We're in The Knot...

I figured I would dust off the old blog with this knot-worthy update (I'm a dork...I know!). We are in Spring/Summer 2010 Edition of the knot Georgia magazine! Be still my heart. Thanks to the wonderful Aliaks K. of DomFoto for submitting the photo. Look for it under the knot's notebook section "guilty pleasures". Check us out! The carat cake...I love it!

My Video Debut!

Okay, because I am creative I have my hands in all kinds of things. Although video production is not my forte', I figured how hard could it be to do a slideshow and add music {this is my favorite song, by the way}. So here it is...my video slideshow debut!

video courtesy of Ciao Bella Weddings {of course!}

Would you pick up the tab?

Can you imagine having to foot your own bill at a wedding reception? Well, apparently, that’s what some couples are trending towards. I guess this is the new generation of “sponsored” weddings. I was first introduced to this concept a few years ago. We were attending a wedding in which the couple did not register, so it is apparently an unspoken rule that they wanted monetary gifts. I am not object to giving monetary gifts, because this lets the couple purchase whatever their heart’s desire, without the hassle of taking unwanted or duplicate gifts back to the store. {Can you tell, I’ve had experience!} However, it wasn’t until my husband stated our monetary gift must equal the cost of our dinner at the reception…each! Apparently, I had been living under a wedding gift etiquette rock, because I had never heard of such a thing. Being an Atlanta native, I was figuring about $200.00, BUT the wedding was in New York. It was until then that I found out just how expensive weddings in New York are compared to Atlanta. I could have died when we forked over almost $400. That was the most expensive dinner, I've ever eaten. I would have much preferred to give a setting of Villeroy and Boch china, but that’s just me.

Within the past two weeks I have come across two articles with the same subject matter, wedding guests picking up the tab. The above example is in a suddle, indirect way, but today’s couples are becoming bold about what to expect from their guests.

Question!

How would you word that request in an invitation? With all the tricky wording for invitations, I can only imaging the etiquette for notifying your guests that they will be paying for their meal. A wording example on the response card…”when responding to confirm attendance please insert a check in the amount of ______, to cover your meal. If you would prefer to pay by credit card, please respond via email and we will send you a Paypal request.” Ha! What do you think?

Where to Start?

courtesy of Photography by Jacquelynn Buck

It's amazing how overwhelming planning a wedding can be, especially if this is the first time that you have ever been exposed to "Wedding World". No friends or sisters have set the template for you...you are suddenly the wedding pioneer with no place to start. Once engaged the typical reaction is to run and buy every wedding magazine and book on the shelf. While laden with great articles and a wealth of ideas, they can also blur your vision. My advice to all brides is to pick three to four things that are the most important to you and center everything in your wedding around those. Those might be the cake, location, and transportation for you or music, dress, and photography for someone else.



Their are a few reasons behind this method. For one, if you try to incorporate every cute thing you see in the magazine...you will end up flat broke with a wedding that has no true sense of style, just a winding road with no destination. Two, it will reduce indecisiveness leading to less stress. Three, you are able to alter your budget and still get the things you want if you budget those first. Four, it will give your wedding a sense of direction, which will ultimately lead to a well thought out execution of your style.



I was an easy going bride. The alter-ego of Bridezilla. I had four things that were important to me...my bridesmaids, food, music, and photography. I was so open to color, no structured plan here. I decided on the color scheme and theme for my wedding, based on the bridesmaid's dresses. I planned a bridesmaid's outing to a local bridal salon. Everyone picked out dresses in colors and styles that they were most likely to wear. { I hadn't even picked out my dress yet!} And of course everyone picked different styles and colors that flattered them the most, however their was one style that looked good on everyone's body. The great empire waist dress. We ended up going with a long cream chiffon empire waist dress with braided waist and strap adornments in bronze. Everyone looked like a goddess, so my theme was roman-inspired.



See how easy that was!

A blogger's beginning....again!

(not related, but love the pic!)

I have been missing in action for quite sometime. Reinventing my brand and evolving into a new generation of wedding event design and decor. So in a sense, I guess you can think of it as a rebirth. Hence, the title of the post...a blogger's beginning. When I first started this blog, that was my title. Since I am kind of starting over, I thought that I would use the same title.

It's definitely a challenge to post on a daily basis. You become engulfed in the mundane details that accompany the fact that you are now an adult. At the same time you begin mastering the craft that is multi-tasking. But essentially that is what planning a wedding is, while having a full-time job. I am soooo glad that's over! Life doesn't automatically stop (nor slow down!) when you say that you are getting married. So the best thing is to prioritize. Do a little here and a little there. Have a focused plan to accomplish on a daily basis. If you are organized, you can marry the best of both worlds (no pun intended). If not, hire a planner!

I think I got off topic here, but at the same time provided advice. I hope you find that helpful, as well as the future posts ahead.

A TRUE Inspiration Board

With the sudden news of Michael Jackson's passing, I decided to pay homage by creating a concept board inspired from one of his songs. I am not sure if I am creative enough to incorporate a red leather jacket and glittered glove into any wedding concept! This is untraditional to say the least, but M.J.'s creativity was never contained to a box. I think the following embodies his spirit...I present "Black and White"

The Breakfast Bar...The Desert Bar Alternative

With all the craze with desert bars {which I think are a wonderful guest interactive favor}, I started to ponder on another over-indulgence that your guests might find wonderful. A desert bar {done}. A speciality drink bar {check}. So what else could you do? Well, I am glad you asked. What about a breakfast bar? Wait for it. The trend nowadays is to do a Post Wedding Brunch for close friends and family members, but why not include all your guests in on all the post wedding action from the comfort of their own home. This would be an especially great idea, for those wedding receptions which have no concept of time and guests are partying to the wee hours of the morning {I love that kind!}.

So what is a breakfast bar? Well think of it as candy bar meets hotel continental breakfast, with a modern twist. A lavish display of bagels, muffins, mini quiches, fruit cups, instant coffees & teas, assorted fruit juices, flavored smears and jelly's, and cute to-go gable boxes for a nice morning after treat {it will help with the reception hangover!}

How feasible is this breakfast fete? Well some venues, especially event facilities that cater to corporate companies, usually have a breakfast menu designed for morning meetings. These menus can vary from $6 pp to $15+ pp, depending on the lavishness of the spread. Speak to your catering manager to see if this is an option for you. For the DIY-selfer...check out these feasible additions to make your breakfast bar a delicious reality. {scroll to end to check out my cute tag line, for the favor box bands!}

The Fruit Display from Edible Arrangements

Bagels from Einstein's Bagels
{don't forget the flavored smears, yummy!}

Muffin Basket from Mrs. Fields

Chocolate Covered Strawberries from Silver Spoon Sweets

{and yes, these can be eaten for breakfast!}

Assorted Fruit Juices from peared

Pink Grapefruit Soda from Stirrings

The cute breakfast- to- go packaging

Cutest Invitation Bands to be used as Favor Box Bands from Here

The tag line for the favor box bands...

Enjoy the morning after...we will!

Kris & John 05.27.2013

I would love to help one of my brides incorporate this idea into their wedding!