Wedding Planning Secrets

If you are planning a wedding chances are that you started the process without having a clue.

Ya, ya there is ton of information on the web and a bazillion books to choose from, but just how good is most of that information? Not very, at least in my opinion. Besides, who has time to sift through all of it? I have been sifting through it for years and most of it makes me laugh and some of it is downright scary. I have finally found someone that tells it like it is in a simple easy to understand way: Susan Southerland.

Don’t even think about planning your wedding without watching her new video, Wedding Planning Secrets. Susan takes a no fluff, no bull, just the straight story look at what you need to know to plan an event this big. She talks honestly about budgets and setting priorities. There are great organizational tips and the tools to make them happen for you.

She explains just what an event designer is and why they may be one of the most valuable members of your team. The section on cakes and catering gives you the low down on what you need to know to contract these services and what to look for as you interview them.

This isn’t one of those books that encourages you to spend, spend spend; nor does it tell you can have a celebrity wedding on $5000 if you “just follow these 5 tips.” This is the closest thing to the real knowledge and tools you need that I have ever seen. Her tips and explanations are valid regardless of the size of your wedding or the size of your budget.

Whether you are a DIY bride having a tiny wedding at home or a diva bride getting married in a Manhattan Hotel with a top notch planner by your side, you need the information that Susan is dispensing to navigate your way through.

Now, my friends, you know me well enough by now to know that I don’t blow smoke and I know that this post is pretty high praise. Yep, I really do think this dvd is that important.

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Flower Perfection

As someone that has made my share of sugar flowers, I have a great respect for the art. That skill has been transformed into a more permanent form: clay. Using ClayCraft Deco Clay, Diane Phillips of DK Designs has brought the beauty of hand sculpted flowers off the cake and into your bouquet, your centerpieces and into your home.


Clay Flower centerpiece of roses and stephanotis
clay roses, stephanoitis and peony buds

Fresh flowers are beautiful, but these stunners will last forever if you take care of them. Even if you don’t want to go the clay route for your actual wedding, why not have a piece made using the clay version of your flowers to treasure forever.

You can see more of Diane’s work at her Etsy store on her blog. To special order you can contact the artist directly through her website.

Hat tip to Wedded Bits for hooking me up with these.

Beautiful Wedding Cakes

I have been setting up some projects for a new (ish) client and I just have to share. Kellie Bryson and her team at The Bake Shoppe designed these gorgeous wedding cakes. I know she won’t mind, so enjoy the eye candy. You can view the complete gallery here.

The Bake Shoppe is located in Nashville in one of the coolest rehabed buildings around. Kellie and her husband, Jerry Bryson spent over a year creating this unique space. It now houses not only The Bake Shoppe and A Catered Affair but still had plenty of room to hold events on both the main floor and the dreamy roof top. Called simply Events at 1418, it is a perfect space to showcase their work. As a former cake designer myself, I must say that my favorite part is that the decorating station has it’s own, huge window overlooking the street scene beyond. Cool.

Richly Colored Table Top Ideas

Another Sunday, another Bridal Show, so I found more beautiful table tops to share.Blue and purple table top

This beautiful peacock inspired table is from Something Blue Weddings & Events. Rachel Hawkins was telling me that her designer has been bugging her to do something with peacock feathers, so Rachel finally said, “Oh have fun.” Wow did she ever knock it out of the park. The lovely rich colors make me think of a of a deep warm feast on a cold winters night. Just beautiful.

Moroccan themed table top

Morocco anyone? Chef’s Market designed this amazing table for this season of bridal shows and I swear I love it more every time I see it. Now you wouldn’t do it for every table but wouldn’t it create a stunning look if you enlarged it and used it for the head table? What a focal point that would make!

This Guest Book Alternative is Just a Little Dirty!

You know I love alternative guest books, right? Well check out this one!Casual Guest book alternative

Created by Mèlangerie in New York, these adorable little cards shaped like pieces of clothing were hung on a clothes line with tiny clothes pins. A detergent bottle was inscribed with a note encouraging guests to tell funny stories about the couple. Mèlangerie later compiled the couples ‘dirty laundry’ into a book as a keepsake for the couple.

If you are having a casual outdoor wedding, I think this would be too fun. Not to mention you could probably DIY it.

Table Top Ideas

One of the things I enjoy most about bridal shows are the tabletop displays. Usually you can count on the rental companies to pull out all the stops and present some great ideas to inspire you. This Sunday was no exception. Everyone seemed to have had fun, even the caterers and event venues.Soft green and brown tabletopSilver Table with crystal and pink accents from Classic Party RentalFall table with wrought iron chandelierOne Eleven

I also took beau coup pictures of pretty bouquets, but I think I will save those for Flower Friday.

Another Clever Guestbook Idea

I am always on the hunt for something besides the boring plain guest book that gets packed away in a closet never to be seen again. This may be the coolest one yet!

Calligraphy Wedding Certificate/Guest Book

I have long been a fan of really fine calligraphy and especially illuminations.

This marriage certificate is truly a work of art. All of the certificates are hand made and custom designed to your individual specifications. Size depends on the amount of copy and the number of guests. You can choose between multiple paper types, choose from their borders or have them create one specifically for you.

Illumination by Toucan CalligraphyI have long been a fan of really fine calligraphy and especially illuminations. In the true style of illumination you can have 24kt gold accents added.

Having discovered these I just can’t imagine not having one done if I ever take the plunge again. Check them out at Toucan Calligraphy.

Word of warning. This isn’t a last minute thing; allow a minimum of two months.

Flower Friday Advice

I have heard the same thing this week from 2 planners and a florist: When they asked a bride about the floral and décor budget for their wedding the brides said, ”Well I don’t really have a budget.”

I don\'t want to hear this.

Grrrrr. Let me tell you what wedding professionals hear when you say that, “I don’t want to tell you because you will spend it all.”

Here is what they think. ”OK babe, is it $500Rose bowl cwnterpiece with calla and gerber daisy

or $15,000.

Wedding decor by Ilex in Nashville

Give me some direction so I know where to go”

When you approach a planner or florist or a designer of any kind, they can work with in your budget if they know what it is. Even if you don’t have a firm budget you have to have some idea of a ballpark dollar figure. Be honest with your vendors, lowball a little if you feel you must, but, good grief, give them some idea.

It doesn’t matter if your budget is tiny; a small budget stretches the talents of a true creative; it makes us think harder. Don’t get me wrong, everybody prefers working with a lavish budget but it isn’t always the case. If you are honest from the beginning you will be much better served by the professionals you choose. Believe it or not; we really do want to make your day special.

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