WEDDINGS...by JANE

Weekly Words of Wisdom arrived by email today.

AAWP's Weekly Words of Wedding Wisdom™

The Wonder of Beauteous Blooms!

Copyright 2009 Deborah McCoy, all rights reserved.

Everyone knows that flowers are critical to the beauty and elegance of a wedding, and always remember that flowers will appear forever in your wedding photos, which make them timeless.

Let us give you an example: Deborah McCoy often talks of the photo she has of her mother-in-law's wedding. The flowers are so magnificent that she often just stares at them in awe. Sumptuous blooms flow from the hands of the bride and her maids like waterfalls.

But this photo conveys a message. One look and you know that this wedding was an elegant affair. the flowers say it all.

So many times, we get email:

Dear AAWP: Is it OK to use silk flowers for my wedding? I'm on a budget.

Answer: Well, you might, but we advise against it. Here's why:

If you want to save money, use FRESH flowers. They are much less in price than good-quality silks-which usually cost three times more than their fresh counterparts. And take note: You don't need to use expensive flowers like lilies and stephanotis or gardenias to create an elegant look.

Why even a daisy can look elegant if it's styled elegantly.

We know that everyone wants to have flowers like the ones featured in the movie Father of the Bride, but how many folks have $30,000 to spend on elegant blooms?

Well, we say that you don't have to! To get an elegant look when it comes to flowers, you need a florist who will work with you to realize your goals-and one who will work within your budget.

To save money, put your hard-earned $$$$ in your bridal-party flowers and make your own centerpieces,

In Deb's second book, The Elegant and the Budget-Savvy Bride, she discusses making non-floral reception centerpieces. In one example, she takes fresh fruit: luscious red apples, fat green pears, and plump purple grapes, sprays them with gold floral pain, and places then in faux-crystal bowls (rented from a party-rental store, placed on mirrors and surrounded by votive candles, what an elegant centerpiece!)

In conclusion: Shop wisely, shop well, put your money in those bridal-party flowers and to save money, make your own centerpieces!

Everyone knows that flowers are critical to the beauty and elegance of a wedding and it's best to note that flowers will appear forever in your wedding photos, which makes them timeless.

Happy Wedding Planning!

Love the brides who plan outside the traditional wedding box.

 

Now this is what I call a cute bevy of bridesmaids and a bride who has a great sense of who she is.

She had her mother make all the dresses.

Source

Just received this is my email today & thought you would all want to know.

New Company Name Posted: 11 Jun 2009 06:07 PM PDT A month ago I announced that The Smart Planner will be transitioning to a new company, and today I am excited to finally announce the new name! My new company (and a labor of love) is Splendid Communications. Splendid Communications will focus on helping companies in the wedding and event industries communicate effectively and powerfully through online media. Anyone can start a blog, or a open a Twitter or Facebook account, but not many use it effectively for their business. The Think Splendid blog (which is this one), will focus on advice, insights and best practices for special event companies using social media for business. You'll notice some cosmetic changes throughout the week as we update the header with the new name and work out some of the technical stuff attached to the previous domains.  You'll also be able to find all content for wedding planners under The Smart Planner Archives. You can also follow me on Twitter under the name Think Splendid. If you are currently following me under the name The Smart Planner, the name will change on that account and you don't have to do a thing. Thank you so much for all of your support thus far.  Both The Smart Planner and Splendid Communications would never have existed without the support of the professionals in the wedding and event communities and I am so grateful to be able to have such amazing peers.  xxox.

My good friend Kris of Elegant Videos by Kris, fellow Master Wedding Vendor  and the Videographer I used for my daughter's wedding, posted this on her website as advice during the down economy.

Tips for Brides: Brides On A Budget - How To Save Money On Wedding Videography

Tips for Brides:  Brides On A Budget - How To Save Money On Wedding Videography

As a professional videographer for over 20 years, I get frustrated when I hear others (not in the videography business) give advice to brides on how to save money on wedding videography!  Having a friend videotape your wedding or totally skipping videography is not the way to save money!   Married women confirm this in the WEVA Nationwide Survey of Brides (the only survey of brides done AFTER the wedding regarding their wedding video).  Read the WEVA survey in its entirety.

The Wedding & Event Videographers Associational, International (WEVA) decided to address the current economic situation of our industry.  As the WEVA Public Relations Chairperson, I worked with the committee to come up with some money tips for those who need to scale back due to the current recession.   

 Read the entire WEVA News Story here

WEVA PR Committee Addresses The Current Economic Situation of Our Industry
May 07, 2009

Sarasota, FL - The present economy is impacting the way our industry does business…even weddings are not immune from some of the effects. Recently in the majority of the Bridal Media there have been numerous articles and shows devoted entirely to “saving Brides money”. This type of promotion is not new, but with the current state of the economy, there is certainly more emphasis on this subject not only for weddings, but everything from grocery shopping to purchasing big-ticket items.

“This is an important issue every one of our members and in fact to all wedding professionals,” states Dan Argenas, WEVA Director of Association Communications. He goes on to say, “Our PR Committee has done an amazing first step in educating couples when they are searching for a videographer. It is important that we get the message out there and this will give us some excellent ammunition when speaking with the Bridal
Media in behalf of our industry.”

For example, one suggestion by a bridal consultant in California was to have a friend or relative of the Bride/Groom shoot the entire wedding day with a video camera, then hire a professional to edit the footage. Those of us in the industry know this is equal to a “disaster waiting to happen”.
However, just the fact this was mentioned in a mainstream media source warranted WEVA’s concern of the ramifications it could have on our industry and more importantly on how the brides thought about choosing to do their wedding video.

The WEVA PR Committee went to work to draft a couple of tips for the media. The PR Committee members are Kris Malandruccolo of Elegant Videos by Kris, Steve Moses of Vantage Point Productions, Mike Nelson of Remember When Films and Al Ritondo of Personal Touch Video. There were a number of factors considered as the wording of the release was discussed, debated and finally completed. First was the obvious point that many couples are looking very closely at their budgets and in some cases, reworking them. Many videographers have already adjusted and re-worked packages and services, and adjusted their packages to coincide with this issue. Taking this into account the Committee looked at what could be done to minimize the effect on the finished product/wedding film, while offering some money-saving tips for the couples. The other factor was that a recent WEVA survey shows that Videography becomes much more important to a couple AFTER they are married and that almost half of those couples who did use a family friend or a relative regretted it. Following is a summary of the Committee’s response.

Brides On A Budget: How To Save Money on Wedding Videography

We understand that the current economic conditions are making everyone look twice at their wedding budget. We would also like to offer a couple of money-saving tips to all WEVA members to communicate to their couples when they are considering their services as a professional videographer.

First, as our national survey shows, there is no substitute for a professional videographer. Half of those surveyed who had a friend or relative record their wedding would tell you, DON’T! Your wedding is too important a day to leave in the hands of well-meaning friends and amateur videographers. There is no
“take two” on your wedding day and it must be captured correctly the first time. Their advice: Invest in a professional. If your couples are looking for ways to reduce their videography budget, one way is by reducing the total hours of coverage. For example, the videographer can start the coverage at the ceremony instead of the pre-ceremony coverage at a Bride’s home. The hours of coverage at the reception could also be reduced, especially if all the key events are completed early. Another money saving tip is to suggest a “documentary” style of editing as opposed to an “artistic” style of editing. Artistic and cinematic editing involves more hours to edit, so that will add to the cost of the package.

Where should one begin to search for a professional videographer? Ask their family and friends for a
recommendation. Videographers can also be found on the Wedding & Event Videographers Association, International (WEVA) website (www.WEVA.com). Once there, click on the Brides Guide tab on the left. While there, look at the WEVA Nationwide Survey of Brides, which is the only survey of married brides. This survey shows that 98% of married brides recommend that future brides get their wedding videotaped. Let a WEVA member capture the emotion of your wedding day so you can share it with future generations to come!

For those of you looking for a great videographer let me post her BIO so you can see all her professional accomplishments, that testifiy to the fact that Kris will make all your pictures " Moving Mermories."

Biography

Kris Malandruccolo, an international award-winning professional videographer from Chicago, has owned and operated Elegant Videos by Kris for 20 years. Kris is a 2007 WEVA Hall of Fame Inductee. Kris is the Public Relations Chairperson for the Wedding & Event Videographers Association International (WEVA). She is past-president of the Illinois Videographers Association. Kris is the only videographer to earn the title of Master Wedding Vendor through the Association of Bridal Consultants. Kris, an award-winning columnist, is a contributing editor and The Reel Deal columnist for EventDV magazine. Kris writes for other publications as well. Kris was selected to the 2005 EventDV All-Star Team of “Top 25 Videographers in the World” for her profound influence in the video industry. Kris is an international speaker and has spoken at various associations and national conventions across the world promoting the power of video.

Tips for Brides:  Brides On A Budget - How To Save Money On Wedding Videography

As a professional videographer for over 20 years, I get frustrated when I hear others (not in the videography business) give advice to brides on how to save money on wedding videography!  Having a friend videotape your wedding or totally skipping videography is not the way to save money!   Married women confirm this in the WEVA Nationwide Survey of Brides (the only survey of brides done AFTER the wedding regarding their wedding video).  Read the WEVA survey in its entirety.

The Wedding & Event Videographers Associational, International (WEVA) decided to address the current economic situation of our industry.  As the WEVA Public Relations Chairperson, I worked with the committee to come up with some money tips for those who need to scale back due to the current recession.   

 Read the entire WEVA News Story here

WEVA PR Committee Addresses The Current Economic Situation of Our Industry
May 07, 2009

Sarasota, FL - The present economy is impacting the way our industry does business…even weddings are not immune from some of the effects. Recently in the majority of the Bridal Media there have been numerous articles and shows devoted entirely to “saving Brides money”. This type of promotion is not new, but with the current state of the economy, there is certainly more emphasis on this subject not only for weddings, but everything from grocery shopping to purchasing big-ticket items.

“This is an important issue every one of our members and in fact to all wedding professionals,” states Dan Argenas, WEVA Director of Association Communications. He goes on to say, “Our PR Committee has done an amazing first step in educating couples when they are searching for a videographer. It is important that we get the message out there and this will give us some excellent ammunition when speaking with the Bridal
Media in behalf of our industry.”

For example, one suggestion by a bridal consultant in California was to have a friend or relative of the Bride/Groom shoot the entire wedding day with a video camera, then hire a professional to edit the footage. Those of us in the industry know this is equal to a “disaster waiting to happen”.
However, just the fact this was mentioned in a mainstream media source warranted WEVA’s concern of the ramifications it could have on our industry and more importantly on how the brides thought about choosing to do their wedding video.

The WEVA PR Committee went to work to draft a couple of tips for the media. The PR Committee members are Kris Malandruccolo of Elegant Videos by Kris, Steve Moses of Vantage Point Productions, Mike Nelson of Remember When Films and Al Ritondo of Personal Touch Video. There were a number of factors considered as the wording of the release was discussed, debated and finally completed. First was the obvious point that many couples are looking very closely at their budgets and in some cases, reworking them. Many videographers have already adjusted and re-worked packages and services, and adjusted their packages to coincide with this issue. Taking this into account the Committee looked at what could be done to minimize the effect on the finished product/wedding film, while offering some money-saving tips for the couples. The other factor was that a recent WEVA survey shows that Videography becomes much more important to a couple AFTER they are married and that almost half of those couples who did use a family friend or a relative regretted it. Following is a summary of the Committee’s response.

Brides On A Budget: How To Save Money on Wedding Videography

We understand that the current economic conditions are making everyone look twice at their wedding budget. We would also like to offer a couple of money-saving tips to all WEVA members to communicate to their couples when they are considering their services as a professional videographer.

First, as our national survey shows, there is no substitute for a professional videographer. Half of those surveyed who had a friend or relative record their wedding would tell you, DON’T! Your wedding is too important a day to leave in the hands of well-meaning friends and amateur videographers. There is no
“take two” on your wedding day and it must be captured correctly the first time. Their advice: Invest in a professional. If your couples are looking for ways to reduce their videography budget, one way is by reducing the total hours of coverage. For example, the videographer can start the coverage at the ceremony instead of the pre-ceremony coverage at a Bride’s home. The hours of coverage at the reception could also be reduced, especially if all the key events are completed early. Another money saving tip is to suggest a “documentary” style of editing as opposed to an “artistic” style of editing. Artistic and cinematic editing involves more hours to edit, so that will add to the cost of the package.

Where should one begin to search for a professional videographer? Ask their family and friends for a
recommendation. Videographers can also be found on the Wedding & Event Videographers Association, International (WEVA) website (www.WEVA.com). Once there, click on the Brides Guide tab on the left. While there, look at the WEVA Nationwide Survey of Brides, which is the only survey of married brides. This survey shows that 98% of married brides recommend that future brides get their wedding videotaped. Let a WEVA member capture the emotion of your wedding day so you can share it with future generations to come!

For those of you looking for a great videographer let me post her BIO so you can see all her professional accomplishments, that testifiy to the fact that Kris will make all your pictures " Moving Mermories."

Biography

Kris Malandruccolo, an international award-winning professional videographer from Chicago, has owned and operated Elegant Videos by Kris for 20 years. Kris is a 2007 WEVA Hall of Fame Inductee. Kris is the Public Relations Chairperson for the Wedding & Event Videographers Association International (WEVA). She is past-president of the Illinois Videographers Association. Kris is the only videographer to earn the title of Master Wedding Vendor through the Association of Bridal Consultants. Kris, an award-winning columnist, is a contributing editor and The Reel Deal columnist for EventDV magazine. Kris writes for other publications as well. Kris was selected to the 2005 EventDV All-Star Team of “Top 25 Videographers in the World” for her profound influence in the video industry. Kris is an international speaker and has spoken at various associations and national conventions across the world promoting the power of video.

Expanding Horizons: Building and Remodeling Your Business / Indianapolis

Monday, July 13, 2009
Expanding Horizons: Building and Remodeling Bridal Business
Hyatt, Indianapolis, IN
8:30 am registration
9:00 am - 4:00 pm seminar with materials, lunch and breaks included
Member registration through June 30 - $159
Nonmembers and members after June 30 - $175
This seminar now earns 2 points for education and professional development. This one-day seminar focuses on specialization,and expansion, other events, add-on sales, apprenticeships, hiring and firing, media, customer relations, software and technological advances, and ethical challenges that are encountered in an established, growing business.

This seminar will be facilitated by Jane Skarosi, MBC, MWV, ABC's only "dual-master" and Elise Enloe, MBC and Director of Education.

This seminar earns points for education and professional development. To enable full participation for all attendees, seminar is limited to 30 registrants.

Click here for more information and to register

For all other questions about the meeting or seminar, please contact Elise Enloe, Director of Education at EliseABCFL@aol.com or 407 977-9338.

In my email today, and I couldn't agree more!

Come on people.  Dress down Friday is only one day.  You showed us you can look frumpy now let's get it together and put your best foot forward. Dress UP!!!  Special Occasions requires it.  The economy was in better shape when we all "Dressed for Success."  Follow these Words of Wisdom.   AAWP's Weekly Words of Wedding Wisdom™ Dress Codes, Weddings and YOU! Copyright 2009 Deborah McCoy, all rights reserved. We at AAWP know that many of you will be going to a wedding this year-maybe even your own. But whether you're a family member or a guest, there's something about the way Americans dress to attend weddings that troubles us. We frequent a lot of weddings and get the shakes when we think of the DUDS we've seen at these sacred occasions. We've been to fantastic semi-formal ceremonies held in the morning or late afternoon, in church, no less-where female guests come in shorts or slacks, and gentlemen come in khakis. We know that many people don't dress to go to church any longer, just like they don't dress to see a Broadway show, which is a result of our laid-back society. but a wedding is a different cup of tea. A wedding is one of the most important days in the life of a couple. In some religions, like Catholicism, a wedding ceremony is a sacrament, meaning that God is in attendance. Just think about that. If God is at the wedding, what's he going to think about you, if you're dressed in khakis or shorts? :=) On the flip side of the coin, we've attended afternoon weddings in church or at a hotel or catering facility, where the female family members of the bride and groom were dressed in long, slinky, beaded gowns in the middle of the afternoon-the gentleman in tuxes. They looked like they should be going to a casino in Vegas instead of a wedding ceremony. The rules are this: * If you're a guest, and you're invited to a wedding in the middle of the day, men should wear business suits, dark in winter, light in summer. The women should wear beautiful suits or dresses, cut to the knee or below, with very little glitz. If the wedding is held in temple or church, the attire should not be flashy or provocative. * If a formal or semi-formal reception is held hours after the wedding ceremony ends, in the evening, for example, guests (if able) are required to change into flashier evening attire, which may include cocktail or long dresses for women and tuxes and business suits for men, respectively. * If invited to a semi-formal evening affair, men wear business suits; women short or mid-calf cocktail dresses, dressy pants' attire, etc. * Formal weddings, held in the evening, are a different story. These "black tie" affairs require guests to wear to come formally dressed. Women wear fancy long, or short, or mid-calf gowns. Men wear tuxes, no exceptions (they may also wear white dinner jackets in summer of tropical climates)! These rules also hold true for the family members of the bride and groom! Moral of the Story: When it comes to a wedding, dress appropriately and make everyone proud of you-even the Lord above! Happy Wedding Planning!

As I prepare to bag one of my bride's wedding gowns I'm always asked the best way to travel with their gown.  My best advise "Don't let your gown out of your sight".  You can replace your make-up, undies etc..but your gown?

 I always tell my brides to call the airline ahead of time and ask them what their procedure is for carrying a wedding gown on board.  My advise "Pack the gown in a garment bag, carry it on and put it in the overhead".  The gown can always be steamed or pressed on arrival.  Today I found this article posted  May 19, 2009 in the Consumerist.  This is the worst case scenario, that I have described over and over for my brides.  Now I have a valid incident to frame, hang on the wall and refer my brides to when asked that question the next time.  

Bridal Gown Vanishes From US Airways During Flight To Wedding

By Laura Northrup, 9:31 AM on Tue May 19 2009, 

Jenn is from the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and lives in Pennsylvania. She held her wedding in her hometown, and eight days before the wedding, she flew down to prepare. Her wedding gown didn't make it. Someone stole the gown out of her checked baggage.

On May 1, I traveled via US Airways to my hometown on the Outer Banks of NC for my wedding, which was May 9. I carefully folded up my wedding dress and packed it inside a suitcase, and checked it. That was an incredibly stupid move on my part. At the airport in Pittsburgh, they asked for volunteers to take the next flight out in exchange for a free round trip ticket for future use, as they had overbooked. I happily volunteered, because my layover in Charlotte was going to be 4 hours long, and I would still be on the same connecting flight. I thought it was a great deal for me.

When I arrived in New Bern, NC my luggage had somehow arrived before me, and I had to retrieve it from the baggage office. When I picked up the bag, I nearly fell over because I expected it to be about 25 pounds heavier than it was. I opened the bag in front of the desk agents and inside was the ripped open garment bag, complete with broken zipper and a broken hanger. There was no dress. My mother, who picked me up at the airport, was as calm as possible when she explained to the agent that my wedding was 8 days away, and how were they going to proceed with finding my dress. The response started with "Well, are you sure you packed it?" (Yes. It's my WEDDING. I'm certain that I did not absentmindedly leave the dress behind.) then progressed to "Well, we didn't lose your dress, we have nothing to do with that,"
and finally to "We can fill out a report, and you can expect a phone call tomorrow."

Tomorrow came, but there was no phone call. I called them around 3pm, and was told that they couldn't find a file with my name or with the file number I was provided with, and it can take up to a week before the pilfered bag reports even get into their system.

Yes, Consumerist. I was told that despite the fact that my wedding was now 7 days away, it would be about 7 days before they would even BEGIN investigating my missing dress.

For those who don't know, formal wedding gowns are very complicated. Finding one straight off of a rack is difficult, especially in a tiny town with the nearest chain bridal shop (David's Bridal) being over 2 hours away. First, the gal finds the dress she wants. It more or less never fits perfectly, so she has to take it to be altered, which can take several weeks to complete. For my dress, it had been taken up 4 inches, the train had a bustle installed, the halter neck had to be shortened, and the torso of the dress had to be taken out a full two inches for a total cost of nearly $300. The dress itself cost nearly $700. And now, US Airwayswas telling me I was SOL, and I was going to have to find another dress in just a couple of days, as it was already about 4pm when I got off the phone, the following day was Sunday, and I'd need at least 2 days for alterations.

My mother, my aunt and I scoured stores for a couple of days looking for ANYTHING that would suffice as a wedding dress. We came up empty handed until Tuesday afternoon, when we found a dress at a bridal shop that was my size. It was, by no means, a dress I would have chosen in any other situation, but because of the urgency of the situation, I was forced to take whatever I could get. We found a seamstress in a neighboring town who was willing to do the necessary alterations in a huge rush for an exorbitant amount of money, and I was able to pick up the dress the morning of the wedding.

My new husband and I returned from NC yesterday. I stopped by the baggage office at the Pittsburgh airport and asked them about it, but they hadn't heard anything about it. I called US Airways again when I got home, and there is STILL no record of anything.

I'm not sure where to go from here. I have receipts for everything. Both dresses, all alterations, both sets of shoes and undergarments, etc. Is small claims court the best route to take?

Jenn admits that putting the gown in checked luggage was a mistake. Still, that doesn't give someone with access to luggage a license to steal her gown, and airline employees seem to have thrown up their hands. Her dress hasn't turned up yet. What do you, the readers, suggest? Other than virtually smashing wedding cake in airline executives' faces with an EECB.

(Photo: Corey Ann)

Source

Look for the New Wedding Magazine in October

Source

Wedding Notes™

Gems & Rings

Before rings became the symbol of engagements,

it was customary for the couple to break

a silver or gold coin in two. One half was kept

by the man and the other half by the woman to

symbolize the marriage act.

Another early betrothal custom was for a

young man to weave a bracelet of human hair

(his) and offer it to the girl he hoped to marry.

If she accepted it, that bracelet symbolized that

their lives were woven together for life.

At one time in Denmark, it was customary and

considered quite correct for an unmarried couple

to exchange rings and live together for one

year. If they were happy for the year they stayed

together for life. But if not, they returned the

rings and went their separate ways, each free to

choose another. The custom was called handfesting.

(With This Ring, by June Jenkins)

Even though the plain gold band has been the

symbol of true and everlasting love since Roman

times, couples have found ways to enhance its

simple but powerful message.

Although some brides prefer colored gemstones,

the overwhelming choice of today’s bride

is the diamond. And the diamond’s history adds

to its popularity. Ancient superstitions claim that

the diamond’s sparkle was born in the “fires of

love”. Wearing a diamond was a guarantee of

happiness. Because of this superstition, many

people consider the diamond to be the only true

engagement ring.

But today’s brides may also choose the emerald

or pearl for their engagement stone, or a sapphire

which is said to bring good luck. To wear a

sapphire was to invite the favor of the gods.

Other brides may choose amber which is said to

prevent illness or coral which brings good luck.

Jewelers can show you a wide range of prices

and styles for your wedding and engagement ring

choices. Always buy from a reputable jeweler

with the confidence of knowing that whatever

early tradition you follow, you are choosing each

other and the ring as a symbol of that choice.

Jane, Weddings by Jane

Member Weddings Beautiful Worldwide.