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.

Set a Date

Ok, this is a no brainer, right? Not exactly rocket science. However remember that you aren’t the only one who just got engaged. Don’t rush into a date, but give it some careful consideration. For example there are some pretty popular dates floating around in 2011. (i.e. 11-11-11 or 09-10-11) You might have to fight the crowds to get the wedding professional of your choice if you pick a “hot” date.

Set a Budget

Yes this seems pretty straight forward as well but it can become tricky. Most couples have a budget in mind but where do you spend the money? A wedding planner can help you determine what’s reasonable to spend on certain items and when to reign you in if you seem to be heading toward blowing your budget. For example, if your total budget only allows for 3 to 5% to be spent on (XYZ super item) but the cost would require 8% of your total budget, then your wedding planner will help you trim in other places to get that item if you can’t live without it.

Determine a Guest Count

You will probably want to invite everyone you ever met, including your first grade teacher. But be realistic about the number of guests that would actually appreciate seeing you tie the knot. You also might be happier with having a super intimate affair at the swankiest place in town, instead of a huge party in a stadium just to accommodate your huge guest count. Do what your heart tells you.

Happy Monday SJE blog fans!  Today I’m going to touch on three 2011 Weddings Trends that you’ll be seeing.  Enjoy!

1.Think Vintage

The past is a major trend for 2011.  Brides will be wearing mom or grandma’s dress with a twist and even incorporating old wedding pictures into the décor.  Some brides will be handing out favors from vintage brands and building a historical theme around this idea.  Of course weaving modern details into these ideas make it fresh.  Have fun!

2. Eco-Chic

Brides are continuing to go green in 2011.  This means using recycled paper invitations and programs, LED lightning, and food from local farms.  The eco-friendly bride is continuing to ask for donations to their favorite charity in lieu of wedding gifts and opting to do the same instead of giving the guests a traditional wedding favor.  

Tiny Prints has a nice collection of eco friendly invitations.

3.D.I.Y.

The economy may have started this trend but I think “do it yourself” details are here to stay.  This trend does save the bride money but also adds that special touch to the big day that everyone will notice.  Couples are showcasing their favorite sports, interests, and vacation destinations.

What are some trends you’re seeing for 2011?  Go ahead and share, don’t be shy!

Is it polite to inquire about the attire the band or DJ will wear on my wedding day?
Yes it is perfectly fine to inquire about the attire of your band or DJ. If you’re having a very formal event you shouldn’t leave this detail up to interpretation. Do ask your band how they plan to dress or make it clear what the tone of your event will be.
Who should walk me down the aisle, my absentee father or my stepdad who has always been there for me? Or could I have them both?
Today’s bride can have anyone walk down the aisle with her. If you feel uncomfortable leaving your stepdad out, you don’t have to! Have your father walk you halfway down the aisle. Then let your stepdad escort you the rest of the way.
If my dad was not there, could I have my mom give me away?
You most certainly can have your mother give you away.
Could I pass on the bachelorette party in favor of a Prayer Night? Would people think I’m weird?
If it’s your wish to have a Prayer Night in lieu of a bachelorette party then go for it! As far as being concerned that people will think you’re weird, don’t worry about that. Hopefully you’ll be including the individuals who love and care for you the most. Chances are they know your faith and style so it will make sense to them how you choose to celebrate.
When was the tradition of “Wedding Favors” started and by whom?
It is believed that the European aristocracy began the tradition of bestowing wedding favors upon all of their guests. They were called bonbonniere and consisted of small boxes of crystal or porcelain, which held delicate confections such as cubes of sugar, then considered the ultimate symbol of wealth and royalty. **This information was provided by: www.trulyweddingfavors.com **

Things I think I know about Wedding Planning and don’t…There are hundreds of things to be considered to plan, not just the Rehearsal Dinner…….. List three that are not the first to come to mind.
1. The details : A lot of brides don’t consider the small details that often fall through the cracks i.e. Who will transport your gifts from the reception.
2. The budget: Many brides aren’t aware of how much things actually cost i.e. The price of your wedding floral doesn’t just include the cost of the flower. Labor, shipping, vase rentals, and the season can affect those costs.
3. The importance of making decisions quickly and to prioritize i.e. When choosing a wedding professional that you love, make sure you book them as soon as you are sure so that they will be available for your day. Prioritize items in the order that mean the most to you so you can spend your budget wisely.

Selecting godparent-sponsors for support during your nuptial festivities and to guide you through your married life.

The Godparent presents the couple with a Bible or prayer book to encourage them to pray.

A veil ceremony to symbolize God’s Protection

God-parents sponsors drape the bride’s veil over the shoulders of the groom while the couple kneels.  This symbolizes that although the couple may shoulder unexpected burden in marriage they will always be covered and protected by God’s Love.

A cord ceremony is to symbolize that marriage is for life.

The cord is a fabric cord, floral garland or long rosary wrapped around the couple to bind them as husband and wife.  The cord is tied in a figure eight, the mathematical symbol of infinity, to symbolize eternity.

A coin ceremony is to symbolize the sharing of worldly goods.

The thirteen coins presented to the bride by the groom symbolize the groom’s commitment to take care of his bride and make his wealth hers.  The passing of coins back and forth is a symbol of sharing worldly goods, for richer or poorer.  The reason for thirteen coins is because it represents Christ and his twelve apostles. There is also a treasure box, in which the coins are kept in.

A money dance to symbolize prosperity and financial security

Relatives take turns dancing up to the bride and groom and pinning money on their clothes, which allows the couple to spend a few moments with each of their guests. After the money dance, the groom is ridiculed by his friends, tossed in the air while being covered with the veil, and given an apron and broom.

Other traditional dances

At wedding celebration in Mexico, the guests form a heart and the newlyweds dance in the middle.

Another Mexican wedding dance is the Snake Dance, La Vibora.  This is where single women form a line and pass under the couples clasped hands.  When the music stops, one woman is captured in the newlywed’s arms and is given the bouquet.  The single men perform the same dance.

Cake Tradition

A Latino tradition is a cake pull.  One ribbon has a fake diamond ring attached.  Before the cake is cut and served, single women at the reception pull out the ribbons. The one who gets the ribbon with the ring will marry within the year.  If her marriage doesn’t take place, tradition calls for the bride to throw a party in the girl’s honor.

I hope you learned as much as I did and if you know of any wedding traditions please share! Viva el Amor!

Photo cortesy of Style me Pretty, Honolulu magazine, and  A Pertura Photography

Information provided by Edna R. Bautista in “Viva al Amor”

Welcome to Friday SJE fans!  We have another busy weekend ahead of us and SJE will descend upon the beach.  We’ll be in Galveston Texas and the residents better watch out because Team SJE really knows how to throw a reception!

This month our Feature Friday spotlight will be April showers.   Hopefully, you’ll be inspired to think outside of the box when planning your bridal shower.  By all means have fun with it!

The photos above show a beach inspired theme with boxed lunches, a retro 50s theme, as well as damask and green inspiration.

Photos Courtesy of Colin Cowie and The Knot

Photo Courtesy of reception-wedding.com

A wedding dress is not complete without the flowers that go a long with it.  The bridal bouquet is a standard in any wedding, but just like most of our beloved wedding traditions we have know idea where it came from. The bridal bouquet dates all the way back to ancient times when women carried aromatic bunches of garlic and herbs to keep evil spirits away.  In ancient Greece, the bride and groom wore garland around their necks to symbolize new life, hope and fertility.  The wedding bouquet took on a whole new meaning in Victorian times.  Flowers became a mean of communication secret messengers between lovers.  Each flower had its own meaning.  In modern times we pick our flowers base off of color, design or what we love.   

Inspiration courtesy of www.perfect-wedding-day.com

Welcome to another glorious Monday SJE fans! We hope your weekend was awesome. The sun is shining and the weather is perfect for a lunchtime stroll.

Today we would like to highlight a piece of wedding etiquette that many brides have struggled over.
Should I have a cash bar at my wedding? The short answer is No.

Think of it like this: Would you ask for someone to pay for a cocktail at your home? We hope not. The individuals who come to your reception are your guests, and you should treat them as such. If your budget doesn’t allow for a full bar, then serve soft drinks, wine, or champagne. You could also cut back on the size of your guest list to accommodate a full bar. Don’t let anyone talk you into selling drink tickets or having the guests pay!

Inspiration for this post provided by: Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette
Photo courtesy of: Hostess With The Mostess

It’s Monday and what better way to start the week off than a fun fact about weddings?  In most weddings the garter is tossed, but most bride and grooms take part in this tradition with out knowing where it comes from.  The garter toss dates all the way back to the 1500s in France.  Originally friends and family would take the garter from the bridal chambers to prove the wedding had been consummated with an item of the brides clothing for good luck.  During the nineteenth century, more brides and grooms began to drift away from having people come to their room the night of their wedding; that’s when tossing the garter began to evolve at the reception.

Photo Courtesy of Hawthorne Photography & Article Inspiration Courtesy of Suite101.com