Wedding Guests' Needs

While reading through one of the old bridal magazines laying around my office I came across this great article about wedding guests' needs in Brides Florida. I loved the article so much, I wanted to share part of it with you to help you to be considerate of your guests' needs:

"DRINK: Keep the bar free, stocked, and open. Enough said.

FOOD: Have "normal" food available for those who don't share your love of smoked eel tartare. Also make sure to have options for vegetarians and those with food restrictions. If you want to include some "out there" food choices, do it during the cocktail hour.

PRIVACY: Always check the capacity and condition of your site's bathrooms. If you're renting portable restrooms, spring for the "upscale" models (your guests don't need a Lollapalooza flashback).

SAFETY: If you're hosting an outdoor ceremony or reception, you need to protect guests from the elements. Stock up on bug spray and sunscreen, serve chilled drinks if it's hot, hand out inexpensive wraps if it's chilly, or supple umbrellas for the rain. Use nonmetal chairs and sun shields if it's sunny. And get a sound system with microphones so everyone can hear your vows over the wind. As for post-wedding safety, have a list of local car services for guests who've been hitting the bottle too hard.

FAMILY: If you're inviting children, have a plan to keep them entertained so that they-and the adults around them-can enjoy the party. If your wedding is kid-free, have a list of reputable babysitters to offer parents. Your oldest guests have special needs, too. Schedule traditional wedding events like the first dance and cake-cutting early; make sure there are seats during cocktails, and seat these folds far enough away from the music speakers but close enough to feel a part of the festivities..."

This article was fantastic and really will make you consider all types of things for your guests. Brides Florida does an amazing magazine and I highly suggest you pick it up when you pass it at the grocery store.

Fun Summer Time Bouquets

Summer to me means bright colors, fun textures, and a fun kind of feeling you get. A great way to reflect the feeling of summertime is in your wedding bouquet. I love the look of sunflowers, orchids, and anything bright and cheery. Check out some of my favorite bouquets below to get inspired:

A Good Man--A Little Fun

My good friend, Lyndsay, sent me this wonderful email this morning that made me smile. I just had to share it with all of you...

"A real man is a woman's best friend. He will never stand her up and never let her down. He will reassure her when she feels insecure and comfort her after a bad day. He will inspire her to do things she never thought she could do; to live without fear and forget regret. He will enable her to express her deepest emotions and give in to her most intimate desires. He will make sure she always feels as though she's the most beautiful woman in the room and will enable her to be the most confident, sexy, seductive, and invincible.

No wait...sorry...I'm thinking of wine.

Nevermind."

Advantacare Golf Tournament

Jen and I had such a wonderful time working the golf tournament event for Advantacare (Pain Management Centers). We got to be their spokeswomen for the day passing out their fabulous orange and blue literature to all their tournament's golfers. We met such great people and love the staff of Advantacare.

Here is some information on this great company...

Advantacare specializes in pain management. Their offices include chiropractors and pain management doctors. They help with everything and anything involved when you get injured. They have 5 offices across Central Florida:

DeBary Location

2808 Enterprise Road

DeBary, Florida

386.668.2525

Orlando Locations

539 South Chickasaw Trail

Orlando, Florida

407.382.5439

509 West Colonial Drive

Orlando, Florida

407.839.1290

Kissimmee Location

207 West Cypress Street

Kissimmee, Florida

407.350.4951

Oveido Location

40 Alexandria Boulevard

Oveido, Florida

407.359.0047

www.advantacareonline.com

Great Wedding Find: Emergency Zit Stick

Love this new find, the Emergency Zit Stick!!! While reading the latest issue of Shape Magazine I can across a small article talking about this product. The Emergency Zit Stick can work a miracle if you wake up on the day before your wedding and OH NO there is a huge zit on your face.

The Emergency Zit Stick was made by Bremenn Research Labs and is sold for $21. This stick is a super concentrate, fast-acting formula with benzoyl peroxide and natural extracts that can reduce the redness and swelling that comes along with zits while it starts to heal the blemish. I highly suggest every bride to get her hands on a tube of this just in case she gets a pre-wedding pimple.

Little Ones: How to Get Them Down the Aisle

Tips on How to Get the Flower Girl and Ring Bearer Down the Aisle:

• Talk to them about what their duties are
• Get them excited about being in your wedding
• Show them what they will be wearing on your special day
• Have them attend rehearsal so they are comfortable in what they need to do
• Tell them that you are so excited for them to be part of your wedding
• Let them know that it is okay to make mistakes
• Introduce them to the rest of your bridal party
• Tell them a treat is waiting for them after the ceremony (have a lollipop or cupcake waiting for them once the ceremony is completed)
• If you have a wedding planner, introduce them to her/him so they know who to go to if there is any problem

SNEAK PEAK: Brittany and Chad

This past Saturday, Jen and I had the privilege of coordinating Brittany and Chad's beautiful beach wedding in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Brittany looked stunning in her gorgeous wedding dress and orchids in her hair while Chad looked handsome in his beachy attire.

The ceremony was held on the beach and the reception followed immediately at The Grille at Riverview Hotel. The food was delicious, the music by Vern from Pyramid DJs kept the crowd moving, and memories were captured by the amazing husband and wife team, The Nielsens.

Check out some of the fabulous photos The Nielsens took:

Photos by: The Nielsens

Stay tuned for more photos on our website, www.celebrateTHEevent.com

Little Ones: Duties

FLOWER GIRL DUTIES:

• Processional: Scatter Rose Petals Down Aisle to Make Grand Entrance for Bride
• Stand or Sit Up with the Bridesmaid During Wedding Ceremony
• Recessional: Walk Back Down Aisle After the Last Bridesmaid
• Be Part of the Bridal Party Photos

RING BEARER DUTIES:

• Processional: Carries Wedding Rings on Pillow Down the Aisle***
• Stand or Sit Up with the Groomsmen During Wedding Ceremony
• Recessional: Walk Back Down Aisle After the Last Groomsman
• Be Part of the Bridal Party Photos

***We highly suggest that you place faux rings on the pillow to symbolize the real ones. Your Maid of Honor and Best Man will have the real rings to pass off to your officiant during the ceremony just to make sure they do not get lost.***

Little Ones: Flower Girl Attire

To be a flower girl is such a big honor to a little girl. She will feel so privileged and special that you have asked "her" to be in your wedding. This means she gets to live out the fantasy that every little girl has of walking down the aisle in "big girl" heels, a pretty dress, and of course hold some amazing flowers (whether it be petals to throw or a small bouquet to carry).

You want your little flower girl(s) to be coordinated with either your wedding dress or with your bridesmaids' attire. Here are some of favorite little dresses:

Cotton Organdy Wildflower Dress from JCrew

Little Flowers by Odyssey

Little Ones: Ring Bearer Attire

I just love little tuxes and suits on youngsters, so ADORABLE!!! When planning your wedding, feel free to dress your little ring bearer in either a tux, suit, or a matching outfit to your groom. Just like a tux/suit for an older man, ring bearer attire to be form-fitting and look "sharp."

Dress your little ring bearer in satin or velvet in the colder months to keep him warm and a light weight linen suit for those warmer months. I also highly suggest that you get him a boutonniere to match the other groomsman.

Here are some of my favorite "little man" outfits:

Seersucker Suit from J Crew

Black Tux from Littlegirldresses.com

Calvin Klein Gray Tuxedo from Men's Wearhouse

Little Ones

This week we are going to talk all about the role the "Little Ones" will play in your wedding as Ring Bearers and Flower Girls. These two roles in your wedding as by far the cutest but almost sometimes can be the most difficult. From the attire needed, accessories sought after, and how to manage to get the little ones down the aisle sometimes may make you want to pull your hair out.

Well no worries, this week we will give you advice from attire selections to the accessories they need to carry down the aisle to the ways to help get them to follow your wedding plans. Stay tuned this week is sure to be full of youngster fun!!!

All photos by: Leahjeanphoto.com