Wedding Insurance- Should you buy it or not?

Up until today, I have been very skeptical of the whole wedding insurance movement BUT more and more I am dealing with brides and grooms for whatever reason that do not actually get married. So the question is "If we are not going through with our wedding plans then how do we recover financially?"  I am currently in talks with several companies that provide these services and will feature the information in a future post. But until then, I suggest couples to really do their homework and make sure they are clear on the terms of the contracts they are signing as they plan their big day.

Creating a Unique Atmosphere for your Big Day

                                                    Truffle Favors by Elegant Designs by J

                                        ~ featured on Etsy at www.etsy.com/shop/elegantdesignsbyj

In everything that we do presentation is "key". The smallest details will added a more personalized touch to your special day. So today's focus is on ways to personalize your day. 

So here is the Top 10 list:

1. Custom Invitation Suite

2. Carry the theme/ color scheme from the ceremony site to the venue

3.Unique, Creative Favors

4.Elegant place settings

5.Signature Cocktails at the bar (good way to highlight your personality)

6.Creative Stations featured at the Cocktail Hour

7.Custom lighting

8.Custom Monogram or Logo featured on the Menu and bar napkins

9.Luxe Linens for the table

10.Creative First Dance for Bride and Groom, or Entrance

Whatever you choose to do, be sure to focus on making the day memorable for both you and your guests. Your wedding should be considered the best day of your life.

So You are Ready to Plan....

If I could pick just one word of advice it would be: communicate! This will be your most important tip. Every wedding, just like the marriage, has two partners. It is essential that you both have your desires fulfilled in the wedding. Start by making a list of each of your wedding wishes, organizing them from “must haves” to “great if we can afford it”. Begin the conversation between the bride and groom with a few questions:


How many guests do we want?
How much money do we have to spend?
What type of ceremony? Civil or Religious
Formal or informal?
Attendants? How many do we need?
Location?
Type of venue?
More questions may come to mind while you make your lists, but these suggestions will get you going. Then, think about your budget and how you will finance the wedding. Will you be covering all expenses yourself or will you be getting help from the family? Understand that once you accept financial help, you may have to give up some control. 


Okay, now you’ve made the major decisions and set your budget, you may want to consider the help of a professional wedding planner. This decision will put you in a more relaxed mode for your planning because you will have the guidance of a professional. The planner will take your vision and make suggestions that will work with your budget and specifications as listed above. The planner works with wedding vendors on a continuous basis and many will have the best vendors with special pricing because the vendor knows they will work with the planner again. So, you’ll not only have much less stress, hiring a wedding planner could actually help save some money!


If you decide not to use a planner, get ready to hold onto your vision. Ask for vendor recommendations from friends and family and then make your choice based on your budget and your style. Many times you can attend a bridal show locally and meet face to face with numerous vendors all in one spot. Once these choices are made, be ready to respond to unsolicited advice from well meaning friends and relatives. A good response to any advice could be, “Thank you for your suggestion. I’ll mention that to John.” Or “Interesting perspective. I’ll have to mention this to Jenna”. Use whatever words don’t make a lasting commitment to use their advice, while remaining friendly and mannerly to your loved ones. If you do this you will not get caught up in the free for all that sometimes happens when you are getting advice from lots of different people. 


Once you have your vendors, start considering who you want to be your attendants. This is not a decision you should make hastily, without thought or too long before the wedding date. Compile and review a list of duties you’d like each attendant to be responsible for and then fit the personality to the duties and their ability to complete them. Be sure to consult a wedding etiquette book or this website to make sure that the duties you’re expecting are legitimate expectations. No bridezillas! Too many times brides don’t consider these suggestions and it ends up affecting friendships. If your very best friend is irresponsible she may disappoint you if you ask her to be maid of honor. Be sure to discuss your needs/desires before she agrees. Also consider the financial responsibility that comes with the honor of being a member of the bridal party. Make sure all expenses are discussed.


Above all, find ways to relax and enjoy this time while you plan your wedding. It goes by in a blink of an eye. Don’t blind yourself with stress.


Now that you have all pieces of your intricate wedding puzzle at hand, begin fitting those pieces together to make your dream wedding a reality!

Choosing your Wedding Colors...Helpful tips for today's Brides

Choosing Your Wedding Color Scheme

The colors you choose for your wedding day set the style and tone for your entire event. You can use color in your bridesmaids' dresses, decorations, cake, favors, flowers, accessories, table linens and even the invitations! Choose colors you love, but also consider the following:

1. Where is the wedding and reception? Choose colors that complement the setting. Consider the carpeting, drapery and decor, etc.
2. What mood do you want to create? Vibrant colors add drama, while soft colors evoke a more romantic atmosphere.
3. What time of year will you marry? The season may influence your color scheme. Spring and summer colors tend to be lighter, while fall and winter colors are generally darker.

Although much has been written on how colors effect our moods and emotions, colors mean different things in different cultures, so avoid focusing too much on them. The following two tools can help you choose a coordinated color scheme.

1. Color Wheel - A color wheel helps you choose coordinating colors. It is made out of three primary colors: red, blue and yellow, plus a blend of in-between colors. Below are three color-choosing strategies that will ensure you pick a well coordinated color scheme. Learn more about color theory or visit Color Scheme Designer to try out some color scheme ideas.
   • "Complementary" colors means choosing colors that are opposite each other on the wheel, such as red and green.
   • "Analogous" means the colors lie next to each other on the wheel, such as red, red-orange, and orange.
   • "Monochromatic" means variations of the same tone, such as bright red, dark red, etc.
2. Color Palette Generator Tool - This handy (and fun!) tool allows you to upload your favorite photo and generate an instant color palette. 

Tips: Try to limit your main colors to two or three so as not to look too jumbled and stay consistent with your colors throughout the wedding site. Use a few subdued colors for an elegant look

Spring Weddings

For your spring wedding, the perfect signature cocktail can help pull together a seasonal theme. Before you decide your drink menu, review this guide to delicious spring cocktail ideas.

Flavor of the Moment

Many of your favorite fruits are synonymous with spring -- combine those flavors with spirits and you can set a light, festive mood for your wedding. Consider these tasty cocktails for your reception, rehearsal dinner, or, of course, your cocktail hour:


Mango Martini

• 2 parts Grey Goose vodka
• 1/2 part mango puree
• 1/2 part pineapple juice
• Splash of sour mix

Mix ingredients in shaker. Shake well over ice and strain into a martini glass.

Citrus Kiss

• 2 oz. Ketel One Citron vodka
• 2 oz. Grand Marnier
• 2 oz. Rose's lime juice
• Lemon, lime, and orange slices (for garnish)

Combine first three ingredients into a shaker over ice. Lightly shake. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with intertwined lemon, lime, and orange slices.

Watermelon Martini

• 3 parts Kettle One vodka
• 1 1/2 parts sour watermelon Schnapps
• 1/2 part sour mix
• Watermelon ball or wedge (for garnish)

Shake first three ingredients well with ice; then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a watermelon ball or wedge of watermelon.

Attractive Libations

Your signature cocktail should look as good as it tastes. Garnish the rim of the glass with fruit slices, serve the cocktail blended instead of over ice, or add a hibiscus flower to each glass for a spring feel. These recipes are both attractive and tasty:

Champagne Mojito

• Rose's lime juice
• 1/2 lime wheel
• 3 mint leaves
• Champagne
• Fresh mint sprig (for garnish)

Fill 1/8th of a champagne flute with Rose's lime juice. Add lime wheel and mint leaves. Fill the rest of the glass with champagne, then garnish with fresh mint sprig.

Pimms Cup

• Ginger ale (or 7-Up)
• 1/2 part Pimms liquor
• 1/2 part fresh lime juice
• Cucumber slice (for garnish)
• Twist of lemon (for garnish)
• Sprig of fresh mint (for garnish)

Fill a Collins glass with ginger ale. Stir the liquor and lime juice together and add to glass. Garnish drink with cucumber slice, twist of lemon, and a sprig of fresh mint.

Drink on Location

Do thoughts of springtime bring pleasant memories to mind? Share those moments with your guests by selecting a signature cocktail that creates a sense of nostalgia. Try these mixes for a beach or destination wedding.

Sandi-Tini

• 2/3 cup white cranberry juice
• 1 1/2 oz. Alize Blue
• 1/2 oz. citrus-flavored vodka
• Swedish Fish (one to float in each glass)

Mix together first three ingredients, add one Swedish Fish, and rim glass with Tang.

A Taste of Romance

• 1 oz. rose water mix (2 oz. rose water + 1 liter creme de cassis)
• 5 oz. Veuve Clicquot

Pour rose water mix into a champagne flute. Fill flute with champagne.
Knot Tip: If served at the bar, garnish with black currant, and if passed on a tray, sprinkle the tray with rose petals.

Springtime in Paris

• 2 oz. Grey Goose vodka
• 1 oz. Chambord
• 1 oz. Cointreau
• 1 oz. pineapple juice
• Raspberries (for garnish)

Combine first four ingredients into a shaker over ice. Shake well. Strain contents into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with raspberries.

Cherry Blossom

• 1 1/2 oz. Three Olives Cherry vodka
• 1/2 oz. orange juice
• 1/4 oz. grenadine
• 1/4 oz. Red Bull
• Maraschino cherry (for garnish)