

Colors for the seasons include ones found in nature like rich oranges, browns and greens; as well as jewel tones like reds, purples and blues.

Consider having your fall wedding at an apple orchard or old barn to take advantage of the beautiful scenery of the season.

What about flowers? For Fall mums, roses and daisies are generally inexpensive flower choices for fall and dried wheat stalks make a great bouquet filler. Winter choices could include crocus, lilies and tulips. Think about using dried eucalyptus and holly berries for accents.

Imagine a winter wedding at an old inn or historic house with fireplaces and picture windows to look out at a fresh blanket of snow.

Some winter wedding favors could include snow globes, gingerbread house making kits or an ornament that commemorates the wedding date!

Image: Aleksandr Kutsayev / FreeDigitalPhotos.net


We here at It's a Bridal Thing! are here to help you will all of your wedding needs. We can coordinate everything from wedding planning, dresses, tuxedos and flowers. Just give us a call at 704-893-0201 or visit It's a Bridal Thing.com to set up an appointment.


We are offering a 10% discount on Bridesmaid dresses from now until December 31st! Please see our coupon at Merchant Circle.com for all the details.  

Wedding Etiquette and websites that can help!

How long can I wait to send out Thank-You notes for wedding gifts?

Who pays for the entertainment at the wedding?

We are sure you brides are thinking about some of these same questions!

Just relax(If you need help with that look at our last blog!)

It's a Bridal Thing is here to help!

Here are some recommendations of some of our favorite Wedding Etiquette websites and books.

• Emily Post Weddings- This is the Queen of all etiquette. If she doesn't know no one will. Everything from "I don't like my ring, should I tell him?" to "I am a bridesmaid but I can't afford it. What do I do?" is covered by this maven!
• The Knot: Ask Carley- The Knot has charged their Editor-In-Chief Carley Roney to answer your wedding questions. She has full Q&A list for topics like planning, reception issues and the best way to incorporate your families traditions and customs.
• Brides.com Wedding Etiquette and Guests- The classic go to for anyone getting married! They have their own compendium of etiquette. Their guide even covers cake and food.
• Wedding Etiquette Hell: The Brides Bible to Avoiding Everlasting Damnation- The blurb says: "Hamilton, a wedding consultant and creator of EtiquetteHell.com, lays out basic etiquette rules in chapters arranged by topic (e.g., attendants, invitations, and showers) and then illustrates them with hilarious, real-life stories that drive the points home."
• The Everything Wedding Etiquette Book- Covers every part of the wedding process from engagement to should you hyphenate your name. This book truly has Everything!

Just a few snippets from the tons of available resources!

But, let's go a bit further. If you don't have time to read or research, let us help you!

Send us your Wedding Etiquette questions for us to answer on the blog.
E-mail us at leah@itsabridalthing.com  and we'll try our best to help you and others out in the web wedding world!

Should I Hire a Wedding Planner?

A common question among many brides: "Should I hire a wedding planner?" And the answer is yes!

The gain to hire a wedding planner is not based on the wedding budget, size of the guest list, or the wedding theme.

The reality remains: timing is everything! Parents and couples may hire a wedding planner based upon all the details involved for a successful wedding day. Hiring a wedding planner provides another opportunity to the family to enjoy their day that much more. Above all, hiring a wedding coordinator saves! It saves money, saves energy and equally important; it saves time.

Wedding coordinators are working to assist with every detail from your initial meeting up to the departure for the honeymoon. They will assist you with your budget, vendor referrals, negotiating contracts, and focus on the theme you have encrypted as your special day.

We all know planning a wedding is an enormous task and undoubtedly stressful. It's important that you are able to place emphasis on the positive highlights and why this day is important. Enjoy the moments that lead up to the wedding.

Your next question may be: How do I find the right wedding planner?
Key factors: Don’t hire the first person you meet who says she once planned a wedding for her brother, sister, cousin, or aunt. Ask friends or family members that have recently married, search various associations or through online resources. Just remember, a wedding planner should be professional and trained. A true wedding planner does not plan weddings on the side. It's their career. You want to make sure you feel comfortable and this individual is working for you. Many brides have felt as if they were working along side their new best friend. It should be a great experience.

There are independent event coordinators who work alone, and there are those who have turned it into a larger business. Some coordinator businesses include a full service event, wedding coordinating and might even have a store associated which may have everything from wedding invitations to wedding accessories.

I urge all brides to utilize a wedding planner, so that at the end of the day, you can be among those that say, "I don't know how I could have gotten through the day without you!"