What Makes for the Best Wedding Day Timeline
No matter what kind of wedding you’re having, one thing is for certain, TIMING IS EVERYTHING! With so many moving parts to the day, it’s imperative to have all the details mapped out.
It might sound silly, but we pride ourselves on our timelines! Our main focus - KEEP THE ENERGY UP! We’ve all attended weddings as guests with massive downtime and endless speeches that seem to drone on and on. These situations are a result of poor planning and bad timelines!
Below is what we consider when creating a Style-Architects Wedding timeline:
1. First thing we is consider whether you have any time limitations with your band or DJ. If the band is restricted to playing three hours of music over a five hour period for example, then we want to make sure to time dinner to ensure the band has time to fulfill their allotted performance time. For example, you wouldn’t want to start a dance in this case at 9pm as it wouldn’t allow for three hours of play with required breaks.
2. Next, “What time is sunset?” Factoring in the sunset time will ensure that you and your fiancé have time to run out for some golden hour photos. These photos typically take place anytime between 45 minutes to an hour before sunset. Depending on the time of year, you may have to jump out during dinner service and we want to ensure that your meal is served hot and is ready as soon as you return.
3. Based on the answers to 1 & 2, we help determine the ceremony time. From there we map out everything after the ceremony. 99% of our couples use the East Coast wedding timeline format. This includes dancing before guests are invited to sit for dinner and splitting up speeches and important dances throughout dinner service. Peppering toasts and dances throughout dinner service ensures that guests keep focused on what is going on and keeps things moving and the energy flowing in the room. When your guests sit too long, they start to lose focus and lose steam to join the dance after dinner.
4. What are your top three priorities for your wedding? If “guest experience” is important to you {and who doesn’t think that?} then we build that into the finer details of the timeline. Ensuring ushers are ready to greet guests as they arrive at the venue, having cocktails passed for quicker service during cocktail hour, and minimizing the time between transitions in the evening are just a few of the timeline adjustments we make.
5. Once the entire evening is planned out, we start from the ceremony and work backwards to the morning. Although the morning is typically crazy with getting ready, photos, and all of the emotions, we still want to ensure that all the details are accounted for including time for first looks with bridal party, parents and, of course, your fiancé, family and wedding party photos, and arrival times for vendors, wedding party, and guests. Wedding day timelines guide every move that day and having everyone and everything accounted for is important.
Of course, not all weddings are the same but we want the same things for each wedding day: keeping the day moving, keeping the day energized, and ultimately GETTING THESE TWO MARRIED!
If you are looking for advice on your wedding day timeline or are interested in a planning package, please feel free to fill our contact form here. We would love to talk and get your planning started!
What's worth splurging on!?
No matter the budget, couples are always bumping up against it. With bigger budgets come bigger expectations. Sound familiar? What’s worth the money and where would we say to splurge?
Below is a list of the best things we think are worth splurging on.
Photography
If there is one thing that really bums us out it is bad photos! This is one of the most important days of your life and it will go by in a flash, so it is well worth splurging on a talented, experienced photographer that will let you relive your special day over and over again. Not only will you be able to reminisce on the memories, but the gorgeous décor as well! Photos are a great way to share your day with those who were unable to attend as well such as aging grandparents. If you can make videography work into the budget - even better!
Entertainment
We love a band for the energy it brings, but if a band isn’t in the budget, there are some awesome (and some not so awesome) DJs out there. A bad DJ kills a party. Spend the money to get your pick of DJ!
Décor
Nice chairs and floor length linens are a must in our book and take any event and elevate it 10x! Banquet chairs just don’t cut it! Add fresh, beautiful florals and candles, and your event will turn heads! Having the proper lighting to highlight your venue is also important.
Statement Décor
It's also important to incorporate at least one show-stopping, jaw-dropping focal point to your wedding. Whether it be the backdrop to your ceremony, dressing up the head table or creating a gorgeous ceiling installation, spending a little extra here takes your décor to a whole new level! Stun your guests with a piece that makes them go, “WOW!”
You!
For how special this day is and will be to you for years to come, splurging on yourself is of course on this list. You want to feel and look your best (don’t forget you will be looking at these photos and showing them off for generations). Your dress, hair, and makeup are no place to skimp! You want to look back and think, “I deserved that” (Because you DO!)
Day-Of Planner
Of course a Day-of Planner! Even if you don't have room in your budget for a full-service planner, hiring a Day-Of Planner {like us!} will allow you and your family members to be stress-free while taking advantage of every moment! We hate the thought of the bride having to lay out linens or set up escort cards - or worse yet - strike the decor at the end of the night! The couple, wedding party, and family should be able to let go of all of the logistics of the day and be able to 100% kick their feet up and have fun!
The Havoc of Coronavirus on Wedding Planning
As wedding planners, we too are devastated for the couples whose weddings have been impacted by Covid-19. There is nothing like the feeling of being surrounded by friends and family on your wedding day and right now, that is not an option. With restrictions lifting but social distancing recommendations remaining in place, it’s unclear when weddings will resume unencumbered by regulations and fear.
To help couples out, here are a few of the questions we are regularly hearing from our couples and our responses.
Photo courtesy of Whitley B Photography
WHEN DO I NEED TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER TO POSTPONE OUR WEDDING?
There are two windows of time to consider in this decision. Wedding invitations should be mailed eight weeks prior to the date at the latest. To avoid the cost of reprinting and confusing or frustrating guests who need to book flights or make other travel arrangements, we suggest you make the decision by the print deadline for your invitations. Depending on the printer, this is 10-12 weeks out from the wedding.
Of course, three months is a lot of time and much can change. If you prefer to push the decision to as late as possible, we suggest no later than five weeks before the wedding. After this time, additional payments are generally due, flowers get ordered and vendors move into high gear planning the final details of your event. The more notice you give vendors, the more amenable they will be to your rescheduling.
IF I FEEL I NEED TO RESCHEDULE, HOW DO I GO ABOUT IT?
Assuming you are not working with a planner who can handle these changes for you, contact the biggest ticket item vendors to get a read on their policies regarding rescheduling and get a list of available dates that fit your schedule. Cross reference all the lists and select your new date. In most cases and with enough notice, vendors are transferring deposits to new non-peak dates (meaning off-season) with no penalty. If the vendor is not available, then you enter a gray area that falls under cancellation and you could lose your deposit, so be sure to involve the vendors in the selection of the new date. Once a new date has been selected, be sure to get a contract addendum or new contract from each vendor for the new date.
CAN I BUY EVENT INSURANCE TO PROTECT THE DEPOSITS I’VE MADE?
You may be thinking of purchasing event cancellation insurance to protect yourself. The unfortunate news is that major insurance carriers have either suspended issuing cancellation policies or have language in the policy that would prevent claims tied to coronavirus since they are considered a “known circumstance” and therefore are not covered. So, for example, if vendors you’ve booked go under, lost deposits will not be covered if the closure can be traced to coronavirus. If your wedding is next summer and you want to purchase now, it is a known circumstance at this time so coronavirus next summer will not be covered. If it completely goes away this fall and you purchase for next year in the anticipation it could return like the flu, this is a gray area. What we’ve been told by insurance carriers is that if you are thinking of purchasing a policy to protect yourself from coronavirus, then don’t.
This is a time for appreciating all we do have, and we just want you to know how humble and honored we feel to be a part of such momentous occasions. These are unusual times and we are all in this together. Lean on your vendors to help you navigate the effects of this pandemic on your wedding planning. We are all eager to help. Stay well.
2020 Wedding Trends: Pantone Color of the Year
It’s a new decade, but 2020’s Pantone Color is going back to the classics. We are always excited to hear the announcement of the Pantone Color of the Year as it heavily influences wedding colors for the upcoming year (and sometimes even longer)! Rose Quartz, the 2016 Pantone Color of the Year, certainly hung around for years!
But for 2020, the 2020 Pantone Color of the Year is Classic Blue! Following is inspiration on how to incorporate this shade into your wedding.
COLOR COMBOS
Classic Blue is so versatile. It can stand on its own or serve as a neutral for bolder hues. Following are just five examples of color combos which showcase how nicely Classic Blue plays with other hues.
COLOR INSPIRATION
Vendor Feature Q&A: Sara Victoria Cakes
Sara Victoria Cake Design was born from a genuine love of baking and art; stemming from childhood. After graduating from the Institute of Culinary Education, Sara has worked with both classically trained artists and some of the best sugar artists in the industry which has helped build her signature style. Sara’s work isn't just a cake but a piece of edible art, elegant and unexpected. No two cakes are ever the same, each client receives something that is unique to them.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR COMPANY!
“My company is Sara Victoria Cake Design, and I specialize in custom and elaborate cakes for every occasion under the sun! I use edible mediums to create works of art, I also do custom dessert bars, cupcakes, cookies and anything sweet!”
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THIS BUSINESS?
“I was always baking as a kid, making desserts for family parties, whatever I could. I ended up working at a bakery that made mostly grab and go items breads, muffins, cookies, cupcakes etc… I learned so much working there, they let me make a few custom cakes there and it made me realize that the cakes were what I really wanted to do so I decided to go to the institute of culinary education, which in my mind is the start of my professional career.”
WHAT DIFFERENTIATES YOU FROM OTHER DESSERT BUSINESSES?
“I think what sets me apart is my desire to make a piece of art that happens to be edible. I work hard to make everything on each piece edible as well. I take a lot of time to watch trends, not in desserts but in colors of the year, florals, I watch the runway shows, fashion is such a great indicator of the times. I think that keeps me fresh and modern. I also never remake a cake, I want to sit with each client and design something thats unique to them and fits their event perfectly. I also love to be creative with my flavors, I love to come up with something that is out of the box but tastes amazing, adding a little hibiscus, a hint of spice, i’m constantly playing with recipes and coming up with new things. Sky is the limit with flavor in my opinion!”
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WORKING WITH WEDDINGS?
“Working with people on the biggest day of their lives is exciting, they want everything to be perfect and have a dream of what the day will be. Coming up with designs for each wedding is like solving a puzzle, fitting all the colors, flowers and venue in mind, what can I make thats going to blow them away, not just in look but in flavor. You’re making someones special day even more special, the look on the couples faces when they see it for the first time is such a rush.”
WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT WEDDING SITUATION YOU HAVE FACED WITH A WEDDING CLIENT AND HOW DID YOU RESOLVE IT?
“I’ve been pretty lucky client wise, I think because I always want to design something to fit them and their event there isn’t a lot of issue there. But theres always logistical issues if you have to move a 4ft cake that weighs 200 pounds. I arrived at one wedding with that exact situation, it was so big that it had to be assembled on site, there was no planner and they were running behind and no one knew where I was supposed to set up the dessert table. In that instance I just kind of did it myself, found the table, set it up, did the linens and did my set up. Not finishing isn’t really an option, in those situations you just get stuff done!”
FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU CAN OFFER ENGAGED COUPLES?
“Hire a wedding planner! It’ll make your life so much easier, even if its just for a day. On delivery day you don’t want me bothering you asking where to set up, it should be time spent with friends and family. Leave those details to the experts and enjoy your day!”
WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION AND/OR MOTIVATION?
“I’m the most inspired by art and runway fashion, rarely other cakes or desserts. Ive been so lucky in my career that I’ve been surrounded by amazing artists, they have pushed me to look beyond what you think is possible. I also find nature so inspiring, I love that it’s naturally imperfect.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WEDDING CAKE/DESSERT TREND AT THE MOMENT?
“Texture! Theres so many great ways to play with texture and so many edible mediums to work from, texture really has no ceiling so creatively its a lot of fun to find new ways to add it. Another great one is shapes, stepping away from the typical round tiered cake and doing something unexpected. Im loving clean lines and straight edges at the moment, especially mixed with some unexpected florals or pattern.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU’RE AWAY FROM WORK?
“I have a few hobbies, I’ve been riding and showing reining horses for the last ten years. I also starting doing aerial silks (and a little Lyra) and yoga. I keep building on those circus things, it’s a lot of fun!”
WHAT WOULD WE BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU?
“This one is tough! Maybe that I’ve never taken an art class? I wish I had but in high school I never really saw it as something I could go far in. In hindsight I wish I had and followed up with some fine arts classes in college. I’ve learned a lot but the background in arts is so helpful!”
How to Mail Your Invitations in 6 Easy Steps
As wedding planners, we get a lot of questions from our couples about invitations. We received some very helpful advice from our friends at Paper Rock Scissor, and wanted to share it with you!
STEP ONE: STAMP YOUR INVITATIONS
To make it easy for your guests to submit their RSVPs, it is strongly encouraged that you stamp your RSVP cards. A standard forever stamp will do the trick for a card that has an envelope. Otherwise, a less expensive postcard stamp will work well for postcard RSVPs.
STEP TWO: ADDRESS YOUR INVITATIONS
If you stationery vendor or calligrapher addressed the envelopes for you, it’s important to double check the completed envelopes against your list to ensure there aren’t any discrepancies. While your vendors will check them before you pick them up, you can never have too many eyes on this crucial detail! If you find that you need additional envelopes printed, please send your stationery vendor a list that details all of the reprints that you need. They will get them completed for you as quickly as possible!
STEP THREE: STUFF YOUR INVITATIONS
Proper etiquette is to stack the materials - putting the invitation on the bottom and layering the other pieces (i.e. details, map, RSVP card, etc.) with the largest on the bottom to the smallest on the top. RSVP cards should be tucked into the flap of the RSVP envelope so that the flap covers part of the text. With the envelope face down and back flap up, place the cards (printed side up) into the envelope. You want to be sure to stuff them so that a right-handed person could start reading everything as they pull it out of the envelope (sorry, lefties)!
STEP FOUR: SEAL YOUR INVITATIONS
Paper Rock Scissor recommends keeping it old school by licking the envelopes to seal them. Press down the flap and firmly seal the envelope in place by running your fingers back and forth over the seal while pressing down. If you wish, you can stack your invitations (flap down) under a book or other heavy object while they dry to ensure a good seal! If you choose to use a product or washcloth to wet your envelopes, be careful not to over-wet them or wipe the glue off as this can compromise the envelopes.
STEP FIVE: WEIGH YOUR STUFFED ENVELOPES
Have a completed invitation you will be mailing weighed at the post office to determine the amount of postage that will be needed for mailing. Invitations can be larger and heavier (or thicker) than a typical letter, so don’t be surprised if you need more postage than normal! The post office offers an array of stamp designs that are the most common denominations needed for mailings. For the best selection, try shopping online (www.usps.com), or you can ask your stationery vendor about custom artwork to order personalized stamps.
STEP SIX: MAIL YOUR INVITATIONS!
Paper Rock Scissor suggests bringing your invitations into the post office to be mailed, rather than dropping them off in a box. If you wish, you can request (or pay) for the invitations to be hand-processed or hand-canceled. Most post offices try to keep hand-canceled mail separate from regular mail, but even if the local branch sorts by hand, there is no guarantee that your invitations won’t go through processing machines later in their journey to your guests.
How to Get Your Marriage License
Wedding planning should be a ton of fun but not all activities are created equal. Take getting the marriage license. Of course it certainly feels “real” when you hold that unsigned license in your hand, but let’s face it, filling out the paperwork necessary for your license is not as much fun as picking out flowers or your gown! So, with not much attention focused on this task, we thought it would be helpful to explain the process couples must take in order to make their marriage legal in the state of Minnesota.
Photographer: Kavella Wedding Photography
To obtain your marriage license you must appear in person at the county clerk’s office, either by an appointment or a walk-in. To save time, we suggest filling out the paperwork online (using this link for Ramsey County or this link for Hennepin County) and scheduling an appointment. Both partners must be present and are required to show proof of identity, such as a driver’s license, but if one of the parties can’t appear, a supplemental form will be given to the partner who is there to be completed by the partner who is not. Assuming both partners are present, the marriage license is given to you at the appointment.
The marriage license fee is $40.00 with proof of Premarital Education completed and $115.00 without Premarital Education. The fee must be paid at the time you apply for the license.
The next step will take place on the day of your wedding. To make the marriage license complete, both partners, the officiant, and two witnesses must sign it.
Lastly, it’s the officiant’s job to send in the completed marriage license to the county clerk, within five days of the wedding. Once that’s done, an official marriage record is mailed to the couple and the marriage is deemed official.
Photographer: Laura Ivanova Photography
There are a couple of things to make note of. First, you may apply for a marriage license in any county in Minnesota, regardless of where you live or where the marriage is taking place, as long as the wedding will take place within Minnesota. Simply complete the form for the county in which you plan to make your appointment. Secondly, no longer is there a five day waiting period, though I wouldn’t push this to the last minute in case there are issues that arise! Previous marriages and legal troubles may complicate things as additional documentation is required. Your marriage license is valid for 6 months so this is certainly an easy to-do item to knock off the list months before the wedding.
Photographer: Cadence & Eli
Responsibilities of the Bridesmaids
Being asked to be someone’s bridesmaid is a huge honor. Whether it be you sister or your elementary school bestie, there is something so special about being able to stand next to your girl while she says, “I do.” With that being said, there are a handful of unspoken responsibilities and expectations that come along with this role. Below are 5 ways you should expect to help your bride while leading up to her wedding day, to ensure you are as helpful and supportive as you can be.
1. Be emotionally supportive.
During the months leading up to their big day, most brides are often very overwhelmed with a range of emotions. It’s important that you are there to listen to her rant or to dry her tears, or whatever it is that she may need. If you aren’t in love with the bridesmaid dress or you have contrary opinions on a subject, be a sweetheart and keep your thoughts to yourself.
Photographer: 2nd Truth Photography
2. Assist in pre-wedding tasks.
Whether it be giving your opinion on linen colors or stuffing invitations, the smallest task can go a long way and it will make her life easier.
Photographer: Ali Leigh Photography
3. Help plan and attend pre-wedding events.
The bachelorette party, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner and a number of other events are all things you should offer to help with and to try your best to attend.
Photographer: Half Acre House
4. Be prepared to pay.
Between gifts, expenses and travel, the average women spends nearly $1000 to be in a wedding. If you aren’t prepared to lay out that kind of cash, it is better to kindly decline the invitation than to go along begrudgingly or to put yourself in a tougher financial situation. If you accept, then you accept the expense that goes along with it.
Photographer: Melissa Oholendt Photography
5. Be on-hand and helpful on the wedding day.
Just in case anything goes wrong or the bride needs assistance, make sure to be ready to jump in and help with a variety of tasks throughout the entire wedding day.
Photographer: Lovely Day Fleur
10 Things to Do Right After You Get Engaged
It’s officially been a week since Valentine’s Day and we know there has to be at least a few newly engaged couples out there. Although this has probably been a moment you’ve dreamed about since you were a child, it’s okay to admit that it all may be a little overwhelming. Where do you start? Who do you call first? When should you have your date picked out by? Who will photograph the wedding? What about engagement photos? Okay, breathe. Since there is no set guidebook you need to follow, we have put together a list of the first 10 things you should include on your “To-Do” list as a newly engaged woman.
Call your loved ones.
This may sound obvious, but make sure you call all of those who are special to you including your parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, best friends and college roommates. It means a lot more to people to hear from you rather than through social media.
Get your ring sized.
If you’re one of the very small minority whose fiancé chose the correct ring size, you can disregard this step. If it’s a little snug or a little loose, take it back to the jeweler to get it resized so it’s the perfect fit for your finger.
Get your ring insured.
It’s not the most fun or exciting part of your engagement, but getting your ring insured is very important to ensuring the safety of this investment.
Treat yourself to a manicure.
Considering the only comment you’re most likely going to hear for the next few months is, “Let me see your ring!”, a fresh manicure is a necessity for ladies newly engaged.
Create a rough guest list.
Before researching any venues or reaching out to any potential spaces, you must have a rough estimate of the size of your wedding. The last thing you’d want to happen is to find your dream space {or even worse, contract a space} with the optimal occupancy at much lower number than your actual guest list. Often the count you want is not the count you end up with!
Figure out your budget.
Knowing what you have to spend, where the money is going to come from and how it will be spent ensures you can make educated decisions along the way that will keep you in budget.
Dream up your wedding inspiration.
Whether you do this through a board on Pinterest or pin images to a cork board, make sure and have an idea of what kind of look you are going for. This will help focus your venue and gown shopping.
Research venues then pick a date.
Most people would think they should pick a date first, but with the limited availability of popular venues, we suggest being as flexible as possible with dates to ensure you get the venue of your dreams.
Think about your wedding party.
I’m sure this is something you’ve already spent some time thinking about, but discuss with your partner who you’d like your bridesmaids and groomsmen to be and coordinate a number with each other based on that. You know your friends are wondering!
Take time to relax and be happy together.
Ahh! You are finally going to spend the rest of your life together. It’s crucial to not get too caught up in the stress of wedding planning. Make sure and take time to relax and enjoy the excitement of the engagement. Maybe grab dinner and some drinks at your favorite spot or binge watch your favorite TV show. Whatever it is, enjoy your time together.
Of course, if all this sounds just too overwhelming or you know you need help, give us a call!
Wedding Planning 101: Venue
We’re back with more wedding planning tips and this week it’s all about location! The venue is where all the magic happens, so it’s important this step doesn’t get overlooked. If you are following our advice, then you have already established your wedding-day vision, right? Whether you’re going for a glamorous chic soiree, a trendy and modern celebration, or a bright and organic outdoor wedding, we encourage couples to pick a space that is consistent with their overall look. If you haven’t defined the vision yet, then you’re not ready to pick a venue!
Not only should the venue fit in with the style of the overall wedding, but it should also be budget-friendly. {Still a little stressed out about the budget? Don’t fret. Before reading on, take a peek at our Wedding Planning 101 blog on budgets!}
The most important thing to do when touring venues is ask the right questions. Aside from the basic “What is the room rental and food and beverage minimum?” type of questions, there are many things couples forget to ask that are crucial to nailing down your perfect venue.
Capacity is often a confusing and overstated number. When a venue quotes capacities, think no dance floor, no bar set-ups and tables so tight you need to turn sideways to get through! Ask for sample floor layouts to really see whether your wedding will “fit” within the space.
We also encourage couples to ask for a sample BEO, or “Banquet Event Order,” which itemizes every little cost that a couple would need to pay. This is a definite must before signing your name on the dotted line! Don’t forget to ask about extra charges that can add to the overall cost. Here are some examples of questions you should be sure to ask: Are there additional charges for auxiliary room rentals? Does your venue charge extra for tables, linens, chairs, lighting or lounge furniture? What about AV equipment? Is there a bartender fee or bar set-up fee associated with the venue? Do you need to rent a dance floor? What is the parking situation for your guests? Is security required? After all, nobody likes those last-minute surprises {and neither does your bank account!}
There you have it. Now, go schedule some venue tours and blow this one out of the park! Stay tuned for our next Wedding Planning 101 post on catering!
Wedding Planning 101: Vision Development
Before beginning the planning process, brides and grooms notoriously underestimate the amount of detail that goes into planning their anxiously awaited day. Your vision, budget, venue, catering, and decor {just to name a few} must be meticulously planned and every detail must be attended to. Since we've mastered the art of wedding planning {and you’ve likely never done this before}, we’ll share some of that experience with you.
Let’s start with the first, and most crucial, part of the process: Vision Development. Defining your wedding day vision should be at the top of every newly engaged couple’s list. After all, this sets the stage for the rest of the planning process. With all the beautiful ideas out there, it’s easy for your mind to go in all sorts of stylistically different directions. What bride doesn’t go crazy on Pinterest and Instagram? {We certainly do!} However, it’s important that all the elements are cohesive. We can’t preach this enough! Just because you love Audrey Hepburn and curly willow doesn’t mean you should put them together. {Yes that actually came up in a meeting once!} When we meet with couples to begin the planning process, we begin by asking questions such as: What do you want your wedding to reflect about you as a couple? What is the overall mood you want to create? What are three adjectives you would use to describe your dream wedding? How would you describe your personal style? Do you see bright bold colors or muted soft neutrals? Then, make sure every element fits within the bounds of these responses.
Asking enough questions enables us to translate this information into specifics around your venue, fashion, food, décor, and entertainment. We convey the visual concepts to couples through inspiration boards. This makes it easier to pin-point the elements that are important to you and what the overall look should be.
In our opinion, nothing's worse than attending a cookie-cutter wedding. Being sure to create a special day fitting your personality is one of the most important parts of our job. Of course, staying within the budget is an important aspect of our job too, but at this point it’s important to just let your wedding planning dreams run wild and not worry about the dreaded budget until later! ;)
Check out our weddings above and below that prove how distinct visions translates into totally different looks.
From Maiden to Married: a Guide to Changing Your Name
While you may have dotted your i's and crossed your t's on your marriage license {congrats!}, your new name isn't official just yet! Changing your name is not only a major life decision, it's a time consuming one as well. To make the lengthy {and certainly tedious} process a bit more bearable, we've put together a "how-to" guide to get you through this monumental change.
Image courtesy of Photogen Inc.
Step 1. Obtain your marriage certificate and certified copies
Once you receive your marriage certificate from the county shortly following the wedding, you are all set to follow the necessary steps to make your new last name official! We recommend ordering certified copies of your certificate in advance when applying for your marriage license - that way you get them all at once and always have one on hand!
Step 2. Update your social security card
Now that you have proof of your new name, it's time to update the name on your social security card to let the government know what name you would like to go by. You can do so by mail or in person - either way, save yourself some time by filling out the application in advance! In order to get a new social security card you're going to need a few things including proof of citizenship, copy of marriage certificate, proof of ID, and your current social security card.
Step 3. Renew your driver's license
Once your new social security card is ready to go, the next step in the process is renewing your driver's license with your new last name. You will need the following few items to ensure the process goes smoothly: new social security card, current driver's license, proof of address, and a copy of your marriage certificate. Once again, you can print the application online and fill it out in advance to save some time at the DMV.
{Pro tip: make an appointment on your local DMV's website to avoid the much dreaded lines.}
Step 4. Change the name on your bank accounts
The best way to change your name on your bank accounts is by doing it in person. Head over to your local bank branch with your marriage certificate, social security card, and your new driver's license in hand. Don't forget to request new credit cards and checkbooks with your new name as well!
Step 5. Get a new passport and/or any travel documents
If you're wondering about getting your name changed in time for your honeymoon, don't stress! Book all of your honeymoon flights, hotels, and activities, etc. under your maiden name since you won't have any new documentation in hand.
Once you are back home from your honeymoon, you can apply to change the name on your passport by filling out a DS-82. In order to make the change you will need a copy of your marriage certificate, your current passport, and a recent 2x2 in. color photograph that meets the passport photo requirements.
Step 6. Fill in the blanks
While it may feel like you have a million and one documents to update with your newlywed name, once you have the essentials done {i.e. your social security card and driver's license}, the rest shouldn't cause you too much trouble. Here's a list of a few final places you should notify:
- Credit cards
- Employers/payroll
- Insurance company
- Landlord or mortgage, rent, and utility companies
- Any auto-pay accounts
- Doctors' offices
- Your attorney (update any legal documents)
Of course all this can be avoided by not taking your new hubby's name {but that's a whole other discussion!}
Wedding Planning 101: Budget
Today we're sharing our pearls of wisdom regarding the not-so-fun wedding budget {and we guarantee your bank account will thank you for this!} Often times, planning the budget is where couples have their first freak-out.
Let's be honest, you’ve probably never thrown a massive party for all of your friends and family before, so how should you know how much that costs or how to allocate your money?! That's where we come in. Although there are no hard and fast rules to creating a budget, we have a few tricks up our sleeves to ease the stress.
Photo by rawpixel.com
The {sad} reality is that all weddings, whether simple or extravagant, have a budget. Most couples long for a gorgeous wedding with top-notch finishes and unfortunately, the bank account doesn’t always agree! The trick is to prioritize and plan so that you are sure to get exactly what you want without breaking the bank! One of the biggest roles we play as wedding planners is helping couples prioritize what they want out of their special day and identify how to get the look they desire within the confines of their budget. What can you {and your fiance} absolutely not live without? Is it that statement designer gown? What about a gorgeous floral installation? Or maybe you want your guests to have a real “foodie” experience? No matter what you decide, identifying the top priorities is a MUST to help ensure you get exactly what you want!
It’s hard to not get too excited and want to amp up every little detail of your big day, but we encourage you to sit down and allocate money early on in the planning process to each and every wedding expense BEFORE signing on ANY dotted lines. Yes, that means calling and checking vendor prices in every category. Be specific about what you want. Sure you can get florals for $3,000, but will that give you the look you are trying to achieve? Don’t be caught by surprise! Ask for a mock Banquet Event Order from your potential venue/caterer to ensure you account for all possible charges. Undergoing this tedious {but necessary} task will help you determine whether your desired price points are realistic and will safeguard your planning from unwanted surprises!
If the final budget is coming in too high, get creative! Shop for your dress at a sample sale, opt for a non-traditional venue, or cut your guest list down {this is the fastest way to cut your budget and besides, not every friend needs a date!} Reconsider the big ticket items {food and beverage} and perhaps scale back on the price point of menu items or cut back on your dream of a fully hosted bar.
We promise that a full flushed out budget BEFORE planning makes decision making so much easier {and more fun!} If this seems like too much work, then sit back, relax and let a planner {like us} help you create a budget. We‘re happy to help and have created countless budgets at a variety of price points.
Wedding Planning 101: Bridal Shower Planning
Maids of honor, mothers of grooms and anyone else planning to throw a bridal shower, time to take notes -- this post is for you! To help you take the reigns in creating the perfect shower for the bride-to-be, we’ve compiled a handy set of tips!
TIP 1
First things first, talk to the bride to get her input. It's a good idea to see if she has her heart set on a specific theme, color, style or location. Do inquire as to the color scheme of the wedding and be sure to steer clear! Even though the planning is ultimately your responsibility, getting the bride’s input is essential to her loving the shower!
TIP 2
Choosing a theme for the shower can help direct the décor, location and type of gifts guests purchase for the couple. Think outside of the box when choosing a theme! A theme can be anything from a color scheme to an activity. Some of our favorite unique theme ideas are a cooking class shower, a wine tasting shower, a spa shower or a tea party shower. The options are endless!
TIP 3
Although showers are traditionally held in the host’s home, there are endless options for location such as parks, restaurants, country clubs, and spas. If you’re opting for a location other than a home, be sure to make reservations ASAP!
TIP 4
Aim for the shower to be held a month or two before the wedding, unless special circumstances require differently. If you know the bride wants important family and friends there from out of town, coordinate with these guests to find a date that works for them. Sometimes this might mean postponing the shower until a few days before the wedding.
TIP 5
When creating the guest list for the shower, remember that showers tend to be more intimate affairs. You must also confirm that everyone invited to the shower is invited to the wedding. Send out invites to your guests four weeks before the shower. {Try to stray from electronic invites.}
TIP 6
Decide on what food and drinks will be served depending on the theme and time of day. If you are hosting a shower before noon, opt for brunch foods and beverages. For an evening shower, consider a sangria bar with additional add-in fruit options. Add a personal touch to the shower by serving the bride's favorite food or drink. Keep the food light and beautifully presented. {The presentation is as important as the taste!} Select your menu so that you may prep as much food beforehand as possible to ease some stress the day of the shower.
Planning a bridal shower is no small feat, but we hope these tips help! You may also check out this checklist for the complete list of to-do items. Cheers to the bride!
Image Credit: 1 via Green Wedding Shoes | 2 Ruffled Blog | 3 Paperless Post | 4 Style Me Pretty | 5 100 Layer Cake | 6 Rue | 7 The Honeybee by Andee Layne | 8 Etsy | 9 100 Layer Cake | 10 Sugar and Cloth
Wedding Coordinator vs. Wedding Planner
We hear it all the time, “I don’t need a wedding planner. The venue provides one.” While venue coordinators are extremely helpful during the planning process, they have a different set of responsibilities. The main difference: the venue coordinator works for the venue, while a wedding planner works for you.
Venue Coordinator
A venue coordinator's responsibilities revolve around ensuring that your experience with the venue goes smoothly. They work for the venue, acting as a liaison between you and the venue staff.
Though responsibilities vary depending on whether catering is provided in house or not, typical duties include:
- Contracting with you for necessary rooms and amenities.
- Providing catering menus and pricing.
- Arranging menu tastings and helping you decide on food and beverage choices.
- Assisting with space planning.
- Coordinating service staffing and security.
- Processing venue payments.
- On the day of your wedding, venue coordinators are there to turn on the lights, set out the tables and chairs, ensure the drinks are poured, and the space is cleaned up at the end of the night.
- They are not there, for example, to ensure the cake is delivered or that the DJ knows the run of events for the day.
In fact, it's not uncommon that the venue coordinator you work with is not on site the day of your wedding, leaving that responsibility to an event captain you likely will not have met. If they are on site, they usually leave after the meal has been served. Contact with the venue coordinator usually cuts off once the contracts are signed, and they are not involved in the planning process again until about a month or two before the wedding. Although venue coordinators can provide catering and vendor referrals, these recommendations are not based on the style of wedding you are planning or your budget and the venue’s involvement often ends at the referral. Their main focus is to ensure that they provide all of the items outlined in the venue contract in a smooth, efficient manner, not to give feedback on how to best style the space.
Wedding Planner
As a wedding planner, we are hired by and work for you as a consultant throughout the planning process. Of course, the level of planner involvement varies based on the services for which we were hired. However, we get the opportunity to truly experience your story throughout the planning process, and are therefore able to give feedback on how to use this event as a way to capture your personality and incorporate details that align with what you are most passionate about.
Our typical responsibilities that are not provided by the venue coordinator include:
- Regular consultations and guidance.
- Budget and timeline development and management. This includes a final wedding timeline for the day of the event.
- Vendor recommendations that are based on your specific budget and style.
- Guidance with selection of all visual elements of the wedding including décor, fashion, invites, favors, and cake.
- Vendor management and scheduling of, and attendance at, all vendor appointments.
- Arranging of hotel blocks and group transportation.
- Final audit of all planning to ensure all the final details are in place.
- Final calls with all vendors to ensure counts, timing and other details are accurate and confirmed.
- On-site coordination from the very start of set-up, all the way until the end of tear down.
We work with you to ensure you get the wedding of your dreams, with minimal stress. Then, day of, we do everything from keeping emergency kits on hand in case of tears or stains, to ensuring every vendor delivers an amazing experience for you and your guests.
In our opinion, every bride {and her mother!} needs at least a day-of coordinator to take care of all the details on the wedding day. That's why we offer multiple planning packages to cover every need and budget. Happy planning!
Engagement Ring Insurance
It's more important than you think!
Kavella Wedding Photography
Rock your ring without fear of anything happening to it. I'm sure there are a thousand other things you'd rather do right after he gets on one knee such as telling all your loved ones and friends, posting your engagement ring on social media and, of course, planning your wedding! But, there is one thing you should keep at the top of your list... jewelry insurance. As unexciting as it sounds, it'll save you if anything happens to that precious accessory.
So, what is jewelry insurance and do you actually need it?
Yes, you need it. There are two options. The first is called "Ring Rider" insurance which is when you extend your current renters or homeowners policy to cover your ring. The second option is placing your trust in an insurance company that specializes in jewelry. Your jeweler might offer you an insurance policy during the ring purchasing process but there are some questions you should ask before deciding which route to go.
- What circumstances are covered?
- How will the company replace the ring?
- Is the ring insured at full cost or a fraction of the cost?
- How will you need to prove that the ring was stolen or lost if you make a claim?
- Are there any circumstances where the ring isn't covered?
- What is the cost and what factors influence the rate?
- If I do have a claim, will my renters or homeowner premiums increase?
Whether your ring costs $500 or $50,000, it's important to find an insurance policy that works for you. It will honor both the financial and emotional value that comes with your ring.
Pantone Color 2018 // Ultra violet
It's official, the Pantone Color of the Year for 2018 is ultra violet! It's almost like they dedicated this year's color to Prince {lucky for us Minnesotans}! Look for this color to pop everywhere from fashion, to home decor to weddings. You might not realize it yet, but there tons of gorgeous color combinations you can do with this bold and vibrant color! From little details to a full violet palette, you'll soon be obsessed with this color.
Wedding palettes have slowly been transitioning to deeper hues and we are ready to embrace color full on! One of our favorite 2018 Pantone inspired palettes is a combination of blue gray, fuchsia, and yes, you guessed it, ULTRA VIOLET! If you're looking for a monochromatic color scheme, match the Pantone color with deep, rich berry hues. For the bolder bride who wants to flaunt their creative side, add some yellow and orange to the look. Even a neutral color palette can use some love from this pretty hue! Place cards, drinks, invitation suites and cakes are all perfect ways to include an ultra violet accent into your special day.
To inspire you, we have four of our favorite Pantone color combinations below {8 colors in each} featuring ultra violet as well as some of our favorite ways violet has been incorporated into weddings!
Image Credits {Left to Right, Top to Bottom}
via Hi Miss Puff | via Sail and Swan | via A Lowcountry Wedding | via Look Linger Love | Everlasting Moments via WedLuxe | WarmPhoto via Ruffled Blog | via Tasty Trials | via Bodas y Weddings | Jenny Fu via Brides | Jenny Fu via Brides | Carla Gates Photography via Borrowed & Blue | via Pinterest | Ivory+Bliss via Wedding Sparrow | Erin Kunkel via Martha Stewart Weddings | via Fifty Flowers | Zavion Kotze
Groomsmen Gifts the Guys Will Actually Like
Finding the best way to say thank you to your buddies for standing by your side on your wedding can definitely be a challenge. What in the world do you buy the guys that isn't a waste of money and is something they'd actually use and enjoy? Well, we've put together a list of gift ideas that'll leave your groomsmen "swooning" {as brides would say}... but actually, they're going to be psyched to get these gifts!
Monogrammed Flask
The perfect gift to set the tone for one of life's biggest celebrations!
via Visca Wedding
Boozin' Basket
Pair their favorite liquor with customized coasters and some turkey jerky, easy-peasy.
via Marygold & Grey
Etched City Map Glass
Obviously, we are partial to the St. Paul & Minneapolis map, but fortunately there are several options!
via Uncommon Goods
Personalized Tie Bar
We love this monogrammed tie bar, so sleek and clean.
via Hatch
Caricature Beer Glass
Do your groomsmen have a great sense of humor? Get them excited with these hilarious beer glasses.
via Linen Tablecloth
Leather Dopp Kit
These dopp kits are extremely practical. Your buddies will love them!
via Linen Tablecloth
The Perfect Wedding Welcome Box
Your family + friends are willing to drop everything to travel distances and celebrate your wedding, so what better way to thank them than with a thoughtful welcome box filled with goodies waiting for them at the hotel! Not only is it a {sweet} way of showing gratitude, but it makes their stay more comfortable as well.
To create the perfect wedding box, find a fun container {wicker basket, canvas bag, wooden box} and make sure the overall look aligns with your wedding style to get your guests excited. Be sure to include some local additions {local beer, popcorn, cookies} that help guests get to know the area better and then mix in some inexpensive goodies like bug spray, trail mix or hangover remedies. Add a cute, personalized insert which expresses your appreciation, outlines event details and transportation logistics and recommends where to go and what do to as they relax before the big day!
Here's some of our favorite local Mpls items you should consider adding!
Chocolat Celeste | Maddy & Maize Popcorn | The Cookie Creative
Indeed Brewing Company | Green Bee Juicery
Be creative and don't be shy to ask your maids for help organizing the boxes!
Photography Credits (Left to Right, Top to Bottom)
via The Cookie Creative Instagram
via Green Bee Juicery Instagram
via The Cookie Creative Instagram
via Maddy & Maize Instagram
via Indeed Brewery Instagram
Style-Architects Weddings + Events
via Chocolat Celeste
via The Knot
Hello Love Photography via thepineapplepaperie
Corbin Gurkin via Martha Stewart Weddings
via Mari Gold Grey
via Google
via The Gift Insider
via Mari Gold Grey
Gathering Wedding Photos From Your Guests
Making sure you capture every precious moment of your special day is a must. While you're eagerly waiting for your professional photos, you are sure to want to gather shots from your family + friends! We agree that using a unique hashtag on Instagram can be fun and easy, but let's be honest, it can be difficult to save those posts without losing quality, and what about your Instagram-less guests?!
Below are some easy ways to compile those photos!
WedPics is a FREE option {with premium features available for a price} that allows you to gather those lovely photos from an unlimited number of guests with unlimited storage! Guests can upload photos from their phones OR on the website if they use a digital camera.
Burner is an app that creates a temporary phone number and has a Dropbox Burner Connection that stores all your guests' photos! As a new user, you can use the app free for 30 days and costs $4.99 a month thereafter. Simply have guests send photos to your Burner number and you can enjoy them in a private folder with the option to share it.
Eversnap {a more expensive option} is a full-service app costing between $99 and $399. This app works with or without screening services and even includes 200 instruction cards for your guests! Plus, the folder will pull and add all of the photos from social-media channels with your personalized hashtag.
In order to successfully use these applications, be sure to share instructions on your website, program, table numbers, menu and other signage! Once you have all those beautiful photos, be sure to back them up, share them on social media, choose your favorites for around the house and use them to personalize your Thank You cards!
Image Credit:
monfriese