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Monday, October 18, 2010

The Traumas of Wedding Planning http://ping.fm/5Q9BK

The Traumas of Wedding Planning

You're engaged!  How exciting!  Everyone is thrilled . . . and has plenty of thoughts as to where your reception should be held, what colors you should choose, which DJ is best, cake flavors . . . yada, yada, yada.  Isn't this supposed to be YOUR day?

Too many opinions from loved ones can certainly bring on extra stress and cause strain in your relationships, but there are ways to head off, avoid, or work through these differences.  Even if it is with the groom.  Or worse, your mother.  Or even more worse, his mother.

1)  Always listen politely to what they have to say, then say something to the effect of, "Hmm, I'll keep that in mind."  This is not a lie.  If you like the suggestion, you are likely to remember it and potentially use it.  If it is horrendous, you will certainly not be forgetting about it anytime soon!  As a matter of fact, it will probably be something you laugh about for many years after your wedding.

2)  While robotically following item #1, put together your budget and a wish list.  Then, have a discussion with anyone who might be contributing financially as to how much or what elements they wish to pay for.  If one set of parents is planning to pay a large portion but has a very different expectation for your special day, you may want to reconsider the financial arrangements.

3)  Pick your battles.  Stay firm on what is most important to you.  Is there a way to compromise on some of the issues?  Your mother would like for you to wear her wedding dress, but it's not your style.  Can you wear her pearl necklace instead?  Can you incorporate some of the lace from her dress into your veil or garter?

4)  Depending on your relationship with the groom's parents, either the two of you, or him alone, should have a discussion as to how involved they expect or wish to be in the planning process.  Understanding their expectations right up front can prevent surprises and hard feelings along the way.  The mother/son bond is often very special and including her can reassure her that you're not stealing him away.

5)  Bridesmaids are your closest friends and should be very happy for you.  Sometimes, though, a little envy can set in.  Maybe there is one in the group who is not yet married and no prospects in site, despite trying hard (too hard most times!).  Maybe one realizes that the relationship between the two of you is going to be different now that you're about to be someone's wife.  Schedule a little one on one time with the friend and find out what is really upsetting her.  I'm sure deep down she couldn't be happier that you've found a special person with which to spend the rest of your life.

Bottom line, keep a smile on your face because it is definitely your day, and you want to make sure to let the special people in your life know that they are still the special people in your life regardless of the change in your last name.

~Jami

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

What a difference a planner makes! http://ping.fm/fnjSM

Monday, October 4, 2010

Recent Wedding Images

What we love about weddings is that each is unique and personal to the bride and groom's personality, season, location, and budget.  We are not planners who recreate the same cookie-cutter look for each venue.  You're unique, your event should be too!

We do not yet have the professional shots for the events shown below, but we hope you'll enjoy the images I was able to capture with my cell phone.  Two couples, two seasons, two locales, two budgets . . . two very different looks.  What's your vision for your special day?

Ashley and Derek 10.02.10 Lake Geneva, Wisconsin at The Riviera, Victorian theme

The couple and their court looking out onto their 225 guests.



Centerpieces with pheasant feathers and antique topiary frames.  Table numbers in vintage frames.

Each of the four cake flavors was identified by a Victorian looking frame from Pier 1.


The bride purchased vintage skeleton keys online which were attached to tags with the guests' names and table numbers.  The groom created the framed display.

Pre-event (You don't want to see Post-event!).


Victorian looking candlelabras ornamented the cocktail tables.

The beautiful cake from Aggies of Milwaukee.


Tanya and Chris 8.21.10 Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin at Sand Bay Beach Resort, beach theme

Small beach-themed items that the bride and her friends already owned made perfect decor items to set the mood.


Rental items were provided by You'll Be Floored.

Simple, elegant, and stunning centerpieces further enhanced the beach romance.

Linens in watery colors tied the reception tent to the water in view.

Tables were identified by white shell plates labeled with Disney's Little Mermaid related phrases and characters.

Roast pig served on the buffet dressed up the event.

Cake Anatomy in Kaukauna created the pearlized cake with edible shells.

Details created the custom monogram and labels and jumped in bake and decorate the starfish cookies when the original supplier bailed.


Friday, October 1, 2010

Creating Your Signature Drink




Signature drinks are all the rage at the moment and why not? They're a great way to infuse a little of your personality and theme into your reception drink options. Make sure you meet with your planner and your bartender to get their creative expertise, but use the information below to prep yourself for the discussion.




1.What is the theme of my day? Beach parties often lean toward margaritas, but there are so many other options!

2.The season of your wedding should have an impact on your signature drink decision. In general, drinks provided during summer should be chilled and have a cooling effect. The opposite can be true for a winter wedding.

3.Even if you choose to provide a margarita, have it created in one of your wedding colors or use colored salt around the rim to coordinate. Some drinks can be tinted to match your colors, others may capture your color by the liquids used such as cranberry or tomato juice for a red scheme.

4.Consider what your favorite drinks are, alcoholic or non.

5.Garnishes are not just for looks, pretty as they may be. Berries, edible flowers, and candy sticks among others will add flavor to your drink.

6.Always have a non-alcoholic option for your non-drinking guests. And, don't assume that your signature drink has to be alcoholic. Providing a fun, complimentary, non-alcohol signature drink encourages guests to partake of it and thus reduces your open bar tab. Please also note that if you're offering a signature drink, it should be complimentary to your guests.

7.Then, be sure to give it a special day for your special day!







Seasonal:

Winter – pears, apples, cranberries, kiwi, lemon, spices, maple syrup

Spring – green grapes, apricots, honeydew, limes, mango, oranges, pineapple

Summer – watermelon, blackberries, cherries, raspberries, coconut, strawberries, blueberries

Fall – pomegranates, pumpkins, pears, chestnuts, grapefruit, lemons, oranges


A little gift for fall...
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Makes half a gallon of cocoa

Ingredients:
4 cups 2% milk
3/4 cup half and half
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2/3 cup of creamy peanut butter
Salt to taste
Whipped cream (optional)

Directions:
1.In a small medium saucepan, heat milk and half and half to 165°F, or until you see foamy bubbles begin to form around the edges. Do not bring it to a full, rolling boil.

2.Pour in chocolate chips and stir constantly until all of the chocolate is melted.

3.Add peanut butter and brown sugar, again stirring until completely melted and combined.

4.If your cocoa is not smooth or has chunks of peanut butter floating around that simply will not melt, run the cocoa through the blender and reheat again before serving.

5.Salt to taste and serve with an optional dollop on whipped cream.