Northern California Wedding Planner | Stay at Home & Stay Well

This week we’ve seen the funny #quarantine memes on social media from people getting pretty creative while staying home to flatten the curve of rising cases of COVID-19. The strength in our community to adapt and support small businesses while practicing distancing has been inspiring; we all have friends and family who we know are on the essential front lines. Friends, we wish we could know when we will have normalcy again.

The wedding industry across the globe has taken a dramatic turn as we help couples find alternative dates this fall or in 2021, leaving big questions about wedding insurance & how to move forward for those who decide to cancel. Our team can’t wait to be together again creating beautiful events but for now we have halted all meetings/site visits and will work remotely from our homes. We miss all of our couples & wedding friends!

We want couples to know that it is still ok to be excited about your wedding, to want to create beautiful centerpieces and to dream about your first dance. This won’t last forever but it does require all of us to do our part which means that bridal showers, bachelor/bachelorette parties, hair trials, cake tastings and more will be impacted. For those who have a wedding in 2020 and are holding out hope to keep your date, we want to hold out right alongside you but also have a plan B in place with an alternate date that works for all of your vendors. To date, we have been able to successfully move dates while retaining the vendors for close to 20 spring weddings and we know that it is an emotional situation for every one of those couples.

Take the time that you need to press pause on things that are out of your control and give yourself some grace to not have all of the answers on what happens next. Taking that pressure off may help you to also connect with your partner and focus on getting through these next few weeks under the shelter at home order. Who knows maybe you’ll discover a new hobby together! If you need a shoulder or a life line of someone to call - we’re here for any couple who just needs to vent.

Stay well,
Veronica & The 530 Bride Team

Northern California Wedding Planner | Backyard Durham California Wedding - Alie & Brian

A beautiful Durham, California wedding wouldn't be complete without an incredible couple who worked their booties off getting this property ready to go for their special day! 1 Year ago in April, we had the opportunity to take a look at the property that they wanted to re-vamp into a wedding venue for their big day a year later. They were concerned that we wouldn't have seen their vision; but automatically, we did. 

We saw their wedding come to life on April 28th. With hard work and perseverance and of course love, they made it happen! From knee high grass and houses planted on the property, to a beautiful open space with designated areas for specific moments, it was magical!

Alie and her ladies were pampered and were getting ready to go for the wedding at the one and only Hotel Diamond, in downtown Chico. We're always so giddy when we get to drop off flowers to our couples there! 

Tyler and Mayela with Ranalla Photo and Films captured their love so beautifully in a way that is hard to explain... so here are some highlights that we absolutely love!

We wish we could put this entire album on this one blog post, but we will leave you with these! Thank you to all of our incredible vendors for making their day absolutely beautiful!

Makeup: The Powder Room // Hair: Julia LynnFox // Photographer: Ranalla Photo & Films // Venue: Durham Backyard // Coordination: The 530 Bride // Getting Ready Location: Hotel Diamond // Wedding gown: Always Elegant // Rentals: Chico Party Rentals // DJ: The Wedding DJ // Catering: Truckaroni

Northern California Wedding Planner | Engagement Session Tips

Tips on How to Plan Your Engagement Session

We could never tire of seeing the photo galleries from our couple's engagement sessions, we love to see a glimpse into their relationship and their style.  Pinterest has definitely stepped up the bar for engagement photos, but it is important to be yourselves and plan a shoot that is comfortable for you.   Here are our top tips with a few of our favorite engagement shots!

Photo by Ranalla Photo and Films 

Location Location!

Choosing the location for your engagement session is super important, because it is part of the story that your images are going to tell.  Do you see yourself on a mountainside or maybe by the ocean? What about sipping coffee together downtown in your favorite coffee shop or bookstore? 

Photo by Matthew Lim Photography

Lighting is Everything

Once you've settled on a location with your photographer, consider the lighting/time of day that you have envisioned.  Typically sunrise or just before sunset lends itself to ideal lighting for outdoor sessions.  Above is one of our favorite shots by Matthew Lim that just captures the essence of Dara & Nick with amazing lighting!

Photo by Amanda Wei Photography 

Planning Your Wardrobe 

We recommend asking your photographer for advise on what to wear based on your location, lighting and style.  Wearing stripes can be tricky for example, or making sure that your straps on your gown or undergarments are secure so that you don't go back later and wish you had adjusted your strap etc.  Statement necklaces or fun pieces like colorful shoes or accessories can make your photos pop!

Northern California wedding planner | the palms Pavilion ~ Melissa & G

Friends forever and good times for life! 

Melissa & Gregorio (affectionately called "G") have a chemistry and a coolness about them that only two people who are completely made for each other could have.  Their friends and family are a tight knit group who really keep the party going just about anywhere they go.  We knew this wedding would be fun, laid back and an event her guests would definitely enjoy.

We loved coordinating Melissa & G's wedding and glad that we didn't miss this party. 

Thanks to Justin Buettner Photography for sending us the highlights! 

Venue: The Palms Pavilion // Rentals: WeDo Designs // Florist: Cambray Rose Florist // Caterer: Norcal Catering // Photographer: Justin Buettner Photography // Cake: Lovely Layers // DJ: The Wedding DJ // Coordination: The 530 Bride 

Wedding Planning Tip: Draping & Lighting

If you have attended events at a local venue several times, you know what to expect when you walk in and in your mind the venue will always look the same aside from table decorations.  What if I said that your venue could be completely transformed by using elements like fabric draping and uplighting?  These elements will add a touch of personality and flair to your event, making it stand out from other events that guests have attended there. Adding decor elements such as draping and lighting gives your event a personal touch and will stand out in your photos. Before you meet with your decor vendor, discuss the limitations of your venue space with your wedding coordinator or site coordinator. This is to ensure that you are allowed to either use staples, tape or nails etc on the walls of the venue. Otherwise you will have to use pipe and draping around the perimeter of the room so that nothing is physically attached to the walls. You will also want to get the measurements of the venue space so that you can accurately get a quote for the draping panels and determine how many up-lights you would need to achieve the look you are going for.

You may have seen a previous post about my own wedding at the Card Center in Chico, where the talented WeDo Designs and Lisa's Flor Decor absolutely transformed the room by using draping and uplighting.  In case you missed it, here is the before and after pictures:

https://the530bride.wordpress.com/tag/the-card-center/

WeDo Designs recently used draping at the Elks Lodge in Chico and transformed the outdoor space.  The vivid colors caught the guests eyes and tied in the walk way with the rest of the event space.

For an indoor ceremony setting, jaws would certainly drop with this dramatic ceremony entrance! Image courtesy of http://venuesafari.com/dreamy-drapes-using-fabric-draping-at-your-wedding/

Pin spot lighting on the cake, and uplighting throughout the reception hall adds a very rich element to the overall atmosphere.

Image Courtesy of http://www.avantdecor.net/gallery.php

I also recommend saving some images that you find inspiring and showing them to your planner and or decor vendor so that you can give them an idea of the look you are going for. Just remember, the options are endless and don't be afraid to step outside the box and show your personality!

Happy Planning!

Sunday Funday..Wedding Style

We are glad to see that so many couples are prepared to take advantage of the Bridal Show for all of their wedding needs, making sure to pre-register and save money at the door is just one of the smart moves they are making. If you pre-registered you will receive your personalized mailing labels with your contact information pre-printed so that you can use them to enter to win countless prizes. If you missed the pre-registration, you can still make your own labels ahead of time and print them from home.

As always we will give a few tips for getting the most from your bridal show experience:

1. Check Your List Be aware of your needs so that can make sure to collect information from exhibitors offering the services you have not yet booked.  For example, if you do not yet have a venue or a wedding coordinator you should be sure to make that a priority.  Take advantage of discounts and special offers, and pay special attention to the expiration (if any) of the offer.

2. Attire Your wedding will give you time to shine, but the bridal show isn't the best place for those new heels you bought.  Your feet will thank us, just be comfortable!  Bring a bag that you will be comfortable holding so that you can easily store flyers and business cards from the exhibitors.

3. Entourage Make a day of it, bring your bridal party as back up just in case you need someone to help you decide which catering sample rocked your world, or to help you cover more ground and listen for your name on the prize announcements overhead.

4. Enjoy This day is about you, and all of the possibilities out there to help shape your big day into the celebration you always dreamed of.  So go ahead, have another cupcake on us!

'I Do' Responsibly

Weddings are a time we bring friends and family together to celebrate your new chapter in life, so unless you have chosen to have a "dry wedding" odds are there will be a champagne toast and then some!  You can choose to serve drinks during either the cocktail hour, reception or both.

When deciding on what types of beverages to serve, consider your guests, budget, and the type of atmosphere you want to have. If you are concerned with over indulgence or expense considering limiting the amount of alcohol per guests, or perhaps only offering beer and wine.

Many wedding venues will specify their requirements and limitations with serving alcohol, some may require a licensed bartender, event insurance, and/or an additional deposit. Some may allow you to supply your own alcohol, while others may not.  If you are supplying your own alcohol but don't know how much you need, try the Bevmo Calculator http://www.bevmo.com/Misc/PartyPlanner.aspx

We recommend hiring a licensed and insured bar service to host your event as they are not only great bartenders but they specialize in weddings and events and know how to determine when someone has had too much to drink.  They can discreetly handle this for you without causing a scene, and in the end will help ensure everyone has a safe but responsible evening.  A professional bar service will also assist you with selecting wines & spirits as well as the quantity needed for the size of your event. For help choosing a Bar Service in the 530 area, visit our directory.

When it comes to the end of the night (your wedding night is a blur so take care of these details ahead of time) have a transportation plan in place.  If your location is a distance from town consider a shuttle for larger groups.  Make sure that you discuss vehicles and over-night parking with your venue, you don't want any guests to have their cars towed!

Cheers to an amazing wedding night, and to celebrating responsibly!

~Happy Planning!~

Have You Branded Your Wedding Yet?

The days of having to trying to piece together corresponding wedding items that match your color and style are coming to an end.  In comes the trend of branding your event so that the design is exclusively yours while keeping things cohesive across the board. If you are unfamiliar with this trend, you are in for a treat because we have invited our local branding expert Carey Galliani from The Idea Emporium to "school us" on what it all means!

How did branding become a trend in weddings? Like most traditions, weddings have evolved over the years.  When our grandmothers got married they wore white dresses and carried flowers and were in love.  When our mothers got married they took those customs and added some personality in the form of a set of colors that would make appearances throughout the celebration.  When our sisters got married the wedding environment changed once again with the popular addition of a theme or motif (if you’ve attended a wedding in the last year odds are pretty good it featured purple, mason jars, burlap or peacock feathers- the largest trends of 2012).  And now we stand on the precipice of the next big thing to introduce itself into the wedding world…event branding.

Okay, what is branding exactly? Branding in the business world is a term you may already be familiar with.  It’s the biggest ambassador of a business, more than a logo it’s the face of a company.  A well-rounded brand includes at least one logo, a carefully crafted color palette and specifically outlined typefaces (or fonts) all of which used together create the brand.   Each piece of collateral produced for the company  (product, promotional pieces, business cards, packaging, etc.) features the company’s “face”.  So how does this apply to your wedding?

What does it mean to brand a wedding? As any bride or groom can tell you there are a million tiny pieces that go into a wedding.  The big stuff you’ve been warned about; the flowers, the linens, the rentals… but what about the tiny touches?  This is where custom event branding can take your wedding to the next level. Event branding ensures that all of the bits and pieces, from the table numbers to the thank you cards and from the invitation to the cocktail napkins & matchbooks are cohesive, impressive, and most importantly say something about you.

“In a world of mass production, wouldn’t it be nice for your wedding to be a breath of fresh air that looks and feels like an authentic representation of your relationship?” explained Carey Galliani, owner of wedding design company, The Idea Emporium.  “Custom branding gives our clients the opportunity to show their personalities through their event details.  This year I had the opportunity to design a dinosaur theme wedding.  White roses, calligraphy and tuxedos are beautiful, but wouldn’t be a fit at all for that couple.  So we took the dinosaur inspiration and ran with it bringing in sophisticated prehistoric touches that were a true representation of the couple.  The best part was hearing how “them” their wedding was and their guests felt the same.”

How do couples get started? Branding your wedding is a two-step process; the creation of the brand and the creation of the wedding pieces that utilize that brand. Just like a company, your brand will include a color palette (good news…you can have more than 2 colors), logo and typefaces.  It will also feature a monogram for you and your future spouse and graphic patterns to compliment the look.

What does wedding branding look like? Here are a few examples of a brand board for a couple that outlines their patterns, color palette, logo/mongram & typography or fonts, etc.

Brand Board Example #1

Pages from BRAND BOARD copy

Brand Board Example #2

Pages from Rusty and Christin Palm

Pages from Julia and Craig-Design Board

Brand Board Example #3 Your wedding logo may make its appearance on your invitation, welcome signage and ceremony program.  Whereas the monogram will make its way onto things like menus, favor packaging.  The patterns and graphic elements designed within your brand are great for items like envelope liners and table runners.  These are also perfect for party favors.  Lets face it, a shot glass with your name on it is cute, but a shot glass in mint and white stripes with the white peony printed on it is something a guest will truly want to keep…which is the point of a favor anyway right?

Long story short, if you want your wedding to be cohesive and riddled with perfectly harmonious details then event branding is the way to go.

For more information about the Idea Emporium, and how to get started contact Carey today:

The Idea Emporium  www.theideaemporium.net or follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theideaemporium 

Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner really stumps a lot of couples when it comes to the Do's and Don'ts, formality, who attends etc.  While just as many wedding traditions have changed, the rehearsal dinner is really up to you as a couple to decide.  However here is the run down on rehearsal dinners: The rehearsal gives you a chance to have a practice run-through of your wedding and can take place either at the ceremony venue location or somewhere off-site if the location isn't available.  You can take this time to delegate any wedding-day responsibilities, practice the order of the ceremony and make any adjustments as needed.  This time is valuable for introducing members of your wedding party or family who haven't met, and to get some of the jitters out!  The rehearsal & rehearsal dinner are typically held the night before your wedding and should be in the early evening so that you and your wedding party can get some rest before the big day.

The grooms family customarily would host and pay for the rehearsal dinner but this can be altered if you as a couple have decided otherwise.   The hosts are responsible for food and drink, but if your budget is tight you might consider a cocktail & appetizer mixer, or potluck style dinner rather than something more formal.  Plan on inviting your wedding party, immediate family members and their dates.  If you have guests from out of town you should consider inviting them as well.  The rehearsal dinner is a wonderful time to enjoy with your friends and family here to celebrate with you, and take it from us your wedding day flies by so make the most of every gathering!

If you haven't booked your rehearsal dinner location, below are some of the featured venues in the 530 area.  For more ideas and suggestions, feel free to contact us.

More on Rehearsal Dinners

Featured Rehearsal Dinner Locations Valley View Grille, Auburn, CA

Crush Italian Cuisine & Lounge  Chico, CA Private Dining from 10 up to 70 Guests

Japanese Blossom Chico, CA

Nash's Restaurant Chico, CA

Tres Hombres Chico, CA Try their Taco Bar!

Pasquini's Fine Italian Food Live Oak, CA

Farwood Bar and Grill Orland, CA

Marcellos Italian Restaurant Yuba City, CA

Sopa Thai Cuisine Yuba City, CA

Mark Your Calendars!

Some very exciting bridal events are just around the corner in the "530" area, so make sure you mark these dates down so that you don't miss out! Yuba Sutter Bridal Show September 8th - Yuba Sutter Fairgrounds Featuring the area's premier wedding professionals all in one event to simplify your wedding planning process.  The show offers catering & cake samples, music , a fashion show, giveaways & more! Click here to pre-register

WeDo Designs - Open House September 8th - Noon to 3pm 1616 Nord Ave, Suite G Chico, CA 95926 View linens, rentals & décor for your upcoming event Visit www.WeDoDesigns.net for more information

Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo - New Location  September 10th - Style Me Maids Tuesday - 5 to 7pm September 11th - Stylish Details Wednesday - 5 to 7pm September 12 - Sample Sale Thursday - 10 am to 7 pm September 13 - Ooh La La Friday - 5 to 7 pm

Enjoy Discounts, Giveaways, refreshments & more. Appointments are recommended http://www.alwayselegantbridal.net

Blush Catering - Supper Club September 28th - 6pm to 10pm Searching for a caterer for your special day, or maybe date night plans? Check out Blush Catering's intimate monthly dining experience, featuring a unique, local, and sustainable menu! RSVP required. Email blushcatering@gmail.com for more information, or visit their Facebook.

More event information coming soon!

*Have an event you want to promote? Leave your information as a comment or send us a message and we are happy to spread the word!

Wedding Trend: Reception Lounge Spaces

Though most couples would like to plan on their guests all wanting to dance the night away, it is hard to anticipate just how many guests will be out dancing.  So rather than leaving your guests to either dance or sit at their table, couples are opting to invite their guests to mingle in style.  A modern furniture lounge setting can define the tone of your event, and will definitely grab your guests attention. There are many different arrangements and styles of lounge furniture, and you can use the lounge set up as a stand alone feature or build the atmosphere around it by adding uplighting or a glam chandelier. Here are just a few of the ways that couples are using lounges to add some flair to their event:

Sources: modernweddingshawaii.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: cdn.hostessblog.com via Dan & Christy on Pinterest

Source: heaven8240.com via Heaven on Pinterest

If you are looking for a vendor who carries either modern or vintage furniture in your area, shoot us a line! If you are in the Northern California area you can check out WeDo Designs Decor and Rental.  

Decor by WeDo Designs, photo by The530Bride

Style Trend~ Watercolor

We always keep an eye out for the latest trends and new decor/theme ideas for couples to tap into.  Watercolor is a refreshing trend that can be used cohesively throughout your event or just as an accent on details like the table numbers, menu cards & signage.  Visit our pinterest board for some of the ideas that caught our eye!

You can view the rest of our Pinterest boards here

What is your take on this emerging trend? Leave us a comment here or submit a link to your Pinterest board if you are all about watercolor!

~Happy Planning~

Save on Your Photography Package with Emily Hajec Photography

Meet Emily of Emily Hajec Photography!

"What you see is what you get...I am what I am.  I am a reader, an animal lover, a cook, a wine enthusiast, an aspiring novelist, an Italian who loves listening to country music and singing out loud." - Emily

Specializing in creatively capturing your memorable moments and milestones. Artistic, natural light photography for fresh, fun, modern people in Chico, Northern California, and the Reno-Tahoe area. Emily Hajec Photography is a fresh face on the Northern California wedding scene and is looking to meet lots of new clients. As an introduction, she is offering excellent pricing on her wedding collections.

Book your photo session before Valentines Day and recieve a $50 print credit ♥ All fans of The530Bride Facebook page will also receive an additional $25 print credit!

Head on over to Emily Hajec Photography's Website for more information and to view the image gallery.

Budgeting and The Elusive "Average"

As wedding coordinators we meet with couples who may be planning a very intimate wedding of 40 people or under, or on the other hand couples who are trying to keep the guest list under 300.  After the engagement is official and the couple begins making selections for their venue and vendors, it becomes a question of where to start.  There are many tools and checklists that are helpful, and we offer our assistance for every step of the way during the planning process even if a couple books us for Day of Coordination vs. Full Service.    The biggest question that I hear brides ask is "what is the average cost of _________?" The reason this question isn't always easy to answer is because there are many variables to cost, therefore the photographer or venue for one wedding may not be comparable to another event due to some of these reasons: ♥ Location ♥ Time of Year ♥ No. of Expected Guests ♥ Specific Package Selections ♥ Demand for Service/Product ♥ Level of Experience of Vendor

Watching the Wedding Programs on TV or flipping through a magazine may have skewed your grasp of what a realistic budget is in your area.  While it is important to understand what is realistic, it is even more important to establish your budget based on what you feel comfortable with.  Even if a $2k floral budget is average in some areas, it may not be a number that you can or want to spend for your event.

When clients contact us, we ask them to complete a questionnaire and rate what the most important areas of their budget is.

We ask questions such as:

From 1 -5 in importance (1 being most important) rate the following:

• Abundance of Fresh Flowers
• Extensive Photography and/or Videographer Package (over 6-8 hours of photography and printed images in album)
• Luxury Linens, Centerpieces & Decor
• Venue
• Food & Beverage

If budget was no option we would splurge on: a. Gourmet Food & Premium Drinks for our guests b. Chandeliers, Draping & Up lighting c. Modern Furniture & Lounge areas d. Gift Baskets /Custom Favors e. An over the top Wedding Cake f. Custom Stationary (Invitations, Save The Dates, etc) g. Other(s) ______________________

These types of questions give us insight on helping you establish your budget, and pair you with vendors that can not only provide the products and services you are looking for but also stay on budget.  We can assist clients prioritize the expenses so that all of the major areas are covered and we can identify some of the "extras" to have on standby if budget permits.

We support the DIY Couples in their projects and creativity, and can even help you budget for your DIY projects to estimate your savings and cost effectiveness for each project.  Our goal for the DIY couple is to help you organize all of the projects and elements that you have worked on creating, and put them together into a smooth timeline with tasks and detailed information to keep everyone on the same page.  If you would like information on our packages, or our upcoming DIY Workshop please shoot us an email at info@The530Bride.com

We will be seeing our Northern California Brides at the upcoming Bridal Shows!

Yuba Sutter, January 27th at the Yuba City Fairgrounds Chico Bridal Show, February 24th at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico

Want tickets? Shoot us your information from our contact us page to get on the list for fast pass tickets!

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Applewhite!

Christine and Nick recently exchanged vows at the Arroyo Room on April 21st, 2012.  Here are some snapshots to enjoy while they are relaxing on their honeymoon in Puerto Rico.  Christine & Nick were featured as an engaged couple, and you can read about their engagement here.

Professional Photos coming soon! ____________________________________________________________ Venue The Arroyo Room Caterer Excaliber Catering Aisle Decor Flowers By Rachelle Manzanita Trees WeDo Designs Linens All Star Rents DJ Runaway DJ Wedding Cake Lovely Layers Cakery Wedding Dress Alterations  Milenas Tailoring Custom Designs Photo Booth Chico Photo & Video Planning Assistance The 530 Bride

Planning Your Engagment Photo Session

While save the dates are optional, the majority of couples incorporate their engagement photos into save the dates, invitations, programs, personalized centerpieces and more. Take this opportunity to be playful, and remember there are no rules when it comes to engagement sessions,  so break the mold of  "posed pictures." Think outside the box by using props and backgrounds that are sure to capture your personalities as a couple.  In our area, there is certainly no shortage of beautiful landscapes such as Bidwell Park, Chico State Campus, Bidwell Mansion, Table Mountain, Sundial Bridge, & more. If you have not yet secured a wedding photographer, set up an appointment to meet with potential photographers and view their galleries of past engagement sessions and weddings.  Ask if the photographer has wedding packages that include an engagement session.  Having your engagement session and wedding shot by the same photographer will keep the style cohesive and will help you be more comfortable in front of the camera on your wedding day.  If you have a specific vision that you would like to portray, consider making a pinterest board, or similar inspiration board and send a link to your photographer.  This well enable your photographer to determine the correct lighting, and style elements to create your perfect photo-session.

When preparing for your engagement session bring a few different outfits and accessories so that you have options to change things up.  Consult your photographer for suggestions on the types of clothing to bring and what to avoid.  Hair and makeup can be casual or you can get glammed up for the shoot, it is up to you!  Also consider bringing props such as a hand painted wooden sign with your wedding date or initials, your wedding invitation (if you have them already), and any other personalized props that are meaningful to you.  Your photographer may have other props and backgrounds to use as well.

Feel free to share your engagement session photos with The 530 Bride, or share tips that you found helpful for your engagement session! Just send us a message at features@the530bride.com.  Use our Vendor Directory to find a professional wedding photographer near you.

How To Avoid The After-Wedding Blues

When I tell people about what I do, they think of their own wedding and I often hear them say something along the lines of "I wish we would have..." or "If I could go back and change.." Although as a bride I too had some minor regrets about not dedicating more time to spending time with friends and family before and after our wedding, and not taking more family pictures; the point is you cannot go back and change it.  I encourage couples to remind themselves that no part of life is absolutely perfect, and a wedding is no exception.  Weddings bring together family and friends all to one place, and it will most likely be the first and perhaps only time that you ever plan such a large event.  If you have in your mind a play-by-play plan for your wedding, please accept and embrace the notion that somethings might not go exactly as planned. If there is anything that I can do to help couples avoid having these "post-wedding blues" it is to stress the importance of hiring professionals.    Brides that attempt to plan the entire wedding, and handle the day of coordination most often feel overwhelmed, and upset when things do not seem to be on track.  Having professionals on your side to keep your event running smoothly will certainly calm your nerves on your wedding day.

On some of the wedding forums that I belong to, brides commonly write a "Wedding Day Recap" post which usually describes their experience (good and bad.) Some brides have this overwhelming feeling now that their wedding is over, because they have put so much energy into planning and now its over.  What they should see though is that a whole new chapter is beginning, which is being a homeowner or living together, being a wife, and someday a mother will bring on a much bigger challenge than being a bride!

Some suggestions to help you enjoy your wedding experience, and avoid the post wedding blues:

Ask For Help Allow your wedding planner to assist you in task such as contacting venues, and setting consultations etc.  For the DIY brides, consider using some of the A La Carte Options offered by propesctive wedding coordinators such as site visits, contract negotiations and hourly services.  Meet with the coordinator as much or as little as you need, but you will be able to check in and make sure that your planning is on track.  If you have friends or family that have offered to help, consider delegating some of the tasks such as folding programs, tying bows etc.

Rehearsal Dinner The rehearsal dinner is pretty standard when it comes to a wedding, yet many couples don't take advantage of this time well.  Use your rehearsal dinner to run through the ceremony, and do not be afraid to ask to read the passages that your officiant plans to use.  You then have the ability to ask for any changes, and it may also help you get some of the jitters out.  Make sure to ask if your photographer is familiar with your venue, if not consider asking them to attend the rehearsal in order for them to get acquainted with the space.

Stay Active Before and After Your Wedding It is easy to get consumed with your planning process, so make time to exercise and get lots of rest in the weeks leading up to the wedding.  Stay involved with your friends lives as much as possible, you don't want to go overboard on wedding stuff, so make sure to be a good friend to others.  After the wedding, plan outings for you and your new husband to enjoy together such as sports games, or BBQ's with your families.

With that being said, I should say that every time I talk with someone about their wedding I notice they are smiling! Couples that have been married for 10, 20 or even 40 years talk about their wedding day like it was just yesterday and they remember what it felt like to walk down the aisle and dance together for the first time as husband and wife. Even when talking about some of their wedding day bloopers, they are still smiling because it was an amazing experience and they got married to the love of their life!  Sometimes the best thing to do is to share your frustrations with others, so feel free to drop us a line and tell us about your wedding planning experience!

On the road to 'I Do' Regina and Max

Regina and Max - September 4, 2011

Regina: "We met through a mutual friend at a get together in January of 2005, when we were 17 and a half.   Max was very shy, so I  made a bold move and put my number in his phone (even though  he didn't technically ask for it).  We started talking the next day, and never stopped.

We've been together over 6 years now (February 20th is what we consider our anniversary). Max asked me to marry him on October 12th 2010..It was just a random night when I got home from work he had rose petals trailing to the bedroom, where he was all dressed up and was on one knee. I remember being so stunned when I walked in the door!    We are both so excited for our wedding to get here, and to top it off our honeymoon will be in Fiji!

Regina and Max will be getting married at The Palms Pavilion in Chico, CA and will each have 6 members of their wedding party, and a guest list of around 140 people.  Their wedding colors are turquoise, hot pink, with some touches of peacock accents.

They have chosen Special Times Catering as their caterer who will also supply the table linens. Lisa's Flor Decor will be creating the bridal bouquets and the boutonnieres for the guys. The orchid centerpieces and votive candles will create a simple but elegant overall decor.

Regina and Max are really an energetic couple who just keep each other smiling and laughing, and you can really tell they have something special.  Their guests will no doubt feel honored to witness these two starting their new life together as husband and wife!