Stress Free Events

12 Worst Pieces of Wedding Advice

2011-06-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

Brides share the most awful tips they've been given while planning their wedding.
By Anne Roderique-Jones

1. Bad advice: "My grandmother told me that I must wear a white dress or else people will start thinking that I'm not a virgin. I'm a 30-year-old bride who has been living with my fiance for six years."
What you should do: This "rule" is completely antiquated. In fact, there are probably quite a few engaged virgins out there who will choose to wear ivory (gasp!) on their wedding day. Wear whichever color you love that looks best with your skin tone. In fact, white works best on darker skin tones, and ivory shades flatter lighter skin.

2. Bad advice: "It's YOUR wedding, and this day is all about YOU!"
What you should do: It is your wedding day, but don't forget the little people. Treat your wedding party (and guests) with respect. For instance, let your bridesmaids help choose their dresses, and don't have a cash bar.

3. Bad advice: "Type up and print generic thank-you notes ahead of time, and just slap a label with your names on them instead of signing them."
What you should do: Your guests took the time to choose (yes, even if it was on a registry!) and pay for your gifts, and it's your job as a gracious couple to get your thank-you notes out in a timely fashion (it's easiest to write them right when the gift arrives). Make sure they're handwritten and heartfelt.

4. Bad advice: "You don't need a wedding planner; let your mom handle it."
What you should do: Unless you want your wedding to be officially mom-themed, ask your mom to help you plan some of the important and personal details, but leave the big stuff to the pros.

5. Bad advice: "Send invites to people you know will not come."
What you should do: Those hopeful no-shows may decide to make an appearance. You may get the gift, but you'll also be over capacity and over budget. Invite the people whom you actually want to be at your wedding, and enjoy the day with those who matter most to you. (Stress Free Events Thoughs on this: It is perfectly acceptable to send out a wedding announcement after teh wedding to friends and family far away that you knew could not make it).

6. Bad advice: "If it's not a diamond, then it's not a real engagement ring."
What you should do: Kate Middleton rocks a sapphire, and ladies in Greece wear pearls. Bottom line: Wear what you love ... or at least what was given to you.

7. Bad advice: "Someone told me to ship the gown to New Jersey to avoid paying NYC taxes. Umm, no, that's tax evasion, and I don't look good in stripes."
What you should do: If you're planning to have your dress shipped, then inquire about discount codes. But picking it up at the salon is usually the most cost-effective option.

8. Bad advice: "My future father-in-law said not to bother getting my wedding band sized down to fit because I'll just have to get it sized up one day."
What you should do: There's no reason that anyone has to gain the "newlywed nine." Plus, if you don't size it properly, you're much more likely to lose it!

9. Bad advice: "My mother suggested having the cocktail hour before the ceremony."
What you should do: Do that and your guests will be sauced before you exchange your vows. Instead, open the bar after the ceremony, and serve nonalcoholic bevs like lemonade and cucumber water beforehand.

10. Bad advice: "Take out a loan for the wedding!"
What you should do: Instead, save diligently and have a personal and meaningful wedding that you can afford. Money fights are no fun, and debt is not the way you want to enter into marriage.
11. Bad advice: "You'll want a short engagement so the groom doesn't change his mind."
What you should do: Shorter engagements leave you less time to find vendors. Most engagements are over a year long, and planning a wedding is stressful. If your groom runs away during this time, he'd never last the entire marriage. It's a good trial.

12. Bad advice: "Cut back on costs and have a potluck and BYOB reception."
What you should do: A wedding is an event that you host, and these are your guests. Don't expect them to provide their own food and drink. If cost is an issue, look into having an early brunch with mimosas or having your event catered by a local restaurant, which is often more affordable.

DISCLAIMER: This article was originally posted on MSN Lifestyle and written by The Knot

2011 Changes are big

2011-01-01T08:42:00.000-08:00

I have thought long and hard about business for this year. I have made a decision to step back and take a little bit of a break from Stress Free Events. Don't read that as I am done, but I am limiting greatly the events that I do.

I am excited to do the weddings I already have on the books, and will be happy to help any of my past clients with any of their needs. I am only accepting new clients on referrals from my past clients right now.

I started a new job in July. I am working for the school district and I have the flexibility to keep working on weddings and other events. At the same time I feel that I have not been available to my family as much as I would like.

Both of my kids are in school now and by the time we get home, get homework done, and have dinner we have very little time for play time. Add weddings multiple weekends a month on top of that, and I feel like I am missing out on their childhood. This is such a great age for them and I want to miss as little as possible. I also have lost my grandmother at the end of this year, and my mother in law is starting a new battle with cancer (she has beaten it before, and we know she will again). These events have just proven to me how precious time with family is. My parents are still young and working and with the kids in school the best time for us to spend with family is on the weekends. I want my family to know the closeness and precious relationships you can only have with grandparents.

I could never give up weddings entirely. They are a part of me. I feel like so many of you are a part of my family now. I just will not be advertising for new clients. I will not be taking on back to back weekend events. I will be working with some of the vendors and venues I have grown to love over the years to help them with their businesses and keep in touch with the wedding world, but on a more limited capacity.

In an effort to keep costs down, I have decided that I will be letting my website go, and my email. I don't see paying to host that at this time. I have this blog to share with you as well as my facebook page.
My new email is stressfreeevents@hotmail.com
My cell phone is still the same and don't hesitate to contact me. I am still here for you.
Love you All
Becky Sosa
and Family
Happy New Year

Sarah and Collin

2010-12-07T19:12:00.000-08:00

Horseshoe Bay was just a dream come true for Sarah and Collin. I was so glad that I was a part of their fairy tale wedding. Horseshoe Bay did so much to make this easy on me. AJH Photography did a great job capturing this great event, and the party that followed the picturesque ceremony. The party included the groom ending up in the pool, you know its a party then.

The Guys came over from across the lake on a boat. Unloaded right at the ceremony site and walked up wiped some sweat from their brows and escourted the girls down the aisle.

Right after the ceremony they took some photos on the beach area. Perfect setting.

Yes he flipped her right on the dance floor. They knew how to party.

And before the night was over the groom ended up being tossed into the pool. Seems he did something similar to his brother at his wedding so it was payback time.

Christine and Parker

2010-11-29T16:12:00.000-08:00

I have known Christine and Parker for awhile now. Christine was a bridesmaid in Kelly's wedding last year. When they came to me to coordinate their wedding I couldn't have been happier. It was a beautiful wedding. The details were wonderful and I have to say they were one of the most precious couples to work with. Here are a few photos. Check out more at our facebook page.

The Stephen F. Austin Hotel was the perfect setting. The staff was great and the food was wonderful. A few communication details slipped when the event manager left and a new one came on, but they made it all work out great.

Photos were captured by the team of Carli and John from inked fingers fotography. I love working with them. And the photos captured it all so well.

There were so many others involved in making this day happen. Let me know if you want contact information for any of them.

This was just a precious moment caught after they left in the horse drawn carriage.These two just about stole the show. Loved the colors they choose.

It's been way too long.

2010-11-29T15:36:00.000-08:00

Ok I knew I was behind on blogging. I just didn't realize how long. So please forgive me. I promise to start blogging tonight. At the rate that my computer is uploading photos it might be tomorrow before anything is actually posted.

Idea for smaller weddings.

2010-06-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

I have many brides that are freaked out a little at the cost to rent china for their wedding. I am planning a shower right now and got an idea for a wedding. I have this amazing china that was my grandmothers. My mom has some beautiful china as well. My other grandmother has some great china as well. Well if you have a smaller wedding and are not stuck on everything matching fully then here is the idea. Have several family members host different reception tables. Depending on the size of their collection they might be able to host two tables. You still cover the tables with a neutral table cloth and make arrangements for the centerpieces but your family and friends provide the china place settings. This would work great with a dinner that is served family style. Again i would not recommend this for large weddings, but smaller events this would work very well. And gives your family a way to participate in your big day.

2010-06-09T07:32:00.000-07:00

This is a great artical from the Knot

So you thought it'd be great to write your own wedding vows, but now a healthy dose of writer's block (not to mention fear of embarrassing yourself) has hit you squarely on the head. Don't know how to transform your heavy, life-altering, feelings into a string of coherent words? You're not alone -- but don't worry, your goal is within reach: Just take it one word at a time. Here's the homework you need to do (and the questions you should ask) to make your wedding vows perfect.

Prep Step A: Get clearance
Make sure your officiant will accept personalized vows. Catholic and Episcopal congregations, for instance, may require you to recite all or part of the traditional vows, though in most cases that's left to the officiant's discretion. Remember: Even the most accommodating officiant will want to review your words in advance.

Prep Step B: Make a plan
You need to tackle the logistics to make sure you and your fiance are both on the same page: Are you each going to write your own, or will you write them together? Will you show them to each other before the ceremony?

Knot Note: If you're feeling shy, opt to write your vows together and even recite the exact same promises. If there's more you wish to say, privately, say it in the cards you exchange on the day of your wedding or on your honeymoon.

Prep Step C: Create your outline
An outline can help to establish a structure that you both stick to. For example, plan to first talk about how great your fiance is, then about how great you are as a couple, then about what you're vowing to each other.

Prep Step D: Find your voice
What overall tone do you want: Humorous and touching? Poetic and mushy? It's your call -- the most important thing is that your vows ring true and sound like they're from your heart.

Prep Step E: Cut it down
Finally, pick a length and stick to it by keeping the mantra pithy and to the point in mind -- anything longer than a minute or so, and no matter how gorgeous your prose, the audience will start to squirm.

Ready to Write!
What exactly do you say? To help you think of sentiments to include, take turns answering this list of questions. When you're done, look through your answers for the phrases that best capture your intended message and incorporate them into the structure of your vows.

What did you think when you first saw him/her? Start from the beginning -- you didn't want to go out and now you're grateful your friends dragged you out? How to use: When we met at __________, I knew __________.

When did you realize you were in love? The more specific you are able to be, the more touching the story. Was it when he helped you bring your sick puppy to the vet? How to use: I knew I was in love when ____________. Don't underestimate the power of humor. Throw in at least one more playful sentiment (When she recited Don Mattingly's RBI record...).

What do you have now that you didn't have before you met? Focus on the heart and head, not material possessions. Has she taught you to appreciate beauty differently? Has he helped you learn to savor creating a home-cooked meal? How to use: Before I met you, I ___________. Now I ___________.

How has your worldview changed? Life has likely gotten better since the two of you joined forces, so tell everyone about it. How to use: Because of you, I see the world __________. Having trouble? Think about the new things you've tried with your mate -- what have you experienced together that you never would have on your own?

What do you miss most when you're apart? This will probably be something mundane but powerful -- what about his smile first thing in the morning, or the way she puts out your lucky mug for your morning coffee? How to use: You are such a part of me that when you're gone, I __________.

Where do you see yourselves in 10 years? 20 years? 40 years? Go deeper than Happily married in a big house. What are your long-term hopes, dreams, and goals? How to use: I look forward to __________, laughing and __________ as we __________.

Is there a line from a movie, song, or poem that says it all? It's okay to borrow, as long as it's not too much of a cliche (we're sorry, but You complete me is suffering from overuse). Instead modify something familiar to personalize. How to use: Subtly. I watch you ________, and I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

Do parts of the traditional vows resonate with you? Maybe you're not so sure about the obey part, but can you really go wrong with love, cherish, and...? How to use: Try I promise to cherish and honor you ____________, but add a time frame and funny reference for levity: ...all the days of my life, especially when curled up on the couch with takeout.

Can you think of a funny or touching experience that put your partner in a new light? The way he played with your little cousin or helped your grandmother up the stairs showed you that under his macho exterior is a wittle, bitty bunny wabbit and you love him for it. How to use: When you ____________, I saw you for the _____________ person you are. And that made me want to ____________.

Is there a harrowing experience that strengthened your bond? This one rides tandem with #9. How to use: See #9.

What goals and values do you both have? Stating your common bond may just expose your inner Wordsworth. These ties -- whether your shared faith or your mutual love of wine -- will also help demonstrate why you're a perfect pair. How to use: We share ___________, so together we can ___________.

What about him/her inspires you? What is it about your fiance that you'd like to improve in yourself? What do you most respect about your partner? How to use: Your ___________ has shown me how to be___________.

What promise can you make to codify your devotion? Here's an opportunity to personalize your vows -- many couples pledge their endless love, but how many promise to take the dog out in the morning, even in the snow? How to use: I promise to always ___________.

How will you change together? You know what your goals are -- think about the steps the two of you will need to take together to reach them. How to use: I look forward to ___________ as we __________.

What metaphor (or simile) would capture your love? Think of something that describes or defines your love: Is it strong like a castle? Peaceful like a mountain stream? How to use: Our love is like a ___________ because it ___________.

Why are you entering the bond of marriage? Think about why marrying your fiance is so special. You may be surprised how the answer leads you to the perfect words. How to use: To me, marriage is ___________. With you, it's ___________.

What will keep your marriage strong? Find the bedrock of your relationship. What makes your relationship tick? Is it your resilience? Your shared sense of humor? How to use: Even when ___________, we will have ___________.

What are you most looking forward to about married life? The wedding is just the beginning. How to use: I look forward to ___________ as we embark on ___________.

What do you expect out of married life? Defining your expectations will help you make and keep promises. Think about your dreams, and what you'll have to vow to do to make them come true. How to use: I know our marriage will ___________ and I vow to ___________.

What words do you associate with love? Make a list of romantic terms so you can avoid overusing love -- too many repetitions dilute its power. How to use: My devotion/adoration/ passion is ___________.

Dress for your body

2010-05-24T18:01:00.000-07:00

You are... an Hour Glass
Tall or short, hourglass girls' bodies are defined more by their typically curvy frame. If you are an hourglass you’ll have a naturally thin waist with a medium to large bust and smaller shoulders. Small waists and curvy figures mean that often hourglass girls have more defined hips.
Tips to Remember: Being curvy isn't a bad thing! If you are blessed with curves and love them then why not opt for a sheath gown that shows off your shape? Panelling, beading and silk inserts of lace can help distract from problem areas and draw the eye to your favourite assets. For those who would like to diminish the curves, choose a dress with a tight bodice or cinched waist and a full skirt like an A-line dress or ball gown.
The dress for you: Sheath, ball gown or A-line.

You are... Pear Shaped
With curve on the bottom half, pear shaped girls will often have a smaller bust paired with a slimmer torso and waist. On the bottom half, pear shaped girls tend to have shapely hips, butt and thighs and usually carry little weight on the back.
Tips to Remember: Your slim shoulders waist and torso means that dresses with intricate top halves such as detailing across the décolletage or shaping in the torso are great choices for you. Empire line and ball gown dresses skim over the hips and thighs whilst your trusty friend the A-line is a great choice for wedding attire. Another good option is to show off your back with a plunging back on a simple halter or ball gown dress.
The dress for you: Empire, A-line or ball gown.

You are... an Apple
Shapely slim legs and delicate shoulders are some of the key features of an apple shape. With a larger bust, wider torso and a full waist you have a curvy and feminine figure.
Tips to Remember: Most people opt for longer length gowns but with your killer legs a tea length gown may be a great option! Another thing to think about is a gown that is floor length but features a subtle slit. Empire line dresses tend to flatter apple figures a lot as they re-proportion the figure and draw the eye up towards the bust. A-line dresses again add balance while a dress that cinches heavily at the waist can help create a more hour glass figure.
The dress for you: Tea length, empire or A-line.

You are... Petite
Small with delicate body features and subtle curves, you tend to also be a little bit shorter than most. An average size bust and naturally toned body means that proportion is key.
Tips to Remember: A lot of your tips are around hemlines. If you feel swamped in a full length gown, play around with one of a shorter length. Don't be afraid to play around with different hem shapes like asymmetrical, pillow or tulip shapes. A simple sheath dress can be very classic, or to elongate the frame a tailored empire or A-line dress can work wonders.
The dress for you: Tea length, empire or A-line.

You are... Slim Athletic
Thin and tall, your straight and narrow frame may not have a lot of curve. Small around the bottom and the bust, your typically thin or toned frame can benefit from a little pomp and frill.
Tips to Remember: If you love your figure why not show it off in a sheath? A straight sheath or mermaid dress can add curves and enhance your figure all on its own. And with the addition of beading around the bust or ties at the waist it can create a feminine form. A ball gown with its full skirt will instantly fill out your frame while an empire line dress can help create shape on your top half.
The dress for you: Empire, sheath, ball gown.

Dress Breakdown

2010-05-24T17:39:00.000-07:00

The Dress Breakdown
Dresses may all look quite different but you will find that with a little close examination they will fall into one of the following groups....

The Empire Line: Falling from under the bust, an empire line dress can have a full skirt (great for hiding hips and thighs) a tulip, bubble or puff shape (great for creating curve) or even a bit of an A-line shape (balancing). The top half itself can vary from dress to dress giving this one style a lot of variance.

The Ball Gown: Often called the fairy tale dress, a ball gown will have a shaped bodice sometimes with a lace up back or a corset type top with a full skirt. These may be in separates or together as a one piece. The skirt can fall on or below the hip line and is a great shape to create a sense of drama. The tight fitting bodice will balance out the full skirt making it a great choice for many body types.

The Tea Length: Not so much a dress shape as a length. While many girls will instantly think floor length when looking for a ball or wedding gown, shorter lengths are now just as popular. These are great for showing off legs that you love or the detail on footwear. A great choice for summer events or petite frames.

The A-Line / Princess: Shaped through the bodice until the hip line where the dress falls away to an A shaped line. The A-line is one of the most typical shapes and is very balancing. These dresses can be found in both full length and shorter gowns and are a great choice for pear shaped girls.

The Mermaid or Sheath: Fitted throughout the body a sheath is a simple, elegant and sexy shape. Typically best for narrow frames these dresses have a classic and timeless appeal.

Flower Girl Help

2010-05-24T07:57:00.001-07:00

Depending on the age of your flower girl you might be having a hard time coming up with the perfect gift for her. Well I have found what every little girl wants. Tutu Savvy has it for them. Angie at Tutu Savvy is local to central Texas and so shipping is minimal or non-existent. I can personally pick things up from her and deliver them to you. Her Etsy site does not have all her tutu's but I can get you more photos. She makes hair pieces and flip flops to match. These are high quality and can be made for any size child and in color you want. I recommend these as they are reasonable price and well loved by any little girl.

Eco Friendly Wedding

2010-03-28T19:37:00.001-07:00

I am all about saving resources and using them wisley. At the same time we know that alot if the choices we have in doing so can be a little costly. So what are some ways we can made sure to be eco friendly at your wedding? I have gathered tips from all over. If I know the source its cited. If its something that I have just heard along the way and picked up I can't cite a source so if you know where the source came from add it. Thanks
From Better Homes and Gardens:
1.Set the tone: For outdoor weddings use a location that is filled with natural beauty that will not need lots of extra items brought in to make it pretty. Inside weddings choose something like a museum where your deposit goes to a worth cause as well.
2. Choose an eco freindly jewler. Ask where the diamonds come from. Many jewlers now are also using recycled gold for the settings.
3.Local Vendors: By sticking to local vendors your keep travel down and thus the eco blueprint. Also boost local economy. Ask if your vendors are making eco smart choices (Like for me I don't print every paper I get. I also use the backs of preciously printed on forms for things that do need to be printed. I set up as many meetings in one location in one day as possible. Keeps fuel limited and costs down for all. Also I collect and save items from weddings that can be reused in another wedding like vases etc so that brides don't have to buy more and have excess laying around).
From Various Locations
4. Rent items or look into brideshares that allow you to purchase only one set of something and share with another (split the cost). Rentals keeps from making the same item over and over. Also rented plates are cleaned and returned where plastic plates or paper plates while they seem cheaper generate a lot of waste.
5. Limit the guest list. Less paper going out (invitations) less waste. Smaller venue so less energy used.
6.Use recycled paper wherever possible for wedding invitations; most companies can offer this option. Also consider treeless paper made from materials such as bamboo, hemp and kenaf. Even the type of ink used for the invitation should be taken into account as some inks can be toxic.
7.Weddings can generate a huge amount of paper consumption, so give careful thought to items that can be reduced. For example, instead of a program for everyone, perhaps one per couple or group.
8. Instead of having everyone drive from their hotels/motels or wherever they are staying to the wedding or reception venue, perhaps organize a car pool or hire vans to transport everyone to and from your wedding venue. A great deal of fuel can be saved this way, not to mention it will help ensure those who have imbibed in the spirit of the occasion a little too much will get back to their accommodation safely.
9.Everyone likes a photographic record of a marriage ceremony, so instead of sending out hundreds of paper based photographs, save on postage, processing and toxic chemicals by storing digital images on your wedding blog for family and friends to download as they please; printing out only what's absolutely necessary.
10.

RSVP What?

2010-03-24T19:08:00.000-07:00

R.S.V.P. stands for a French phrase, "répondez, s'il vous plaît," which means "please reply."

As you are planning for your big day you need to know how many guest to plan for so the RSVP or response card is very important. Things that hinge on the number of guest include: How many tables and chairs you will need, how much food and beverage you will need, how large a cake you will need, how many centerpieces, and how many wedding favors. Just to name a few.

Helpful hints to the guest: Please send this card back. The couple really wants to know if your coming or not. They will be okay if you have to respectfully decline. Don't assume that by not sending it in they know you can't make it. Also don't assume that because you mentioned you would be there they remembered.

Also put your name on the card somewhere to make sure they know who is replying.

Most couples have already addressed and stamped the card its not hard to send it back in the mail.

To the couples: Discreetly put a number on each card and make sure that number relates to the guest list. For example. Aunt Mary is number 14 on your guest list in a discreet corner write 14 on the card or in the inside of the envelope. So when you get card 14 back and Aunt Mary forgot to write her name you know who sent it.

Also if it fits your wedding you can do a response post card. The postage on a postcard is cheaper.

Make it clean what you need to know on the response card. You can look on line and get plenty of ideas on wording depending on the details of your day.

Know that even if you did not write "plus one" your guest will still try to bring extra guests. You will need to be prepared with a response. Either plan for some extras or plan to call then and let them know you did not plan on anyone extra.

Give guest about three weeks prior to your wedding as a deadline. This gives them time to make arrangements and confirm their calendars.

Escort Cards and displays.

2010-03-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

There is always a question if you need escort cards if you are having a buffet or other casual reception meal. My personal preference is yes you do need them. Traditionally with a plated meal the escort card comes in handy so that the wait staff can quickly and efficiently deliver food to your guests. In my experience guest don't mind being told where to sit. For something casual you might not want to assign seats but I do recommend assigning them to a table. So once you know this is something you want to do how do you let people know where to sit? You have to place escort cards out in one location (preferable set out alphabetically) where they can easily grab theirs during the cocktail hour or as they are walking into the reception. I am including several photos here of possibly options. Traditional to casual to unique. Some are from my past weddings and some are just things I have collected from other peoples weddings. Enjoy.

This particular couple went with traditional tent fold cards with the guest name over the table number. The colors of card stock fit into their color scheme, but also represented what that guest had requested for food.

This couple also used the tent fold cards. they tied theirs to a black rot iron gate that was rented. The cards were run through a printer to put the guests names and table number on them, but then a stamp was used to add a little color. I will say it took guest some time to find their names on this one because rows were not possible because of the shape of the gate.

This is a fun idea for a wedding with a beach theme or on the water. Just be sure to have a few extra sand dollars available the day of and the pen in case some break in transport. I have seen this like this with just the guest name on one side and the table number is on the back or or is tied on with a small ribbon. A container with sand is an easy way to hold these.

This Chandelier style display is made using vases twigs and crystal strands. The cards are tied or hooked to the stands and the twigs. Guest do have to do a little hunting on these as well, but if its on the center of a round table they can get all the way around it to look.
Hand made with smooth river stones. This again is for a particular feel of wedding. the table numbers are not on these but could be added to the back or under the name. This is fairly casual with no last names. I think you would want to make sure last names were included to keep from any confusion. This display can be altered and changed to fit your style. Vases can be filled with colored sand to incorporate your color and more cards can be place in the vases. This particular couple did a couple of different trays to cover the alphabet and placed them a few feet apart to allow guest ease to them and to keep from guest crowding. The advantage is the vases can be reused later in your home, or even to hold bridesmaids bouquets once the guest have taken their names.

Birthday Fiesta

2010-03-22T12:34:00.000-07:00

Well its that time of year. My kids birthday party. I love planning kids birthday parties and being able to plan one for my kids personally is so much fun. A few months back we all agreed on a Birthday Fiesta. It gets a little harder every year to plan a party that both the kids can get into. Isaiah is now 8 and all boy and Christina is 6 and a total girly girl. So here are the details.

First the invitations: I bought plain bright colored invitations that were blank. On the outside I stamped them with a stamp that said Fiesta with Maraca's and a Sombrero. On the inside I had a stamp that said your invited... and I filled in all the details. I didn't want to do much more for invitations because I was handing out over fifty invitations (thanks to the school rules that all kids in class are invited to parties).

The kids outfits: Thanks to my sister in law, Nery, my kids were in authentic Mexican clothes. They were made and purchased while she was in Mexico for her brothers wedding. The kids loved them.

The Cake: My mom and my sister, Teresa, made the cake. I have always loved the cakes my mom does. They came up with a design that said Happy Birthday and had Maracas and a sombrero on it. They kept it bright and fun. It was perfect.

Decorations: Since the weather turned bad we did not have this at the park as planned but at the fellowship at the hall. I covered tables with plastic table cloths in red, green, and yellow. I made tissue paper flowers and bunched them together for centerpieces and used some as a garland across a couple of poles.

Food: I made a taco bar. Meat, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and flour tortillas. Also made some rice.

Activities: As kids arrived I had a table set up with crayons and markers. Each child was given a brown paper lunch sack and asked to put their name on it and decorate it. I then collected the bags and while everyone was eating had them filled with Peanuts an apple and some Mexican candy. I left room in the bags that they could add more candy into them. After they ate we played Hot Chili Pepper (just like hot potato). The kids had fun. We moved on from there to the Pinata where the kids got their goody bags to fill them back up with the candy. There is never a perfect way to make a pinata safe inside but with some brainstorming and help from my dad we all had a great time and no one or nothing was hurt. After that we ate cake and opened gifts. Everyone said their goodbyes and we cleaned up.

I was grateful to have Synda one of the youth from my church (she has also interned with me at a wedding) there to help with set up and clean up and anything in between. It was great to have someone there to do those things and keep me there to host and entertain. (Hint that's why you need to hire me to deal with all the details and you enjoy your kids party :-) ).

Visit the Stress Free Events Facebook Fan page for more photos

Sweet 16

2010-02-22T12:22:00.000-08:00

Sorry this party was almost a month ago and I am just getting around to blogging it. I have know Azmera since she was first born. Her mom and I went to school together and my mom and her grandmother worked together. Come to think about her mom and I worked together right along side our moms as well back when I was in college.

This family has gone through a lot this past year and I wanted to make sure that Azmera had the best sweet 16 party she could have. We were on a pretty tight budget but with some help from some awesome vendors it came off.

Azmera wanted purple and gold and green to be her colors and she wanted a carnival theme. We went a little traditional Carny style carnival and a little Mardi Gras carnival. Threw in some stars that the birthday girl loved and we had a party!

Those that made this happen:

DJ: Stretch Sound. JT was out of town at a family obligation, but Allen and Jarrod stepped up and found all the music she wanted and kept people tapping their toes.

Photos: Me. I tried to get as much as I could. I had someone else lined up to come help but a stomach bug while pregnant did not allow that to happen.

Cake: Bippity Boppity Bake Shoppe. Cyndi did an amazing job of capturing just what the birthday girl wanted, and it tasted so good.

Food: All the food was donated or bought by the family and friends and family served. Azmera wanted hot dogs, snow cones, nachos, and popcorn. The family that runs the concessions at the soccer and softball fields really helped out by getting us all the equipment we needed to pull that off and serve the food (thanks Rebecca).

Venue: Dunbar Recreation Center.

All the vendors went above and beyond. they knew what type of budget we had to work with and they made it happen. I highly recommend checking them out for you next event. They are all so great.

Check out Photos on the facebook fan page and become a fan if not one already

Diana and Keegan

2010-01-18T16:00:00.003-08:00

Diana and Keegan had a wonderful wedding reception at Mercury Hall.

I will never forget this wedding. For one it was the coldest day in Texas in decades, but you would not know by the fun all 250 guest were having. Mercury Hall is not really made to sit that many inside so the couple rented a tent and heaters and created dining space outside and various other spaces outside under heaters for guest to mingle. Most people managed to find room on the dance floor.
The dance floor was kept packed with the help of Complete Music. Food was wonderfully prepared by Uncle Billy's catering. All these great photos were from Caroline with sweet caroline photography. I have to say that I just love working with Mercury Hall. Jarrod over there went above and beyond to make sure we were able to take care of the needs of the couple.

Professional Pictures from Lauren and Justin

2010-01-18T10:20:00.000-08:00

Laren and Justin aren't they adorable.

Here are just a few of the wonderful professional pictures taken by The Nichols

Check out more of the professional photographers photos on my facebook fan page.

Wedding Items For Sale

2010-01-03T13:11:00.000-08:00

This is a list from the mom of one of my past brides. You can look up Casey and DJ's wedding here on the blog or on facebook for more photos. Casey is out of state stationed with her new Sailor hubby, so her mom is taking care of selling this stuff. If interested in any of it let me know and I can get you contact with her. Also pass this on to others who might be needing it.
Thanks
Becky

WEDDING ITEMS FOR SALE

Altar arrangements - absolutely beautiful - 4 ft W x 3 1/2 H - cost $250.00 –
will sale for $150.00 each - QTY 2
Cally Lilly Centerpieces - Photo doesn't do justice - cost $50.00 - will sale for $28.00 each - QTY 20
Sand / Candle centerpieces -cost $8.00 - will sell for $5.00 each QTY 48
Church Pew Arrangements - cost $12.00 each - will sell for $6.00 each QTY 16
Candelabra Floral Arrangements- cost $25.00 – will sell for $15.00 each – QTY 2
Bubble with double heart on top - 65 QTY - $6.00 for all
Beautiful cracked glass vases - 9 inches H x 5 1/2 across - cost $18.00 - will sell for $12.00 each QTY 2
9 inch Aqua Tool - New - QTY 14 spools - $13.00 for all
Small silver frames for reserved - NEW - QTY 6 - $4.00 for all
Blue small sea shells - 2 good sizes bags - $5.00
White Satin Card Box - paid $20.00 - will sell for $10.00
Ring Bearer Pillow New - Not used - cost $12.00 will sell for $6.00
Punch glasses 250, Heavy Duty Forks 5 bags of 50 - clear plastic cost $45.00 - will sell for $25.00
Double Heart Card Holders - $5.00

Miscellaneous silk flowers – $25.00 for all

*The cost above reflects only the price for purchasing, does not include cost for floral arranging, or hiring someone to make them.

What Photographers wish you knew.

2010-01-02T20:52:00.000-08:00

*Please do your research. Anyone can buy a nice looking camera and photoshop, put an ad on Craigslist and say they are a photographer. But do they know how to USE that camera? Do they know how to USE photoshop? Just because someone says they do, doesn’t mean that is the reality. Look closely at their pictures, ask to see more than one wedding, ask for references and make sure that you get a good vibe from them and they are telling the whole truth. Everyone started somewhere and was new once but do you really want to be this person’s guinea pig?

*Both bride and groom should attend the photographer interviews. Even if the groom says he doesn’t care who you book, once the wedding is over and the pictures are all that is left, he WILL care. On top of the end result, the photographer is going to be with you alllllll day long and if personalities clash, that is going to show in the pictures! The best way to prevent that is to make sure that you click before you book.

*If I don’t respond to your email within 12 hours, please don’t freak out. I often have on-location shoots that take me out of the office. If you email over the weekend, don’t be shocked if it takes until Tuesday for me to respond – I am probably shooting over the weekend and then may take Monday off since I worked Friday/Saturday/Sunday.

*We charge what we charge for a reason – it is based on what we provide, our experience and how much work we put in processing your images and more. Please don’t schedule an appointment with us if our lowest package is equal to your whole wedding budget and expect to negotiate us down. And please don’t say that “so and so studio” will do the ‘same thing’ for $1000 less and ask us to match – trust me, they ARE NOT doing the ‘same thing’ as we do.

*Trust your gut. If you love a photographer’s pictures so much that you want to steal their sample books and show them to everyone you know, fair chance you will love your own pictures. Go with someone you LOVE and trust they will create pictures for you that someone else will want to steal and show to everyone too.

*Please hire a professional planner. Don’t trust this once in a lifetime day and all that money to a friend or family member who ‘loves to plan events.’ Having the help of a planner will make your life, my life and all your other vendor’s lives so much easier before, during and even after the wedding. Even if you can only afford an hour or two of their time, having someone get you on the right path is so very valuable and will really make the planning process so much easier.

*Plan your wedding with purpose – from the dress to the details to the vendors your choose, make sure that there is meaning behind each decision you make. It will make looking at those amazing pictures that I am going to take for you that much more special in 20/30/40 years.

*A better meal for the photographer is going to equal better pictures in the long run. Usually by dinner time we have already worked a hectic 6-8 hours capturing every detail that you have worked so hard to put together. Now imagine how deflating it is to sit down to a cold, stale turkey (or worse salami) sandwich, a spotted apple and a dry cookie – you might as well give us a juice box too. Some venues push the boxed meal as a savings to you but what is that $20 or so per person worth it in the long run? Serving your photographer a hot, fresh meal will help them refuel and be in top form to capture the rest of your wedding – including all the fun of your reception!

*All that being said, we understand that some choices have to be made and if you are serving your guests steak and lobster, it may not be feasible to serve us the same thing. If it isn’t, ask your caterer for less expensive – but still HOT – options for us – even a simple pasta with meat sauce is better than the dreaded boxed vendor meal.

*Ask your caterer to serve us immediately following the bridal party. Sometimes the lag in a large room can be upwards of 20 to 30 minutes from the time the bride and groom get their entrée until the last table is served. If we are among those last tables, there is a good chance we won’t even have been served our entrée by the time you are ready to start making the rounds to different tables. Serving us early in the process means we will be on the same schedule as you and ready to capture the next events as soon as you are ready for them to start.

*You have likely invested a lot of money in photography so please make sure that you have designated enough time for it on your wedding day. Ask your photographer for input on the wedding day timeline – they know what they need so ask them! If you have a planner/coordinator, they will likely do this for you but it should come up in your final photography meeting anyway. Also, make sure that everyone knows where they need to be and when – don’t forget to tell Grandma to stick around after the ceremony for pictures or the family pictures won’t have Grandma in them.

*Some photographers absolutely refuse to work from a list of shots while others request one. If we request it, please keep it simple. If you hired us for our style, let us do our style! A tedious list of formal shots is not going to tell the story of your wedding day.

*If you hired me because you love my photojournalistic style, realize that you cannot stop what you are doing to smile and pose for the camera every time you see me!! That’s not photojournalism and you will end up looking like all you did all day long was stand like a soldier and smile at the camera. If you want true memories, expressions, and personalities to come through in your photographs, then you need to enjoy your day and let your photographer do what you hired him/her to do.

*Please give me some creative license. If I ask you to do something that might seem a little out of the ordinary or if I spot a location that speaks to me but it wasn’t on the original list or not what you had in mind initially, just go with it. You hired me because you like my work and trust me, so give me the creative room to put my best foot forward and put you in the best light.

*With regard to how you look on your wedding day, some basic tips:
1. Don’t buy a dress that accentuates areas of your body you don’t like – even Photoshop won’t fix that.
2. Your makeup should be an upgrade of what you might usually wear for a night out. You want to look like YOU, just a slightly ‘better’ you.
3. If you are the same height or taller than your fiancé but don’t want to accentuate that on your wedding day, don’t wear heels.
4. Stop tanning several days before the wedding to avoid looking red, blotchy and dry.
5. If you have frizzy hair or hair that goes flat as the day goes on, the same thing is going to happen on your wedding day! Pick a hairstyle that works with your hair, not against its natural style.
6. Leave the body glitter/shimmer at home. It looks like white spots or sometimes even sweat in pictures.

*I am not a wedding planner or coordinator. I have been asked/expected/ordered to do everything from coordinate the processional to call other vendors to see where they were to bustle gowns to cut and serve the wedding cake! I am happy to help where I can but if I were doing those things, who is going to be doing what you actually hired me for – taking the pictures?

*Photoshop can work miracles but if you are expecting a miracle, please expect a price.

* I promise you I am going to take a lot of time to edit your pictures and make them phenomenal but please bear in mind, I have made the same commitment to other couples whose weddings were before yours. I am going to take as much care with your pictures when it is your turn – calling me every 3 days is not going to make me move any faster (in fact, it will likely push you down the list!). If I am more than a week late from my promised time frame, go ahead and check in but until that time frame is up – please be patient!

*You know how you can see happy and in love in pictures? You can also see snotty, nasty, angry, upset, overwhelmed and whiny. Which would you rather have come through in your pictures?

*Finally, be real, be you, be adventurous, be creative, be open, have fun, enjoy yourself, let loose, be nice, be in love, be happy and listen to the professionals you hired – they kind of know what they’re doing!

So there you have it – some of the things that Photographers wish you knew. Thanks to all my photographer friends who contributed – great insight and very interesting!

* One last one. If you are a guest at a wedding and photobug yourself please know that they couple is on a timeline to get to the reception and everytime I have to wait for you to take a photo it delays the whole process. Also there are times you may be in the way for what I am getting paid by the couple to do. I will be nice, but when I ask you to move or wait a moment to take a photo please dont get upset. I am just doing what the couple hired me to do and I want to give them their moneys worth.

2009 Thank You

2010-01-01T08:06:00.001-08:00

Just a quick look at some of the weddings we were fortunate enough to help with in 2009. Its been an amazing year and every wedding was a blessing to work on. Thanks for letting us be a part of your special day.

*If your photo is not here and you were married in 2009 its only because I don't have your photos from your wedding. I still love you*

Planning a Stress Free New Years Party

2009-12-29T08:55:00.000-08:00

While there is always some stress involved in planning any event, there are a number of steps you can take in reducing the amount of stress involved while you are planning your New Years Eve party.

There may still be a few areas which cause concern or stress but if you follow these tips, the event will likely be more enjoyable for you and the guests.

Consider making the dress for the event casual instead of formal to create a more stress free environment.

This simple step can be very effective for reducing the stress level.
First of all, if the affair is casual, the host will have to spend less time getting dressed for the party. This frees you up to deal with the last minute details not the formal attire.

It also helps to reduce the stress level because guests expect more elegant food for a formal party than they do for a casual party so there is less stress to prepare and serve an elaborate meal at the party.

Regardless of the type of food you decide to serve, preparing the food for a New Years Eve party can be a significant cause of stress.

Hiring a caterer is the most efficient way to minimize this stress. But this is not always an option. So stick to simple foods that can be made in advance. Or pick up party trays from the local grocery store.
Or one fun way to do food is to make the party a potluck event.

Having guests bring dishes such as side dishes, salads, appetizers, desserts and even main dishes or drinks greatly reduces the amount of work for the host.

In this scenario the host only has to worry about providing one or two items and coordinating the other guests to ensure they do not all bring similar items.

Another option is what I call the buffet bar. Set up a pasta bar with a few different pastas and a few sauces serve a salad and garlic bread and guest are happy. Or a taco bar with taco shells meat and fillings so guest can build their own. Both require minimal cooking and go a long way.

Another inexpensive option which can help to reduce the amount of stress typically associated with preparing the food for a New Years Eve party is to serve only appetizers, desserts and cocktails at the party.

This is significantly less expensive as appetizers are traditionally much less expensive than main course items.

It is also acceptable to do this because most New Years Eve parties do not start until 8:00-9:00 at night.

It is acceptable to assume most guests will have had dinner earlier in the evening but as a courtesy to the guests it is worthwhile to indicate on the invitations that only appetizers and desserts will be served.

Keep the guest list down, and know your guests. Limiting the number of people at the event will keep cost down and you won't have as much to plan for. Also know your guest. If they have children let them know in advance if this is a party for kids to attend or not. If children are welcome plan some things for them. Like movies and popcorn in a separate room. Be sure to have some sparkling grape or apple juice and plastic champagne flutes so they can toast in the new year as well. And provide lots of pillows and blankets for those that might fall asleep before the end of the party. In fact tell parents to bring the kids in the PJ's and slippers.

Stress Free Baby Shower

2009-12-28T16:29:00.000-08:00

Planning A Baby Shower - Stress Free Success
Do you need help putting together a baby shower?
Because you're about to learn how to put together a successful party the expectant mom will remember fondly for years to come. A successful baby shower is easier to put together than you might think. Really? The secret to your success is -- all in planning a baby shower.

Waiting until the last minute is a recipe for disaster and is almost guaranteed to stress you out, give you sleepless nights and countless days in the panic mode. Not a pretty picture.

When to start

Since most baby showers take place a couple of months up to a couple of weeks prior to the babies due date, you need to start planning things about four months before the babies due date. That will give you about two months at least to put everything together and send out invitations early enough to give everyone time to put your party on their calendar.

What to do first

The very first thing you should do is to just sit down with the expectant mom and find out what kind of party she'd like. Ask her if she'd like a theme and if so what? What kind of cake does she like, who does she want to invite, women only or are you going to invite the guys too? And what kind of baby things does she need? And if she knows the gender of the baby, have they chosen a name?

Now that you know what the expectant mom would like, you have enough information to plan a wonderful party.

Decide on a theme

Planning a baby shower gets a whole lot easier once you've decided on a theme.Does mom have a theme in mind? If not, the sky is the limit. You can get very creative here. Prepackaged themes include everything from "Rubber Ducky" to "Baby Einstein" and everything in-between. Winnie the Pooh, Noah's Ark, Rainbow, Animals and the list goes on. But don't limit yourself to pre-packaged themes. I have done fun shower with a Peter Rabbit theme and one with a Nursery Rhyme theme.

Once you know the theme, you'll know what kind of invitations to send out, what kind of cake to put together, decorations, party supplies and games to look for.

Invitation wording

What's the reason for sending out invitations to any event?

It's not a silly question, or even a trick question.

The reason you send out invitations is to get people to show up. Because without invited guests your baby shower would be much more than a disappointment for your expectant mom. So you want your invitations to let everyone know that you're planning a baby shower they won't want to miss.

Be sure to include all the important information like the date, time and location. Also include the full name of the mom-to-be, and if you know it, the gender and name of the baby. This will help your guests when it comes to buying baby gifts and other things. Also include if possible where the mom is registered. This unlike weddings is proper.

Play up your theme. If your theme is "Rubber Ducky" you might want to pick up some cute little rubber duck thingies to include in the invitation. You can start off by stating "Rubber Ducky says you're the one... and you are! You're invited to attend our Rubber Ducky baby shower for... "Everything is going to be lots of Ducky fun."

Of course if you aren't feeling creative you can play it safe and pick up some preprinted invitations. I strongly recommend picking up your invitations, decorations, and party supplies online. It's convenient (no driving all over town only to discover they don't have what you need) the selection is wonderful and your choices will be shipped directly to you. It doesn't get any more stress-free than that.

Your baby shower cake

Oh the yummy thoughts!

Everybody loves a colorful tasty cake. And when planning a baby shower you want to make sure the cake is special. Now before you panic, you'll be very happy to learn that you do not have to bake a cake from scratch. Just visit your favorite bakery and pick up a delicious, pre-frosted cake (make sure it's the kind our expectant mom likes) and have the baker write something appropriate on it. But we're not through yet.

You can easily make this cake very memorable by picking up a theme appropriate cake topper. Just visit that online party store. You can even find edible cake art images. Now all you need to do is place the edible cake art and the topper on your cake and -- instant 3-D masterpiece.

I told you it would be easy! And don't forget to take lots of pictures of your cake.

But in case you want to be found on Cake Wrecks blog avoid cakes that look like babies or pregnant moms. They may look cute in the picture but who wants to eat the swollen belly part of the cake or the babies arms? Think it through.

Diaper cake

In case you haven't heard a diaper cake isn't a cake at all (but it sure can look like one). A diaper cake is a very creative "cake" made up of things like diapers, blankets, baby pens, rattles, bibs and just about anything else you can think of. Diaper cakes aren't there to replace your yummy cake, but a diaper cake is really a wonderful addition to any baby shower.
Just check out craigslist or ask around the office someone is bound to know someone who makes these, or there are online video's that will show you how if you are patient and creative.

Decorations for a fun party location

Get decorations to match your theme. Banners, streamers, posters, standees (a stork). Keep it fun, keep it colorful and don't be afraid to be creative. If the shower is for some reason being held at the home the new baby will be coming home to then keep the direction posters simple and not baby themed. It does not happen often, but putting out baby shower here signs and welcome home baby signs can be an invitation to sick people to break in and try to hurt or steal the newborn. So keeping signs simple are best. Better to include a map and not worry a bout street markers.

Baby shower games

You can find lots of fun printable games online. From baby word scrambles to baby bingo. These games are very popular and easy to play. You should plan 3 or 4 games. You don't want to wear everybody out -- especially our mommy. Also make sure she wants games. And what her comfort level in participating in the games is. For example she may not want to play guess what's in the diaper if she has been dealing with bad morning sickness. Or guess how big her belly is. That may be a sensitive subject for some women. But you can have fun without games as well.

Food to nibble on

Keep it simple - finger foods are best. How about a healthy veggie tray, finger sandwiches, fruit bits, party mix, chips and anything else mommy might like. Use paper plates and you won't have a big clean-up. Now pick up a fun guest book, some disposable cameras for the guests and you're all set.

Planning a baby shower well in advance makes all the difference. You won't get all stressed out and by shopping online you don't even have to drive all over town. Your mommy-to-be is going to love her shower, your invited guests will have a great time and everyone will be thanking you.

Now you've learned all the secrets to planning a baby shower that's going to be a big success. And all without stress, without a single sleepless night, or an "oh-no, I forgot ---"

Instead, you'll be able to sit back and enjoy the party. Planning a baby shower will make you a super star.

Have fun

Or you can call me and we can sit down and plan it all out and I can help make decorations and invitations and such.

Becky

Top 5 Money Waisters at a Wedding

2009-12-28T07:04:00.000-08:00

Top 5 Biggest Wedding Money Wasters
Save Your Money and Avoid These Wedding Planning Traps
By Nina Callaway, About.com Guide
Regardless of budget size, brides of all kinds say that after the wedding, there were several things on which they wished that they hadn't wasted their money. For every person, this list will be different of course. But here is a brutally honest look at what I think are simply not worth it.

1.Meaningless and Expensive Wedding Favors Wedding favors can be a thoughtful way of saying thank you to your guests. But far too often they're a meaningless knickknack. Your guests don't need a candy dish, or a little silver bell. Don't think their cute place card holder doubles as a favor; what are they going to do with one place card? And do you really want a plastic Frisbee with your friends' wedding date on it?

You're going to spend a lot of money on things that will just collect dust, or end up in the trash. I think it's far better to not give favors, or to make a donation to a charity. But cute favors include ones that are personal to the bride and groom. You might give food favors from the city you live in, or a box of your very favorite chocolates.

One of my favorite ideas is a breakfast bag. Send guests home with some beautiful muffins, a couple of good quality tea bags, and perhaps a little pot of jam or honey. The next morning they'll be sure to enjoy your treat as they reminisce about everything that happened.

Money Saving Tip: Some of the most thoughtful wedding favors can be handmade. Put together a booklet of family recipes, or create a CD with an insert explaining why you chose each song.

2.Endless Bride and Groom Swag It may be fun to have a pair of track pants that say "Bride" across your butt, but how long are you really going to wear them? You certainly don't need to own multiple pieces of clothing that say "bride" or "groom" because they've got a limited shelf-life. And, you do have an identity beyond that of a bride. You don't own a sweatshirt that trumpets your profession, do you? So why would you want people out in public to see you first and foremost as a bride?

Perhaps the biggest money waster of all is giving your bridal party "bridesmaid" and "groomsman" gear. Do you really think that groomsman is ever going to wear that tacky hat ever again? Do you think he'll even enjoy wearing it the first time?

Money Saving Tip Buy a pair of pajama pants or underwear that says "bride" or "groom." Rather than feeling embarrassed about wearing a bride sweatshirt out in public, clothing meant for the home will remind the two of you of your wedding day. Leave the other bridal swag at the store.

3.Huge Wedding Cakes Some couples only invite 50 guests, but they still order a cake that serves 300. With cakes going for $2-$15 a slice, that extra size adds up quickly. While a large cake looks impressive, a small cake can be charming. If height is a priority, consider asking your baker to use a separator set, and adding fresh flowers between the layers. Or, use a large cake topper, such as this tiered floral centerpiece.

Money Saving Tip If you are having more than 100 guests, ask for a display cake that only feeds 100 people. Use inexpensive sheet cakes in the back to feed the extra guests. No one will know the difference!

4.Too Many Mementos The wedding industry loves to sell you goods by promising they will be keepsakes you can pass down to your children. Having mementos of your special day is a good thing, but you don't need very many. Put together a wedding album, and perhaps preserve your wedding dress. But deeply consider every other item. Do you really need a personalized pen to sign the guest book? Is preserving your bouquet worth the money and the space in your home? You don't need to have a wedding video, unless you will really watch it and enjoy it regularly. And not every toasting glass, picture frame, and photo album needs to be monogrammed with your wedding date.

Rather than filling up your house with tons of wedding mementos, leave room for creating new memories.

Money Saving Tip If an album is not included in your wedding photography package, consider doing it for yourself! That way, you can include the shots that are most important to you, as well as any mementos like your wedding program.

5.Too Many Bridesmaids and Groomsmen Have you ever seen a wedding with more than a dozen attendants? It starts to look like a wedding army. Of course, if you are inviting lots of guests, it makes sense to have a large wedding party. But before you start adding your friend who you haven't seen since high school, and all of your cousins, consider what the role of the wedding party should be.

Even if you're not paying for the wedding party's attire, each of those attendants requires a bouquet or boutonniere, a thank you gift, and an invitation to the rehearsal dinner and other parties. Tack on just a few unnecessary bridesmaids or groomsmen and you're potentially talking about hundreds of dollars.

Money Saving Tip Give some of your friends and loved ones different roles in the wedding. Consider asking them to read during the ceremony or give them a special role at the reception. You might even just thank them in the program for helping to support you during the wedding planning process.

Rachel and Erik 12/19/09

2009-12-28T06:15:00.000-08:00

Rachel and Erik had a beautiful wedding. I was so thrilled to work with them on this very special day. There were so many great details that I think only photos will capture best. Their awesome photographer Any DeYoung will be getting photos to me soon, but in the mean time I wanted to let you all know that the details on this wedding are coming.
Until then let me list some of the great "cast of character's" that made this event happen
Venue: The McNay Art Museum in San Antonio
Caterer: True Flavors
DJ: Encore Entertainment
Photos: Amy DeYoung
Video: Distinct Video Design (dvdsatx@yahoo.com)
Centerpieces: True Flavors
Personal Flowers: Edens Echo
My Staff: Channin Young, JT Lauderdale, Andrew Lauderdale
Chuppah: Stress Free Events built by my great dad Tom Lauderdale
(and yes we still have this structure and it can be rented out, or borrowed under certain circumstances, just ask).
(Photos here are from Erin at Edens Echos of the flowers. They were stunning. More photos coming).

Slow to blog

2009-12-16T06:48:00.001-08:00

Sorry I have been so slow to post to the blog. Its been that crazy busy time of year. I will have to try and get better about finding things and blogging for you all. I have a wedding this Saturday and I am looking forward to it. There will of course be a blog from that very shortly. Stay tuned and let people know we are here. We are ready to take off for a fab 2010 and need your referrals to keep up the momentum.

Becky

In the meantime Merry Christmas and enjoy this photo taken by Cari with Inked Fingers Photography of my family.

Stress Free Thanksgiving.

2009-11-21T13:34:00.000-08:00

In surfing the net I came across an article about Stress Free Thanksgiving and thought hey that's right up my alley. So in reading it I have to agree with what was said. The articale was on iVillage and was written by Michele Capozolli. Here is where you can find the article. Here are her 7 steps and my notes on them.

Step 1 Extend the Invitation: What she does not include in this is that this is a time to think about and ask about special dietary needs of any of your guests. Like I have several diabetics on my husbands side of the family. They manage it well and don't require too much special preparation but I make sure to have a non-sweet tea available as well as a desert that is more diabetic friendly if they want it.

Step 2 Plan the Menu: If you do plan a little much make sure to invest in some ZipLock storage bags and containers so you can send some home with guests if you wish or can easy freeze for your lunches the next week.

Step 3 The Decor: What she does not mention is let your food be the decor for the table. Don't over crowd your table with decorations that are just going to be moved away once the food starts being passed around.

Step 4 Go Shopping: Also remember a frozen turkey takes about a week to thaw in the fridge so give yourself time to thaw it. Try to be done shopping the weekend before leaving only fresh items that need to be purchased the day or two before.

Step 5 Clean and Organize: Start with one section of one room at a time and get help. Husbands and Wives and kids can all have responsibilities. If it helps you look at each room and make a list of everything that needs to be done and check it off as you go.

Step 6: Set the Table.: Now if you are like me you use your table in the preparing of foods and this is not an option. But at least have everything out and stacked neatly and ready to go and check the table cloth and make sure there are not any stains on it from last year that you just assumed came out in the wash.

Step 7 start cooking: As for the day of give yourself plenty of time. Start things a little earlier than you think they need. Have several timers for the different things and label them so you know which one is timing what. Also have some easy to grab snacks for little ones and big ones that are just impatient. You may not want them to fill up on snacks but having them out of the kitchen while you are preparing the big feast is worth it.

Kids Party Favors

2009-11-20T14:39:00.000-08:00

I know that most of what I have on this blog is wedding related. I do more then just weddings, so i thought I should share some other fun stuff, like this. Kids Party Favors. I love favors at kids parties, but I like favors that I know kids will want and parents might not hate the host for. Here is a list of some of my favorites.

Music Mix CD

It can be a mix of your child's favorite songs, or based on a theme. If you are having a wild west cowboy party fill the CD with great western songs. You can play the CD during the party so the kids will take home something that will always remind them of your child's party.

Fun Foam

You can buy foam visors and other foam items with foam stickers for very little. This can be an activity at the party where kids can decorate these and then take them home. Pre-School girls seem to really like this.

Themed Books

Find books at half price books or on Amazon.com with the theme of your party and send one home. Kids and parents love books. I will say that I usually try to pair it with something edible because not every child is as thrilled about a book as the next. This could include activity books with crayons.

Goodie Bags

Make these to fit the theme of your party. My kids wild west party I took red bandannas and put in a sheriff badge some Teddy gram's, a juice box, some cowboy stickers, and a quick little thank you note. wrapped them up and tied with twine. For a pirate themed party consider a treasure chest. For a movie party Take popcorn bags or boxes and fill with microwave popcorn and sunglasses (for the superstars), and movie candy.

Invitations

2009-11-19T17:00:00.000-08:00

I get alot of questions about invitations and thought I would take a few of them and address some common questions.

No Kids!

This is not saying that you don't like your friends and families children, but your wedding is not really an event planned for them in mind. You want your friends and family to come and have a great time and not worry how far past bedtime it is for their little one. But how do you let them know? I have been asked can I write "No Children" or "Adults Only" on the invitation. Its best for a formal invitation not to include these works. What you have to do is address the invitation very specifically only invite those you want to be there. If they send it back with their kids names on it, then call them and let them know that your wedding is not the place for kids. Also let your wedding party and imidiate family know your wishes and they can help pass on the word.

When do I address and send out my invitations?

Start at least two to three months before your wedding with addressing your invitations. Especially when hand addressing the invitations for a large guest list. Send them out six to eight weeks before the wedding. Ten weeks is best for overseas invitations or APO military addresses. Also give a little longer if your wedding is on a holiday weekend and you did not send out a save the date notice. Also if you have a limited number of guest you are inviting you can send out the first set of invitations around that ten week time frame and as you get replies of some that can't make it, you can send out another invition to someone else that you might have wanted but space did not allow.

Thanksgiving Give Away

2009-11-19T08:13:00.000-08:00

Alright all my faithful blog and facebook followers. All my past and present brides and friends in the wedding world I want to say Thank You, and let you know how thankful I am to you. I stole this idea from my friend Carli over at Inked Fingers.
I want to show you all my appreciation because without all of you Stress Free Events would not be where it is today.

So I am offering a Free Event to the winner of this Give Away. You get to pick I will help you plan a Bridal Shower, Baby Shower, Christmas/Holiday Party, Birthday Party (excluding quince and sweet 16). I will help with all the planning and vendor referrals for your event. I will help with a timeline for your event. I will confirm all your vendors, anything else I can help with I will. Depending on the date of your event I will also be on hand to help that day as well.
This is for all of you past, present, future, clients, vendors, friends, family, and those you tell about it.

To enter reply to this blog post or the post on the facebook fan page. And tell me one thing you are thankful for.

Winner will be drawn on Thanksgiving Day and announced no later than the next day.

Silk Vs. Real

2009-11-16T05:37:00.000-08:00

I will admit that I am a fan of the flower. I really love the look and feel and smell of real flowers. I will admit, also that I lean personally to real flowers. I have heard the various arguments over the years and I have seen some of the merit, but then would go back to my preference of the elegance of real flowers. I recently ran across an article on theknot.com that addressed this issue. Here it is.

Not one thing that it does not address is time. While with Silk you have time to play with the flowers over and over again and get them just right, you actually might end up spending a lot of time on making your flowers. At the same time with a florist you put your flowers in the hands of a professional and take them off your plate for one less thing to worry about.

The choice is yours, its your wedding and you know what you can handle and want. Don't let someone tell you that one way is the only way. Also before making the final choice get a few floral quotes, and search online and at your local craft stores and price out the flowers and other supplies you would need to make your own arrangements.

First Photo by Ron Parks and features real flowers
Second Photo by Jess Watson and features silks

Deena and Eric

2009-11-11T18:20:00.000-08:00

Deena and Eric were such a great couple to work with. And their wedding was just stunning. That is my word of the day with this wedding. First off they choose a venue that I have been drooling over for years and could not wait to do a wedding there, so I was thrilled with the back yard of all back yards in Austin. Then Deena and I when talking came up with a color that was bright and bold just like she was. Top that off with some other awesome vendors. Oh and then Deena was a striking old Hollywood starlet in her dress, and Eric was handsome and striking in his own way. It was a smaller wedding but they had a blast and I have to say their friends and family know how to have a good time. If more of them lived closer I think I would want to hang out with them. See Below for some of the Amazing Cast of Vendors.

Venue: Dunveegan Keep

Photos: Melissa Glynn Hemera Nyx Photography

Cater: Pink Avocado

Sweets: Sweet Tempered (who I sadly say are not taking new customers but they did wonderfully).

And I want to thank Nery Lauderdale for all her hard work.

Laren and Justin

2009-11-03T08:52:00.001-08:00

This was another wonderful wedding. I have been working with Lauren and Justin from across the country with stop in visits here and there. They had a very definite idea of what they wanted and what they could do to get it. I loved helping them find the right elements for their big day.
Here is some of the cast that made this day happen:

Venue: Caswell House (Craig was a huge help with switching from ceremony to dinner and clean up)

Caterer: Pink Avocado. I have to say I am always impressed with these guys and their service and their food. The apple goat cheese quesidilla appetizers are a favorite now of mine.

Photos: The Nichols (these photos are mine I will post theirs when they get the editing done).

Cakes: Blue Note Bakery (And yes every bit of that grooms cake is edible).

Sound: Stretch Sound. Justin and Lauren knew what music they wanted so they put it all on an IPOD and then JT put together a great sound system that provided music upstairs and downstairs for the event. Oh and he was helping move tables and chairs when we were switching to the dinner time from ceremony time. Way to go above the call of duty.

Coordinator/Planner: Myself and new to the team Channin Young (thanks for all your hard work Channin).

Heather and Reid

2009-11-03T08:44:00.000-08:00

Heather and Reid hired us for their Fall reception. Teresa and Nery were on hand for this event and handled everything beautifully, while I was a phone call away preparing for another event.

I loved the colors and garden feel that they achieved here. This was an afternoon wedding and a pretty laid back feel, just like this sweet couple. I hope to do another post soon with professional photos.

Some of the Cast:

Cakes and Cupcakes: Polka Dots

Caterer: Food Heads

Photos: Sarah Q (the ones in this post are by my staff)

A special Thank you to JT with Stretch Sound who stopped by when the sound system was not working properly on set up and did his thing and got it running without any troubles. What a great guy.

Making it Personal

2009-10-14T06:16:00.000-07:00

How many times have you heard in the wedding planning process that its your day. Do what you want? I am guessing tons. Especially from vendors they are all about you making things your way. Sometimes it just because they want the chance to do something new, and sometimes its because they think they can charge you more for those special touches.

Well first off don't let them talk you into something that will cost you more money. It is your wedding and you do deserve all the special touches, but make sure those are in your budget.

What are ways to make your day special?

Well think about it as more than your day, but as a day for you and your family. Are there ways to bring in your family and their traditions. At the last wedding the bride had a ribbon that was on her mothers bridal bouquet tied into her own flowers. Another bride took a charm off her mothers favorite bracelet and pinned it to her flowers. Yet another bride took a collection of photos from her parents wedding and her fiance's family and made a collage of family wedding photos. Another bride used the cake topper from her mothers wedding cake.

What are some other things that can make your day about you? Use your favorite flowers in arrangements. Plan your theme around something special to you. Books? Why not use antique and vintage books as the base to centerpieces? What you are not a flower person? That's fine. No reason to fill your wedding with them if they just are not you. Use candles instead. Feathers are also a fun alternative. Have bridesmaids carry fans, or lanterns or something other than flowers.

Favors: Forget the Jordan almond and the impersonal favor that will end up in the garbage anyway. Give your guests something that reflects your personal style. If you like to cook, measuring spoons or wooden spoons engraved with your wedding date and names are nice touches. For smaller weddings, jars of homemade jam, ingredients for cookies or your baking specialty along with the recipe could be a nice touch. Golf balls and tees with your wedding date and names reflect the golf lovers and will surely bring pleasure to your fellow golfers.

Instead of place cards with just your guests' name, take this opportunity to personalize a short note to a special guest on the inside of the card. While this may be impossible for larger weddings, those family members who are especially close to you would love to have a personal note to them sitting on their table.

Traditional reception events are another place to make things personal. Do them if you love them. But know that its okay to skip the cake and opt for general deserts instead. Don't dance? Its okay don't put yourself through that first dance. No one says you have to dance at a reception. If you love to dance then do it. Enjoy it.

Make your day about what you two are. Step out and enjoy the day.

Don't limit yourself. Don't be stuck with the idea that this is just how its always been.

(above photo by princess and outlaw photography)

Jennifer and Jaron 10/3/09

2009-10-10T08:52:00.000-07:00

See Below Photos for some details.

Well it was a wet day. We had rain off an on and a few downpours here and there. But you can't tell by the smiles on their faces. Jennifer and Jaron made this day exactly what they wanted it to be.
The ceremony was at their home church in Elgin (Family Worship Center). Jennifer wanted white on white decorations. The church itself was very pretty so that was not much we added some tulle and bows and a lot of candles and it was perfect.

The reception at Krystal Falls was just up the road. They kept the colors simple under the pavilion and it was just so nice. Below is one of the pics my assistant Nery took of the pavilion.

All the other photos here are by Mary with Princess and Outlaw Photography.

Others in the cast that made the day so special are Dagars Catering, Hill Country Events, DJ Fame, and the Elgin Fire Dept. Yep you see Jaron is a fire fighter and so after the ceremony when there was a let up on the rain Our happy bride and groom surprised their guest by arriving at the reception on the back of a fire truck. Check out my facebook fan page for more photos soon.

The Bouquet Toss

2009-09-28T06:20:00.000-07:00

The question to include this old fashioned tradition is on lots of brides minds these days. The tradition started back years ago when a bride felt she was lucky in love to be getting married. The bride felt it her obligation to share some of that luck with her other single friends.

Now in 2009 this is not so much the case. There are woman that are single and very happy to be so, and the idea of being drug out to the dance floor to catch flowers is not their idea of a fun wedding. Also brides bouquets are so pretty now many brides what to hold on to their bouquets.

Toss bouquets are an option now. Many florist will make you a smaller arrangement of your flowers you can use to toss if you do still want to do this, but don't want to get rid of your flowers. Some florist will even throw this in for free since they will most likely have extra flowers to use.

What about giving it away to your parents instead. Thank them for being all they are in your life. Mom will love the flowers and Dad will appreciate the public thank you.

Or give them to the couple that has been married the longest. This can be determined by an anniversary dance, or your parents might know in advance and you can find a time to present the flowers to them then.

Give them to the person that traveled the farthest. Only trouble here is they might not be able to take them back with them, depending on travel restrictions.

Skip it all together. Just have a girlfriends dance. Get your DJ to play a song that fits you and your girls and just all get out there and dance no need to toss flowers at any of them. Not if you don't want to. This way you have your married and your single friends out there with you.

Give it to a newly engaged couple. Why guess who is getting married next. If you know that your best friend is planning her wedding already give her the flowers and wish her a happy planning.

What ever you do make sure its something you are comfortable with. Its your day you can follow the traditions or make it your own.

(photo by Jess Watson)

The First Dance

2009-09-27T20:05:00.000-07:00

For some couples choosing that first dance song is easy. They have a song. They use that song. If my hubby and I actually danced at our reception our first dance would have been "My Special Angel" by Bobby Helms. This was our song, it meant something to us.

What if you don't have a special song, or that song that is special to you two, is not something you feel you would want to dance to at your wedding? Well there are lists out there to help you get on your way. The knot has a list of 50 top songs that are classics in the wedding world. And popular wedding songs. com has this list to share.

Amazed. Lonestar
From This Moment On. Shania Twain
At Last. Etta James
Because You Loved Me. Celine Dion
I Cross my Heart. George Strait
It's Your Love. Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Wonderful Tonight. Eric Clapton
Have I Told You Lately. Rod Stewart or Van Morrison
I Swear. All 4 One
Unchained Melody. Righteous Brothers
I Knew I Loved You. Savage Garden
Always and Forever. Heatwave
The Way You Look Tonight. Frank Sinatra
True Companion. Marc Cohn
Endless Love. Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
I Do [Cherish You]. 98 Degrees
It had to be You. Harry Connick Jr.
Could I Have This Dance. Anne Murray
Here and Now. Luther Vandross
Truly, Madly, Deeply. Savage Garden
Everything I Do. Bryan Adams
I Could Not Ask For More. Edwin McCain
All My Life. KC & JoJo
Taking You Home. Don Henley
Beautiful in My Eyes. Joshua Kadison
When a Man Loves a Woman. Michael Bolton
Breathe. Faith Hill
What a Wonderful World. Louis Armstrong
Unforgettable. Nat King Cole & Natalie
My Heart Will Go On. Celine Dion

Just because its classic does not mean it is right for you. I love to see a couple use a song that really fits their personalities, oh and it does not have to be a slow song if you don't want it to be. I just say warn grandma your going to bust out in rap before hand, or have her heart pills handy just in case its too much for her. My thoughts on it. Have fun.

Photo by Now and Then Photography

Tipping

2009-09-09T10:29:00.001-07:00

I have read on several of the bridal pages and magazines this same question. Who do I tip and how much? There are several things to consider in this. With some help from recent readings and popular trends I hope to help clear the air on this.

First you tip for service. This is service that goes above what you feel your contract required. For example I worked with a Bartender that not only cleaned and cleared their glasses from the venue, but they picked up trash and plates and got them to the kitchen as well. It was not part of their contract and not at all expected. Was it appreciated? Yes of course it was. This is a case where a tip would have been appropriate. Tip when you can and what you can afford for services worth tipping. Also if a contract includes tipping you will have to tip then (very common in caterers). So lets look at some of the people at your event and how to tip them.

Venue: This is a place not a person. So in general a tip is not required. If they have someone on staff at the whole event to open up and lock up and such you still are not required to tip them. If they act as a coordinator or help with decorations and arranging things and this was not expected in the contract to be provided then a tip is in order. $50 to $100 depending on how much they do for you.

Baker: The tip is usually in the cost of the cake.

Make up and Hair: 10%-15% is the standard amount to tip.

Photographer: In general another tipping rule is if you are working with the owner of the company you don't have to tip. In the Central Texas area you will find a lot of photographers that are their own boss. At the same time many of them hire and work with a second shooter. If they bring more than one photographer then its appropriate to tip the assistant or second shooter. Now if you love your photographer and all they have done there is nothing to say that you can not tip them even if they own their own company. This goes for any of your vendors that own their own company.

DJ: Tip $25 to $50 per DJ when possible. Again the if they own their own business comes into play but this amount is the accepted minimum for tipping on a DJ.

Band: Tip is often included in their contract. If not plan on $25.00 to $50.00 per band member (don't forget about their technician if they have someone running lights and sound for them).

Bartender: $50.00 to $100 per bartender is the common tip in the Austin area. San Antonio is running $25.00 to $50.00.

Caterer: Almost always the tip is included in the contract. It usually runs 15%-20%. If not find out how many people will be working and tip them accordingly. I recommend if you are going to tip 4 people $25 dollars each you make sure you write that on the envelope before its given to the caterer and have it divided out into $25.00 sets. Do not just put in 2 $100.00 bills and hope they can split it up later.

Video: Same applies as with photographer

Decorators: If you have a company you are going to hire just to decorate for you then you should again plan on tipping the staff (your choice on the owner). Depending on the number of people and the set up depends on the amount tipped.

Rental Company: Rented items, even when delivered are a set price and there is not need to tip.

Limo: If you have rented a car, unless the driver is the owner of that car then a tip of 10-15% is appropriate.

Clergy: Check your local area to make sure how payment can be made and what is appropriate. Some judges in some areas can not take anything financial for their services, or anymore than a set price. This is a case to ask the person straight up. If they say you can just make a donation then the going rate right now is $75-$200. Church ministers often will only take a donation and add on top any pre-marital counseling they may have done with you and this is not a large amount at all.

Planner/Coordinator: Again the if they own their own business comes into play. Remember their staff though. $25-$50 per staff is acceptable. Again if your coordinator does more than agree ed upon you can defiantly tip them.

It all comes down to your choice on all of these. Always check the contracts to make sure you are not over tipping, just in case the tip is included in the contract already. I recommend putting all tips and final payments in individual envelopes and label who they go to. Then give those to your coordinator if you have one. If not get someone close to you to do this. The best man (if responsible is a good choice). The father of the bride often finds he has the time to do this.

And finally can you tip after the fact? Yes. The wedding is over. You were in a daze and loved it so much. You hear from your mother that one vendor went above and beyond and you never even noticed. At that point you can still mail them a little something to thank them for that extra effort.

Casual Afternoon Wedding

2009-09-04T14:48:00.000-07:00

These weddings are getting more and more popular. I am not sure if its the style or convenience of them. Guest don't have to go out and buy a new formal outfit for a formal wedding. Most any nice dress they have will work. Guys can get away without a suit coat for these and so you have comfy guests. You serve simple comfort foods. Nothing too heavy. How about a garden theme. tea and sandwiches to follow. Drinking is fine but usually lighter drinks. Brides opt for no veil and often no train. Grooms are going with simple suits or slacks and nice shirts. Some brides are even skipping the formal dress and going for something light a flowing. Cakes stacked to the sky are skipped for desert bars, or cupcakes. Don't get me wrong they are very nice. Nothing in a casual afternoon wedding means you can't have a beautiful wedding with a formal gown if you want it. Many afternoon weddings skip the dancing but its not unheard of for at least a few special songs to be played. Love does not mind the time of day and you will love the comfort of your guests.

Severed Ties with a recomended Vendor

2009-09-01T14:26:00.001-07:00

I hate to do this but after some things have been brought to my attention I feel I need to say something to you all.
Back in February I highlighted the Cake Pan in a vendor spotlight. At this time I regret it. I don't make a habit of spotlighting someone and them not being awesome.
Dawn and I went to church together. She made these amazing cakes for several occasions at the church. They looked great and they tasted great. So when she told me she was opening her own shop I thought great. She asked if I would recommend her. I said from what I saw I would pass her information on to people. One of my brides booked with her. She did her cakes and they were great. She did everything she said she would and her prices were great. During this time my family and her family start to hang out together. Dawn was a friend as well as a vendor.
Another two of my brides book her.
The first of these weddings comes and I was stressing because I was not getting straight answers. She ends up showing up the cake is cute and what the family wanted. I noticed some things and called her out on them. Like the shape was not what the family had asked for but she told me that she discussed it with the family that this shape was better for the cake. It was not until months later that I find out that it was not discussed. But they didn't care.
The second wedding comes. I don't hear back from Dawn she is missing church and I am stressing about her getting this cake done. I knew she had just moved because I helped her. But figured she was out at the shop doing the cake. I drive out there to get something of mine and find the electricity was turned off. She said that with the unexpected move she forgot about it, but no big deal she was not storing anything out there and was working from home. Assured me cake was coming along as scheduled. The cake shows up and its just not right. It resembles what they asked for but its not it, exactly. Also there was no cake stand. It was set up and she was gone before I could question it. I ask the next day and she said the stand she wanted had broken in the move. I was upset because I could have gotten a stand if I had known. I asked her when she was sending money back for the rental of the stand that wasn't and she assured me it was on its way. I find out from my bride that she never got this money. I tried bringing it up and got a story every time and it changed every time.
Sometime before this her husband left her. I know that's hard but business is business. As a friend my husband and I were hearing stories from both sides of the marriage and we came to the conclusion that they were both telling lies. This is when I pulled all my stuff from her shop and decided not to send anyone else to her, but would stay on her about those last two. I really had no reason to think she would not do a good job.
Well when school let out and she had already closed the shop because she could not afford the shop with her husband gone. She would still call me. I decided that even though I could not work with her anymore I would at least still be there for her. Every call got increasingly hard for me. I felt used and taken advantage of. the times I would bring up the money she still owed my bride she would change the topic and blow me off. I couldn't trust anything she said. Then I find out she is moving. She is moving home to live with a family member. I figure this is the best for her and the kids. She tells me she does not have anymore weddings coming up so all is well.
At this point I feel that it was a good thing I washed my hands of her buisness. And even while she was moved I was getting emails that I can't tell the truth from a lie in them and decide to stop emailing with her as well. I never actually severed the friendship with her verbally just quit responding to things.
Now I find out from one of my other brides that she is leaving a bride hanging whose wedding is in three weeks. I don't know if there is any others out there that she has booked but she is no longer in the state and is not doing the weddings. Worst thing is I dought anyone is going to be getting money back at least not from her volentarily. I was so mad yesterday I tried to call her. See if she was going to at least make good or try to on any of these. Her number was disconected. Why am I not surprised?
What I hate is that I look bad for ever recomending her in the first place. I had good cakes that looked good at first. I don't know what happened, but I could not stop recomending her fast enough. One bad cake order and I quit telling people about her, but still others have herad about her from others. But they would not have heard about her still if it was not for me in the first place.
I have great cake experiances with several other bakeries and some of them have done multiple cakes with me, but I know other planners that have used them as well and so I don't hesitate to recomend them. I am willing to do what I can to help people get their money back, but know that its not much.
So officially I have severed my friendship with her and her buisness. I am deleating her from my facebook and myspace accounts.
Rest assured I am sick over this and no more recomendations just because they go to church with me and have a couple of good showings.

Casey and DJ

2009-08-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

Casey and DJ were a cute and fun couple. He is active Navy and Casey will be joining him out East where he is stationed. Aren't they beautiful?

The Kiss Ahh.

The Rings. The wedding colors were yellow and pool blue. The cakes were great. They were done by Jason someone the family has gotten to know well. Interested in contacting him let me know I have his email. The grooms cake did have the Navy insignia on the top. Very Well Done

There were so may great people that made this wedding happen.

The Ceremony was at First United Methodist Church Round Rock

The Reception was the Wingate Hotel/Conference Center Round Rock

Cake by Jason

DJ: D and M Sound they did a great job. Great selection of music.

Caterer: Debbie Cole Catering

Decorations: Put together by Jimmie. I have her contact information if anyone is interested.

Rentals: A to Z rentals and Hill Country Event Planning.

Photos: Jess Watson Photography. You can see more of her work here

I have contact information for all of these vendors if you are interested. I have to say I really enjoyed working with everyone of these vendors. The family made the centerpieces themselves. Lots of DIY touches. Beautiful Wedding. I will post more photos as I get them.

Daytime Formal Wedding

2009-08-27T14:56:00.000-07:00

Surprisingly this is not very different than an formal evening. One big difference is the time of day, obviously. But other things I see is that the cocktail hour has a different and lighter feel to it. Signature drinks, fruity drinks are popular during daytime. Meals are not as heavy. Lighter chicken and turkey dishes with steamed veggies are more often served than heavier beef dishes with heavy starchy sides. The dancing also is usually limited. Receptions often are shorter. Still very fun, elegant, and formal.

Traditional Formal Evening Wedding

2009-08-26T10:28:00.000-07:00

The traditional formal evening wedding is a model of elegance. From a vast array of foods @ the cocktail hour, a gourmet dinner, fine decor, good china and crystal on the tables, a several-tierred cake, and dancing throughout the reception. It's the princess wedding for a princess bride- and it's also the model that the $27,000 national average wedding budget comes from. For some couples this is the wedding that they are trying to get away from in order to do something more personal more to their style.

Back to School

2009-08-24T07:14:00.000-07:00

For the past few weeks my kids have been going stir crazy. Its been too hot to go outside much, and they have played with all their toys and with each other until they just didn't want to any more. TV was not so interesting either. So picking on each other became the best option in their mind. I felt like I was playing referee everyday.
So today they started school and they were so excited and I have to admit that I was too. I have so many things to do and can do with them out of the house. This morning though I was not as ready to send them back.
Isaiah decided last night that he wanted daddy to drop him off at school this morning. He did not want to be walked in because he is a big boy. He is starting 2nd grade. Christina wanted me to walk her into school. So we take two cars to the school that is only 4 miles away from home. I park and walk Christina in. As I get in the door, Isaiah is coming in from the car pool line. He walks with us to the Cafeteria. I help Christina figure out how to pick out breakfast and sit with her and Isaiah as they have breakfast. As soon as Isaiah finishes he asks what to do next. This is a new school for both of them this year. So I tell him to ask the teacher that is helping. She takes him to the door and shows him to his room. I don't get a hug and kiss or a good bye. I hold the tears as my son is such a big boy. Christina finishes her breakfast and we ask where she needs to go. They tell us to her class. I ask if she is ready for me to go. She said no. So I walk her to her room. I help her find her cubby and put up her back pack. I tell her I can stay only one minute and then I have to leave. She sits with her class on the rug. A minute passes and a bell rings signaling that everyone not in class needs to get to class. I give her a hug and kiss and I walk out not looking back with a tear down my cheek. Her teacher handed parents that come into the classroom a few Hershey kisses wrapped in Kleenex and a poem about the first day. It was sweet. The tissues did come in handy. I know they have to grow up and I know I will learn to cherish this time at home without them. Until then I will keep myself busy with wedding and events, and various other projects I need to work on.

The Grooms Cake

2009-08-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

The grooms cake is making its comeback. Due to budgets there was a time they were one of the items that were cut out. When they were there the traditional grooms cake was a simple chocolate sheet cake. No imagination. Lets face it brides, you have all the fun at the wedding, you get to pick from a wealth of pretty dresses. You get tons of pretty cakes to pick from. You pick the color of the flowers and the linens, and all the other fun details. All that to say let him eat cake.

Not just any cake mind you but one that fits who he is. Here are some ideas

A soccer ball for the soccer fan or player

A football for the football fan or player

what about the golf fan getting a golf bag and clubs

A running shoe for the runner.

Doctors bag for the physician

Computer for the techie

Law books for the lawyer

Car for the Mechanic

And like the photo in the blog a cigar box with real cigars for the cigar loving groom.

Their cakes should reflect who they are. Don't worry about it fitting in with the rest of the decorations or the feel of the wedding. Also don't fall into the trap that it has to be chocolate. Let it be a flavor he likes. If he does not like chocolate don't make him choose that. Your guest don't have to have chocolate cake at your wedding. ( thanks Carli for the photo)

Details

2009-08-11T16:22:00.001-07:00

Favors were margarita jelly beans in margarita glasses. too cute.

this was a fab. cake look at all the work and is all icing. no fondunt and the flowers on top are icing too.

Cigar box grooms cake. So yummy.
Escourt cards

program

professional photos for Jill and Allen

2009-08-07T06:55:00.000-07:00

I met up yesterday with Carli and inked fingers and she gave me some more photos from Jill and Allen's wedding. There were so many great photos. I am going to post a few of them here. Jill had lots of great details at her reception. While i was only working the reception on this one i will share some of the wedding photos as well.

Cool Bookmarks

2009-08-05T21:13:00.000-07:00

Carli with inked fingers fotography posted on her website that she was able to make bookmarks for her clients. I was intrigued. I asked her more about them and if I could order some for my company. She used a photo she took at Kelly and Darryl's wedding and made me some great bookmarks. I am collecting things to put together in a welcome to Stress Free events packet and this is a perfect addition to that. I am thrilled with the quality and the design way to go Carli. You can check them out here on their blog.

I can see these being great favors at a wedding using one of your engagement or bridal photos. Or give them with the thank you cards after the wedding. Or just use them yourself great for the avid reader.

Family Vacation

2009-07-24T19:42:00.000-07:00

I am heading to the coast with my family to visit some of my other family. We are also working with our youth group. We are doing some finishing work on some rebuilding in the Crystal Beach Area. I won't be gone long, and I will have email access and my phone (if it works there). I will be checking in just not as much. Back to work and blogging upon my return.

Stuff for rent

2009-07-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

Rose Ann has a lot of things she bought for her wedding that she is willing to rent out to others at a very reduced cost. She will even work out delivery and pick up of items. She said she would even help set some of it up if needed. Just let her know. If you are interested or know someone who might be interested have them contact me.
· 40 beautiful green table runners
· 10 - 60inch round linen table cloths
· 215 antique linen napkins
· 10 beautiful tall white lumineer lanterns I used as centerpieces
· 12 black lanterns and hooks for lining sidewalks or anywhere.
· A ton of vases- many that match (I have 20 of one particular vase and 25 of another)- used for the extra flowers around the Allan House
· Glass votive holders- at least 50
· And beautiful crystal taper candle holders- at least 45
· I also have my beautiful rod iron arbor- that they can put flowers on if they would like
If you want to see photos let me know and I can try to find the photos in the ones I have from her wedding or you can meet up with her and she can show you everything she has. This is one of those ways you can save some money on your wedding.

Rose Ann and David Pro Pics

2009-07-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

All pro Pics are provided by Ron Parks.

Ricky and Marrisa July 2009

2009-07-13T09:13:00.000-07:00

This was a very special wedding to me. I wish I could say that I coordinated it, or planned it but it was put together very quickly. I found out about it the day of the wedding. Ricky was in the youth group Allen and I teach with for years. We taught him in Sunday School. He is a great guy that graduated a couple of years ago. He spent the last several months to a year in the Army. He will be stationed now out of state and so after his graduation on the 2nd he and his fiance had planned a surprise wedding (surprise to his family). They got married at the Gazebo in San Marcos. I found them some music for the ceremony and ran the music for them, and then took care all the formal photos. It was very simple and very beautiful. I was so happy for them. Here are some photos I took. Oh and yes you can see I am not going to be moving into the photography side of weddings. My little Nikon took some great photos considering, but they are still pretty amature. Okay here is one photo check the rest out on my facebook.

Congrats you two.

Amber and Daniel

2009-07-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

I feel bad I have not had a chance to blog about this wedding. It was at the Heritage House in Pflugerville and the reception was in the barn. It was in late June and I will say it was horrifically hot. Still it turned out really pretty. They borrowed a lot of candle holders from friends and family to help cut down on the cost the decorations. The DJ was a friend of the bride. It was catered by Gino's out of Round Rock. Cakes by Leann were really good and beautiful. I was unable to get any photos. I will post some if I happen to get any. I will remember the heat with this one and the smile on the grooms face when his bride stepped out of the car.

Gotcha Day

2009-06-30T12:09:00.000-07:00

Four years ago today a white SUV pulls up into our driveway. Inside that SUV was the most precious cargo in the world that was being delivered to my door. There was a sweet smiling little boy and a tiny precious little girl. These two children had started life out a little rougher than others. They were both in the foster care system here in our state. After a long journey through the system there was finally a family that was perfect for them. Ours. I loved these two the moment I saw them a few weeks before. I knew that our journey to be parents was going to be over in these two children. In the past four years there have been ups and downs but even the trials I have never once regretted becoming a parent.
God forms families in so many ways. My children were carried in another woman’s womb. A woman that was not able to care properly for them. But while in her womb the Lord had his hand on these children. He knew there was a family waiting for them and kept the effects of drugs and alcohol of the mother away from them.
I look at my kids so silly and so goofy and so loving, and I have to praise the Lord for everyday I have with them. While they have always been special this last year has been wonderful. My kids have grown out so much this year. Their personalities are so much fun now. My daughter has a comeback for everything and being small still it’s funny to hear. My son has done so much better in school and I see so much of my husband in him. They both have Allen’s love for music and can sing songs all day long.
There are many more years to this journey. I am glad to celebrate gotcha day today with my kids.
(Gotcha= the day we got you)

Michael Jackson

2009-06-26T10:13:00.000-07:00

While I know he was not the only icon to pass away yesterday. While my sympathies go out to the Facett family and friends I was not a Charlies Angels fan (I was young when it was out). MJ was a hit while I was growing up. I danced and sang his songs all through my childhood and teens. I think it would be hard to find someone that has never tried to moon walk or a few of the thriller moves. Don't try to visualize me moon walking it was not good. I am not happy with the choices he made later in life but its still a part of my childhood gone. So to his family and children I hope this all gets settled soon and they can move on and learn to live without him.

On a side note my husband is hoping the rumors are true that he willed Paul McCartney the Beatles catalog he bought some time back.

Pro Pics of Katy and Ed

2009-06-25T18:58:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Travis and his team for these great photos. Check him out at Rebel with a Camera

Photos Rachel and Justin.

2009-06-19T20:01:00.000-07:00

Lisa with Now and then photographey has a sneak peak up on her blog and told me to grab any of the photos to share with you all. So here are a few enjoy them. And check out the rest at her blog.

Rachel and Justin June 13th 2009

2009-06-18T12:54:00.000-07:00

Well by this time you are probally tired of Star Hill Weddings, but let me just say that its such a great venue and I love working out there. I am so glad my brides that have picked it have found me and let me be a part of their special day out there. Adam the owner out there is so great. I can't thank him enough for all he did to make this wedding special. He really went above and beyond. One thing that I love is how versital the venue is. Every wedding I have done out there has been diffrent from the next. I don't like doing cookie cutter of copy cat weddings. There may be some aspects that are similar or overlap here and there, but all in all I want every wedding to be its own adventure and I was a little worried when I found out I would have three weddings out there in about a month apart from each other. Other than wishing I have rented a vacation house for the week as often as I have been there this last week I am loving being out there.

Rachel and Justin were such a cute couple. They got ready out at SHR and took some photos before heading over to the church.

After a short wait and guest were seated the family began to make its entrance and then the Bridal party. Finally all eyes were on the back doors that were decorated with two beautiful wreaths from the Last Petal (who did all the floral work for the wedding and reception). The doors opened for all to see Rachel. She was just glowing.

I headed back to SHR to make sure all the details were ready. Some last minute clean up of boxes and we were ready for the guest. Pink Avacado had all the drinks and appitizers ready. Krissys Cakes had their beautiful cakes in place. My staff (thanks Nery and Synda) had the drapes hung centerpeices on candy bar set up family photos put out and everything was ready to go.

As the first guest showed up Fred with encore entertainment had the music going in the street the school house and some in the bar as well.

Lisa with Now and Then photography and her husband and secod shooter got there with the guest pretty quickly and snapped a few more family and bridal party shots before we kicked the night off.

I had a great time and I think the could and family did as well.

Other vendors: Olden Lighting, Premiere Rentals, RR Limobus, Makeup and Hair, Specs if I have missed anyone please let me know my mind is in allergy fog today.

Photo post soon to follow

ehow.com

2009-06-18T12:26:00.000-07:00

remember eons ago I was asked to film for Expert Video? Well they were bought out by Ehow.com. And so all my videos are up there. I have not watched all of them yet, but the few I have watched I have learned a few things. I need to talk slower. I need not flip my hair out of my face. And I still need to loose more weight. At the expense of looking silly here is a link to all the videos if you want to watch any of them. I had less than three minutes to convey a wealth of knowledge on these topics. If you want more information or details on any topics.

http://www.ehow.com/members/ev_48807bfe-b918-4889-8407-140dac9d774f.html

Need your help.

2009-06-11T13:59:00.000-07:00

I got a voice mail this afternoon from a Bride by the name of Jennifer with her wedding next year in Austin. She is not from the Austin area it sounds like. I think she was calling from a cell phone because her number is completely garbled. I have tried listening to it all over the house and outside and down the street all the places my phone works great and its the same thing, so I think its on her end. I would love to talk to her, but without a number I can't.
So how can you help?
Well if you know Jennifer and told her about me then please call her and let her know what happened or pass on her number to me.
If you happen to see a post on one of the web-boards about a Jennifer looking for a wedding planner/Coordinator let her know somehow that I did not get her number. (i know my Knot brides and Wedding Bee Brides talk about me off and on not sure of any other boards that my name is being mentioned.
Or
If you are Jennifer and following my blog please call me back or email me and let get together. I do want to talk to you.
Becky

Katherine and Ed June 6th 2009

2009-06-08T14:52:00.000-07:00

This was another Star Hill Ranch wedding. I dont think there is a way to have a bad wedding at Star Hill. It was hot but luckly everything was planned inside, and there was a nice wind coming through the veranda.

I loved that Katherine and Ed had some great details yet kept it pretty simple. It was really very pretty.

Her colors were white, green, and grey. Very nice together. I have a couple of photos I took, but as soon as the photographer can get me some of their professional pictures I will post those.

Here is the cast.

Dagars Catering

Byrne Rock DJ

Central Market Flowers

Say Cheese Photo Booth

Toy Joy (photo booth props)

Star Hill Ranch

Stress Free Events

Rebel with a Camera

Fake or Not?

2009-06-06T07:32:00.001-07:00

I have been reading several blogs (sorry its just a bad habit) and noticing a trend in questions. Fake or Not? What do I mean by this? Here are some of the questions.

Should I get a fake tan before the wedding?

Should I get fake nails before the wedding?

Should I get fake eyelashes for the wedding?

These are the three I see the most. Here are my thoughts on all this. First your fiance asked you to marry him with pasty skin, chewed nails and short eyelashes. So he probably does not care what you do on the wedding day as long as you are there for the wedding and honeymoon. My thoughts on the tanning is this. As a pasty girl myself I can understand the desire for a little glow on your big day. That is fine, but don't tan too close to the date itself. If you have never done a spray tan before do not try it the first time on the dark setting a day before the wedding. Spray tanning takes time to build up and get used to. I suggest a month or two before starting this and then stop about three days before to a week so you have time to even out any mistakes if you got any in the last spay. I don't recommend over the counter sprays or tanners. These have gotten so much better over the years but without an expert hand your chances of streaking are high. Also your make up matches your skin tone. If you plan on tanning make sure you make up still matches.

Onto the fake nails. I can't say much about this because as I type I have on my solar nails. I love the look of the long nails and I use my hands so much that I beat my natural nails up. But things to consider. They look best the first time you put them on before any fills. So consider getting them done a day or two before the wedding (you have time because you have quit tanning, remember). Also leave the color off. Go with the natural or french look, it keeps from distracting away from the ring you are about to put on that left hand. If you have good even strong nails don't mess with the fakes. They damage your natural nail in the long run. I wore them for my wedding and was glad because I did not have to worry the day before about my nails and could do whatever I needed to get done. Down side to the nails. You have to fill them every two weeks. So if you are going to be gone for a long honeymoon you might have some trouble with them, unless the hotel you are at has a saloon that can do fills for you.

The eyelashes well I just never liked them. I have short lashes, but with some good mascara I don't think I was in danger of my eyes looking bad on my wedding day. Wear them before the day to make sure you are not allergic to the glue and comfortable with them. If at all possible have a professional put them on.

OK that's my opinions. For today.

Couples helping out each other

2009-06-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

In talking to a couple of my past brides recently it has come to my attention that you all may be able to network and help each other out. I know some of my brides have services or sell products that you might find interesting, and I would like to get you connected with each other. So over the next few weeks and months I will be posting blogs about the services or items some of you all have to offer and their contact information so you can get with them if you need their help. If you would like to be included please let me know. You can email me Becky@stressfreeevents.net and I will add you to the list. If its not a service or item you need then just skip the post or come back to it if you find someone else who needs it. I have some great brides and I would not feature them on here if I did not think you would get quality service and products from them.

Becky

Rose Ann and David May 24th

2009-05-27T06:20:00.000-07:00

This was a beautiful couple with a great family and a beautiful wedding. Rose Ann had a wonderful vision for her day and worked hard to get it all together. She had some DIY items, and it all looked wonderful. I enjoyed this wedding so much. Physically I am not happy with the blister on my heel that I got. Never wearing the low sock again with the shoes. Lets look at the vendors and how it all pulled together.

Venue: The Allen House

Photographer: Ron Parks

DJ: Greenbelt DJ

Flowers: Exquisite floral and some DIY

Caterer: Sheila F.

Bar Tenders: Hill Country Events

Harpist: Kristin Smith

Cakes and Pies: Family Members

Rentals: American Party Rentals

If you have any questions on how these vendors worked out or any other aspect of the wedding please let me know. I will be glad to share. I am sorry I did not take any photos myself, but as soon as Ron has a few ready I will get them. Off to see if there are any bridals at least to give you a sneak peak of this beautiful bride and what turned out to be a beautiful wedding.

Vendor Reviews

2009-05-21T11:00:00.001-07:00

Okay ladies I am putting together a bit of a scrapbook of all my weddings this summer. This is mostly for me to go back and reference. I need your help. For some of your weddings I have very few photos and would love a few more photos of your happy day in order to show off your wedding in my scrapbook. Some of you have lots of photos so please ask me if I need any and I will let you know.
Next I would like to ask you for your vendor reviews. I know how well different vendors worked with me, but in all cases I don't know your full experience and would like to have that for my information to make sure that every bride gets the best day they can get. Please email me with any details.
Thanks
Becky
Becky@stressfreeevents.net

Kelly and Darryl Professional Pics

2009-05-20T12:02:00.000-07:00

thanks for the sneak peak Carli. Visit her over at inked fingers.

Wedding Traditions

2009-05-16T15:36:00.000-07:00

My husband pulled up an article on yahoo headlines about wedding traditions that needed to go. I glanced at it. While I try to not be dated in things that I offer my brides and up on the newest traditions, this article was silly.

While I agree the rice should be out (not because we are pelting brides with it) because of the fact that its hazardous to the health of the fine feathered friends in the area. To be honest this has been out for over a decade at least.

The other things for the most part I could take them of leave them. I like the flower and garter tosses myself because its just a riot to see all the single ladies hanging out on the dance floor willing to take out the person next to them for any chance at all at not being single at the next one of these get togethers. Sometimes these are tame and most women are married and in those cases I say just do what you want. As for the garter its the opposite. All the single men are pushed and prodded by their long time girlfriends (who want them to have no excuse for not proposing), or their buddies who are already trapped I mean committed to marriage. That little piece of elastic with some lace around it must have been cursed or something because you should watch the guys scramble AWAY from it. Again I find humor and entertainment in this. At my wedding the garter was going straight to my brother he quickly picked up my little bother (who was seven at the time) and held him up so he could catch it. Not to be nice but because he didn't want it. I have to find that photo its a great shot.

It talked about large wedding parties and matching dresses needing to be out. Well I don't know about this. I like when all the girls line up and match each other. I also like when they all have the same color but a different dress that fits their body style just right. As for the number...I think its a matter of what every bride feels fits them and the location of their wedding. There is nothing wrong with five or six bridesmaids if there is room for them all at the alter. Now if you only have that many because you feel you have to invite every single female relative to stand with you and your best friends from high school on, then we might have a little talk. That talk would be for your sanity nothing else. Bridesmaids are great. Some of them also are more work then you have time for and too many might mean too much work.

I think every ones wedding needs to be just that...Their wedding. The wedding you dream about. Maybe you want a vintage wedding with styles and traditions form the seventies, or a more casual picnic feel in a garden, or something modern and void of all wedding traditions. Those things need to be about you. Its your day, and you can do whatever you want for it.

Oh and if Aunt Mary is sitting at the table shaking her head that she can't believe you did or did not do something. Send one of the groomsmen to force her to dance the Hokey Pokey of Electric Slide get her a drink and not let it ruin your day. At family reunions she most likely wont remember a thing anyway.

Happy Mothers Day

2009-05-09T20:16:00.001-07:00

I want to wish those of you reading a very Happy mothers day. For those that are veteran moms I salute you. I have only had four years of motherhood and I can see that each year is a battle that is only won in the little steps of growth and successes that our children make. How you have fought years of those battles I don't know.

To those mom who are like me, somewhat experienced, I offer you a toast. I lift my diet coke to you because I know if like me you need the caffeine just to get through the morning, afternoon, evening... I am grateful for my friends that are raising their children with me and remind me "this too shall pass" just when I need to hear it.

To the new moms. Those holding your little ones for your first mothers day ever. Congratulations. Don't worry your a mom now you don't need as much sleep as you thought you did. You will forget your tired when you get your first smile, and with every little accomplishment they reach. Hold on to these moments and tuck them away. You will need them to get through their toddler years (and I hear later in their teens as well).

To those soon to be moms. You are moms just like the rest of us. I send a prayer out to you for safe deliveries and healthy babies soon to enter this world.
For those that are just starting down the path to start a family I offer you encouragement. Those of you who want to be moms but have not conceived your child yet, remember that their is just the right time for everyone. You will conceive your child when the Lord knows you are ready, or will place your child in your life right when they need you the most like he did for us with our children (If you don't know our adoption story and want to let me know).

To my Mother In Law I say Thank you for raising the wonderful man that is my husband. He is the best thing in my life and without him I would not be the person I am. He supports me in my decision to run a business out of our home and be home with the children when they are out of school. You gave me a good man. Thank you.

Finally to my mother. Who will most likely not read this. Thank you and I love you. I never appreciated all you did for me until now. Being a mom and working is two full time jobs. Never once growing up did I feel neglected or not well taken care of. You were there for me when I needed you. You made work fit into our schedule and not conflict. We played sports and were in Scouts and did what we wanted to do. You offered me sound guidance that has put me in a place to be the parent I am today to my children. You have always supported me even when I was a music and theatre major. Never discouraging me with where would a degree in one of those really take me. You let me grow and make mistakes but picked me up and kissed my scrapes when I didn't make the best choices so thank you mom.

(Above Me and my mom at Christmas this past year).

Happy Mothers Day All!!!

Stress Free Baby

2009-05-09T08:52:00.000-07:00

Yes our first official Stress Free Events Baby has arrived.

Baby Curry or Desmond was born to Michelle and Jimi yesterday. He was 10 pounds 9 ounces and delivered by C-section after labor was not progressing. He is just beautiful. Jimi is currently overseas so Michelle had a good friend in the operating room with her. Jimi should be home by the end of the year to hold his precious guy.

Way to Go Michelle and Congrats to both of you on this beautiful not exactly little guy.

Here is their wedding photo and then a couple of beautiful Desmond.

Kelly and Darryl May 2nd

2009-05-04T10:59:00.000-07:00

Kelly found a lot of inspiration from one of my other brides. In fact we were at the same venue with a similar color scheme. I always worry that I will end of up copy cat weddings when using the same venue and colors, but that was not the case at all. This wedding was definitely not that the other and was another fabulous job by the couple in the planning.

Decorations were in shades of pink. Pink round paper lanterns hung over the back porch. Tables were draped in black with pink napkins. One of the money saving ideas this bride used was to reuse her ceremony decorations. She placed galvanized buckets of flowers at the ends of the pews. After the ceremony we moved those from the pews to the centers of each of the tables. They were perfect for both. The night was filled with fun, food, friends, family, and dancing. They were so happy and so much fun to work with. And now for the behind the scenes credits. I know that Kelly blogs and will most likely put her reviews up there and I can link you to that once she gets back from her honeymoon. So I will just name the ones I know about and if I think about it some general thoughts.

Venue: Star Hill Ranch Adam is always such a joy to work with.

My assistant: Nery Lauderdale-bravely volunteered to climb the ladder to hang lanterns when I realized I was too short. She was almost too short as well, but the husband of one of the bridesmaids came to the rescue and saved the day.

Make Up: Make up by Adrienne. Kelly looked great so that should be all that needs to be said. I do enjoy her work.

Pre-Wedding Food: Tea Sandwiches and a deli tray from Central market. They were missing the garnish tray when i went to pick it up, but they gave me one from another party not coming in for pick up for another hour so she had time to make another one for them. It looked good.

Rentals, Set-Up, and Catering: All Handled by Dagars. They showed up earlier than planned in order to make sure things were set up in time in the chapel area.

Iron Cross: Mancino Iron Rentals

Floral: Visual Lyrics

Photography: Inked Fingers. Carli and her husband did great at getting all they could before the wedding so that once it was all over they were able to get some whole family shots and such and were done. It took them very little time at all. They also experimented with some HD Video as well. I saw a little clip on the blog and can't wait for more.

Ceremony Music: Mark Cruse

Cocktail Hour was appetizers with a coke and dr. pepper car set up on the wagon. Dagars took care of all this.

Cocktail and Reception Music: Byrne Rock I love working with Byrne and I can't wait for our next wedding together. I can't say enough about him. His new second in command, Ryan, was with him. I look forward to working with him in the near future as well.

Cakes: The Cake Pan

I will have to get with Kelly to find out where she bought the sparklers. They were the easiest to light and lasted the longest I have ever seen. I liked them a lot.

Shuttle for guest: Carey Limo services part of the limo company below

Get Away Car: Antique Limos of Austin. There was a miscommunication on the pick up time, but they worked out a solution so we had a wonderful car when it was time for our happy couple to say goodnight.
I will add any vendors I might have missed as I go back over the day. And once Carli get photos up on her blog I will link you to those as well.

Should I really be spending this much?

2009-04-29T19:53:00.000-07:00

Weddings are not cheap. Or from a previous post I should say inexpensive. I had a long talk today with a family that is planning a wedding for next July. They are having a hard time justifying even having a wedding at all in this economy. They really considered just getting married in the pastors office with their parents and all go out for a nice meal. They said that they are just afraid of what ifs. While planning the wedding now they have money, but if anyone that is helping with the wedding looses a job is it worth the money they are putting out.

I can see the trouble they are having. In one week I will celebrate my one year anniversary from loosing my full time job of eight years. I was not expecting to loose that job, but I did. Its worked out for me, but what about planning a big event like a wedding? Should you really spend that money?

First make a budget of what you can afford now. Not what you hope to make over the next year. This way you are spending money you have.

Then highlight the items on that list that are must haves. Like your wedding planner/Coordinator :-) I kid a little. A good planner will save you money in the long run, but that's your call. Do photographs mean the world to you? Then mark it and know that is one place you won't scrimp on. At the same time maybe you are happy wearing any old dress and a family member has one just your style you can have or buy for cheap.

Then looking at that list decide what are non-essentials. One place brides are saving money is favors. Why have them? To thank your guests sure, but if you have to cut your budget this might be someplace you can make some wiggle room.

Give yourself time. If its not too late and your date is not set yet, try to give yourself at least a year. Why? Because you can buy things in season rather then out and spread your decoration purchases over many months. Also take advantage of after holiday sales. And give yourself time to shop for a deal.

Consider how much you can do yourself to save some money or what amazing talented family members you have. My mom made my wedding cake and it was as nice as anything i could have bought and I think it tasted better. Oh and we decided against a grooms cake just to save some money.

Be prepared and have a plan B. So you do get the news someone has lost a job, what now? Have a plan B that if this happens what is the option you have. It might not be perfect but what can you choose to do now that its happened. If you plan this before the time comes you can be prepared and not have to worry about it when you are in the midst of that new stress.

I hope and pray no one has to face this, but even in this economy with jobs coming and going its okay to still want your party, just make sure its one you can afford.

Your Fired Update

2009-04-28T12:19:00.000-07:00

Well in sharing my Brides story I think we have a solution already found. Another DJ I am working with out of Austin has offered her his services and is traveling to San Antonio for the wedding. He has offered her a deal on his services. Yep he is working this for free. Now the couple has to meet with him still wot work out details and make sure they mesh, but I have a feeling that won't be a problem. So for a few days of stress about this and some wonderful generosity I think that the problem is solved and the bride and groom with be in great shape. Once everything is in place for sure I will reveal the DJ that is fixing the problem.
Oh and I have found out this was not the first couple he canceled on because of the same thing. SO he really needs to find a better way to do business, or get out of business. You have to have a little bit of thick skin in the wedding business and you have to know that in Central Texas there is lots of competition and yet its still small enough that people talk.

Happy Anniversary

2009-04-26T12:57:00.000-07:00

To ME and my wonderful husband.

Its been seven years (4/27/02) that we got married. I can honestly say that I would do it all over again. We did not have all the bells and whistles that some weddings have now, but we are not bells and whistles people. The goal of the day was to marry the man I was so in love with. To this day I have to say I am still so in love with him. We fuss with each other, we fight, we disagree, but we also love, laugh, play, sing, and support each other. I promise you that I am who I am partially because of having Allen in my life. He also is the reason this company, Stress Free Events is so successful. He encourages me to do what I need to do and what I enjoy doing. I love that.

So let me see if I can recap some of the wedding planning from seven years ago.

Okay it was a DIY wedding to an extent, but those who know me well are not surprised. I know what I want and have a way of making it happen. I am pretty crafty. I wanted simple so it was easy.

The Rehearsal Dinner: This was one of those things that was almost better then the wedding day (almost). After a run through we went out to a friends house out in the country. Those with trucks hauled tables and chairs from the church. My dad bar b qued and a friend of the families who used to be a Cajun caterer made all the sides. I begged for some dirty rice and he did not disappoint. I remember my grandfather prayed before the meal and it was so sweet I teared up. After dinner my soon to be husband had been practicing for months to sing a few songs with a little band made up of him my brother and two of my brothers friends. He even did a song that he wrote for me. I teared up again. After the dinner we went back and dropped of the chairs at the church and my grandfather asked me to meet him at the hotel he wanted to give me my gift early. He gave me a full set of china (over 12 place settings) that was given to him and my grandmother for their wedding. He saw I did not register for China and hoped I would enjoy it. And I have.

The Day of the Wedding:

It started early with me fixing hair for my sister and soon to be sister in law and then to get my hair done at head west salon in San Marcos.

The ceremony was at Calvary Baptist Church. And the reception was there as well.

Unity Candle was a gift and made by my friend Gail Daniels.

My bridesmaids were in Navy.

Church was decorated otherwise with garlands and candles I got at craft store.

Flowers Huge arrangements and personal flowers bigger then I imagined were from another friend Joe with Flowers and Friends. I was so happy with them.

All food was provided by Sam's and HEB and friends and family helped set it up.

Tables had simple white cloths on them with ivy bowls with yellow floating candles in them.

My cake was made by my mother. It was three tiers with queens anne lace and yellow roses.

Allen created all the music and put it together on the computer. My brother set up a sound system to play it on.

I know I am missing details but its because now they don't matter. I just know now that seven years ago, I married the best man out there. I am blessed by such a wonderful husband, who took me out to dinner last night (and only texted about the NFL draft choices once or twice) and a movie and then stayed home today from church with one of our kids that was not quite himself. Yep I love that man of mine.

Your Fired!

2009-04-24T14:56:00.001-07:00

Yep that is in essence what one of my brides heard recently from her DJ.

Did he fire her (ok cancel her contract) because she was too demanding, wanted too many personal request, wouldn't let him put his cards out? wouldn't let him play the hokey poky and chicken dance? Refused to let him have a tip jar? No.

He said he could not work with her because she told someone he was cheap. Her wedding is still eight months away and I am sure she will find a new DJ (I am willing to pull out the stops to help her here) but this is crazy. Here is how I understand it happened.

She posts on the local chat rooms of a popular national wedding planning website. She tells everyone that she did not want to pay an arm and a leg for a DJ, and she found a great cheap DJ. She said positive things about him and recommended him to other brides on that board.

What happened next is a little sketchy and if my bride wants to post clarification feel free, but I otherwise will keep your identity secret. He either heard of this post from another bride or he was reading the posts on this board. Which is tacky anyway its a place where brides go to get honest opinions on vendors and so they talk openly, I remember I was on there once, but I avoid it now for their privacy. So he reads where my bride post that he is cheap. He goes off in email on a tirade about how much he spends on his equipment and this and that and if she thinks he is cheap he can't work with her.

I say good riddance. We live in an economy where every little bit counts and we want to save where and when we can. As a bride planning her wedding I know you want a good deal. You want professionals that are good and inexpensive. Sometimes we use the word cheap its easier to type :-) I as a planner know when a bride has a budget. I know where their priority items are and where their we have to have it, but lets get the best price we can items are. I have looked for and used "cheap" vendors in the past. Hey if it wasn't for cheap vendors I would have never had the wedding I had seven years ago. I understand having pride in what you do, and not wanting to be tacky, but cheap is not a bad word and I read her post it was positive and recommended him. We all charge what we charge because its what we can afford to charge for whatever reason. I feel he should have been glad to be getting a shout out at all. Now his name is mud on those boards and its hard to recover from that.

I was teasing with the wedding party at my last wedding. They were talking about hiring me for another event and I said yeah, hey look me up, I'm Cheap. They corrected me and said no not cheap just a bargain. I liked that. I also say I am an investment with a good return for those into the financial things. Still I know that I am not the most expensive coordinator/planner out there. I know that I am good at what I do. So if you want to post about me on a major wedding website and say I am Cheap then go ahead. Just don't say I'm trashy then we might have words :-)

And now I leave you with some alternative words and phrases in case you want to avoid telling someone they are cheap. Found Here

Main Entry: cheap
Definition:inexpensive
Synonyms: at a bargain, bargain, bargain-basement, bargain-counter, bought for a song, budget, buy, cheapo, competitive, cost next to nothing, cut-price, cut-rate, depreciated, dime a dozen, easy on the pocketbook, economical, half-priced, irregular, low tariff, low-cost, low-priced, lowered, marked down, moderate, nominal, on sale, popularly priced, real buy, reasonable, reduced, sale, slashed, standard, steal, uncostly, undear, utility, worth the money
Notes:
cheap means relatively low in price or charging low prices,

Some Professional Photos of Michelle and Patricks Day

2009-04-21T08:23:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the great photos by Jenna Cole

Michelle and Patrick 4/18/09

2009-04-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

The wedding day of Michelle and Patrick has defiantly been one I have been looking forward to with much anticipation. And I think to do it total justice it will have multiple posts over the next few days. Part of it is also to give the photographers present proper ado. So this post will only include a few of the set up shots that I took, but look for the photos from our other photographers very soon. I had a busy day and did not get a lot of pictures.

The day started out and ended smooth as can be. We had a few unexpected moments but I promised Michelle I wouldn't tell on at least one of them.

Let me run down the cast of characters here and give you links as I find them, if I have them. I can get you contacts for any of them, just let me know.

Venue: Oak Hills Country Club San Antonio Texas

The wedding ceremony took place outside on the beautiful green grass and under the large trees. White chairs were lined up for all the guest every other chair had a beautiful fan program (that I did not get a photo of, but will see if the photographers did). There was a table at the front for the sand ceremony and a gorgeous floral arrangement by Erin with Edens Echo. The aisle was also lined with ivory rose petals. There was a cocktail hour after the ceremony with a full bar, and passed apps and an appetizer station. The reception in the ball room was beautiful. Michelle knew just what she wanted. There were blue up lights all around the room and lighted white paper lanterns in three sizes and green moss balls over the dance floor and lounge area. Tables were filled with candle centerpieces in multiple sizes with ivory flowers surrounding them. handmade table numbers, gold chargers with ivory napkins on champagne satin table cloths. Cookies with their monogram all added to it. The gold chaviri chairs were also a wonderful touch. The staff at the club were so wonderful. I was at ease knowing that if we needed anything they would get it for me.

Floral: Was all provided by Erin at Eden's Echo.

I love working with Erin this was our second wedding and I look forward to our next. She really cares about the brides desires and vision and will do whatever she can to make it happen. Her work is remarkable. Just check out the photos. She took the floral petals I placed on the tables and added little flowers she had left over and made it beautiful and the mini bouquets on the brides and grooms chairs adorable.

Photographer: Karen Little with Winfield Little Photography. I need to get her second shooters name. He did a great job and he is moving from San Antonio to Austin so he will be looking for some Austin weddings soon. I will post another entry with photos they get to me as they have a chance to get them to me.

Second Photographer: Jenna Cole she is a fellow blogger from what I understand from Michelle that is just starting to build a wedding portfolio. I have seen a couple of pictures today on her facebook page and let me tell you they are awesome.

Band: Lost in Austin out of Austin. They rock the night away. I was thrilled with the excitement on the dance floor and they were so cool about showing up early to set up and then just hang out until they went on. They even came in early to turn on a microphone for some speeches. I told hubby when I was alive the next day that I want to go hear them in Austin sometime when I don't have a million things I am worried about and can dance and enjoy them. I think i will be dancing alone but its worth a try.

Lighting: Your Lighting Experts out of Austin. From what I understand this one was one of their first weddings, but you could have fooled me. They understood the feel wanted and made it happen. And as I told them anytime I am not on a ladder hanging lanterns its a good day. They were so easy to work with and I look forward to working with them again.

Officiant: Rev. Susan Ross out of New Braunfels. She was a hoot and performed a beautiful ceremony that was catered around the couple.

Cakes: Cathy Young. They were simply beautiful and delicious. Well at least the brides cake was and I did not hear any complaints from the grooms cake. I was only able to snag the one piece.

Photo booth: TNT Photo booth. This was a huge hit. They had a great time with this and Nery and I even slipped in and took a photo and left it for the happy couple in a scrapbook with the other photos so that the happy couple can go back later and see everything. I heard they squeezed seven people in there so I am sure there are some fun photos.

Video: Rey Dominguez. He did a wonderful job. I have not seen the video yet but he was there for everything.

I am sure I am missing someone so I will go over notes and add details as I remember them.

Jennifer and Michael 4-11-09

2009-04-15T12:10:00.000-07:00

This was a great wedding. Another one where the groom was very involved in the planning. In fact he was the one that called me. Jennifer and Michael live out of state and were planning a wedding in Austin that would host friends and family from 15 different states. They kept things very personal. Michale's brother performed the ceremony. I also thought the champagne toast at the end of the ceremony was great.

Here is the breakdown.

Stress Free Staff Present: Becky, Nery, Susan, and Dawn (Thanks Girls for all your hard work. Nery not sure how you always end up at the popcorn machine but you bag popcorn so well)

Ceremony Music: Mike Valliere (looking for guitarist check him out I was very impressed. I have his contact information somewhere. I am still looking for it. He did a great job. He has a great voice as well.)

Reception Music: Stretch Sound JT came through. He was hired to host the sound system and Jennifer and Michael would play their music from their Ipods. The week of the wedding Jennifer asked him to play for a couple of hours after all and he was more then willing. I think he ended up playing all night. I saw them rocking the night away several times.

Photographer: Adrienne Annas this was my first time with wok with Adrienne and I really enjoyed working with her.

Food: Prepared by Rudy's BBQ (served by Stress Free Staff)

Personal Flowers: Westbank Flower market

Check back soon for links to the above vendors.

Kristin and Michael 4-4-09

2009-04-15T11:06:00.000-07:00

This was one of those weddings that I just stumbled across. Kristien's mother works at the front desk at the activity center where I work out. She found out what I do and started asking questions. Kristin and her mom Susan planned this wedding in a very short time. It was very much a DIY effort.

Event Held at Quail Creek Country Club San Marcos

Cake by The Cake Pan

Dinner by the family of the Groom

Decorations by the Bride and her mother.

They opted to not have a formal photographer for the day but asked all their family and friends to share pictures. I took as many as I could for them. It was such a joy to work with them.

Michelle and John March 28th 2009

2009-04-15T06:20:00.000-07:00

This was such an awesome couple. John was at every planning meeting. He was very involved in the whole process and you could see how much they loved each other. They were so cute. I can't wait to get professional photos to share. Nery took some photos at the reception site for me, but I don't have anything with Michelle and John. I know I will get those soon. Again these are from my simple camera I can't wait for the professionals. I will link those soon. If you have questions about any of the vendors please let me know and I will be glad to share, they all did a fab. job.

In the mean time hope you enjoy these photos. The wedding was at Central Christian Church in San Antonio and the reception followed at the Pearl Stables. It was a fabulous event, and beautiful location.

My staff for this event were Nery Lauderdale and Della Uhr. Thank you so much ladies for all your hard work.

Back to Blogging

2009-04-13T07:09:00.000-07:00

I will be back to my regularly scheduled blogging sometime this week. I am three weddings behind. I am so sorry. I just wanted to get some great photos to share with you first. They have been great but busy weddings and I have not taken too many photos at them. But I still want to show you what is going on in the weddings of Stress Free Brides this month. I have another wedding this weekend and then I have a weekend off. So it will give me time to catch up if I don't get them all this weekend.

April Booking Specials

2009-04-01T10:24:00.000-07:00

I have some specials for any brides booking their wedding with me this month. The wedding can be anytime in 2009, but if the contracts are signed this month then you can take advantage of the following specials.

1.) April booking vendor referral. This is a free help in locating one of your vendors. This only applies to couples using us for day of coordination services. I will give you the names of three to five vendors in your budget and available for your date that you can meet with and see if they fit your needs.

2.) Pick up/Return Service. We usually reserve pick up and returning of rental items or gifts, or anything like that for our full service packages, but we will make arrangements for one pick up and one return on your big day.

These services are in addition to the services you already receive and the use of any of the items we have in stock.

We look forward to working with you.

Wild West Photos

2009-03-23T06:25:00.000-07:00

Love this shot Allen asked them to look like Rough and Tough Cowboys.

The kids playing with swords. Cowboys, Pirates, Jedi's who knows but they had fun.

Hula Hoop Game

playing ring toss.

My nephew about to ride off in the open range in a pink Barbie Jeep.

the birthday cupcakes. (don't know what look I have there but the kids..look at the cute kids)

mini jam session on the porch. Allen, his brother and father

Wild West Birthday Party

2009-03-21T18:00:00.000-07:00

Today was the Wild West Birthday Party. This party was for my son who turned 7 and my daughter who turned 5. They share a birthday and thus share a birthday party. I know a day will come that my diva (I mean daughter) will decide she needs her own party.

This was defiantly one I would say was a successful party. We have the curse of the Spring Break birthday so attendance is usually low and a lot of family.

The Details

Kids were dressed in Cowboy costumes we found at Cracker Barrel.

Every child that came got a cowboy/cowgirl hat.

We had a ring toss game out side and the swing set. Kids played there as we waited for everyone.

We played a round of lasso the cows. Its chase. The cowboy is it and has to chase the other player (cows) around with a hula hoop and once caught they are it. It worked well.

Eventually the kids just played with the hula hoops and ran in the yard or played in the kids rooms

We ate (hot dog bar, Slider Burger Bar, chips, fruit, veggies)

Had Cup cakes (i made 140 mini cupcakes-chocolate, carmel, and lemon).

Played some more and opened gifts and played some more.

Allen ended up outside on the porch playing guitar. Until then we had country music playing as many old songs as we could find.

I had more games planned, but the kids were playing so well together that I didn't want to disrupt that. They had fun and that was key.

Oh each child went home with a goody bag for the trail A red bandana filled with a juice box, beef jerky, goldfish crackers, playdoh, sheriff badges. The kids handed these out to the guest after they opened their gifts and said thank you to everyone as they handed them the trail bags.

Here are some photos of the day. (will add some more tomorrow my system is uploading really slow).

Photographers Contest

2009-03-18T20:17:00.000-07:00

Vanessa is having a contest for her new blog. One of my brides is one of the contestants. I don't know if she wants the photo credit, but well honestly who does not want photos from their wedding. Eliza and Ben were awesome. So if you want to check it out and vote for a fellow SFE (Stress Free Event) Bride go here and Eliza is number 25

PJ and Kris March 10th 2009

2009-03-17T15:49:00.000-07:00

I promise to post some photos that the photographer took as soon as she has them ready. This wedding was just a reception set up and I helped get everyone in order to go down the aisle. PJ did great with the green and white/cream colors. The wedding and reception were at the Salt Lick Pavillion and Flowers were by Petal Pushers. The Cakes were from the Sweet Stuff. I love the old windows used as photo frames. Here are a few photos.

Its getting busy

2009-03-16T14:51:00.001-07:00

Okay ladies wedding season is here. I have weddings or events of some kind just about every weekend the next few months. I will be getting to all of your weddings as soon as I can. I have to get details on the weddings coming up first so it may take a day or two to get to your question if your wedding is not that upcoming weekend. I will still get to you as soon as possible and well before you need an answer. Keep me in the loop via email and phone calls. I have had a few slow months and have been able to respond to emails at the drop of a hat, and I will try that as much as possible, but some days I know it won't be and would rather give you all a heads up now and not surprise you later or you think I forgot about you. I love all of you and want your days to be amazing so don't worry we will get it all done.

Bought some Stuff

2009-03-16T14:38:00.000-07:00

I went to Hobby Lobby to get items for the kids birthday party this weekend and well I can't leave with out venturing over to the bridal aisle. Well it was 50% off Bridal Event. I can't resist a good sale. I got another arch. Don't need two but the one i had didn't have the screws so I got another. I will be selling the other for cheap soon as I get it out of storage. I got a swag that is greenery and white orchids and smaller flowers great for the arch. Another veil not sure why but again why not. I also bought 14 yards or tulle to go with the arch in white. A couple of bright pink bows and pink matching pink tulle, thin. Add all that to 3 sets (2 in each set) of taper candle holders I got the other day at Walgreen's. My collection to offer you all is really growing. I hope to help you cut some of your costs. Oh and I have two sets of candle holders that are really cool its about two feet long seven candle holders (votive) bottom is black iron the holders are frosted white or frosted red its two full sets. oh and they go up in an arch. this is defiantly a table top decoration. I am always on the look out for things that might help you out. I will be taking photos soon I promise.

Something Old, SOmething New

2009-03-09T18:14:00.000-07:00

Thanks for all the kind words and prayers this last week. I am sorry I was a little out of touch. I think I said my last goodbye this afternoon to family so things should be getting back to normal, just in time for the wedding season. So where do we get this fun tradition?

Something old,

something new

Some thing borrowed,

something blue

And a silver sixpence in her shoe. (this line is often omited now days).
A sixpence is a coin that was minted in Britain from 1551 to 1967. It was made of silver and worth six pennies. So this wedding tradition is definitely English. It may date back to the Victorian era.
Each item in this poem represents a good-luck token for the bride. If she carries all of them on her wedding day, her marriage will be happy. "Something old" symbolizes continuity with the bride's family and the past. "Something new" means optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead. "Something borrowed" is usually an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride. The borrowed item also reminds the bride that she can depend on her friends and family.
As for the colorful item, blue has been connected to weddings for centuries. In ancient Rome, brides wore blue to symbolize love, modesty, and fidelity. Christianity has long dressed the Virgin Mary in blue, so purity was associated with the color. Before the late 19th century, blue was a popular color for wedding dresses.
And finally, a silver sixpence in the bride's shoe represents wealth and financial security. It may date back to a Scottish custom of a groom putting a silver coin under his foot for good luck. For optimum fortune, the sixpence should be in the left shoe. These days, a dime or a copper penny is sometimes substituted, and many companies sell keepsake sixpences for weddings. You may want to check out coin shops as well, many big cities have them. There are a couple in the Austin area that usually have the old sixpence still, but expect to pay more then six pennies for it now.

Care to share what your items were or will be?

My old was the pearls I got from my grandfather. They were my grandmothers.

My new was my dress

My borrowed was a locket charm with my hubbies picture as a boy in it. I pinned it inside my dress. My mother in law let me borrow it.

My blue was a ribbon on my garter

My sixpence was not. I wanted one but never got around to finding one. I could have done a penny but seemed pointless.

He is Gone

2009-03-05T20:55:00.000-08:00

It was a long battle but my grandfather is done fighting and can rest now. He passed this afternoon. I am working tomorrow and saturday afternoon. After my saturday wedding we will have a small family only memorial at my mothers house and large family meal. Sunday and Monday I will be available by email and phone for emergencies, but I am going to take those days to visit with family coming in from out of town and processing everything I need to process. Thank you all for your kind words and support this week as its been hard, but I am blessed that I had him this long.

On a Very Personal Note

2009-03-01T19:38:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share with you all that I am still here I am still working and any upcoming weddings are not in jeopardy I will be there as promise. I have been a little less talkative this week though. My grandfather has lived a long life. The last few years have been riddled with Alzheimer's. He ended up in the hospital a month ago from it (he became uncontrollably violent). This week he took a turn for the worse. He will not be making. We have removed all life supporting efforts and just waiting and spending every moment we can with him. I was there today for seven hours with my mom, and two brothers and sister in law. My mom ended up staying and one of us will be there until he passes. We expect that to me in the next few days. So if I don't reply to an email as fast as usual I apologize. If you have something that needs immediate attention please call my cell 512-945-5459 I will most likely welcome the distraction. We are prepared for his passing. We will be fine. Tears will be shed as they already have been, but we know we have to go on with our daily lives. If we have meetings planned I will be there unless I have called you to tell you otherwise. I appreciate your understanding. Oh and that's him at Christmas in the photo.

I really need a logo

2009-02-25T19:50:00.000-08:00

I love my website. The fonts are perfect. So this is not about that, but its more about my cards and promotional items. I want to start getting some promotional items and everything I see has a logo. I just can't think of anything. I have sketched, doodled, and played with this for a very, very long time. I want something simple that can be easily put on stationary, cards, pens, shirts, etc. At the same time I want it to have staying power. I don't want to get board of it in a year and start all over again. I have thought about having a contest to see if any of my brides, friends, family, and general followers might have an idea, but alas I can't even think a prize to offer for the contest. Maybe a t-shirt or polo with the new logo on it? Okay would anyone even want that? Well if anyone has any ideas for a logo let me know. We will work out the prize or compensation later. Oh and my other dilemma do I focus on weddings which is most of what I do or something more generic to encompass my other events? Maybe I need two a wedding one and an other events. Wait that's getting crazy. okay enough late night ramblings.

Vendor Spotlight

2009-02-24T14:29:00.000-08:00

I have had the chance to work with Lisa Woods and she really is amazing. I have several photographers that I could introduce you to (and will) but I wanted to start with Lisa. I asked her to tell me about herself and share with me some fun photos she wanted me to share and this is what she told me. Visit her website here.

I have always known that I wanted to do something in the art world. At first I thought it would be interior design, after spending a year in college studying interior design I decided I needed to rethink my options. I went to Oxford England to study abroad my second year and went all over Europe traveling around taking pictures of anything and everything! The ability to capture beauty that was already there became a drive and an outlet for my creative mind. It wasn't until after having my two kiddos that I had the desire to actually make money at doing something I loved so much. I owe everything to my creator without whom I would not have the courage and strength to deal with all that is involved in owning your own business. I also am so thankful for my husband and kids, it is their constant encouragement and love that keeps me going even when things get tough.

Making a Chuppa

2009-02-23T07:48:00.000-08:00

I get these wild hairs sometimes and my family just goes right along with me. I am oh so grateful for that. I was meeting with one of my brides yesterday that is getting married at the end of the year. They will be having a Jewish ceremony. With that they need a Chuppa to stand under. I was sitting there thinking that my dad could make one of those. So I tell them I am going to look into this. I come up with an idea so that its easy to transport and hopefully sturdy. I call dad explain it to him and he agrees easy to make. So he is researching materials for me this week and we will start building it in a few weeks. I have been looking at pictures online and love all the ones I have found. I know its a Jewish tradition, but they are appealing to me more then an arch right now. I will have to take photos once we get it built. I am blessed with a talented family and ones willing to help me out when my brain takes off like this.

A little side job

2009-02-21T09:22:00.000-08:00

I love when I get little side jobs, but this one goes hand in hand with what I am already doing. My father has been very active for years the the San Marcos VFW Hall (Veterans of Foreign Wars). Well turns out the lady that books the hall for outside events has too much on her plate and wants to give up some of the duties. While some of the job description is still being defined. All in all I am in charge of handling the bookings for the hall. Whenever someone is interested in using it for a party, or meeting, they will call me. I check the master calender and get them to sign contracts. The hall is just a few miles from my house so I can run up there quick and easy to give the tour and show them the contract. I don't have to be there for the events so it does not conflict with my weddings. They have a security staff and bartenders there for each party so they won't need me there. I have to meet the VFW hall post commander today. The lady currently doing this said its just to woo him with my people skills. I think I can do that. People Skills is something that comes pretty naturally. My teachers in elementary school said it was excessive talking, but I know better they were jealous of my amazing people skills. Well the jobs not in the bucket yet, but still its looking good. So wish me luck as I go meet with them today.

Love the one your With

2009-02-18T14:16:00.000-08:00

Okay here it is. You are in the middle of planning your big day. You have sent your wedding planner five emails today. And will send them another ten tomorrow. Your wedding date is fast approaching and you have not finished the seating charts, the programs, the table numbers, and you have not heard from the photographer in a month. Your head is swimming with wedding to do's but right now you need to take a breath. Take a step back and remember what you are doing. You are not just planning a wedding. You are starting a marriage. How would that marriage be if when you got to the alter your soon to be spouse said, "Hi, I'm Bill your fiance, nice to see you again."

In all your crazy hectic wedding planning you need to remember the ones that you are doing this for. You and your fiance. So right now. Get off the blog and send your honey a special little love note in his email, or a text. Call him. Plan on fixing him a nice dinner this week. Or going out for dinner. Dress up. Send Flowers, cookies, o candy to their work (ladies men like their co-workers to know they are loved too). Take a moonlit walk. Go to a concert. It doesn't matter but find some time to spend together.

Oh and one rule YOU MAY NOT TALK ABOUT WEDDING PLANS FOR THE WHOLE DATE. Yep you can do it. I know you can. Talk about why you love each other and if you must how happy you are to be getting married but no talk of tulle, taffeta, flowers, favors, or vendors. You can do it. Oh and let me know how the dates go. I hope to hear you were able to relax. You will find the rest of the planning and projects will get done.

Happy Valentines to All.

2009-02-14T08:09:00.001-08:00

Well this is the first year in a few years that we are going to do something for valentines day. We usually only make something at home and exchange cards. Well at least the past few years once we had kids. Its not a bad thing, but this year we are actually exchanging gifts and going out for dinner with another couple. They have some older kids that will be watching our kids. So dinner out with no kids adult conversation and gifts. I am so excited.

So I hope you all are doing something nice even if its a nice dinner in. Take some time and tell your wonderful fiance' or spouse why you love them.

email is back

2009-02-12T16:38:00.000-08:00

Yep let me just say the guys at Sparknet Creative are awesome. I walk in with my laptop cry out my plea for help and they had me up and running again in a matter of minutes. I am so lucky to have such a great group of web guys. So I can send out emails again. I think I will still be another day before I am caught up on all my emails but I am plugging away at it.

Email issues again

2009-02-11T20:25:00.000-08:00

I am receiving emails without trouble but have not been able to send out any emails today. If this does not resolve itself tomorrow morning I will be replying to emails from a yahoo email account. I am working on setting that up tonight so not sure what the email will be, but just know that if you get something from an odd email it really is me, but my regular email is working to get in touch with me.

Vendor Spotlight

2009-02-11T12:17:00.000-08:00

I would like to take a minute to introduce you to a vendor I have had some great experience with. Dawn with The Cake Pan has opened her cake business this past year. She does cakes for all occasions. She has done a wedding cake, and a reception cake for me. She has also done some cakes for dedication cakes that I was privileged enough to eat. Her work is always so well done, and her prices are great. She is very creative. If you have an idea or theme she can work with you on it. Her prices are very reasonable. Check her out. And look for more vendor spotlights coming soon.

Postage Inclrease

2009-02-10T14:08:00.000-08:00

Well Ladies they are doing it to us again. Raising the price of postage. So while the specialty stamps may be appealing with the roses and pretty wedding messages they are not going to do much good come May 11th. I wanted to let you know so you can plan accordingly for your invitations. You may not want to stockpile stamps right now that won't be good without additional postage. You also may want to get the forever stamps and save some money on the invitations. Another option that might be better is buying the stamps you like with a wedding feel to them after may 11th and buying forever stamps now that you can put on the response cards. Also think about your time line. Your invitations maybe going out before the 11th but response cards may not be mailed back before then. Just plan for these things. Will save you and your guest some trouble. If you have questions just ask. Here is a link to the postal website with the information.http://www.usps.com/prices/pricechanges.htm