WINTER WEDDINGS IN WONDERLAND

Winter Weddings, Unlimited Designs & Decor

Are you planning a winter wedding? Well, you guessed it. A winter wedding can be the least expensive time of the year to tie the knot. The temperature is cold which makes it a magical time with the weather to add to your decor. Think about the sparkle in the snowflakes, beautiful white snow and the joyous emotion that the holiday brings.

Can you think of a better way to celebrate the holiday season than a winter themed wedding? Seek the help of your wedding planner to put into action all your well thought out ideas; to keep it elegant. Any couple can easily go overboard with all the ideas and too many details. And besides, just because it is a winter theme, you don't want to fall into being so predictable or cliche. The aim is to impress but leave your guests wishing that they were the originator of this idea.

Do you need a little inspiration? Think cold temperature, lots of sparkle and of course, the hue of white compliments anything and everything. 

Stop by and talk to event planners for a few ideas or themes for your next event. We have just the ideas and decor to get your planning started.

BRIDES.... DARE TO BE DIFFERENT!

Tips for a Unique Ceremony

The traditional wedding ceremony is not set in stone; dare to be different and unique. The truth of the topic is that wedding traditions are always changing. Sometimes those changes are relatively subtle, while at other times they can be fairly dramatic. Either way, the trends in the wedding world is constant and continual.

In today's world, it's acceptable for couples not to have to feel hesitant when it comes to creating a unique wedding ceremony that reflects their own singular styles and tastes. If you find the ‘traditional’ wedding service just a little too staid and conservative for your tastes, consider the following tips for adding a unique touch to your wedding ceremony.

Tip #1 – Seating Arrangements

Traditionally, seating arrangements during the wedding service have been highly regimented. The groom’s friends and family are seated on the right, while the bride’s friends and family are seated on the left. In order to better reflect the joining of two families, why not allow your guests to seat themselves. It makes for a more festive, and less regimented, service, and allows your friends and family to meet on equal footing.

Tip #2 – The Bridal Bouquet
The bridal bouquet has a long history, and is one of the longest standing wedding traditions. The bride’s floral bouquet represents new life, while the tossing of the bouquet is meant to mark the next in line for wedded bliss. These are fairly old fashioned concepts, and could use an update. Instead of the traditional floral bouquet, why not have a fabric bouquet created especially for your wedding. A fabric bouquet will never wilt, and makes a great wedding memento. It can still be used in as a traditional bouquet toss, or it can be preserved and presented to the mother of the bride as a keepsake.

Tip #3 – The Bridesmaid Bouquet
During a traditional wedding service, the bridesmaids typically carry their own smaller wedding bouquets. But even here you can change things up a bit. Instead of the traditional floral bouquet, give your bridesmaids something unique to carry. If you are planning an evening wedding, they could carry lighted lanterns to cast a subdued yet festive light on the proceedings. You might also consider presenting each of your bridesmaids with a small clutch purse filled with wedding favors. This not only makes a nice change from the traditional floral bouquet, but gives your bridesmaids a wedding gift that they will use and cherish for years to come.

Tip #4 – A Different Kind of Unity Ceremony
Unity ceremonies have taken many different forms over the years, and the exchanging of rings is only the latest in a long line of ceremonial traditions. Many modern couples have revived the candle lighting unity ceremony, but there are many others that you might consider. For a southern themed wedding, you might include a playful jumping of the broomstick to symbolize long life and a happy home. If you are planning a nautical themed wedding, your unity ceremony might consist of tying a fisherman’s knot, symbolizing your unbreakable bond.

Tip #5 – The Bride’s Entrance
We have gotten used to certain musical selections being played as the bride makes her entrance, and as she is escorted down the aisle. But there is no rule that says you have to play Wagner’s Bridal Chorus" or Pachelbel’s “Canon in D”.

Let your own tastes dictate the music you choose for your wedding ceremony, and don’t be afraid to think out of the box. If classical music is not to your taste, feel free to pick a favorite pop song or jazz tune to accompany your walk down the aisle. Choosing your own music for both the wedding processional and wedding recessional is a great way to put your own personal stamp on the ceremony.

The truth of the matter is that wedding traditions come and go, and new ones are being created every day by couples who want to put their own unique stamp on their big day. Your wedding ceremony should reflect your personality, and you should feel free to depart from tradition at any time. Let your own imagination be your guide, and design a wedding service that is uniquely yours. And as you walk back down the aisle as husband and wife, your guests will say “Now that’s the happy couple we know and love.”

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. 

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.

Hair Trivia for Every Bride UP? or DOWN?

Well here it is! You have found the perfect gown, shoes and complimentary jewelry. Now, what to do with your hair?

For some brides wedding day hair is an afterthought, for others it's the only thought. When you are thinking about that perfect style keep a few things in mind, with a few tips from our planners at It's a Bridal Thing Too!

Tip #1 

Your Style of the Dress - You want to make sure your hair doesn't cover any of the accents on your dress or take away from the style of the dress itself.

Tip #2 

The Shape of Your Face - Pick a style that frames your face and brings out your best facial features.

Tip #3 

Not the Time to be Daring - This is not the time to try out that new hair color you have always wanted or to put in the Rapunzel length extensions. If you are itching to try something new, have a hairstyle run through a few weeks before.

Tip #4 

Make Sure Your Hairstyle is Something You Are Comfortable With - Don't let your bridesmaids talk you into a loose chignon when you love having your hair down!

Most Importantly!

Tip #5 

Remember, This is Your Day - Be happy with every aspect of your wardrobe which includes the hair.

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!

Going Green!

In this age of reduce, reuse and recycle, most of us want to be Green.

It can be an overwhelming task when thinking about how do do that when planning a wedding.

Take a look at some of these great resources we have found to give you a hand!

Planet Green has a wonderful article called Top Green Wedding Tips. My favorite one on their list is trying to source all of your wedding needs locally. Try getting fruits and vegetables from a local farm or beer for the reception at a local brewery.

If you haven't signed up on The Knot.com it is a must! Not only do they have wonderful wedding planning tools they have a whole section devoted to Green Weddings. Articles like 6 Eco-Friendly Wedding Reception Ideas and Your Eco Friendly Wedding Guide will give you a great start to going green.

The Green Bride Guide is an all encompassing site with sections on learning about green weddings, planning a green wedding and where you can go on a green honeymoon!

Martha Stewart Weddings has a go to guide for Eco-Friendly Wedding Planning. Everything from a guide of Eco-Friendly products to use for your big day to where you can source Eco-Friendly products.

We hope this list of sites gives you a start on planning your eco-friendly wedding celebration!