Eventfully Yours

Simple Touches Add So Much

People are always asking how they can personalize their wedding. I am a big believer in weaving a common element throughout the whole event, from save the dates to your favors and so on. It not only gives your wedding a cohesive feel from start to finish but when your guests see that particular monogram or motif, they will immediately associate it with you. How can you do this? I have posted a photo of a project that I am working on today. They are table numbers for an upcoming wedding. The doves motif has played a big part in this wedding. They were included on the save the dates and invitations. Next they will show up at the reception on these table numbers and the cake! Did I mention the dove release after the ceremony? It is so easy to simply infuse your character and personality into your special day. Share with us anything you've done or plan to do to add simple touches to your wedding!

posted from my iPhone (sorry for the fuzzy photo)

Eco-Friendly Friday

I always say that the invitation sets the tone of your event.  Whether it is a wedding, anniversary party or company function, the invitation can give you an idea if the event is formal or casual.  It also does not have to harm the environment. 

According to Do Something, an organization that educates youth about the benefits of conservation, for every ton of paper that is recycled, we save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, 4,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, 7,000 gallons of water, and 60 pounds of air pollution from being released into the environment.  That's a lot!  With the variety of recycled paper available today, it is easy to find the one that fits your style.

Check out this wedding invitation that is printed on recycled paper.

Tip:  Use recycled paper for your invitations or other event correspondence.

Wordless Wednesday - Welcome Spring!

The Afterlife of a Bridesmaid's Dress

Recently, as a I sat with a group of friends, we ventured upon the topic of the many bridesmaid dresses we all had in our closets.  Between the five of us present, there was a whopping 25 dresses in total!  Have said dresses been touched since the wonderful nuptials of the friend or family member?  NOPE!  So we started thinking about the afterlife of a bridesmaid dress and here is some of what we came up with.  Disclaimer: There may or may not have been libations of some sort served at this event, so don't judge us!

1.  Donate to an organization like My Fairy Godmother, here in Cleveland, that offers the items at little to no cost to high school students for prom.

2.  If it is long, cut it into a cool mini dress.

3.  Use the bottom as a skirt, yes cut it again!

4.  Use the fabric to make a fabulous dress.  Can you tell that there were a few not so attractive dresses in the mix?

5.  Use scraps of the fabric to create a quilt for the newlyweds.

6.  Use the fabric to create a seasonal flag for your yard.

7.  Use it to start a bonfire.

8.  Just put it in the closet and never speak of it again!

If you've been a bridesmaid, what did you do with your dress?  Please comment and let us know!

photo credit: www.realitytv.com

Greening Your Event for Beginners

Planning a green or eco-friendly event is becoming more common place these days.  As concern grows about the over use and misuse of our natural resources, it is important that we all consider some ways that we can green our events.  This has become a big concern for me as well and I've begun to take steps to green my business and the events that I plan.  As part of these steps, Fridays will be devoted to tips on how to green your event. 

If you have already done most of your planning and your event date is near, you may think it is too late to green your event.  Not so fast! 

TIP 1
If you're giving away favors, make sure it is something your guests can actually use or are eco-friendly to start with.  Here are some ideas for you: 

Natural Bamboo Coasters

Plantable Wildflower Favors

Heart Wine Bottle Stopper

For the Sommelier in You

photo: The Crystal Vineyard

I am working on a future blog post for the ultimate wine tasting party and I came across The Crystal Vineyard.  This website has all types of stemware and glasses for all things wine! YUM!  The above photo is their Amplifier Vintner's Crystal Tasting Glass.  I am so into anything that can make me look like I really know a lot about wine.  Imagine what a conversation starter a glass like this can be at your next event.  Especially since you would be the only person with one.  This  lovely glass comes with a price tag of $54.00 for one!

Getting Married in this Economy

We all hear about it on the news.  Even experiencing it in their daily lives.  What am I referring to?  I’m talking about the current economic crisis. 

The current unemployment rate is at 8%, the highest it has been since the mid 1980’s.  According to the Wedding Report, a wedding statistics and market researcher for the wedding industry, the national average spending for weddings has dropped from $21, 814 in 2008 to a predicted $20,398 for 2009.  Things are looking grim.  For those who are planning to wed amidst this troubled economic climate, you are probably facing a budget crisis of your own. 

Before you cancel everything entirely, here are five tips to keep your wedding on track and save some money:

1.    Hire a professional planner - A professional planner will have connections with various vendors and direct you to the ones that will fit your budget.  They can also provide you with cost saving ideas and decorating tips.

2.    Revisit the guest list - The cost of invitations, food, drink, favors and decorations are greatly influenced by the number of your guests.  Keep the guest list small and you can very well keep your costs low.

3.    Get a wedding website - Save money on invitations, save the dates and most of all, postage.  If you know that most of your guests are computer savvy, take advantage of it.  You can post all the information about your wedding, including locations, maps and hotel information on the website.  Guests can RSVP, email you and also get your registry information.  Signature Soirees can help you get one set up.  Contact us today.

4.    Recycle and reuse - Ask a friend that has recently gotten married or had a party if you can use some of their items.  Vases, votive holders or linens can all be used again.  Add your own special touches to them with ribbon or paper will breath new life into old items.

5.    Saturday isn’t the only day for weddings - Schedule your wedding on a Friday evening or Sunday afternoon.  Friday evening weddings can help you cut costs because the shortened length of time decreases costs for drinking.  You can also have the ceremony and reception at the same venue.  The same goes for a wedding on a Sunday afternoon.  Additional cost savings here can be opting for an alcohol free reception or just serving a signature drink like a mimosa.

For help to plan a cost effective wedding in this economy, contact Signature Soirees’ Principal Consultant, Kandice Brooks at 866-880-7902 or visit our website.

Real Flowers vs. Silk Flowers-Part IV

photo credit: Timeless Moments

Real flowers are beautiful, but sadly that beauty is fleeting.  From the moment they are cut, shipped, and used in your floral design, they are slowly dying.  The edges start to turn brown and wilt almost immediately.  Silk flowers last, well it seems like almost forever.  Affording you a keepsake for years to come.

Real flowers can also become a keepsake through a process called freeze-drying.  A company that specializes in this process in the Cleveland area is Timeless Moments.  According to their website, "very simply, freeze-drying is a preservation process for fresh flowers that maintains the natural shape and vibrant color of the botanical."   The freeze-drying process itself takes 14-18 days. This does not include the time to pre-treat, post treat and design. The average keepsakes freeze-dry and design process is completed in 16-20 weeks.  As shown in the photo above your bouquet can be preserved along with the groom's boutonniere and even your invitation. 

Floral preservation costs vary from company to company and depend on the process used.  It is also wise to contact a preservation company well in advance of your wedding date due to the fact that they are certain steps that must be taken to ensure that your flowers are prepared for the process.

In the end it is all about the look and feel that you are going for with your wedding.  Do your homework and whatever you chose, make sure it is what you want.

Wordless Wednesday - Navy Blue & Kelly Green Cake

photo credit: http://beverlydill.wordpress.com

Great Post by a Fellow Planner

Sometimes there are blog posts that need to be shared.  The following is one of them.  A couple times a week, I find that I am trying to prove the worth of a professional planner.  A truly professional planner is the glue that keeps it all together.  The captain that keeps the ship from sinking.  You get the idea.  Unfortunately, the bride in this following post (like so many others), did not see the value in hiring a planner and paid the price on one of the most memorable days of her life.

Thank you to Jeannie Ward of Wedding Jean in Southern California for writing the post.  Hopefully, she will save many more brides to be from experiencing a wedding day disaster like this:

"My blog is a place where brides and grooms can come for good advice with a smile. Normally, I wouldn’t post anything with a negative tone, but I’m compelled to warn you about what can happen when you don’t hire an experienced wedding planner.

Recently a bride called me inquiring about hiring me. I was already booked for her day, but referred her to another planner that I know and trust. Her wedding was 45 days away and she still didn’t have a DJ. Even though I wasn’t her planner I referred a great DJ to her, and she hired him. 

Monday after the wedding, I heard from my valued DJ. The bride decided not to hire a planner because she didn’t want to pay the fee, and she was confident that her family members would take care of the details. Unfortunately they didn’t, and her wedding was not all she was wishing for. Here is a list of what went wrong, and how it could have been avoided."

To read more click here