Archive for July, 2010
Flowers and other decor is one of those areas people agonize over the most. They think about what linens and chairs to rent, what flowers to use, what lighting to use, and what candles to buy/rent that will bring out the look and feel that they are going for.
Couples with teeny tiny budgets have even a bigger job. Realistically, most of your budget is going to be taken by the venue and caterer – maybe more than the 50% standard. Everything else must come under that remaining 50% or $1,500.00-$2,500.00 that you have remaining.
Not easy.
Flowers are so beautiful, aren’t they? To me, they just scream wedding. You see all those elaborate arrangements in magazines that are “to die for”.
This is not to imply that you cannot have beautiful flowers, just that it will be minimal. here is how the wedding we’re planning helps with the minimalistic decor…
- We’ve chosen a venue that has intrinsic beauty and is visually interesting. There is no need to hide ugly decor under chair covers, and a bunch of flowers. We are simply enhancing the the look and feel that’s already there. It’s very important to choose a venue that you can stand aesthetically.
- We are planning for a cocktail style reception/meet and greet. We are not seating everyone for a full meal. Less tables, smaller tables, and less table decor are needed. You could do a lot of things with this, depending on he feeling that you want to bring-out.
By planning this type of wedding, you are dealing with much less – and because of that, you can still have nicer linens, flowers and candles.
So, lets prioritize our floral order – assuming that you do not have a wedding party.
- Bouquet – the Bride must have a nice bouquet
- Grooms boutonniere
- 2 corsages for the Mothers’
- 2 boutonnieres for the fathers
- 4-6 simple centerpieces – depending upon the number of guests
- 8 floor length white linens
- 36 votive candles
We only have $500.00 “tops” to work with.
Since our venue is artsy and light filled, white would be an excellent choice as would yellow. Bright – light colors would fill the room beautifully and also bring out the artistic feel already intrinsic in the space. This would especially work if your event happened during the day. If you wanted a more evening cocktail feel – cocktails after a movie, than muted colors would be appropriate.
Of course this is only a suggestion for the wedding that I’m planning. You have to think about the look that you want – and choose the decor to reflect your wedding. It’s only my intention to give ideas where you would still be able to utilize the services of a professional florist to create an elegant look for your wedding.
Happy planning!
Okay, this is fun and fabulous. They don’t make music like this anymore – and 26 years later, he is still one good lookin’ dude!
Check this out!
Livin On A Prayer – Bon Jovi
Happy planning!
Opportunities – that’s what it’s all about!
LaWanda and Page are two women from the heart of Tennessee. They had a dream – for LaWanda 30 years in the making – and they made it happen.
They first contacted us in March – and never returned my call. Then one day in late May – I got a text saying that they could not do it. 
Who knew I was going to be taken on the adventure of my life? I’m so lucky. With very little money – LaWanda and Page decided to travel to DC to make their dream a reality. They hired us to take care of all the logistical details. We answered questions, responded to their needs, found and booked a venue, hired a photographer, helped with scheduling and travel. You know what? It’s hard getting around DC if you are unfamiliar with the layout.
From the first time I met them, I knew they were special. LaWanda had been married 3 times – and remained unhappy for decades. Her last husband loved her so much, that he put her feelings into words – brought her out of the closet – and the rest is history.
LaWanda spent the whole day readying herself for her special moment. The colors were yellow blue and red – for Page who was a lover of Donald Duck. She sewed beads on her dress and placed colored rings in her bouquet.
The ceremony took place at the WWI Memorial – the significance to Page was astounding. After the ceremony, they took pictures on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to cheers or joy and congratulations from onlookers.
It was so cool.
Just looking at the video warms my heart.
LaWanda and Page said that they would like me to share their video and pictures with the world. They felt it was important to share their love with all of you because they felt that DC was making incredible strides towards equality.
So here world (or the small part of the world that reads this blog) is Denise (everyone calls her by her last name – Page) and LaWanda’s magical day (edited).
This is what Washington DC is about. These two women!
Congratulations LaWanda and Page!
Pretty and pastel. Perfect for weddings!
Sweet and sparkly, no?
Starlight Royale
2.25 cups squeezed lime juice (1.5 oz/ shaker) plus more for rims
1.5 cups Gin (2 oz/shaker)
0.5 cups of superfine sugar (2 tsp/shaker)
1 bottle of Brut Champagne (or sparkling wine) (4 oz/shaker)
Sanding sugar for rim
Grenadine for pink hue
Mix lime juice, Gin and super fine sugar and chill until ready to serve (2 + hours).
To serve dip glasses in lime juice and sanding sugar to create 1 inch thick coat. Add champagne to shaker filled with ice. Add 3.5 oz of gin mixture. Strain into 2 glasses. Add 2-3 drops of grenadine to each.
Thanks to Martha Stewart Weddings for this pretty drink
Happy planning!
Comfort is key! Anybody who knows me, knows that I’m all about comfort. Having hurting feet can shift your focus from the the glory of the day – and the wonderful man that you choose to spend the rest of your life with – to painful and swollen feet. Yuck. Pain can affect everything, walking , pictures, dancing – the total enjoyment of your day.
Not fun.
And totally annoying.
Ballet flats are cute for the Bride, the Bridesmaids, Jr. Bridesmaids and flower girls.
You can do some fun things with color!
Guess what ladies? They don’t even have to be made of satin. There are beautiful ones out there made of breathable leather. Comfortable and breathable – imagine that!
Happy planning!
A while ago, I featured Eco-Chic Gowns from Justin Alexander. Take a look at just some of these sustainable beauties
Blush Bridal Boutique, just 30 minutes outside of DC, carries Justin Alexander. There are more choices out there ladies. If you don’t want to go in, call and see. You can have elegant Silk, bamboo, hemp and more. Justin goes up to size 20 and can be custom ordered in larger sizes.
You don’t have to be thin in order to sport natural and sustainable fabrics.
Happy planning!
What a wonderful choice for a Father-Daughter song.
Vienna by Billy Joel
Happy dancing!
The Jewish wedding consists of 7 parts, the first of which is signing the Ketubah. The term Ketubah, which is the Hebrew word for “to write” refers to the traditional marriage document. The traditional Ketubah is written in Aramaic – and stipulates that a husband must provide for the basic economic resources (food, shelter and clothing) for his wife. The Ketubah also spells out what a husband must provide in the case of divorce – depending upon her status before they got married (virgin, divorced, etc).
While the Ketubah was created for the protection of women (the husband to provide for his wife’s well being), as you can imagine, during the 60’s (when the social and economic status of women began to change) it came under attack for being unfair to women.
And so, there was born the modern Ketubah.
Couple’s today are using Ketubot (plural of Ketubah) to creatively formalize their ideas on their relationship and new marriage -together. They are using poems and unique text to demonstrate how they will love and support one another, build a family and weather a storm together. Modern Ketubot are written in Hebrew, and are often translated into English under the Hebrew text.
Traditionally the Ketubah was signed before the Chuppah ceremony, and was signed by the Bride and Groom and 2 non-blood related males as witnesses.
Today, in a more liberal setting – almost anything goes. Couples have given their guests an opportunity to participate in this beautiful tradition by signing the Ketubah during the wedding ceremony. Couples have invited women and family members to witness the signing. Modern couples have made it a very special rite of passage – in so many creative and inclusive ways.
Happy planning!
Thanks to The Ketubah Maven and My Jewish Learning for the information.
I’m not much of a scotch drinker, but if I’m going to take a taste, it better be good.
So, I went on a search for drinks containing Johnnie Walker Black Scotch Whisky.
Check out this monster
Four Horesemen of the Apocalypse
1/2 oz Jose Cuervo Especial Gold Tequila
1/2 oz Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Tennessee Whisky
1/2 oz Jim Beam Bourbon Whisky
1/2 oz Jagermeister herbal liqueur
1 oz Pineapple Juice
2 oz Sweet and sour mix
What fun!
WOW, this drink will “Light you Up”!
Even though the drink is NOT good for a wedding, Johnnie Walker works well on a classy bar! YAHHHOOO!
Happy planning!
I don’t use them all the time – on the contrary – very little. If it’s a very clean, modern, and edgy feel that you are going for – then this might be one avenue for you to pursue. With spandex, everything is very clean and polished. You see only edges and curves – no draping. If I use them, most of the time it’s on accessory tables – in combination with some lighting to make it more “cool nightclub-ish” – to separate the look and feel to different aspects of the reception.
I think it’s a great look and feel for the “right wedding”. To pull it off, you have to choose everything with careful consideration.
In all honesty, I’m not so fond of doing spandex on the guest tables. It looks really cool and all, but I’m not sure it’s too comfortable for your guests. Try it out and see what you think.
It’s a look.
Happy planning!
Thanks to atozpartyrental.net and weston-events.com for the samples
