I'm crying again. Only this time it's because I'm laughing so hard.

Nicole of RSVP Shindig in Denver is not only one of the best wedding planner/designers in the country (Do you see this gorgeous reception she designed?), but she is hands down the most hilarious person I think I may have ever known. She has me in stitches on a regular basis. The other night I was so sick that I was chugging Nyquil while I twittered away...

My Twitter:

catching up on emails, wishing I was at the TableSix party having tuna tartare and champagne and not here eating Halls and sipping nyquil.via Twitter - 6:15pm - 6 Comments

Nicole's comment (via facebook):

Rsvp Shindig at 7:08pm December 4:
Add a glass of wine and you'll think you are having champagne.

I know she's going to shoot me for putting this picture of her on here, but that's what she gets for not coming here for vacation {This is me calling you out}. This is Nicole hard at work getting some logistics worked out for that same tent you see above.

Anyhoo, if you're ready to bust a gut, read this recent blog post of hers

Spreading the holiday cheer Captiva, Sanibel, Naples, Ft Myers Wedding Venues & Vendors

This week we did our annual holiday cheer deliveries to a few of our favorite venues and vendors we worked with this year.
{This year we made gifts of a baby Rosemary Christmas tree, baguettes from Panera, Olive Oil & Balsalmic Vinegar, and a dipping bowl with a super cheesy holiday card I designed. I don't think Hallmark will be hiring me anytime soon}
Here we are at our first stop: Floral Artistry. Beth was gone for the day and Yanna was tied up on the phone. From there we headed out to South Seas. Kind of a drive- so we played a game of iphone Name that Tune. That Shazam app is so cool!
I thought, "You know what, maybe our clients and readers might like to see some of the people we're always talking about!" So here's the ones we were able to catch on camera:The Sales and Catering Team from South Seas Island Resort
Kathi & Sarah from Talent! The Agency of Choice

Lynn Alexander from LaPlaya Beach ResortThe Sales & Catering Team from Casa Ybel Resort
Rob & AnnMarie Epple of AMC Video

We also made deliveries at Grandezza (Sean Hynes), Miromar Beach Club (Lesley O'Quinn), Sanibel Harbour Resort (Kristin Lawrence)and the Ritz Carlton Naples Beach (Nicola Long)...but they were all tied up getting ready for weddings. Hope you're having fabulous ones!
A huge thank you to all of you for being part of another year of so many great weddings!

To those who made me cry today:Thank you

Writer bride and Ashley. Your words meant so much more than you could possibly imagine. I'd love to copy and paste them here, but I'm afraid I'd cry every time I logged on. So I'll just place your pictures here so everyone can see your pretty smiles :)

Venue Spotlight: MediterraA Place for a Grand Naples Wedding

"This is so beautiful", I think I said that about 43 times during our tour of this magnificent Naples property. Mediterra is a departure from our regular wedding venues because it's a country club; but this is not your run of the mill country club by any stretch of the imagination.
I had nothing but feelings of grand elegance from the moment I entered the gates to the Jasmine ivy growing throughout the porte cochere. Once inside we were greeted by Mary Ann Shea, the Events and Catering Manager who was gracious enough to give us the scoop on this beautiful venue.

I think the most jaw dropping spot was the ceremony location. Complete with a Romeo & Juliet balcony, long paved path, and fountain.
Unfortunately I was only able to get a couple of photos, but trust me- this is absolutely a place to put on your short list.

I'm really looking forward to planning a wedding out there. Here's a link to some video AMC took at a recent wedding they covered at Mediterra: Enjoy!

Create a back up plan that's as good as your fair weather plan

As much as I would love to live in the land of denial, sometimes it rains. Wedding planning 101 teaches: have a back up plan. Having an alternate ceremony location is not a back up plan. It's a big bold note at the top, yes. But that's it. Basically, your back up plan needs to be an exact duplicate of your fair weather plans, only with all the alternatives laid into place. There's more to it than where you'll ceremony will be if it's too hot & humid or cold and windy outside. A great back up plan is plans for a the wedding you would have loved to have inside. Not a compromise. Just a short list to get you thinking...

} Are you still able to have your formal photos in the same locations?
} Are the new locations going to cross paths with guests before the ceremony?
} Are you going to run into another wedding party?
} Are your guests going to get mixed up with another bride's guests?
} Is it going to take longer to transport all your guests, meaning that some elements will start later, and you'll need to extend end times?
} If it's too windy, will your amazing, totally unique, omg-I-can't-wait-to-see-it escort card display still work? And where will it go if it's inside?
} Do you have umbrellas ready to go? How will they be displayed and who's going to be responsible for them?
} Are the perfect apple green sheer overlays the same color inside the ballroom?
} Who will update all your vendors on all the changes?
} How will your guests know where to go to?
} How late can you order the heaters, and where do you want them placed?
} Does the rain plan cost more money? ick.

Back up plans are a puzzle - make sure yours has all the pieces in the box and they all fit together. Start with the flat edges, and work your way into the details! Gang, don't think for a minute this is a list of all the questions that need answered. Remember, its all about making sure there are no loop holes. That's what makes your wedding day smooth and seamless so that you have nothin' but love and fun celebrating the day away. If you invest the time into planning for ill weather, you can rest easy that you're having a fantastic wedding no matter what.
Oh, and do this way way way before wedding day. Better yet, call your planner and let her/him figure it all out, and don't think about it again.