Archive for May, 2010
In days past, for me, Memorial Day used to be one of those days where I would get a free day from school or from work. Whoo Hoo, a Day of Freedom – for me! There was no thought or consideration to what it actually meant. I think it was because there was no personal connection – or so I thought. Images always portray Memorial Day as a day for remembering the people who made the supreme sacrifice – for “someones” freedom. I didn’t know anyone who died, or who was fighting – or why – so why would I care? I didn’t get it.
I get it.
The men and women in uniform – most of whom haven’t lived a day – not really. So young and eager.
It’s a shame.
Hundreds of thousands of lives destroyed. Not only the souls, and their families, that make the ultimate sacrifice – their lives – for the “an idea” of Freedom – for all of us (collectively all over the world). But also for those who live or have lived – everyday with the horrors of war. For those people – in their minds – it never ends. It’s everlasting – where the suffering becomes a part of life. My Memorial Day is spent remembering those people that have seen and experienced things that should never be seen or experienced. These are the angels who are living/have lived a lifetime – in such a short time.
I get it, Dad – finally.
Instead of saying – Happy Memorial Day – which really doesn’t mean much to me. I’m going to say “Thank You” and “I Love You” – to all the people I don’t know, that are here – with us.
This is my Memorial Day.
You’re in my heart – not only today – but everyday.
Planning a wedding on a small budget is difficult – because “downsizing” is key.
My first bit of advice, is please – stop looking at those damn wedding magazines. You see something – fall in love with it – and it’s frustrating not being able to obtain the same look and feel. I know the story very well. The couple tries to go for the look – and trust me – it’s not the same – whatever the solution.
I think many couples underestimate the time and skill needed to put beautiful arrangements together. It’ an art – and just like any art – should be left to the professionals. Likewise, many couples underestimate the price. Generally in the Washington DC area – flowers will fall in the following ranges
Bridal bouquet $130.00-$250.00 per
Maid of Honor bouquet – $60.00-$90.00 per
Bridesmaid bouquet – $60.00-$90.00 per
Grooms boutonniere – $12.00-$15.00 per
Groomsmen and Father boutonniere – $10.00-$12.00 per
Corsages – $25.00-$50.00 per
Altar pieces – $150 – $600.00 per
Large buffet/table pieces – $150.00-$300.00 per
Low centerpieces – $100.00-$150.00 per
High centerpieces – $175.00-$400.00 per
Of course, a lot depends upon how full the arrangements are, what flowers are used, etc. When your budgeting, use these ranges. If you want very full and elaborate high centerpieces, $400 + per might be the right amount. Lower simple arrangements will fall on the other end.
When you are on a low budget, obviously, you are not going to pay $175.00 per centerpiece. However, you can still have very nice/elegant flowers. What I suggest is that you have nice bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages, and use candles/rose petals on the tables.
You can also opt for a nice bridal bouquet, a single stem for the Bridesmaids, or nothing for the Bridesmaids – a flower for the Groom and nothing for the Groomsmen.
For the cocktail reception I’m
proposing – we would have a combination of small cafe tables and tall high-boys. Everyone wouldn’t be seated – a more “come and go” type event. If you wanted flowers, you could do, small glass vases containing a few colorful blooms, or small plants in planters (coordinating with your color/theme). You wouldn’t necessarily have to have the exact same plant on every table – you could have a variety . The tables would only be 30-36″ round (2.5-3 feet) so they would take much smaller arrangements than a 5 or 6 foot round. While it would be a more causal look and feel – you could achieve something very beautiful and memorable.
Happy planning!
Thanks to Rodney Bailey and Creation Waits for the lovely photographs.
Here are some awesome ways – some awesome couples have said “I DO”
Hello Kitty
This cowboy lasso’d him a ladyl
Death seems popular
That’s Christina Aguilera – in costume
I have never seen an episode of Star Trek
Let the Force be With You!
Super Groom! Look, Wonder Woman and Robin also made an appearance
There is something for everyone!
Have fun!
Thanks to Get Married and The Wedding Planner Ireland for the great pictures!
Persian weddings are exciting. They consist of lots of laughter, lots of fun, lots of celebration, lots of dancing – and a ton of bling! So far, I have talked about Persian Jewish weddings and Persian Muslim weddings.
I am posting a hymn that is very popular in Persian Christian weddings. It is a combination of confirming the couple’s faith in Jesus Christ as well as a prayer by their family and friends for God’s protection and blessing over the new union.
Here is the translation:
O God, Triune, Transcendent! Love’s spring, for ever flowing!
Upon thy love dependent, Love be from us outgoing.
By thee is love implanted; By Thee each boon is granted;
Where praise of Thee is chanted, Is Heaven, joy bestowing.
For Love’s delight and pleasure, O Lord, we magnify Thee;
For gladness without measure, O Christ, we glorify Thee.
Our future pathway brighten; of harms and hurts that frighten -
Of danger, us enlighten – Of wrong that may defy Thee.
These two, O Lord, do Thou view; They both their troth have plighted -
Are joined in one, as thou too, Art with Thy Church united.
Through all life’s toil and trailing, When young – when frail and failing -
Thy gracious aid availing, Their love be well required.
In Times of tribulation, When ways and means are slender;
In pain and in privation, Renew our hearts’ surrender.
In hours of jubilation, Success and relaxation,
For Thy aid and salvation, Our gratitude we tender.
These two, O Lord, enable, Their welfare coalescing,
In Thee be strong and stable, Each other’s heart possessing.
Their bond with Thee unites them; To faithfulness incites them;
Until death’s call invites them, Grant them for ever blessing.
These are beautiful customs and traditions. I’m all for respecting an honoring traditions – and incorporating different cultures into your own wedding celebrations.
Happy planning!
These lovely words and translations are from Farsinet.com
In Greek Mythology, Pomegranate represents the bond of marriage and fertility. This would be a a great choice for a toast, as a signature drink for your cocktail hour or the Bride’s drink for the reception.
How awesome it would be if one of your colors was salmon? For a beach or brunch inspired wedding – perfect.
1 1/4 cups chilled fresh pomegranate juice (from 3 pomegranates)
1 1/2 ounces chilled Cointreau liqueur
1 chilled bottle (375 milliliters) Champagne
for garnish Pomegranate seeds
Directions:
In a pitcher, mix juice, liqueur, and Champagne. Pour into flutes, and garnish with pomegranate seeds.
A drink fit for the most perfect wedding!
Happy planning!
Thanks to Martha Stewart for the wonderful idea (as always).
Pies are all the rage! Blueberry, blackberry, boysenberry, apple, pecan, peach…whatever. Couples are foregoing the expensive cake for inexpensive goodness – and they are doing it in fantastic fashion. This particular wedding had a fantastic presentation of homemade peach and apple pies, in combination with lovely chocolates. The guests were so excited, many swarmed the table in anticipation of the pie cutting. We had to politely ask people to sit down so that the the special dances could commence. I have never (in my life) seen 150 people so excited about pies!
The Bride and Groom at this wedding opted to have a beautiful “fall inspired” show cake, and offer both cake and pie for dessert.
What was left at the end?
Pie – 0
Cake – a lot.
The pie was the winner! The guests enjoyed! The cake was beautiful – and very good! I enjoyed it.
Some more pie-inspired weddings
Some Very cute pie inspired favors
Let them eat pie!
YUM..
Happy planning!
Thanks for the gorgeous pictures from Stephen Voss and Jennifer Domenick.
Thanks for the wonderful inspiration – Martha Stewart Weddings, Oops I’m in Love, Bridal Party Tees
Thinking of forgoing that little RSVP card? It’s possible to save the paper (which just gets thrown out), saving the stamp, saving the money and saving the environment. Many free wedding websites, like…
will allow your guests to RSVP right on your website. It’s simple and easy.
Are you worried that guests will be able to write in guests? Don’t. The website only allows you to RSVP for the guests that you input. No fuss, no muss – and no worrying about the ever expanding guest list (on your guests’ part anyway).
The advantage to a website like Wedding Wire is that it’s clean, simple to use and is already done for you. However, if you want something more custom, and you are tech savvy (know HTML), you can build one yourself, or hire someone to build one for you.
Are you worried that Grandma is not web savvy? Well, the “good ole’ personal note” or even via phone – all possible ways for her to tell you she’s delighted to attend!
Happy planning!
A gorgeous wedding at the VisArts Center. It’s a beautiful space in the center of the Revitalized downtown Rockville.
The VisArts Center has a beautiful gallery that’s just perfect for cocktail style receptions – or a cocktail hour – and a versatile event room perfect for a reception. The staff is wonderful to work with!
Thanks to Creation Waits Photography for the lovely photographs.
Happy planning!
There are some common questions that people ask (when they call or I meet for initial consultations) that would be prudent to answer here.
1. By going hiring you, will the vendors you work with provide me discounts?
I am not a discount wedding planner. I don’t choose to work with vendors because they give me or my clients the largest discount. I choose to work with vendors that are the best in the area. I’m not discounting my services, so why should I expect them to discount theirs? The vendors that I work with are the best at what they do – and that’s your piece of mind. You will be guaranteed that they will respond to your needs and provide you the very best of themselves. This is the biggest guarantee as this is your wedding – and you have one chance to get it right. Would you rather pay me to work with people who get it right – every time and live on a referral business based on impeccable reputation, or work with vendors – willing to do anything for a buck?
It’s up to you.
We work hard to make the process seamless and create the look and feel you want – and will recommend you to the very best to accomplish the goal.
That’s what you are hiring us for.
2. Do you receive kickbacks?
What you see is what you get. We do not contract any vendors on your behalf. You contract with each individual vendor yourself – you see and sign contracts and you pay the deposits. If we are working on your behalf, you still see all contracts/invoices. The only invoices coming through us are the rental and service invoices.
Our vendors are stellar. They don’t need to pay us to use them. Our biggest kickback is a happy Bride, Groom and family!
3. What do you do?
This is a hard one, because I know each planning firm does something different. I’m going to make it easy by telling you what we don’t do.
- Flowers – we do not have the storage space, training, or time. Stick with the professionals
- Ceilings or of windows – we do not have the insurance, proper equipment or staff
- Event lighting – Please…
- Other vendor areas – You’ve witnessed my photographic talent. We don’t do video, sing, play the bagpipes, hum, or anything else.
However, we can recommend you to the people that can accomplish these goals.
We are an intimate firm. We are not an all-in-one. Unless you go with a larger wedding/event planning firms that have 30 person staff specializing in 15 different things – you can choose someone who dabbles in many different areas and is a master in none, or a person who dabbles in no other areas and is a master in one.
It’s your wedding – it’s your choice.
4. Is this your (meaning me) only job?
No – this is my career. I do not work another job. How could I be available to you, and give you the best of myself, if I am concerned about something else for 40 hours per week?
This is how I support my family – and I take it very seriously.
5. Do you have back-up?
Yes. My assistants have been working with me for a number of years and have experience in wedding planning, non-profit and corporate event planning.
Happy planning!
A beautiful choice.
take a listen…
Here are the lyrics
“Feels Like Home”
Somethin’ in your eyes, makes me wanna lose myself
Makes me wanna lose myself, in your arms
There’s somethin’ in your voice, makes my heart beat fast
Hope this feeling lasts, the rest of my life
If you knew how lonely my life has been
And how long I’ve been so alone
And if you knew how I wanted someone to come along
And change my life the way you’ve done
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I’m all the way back where I come from
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I’m all the way back where I belong
A window breaks, down a long, dark street
And a siren wails in the night
But I’m alright, ’cause I have you here with me
And I can almost see, through the dark there is light
Well, if you knew how much this moment means to me
And how long I’ve waited for your touch
And if you knew how happy you are making me
I never thought that I’d love anyone so much
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I’m all the way the back where I come from
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I’m all the way back where I belong
It feels like I’m all the way back where I belong
Happy planning!
