Seating Logistics: Accessibility, Noise Levels + Family Dynamics

Posted by Tabitha on Sep 5, 2011 in event design, wedding planning | 0 comments

When assigning seats for your wedding reception, please take the following into consideration:

• Accessibility – Are there any guests that are physically disabled? If so, assign them to a table that is close to an entrance/exit point. For example, if your grandmother uses a walker to balance, then you do not want to assign her to a table that is on the opposite side of an entrance, nor do you want to place any disabled guests in an area where they may have a difficult time getting around the room or to their assigned table.

• Noise Level – One of the key things I pointed out when I discussed the benefits of creating a floor plan, was that by creating a floor plan you will have a visual of the room’s layout including a designated area to where the band or DJ will be located. Obviously, this is important because you will want to avoid assigning any guests to tables near the band if you suspect they may get annoyed with the noise level of the band, for example, any elderly guests and even guests who may bring their infants.

• Family Dynamics – Simply put, are there any members of your family who have a difficult time getting along or being cordial with each other? If so, please do not seat them with or near each other. Sure your wedding is a time to bring people together, but not at the expense of your wedding day turning sour. Sometimes we like to think people will put their differences aside for such a special occasion, but I can tell you that it does not always work out that way.

{This is a re-post and content has been modified (floor plan layout added today). Originally published on our old blog in June 2009}

What To Do With Your Wedding Gown?

Posted by Tabitha on Apr 20, 2011 in bridal gowns | 3 comments

Now that you have made it down the aisle in your bridal gown and perhaps, you have also had a “rock the dress” photo session, what are you going to do with your bridal gown?

Some people have their wedding gowns preserved and place them in their closets or attics so that they can a) reminisce about wearing it each year when they do their spring cleaning, b) they wish to keep it, hoping someday their daughter may wear it down the aisle, and or c) they hope to be able to fit in it when their 10 year wedding anniversary comes around.

However, if you are like me, then you are not the type of person who would hold on to something that you probably will not wear again, not even to renew your wedding vows. If you are in this boat, there are a couple other options of what to do with your wedding gown after the wedding.

They are as follows:

• support a good cause by donating your wedding gown to Brides Against Breast Cancer, a non-profit organization that “grant[s] final wishes to women and men suffering from terminal breast cancer”

• sell it on Recycle Bride, the world’s largest wedding marketplace if you are looking to recoup  a small percentage of your wedding expenses

• or, you can sell it and with the funds you earn, you can then donate that to a personal cause that you and your new husband both support

As you can see, I am all for using your bridal gown for a good cause in lieu of storing it in the back of your closet indefinitely. Something about preserving a wedding gown, gives me the creeps and makes me think of a casket (seriously). Have you seen those boxes they put them?

Happy Planning!

Photo from North Hills Raleigh

The Plus Size Brides’ Wedding Blog

Posted by Tabitha on Mar 30, 2011 in wedding magazines | 0 comments

Wedding publications at large both online and in print have underrepresented, if not neglected to represent plus-size brides, women of color, and well many ethnically-diverse groups of people as a whole. There are a few professionals who are out to change that in the wedding industry and I am all for it as a woman of color, diverse heritage, and who embraces her curves.

One of those brilliant people is Khris Kochran who has created an online platform dedicated solely for plus-size brides. In my personal opinion, Plumage Magazine is the leading source for not only brides with curves, but for the average size bride in American society.

Khris, also the founder and author of DIY Bride, has done an exceptional job in creating this online magazine, blog, and community, which is filled with resources for plus size brides, including advice on how to and where to shop for your bridal gown, beauty and fashion tips, featured real weddings, engagement sessions, and yes my friends boudoir photo sessions of beautiful and stylish plus size brides. There is a wealth of information. So, please go and check it out for yourselves and subscribe.

Trash the Dress Session in Australia

Posted by Tabitha on Mar 26, 2011 in destination weddings | 3 comments

Is this not the most beautiful trash the dress photo you have ever seen? Just look at that beautiful and picturesque Australian backdrop. Majestic, I tell you.

When I saw this photograph, I started daydreaming about personally having a day after wedding session in some place like Australia, Africa, or even in the jungle of Costa Rica. Hey, if you’re going to do it, why not do it in some exotic destination or while you are away on your honeymoon?

I also love how the model is effortlessly relaxing in the tree with her bridal gown hanging below as if this was the norm. You can view more from this photo shoot on ID Photography’s blog, I’m confident you will fall in love with their work as I did.

Twilight Wedding Inspiration

Posted by Tabitha on Mar 22, 2011 in event design | 0 comments

I found this wedding goodness on the wedding blog of Pure Photography by way of Bodas Deluxe. This creative photo shoot resulted from the team at Unique Designs wanting to create a “Twilight” inspired wedding invitation, which then further developed into a complete wedding design concept.

I am in complete awe of this invitation and all of its opulence, not to mention the twilight setting for this photo shoot. Naturally, I love the red, black, and white color scheme. Do you see that wedding cake design?  Why if cake could be sexy, this is it!

See more photos from this creative shoot here. Get Inspired!

Are Wedding Menu Cards Necessary?

Posted by Tabitha on Mar 21, 2011 in wedding planning | 0 comments

Photo from Project Weddings

Menu cards are not only a nice touch and a great way to personalize your wedding, but they are extremely helpful at assisting your guests with food allergies to quickly identify foods that may aggravate their allergies, if not cost them a trip to the emergency room.

Even if you are having a buffet-style wedding reception, menu cards are extremely beneficial for this reason—to help guests avoid the foods they are allergic too. Think about it. Traditionally, buffets offer an assortment of food items, including shellfish, creamy pasta dishes, or special sauces, soups, all of which may contain ingredients that aggravate food sensitivities.

Are wedding menu cards necessary?

No. However, it is an extremely nice courtesy to extend to your wedding guests, specifically if you are not allowing them to make menu selections when they RSVP. If cost is a factor, then consider only doing a menu card per guest table in lieu of one at each place setting.

Trust me, menu cards are a hit with guests, especially if you are having a buffet and your wedding guests may not have the slightest idea of how to discern what is in what. Of course, those table menu cards will also get their palates excited as they wait in anticipation for their turn to go through the buffet.

FYI: The most common food allergies that people have are towards cow’s milk, shellfish, nuts, gluten, and soy.

Happy Planning!

Inspired by Black Calla Lily Bouquets

Posted by Tabitha on Mar 14, 2011 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Photo from Project Weddings; Designed by JL Designs; Photo Credit: Ryan Philips

These black bridal bouquets are luxurious. Made with black calla lilies, which actually look like a dark burgundy (sometimes dark purple) and adorn with black feathers, a brooch, and black rhinestones, how much more luxe can a bride ask for concerning her wedding bouquet?

Photo from W-Wedding Flowers