Who to please when planning your wedding?

I’ve come to the realization that, in life, you will never truly please everyone.  And this fact definitely holds true when you’re planning your wedding.

Recently I have had a few brides who are playing the delicate balancing act of trying not to hurt someone’s feelings.  Whether it be their mom, their future mother in law or their bridesmaids.  While I applaud them on this balancing act, I also caution them because giving someone an inch often leads to them taking a mile.

We’ve all been there, right?  We are planning a night out with friends.  You like sushi, someone doesn’t.  A friend wants to go to a wine bar, you to the casual neighborhood watering hole.  Another wants to go to the new hot spot in town, while another hates crowds.  Ultimately you all end up at a place that is just okay and still there’s someone who isn’t happy.

The reality is, when planning your wedding you’re not going to please everyone.  This means, mom, grandma, best friend and so on.  Now I’m not saying you throw everything to the wind and don’t care, but what I am saying is that if you listen to everything everyone else says you as the bride (and let’s not forget the groom) are not going to enjoy YOUR day!  You need to do what’s right for you, what you feel in your own heart.

I’m also not saying you throw etiquette out the window.  Etiquette will always play in role in any wedding.  But what I am saying is that if you want a beach wedding and want to wear a ball gown, go for it!  If you want to get married at city hall and have your reception in a park pavilion go for it.  And if a few people don’t like it, then so be it.  After all it’s your wedding and your memories.

Don’t let those who don’t approve take up space in your head.

So go forth, plan away and remember, when you’re planning your wedding you’re creating your own memories, no one else's.

Until next time…

Cheers!

Wedding trends - Day of Planners

I've been planning weddings and events for over 15 years and in that time I've seen trends come and go.  However, there is one trend that I think is here to stay and that's brides requesting (in record numbers) a day of wedding planner.  For some reason full time wedding planners have received a bad rap for being too expensive.  Thus brides who want help, but also want to save money, turn to a day of planner.  I'll be talking in the coming weeks about the misconceptions regarding the expense of a full time wedding planner, but for now I want to talk about day of planning.

To be honest, I never could understand how one could properly do "day of planning".  As a planner, how could you possibly show up on the most important day of someone's life and possibly execute a flawless wedding?  It's almost impossible to get to know a bride's hot buttons a week or even two weeks before her big day.  Thus, why I never wanted to do "day of planning".

However, after many requests, I decided that if demand called I would answer and now offer "day of planning".  But, my service encompasses more than just the actual wedding day and here is why.  To properly plan a wedding I need to get to know the client and the client needs to get to know me.  First and foremost, if you want to hire me or an associate as a day of planner you'll need to hire us a minimum of two to three months out from the date of your wedding.  This allows us to get to know each other and it allows me to know every single detail of your wedding.

As your day of planner I'll sit down with the bride, groom and parents to discuss what's important, what's not important.  What's been done and what still needs to be done.  I'll want to see all the contracts for each of your vendors and the time you've contracted them for.  I'll also want to discuss all the little logistics that may not have been thought of such as first look or transportation to and from the church.  Do the times you've contracted match up with your planned timeline?  Often I find it's the little details that get missed and I have to reorganize a few things to make sure the day runs smoothly.  I'll also pull together your day of timeline and speak with each one of your vendors to make sure they are on point and are in the know with every single detail.  So by the time your wedding day rolls around the bride will want for nothing.  We'll handle everything so you don't have to.

The reality is day of planning can be a lot harder that planning a wedding from start to finish.  There's the issue with the bride having had numerous if not hundreds of discussions with the caterer or photographer that you've not been privy to.  There's the issue of the planner not really getting to know the brides personality.  And there's always the issue of her hiring vendors that simply are inexperienced (less expensive) which only makes the planners job harder.  However, if you hire a proper day of planner they'll take care of all those issues so you don't have to.

In the next couple of blogs I'll talk about the do's and don'ts to hiring a proper day of wedding planner.

Until then...

cheers!

Rabidos and Rabidon'ts to wedding planning

For the most part we all shop on line.  Amazon, Fresh Direct, Bloomingdale's and even places like Target allow you the consumer to research and shop for the best deals.  It's quick, easy and for the most part you don't have to deal with a cashier who doesn't smile or say "thank you".  It all can be done from the comfort of your home (with a glass of wine), office or even your train ride home.  It offers consumers a way to shop without the hassle of dealing with other people.

But should the same hold true when planning your wedding?

Let me put it this way.  When "shopping" for a dog, would you just order one on line and then hope it works out, fits in with your family.  NO most likely you wouldn't.  Every dog has a different personality, quirky behaviors and mannerisms.  How would you really know if that dog is going to be the right fit for you or your family over the course of the next 10 to 12+ years?  Plus, owning a dog is a huge investment, both in time and money.  Most likely you would meet the dog and see if it was the right fit.  Then you would decide if owning that dog was the right choice.

So my question is this; why would shopping for a wedding planner, band, venue, caterer or DJ be any different than shopping for a dog?  Sure, there are a LOT of differences, but the point is the same.  Like shopping for a dog, your wedding is a huge investment and time commitment and, if you're like most brides, you want to be sure you've picked the right vendors to make your special day perfect.  Can you really choose your wedding vendors by shopping on line?  Can you truly know what you're getting if you don't meet with and discuss the details of your wedding in person or at the very least on a phone call?  In my opinion no...

You see wedding vendors (or at least the ones I work with) want to meet with the client.  They want to get to know the client. For them it's not just about money, but it's about making sure they are the right fit.  The vendor client relationship is a two way street.  It has to work for both parties in order for the client to be happy and the vendor to deliver.  The personalities have to click.  If they don't, it can spell disaster down the road.

So as a bride how do you shop for a wedding planner or vendors? 

It's easy, first, don't email asking “what's your price ?” or “cost of services?”  Sure some vendors have a set price or packages they offer that they can send you.  Some, like myself, customize their services to meet the specific needs of each client.  Plus, if you only ask what the price is, how is the vendor truly going to be able to sell themselves "the product" to you?  I often receive inquiries that only give the first name, the month of the wedding and the question of how much are your services.  Unfortunately for myself, and most in the wedding industry, this isn't enough for us to give you the information you truly want, which can lead to frustration and disappointment in the wedding planning process.  Help us help you...

This leads me to my second point.  The more information you can provide in your inquiry to your potential wedding planner or vendor the better.  If you want concise information to make an educated choice then I highly recommend you give information to get information.  Your inquiry should always have the following: your full name, date of the wedding, potential guest count, time of your wedding, location of your wedding and specifically what services you're looking for.  And if you're not sure what you're looking for, let us know that too.  Wedding vendors love to educate consumers, that's what makes planning weddings so fun.  We love to guide brides so they get the best experience.  Which leads me to my next point, pick up the phone and have a conversation.

Picking up the phone and having a conversation with a live person is time consuming; however, it's also part of planning a wedding.  Talking on the phone can be a great indicator for both you and the vendor if you want to take it to the next level, an in person meeting.  Conversations are great, you can tell a persons’ energy, if they are articulate and if they are knowledgeable in their field or craft.  I always request to speak via the phone before I offer any information so I can truly get a sense of what the client is thinking and if it will be a good fit.  Going a step further, in person meetings are even better and often the best way to tell if this is the person or company you want to work with.  It's also a great opportunity to discuss pricing and budget.

I often find brides become a little shell shocked when it comes to pricing and their budgets.  I'll be posting another blog soon on pricing in the wedding industry; but I can't stress enough if you don't know your budget or you aren't sure what things cost let the potential planners and vendors know that up front.  It will avoid wasting your time and theirs if they are out of your range, but I must also stress, cheaper doesn't mean better.  You often do get what you pay for.  I've had brides come to me because they hired an inexpensive planner that they've had to fire because the cheaper was just that, it was cheap, unprofessional and the person didn't know what they were doing.  Hiring good vendors does cost money, but it also give you peace of mind knowing that you are getting what you pay for.

The last thing I'll say is to manage vendor expectations.  Some vendors or planners only take a certain amount of jobs a week, month or year.  And if you've received a proposal, pricing and information that doesn't work for you, let us know.  Often times we're happy to make adjustments so that we can work with you.  But if you've moved on in a different direction, let us know that as well so that we don't potentially lose other jobs.  And the best thing a bride can do is to let us know why.  Was it personality, pricing?  Whatever you say will be fine because it only helps us become better at what we do..  The worst thing a bride can do is to not let us know anything and move on in a different direction.

All wedding professionals want to see your wedding dreams come true, helping us help you will make planning your wedding a little easier and bit more stress free.

Until next time...Cheers!

Destination wedding tips

I love planning destination weddings.  While they can be a challenge, I find it very rewarding to plan what is really a wedding "experience" that brings together family and friends.  

That said, I recently read an article on Buzzfeed with tips for couples planning a destination wedding that I found to be very on target.  The only point I question is number 14, a "Trash the dress" ceremony.  I am really not a fan of this whole idea so it would not be one of my recommendations.  The rest of the article has great tips for planning your destination wedding.  

Tips for planning a destination wedding

Until next time...

Cheers!

Feeling nostalgic, the Rainbow Room

I thought today I would post a blog version of throwback Thursday.  And, with the reopening coming this Fall, what better venue to showcase than the Rainbow Room.  So I want to share some photos from a wedding I designed and produced shortly before the Rainbow Room closed.  It was a beautiful space and, based on the drawings I have seen of the refurbished space, it will once again be a grand New York event space.

This particular wedding was special in that it was the union of high school sweethearts who reunited years later and married in a beautiful Summer ceremony.  From this overview of the ceremony you can really see the beauty of the Rainbow Room.

The Bride chose white and green as her primary colors and loved white calla lilies.  Therefore, I lined the aisle with large glass cylinders filled with her favorite flowers.

The Bridesmaids and flower girls each received different but coordinating bouquets in green and white.  Each bouquet used a single flower type of either roses, calla lilies or cymbidium orchids.  It was simple and elegant, perfect for the setting.

The Rainbow Room is such a beautiful space that I wanted the decor to enhance, not overpower it.  For the escort card table I displayed the cards on a simple bed of grass.

After ceremony we converted the ballroom in to the reception area.  Using a combination of high and low tables we turned the room into a gorgeous setting for guests to dine and dance the night away.

So there's my "Throwback Thursday".  It is great to remember a beautiful wedding and to look forward to so much ahead with the reopening of the Rainbow Room.

Enjoy and ...

Cheers!

Wedding Registry Tips

As some of you may know I am planning a wedding of my own and my fiancé and I are now at the point where we are considering our wedding registry.  It's very interesting because we're both pretty established; however, there's something to be said about registering for things you might not otherwise buy for yourself.

So to make your registry life a little easier I thought I'd give you eight of my top registry tips!

Shawn’s Eight Registry Tips:

Where to Register

Once you’ve made your registry list, then you can determine where to register.  Choosing five or six stores might seem like the way to cover all of your bases, but in reality it will be confusing for your guests and too much work for you.  I recommend registering for no more than three stores.  This will help you manage your time and make shopping easier for your guests. 

Don’t Rush

Don’t try to register at all your stores in one day.  I recommend picking a store he likes, a store you like, and possibly a third.  Then plan on spending a total of two to three hours (yes it can take that long) at a store registering.  Whether it’s during the weekend or a night after work, make a date of it.  Set aside time for lunch, dinner, or catch a movie after…something that doesn’t involve weddings.  It will break up the registry process and make it fun for both of you.

Nothing’s Set In Stone

Always remember registries can be changed.  They aren’t hard and fast so if your groom likes the strange olive dish and wants to register for it, let him.  Marriage is about compromise and so is your registry.  Besides, you can always go in and delete it later.  Arguments in the store aren’t worth it! 

Three’s A Crowd

Do not shop with anyone but your fiancé.  Unless you intend for your parents and family to live with you, you shouldn’t bring them along for the ride. It’s best to leave them at home so they don’t influence your registry choices. This is about you and what you want as a couple.

I once had a mother and father of the bride go with the happy couple to do their registry: they registered for everything the mother wanted and nothing they wanted.  In the end they had a house full of presents they didn’t want and had to go back to the stores and return everything so they could shop on their own.  It was the biggest mistake of their wedding. 

Price Point

Register for varying price ranges.  I knew a bride who registered for only the most expensive items: high-end flatware, glass, and dinnerware.  This can be fine if all of your guests can afford it.  The problem with that bride was that her taste was far more expensive than what her guests’ wallets could afford.  In the end she received little of what she was registered for and was left to purchase most of the registry on her own.

You should be polite about what your guests can afford.  Register for a wide range of items so your guests aren’t left feeling like they need to take out a mortgage to get you a gift.

Seasonal Items

When registering ask a sales associate what is seasonal, what is new, and if anything on your list might become discontinued.  This is particularly important with anything table top because at any given time the store can discontinue your pattern or style leaving you without your favorite item.  If you want to include seasonal items on your registry make sure they are included one to three months prior to your wedding date because most seasonal items have a short shelf life in the store.

Register For More Than You Think

If you’re considering registering for a set of twelve, why not opt for a set of fourteen?  Glasses and plates may scratch and break and down the road children might hide the silverware.  You never know if you need to replace damaged items and your family can end up grow quickly.  It’s smart to register for more towels, sheets and blankets. These items tend to be expensive and wear out quickly.

Second Time Around?

I recently had a client where both the bride and groom were heading into their second marriage.  They felt funny setting up a wedding registry because they were established enough and had everything they needed.  I suggested they choose three to four of their favorite charities and ask their guests to anonymously donate to those.  This was a great way for them and their guests to help causes that were near and dear to their hearts.  

In the end the registry is about you and your new life together.  Like all things wedding make this experience about you and take your time together.  Shopping is meant to be fun and registering for your wedding is no different!

Happy planning and...

Cheers!

Wedding Questionnaire

Having just come through the holidays, which we know is a huge time for engagements, I will be sharing some valuable wedding planning information in the next few blog posts.  I know the wedding planning process can be daunting so I would like to offer some advice and tools to help ease the stress.  

I am starting with a questionnaire that I find helpful to organize all pertinent wedding details in one place.  I find it useful when I meet with a Bride and Groom to start organizing all the details of their wedding.

Rabido: If you and your fiancé are getting bogged down or overwhelmed by the questions, table wedding talk for at least 24 hours. This will allow you to pick up again with a fresh perspective.

Best of luck to all of the newly engaged couples!

Wedding Date :_____________________________
Wedding Time :_____________________________
Wedding Location:___________________________
Reception Location:__________________________

Preferred Ceremony Venue____________________

Church / Synagogue / Hotel / Outdoor /
Preferred Reception Venue____________________

Beach / Country Club / Hotel / Tent / Etc

Reception Time:_______________________________
Total number of guests attending reception:__________
Number of guests attending, by age group:
5-18 ______ 19-25 ______ 26-55 ______Over 55 ____

Point of Contact the Week Of Wedding______________

Wedding Theme / Look___________________________

Color Scheme___________________________________
Semi-Casual / Semi-Formal / Formal / Other__________­__­­­

All Inclusive Wedding Budget Range________________

Members of the Wedding party:

Grandparents of bride____________________________
Grandparents of groom___________________________
Mother of the bride______________________________
Father of the bride_______________________________
Mother of the groom_____________________________
Father of the groom______________________________
Any divorces or step parents?______________________

Sisters / Brothers of Bride_________________________

Sisters / Brothers of Groom________________________

Will children be invited? Nieces / Nephews?__________

Bridesmaids & Ushers / Groomsmen
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Flowergirl & Ringbearer
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Matron or Maid of Honor & Best Man
______________________________________________
______________________________________________

How you would like to be introduced

Mr. And Mrs. John Hunter,
John and Paige Hunter, etc.

Will there be a toast? __Yes __No

If so, by whom? ________________________________

Will there be a blessing? __Yes __No

If so, by whom?_________________________________

Background music style for dinner and cocktails:
__ Classical __ Jazz __ Love Songs
__ Piano (George Winston) __ New Age
Cake Cutting __Yes __No
Dollar Dance __Yes __No
Garter and Bouquet __Yes __No

Any other special dances___________________________

DANCES:
First dance (Bride & Groom) __Yes __No
Song, Title and Artist____________________________

Bride and Father __Yes __No
Song: Title and Artist_____________________________

Groom and Mother __Yes __No
Song: Title and Artist_____________________________

Wedding Party/Parents __Yes __No
Song: Title and Artist_____________________________

Dance music preference __ 1950s __ 1960s __1970s
__1980s __1990s __Top 40 __Dance (Techno, House, Hip-Hop)
__ Motown __ Country __ Big Band/ Swing __ Rock & Roll
__ Reggae __ Disco

Specific Music Requests__________________________

Photographer:___________________________________

Videographer:___________________________________

Will Bride & Groom see each

other before ceremony? ___________________________

Photos of the Bride getting ready____________________

Where_________________________________________

Photos of the Groom getting ready___________________

Where_________________________________________

Photos of the Wedding Party________________________

Where__________________________________________

Group Photos of Groomsmen________________________

Where___________________________________________

Group Photos of Bridesmaids_________________________

Where___________________________________________

When will the portraits be done________________________

Before or After Ceremony____________________________

Hotel rooms needed for guests_________________________

How many_________________________________________

Connecting rooms___________________________________
Hospitality Suite____________________________________
Room for Bride & Groom_____________________________
Rooms with Cribs or Double Beds______________________

Transportation needed for the guests__________________

How many______________________________________

Transportation for Bridal Party______________________

Who are you including in this count__________________

Cake / style and flavor________________________

Grooms Cake_______________________________

Cupcakes__________________________________

Signature Desserts___________________________

Cocktail style reception_______________________

Sitdown dinner______________________________

Food Stations_______________________________

Preferred food______________________________
Bar preference______________________________

Preferred libations___________________________

Cocktail food must haves_____________________

Signature Cocktail__________________________
Candy Bar________________________________
Other special ideas_________________________

After Party / Location_______________________

Save the date_______________________________

Invite Style________________________________
Escort Cards_______________________________

Menu Cards________________________________
Rehearsal Dinner Invites______________________

Thank you cards_____________________________

Rehearsal Dinner____________________________

Location___________________________________
Style / Look / Feel___________________________

How Many Guests___________________________

Who will organize___________________________

Budget____________________________________

Wedding Registry Locations___________________

Engagement Party___________________________

Enjoy Your Engagement!

Since the Holidays are a big time for engagements I thought it would be a good time to share some advice for newly engaged couples.  I see so many couples rush through their engagement to the wedding and not enjoy this special time with each other. This is a big Rabidon't!

Let me start with a simple tip, hold off on telling everyone your good news.  This is the perfect opportunity to take the time to quietly enjoy your engagement with your fiancé: things might seem calm now, but before you know it you’re going to get caught up in the tornado you call wedding planning.  Take a few moments to also enjoy time with your immediate family and a few close friends before unnecessary wedding questions, ideas, and pressure arise from Aunt Ida.  While her intentions are always from the heart there are many components she and others will want to talk to you about such as date, time, colors, location, and who to invite.  These thoughts can often overwhelm you and in the end take away the enjoyment of your engagement.

As you begin to plan your big day your schedules are going to fill up quickly with wedding appointments.  Therefore I like to recommend a few activities for you to do when you first get engaged. The purpose of these activities is to create memories, ease unwanted stress, and open the lines of communication.

Some of my favorite engagement ideas are:

Weekend getaway

Day at the Spa

Horse Back Riding

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Cooking Class

Pottery Class

Create a time capsule that reflects the date you got engaged

Day at the beach

By taking a brief amount of time to quietly enjoy your engagement you are allowing yourself a little bit of calm before the wedding bliss storm.

Until next time...

Cheers!

Wedding Planning Timeline

I am frequently asked about how long it really takes to plan a wedding.  There is no simple answer to this question.  I have planned weddings in as little as 4 weeks while others were planned over the course of over 2 years.  However, with engagement season approaching I thought I would share this basic guide to help any couple planning their wedding.  Please note that this is a guide and not meant to be followed to the "T" because everyone plans at a different pace.  Tailor the outline to you and your fiancé and remember to have fun!

Sample Timeline of Events

10  to 12 Months

v  Select date along with backup dates

v  Decide budget

v  Decide type of wedding (Formal, Semi-Formal, Informal)

v  Compile guest list with addresses

v  Choose location of ceremony

v  Choose location of reception

v  Choose officiate

v  Decide size of wedding party, choose attendants

v  Select and order gown and veil

v  Select and order bridesmaid’s, flower girl’s, groomsmen and ring bearer’s apparel

v  Plan details of reception

v  Decide on a rehearsal date and space

v  Buy wedding rings and order engraving

v  Select photographer, videographer and caterer

v  Have engagement photos taken

v  Discuss honeymoon plans

v  Plan details for your reception

v  Discuss gown colors and styles with mothers of bride and groom

v  Select entertainment

v  Select and order invitations, announcements, thank you cards, personal stationery, programs, cocktail napkins, etc.

v  Reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests

v  Reserve room for wedding night (generally done when booking your hotel for your guests)

6  to 10 Months

v  Announce engagement in local newspaper

v  Reserve transportation for the bridal party

v  Reserve transportation to and from the ceremony and reception for out-of-town guests

v  Make honeymoon plans

v  Shop for your cake

v  Select hair and makeup personal for your wedding day. Schedule trials 3 months prior to wedding.

3 to 6 Months

v    Select and order men’s formal wear

v    Select ceremony musician

v    Select bridal registry items and register with one or more bridal registries

v    Reserve rental equipment, tables, chairs, tents, etc. with your caterer or rental company (if applicable)

v    Choose and order favors

v    Arrange to get necessary passports, visas and vaccinations or any honeymoon details at this time.

v    Address wedding invitations or secure your calligrapher

v    Order wedding and groom’s cakes and place deposit

v    Schedule rehearsal, decide on menu, place deposit

v    Discuss details of menu with caterer and schedule tasting

1 to 3 Months

v  Complete shopping for wedding apparel

v  Discuss ceremony flow and details with officiate

v  Confirm (and reconfirm) delivery dates of all dresses

v  Select music for ceremony and reception

v  Buy attendants gifs and gifts for each other

v  Choose readings and confirm/write vows for ceremony

v  Invite wedding party and guests to the rehearsal dinner

v  Organize seating arrangements and order place cards from calligrapher

v  Schedule all final bridal dress fittings

v  Pick up wedding rings (check engravings and sizes)

v  Schedule all final attendant’s fittings

v  Confirm honeymoon reservations and begin making a list to make packing effortless

v  Select reception decorations and accessories: cake knife & server, candles, table favors

v  Select ceremony accessories:  unity candle, ring pillow, flower girl’s basket, guest book and pen

v  Select personal accessories:  handbag, garter, engraved toasting glasses, guest mementos

v  Finalize details for photographer, videographer, florist, entertainment, bakery, and officiate

v  Schedule appointments facial, manicure, and massage

v  Record gifts as you receive them:  write thank you notes and mail

v  Assign friends or family to assist with guest book and gift table

v  Arrange bridesmaids’ brunch or luncheon details

v  Arrange for gown cleaning and bouquet preservation after the ceremony

v  Conduct hair and makeup trials to experiment with hairstyles and make-up changes

v  Register for marriage license or as applicable to the rules in your area

1 to 2 Weeks

v  Confirm out-of-town guests’ lodging with reserved hotels

v  Confirm wedding party transportation and arrival times

v  Confirm time and date of wedding rehearsal with wedding party

v  Contact people who haven’t responded

v  Final consultations:  florist, musicians, photographer, videographer, bakery

v  Give final guest count to reception facility

v  Remind men to pick up formal wear and shoes (check that they fit)

v  Make wedding day schedule and give everyone copies at rehearsal dinner

v  Finish honeymoon packing, prepare going away outfit

v  Confirm responsibilities assigned to family and friends

v  Confirm honeymoon arrangements

Beautiful Garden wedding at Caramoor!

After waking up this morning to the first snow of the season in New York I thought it would be an appropriate time to share a beautiful garden wedding I recently created.  A couple of months ago I had the opportunity to design a gorgeous outdoor wedding in the spectacular setting of Caramoor Gardens in Katonah, NY.  

There are several garden settings throughout the property and our client chose to start off by holding their ceremony in the Sunken Garden.  To add to the already beautiful scene, I covered the benches behind the ceremony area with ferns and yellow floral and, as the couple walked up the steps to the ceremony they were flanked by 2 huge stone urns filled with a variety of garden flowers that enhanced the overall setting.

Given the setting, it is not a surprise that the Bride and Groom wanted all of the floral to look as if it was freshly picked from the garden.  The Bride also wanted organic elements such as Spanish Lavender, Rosemary and Chamomile so I incorporated those into to her bouquet.  The ring bearer's pillow was made entirely of mimosa flower as well as the bridesmaids' bouquets.  We even carried the theme through by covering the flower girl's basket in Rosemary.

Ring Bearer Pillow

Flower Girl Basket

Bridesmaids Bouquet

Bride's Bouquet

Following the ceremony guests were escorted to the Tapestry Hedge Garden where a true garden party was set.  I really loved the Escort Card "Wall" that I created using rows of twine strung between two trees and escorts cards then hanging with clothespins.  It was a great visual for guests as they arrived from the ceremony.

Escort Cards

After guests collected their escort card they were then free to roam the garden where we had incorporated farm tables and centerpieces using natural elements such as rosemary, lavendar and bowls of lemons.  

Following cocktails it was time to escort guests to the main tent for dinner and dancing.  To maintain the theme I actually brought the garden elements into the tent.  For example, I added branches and foliage to the 2 center tent poles so they became "trees" within the tent.  I also used more natural elements in the table centerpieces and created table numbers out of Rosemary.  Everything came together perfectly to create a scene that the Bride and Groom loved.

As I always say, no event is complete without a happy client and in this case the Bride and Groom were thrilled with their garden wedding.  I want to thank everyone at Caramoor Estate and Great Performances Catering for their help in making this wedding perfect and to Kat Cheng Photography for providing the images.

I hope this gives you warm thoughts on a cold day!

Cheers!