The most stolen wedding book of all time.

This book has been replaced in our library five times now. It really seems to capture the best of options for creating a more personalized wedding ceremony.
I think what seems to be the draw to it is that its written so that you can pull pieces from different sections of the book, without having to read every single page. And you don't feel like the book is "trying" to teach you something.
Rather than take my fifth copy of the book, you can order here from Amazon:
The Wedding Ceremony Planner: The Essential Guide to the Most Important Part of Your Wedding Day

Will your finger fit?3 Tips for a smooth ring on the finger

 

We've been pretty lucky so far and haven't had any disasters at the altar. But India Bride isn't taking any chances. During our call yesterday she made 2 requests, for Windex Wipes and Vaseline. She knows her ring is on the tight side, so we're going to soak her hand in ice a few minutes before we send her down the aisle, and then spread a little vaseline on her finger. We'll also keep the ring wrapped in the wipe (in a mini ziploc) with the best man until the officiate asks for it. Hopefully between the 3 efforts we're making, it will be a "smooth" transition to married!

Tower of Flowers or Cakes or...

We take shopping seriously here at the studio. Can ya tell?Today I found this gem. Sitting empty it looks like a unique display piece, sure. Me, I don't see it like that.
I see an amazing focal point for a wedding.
What I love most about this piece for wedding design is that it isn't something you're going to stick in a corner or up against a wall. It's a showcase piece, and should be in the center of an area.
Honestly, walls and corners are my biggest pet peeve. I am forever seeing beautiful wedding cakes poorly placed where they can not be truly appreciated. Rather than "kind of" showing your cake, place it such a position that it can be viewed from different places in your room. Especially, especially, if your cake doesn't have a "back". Back to this piece...

Imagine each opening filled with a gorgeous spring flower arrangement of Peonies, Roses, Lisianthus, and Tulips; or something as striking as Black Magic Rose Pomanders perhaps?

Have a room with ridiculously high ceilings? Place this tower atop a table (be sure to use a very special linen- nothing like what is on your dinner tables) and surround it with your escort cards.

I also imagined it filled with large tiers of wedding cakes, each tier mimicking the design of the frame. It's rather classic but a far departure from anything I've ever seen.

Chinese Fortune Sticks

The fortune cookie craze at weddings came in and right back out again. You do have to admit though, getting that little fortune inside is always a little momentary fun, no matter the occassion.
A couple days ago I was at Pier 1 imports buying 3 stores out of lanterns for an upcoming wedding when I came across these very cool canisters.

The sticks have great little fortunes on them and are perfect conversations starters. So where would I use them at a wedding?

-On the bar at cocktail hour for sure.

-Tucked into a folded napkin at the dinner table.

-Attached to an escort card or place card. Maybe even make it an escort card by writing the table and name on the back of the stick.

-How about a table of fortune cakes at your welcome reception or rehearsal dinner? Simple round cakes with a couple dozen sticks to pull out of each.

-Still digging cupcakes? See if you can get the tall skinny cupcakes (baked in popover trays) so that they're a little longer to disguise the fortune.

Pier 1 doesn't have online ordering, so you'll have to call your local store to see if they have them. The sku number is: 2303274 and I found them on clearance for $2.48.
I also found them online here, but for $11.99.

Need a tent? Premier Tenting Solutions

It's a rare occasion when I find a rental company that I trust enough to come right out and endorse. Well, its officially an occasion. Should you be needing tents or rentals in Florida, I highly recommend Premier Tenting and Solutions. Here's the thing about tent & rental companies. Many times the product delievered doesn't match the product originally shown. It's a scary thought- I know. Also, having someone to speak to who really does know everything there is to know about the products available and why or why they won't work for the event you're planning is imperative. Premier tent (in Florida) has that guy: Owen McCloskey. You can reach him by email pretty darn quick! Owen{at}gowithpremier.com
Just in case you're wondering- this isn't a paid for blog post. I'm passing along this information because I really think that it can help many of you.

Honeymoon Red

Continuing on this weekends honeymoon theme...


-- Posted from my iPhone "Because I'm always on wedding style alert."
Kelly McWilliams

Honeymoon regrets!

It seems my previous post about the Marriott honeymoon registry struck a chord! There's a lot of Twitter regrets I'm hearing about. What does this mean? It means we're warning you! Learn from our mistakes and go on a honeymoon!


-- Posted from my iPhone "Because I'm always on wedding style alert."
Kelly McWilliams

Win some Honeymoon money!

My biggest wedding regret? I didn't go on a honeymoon. I am still kicking myself big time. So a few weeks ago I received an email about this pretty cool deal available from Marriott, I thought to myself, "Kelly, help a poor bride out!" Here's the deal below:
At www.MarriottRegistry.com engaged couples can register for a number of honeymoon items – hotel accommodations, spa services, romantic dinners and more. Gift values are accrued to one gift card, which the couple can then redeem at approximately 3,000 Marriotts either during the honeymoon or for future vacations. Additionally, Marriott will throw in a complimentary $100 when registry contributions reach $1,000 as well as rewarding guests with $50 Marriott Bonus Bucks for every $150 they give towards the registry.
Pretty nifty huh? So if I was to do it all over again, I would pick the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. To get someone very lucky started in their pursuit of honeymoon heaven, we're giving away $50 Marriott Bucks. Just comment on your dream destination for your honeymoon. Winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday.

Wedding Planning Text Message of the Week

Dress up your Palms

One thing I've noticed time and again is palm trees used as simple space fillers at wedding event sites. So far so good. They're lush, have great texture, life, and color. Where it gets bad is the container the tree is placed into. What seems to be the disappointing standard us a run down, falling apart, ugly at best basket.
Consider making your space fillers beautiful enhancements by upgrading the container they sit in. This one pictured here- perfect.





-- Posted from my iPhone "Because I'm always on wedding style alert."
Kelly McWilliams

Ever thought to get married in Key West?

Honestly, I think the pictures say it all. Say hello to Casa Marina.
Beach ceremony anyone?

The view once you pass thru the lobby.

This is what I call an a perfect non stuffy ballroom.

Now that you've picked your ultimate venue, enjoy a couples massage on the beach.

Ok, so maybe it isn't quite this easy. Contact Kaitlin Wright to get more information on having your wedding at Casa Marina.

No, it is NEVER okay to do this. Part 2

To follow up my post from earlier today; usually when I give this answer to the question, "Can I put where I'm registered at on the invitation?"
Reminder: the answer is still NEVER

The second question is, "Well then how do I let everyone know?"

You can let everyone know through your wedding website, word of mouth, and bridal shower invitation.

Question for all of you: Have you ever been invited to a wedding and NOT been able to find out where the couple is registered at?
Exactly. So no worries....we will all find out where to buy your gifts or if you'd rather just have cash for the new house your building. Your guests will ask, just politely spread the word through close friends and family.

No, it is NEVER okay to do this.

There are rules that can (and should be) thrown out the door. There are rules that are okay to bend. There are rules that I think should be written. But there is one rule that will never ever ever be okay:

It is not, under any circumstance, appropriate to include where you are registered at on your wedding invitation. NEVER.

And yes, I put that in caps because I am screaming it.
The end.

Wedding movies you should see at some point.

Being the weddingaholic that I am, wedding movies of course I love. These are but a few of my favorites. Please note that Father of the Bride, the epitome of wedding movies, is missing from the photo. That's because it has been a favorite for so long that I only own it on VHS (and I don't even own a VCR anymore). I know, I am embarassed.
Shown: Sex and the City, Wedding Date, Meet the Fockers, The Wedding Planner, Wedding Crashers, My Best Friends Wedding, and 27 Dresses. Next purchase: Bride Wars. Yes, I know it was ridiculously stereotypical. Who cares? It was entertaining, and that's what comedies are for.

The Pro Series: Michael Schuhmann

What do you get when you mix photopgraphy and art? Micheal Schuhmann. After reading his interview, be sure to view some of the slideshows on his website!

What are your company and profession?
Photography by Michael
What’s your name and title?
Michael Schuhmann
Where do you do weddings?
Tampa, Boca Grande, Italy, Cabo, Charleston, Connecticut, New York, Miami, Florida Keys, Orlando, St. Augustine, Sarasota, Marco Island, Sanibel, Naples...
Website:
www.photographybymichael.com
How long have you been in business?
15 Years
Why weddings?
An endless opportunity to create art. The pleasure I get when I find someone who truly understands and appreciates what I do.
What your clients most often commend you on?
Breath taking images. Timely service. Personal attention to details.
Best piece of advice for brides & grooms?
Spend as much as you can on photography, you wont regret it.
What is one thing that makes working with new clients easier?
Doing an engagement session helps them become more comfortable with me and the camera.
Can I find you on Twitter?
No, but I'm on Facebook.
What is the oddest request you’ve ever received? Or
What is the craziest thing you saw happen at a wedding?
Well, I was shooting this very chic outdoor wedding one day and the ceremony was just about to start and a guest came up to me and said" I have to tell you something" I said what, she said "your pants are split". Well the bride was about to walk down the isle so I had to keep shooting, then after the ceremony I had to photograph all of the family groups as well...later during the reception I located some duct tape and repaired my pants. Ahhhh what fun....
What is something you hope to do in the near future?
I'm going to Burning Man this month, after that I'm not sure.

Just Pretty Flowers

I thought a post of just pretty flowers would be a nice change:





All of the above can be found in Wedding Flowers. It's a European publication that I have come to love. The magazine has few advertisements and loads of pictures.

Designers Block

Having trouble finding inspiration for your wedding ceremony or reception design? Try heading to the fabric store. This is for sure one of my favorite stops when I'm trying to start building my design for a wedding. A great reason why fabric can be so great to start with is because you'll see colors that work together. Also, you might get lucky and find some fabric you love so much that you can have table cloths or runners made from it. If you do find something you love, buy a half yard or so and bring it with you to your florist, lighting designer, and baker when you have your consults.The newest issue of Brides Florida has a great section on using fabric for inspiration.