“I have a dream that one day this nation will
rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed:
‘We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal.’”

There is no greater joy than to give back to your community or to an organization in need. From something as simple as purchasing a box of cookies to making a monetary donation in lieu of gifts can make a profound impact on someone’s life.

Think about it? The smallest gesture to help someone in need could also benefit your heart, your soul and your pocketbook.

Why should you donate, you ask? Here are just the top five reasons you should consider donating  before, during and after your wedding:

1. Charitable donations are tax-deductible. According to Uncle Sam, charitable contributions of money or property made to qualified organizations can reduce your taxable income and lower your tax bill.
2. Meet interesting people and experience new things. Charities usually secure great talent, draw local celebrities and auction really extravagant items/experiences. Even those with modest budgets can get in on the action and this is a great way to meet new, interesting  people.
3. Helping others gives you a sense of pride. Giving back can lift your self-confidence, self-esteem and life satisfaction. When doing something  good for others and the community, it can provide a natural sense of accomplishment.
4. Set a good example. By donating to charities, you will inspire those that look up to you to open up to the concept of giving.
5. You really CAN make a difference. Contributions, whether monetary or time, can make a difference in the lives of those in need when spent wisely. Making a difference is not about being a super hero, it’s simply making the effort to pay it forward.

During the month of June we are going to provide you with nifty ideas on how you can give back to your community during and after your Simply FAB wedding. Stay tuned!

As we promised, this month is all about showers! Today I put together a small inspiration board for the couple who has everything. How about throwing a co-ed “Stock the Bar” wedding shower? With this shower, guests bring gifts such as the favorite wine of the groom and bride-to-be, ice tongs, and wine tags.  How about some tie-the knot toothpicks for the scrumptious hors-d’oeuvres you’ll be serving?  How fun, right? 

Good Morning and Happy Cinco de Mayo SJE Fans!

Did you miss us?  We know things have been a little quiet around here but that’s because we’ve been busy making our clients swoon.  This month our focus will be wedding showers!  We’ll have ideas about shower locations, what to do for the couple who has everything, and provide you with a few inspiration boards for your viewing pleasure.  But for now, we’d like you to wish you an awesome Thursday!

Have you recently been to an awesome shower?  Tell us about it!

Have you ever thought of having a caricature artist at your reception? It’s such a great and unexpected way to entertain your guests and they can take home a really great favor that they LOVE!

Here are a few more fun and quirky ideas:

• Caricature Artist
  Goofy Faces was a really great resource when we need one in New Orleans and have artists available nationwide.
• Cotton Candy Machine, Sno-Cones Stands
  Check with your caterer first, however there are several rental companies that offer these great treats. Just hire someone to man the station so it doesn’t get too messy. (on a side note, make sure to get colorless flavors so you don’t have blue lips from slurping on your bubblegum flavored sno-cone.)
• Strolling Tables
  Trade in butler passed hors d’oeuvres for a strolling table. It’s a fantastic way to serve your guests during the cocktail hour. Not sure what I’m talking about? Take a peak at the photo below of J & D Entertainment‘s custom creation and you will love the idea!
• Moon Bounce (yes, a moon bounce).
  For an indoor-outdoor affair with a lot of kids or for the young at heart, a moon bounce can be pretty entertaining.
• Dance Troupe
  Whether it’s tradition or just for the fun of it, incorporating a dance troupe is a great way to be introduced into your reception or even as a way to open the dance floor.
• Cigar Roller
  

Strolling Table by J & D Entertainment

These are only a few suggestions to get you started and will hopefully get you to think outside of the box in order to create an environment that you will love and keep your guests entertained!

Happy Monday!!!  It seems like we just started the New Year and it’s already the last day of February.  Time sure flies when you’re having fun!  For the month of March we’re going to focus on entertainment.  We love to help our brides think beyond the traditional DJ or wedding band.

Your guests love to be entertained of course!  We enjoy the fine details of entertainment and once we put our heads together with our brides, we have stellar results.  In the past we’ve had a Nigerian dance troupe, an acapella group pose as guests while spontaneously bursting into song, and a Chinese dragon dance; just to name a few.  Think outside the box!

Finally, I’ll quote Courtney whose wedding is featured below,  “I don’t know if this is appropriate to say because it’s my own wedding but, THIS IS THE BEST WEDDING I’VE EVER BEEN TO!”

Although I ordered my case initially to promote my company (it’s all about branding), I purchased cases for a few close family members as Christmas presents last year. THEY LOVED THEM! So this got me thinking about how a tech-savvy bride and groom could incorporate Case-Mate into their wedding. A custom case (or even one of Case-Mate’s pre-designed cases) would make a really unique gift for the wedding party or each other. Imagine your engagement photo or your monogram on a custom phone case to commemorate your special day.

Check it our for yourself at www.case-mate.com.

Happy Monday SJE blog fans!   I hope you enjoyed your Super Bowl weekend.  If your guy proposed, then CONGRATS!!!  Today I’ll be highlighting Venues.  Three things to consider when selecting your reception venue are capacity, location, and cost.

Capacity

How many people can your venue hold comfortably?  Sometimes when you visit a venue, you are given the capacity that the space can hold by the venue manager.  However, if that number gives you a pause, then you might be in for a tight fit.  A wedding planner can plan the space with you down to the exact the floor plan you’ll have on your wedding day.  Sometimes we (wedding planners) can take a look at a space and determine that your dream won’t be fulfilled in your chosen space.

Location

Obviously, if you have guests traveling from out of town you’ll want to skip long treks across the city for your guests.  If your ceremony is at one end of the city and your reception at the other, it can be a pain and an additional expense (for you) to transport your guests comfortably to the final destination.  But if your heart is set on a specific venue that’s far from your ceremony your wedding planner can help you make the transition a smooth one.

Cost

Finally it all boils down to the cost.  You may have booked your venue simply because it was the least expensive option you could find.  Maybe they cut a great deal for you and you couldn’t say no.  A wedding planner can review the contract with you and help you determine what you are more likely to actually spend on that “cheap” venue.

1. Hello Ruffles! Brides are trending towards fuller, asymmetrical ball gown-esque wedding dresses in 2011. Even the simplest bride wants the drama of a laser-cut silk organza bridal gown to tickle their wedding fancy.
2. Dressing Room, please. With fuller bridal gowns and longer receptions, brides are opting to exit stage left and change into a party and/or exit dress mid-reception. This allows brides to show their alter ego and comfortably celebrate being a new Mrs. in style.
3. More than Just a DJ.Couples truly want to entertain their guests by adding enhancements to their wedding reception (and I do mean something besides a photo booth). We’re seeing caricature artists, cigar rollers, fortune tellers, dance troupes. You name it!
4. Child’s Play. Instead of requesting guests to leave their kids at home, couples are offering on-site child care services and entertainment for the kids at the wedding.  We’re not talking about sticking all the kids in one room with their older cousin. Couples are bringing in licensed and certified care givers that create a fun and entertaining environment for the kids. They like to party, too.
5. Eco Chic. It is still cool to be green and you will see more couples incorporating such elements into their weddings. Whether it’s electronic save the dates, eco-friendly paper invitations printed with soy ink, or investing in items that you will wear or use post-wedding (just to name a few).

Enzoani/Genevieve de Manio via Getty Images

Lately we have noticed that many of our clients skip the “videographer” because they feel they won’t ever watch it again. I beg to differ. The art of capturing your wedding on film has been greatly transformed from the good old days when I got married (all of 10 years ago).

• Videography is now Cinematography.
• VHS is now HD or BluRay.
• No more “Star Wars” rolling credits, couples now have short films and trailers.

The cinematography goes beyond the wedding as well. Similar to an engagement session, “The Love Story” captures the essence of the relationship prior to the wedding. However with cinematography, your story can be shared in your own words for many years to come without a detail being missed or forgotten.

Click on the image to take a peak at “Courtney & Acho: The Love Story” produced by 31 Films.