Wedding and Event News

Pilster Photography is a little WEirD but a “lotta” CoOL!

His favorite phrase – “outside of the box” perfectly defines him. He prefers the non-traditional wedding locations and the over the top brides. I love the debates we have over what’s traditional and what’s not… after every encounter with Mr. Chad Pilster I am left with an overloaded brain full of ideas, creative business strategies, and not to mention AWESOME photos.

Check out my favorite shots from various engagement sessions and weddings:

The Language of Popular Wedding Flowers

Bridal Rose — Happy Love

Calla Lily — Beauty

Daffodil — You’re the Only One

Daisy — Loyal Love, Innocence

Fern — Grace

Forget-Me-Not — True Love

Freesia — Trust

Gardenia — You’re Lovely, Joy

Hydrangea — Thank You for Understanding

Ivy — Wedded Love, Fidelity

Magnolia — Nobility

Myrtle — Love

Orange Blossoms— Eternal Love, Marriage, Fruitfulness

Orchid — Love, Beauty, Chinese for Many Children

Peony — Happy Life, Happy Marriage

Pink Rose — Perfect Happiness

Red Rose — Love

Stephanotis — Happiness in Marriage

Stock — Bonds of Affection

Tea Rose — I’ll Remember Always

Tulip — Luck

White Carnation — Sweet and Lovely, Innocence

White Heather — Wishes Will Come True

White Lilies — Purity

White Rose — Innocence and Purity

The importance of your vendor contracts:

In planning your wedding you will be dealing with multiple vendors and service providers. It is in all the involved parties’ best interests to have some form of contract or agreement outlined. This contract/agreement will give you legal recourse if the vendor does not follow through on the promised plans.

Each vendor should be able to provide you with a detailed contract and should include some form of the following (if applicable):

• Name of the person providing the service
• Your name
• Your wedding date
• The timeframe they are providing (photographer and musician)
• Delivery date (florist and rental supplies)
• Date for final headcount (reception site and caterer)
• Detailed description of the flowers they are providing (white tulips, calla lilies, roses)
• Payment details (clear and accurate)
• Deposit dates and requirements
• Final payment information
• Cancellation fees
• Signature of you and vendors

Here are some tips for financial protection when planning a wedding:

• Deal with vendors with verifiable references and good reputations. Verify complaints through the Better Business Bureau.
• Keep signed detailed contracts from every vendor that you use.
• If you have to make any changes to your orders do it in writing and keep a copy for your records
• Never pay with cash. If possible pay with a credit card or a check.
• Take photos of the items you disapprove of. It will serve as your proof when you contest your payment

My weakness – shoes! Not just any old shoe but sexy and colorful shoes. The days of boring white or ivory wedding shoes are a thing or the past – or so I hope! Brides today are opting for something bold and edgy to peak from underneath their wedding dress.

Because your feet don’t have to suffer to be beautiful!

Selecting your wedding party

The number of attendants you choose for your wedding is generally determined by the size of the wedding, the wedding style and the budget. The general rule is to select your best man and maid/matron of honor, then select one groomsmen and bridesmaid for every fifty guests. This rule is meant to be broken and rarely followed. Here are the primary factors to consider when choosing your wedding party: Select an even number of bridesmaids and groomsmen because it offers a more balanced look and for those of you on a limited budget opt for a smaller wedding party. It is easier to manage and fit into your budget. With that said, let’s select your wedding party.

Selecting the matron/maid of honor:

No doubt about it, your closest friend or relative should be chosen for this major role. This is the person you will spend the most time with while preparing for your wedding. They will help you shop for your gown, brainstorm ideas, host your shower, plan the bachelorette party, make the party favors, and most importantly, offer moral support. On your wedding day, they will help you get dressed while offering many endearing compliments, carry the groom’s ring, hold your wedding bouquet, and sign the marriage license.

Selecting the best man:

The best man is traditionally appointed to the groom’s closest male friend or relative, but in today’s society the role may be filled by the groom’s sister or closest female friend. The best man’s primary role is to offer moral support. The best man will also offer advice, guidance in picking out wedding day attire, planning the bachelor party and acting as the groom’s right hand on the wedding day. He can also play chauffeur to the bride and groom on the day of the wedding and drive them to their wedding night hotel or to the airport for their honeymoon.

Selecting bridesmaids:

They can be close friends, family members or sorority sisters. Their main goal is to provide moral support. They may provide assistance in planning the wedding shower and/or organizing the bachelorette party.

For that adorable niece, cousin or close friend of the family that is too old to be a flower girl but too young to be a bridesmaid, give them the honor of being a junior bridesmaid. They are typically between the ages of 9-16. The same will go for those adorable young men in your like that are too old to be ring bearers and too young to be a groomsmen, allow them fill the role of the junior groomsmen. Note: Keep your wedding party balanced so if you are going to have a junior groomsmen also select a junior bridesmaid. The photo ops will be flawless.

Selecting groomsmen:

They can be close friends, family members or fraternity brothers. Their main goal is to provide moral support and to assist the best man in carrying out his duties. They can assist in the planning of the bachelor party, direct guests to the reception site, and decorate the getaway car.

Selecting the flower girl and ring bearer:

You should consider asking your pretty little niece, cousin, or a close friend’s daughter. You may choose to have one or two flower girls. The flower girls range in age from 3 to 8 years old. Ring bearers are traditionally little boys between the ages of 3 to 5. The ring bearer’s role is to carry a decorative pillow bearing symbolic rings. (The real rings are usually held by the honor attendants)

Selecting others to fill minor roles:

To ensure that no one feels left out, consider appointing members of your family and close friends to serve as candle lighters, train bearers, readers, vocalists, and guest book attendants. You can never solicit too much help. Just make sure that everyone is fully aware of their individual task and remain organized.

So a princess gown and cathedral veil is not you… me either!!! If my hubby and I were to renew our vows again I would definitely rock something sleek and sexy (since I can’t get away with jeans). But enough about me… we’re chatting about your style.

Some of my elements to incorporate:

• Very casual décor
• Unique Venue
• Intimate guest list
• Attire is completely up to the couple (my fav – seersucker suits and tea-length dresses)
• Reception is simple with fantastic little touches
• Fun and fresh menu

The fabulous wedding of Kristy Barren and Jeremiah Ofori in historic Ybor City, Florida. Kristy and Jeremiah planned a romantic church ceremony followed by a trendy reception complete with a delectable menu and rockin’ entertainment! The wedding team included:

Reception Venue – Lions Eye Institute Event Center

Florist – Peddles – Vicki McCullough

Linens – BBJ

Baker – A Piece of Cake

Décor and Coordination – RW Events – Tamuel Cowart

Entertainment – Fusion Event Group – DJ D-Strong

Photography – Snap Photography – Christopher “Smitty” Smith

Our favorite aspect… the colors! Shades of purple and cream

So many checklists so little time… it can be quite a daunting task to keep up with the entire task that comes with planning your wedding. Stationery is something the gals at RW Events love and here are some “words from the wise”

1. Save-the-date cards should be mailed to out-of-town guests 6-9 months prior to the wedding
   
2. Do not include registry information in the invitations or save-the-dates –rely on word of mouth or your wedding website
   
3. Order extra envelopes for addressing errors
   
4. Mail your invitations 6-8 weeks prior to the wedding
   
5. When addressing invitation do not use abbreviations ~ with the exceptions of formal name titles i.e. Jr. Sr. Dr.
   

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Jean M now has Bill Me Later! No payments for 90 days when you spend $150.

 Purple combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. Purple is associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. It conveys wealth and extravagance. Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, and magic which is why is it remains a popular wedding color!

Elegala.com had a really cute article that deals with wedding guest complaints.  Being behind the scenes at weddings – I can honestly say… I have seen many of these issues first hand.

Guest Gripes – 8 Complaints that Irk Wedding Guests

Better mind your guests and avoid these common wedding etiquette faux pas… 

Chances are, you’ll be the only one to notice if the five-tiered wedding cake tilts slightly to the left or the best man dons his favorite black sneaks, but wedding guests everywhere agree that the following blunders make for a painful wedding experience…

8 Wedding Guest Complaints

1) Bad Timing – Long pauses between the ceremony and reception are generally a bummer.  If you cannot book the ballroom immediately following the ceremony, arrange for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at an adjacent space. 

2) Cash Bars – Sorry, a cash bar is never an acceptable money-saving solution.  Swallow that expensive pill by thinking about this: you would never ask guests to pay for a cocktail in your own home; your wedding should be the same.

3) Stranded Dates – Don’t create a painful experience for your attendants’ dates. Speed up the marathon photo sessions and seat dates together with the wedding party at the reception. 

4) Stranded Guests – If your wedding reception and ceremony locations are far apart or far from accommodations, you should provide guest transportation.  Besides the obvious safety concerns of drinking and driving, your guests should remember what a lovely time they had at your wedding – not what a pain it was to get there. 

5) Unaccommodating Accommodations – Failing to provide information for convenient and affordable accommodations for long distance guests never goes over well.  Don’t force guests to be their own travel agents, and don’t secure the only room block at a 5 star hotel unless all of your guests have 5 star budgets.

6) Silent or Tardy Dinner Bell – If your four hour reception falls during meal time, understand that your guests will be expecting just that – a meal.  And they’ll expect that meal during normal lunch or dinner hours, so don’t wait until 10 pm to serve dinner. 

7) Ungracious Hosts – Failing to acknowledge any gift or thoughtful gesture with hand-written, personalized thank you notes is always an etiquette faux pas and never a breech that will go unnoticed.  Suffering from writer’s block?  These useful thank you note examples will help you get started.WRITE YOUR THANK YOUS!!

8)Just Plain Tacky – Ok – let’s get it out – when it comes to money dances, novelty songs (hokey pokey comes to mind), singles dances or cake smashing – most guests are in agreement that they’d just as soon not see it.  Of course, there will always be those who find these acts acceptable and those who don’t – but as host/hostess, your job is to make guests feel at ease and comfortable – so best to err on the safe side and refrain from these potential blunders.

Emily Post – Etiquette Tips on Being the Perfect Guest

1. RSVP. Immediately.

RSVP is French for “please respond” (répondez s’il vous plaît). Your most important obligation as a guest is to respond to the invitation immediately, especially if you are unable to attend. At the very least, it allows your host and hostess enough time to give an accurate count to the caterer. There is usually a card to return with your reply. If not, you may write a formal reply or a note indicating your intention.

2. Respect your invitation.

Do not ask your host or hostess if you can bring a date or your children. The invitation will be addressed to the people invited. If you may bring a guest, your invitation will read “Mr. John Phelps and guest.” If your children are invited, they will either receive their own personal invitations or their names will be listed under yours on the envelope. This is not the time to question your host’s decision, to argue or to beg for an exception. And, please, do not add their names to a reply card or show up with them anyway!

3. Send a gift.

If you are invited to the ceremony and/or reception, you should send a gift, whether you are attending or not. Generally, gifts are sent to the bride in advance of the wedding. In some localities, gifts are brought to the reception and placed on a special table. If you hear from family that the couple would prefer a charitable donation—as in the case of an older couple or an encore wedding —please respect their wishes. If you receive an announcement after the wedding has taken place, you may send a gift if you wish, but you have no obligation to do so. It is nice to acknowledge the announcement with a card or a note expressing your best wishes.

4. Be on your BEST behavior.

Be on time, wear appropriate clothing and be respectful during the marriage ceremony. Pay your respects to the hosts, the wedding party and other guests at the reception.

Logos are not just used to brand a company or product – savvy couples are using them to brand their custom wedding stationery.

Being introduced as early as the wedding announcements or save the dates then carried over into the the invitations, programs, menu cards, and escort cards. Wedding logos are definitely a trend that will be around for a while.

Betsy White Stationery Boutique offers couples some amazing logos and color options to personalize their wedding:

 Have you registered? Orlando’s first and ONLY wedding resource library invites you out to meet and greet Central Florida’s most elite vendors. Check out planIT! boutique’s website for more information.