I know you’ve been looking forward to your wedding day for some time now. Planning has taken you months, if not years. From your venue to your first pick photographer to the DJ that will keep the dance floor hopping. The perfect stationery and the flowers to match. The hairstyles, the outfits, and even the favors. Everything has been meticulously picked and put together to reflect your vision.
As the day gets closer you start to get back your RSVPs and you get a little more excited with each one. You slowly start to see everything coming together and everyone there that you love celebrating you two. Then one day it’s all gone.
My Heart Goes Out To You
This pandemic has come at the worst possible time for weddings in Ohio. It impacts so many and you are one of the hundreds if not thousands of couples who will be affected by this. Whether you have already made the choice to postpone or are patiently waiting to hear if your wedding day will move forward. My heart goes out to you.
I know you are probably working through so many emotions right now. Anger, frustration, disappointment, and sadness. You are crushed and at the same time feel guilty. Your wedding day is the most important day for you right now, but people are losing their jobs and even their lives. Don’t get me wrong, yes it can seem trivial in the grand scheme of things, but you are valid in your feelings too.
I can also tell you that it’s going to be OK. Your perfect person will still be there with you at the end of this. Your big day will still happen. It may not be on the date you picked, but it will still be on a perfect day. Your family will have even more reason to celebrate with you. You will come out of this stronger and even more ready to get married.
I know it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel and that things seem really hard and heavy right now. I know that you’re heart may be breaking, but take a step back and breathe. Look over at your perfect person as you read this and remember the real reason you are doing this. To marry them. Although it may not be exactly as you have envisioned, it will still happen and it will be just as perfect.
This was a year of growth for me as a wedding planner in many ways. I’m slowly working on growing Eventistry into the company I see it becoming. See, I’m on a 15-year-plan….when my daughter is 15 and doesn’t want anything to do with me anymore, I want to be doing this full time. (I’m kidding…..but also, not really.)
This year included helping 7 of my own clients walk down the aisle, being featured on a CBS Sunday Morning News, assisting another wedding planner on 3 of her weddings, a business trip to Las Vegas, a creation of a local wedding planner mastermind, growing my local facebook group for professionals to almost 700 members, a change in my second company We Thee Wed, 2 wedding shows completed and one in the works, beginning the process of my first styled shoot for early next year and discussing wedding shows for 2021. All while trying to maintain my personal relationships and raise my daughter as a stay-at-home mom. Wowza. So here we go, my year in review for 2019!
January
It was just a few days into the New Year when I met with Val (Perfectly Planned) for tea and we discussed bringing together wedding planners in the area to form a mastermind. It turned into a monthly meeting with about 8 planners and we have big plans for the future for wedding planners in the area. Even more importantly, this was the first time I actually sat down with Val for more than 5 minutes, actually learned about her and gained a new friend.
L to R: Diana, Erin, Karen, Val and Lindsey
February – March
Then I began to really focus on both of the wedding shows I had organized with my second company We Thee Wed. The first was in North Olmsted, on the windiest day of the year. The power went out and was out for the entire setup (lit only by the wireless LED uplights provided by the amazing Mo of Lime Lights Entertainment). It turned back on 5 minutes before the doors were to open and I broke down in tears of joy…..seriously. The second show is the one I do annually with Villa Croatia in Eastlake where we had 65+ vendors – my biggest show to date.
This was the month that my wedding season started to really take off. Client meetings were beginning, and just as awesome was the shoot I took part in. Back in February, I was talking with a producer at CBS Sunday Morning about surprise weddings. And I was currently planning one with a couple and they were looking to feature one. Well, they picked us!! They came out this month to do some interviews and planned to come back for the big day later. None of my interview made the cut, but we got pictures of it at least and I was shown in the segment as their wedding planner. A complete success for me.
My first wedding of 2019 was the surprise wedding with Alisha and Tyler at Claridon Woodlands. They had sent invitations to their guests for an engagement party, but they were actually getting married. I also officiated my first wedding. Nothing like being filmed for national television while officiating your first wedding. We set everything up the day before so the day of things would run smoothly and we wouldn’t have any hiccups. Alisha’s mom almost caught us during setup, but luckily nothing for the ceremony was set up yet. Phew. It all went swimmingly and I would totally do another surprise wedding again! You can learn more about their wedding here.
Next up was Kristen and Brandon’s wedding day at Makakiki Golf Club and Pine Ridge Banquet Center. This one was one for the books, I never thought I would be talking to Subway Corporate to coordinate a subway cookie tower, but I did. A beautiful day, amazing flowers and a FANTASTIC wedding party. So glad I was able to be a part of it all. You can learn more about their wedding day here.
Caitlin & Jake’s wedding had arrived at St. Noel’s Banquet Center. Not only did I get to work with Christine (Rising Ashes Designs), who I loved working with last year. I got to help create a day for an amazing couple who was great fun to be around. You can learn a little more about their day here.
The other two were my own beautiful couples. First up was Jenna & Adam at Sapphire Creek Winery. This evening was so amazing with such beautiful weather which was perfect for the setting. Jenna and Adam were so great to work with and I have never had a family so appreciative of me and my team. It was so amazing being able to be a part of their day and get to know the family too.
Then came time for Katalyn and Ben’s big day at Lakewood Country Club. A wedding on the greens and a dance party in the club, complete with an amazing selection of desserts from The Faithful Little Cupcake. Some of the best sweets this season for me. You can read more about their wedding here.
Amanda & Jeremy’s wedding was my biggest of the season. Not in the sense of guest count or budget, but in scope of work. I mean I walked over 25K steps this day. It was a BIG day for Eventistry. The wedding was held at The Madison, which is an amazing blank space that you can do so much with. We started with a ceremony space, sent the guests outside for a cocktail hour and then proceeded to do a 45-minute room flip to their reception. My team was there to lead the way but it could not have been accomplished without the help of The Madison crew and the fantastic staff from Thyme Catering. You can read more about their wedding here.
Right after Amanda & Jeremy tied the knot, I flew off to Las Vegas for a whole week. It started with a few days alone with my husband to celebrate our 10-year anniversary. Then he went home and I stayed to attend Wedding MBA. The biggest wedding industry conference in the US. I had such a fantastic time last year and learned so much, I went back again. I got to see friends that I only talk to online, build new relationships and learn even more. Plus this year a few friends from Cleveland went with me.
As soon as I got back from Vegas I got to help my friend Val one more time at a wedding at the Lake Erie Building.
November
The wedding to end this season was with Candace & Josh. I absolutely LOVED working with these two. We clicked so easily when we first met and I was thrilled to learn they were doing a Day of the Dead themed wedding at Manakiki Golf Course and Pine Ridge Banquet Center. Seeing all the bright colors and every little detail they had for their guests, it truly brought the entire day together.
In the past few weeks, I have had a few meetings all about wedding shows. My focus has turned to the big one at Villa Croatia while also talking with others for shows later in 2020 and even 2021. With that, I am in the beginning phase of my first styled shoot and working on ways to elevate the local wedding professional group I run. I love helping other business owners and I want to be able to give them a great platform to communicate and learn from each other.
This past year was a big one for the growth of my personal network for me as well. I met a lot of new people at networking events. I went from hiding in the corner to walking in and having people looking for me. It’s a great feeling. But in the end, I look back at this year with a lot of gratitude for the support from family, friends and fellow professionals. Without my support system, I wouldn’t have those to vent to, learn from or lean on. As a business owner, it is essential to have those systems in place to be able to survive and grow. So a very special thank you to them. Now on to 2020, a year meant to be the best one yet!
When planning your wedding the music you choose for your first dance can be a daunting task. It must be just perfect and reflect you as a couple, not to fast and not too slow. Something you both like and can dance to. Maybe something that’s not too long for those who don’t like to dance in front of others. There’s a lot that can be taken into account when picking.
My first recommendation is to look at songs that are meaningful to both of you. Something you may have danced to before or maybe something you sing together. A song that comes on the shuffle and it always makes you think of each other.
If all else fails you can find many examples of songs to pick from with a simple Google search. The problem with that is, although you may think Christina Perri or Ed Sheeran are amazing picks with the most beautiful songs, so does everyone else getting married.
To help with that, here are some songs that I pulled together that are not overplayed every weekend. Some are songs that I love and knew I wanted to share. Some I just happened to find and thought were perfect.
Top 10 Picks for First Songs
I Get to Love You by Ruelle – This is by far one of my most favorite first dance songs and not many people have found it yet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1mkYWkoXyo
Beyond by Leon Bridges – A song from a man to a woman explaining why she is so important to him and hoping that she will be their everything. It has a simple beat and easy to sway to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELPOCJvDz3w
Lover (First Dance Remix) by Taylor Swift – Remixed specifically for first dances and just recently released. Will this be the song of the 2020 wedding season? Beautiful, enchanting and completely meaningful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmT4Y8w1nho
You’re My Best Friend by The Once – As a big fan of Queen I love the original, but this is such a beautiful cover that it cannot be overlooked.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8aUHv0Newo
Speechless by Dan & Shay – By the video itself you can see that it was made for weddings, but you must listen to truly see why it can truly be perfect for your first dance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UoP9ABJXGE
I Choose You by Ryann Darling – Your Mine and all the reasons why. So simple and elegant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXN-m49MHO0
I Choose You by Sara Bareilles – I little more upbeat than a traditional first dance song, but not everyone wants slow. It’s still easy to sway together or choreograph a dance to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjE5D9cHiOk
Forever Starts Today by Tim Halperin – Piano lead with beautiful vocals talking about this moment and how it begins your forever together. Very heartwarming and makes my heart smile.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljLCAsnTzEo
Come What May by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor – Starts soft and romantic and grows into something epic. A beautiful song just waiting for some special choreography to make it come to life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YsMvzgeSuI
Love Someone by Lukas Graham – You’ve probably heard this song on the radio at some point. It’s simple and true and with a good beat to dance together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN44xpHjNxE
Bonus First Dance Song
Be My Forever by Christina Perri (feat. Ed Sheeran) – I know I said that these two are overplayed at weddings. But this song that they did together is not only catchy and a little upbeat, but I have yet to hear it used for a dance. So if your up for a little faster paced first dance, this one might be for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awMQlSqI564
Our First Dance Song
I thought as a fun tidbit I would share my husband and my first dance song. He hates the spotlight, so we wanted short. There were many options we discussed, but this movie is a favorite of mine and we always talk about growing old together. So it was just perfect.
Gone are the days of the black tuxedo, boutonniere, and shiny black shoes. Now it’s so easy to add a piece of your personality to what you wear on your wedding day. From the color of your jacket to your tie (or bowtie for that matter) to even the socks that only get seen in the pictures.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good boutonniere when placed correctly and made the right size. But I find that those who opt to ditch it for a pocket square look much more polished. A simple piece of fabric that can really elevate a look. It can spice up the most basic of jackets, match a color scheme, create a subtle addition to your outfit or make a bold statement. It all comes down to the color, pattern and most importantly, the fold.
The easiest fold is The Puff fold. Lay the square flat, pinch it in the center and pull up while twisting. It creates something that reminds me of a ghost at Halloween. Keep a hold of the top and put the seams into your pocket. Simple as that. No matter what fold you choose, make sure to practice it before the wedding day. That way when you are all getting ready you aren’t scrambling to figure out how to fold it.
Along with a good fold comes the fabric. Thicker fabrics are great for a crisp edge, especially if folded and pressed in advance. But they can sometimes be bulky and stick out funny in your pocket. Lighter fabrics can make for a more elegant feel and easy for finer detail folds, but if they are too small they can easily slide down into your pocket and disappear during photos. Always keep an eye on where your pocket square is.
When it comes to choosing the color and/or pattern of your pocket square, it may be easy to just grab a coordinating pack of the shelf. But if you want to have a modern look try a patterned pocket square and then pick one color from the palette and match your tie (or bowtie) to that.
A well-cut suit or jacket certainly makes a strong statement, but to really stand out, it’s your accessories that really make all the difference. For even more inspiration on pocket square folds, take a look at this guide on Ties.com.
It’s no lie that the majority of wedding guests are very much looking forward to enjoying a drink at your wedding reception. And alcohol, being the great social lubricator that it is, often helps to get the party going. But along with having a good time, it’s important to encourage moderation with consumption to ensure safety as well as a good time.
I’m sure you can look at your guest list and point out those who might think that drinking is an Olympic sport, so it’s important to have a game plan in place to eliminate issues long before they arise. When you implement certain things that we will talk about below, it can also help you keep the cost in check too.
Limit the Selection
Rather than offering a full bar, opt for a couple of basic beer and wine choices and consider also offering one or two signature cocktails. If you want to have hard liquor then opt for well options instead of top-shelf. Or keep the top shelf and only pick a couple of options. You can make a lot of drinks with Vodka and Whiskey with a few mixers.
Keep the Good Stuff Behind the Bar
Maybe you or a VIP like something special (or expensive)? You don’t have to give that up on your big day. Instead, have a special bottle in the back for that person and don’t supply the whole guest list with it.
No Shots
Let’s get real, shots tend to be the thing people do when they want to get “warm” really quick. The problem is the quick consumption of alcohol not only goes through your supply (meaning you could run out) but it serves its purpose: people get drunk faster with shots. Since you’re the one throwing the party, you are liable just as much as the bartender serving. Now of course, when you hire a professional they will know when they need to cut someone off. But it’s better to not let it get there if you can avoid it.
The best way to do that is to ensure there is water and other non-alcoholic drinks available. You can even make it really cute with a lemonade bar in the summer, include different types of lemonade and garnishes. Maybe a collection of different flavored waters as an option. They’re even better when they are self-serve. It’s one less job to hire for (other than refilling) and those who don’t drink alcohol don’t have to wait in line.
Make sure to offer your guests coffee. Even if you don’t drink it It can be just table service (aka a pot on each table) or a fancy barista. It’s great at the end of the evening to get people to switch drink types. Lastly, make sure snacks are amply available throughout the evening. The more carbs and protein the better to “soak up the alcohol” too.
Limit Your Hours
Cocktail hour is obviously prime time for drinking, and once you open that dance floor the drinks should be flowing. But what about that time in between? Close the bar. People can grab a drink from the bar as they head to their seats and then they will be focused on their delicious meal and watching you two dance that they don’t need to get up for another drink. Unsure if that will make your guests unhappy, then purchase table wines. It’s a drink people tend to take slow and is more cost-effective.
No matter what, asking your guests to pay for their own drinks is not something I recommend. You would think it would make people drink less, but that’s not true at all. But again, it is certainly acceptable to limit the selections or adjust the timing. And yes, there are always exceptions to the rule, but 9 times out of 10, it doesn’t apply. There are certainly other options out there for offering your guests drinks without breaking the bank.
Along with a good meal, having a great bar setup goes a long way in making sure your guests really enjoy themselves. But making sure they do so responsibly is something you can help control with your choices, and it can help save you a few bucks along the way.
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