5 Must Have Tech Tools For Wedding Planning

Technology isn't the usually the first thing you think of when it comes to weddings, but the bridal industry is about to be taken over by young, willing and able tech entrepreneurs with one mission: to pull weddings into the 21st century with the latest apps, websites and online tools. After all, we've applied the latest tech to the rest of our lives why not use it to take the stress out of wedding planning too?


So how can you use this to your advantage? Before delving into wedding planning mode, arm yourself with the best tech tools to make things fun, easy and get what you really want.
Here are a couple of key areas where wedding and technology collide to make wedding planning a little easier and your big day a lot more fun!

Pin Your Plans

 

Finding inspiration for your wedding can be challenging and collecting all of the wonderful tidbits you come across online can also be challenging. This is where visual inspiration boards come in handy. Sites like Pinterest and Lover.ly are great ways to find, collect and scrapbook all of you wedding likes and ideas

Wedding Photo App

 

Thinking of buying disposable cameras so your guests can take photos at your wedding? Here's a better option: Apps like Snapable let you create an online album and allow guests to instantly upload the photos they take through a mobile app. It's less expensive, more environmentally friendly, and means you don't have to chase friends and family for photos after the wedding.

 

Online Gift Registries

 

Your first thought when it comes to a wedding registry is probably a big box store. But scanning toasters and tea towels isn't for everyone and limits you to what's available in that particular store. Try an online wedding registry that allows you to add anything from anywhere, or register for cash, and provides guests with a fun way to collaborate on big-ticket gifts.

 

 

Couples' App

 

Wedding planning requires that you and your partner stay organized and communicative. Pair is a mobile app for couples to stay connected and a great way to stay organized as you plan your wedding. Create task lists, keep track of important dates and stay in communication as your big day approaches.

 

 

Wedding Websites

 

A wedding website is no longer nice to have, but a must have. Luckily, Wordpress has made it easier with customized themes just for your wedding. Set up a free account, choose your favorite wedding theme and customize the images and wedding details, and colors to suit your big day.

 

 

Walked It Out...

Yesterday I got a chance to head over to the hotel for a walk through... The florist that I am now using had never been there so it was a good opportunity for her to go and check it out. I have to say that I am feeling good about things coming together.

I was also able to sit down and talk with the Wedding Coordinator at the hotel and finalize the menu items and additions. I am feeling like alot of things are coming into place the way I needed them to and its making me feel real good about our choices and decisions.

What were some of your biggest accomplishments during wedding planning?

Its Ok Thursday

 

Its Ok

 

to feel accomplished with every task in Wedding Planning because it is ALOT of work.

 

Its Ok

 

to take a break every now and again.. Its needed.

 

Its Ok

 

to let people help you... You will be so grateful when they do.

 

Its Ok

 

to Love and be in Love.... Its a Beautiful thing.

 

Happy 20th Anniversary Barack and Michelle

Wedding Planning: 6 Crucial Questions To Ask A Wedding Planner

You’re engaged! How exciting! Now what?

Most brides turn to wedding blogs and magazines for ideas and advice, only to quickly start feeling overwhelmed with all the steps that are involved in planning a wedding. All of a sudden, you have to start thinking about setting a budget, picking a date, finding a venue, hiring a caterer, and deciding on a theme—and that’s just in the first two months! Sounds like a full-time job—so how are we working girls supposed to handle all that?

Hire a wedding planner.

Yes, really. A good wedding planner (or coordinator or consultant) will be a key player in the success of your wedding. A planner can help you pick out a location, hire vendors, negotiate contracts, and coordinate all the logistics—so you’ll be able to relax and enjoy not only your big day, but the planning process, too.

So, how do you find a good one? Wedding magazines and blogs offer great advice about starter questions to ask when looking to hire a wedding planner—like what types of services she offers and the rates she’ll charge—but there’s a lot more that should go into selecting the person who’ll be a major part of your day. After you’ve gone over the basics, here’s what to ask to make sure you’re hiring the right person.


1. “How do you communicate with clients?”

Before hiring your planner, make sure you know how you’ll be keeping in touch with each other. Does email or phone work better? How does she feel about meeting in person? It’s also a good idea to find out how often you should be expecting to communicate with your planner. Some brides do better with weekly check-ins, while others want be involved as little as possible. If your planner works part-time (some planners have full-time gigs and do weddings on the weekend), make sure she’ll be available when you need to contact her.

2. “How many clients do you have in a year, and in my wedding month?”

The answer to this question will give you an idea of how much your planner will be available to you during the planning process. Planning a wedding is time-consuming and requires great attention to detail. If your planner has too many weddings booked around the same time as yours, the success of your event—not to mention your trust in her ability to juggle it all—could suffer. High-end planners should book no more than 1-2 weddings per month, whereas day-of coordinators can get away with 3-4 weddings per month.

3. “Do you work alone or with a team?”

Consider the size of your guest list. There’s a lot more involved in planning and executing an event with 300 guests compared to an event with 75 guests. Does the planner have any assistants she works with during the planning process? How about on the day of your wedding? Make sure you feel confident that your planner will have enough support to be able to handle all the details, guests, and vendors at your wedding. (It’s also a good idea to clarify that your planner will be attending the wedding, not assigning someone else from her team to run the show.)

4. “What happens in the case of an emergency?”

Let’s face it—no matter how much planning work you do together, things can happen. So definitely ask your planner about her Plan B is if she’s not able to make it to your wedding. A good planner will have a back-up plan for every scenario that comes up, including her own illness or emergency.

5. “What additional fees do I need to know about?”

This is an area that isn’t often talked about until after all the vendors are hired, but you should ask it up front to avoid unexpected costs. A caterer’s estimate, for example, will include charges for the food, labor, taxes, and gratuity, but you may still need to tip the servers at the end of the night. And a 10-15% tip on top of all the service fees can put a serious dent in your budget! Make sure your planner is able to explain any potential hidden costs that may come up with each vendor, venue, or service, so you’re able to plan your budget accordingly.

6. “Do you have any questions for me?”

Keep in mind that your potential planner should be asking you lots of questions as well. You’re both trying to get to know each other and see how well you’ll work together—since you’ll be spending the next 9-12 months together planning one of the best days of your life! Your planner should be just as concerned as you are about the success of your wedding. And if she’s not? Don’t hire her.

Now that you’ve got some idea of what you’re looking for, try to interview 2-4 wedding planners before making a decision. You want to be confident that your planner is a good fit—so you and your fiancé can have the best day of your lives.

Photos of the Week

Theses Photos of the Week are of Mr. and Mrs. Barack Obama.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today they celebrate their 20th Wedding Anniversary. In a world where people give up and don't hang it, its nice to have role models like them who show that even with the most extreme of positions, you can still have balance with love. Here is to the President and First Lady... Cheers and best Wishes!

50 Wedding Acts of Kindness

50 Wedding Acts of Kindnes

1. Be courteous and kind.

To everyone – and all the time. Family, friends, and wedding vendors are there to help make your day memorable, not work for you. Be kind, courtesy, and appreciative – it goes a long way!

 

2. Say Please and Thank You often.

by little minnow designs
3. Expect nothing.

No expectations is a great way to live, let alone plan your wedding. If you expect nothing, you won’t be disappointed – and you’ll often find yourself pleasantly surprised.

 

4. Select a bridesmaid dress that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

The bridesmaid dress will most likely be worn only once. Plus, dresses can be downright expensive! If you find one you love, offer to pay a portion for each bridesmaid to help defray the cost.

 

5. Let bridesmaids select their own shoes.

If you’re specific on color, pick something like black which most women already own. Wearing their own shoes means they’ll be happy with how they look, feel, and since they’re probably already worn in they won’t be in pain all night.

 

6. Ask your honey what is most important to them for the wedding…

… and make it happen.

 

7. Ask your Mom or other important person to go dress shopping with you.

And make it a girls’ day to remember.

 

8. Surprise your bridesmaids with manicures a few days before the wedding.

9. Donate your wedding favor budget to charity.

by nostalgic imprints
10. Put gowns back the way you found them after trying ‘em on.
It will make the dress attendants day much easier… and it’s the right thing to do!

 

11. Surprise your honey with date night – and nix the wedding talk for a night.

12. Register only for things you need, love, and will use.

13. When you receive a gift to your home, snap a photo of you with it…

… and send with the thank you card.

 

14. Spend your wedding budget on things that matter to you both at your wedding.

Make sure both visions of a perfect wedding day are met.

 

15. Ask friends and family members for favorite song requests and add them to the playlist.

They’ll feel included – and will appreciate the gesture.

 

16. Honor a loved one who passed away with a bouquet charm or special memento.

For example, one bride attached these charms to her shoes so her deceased father could walk her down the aisle…

(image via pinterest)

17. Ask your Mom or Dad about their wedding day and tie in a memorable detail.

I borrowed my Mom’s bridal purse, which was given as a wedding gift by my Grandmother.

 

18. Arrange transportation for the bridal party (if your budget allows).

If the ceremony and reception are in separate locations, arrange for a limo or shuttle to transport your bridal party.

 

19. Tip well.

And often.

 

20. Arrange for a wedding shuttle…

… for out of town guests at their hotel, budget-allowing of course. I attended a wedding where the bride arranged for a shuttle at our hotel which was awesome because we were unfamiliar with the area.

 

21. Make welcome bags for out of town guests.

Include fresh fruit, water, snacks, a thank you card, and a map, along with notable places to visit nearby.

 

22. Save your Dad a dance.

photo by jemma coleman via southern weddings
23. Ask a family member to contribute his or her talent.

For instance, ask a cousin to contribute her talent for floral design, your aunt to give her famous apple pie recipe for your dessert table, or ask a musician to contribute music for the ceremony.

 

24. Can’t agree? Compromise.

If you and your honey can’t agree on something, compromise. Better yet – flip a coin. It’s not worth a second arguing.

 

25. Listen.

If your mind is made up on something, be quiet and listen anyway: it may be worth considering.

 

26. Provide fun games for guests who don’t like to dance.

Read our article on how to entertain guests at a wedding for some fun suggestions.

 

photo by shyla photography
27. Laugh.

Often. You’ll feel better and stress out less.

 

28. Reserve a space for honored family members to sit at the ceremony (and reception).

by k&l inspirations
29. Dance.

You know what makes guests get on their feet and dance? When they see the bride and groom dancing!

 

30. Provide flip flops for sore feet.

Ah, a lifesaver for high-heeled guests!

 

31. Provide a basket in the bathroom with essentials for guests.

This is a great idea and guests will be so thrilled you went the extra step! Read more on the must-haves here (+ snag a FREE printable!).

 

32. Make gift bags for kids at the reception to keep them entertained.

Kids get bored at weddings, at least until the dancing begins. Keep them happy with coloring books, crayons, word games, puzzles, and more.

 

33. Let guests request songs at the reception.

34. If giving favors, make them memorable.

Don’t say thanks with a throw-away gift! Give guests things they’ll actually use and enjoy, like bags of candy, coffee favors (try Apropos Roasters), homemade candles, beer soap (give Dirty Deeds Soaps a look), printed photos from your photo booth, etc.

 

35. Give the bridal party gifts they’ll actually use (+ enjoy).

Again, the gifts you give ought to be memorable. Try this list of 50 Must-Have Bridesmaid Gifts for your girls.

 

36. Let him plan the bachelor party with his best man.

It’s his party – mind your business!

 

37. Enjoy the events leading up to the big day.

This time goes by in an instant, so step back and enjoy the events as they unfold. You’ll thank yourself later.

 

38. If getting married in cold or rainy weather…

… provide blankets or inexpensive umbrellas for guests. I was at Ikea a few weeks ago and spotted these umbrellas which are only $2.99 each (if you’re an IKEA family member, which is free) and are available in a multitude of colors. For blankets, buy in bulk to save some money. You can also bring your own blankets for guests to borrow and ask family members to contribute theirs. Just be sure to have a basket for guests to put the blankets back at the end of the night.

photo by kgoodphoto via bowties and bliss
39. Give yourself a wedding planning break when you need it.

This is one way to be kind to yourself. Wedding planning can be stressful, and you owe it yourself to take a day off every so often. Rent a movie. Go for a bike ride. Exercise. Go on a date with your hubby to be. Play video games.

 

40. Give your bridal party an advance itinerary.

Include important dates, events, and locations so they can plan ahead (with work or school schedules).

 

41. Arrange for ushers at your ceremony…

… especially important if you have elderly guests in attendance.

 

42. Include a thank you card at each guest’s seat.

by cheerup cherup
43. Be generous.

44. Donate your dress to a bride in need.

Places like The Bride’s Project help you donate a dress to someone who can’t afford one. It’s a great way to pay it forward.

 

45. Learn how to shrug it off.

My Dad told me while planning my wedding that if something happened – i.e. the cake never came, the flowers undelivered – that he’d find a way to make it work. (What a guy! – P.S. We didn’t need to improvise, but it was nice to have a backup plan just in case.) Grocery stores offer sheet cake, flowers, or anything else you may need in a pinch. So, if something happens, shrug it off and improvise. It happens! You’ll laugh about it later. Remember: if you’re married at the end of the day, your wedding day was a success. :)

 

46. Send thank you cards (for all wedding events) as soon as possible.

47. Spend a little time with all of your wedding guests.


photo by mark williams studio via southern weddings via pinterest
48. Donate any uneaten leftovers to a shelter.

49. Donate your wedding flowers to hospitals.

Bring them over the day after the wedding or arrange for family members to assist. Your pretty flowers will be enjoyed and brighten up rooms of so many people. Places like Random Acts of Flowers makes the donating process even easier.

 

50. Never, EVER be a Bridezilla.

It doesn’t look good on anyone.

* * *
Happy Planning!

Those Special Moments...

Scott and I had dinner plans with The Fricks last night and we took a slight detour along PCH to see the Sunset. As he was driving he reached over and took my hand in his.... It made me smile even for such a simple gesture. After driving along and still more time to kill he asked if we should stop at Pinkberry... I am a firm believer that dessert before dinner helps digest food better so I was up for it.

We shared a Pinkberry and got to spend some time together just He and I... I Loved It.

 

 

Its the simple things in life we forget.. Buts its nice when it is remembered.

 

 

The Pre-Wedding Advice You Need to Hear

No one really warns you that after that magical minute and a half where you and your partner decide to make a lifelong, legally-binding, love-based commitment, a whole mess of other people get involved. And they can really put a damper on things.

Especially for those brides and grooms like myself, who's future in-laws didn't quite see them as up to par for their child or their family. Wedding planning is already tough with all of your time, money and ego stretched to the limit, but if one of your parents is trying to stop the whole shebang from happening, engagement can become the final stage of your relationship.

So to prevent that, here are some bulletproof ways to remember your wedding is about the two people making that promise to each other... and not any other family member with a very vocal opinion.

1. COME UP WITH THE ONE THING that is most important to you and the person you are marrying for your mutual big day and OWN IT.

Figuring out what you dream of most for your nuptials -- no matter how small or grand or untypical it is -- and sharing it with your partner will put you in charge of each other's wishes. Your one thing might be to have "all the most beautiful flowers you can afford gathered in one place," or even to get "far enough away from home that only people who really love you will make it there."
Admitting these things to yourself first, and then to each other, will greatly inform all your other decisions. When I was planning my wedding it was just after I lost a loved one to a drunk driver. My one thing was a wedding destination where absolutely no one could drive to or from our events, as lots of alcohol would be served. My groom had a huge family that lives all over the world and his one thing was to be able to invite as many of them as possible. With those two directives, we ruled out getting married where we lived (too expensive to fit a large wedding) or in either of the cities where we grew up (people might drink and drive home) and suddenly, a destination wedding was born! Crafting each one thing was not only helpful to define and organize, but it was also as the first step in claiming the day for us.


2. TAKE ALL THE ADVICE YOU GET and put it through the "US FILTER."

When your mother has thoughts about your wedding dress/music/flowers or transportation -- because she always wanted a different kind of wedding dress/music/flowers or transportation -- she will often fail to mention that second part. Rather, she might wholeheartedly believe and advise you that she loves her idea for you. And after she spends some time selling you on it, you, too, might love her idea and be shocked when you go back to your partner with, "I want to ride a horse and buggy, alone, to our civil ceremony in the middle of our city, and you can just meet me at the courthouse," and he has some doubts. Because you may have also forgotten where this bright idea came from. That's when you need the Us Filter.

U- Understanding where an idea came from -- and then asking yourselves
S- Servicing who's needs or wants?

Just a few weeks before my wedding, my fiancé mentioned something about the Korean ceremony we would be having in the middle of our wedding vows. Which was particularly jarring to me, not only because I am not Korean and had never heard of this before, but because he also casually mentioned it required a wardrobe change out of my wedding gown into something his mother would pick for me.

I may have screamed: "US filter."

After careful consideration, we understood the idea came from his parents' relatives, who were not even remotely interested in servicing our needs. But before taking it off the table, we researched together what this ceremony entailed and thought it might be a great homage to his Mom and Dad for our rehearsal dinner the night before!
The US filter is important to help every couple define where their parents, friends or relatives needs' end -- and your own begin.



3. Go to a nearby drugstore and BUY TWO OF THE SILLIEST MASKS you can find.

Weddings are a big business. Alongside familial pressure, wedding blogs, magazines and purveyors of all things for the big day can also make you feel that this one event must be the sum total of your life so far. Or even worse, be a show of what your life is going to be like in the future. When really, it's about making a promise to someone you love and having some food together afterwards.
The best way I found to not take the whole thing too seriously was to put on a bozo the clown mask every time I sat with my fiancé to plan it. I also bought him big ears, a top hat and a plastic nose to wear so we might remember we were really just planning a party. We wore these masks like our uniform for the planning talks during our engagement and they never failed to make me laugh -- both at myself and ourselves any time it all got too serious. They also reminded to make the one event I would spend more money on than any other in my life... a good time for both of us.
Because in truth, engagement and marriage have little in common. During the latter you and your partner will draw straws to see who is in charge of your household, your calendar, your money and other important departments of your life together. But until you get there, don't allow yourself to breakdown in the pre-marriage tunnel because too many voices are giving you direction on how to get out. Just follow the light and your own laughter.

1000

This is my 1000th Blog Post...

 

 

Its a little crazy that I have been posting for so long and that I actually hit 1000 postings. I must admit that it has been wonderful to get to know new friends, share my thoughts and feelings and welcome you all into the world of Scott and I. I am happy to hit this milestone and hope that this is only the beginning of whats to come for us.

 

Thank You all for being such great readers, for your constant encouragement and for your love. I am happy to have you all be apart of this once in a lifetime experience for us and hope you continue to enjoy the ride,

 

 

Love,

 

Jasmine and Scott

Cameron Wedding

 

 

Music Monday: Lauryn Hill - Cant take my eyes off of you

Balloons, Bride and Bazinga!!!

Hello Blogger Buddies... Happy October and Welcome to the Weekend Recap.


Friday I got off of work and headed home. Isaiah came over this weekend and we decided to go out just the 4 of us for Family dinner, but before we left, there was a Dance Off

Yes we Cameron's get down and party with the best of them. LOL

After Dancing, we went out to find a spot for dinner... We were going to go to AppleBee's but the wait was too long so we decided on Elephant Bar. They have a HUGE menu and the food is great... Here is every one's dinner choices.

Isaiah's Cheeseburger

 

 

Jacelyn's Chicken Marsala

 

Scott's Jambalaya

 

My Bacon Cheeseburger

 

After a full dinner with no dessert (Which is rare for us) We all went home to get some rest after a long week. Scott and I decided to have a beer afterwards in honor of National Beer Drinking Day and opened up one from David and Renee's Wedding....

 

It was a really good Hef for sure and a great way to end the night.

 

Saturday was a busy day. I got up early according to my internal alarm clock and got laundry started. I like to do it early since there are not many people in the laundry room on a Saturday morning. When I went back up, Isaiah was awake so he helped me with the 2nd half of laundry

 

After laundry and making breakfast for everyone, Scott and Isaiah headed out to his Soccer game (GO GOLDEN KNIGHTS) while Jacelyn and I stayed back at home and got some cleaning done. Saturday was National Coffee Day so I decided to have some coffee to go with my morning

With cleaning and everything done, I started to get ready to head out to Jacelyn's game... GO PANTHERS!!

And get myself ready for CAMERON BACHELORETTE PARTY!!!

 

 

I got to finally wear my Mrs. Cameron shirt.

 

The girls did and OUTSTANDING JOB on putting together the party... Here are a few details

All ready to PARTY!!!!

The balloon was in the way but you get where we are.....

 

Bridal Cowgirl!!

 

And yes... There was the shoes.

 

 

We had a great instructor, Katie, and she had a good time with us. There was food, games and ALCOHOL! I had a great time and appreciated everyone being there.

 

 

Sunday I woke up Hangover Free (Still holding the record for that) and got the day started. Jacelyn and Xzyria had cheer practice so I dropped them off there. Brandon T. and Isaiah had to get measured for their Tuxedos for the wedding so off to Men's Warehouse we went...

 

 

 

The boys looked sharp as they got measured....



I was all about the mirrors and playing with my phone like a little kid.....LOL

After the Tux Shop, we went to my parents house for dinner. My cousin Joi came by with her daughter Zaria and her and Isaiah had a ball together:

Deja the Dog also had fun too.

 

 

Here is what is on tap for this week:

 

1. Walk Through with Vendors at the Hotel on Wednesday

2. Dress Pick Up Saturday

3. Seating Chart.... Its going to be interesting

4. Schedule final appointments

5. Work on gift for Scott

6. Work on gift for Isaiah

 

 

Everyone have a great week!! 26 days to go!!!!

 

 

 

Friday Letters

Dear Carmageddon,

 

Be kind to these LA Drivers... They already have enough issues...

 

Dear Brandy,

 

Thank You for all your hard work the last few weeks getting stuff ready for this weekend. I know that you had alot of hurdles to get here but I know it will be great and I am excited to see how it all turns out.

 

Dear Bachelorette Party,

 

You are here... Make Mama proud and bring on the Pole!!

 

Dear Wedding Check List,

 

I knock alot off of you this week... Thanks for being so kind. More to come soon.

 

Dear RSVPs,

 

So nice to see you back in the Cameron Household.

 

Dear Scott,

 

No true words could ever be said about how much I Love You. I cant wait to be your wife and I am excited for our life together as 1. I hope you enjoy your new woman Siri while I am away at the Bachelorette Party. XOXO

 

 

29 DAYS.....

 



Wedding Advice From Veteran Couples - Project Wedding

Wedding Advice From Veteran Couples - Project Wedding

I had to share...

+

I saw this on Pinterest and I had to share... Wish I had this when I was counting down all the way back at 500+.

Wedding Planner or Personal Assistant?

Hmmm... how to say this nicely... I'm your wedding planner, not your personal assistant. There, I said it. Wow, I feel much better. Brideys, it's really important for you to be able to distinguish between the two. No, really it is. You hired me to plan your wedding, not to tap my network for an amazing maid service to clean your apartment, not to "quickly grab a coffee (for you) before our meeting", and certainly not to pick up your birth control prescription because I am right near the pharmacy.


Listen, I completely understand how the lines can easily become blurred. I am in the service industry, but not the ALL services industry. I have a job to do, and would like to do it without being the liaison between every little detail in your life, and your wedding planning, especially when I'm in the midst of wedding season, and every bride thinks she's my only client, I feel myself starting to lose patience. And you really don't want BB or any other wedding planner to lose their patience because then it's really easy for us to stop being your advocate, and start being your nemesis.


So here's a simple checklist of wedding planning etiquette for you to follow so that the lines between planner and personal assistant become a bit less hazy (this is applicable to the wedding coordinator at the venue who's working hard to make sure your wedding is a success, and the person you hired to plan your wedding):


1. Drop the "Can you?" and "Do you mind?" statements from your vocabulary. Catch yourself before these words slide out of your mouth, because in my experience, it's always followed with something personal instead of wedding planning oriented. Is this something you can do? Do you really need your wedding planner to fulfill this task? Great! Then do it!


2. This is pretty basic brideys, but think about what you are going to ask before you ask it. Do I really need to be present when you're choosing which Jimmy Choo shoes to wear under your wedding dress? Or perhaps picking out some fun jewelry to wear on the big day? Because as much as I love shopping, shoes, and jewelry I start hating it when it's expected for me to have the ultimate say so in your decision. I am busy planning the significant details for your big day, so put your big girl pants on, and choose whatever makes you happy all by yourself. Or grab your MOH to help you! That's part of her job!


3. While I am always happy to help make your life easier during the planning, it's outside the scope of my services to assemble your welcome bags for your guests, unless you are paying me to do so. We can certainly talk about what you should be putting into the bags, the design, the color, etc., but if you are going to take on a DIY project (any DIY project for that matter), then DO IT YOURSELF!


4. If you need yarmulkes, Kiddush cups, coconuts, unity candles, light bulbs, rice or anything ceremonial, I can certainly guide you to the resources and even procure them, but if I am doing the work, then I am going to be paid for obtaining the items for you. As lovely as I am, I am also a businesswoman. My time is valuable, billable even. And frankly, these items can easily be retrieved by an actual personal assistant or even your by your fiancé. So, if I am getting them, expect that a percentage will be factored in for my time.


5. This is my absolute favorite... "Can you please email the notes from our meeting with the florist to her assistant? She doesn't have any because she was busy creating our arrangements for the showing." This is an actual line from an email I received from one of my brides. And not only is this florist NOT in my network of vendors, it is her responsibility to take notes, pictures, etc., and retain the details. If she wants to call me, we can talk, but I am not transcribing the meeting minutes.


Brideys, it is truly my goal to educate you on how to behave during your wedding planning. I want you to understand what is appropriate and what is out of line. I know that you most of you haven't planned a wedding or even a large event, so it's completely understandable that you are unaware. But, that said please allow me to provide you with the insight you need to really be a Bitchless Bride. Got it?

Whats Left To Do......

One Month Before

Enter RSVPs into your guest-list database. Phone people who have not yet responded.

Get your marriage license. The process can take up to six days, but it’s good to give yourself some leeway. If you are changing your name, order several copies.

Mail the rehearsal-dinner invitations.

Visit the dressmaker for (with luck!) your last dress fitting. For peace of mind, you may want to schedule a fitting the week of your wedding. You can always cancel the appointment if you try on the dress then and it fits perfectly.


Send out as many final payments as you can.

Confirm times for hair and makeup and all vendors.


Assign seating. Draw out table shapes on a layout of the room to help plan place settings. Write the names of female guests on pink sticky notes and the names of male guests on blue sticky notes so you can move people about without resketching the entire setting.

Purchase bridesmaids’ gifts. You’ll present them at the rehearsal dinner.

Write vows, if necessary.

Get your hair cut and colored, if desired.


Week of the Wedding

Reconfirm arrival times with vendors.

Delegate small wedding-day tasks. Choose someone to bustle your dress, someone to carry your things, someone to be in charge of gifts (especially the enveloped sort), someone to hand out tips, and someone to be the point person for each vendor.

Send a timeline to the bridal party. Include every member’s contact information, along with the point people you’ve asked to deal with the vendors, if problems arise.

Pick up your dress. Or make arrangements for a delivery.

Check in one last time with the photographer. Supply him or her with a list of moments you want captured on film.

Set aside checks for the vendors. And put tips in envelopes to be handed out at the event.

Book a spa treatment. Make an appointment for a manicure and a pedicure the day before the wedding. (You might want to get a stress-relieving massage, too.)

Send the final guest list to the caterer and all venues hosting your wedding-related events. Typically, companies close their lists 72 hours in advance.

Break in your shoes.

Assemble and distribute the welcome baskets.

Pack for your honeymoon.

30!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today is the 1 month mark till our wedding!!!!!!

You may be seated....

Since we are coming closer to the wedding day,  now have the task of making a seating chart. I think it is giving me a bit of anxiety because you have to make sure you got the right people at the right table. You dont want to do too much mixing where its weird for people to be together but you do want to make it fun. Here are some of the tips I found on the internet:



Family Tables: Often, the parents of the bride and groom sit opposite each other at a large family table, with grandparents, the officiant, and other close friends. An alternative is to have the bride and groom's parents "host" their own tables, consisting of their family members and close friends. In the case of divorced parents, each parent may also host his or her own table, smoothly diffusing any awkwardness or discomfort.

Mix or Match: As for the rest of your guests, should you put friends together or seat them with "new" people? The answer is a bit of both. While it is a great idea to mix in a few new faces at each table, remember that people are most comfortable when they know some of their dinner companions. Be considerate. Not even your most gregarious friends will want to sit at a table full of complete strangers, so put acquaintances together when you can. If you have guests who don't know anyone, seat them near guests with similar interests. If you have a group of friends that cannot fit at one table, split them down the middle, and fill in each table with other guests. Whatever you do, don't leave one of the gang out.

If you have no idea what to do with your parents' friends, let your mother and mother-in-law arrange those tables. They will be thrilled to be involved, and this may keep them from trying to control of the rest of your seating plan.

Singles vs. Couples

If you've been dying to fix your old roommate up with your fiancé's cousin, you might take this opportunity to discreetly seat them next to each other. Resist the urge, however, to create a separate "singles" table, though, as this might embarrass your guests. By the same token, don't seat your unmarried friend at a table full of gushing newlyweds. A little sensitivity and some good old common sense are the best guides.

Seating Children

If you have several children at your wedding, seat them together at a separate kids' table. If your flowergirl and ringbearer are the only children present, seat them with their parents.

Place Cards, Escort Cards or Seating Chart?

Now that you've figured out where to put everyone, all you have to do is decide how to guide them to their seats.

Place Cards: These tented cards can be used alone or with escort cards. Displayed near the entrance of the reception in alphabetical order, they usually include the guest's name and table number. Once at the table, guests usually select their own seats.

Escort Cards: Used in the most formal seating plans, escort cards usually contain the guest's name on the outer envelope, and their table number on the card inside. Place cards await guests at each table, designating their seats.

The Seating Chart: Usually displayed alphabetically in a pretty frame near the entrance of the reception, seating charts are lists of guests' names with their designated tables. Additional place cards may be used at each table to designate assigned seats, if you wish.

Nametags: This is a wedding, not a convention, so skip the nametags, as irresistible as they might be. Your guests are capable of making any introductions you haven't made previously.
Note: Guests should never alter seating arrangements or "switch seats" at a wedding reception, but it is perfectly acceptable to mingle at different tables after dinner.

Before creating your seating plan, it is a good idea to obtain the floor plan and make several copies. This way, you can experiment with various different arrangements before making your final decision. When in doubt, trust your instincts. And no matter how perfect your final seating plan seems, you will undoubtedly receive at least one last minute phone call begging you to change something to make a guest (read: your mother) happy. Try to be accommodating, but don't let it make you crazy. Chances are, after the dinner, everyone will want to get up and mingle anyway.

Photo of the Week

This Photo of the Week is from our Engagement Session, My photos are my background at work and this one came up and it made me smile. We took those pictures last year and now here we are 31 days away from our wedding... Time sure flew by even though I thought it would take forever to get here.