I cannot even describe how wonderful the wedding was yesterday. The bride and groom are one of the most caring and sweet couples that I have ever worked with. They hired me in May for full service wedding planning. It was a true joy to see it all come to life yesterday. I think I shed more than a few tears during their very personalized ceremony and during the toasts. We barely escaped the rain and made good use of my umbrellas toward the end of the ceremony. I could rave for hours about the vendors, some of whom I worked with for the first time yesterday. I can’t imagine a job more rewarding than seeing such an amazing couple get married at the wedding which perfectly reflected their personality and style.

It has been a crazy week and I can’t believe I haven’t commented on my wedding last weekend! I have been working with the bride since March to help plan the whole wedding. We came up with some great ideas, really unique food and created a fun atmosphere for the guests. The bride and groom were so completely relaxed and yes, I shed a tear during the ceremony. It was a great night!

Where has the summer gone? I can hardly believe September starts next week. I love fall… the colors, the coolness, the great food, Halloween, pumpkins, falling leaves, I could go on and on. September is my busiest month for weddings this year and I can’t wait. I was privileged enough to throw a baby shower last weekend for one of my best girlfriends. Did I go overboard? Probably. Was it worth it? Absolutely.

Here is a great article from Emily Post about using e-mail for wedding related correspondence:
http://www.emilypost.com/weddings/etiquette/postings/email.htm

Yesterday’s wedding as simple and elegant. The bride and groom were very relaxed, the venue was beautiful and the food was outstanding. It was a fun evening for everyone.

I’m proud to announce that Save the Date Events has been nominated for the Best of Denver 7’s A-list category for wedding planners. If you haven’t already voted, please vote for us at:
http://kmgh.cityvoter.com/Details.aspx?business=49167

…that is what the bride and groom did yesterday. They are a truly amazing couple. It was so obvious how in-love they are and how perfect they are together. I think I cried when they said their own vows. I am incredibly honored to have been part of their special day. I can’t wait to see the bride again after their honeymoon. She is a sweetheart!

Seriously, how good does this cake look? Not only did it look incredible, it tasted even better. The rest of the wedding on Saturday night was so wonderful. I started working with the bride and groom last fall. They couldn’t be any sweeter! They wanted a very romantic wedding downtown and I’m pretty sure they couldn’t have been happier. It was a beautiful night and all the vendors did a fantastic job. I can’t wait to see the pro pictures.

What a great wedding last night. The bride has such an incredible energy and personality that it was easy to see why her and her husband have a big group of wonderful friends. The dance floor was packed all night. The DJ and caterer are two of my favorite vendors and both did an amazing job. I was privileged to see some of the video footage today and can’t wait to see the final DVD.

Actually, she isn’t really a slacker but she is a great writer who has been blogging her wedding planning journey for the Denver Post, the slacker bride. What can I say? I don’t think I have ever seen a bride have so much fun at her own wedding. The band was the best wedding entertainment I have seen. The food was fantastic. The venue was unique and fun. I adore this couple. I have been working with them since last fall. They have great taste and didn’t need much help with style and design. Despite the super hot weather, I think all the guests had a fantastic time.

Tip of the day: If you are having an outdoor summer wedding, have water and/or drinks for your guests at the ceremony. At the wedding yesterday, we had ~120 guests. We had a large bucket of 200 water bottles on ice. At the end of the ceremony, there was no water to be found. I can’t imagine not having drinks available on such a hot day. Another tip for a outdoor summer wedding - small paper fans are a great way to add color to the ceremony, keep kids entertained and let your guests stay cool.

The latest wedding trend is the green wedding—a natural, all-organic wedding that is both chic and environmentally conscious. Brides and grooms who are environmentally conscious are seeking out great ways to save energy and resources without sacrificing style. Try some of these wedding tips to make your big day something green!

• Sunshine is the Perfect Backdrop - Take your wedding photos outside. Say goodbye to wasteful flash photography and drab indoor lighting.
• Natural Invitations and Stationary. Design all your stationary using recycled paper products.
• Candle Décor - Display candles on the tables at different heights. Candles use less resources than flowers or lights, and they can be used for years to come.
• Recycled Guest Book - Use a gorgeous coffee table book that you already own as the guest book. Not only will this save a lot of trees, it will also be a very unique guest book.
• Organic food - Some caterers now offer organic and locally grown options for your reception celebration
• Tasty, Organic Favors - Why not make organic favors using the bride or groom’s favorite chocolate? Make your own or purchase your chocolates and wrap them in recycled paper.
• Reuse Ceremony Décor - Turn your ceremony flowers into reception centerpieces and decor.
• In-Season Flowers- By ordering in-season flowers, you can support local farms and use less resources than you would if you ordered them from overseas which is very common in the floral industry.
• Opt for Live Music - Un-microphoned music uses fewer resources than bands that require massive amounts of equipment or electricity.

Remember, it is all about re-invention. Reuse and recycle products during the entire event and let Mother Nature provide the décor. Local, outdoor Colorado scenery provides amazing backdrops and makes the perfect natural setting.

I must be crazy for going on a week long vacation during wedding season. The only reason we chose to go in the summer is because you can’t really enjoy Alaska in the cold, dark winter. My husband and I had an incredible time. We did a lot of hiking, biking, boating, wildlife viewing, driving, eating and drinking. It was an amazing trip. Red-eye flights are not so fun.

Today has been an incredibly busy day catching up with clients and scheduling meetings. I love summer!

The wedding yesterday was absolutely perfect. It was so obvious that the bride and groom were meant to be together. All the vendors did an amazing job. I am so impressed with the photographers, the venue and the floral designer. The photographers stayed more than an hour past their contracted time and had a slide show of the ceremony photos (already photo shopped) displayed at the reception. The venue staff were fabulous. Serving a plated dinner for 250 guests so professionally and fast was impressive. One of my favorite floral designers created incredible bouquets and centerpieces. I have an extra centerpiece on my kitchen table. It makes me smile to see how beautiful it still looks. If you would like to know who created these amazing flowers, send me an email!

I won’t lie, my favorite part of the reception is the cake. I think dessert should be a food group. The cake was good, the icing was outstanding. Speaking of cakes, I’m on my way to a cake tasting right now.

Tip of the Day: Before you schedule appointments with a bakery or cake designer, get pictures. A picture is worth a thousand words! Look at bridal books, cake books, & online to find the perfect design for your cake. Cut out or print out pictures of what you like, especially if you like the shape of one and the details of another. Bring them with you to the appointment. Don’t try to describe it to the baker without a picture because what you’re thinking of is never the same as what they are thinking of. Don’t pick a cake just because it’s the same color as your wedding, your can easily change the colors, flowers and design to suit your taste. If you don’t have any ideas about cake or if it low on your priority list, your bakery will be able to show you their portfolios.

What a busy week it has been. I did take a few days off over the long weekend to do some climbing and the Bolder Boulder. What a fun race! My husband ran it twice, once for himself then he came back and did it again with me. What a great feeling to run into the CU stadium with all the runners and spectators. Simply amazing.

Your average wedding -

• Food = pretty good
• Cake = tasty wedding cake in chocolate, vanilla, etc
• Bar = if it’s open, it’s good
• Invitations = standard stationary with the correct information
• Table setup = white/ivory linen, a few flowers and candles for the centerpiece, nice chairs, place cards and a favor on the table
• Attire = bride in a white dress, groom in a black tux

With a little bit of effort, you can create a “WOW” wedding -

• Food = stations with unique presentation such as salads in martini glasses, fruit on a mini skewer in a shot glass with a sweet cream dip. Consider other options besides the standard plated or buffet dinner.
• Cake = dessert buffet, fondue station, ice cream bar…the options are endless and your guests will LOVE it
• Bar = signature drinks, wine tasting bar, champagne bar, etc.
• Invitations = custom made stationary, photo invitations, DVD invitations
• Table setup = custom linens, chair treatments, menu cards, fresh flower tucked in each napkin, monogram place cards
• Attire = bride has a colored sash or changes into a “fun” dress for the reception. Groom wears a suit or a white evening jacket.

There are so many easy and budget friendly options to take your wedding from “wow” to “WOW!”

I am amazed at how many emails I get requesting jobs and internships. I know many other wedding consultants are also inundated with the same type of requests. I try to reply when I have time but wanted to give these quick tips to those girls (and guys) who want to get into this industry.

• The Association of Bridal Consultants is a good place to start. Take classes, join the association, go to meetings, get certified, etc.
• Learn the facts about starting a business. There are contracts, laws, insurance, taxes, business structure, etc to learn about before you consider starting a business.
• You DO need a good attorney and tax professional on your side before you start your business.
• As consultants, our reputation is always on the line. My assistants are well trained and very good. We can’t risk bringing a new assistant in who has no experience in any part of the wedding industry. Remember this when you are contacting wedding consultants for an internship.
• Get a part-time job in a bridal shop or with a catering company. Learn the ropes and get some experience.
• Get educated! There are a lot of online programs and community college programs for you to learn about event planning.
• Wedding planning seems like such a glamorous job. It isn’t. I am very passionate about it and I absolutely love what I do. However, working the wedding day is the toughest job I’ve ever had. Keep that in mind when you are considering this field.

My husband and I just got back from visiting my family in Pennsylvania. I love to visit and we had a fabulous time. We spent some time on Lake Erie, took a boat ride to one of the islands and spent a lot of time relaxing and cooking out with everyone. It is always tough to leave but once I’m back in Colorado, I remember why I live here.

This week and weekend are packed with client meetings, venue tours and a variety of fun events with our friends. I can’t wait to see the new Spiderman movie at the IMAX tomorrow night. Tonight we are going to see our favorite band, FACE. Have you heard of these guys? They are phenomenal. I even hired them for my wedding last year.

Tip of the Day: To get your family more involved in the wedding planning process, start early if possible. Get your two families together to talk about the budget, style and size of the wedding. Obviously, this is easier to do if they are geographically near each other. If both of you have siblings, consider asking them to be a part of your bridal party. The same for nieces and nephews for ring bearer and flower girls. Consider asking parents or siblings to participate in the ceremony with readings. Does a family member have a singing talent? He or she could sing a song during the ceremony or at the reception. If someone has a large house, they might want to host some of the activities such as an engagement party, bridal shower or even a rehearsal dinner or welcome reception. A special aunt may be honored to hand out programs at the ceremony. There are many wedding day opportunities to include special family members and friends.

This past week has been incredible!! I have signed 5 wonderful new clients. A few couples are still planning for 2007 weddings while the others are on the blissful road to a summer 2008 wedding. I woke up at 4am last night with venue ideas for a couple I just met with last night. They are getting married in less than 4 months and don’t have any vendors yet or even a venue at this point. I love that kind of challenge, especially for such a sweet couple. Why do some of my best ideas show up in the middle of the night? I was up for an hour making notes from my dreams. The rest of my day today is busy, busy, busy!

Yesterday’s wedding was amazing. I can’t say enough wonderful compliments about the bride, groom and their families. I have been working with the couple and all the parents for about 8 months and it was so rewarding to see our hard work pay off. It was obvious how much the bride and groom love each other and they both looked fabulous. The bride’s parents are two of the nicest people I have ever met in my life. It was truly a pleasure to be part of the big day.

What an incredible day in Denver it is! My husband and I enjoyed a relaxing breakfast on the patio of a new restaurant this morning. I think we’ll head outside to plant a few flowers and clean up the yard this afternoon. It will be a great evening to sit on the deck and enjoy a bottle of wine that the mother of the groom generously gave me last night.

The colors you choose for your wedding day really set the style and tone for your event. The mood of your wedding is strongly influenced through your choice of colors. Color appears in every aspect of the wedding: the dresses, flowers, centerpieces, linens and the invitations. Carefully consider the following when choosing your wedding theme colors:

• The location of your wedding and reception. Choose colors that complement the setting. Many event locations have neutral colors but some do not. For example, the Magnolia Ballroom is a stunning venue but orange or lavender just won’t look great in that room.
• The mood you want to create. Vibrant colors add excitement, while soft colors induce a romantic ambiance. A red/pink wedding will be romantic. A brown/green wedding says natural and possibly casual.
• Colors are symbolic. For example, green is the color of nature, fertility and harmony whereas red represents energy, strength, passion, celebration and energy.
• The season you get married should influence your color scheme. Spring and summer colors are lighter, while fall and winter weddings lean toward darker colors.

Tip of the day: Before you choose bridesmaid dresses and visit the florist, decide what colors you are using for your wedding. Don’t choose them on a whim. Take time to look at pictures, invitations, scrapbook paper, paint color chips, etc. Research what different colors signify. Many times, a simple picture, invitation or flower arrangement is what a bride patterns her whole wedding style from. It is much easier to take the time now than to change your mind 2 months before the wedding!

While some couples cringe at the thought of writing their own wedding vows, many couples love the idea of creating a personalized ceremony for their big day. Before you start writing, here are some things to consider

• Do your homework - Check with your officiant first! Some will allow you to write whatever you want while others have strict rules. Many churches may want to review the vows first or have you recite the traditional vows in addition to your personalized wedding vows.
• Talk to your fiance - Are you writing your vows together or will you write them alone? Will you share them with each other before the ceremony? If you don’t want any surprises on the wedding day or are worried about what your partner will be promising, write them together.
• Create an outline and a style - Are you writing the entire ceremony from scratch or just the actual wedding vows? Draw up an outline of the ceremony and decide on the style that fits both of you (mushy, poetic, romantic, serious, etc)
• Start writing - If you are having writer’s block, there are plenty of books and websites that have sample ceremonies and wedding vows to help you get started
• Review your whole ceremony with your officiant.