Family Traditions again

I am a huge fan of family traditions. This weekend we participated in yet another one. Every November we take family photo's to see how we have all changed from year to year. Now that we have kids I love to see how they grow. We use these photos for our Christmas cards. Yesterday we went out to the river and park and we dressed up in our best clothes. We took some posed shots and then we just went and took photo's of us being us. I am working on getting them up all on Flickr and will post that link soon. Until here are a few fun ones. I still have not decided on the family shot for the card. I guess I need to do that today. Here is all the photos

Picking your wedding style

We have all been sucked into the reality shows and seen every type of wedding we could imagine. A few years back things were not so. My mom was one of five kids and four of the weddings were the same cakes looked the same and punch bowl (I know it was the same I have it now, it was a gift from my grandmother). The white dresses and up do's were all very similar in the photos. Well now that is not the case. Every wedding has a different feel from the next. How do you pick your style.

Its not hard, first when you dreamed about your wedding what was that dream. Now is that dream reasonable and does it still fit you?

How much do you have to spend? A formal elaborate wedding may not be for you because its just not in the budget. This does not mean you have to have a white trash wedding, but realize you might not be able to get four foot center pieces for all the tables.

Are there certain colors that are special to you both, or that just make you happy?

Is there something that you just want to capture a feel or era in time (Victorian, country, Renaissance)

Is it a theme or style that you can accomplish? (A beach themed wedding might not be appropriate in winter in Maine).

At the same time a theme or style is nice as a guideline but it can go to far. Make sure you limit yourself so that you still have a wedding and not a hoedown. Colors are a great was to tie things together, but some colors can be a bit much in large amounts and should only be accent colors. I say this as I am thinking of a wedding I went to awhile back and I left there with a craving for pepto bismal. Yep every bit of the room was pepto pink.
Always ask the professionals for help. Your wedding planner and coordinator should have an eye for these things and be able to help. If not check with the rental place and your cake decorator they might have some ways to get color in and not over do it.

Happy Thanksgiving

While I have a feeling I will get online tomorrow my goal is to not work too much. So I wanted to take a few moments and wish you all a happy and blessed Thanksgiving. Take some time to tell those in your life that you are thankful for them. List the things you are thankful for and just enjoy the day of rest and food and any traditions you have with your family.

I am thankful for my wonderful supportive husband

I am thankful for my sweet and healthy children

I am thankful for all my wonderful friends

I am thankful for family and friends that have decided to invest their time and energy into my business.

I am thankful for all my couples for letting me be a part of their special day.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Cool Oppurtunity

I can't go into too many details yet, but I have been asked to help with some instructional wedding videos. How to's on various aspects of planning and putting together weddings. It should be fun and its an honor to be asked. There are still details to work out. So I can't say its a done deal yet.

I will let you know how it all works out.

Save the Dates Why and When to send them

Save The Date Cards:

I got married over six years ago, and at that time I had not even heard of save the date cards. They have come a long way. Now you have to decide are they for you? I have some answers here.
Are Save the Date Cards Necessary?
While they are not necessary in all situations, they are a wonderful way to generate excitement and, most importantly, allow your loved ones plenty of time to make arrangements to share in your special day. Especially important for friends and family who will be traveling to your wedding location, Save the Dates encourage travelers to take advantage of travel deals, book flights, and make any other necessary plans sooner than later.
If your wedding date falls on or around any holidays, or if it's taking place at a popular vacation or destination spot, you should consider sending out your Save the Dates at least five months in advance. In these situations, your guests will likely be thinking of your event as a vacation and will appreciate having the time and information to plan accordingly.
When should Save the Dates be sent?
Think of your Save the Date cards as a preliminary invitation to your wedding. They should be sent at least four months before the wedding date. Five months is still acceptable.
If you are asking guests to travel a great distance, take time off work, or travel during peak seasons, the sooner you can let them know the better! In these circumstances, it's not uncommon to send Save the Date announcements as much as twelve months in advance.
Do I need to send a Save the Date to all my guests?
No, you are not required to send a Save the Date to everyone on your guest list. Many brides cut costs here by sending Save the Dates only to those guests who will be traveling or who will likely need to make arrangements far in advance. Of course the benefit of sending a Save the Date card to every person you are hoping will attend is that you are increasing the likelihood that they will reserve that date and will, in fact, be able to attend your special day. If, for whatever reason, you do choose to send Save the Dates only to a select number of guests, there is just one rule to follow. Make sure they are sent to all people who have any reason to interact with each other. Imagine how hurt your cousin Suszie would be if she visited your aunt Margaret and saw your beautiful Save the Date hanging on her refrigerator, only to realize she had not been sent one and have no idea why.

It should be noted that a Save the Date is just that. It's doesn't do double duty as an engagement announcement to everyone you know...and therefore should only be sent to those people you will absolutely be inviting to the wedding itself. Do not send a Save the Date to anyone who will not be receiving a wedding invitation.

Linens

No mater if you want a casual country bar-b-que weddings, or and elegant crystals and roses wedding one thing is for sure. You need to cover your tables. But putting table cloths on your tables it helps tie all your hard work together and give the event that clean, put together look.

There is an online source for linens that I like. They are reasonable. They have lots to choose from and are very high quality. I have purchased several tings from them and am very happy with the quality, service, and price. Now I was not buying to cover 12-20 tables so I know that buying in that amount would add up.They do also do rentals. I have not worked with their rentals but the process is very easy and I assume you get the same service. If they have chair sashes or table runners you are looking for you might be able to get a pretty good deal right now. If you like something you might be interested in a bridal share to help defer the cost. Let me know and I can try help you locate someone to share with.

http://linentablecloth.com/ They are offering free shipping on purchases over $50.00

http://www.linentablecloth.com/ Right now they are offering free shipping on orders over $50.00.

They ship fast and the quality is solid. Larger cloths have no seams on them which is really nice.

Free Photo Book

This was on Opera last night. Key is you only have through tonight to use it. You pay for shipping. I have not done it yet to see what shipping is.

http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081029_tows_messyhouse/7

and click on "Get your Free Book".

Alternate to a guest book...

Gift for mother....

Just for you....

What a deal.

Hobby Lobby Bridal Event

I went by there yesterday and its official. All wedding stuff is on sale for 50% off. The only exception is custom made decorations and rentals. This is including print your own invitations, veils, headpieces, guest books, pens, ring pillows, flower girl baskets, card boxes, favor boxes, ribbon by the roll, precut tulle and tulle bags. It is all there. I will tell you this bridal sale does not usually come up as often as the sale on frames and candles and such. If you need anything like the above please go this week and get yourself the discount. I picked up a wedding arch while I was there. Its one of the lightweight ones, but they look great once covered in tulle and lights and flowers for the right events. If you are wanting an arch let me know. I won't be charging my clients for the use of it. Just like I don't charge for any of the decoration items I have. They are always yours to use. So go have a great time shopping. If you are out of town and no hobby lobby near you but need something email me and I can see if I can work something out to pick things up for you and hold them until we see each other again. Remember this is ONLY UNTIL SATURDAY four shopping days left.

It is official. We have a new look

The website is officially updated. Stress Free Events has a new look. I am so excited. I had the pleasure of working with the guys and SparkNet Creative. I can't tell you how easy they were to work with and Aaron really got what I wanted to do and made it better then I expected. If you have the need for a website or website re-design I recommend them. Take a look.

Winter Wedding Specials

November/December and January/February are usually a little slow in the world of weddings. I usually take that time to meet new vendors and get a head start on planning future weddings. Well this year on top of that I would like to actually work some weddings :-)

So I am offering some specials. Please pass this on to anyone you know getting married this winter.

If the weddings take place this month or the next three months they can get in on these discounts.

20% off day of coordination package (referral discount)

One free planning session (brainstorming question/answer pick my brain for one hour)

One free vendor referral (will help you find one of your final vendors. Will give you three referrals for people in your budget and available).

Use of any decoration items I have in stock.

One free delivery or rental return.

For those getting married later in the year I want to offer the following for early booking

20% off day of coordination package (referral discount)

One Free vendor referral as defined above

Use of decoration items I have in stock.

Happy Planning

Becky

Email is back

Yeah I now have my email back. I am so happy.

Email issues

I am still not receiving emails. Please use the yahoo email from the post below for a little longer. I am hoping once the office opens for my new host I can get a hold of someone to fix the email issue.

The new website was posted over the weekend. They have not got the photo gallery up and going yet. I will see how much longer that will take. I am excited about the new look.

Michaels Crafts Deals

Here is a link to their ad. http://michaels.shoplocal.com/michaels/default.aspx?action=entry&pretailerid=-99855&siteid=237&storeid=2414800

They have floral deals as well.
They have a custom framing special of 40% off

Hobby Lobby deals

Here is the link to the full ad http://www.hobbylobby.com/weekly/weekly.cfm?menu=1&page=1

Items to note:
Bridal Event: Bridal items in floral department are 50% off. Check the signs in store to make sure what you are needing is covered. This is a great time to pick up those items that are wedding and not just floral. I will try and make a run by there today or tomorrow and check but this should include flower girl baskets and ring pillows in the bridal section.
Floral: Stems, garlands, wreaths, swags, and arrangements as well as dried floral is 50% off.
Framing: 50% off most frames. Great time to pick up frames for photo tables.
Fabrics: 30% off various fabrics. Muslin included.
Christmas Floral: 50% off
Ribbon by the roll: 50% off

Don't forget you can go print off a 40% off one regularly priced item at their website.

Switch and Emails

Hey all we are in the process of movin g over the host for the website. It should be a smooth transition but it looks like email might be effected a little bit. If you have sent me anything in the last 24 hours with no response forgive me. You can reach me at my old email (pre-wedding buisness) turtle042474@yahoo.com the other email should be working in a day or two, I hope. The new website I hope won't be mush longer. I need to check in with the designer to see what is up with it.

Hobby Lobby for Nov. 3rd

Here is the link to the full add.

http://www.hobbylobby.com/weekly/weekly.cfm?menu=1&page=1

Some items to note

Candles and Holders are 50% off

Photo Frames are 50% off

Jewelery making 50% off

Happy Crafting

And a link to the 40% off one regularly priced item is here http://www.hobbylobby.com/weekly/weekly.cfm?page=2

And the Winner Is...

I think unless you live under a rock you have heard the news that our new president elect is Barack Obama. If you are a supporter of his or not we are a part of history today. I know that things in our country need to change and I think both candidates were aware of this and willing to try. I look forward to see what Obama will do with the next four years. Here is to growth and prosperity in our future.

Trunk or Treat

This year at our church we hosted our fourth trunk or treat. It is a family event held on or near Halloween. The members of the church decorate the trunks of their cars and the kids go around and trick or treat there. its a free event. We also had free hot dogs, popcorn, cookies, and cotton candy. I was on the two person planning team. There were a few moments of panic but just because we wanted it to be right and fun. It was a challenge getting volunteers all organized, but it was well worth it. We had a great time. I look forward to working it again next year. Oh our theme this year was Fairy tales, Fables, and Nursery Rhymes (although we basically covered all childrens stories).

Professional Photos from Ben and Eliza's wedding

Vanessa is quick she has already posted some photo's on her blog. Check them out here. I have a few for you to look at.

Rumors

I wanted to go online and publicly say that I am not the red headed wedding coordinator that was doing keg stands at a destination wedding recently. I have had a couple of people ask if it was me. I guess this coordinator has short red hair and wears black framed glasses. I don't know who it was that did this but I assure my brides it was not me, or my assistants. None of us drink. I do not know who this person is, and I hope that she chooses better behavior at her next events, but you will be able to expect only professional behavior from us. It is your day, not mine. It is not about me having a blast at your expense. I want your guest and you to have the best day ever. I am sorry to hear anyone acted like this and hope that she has learned her lesson and that none of her brides in the future have anything to worry about.

Ben and Eliza November 1 2008

This was such a cute and fun wedding. I can't wait to get photo's from Vanessa to share but I will be able to share some of the set up photo's. Eliza was beautiful and Ben was dashing. I wish them both a happy future and glad to be a part of your big day.

Some of the cast and charicters that made the day happen:

Ceremony-Chapel and St. Stephens School

Reception - Mercury Hall this is such a great place and one of my favorite places to work

Jared was a huge help at the end of the night.

Flowers - West Bank Flower Market (let me just say they get props for making some things

happen that amazed me)

Photographer - Photography by Vanessa

Caterers - Salt Lick and Robert Mayberry (he did appitizers and bar).

Music- Redd Volkert they were great. Easy to work with

Transportation - Durham School Bus trasnportation. Billie was our driver and she was great.

She stayed in contact with me letting me know where she was at all times.

Forgive me if I have forgotten anything or anyone. Here are some pictures until I get photo's back from Vanessa

Oh and the couple had their wedding announced 11/2/08 in the New York Times here is a link

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/fashion/weddings/02price.html?_r=1&ref=weddings&oref=slogin