Sexy Tupperware

Weird title, but it made you look.  Back in the day Tupperware parties were the thing to do.  I remember as a child hearing my mother be invited to them, or having neighbors hosting them but the at home parties have really changed over the years.  I know there are tons, ones that sell jewelry, kitchen items (maybe a little Tupperware) and many many that sell romance. 

Now as a the hosting company for CT Bridal Event, I've had my share of different at home romance companies come to our events.  I've really learned that they aren't all the same.  Three years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Raylene, a woman who has always been full of life, a straight shooter and aware, while running her own Pure Romance company.  I use the word aware for an important reason, Raylene isn't all about selling romance products but also educating the women who attend the parties.   She was also aware that at a bridal show, people might not wish to have EVERYTHING displayed.  Some people attend our shows, with grandmother's, step children and might not be interested in discussing edible underwear with their friends, or if they use lube or not.   If they are, they book a party or spend time talking to Raylene, but as I said she is really aware of how to connect with people in a comfortable, not in your face method. 

I'm a fan on facebook and between the sales pitches, and jokes, she does her best to keep women educated on their bodies.  Her honesty makes her excel at what she does.  I've seen people meet her at the show, tell her how much fun they had 3 months ago and book another party.  That says a lot.  So if you want to check her out, this is the perfect time.  You don't have to host a party, you can just join her at her 5th anniversary party.   Feel free to call her at 860-367-8056 or email her.  Plus find her on facebook and LIKE her. 

Just remember the fine print, babies and children are not allowed.  Men can attend this party by hanging out at the bar and then joining their girlfriends & wives after a little while.

Wrong Impression

In the process of planning and designing a wedding, there are times the venue might not totally meet the vision of what the couple was looking for. They picked the venue due to an open date, price, location or one of another dozen reasons but there might be changes that they want to make.  I notice some venues are very touchy about what goes on in their space, what they are willing to move and change around.  I get this, I do.  It isn't always easy to move around huge pieces of furniture but moving a few plants out is totally doable.  Anyways, more than once I've heard horror stories about planners or designers coming in and taking over the space, nailing things into the wall, taking down art, and overall causing stress for the venue.    I recently witnessed this at a location I was at.  The event planner started sticking things into the windows, hanging hooks from the walls (not the cool, leave no mark ones either) and just not respecting the space at all.  This of course gives all of us planners and designers a bad name. 

Now I will admit, I have moved my fair share of dead plants, fake trees and ugly soda coolers but I've never hung anything permanent on a wall at a venue.  I have attached the 3M hooks that work great.  I have been given permission to pin fabric to fabric that was already on a wall, and I have moved fake fencing out of a space too.  Usually if I go to move something, it is cleared way before the event and I make it clear that we will return the item to the correct space at the end of the night. It is a always a good idea to ask your venue, do they have any rules, a list of things not to do or to do and work within these rules.  I don't like people having the wrong impression about ALL planners coming in, taking over and making huge changes but it isn't like that.  My goal is to keep my couple's wants and needs taken care of during the event but to also work well within the space we are in. 

When walking through a venue, that you may fall in love with, ask the questions.  Ask can I hang things, are these the paintings here year around, do we need to have the fake tree in the corner, is the bar moveable or not??? These are things worth asking before you sign on the dotted line. 

You can't really see the orange netting at all. :)

As I end this, I will admit to one more thing.  I had a bride getting married with the beautiful ocean as the backdrop to her ceremony.  Between the ocean and the ceremony was a boardwalk that decided to be worked on the months leading up to the wedding.  The morning of the ceremony, the backdrop all of a sudden was orange netting over the boardwalk and then the ocean  I might have cut down the netting, allowed it to drop to the ground and hour before the ceremony and tied it back up right after.  I just couldn't let that be in the photos. :)   

20%

When was the last time you looked at your contracts with your venue or your caterer carefully?  Did you ask about every single charge on the bill?  Did you read the fine print?  I of course read the fine print over and over again.  Even if I have used the location or the caterer before, I make sure to reread just in case. 

What I've been noticing is an additional 20% fee added to a few venues or caterer's final bill.  Now there are times I totally understand this charge, if the caterer is has to remove all of garbage from the location.  No matter how you attempt to cut waste, there is waste at any event, and this has to be removed.  If you attempted to clear all of this yourself, it could take many trips to the dump and it is worth it to have them remove it for you.  Trust me, you don't want to be in charge of this.  If they say the charge is a linen cleaning charge but you are given a choice of linens for free, double check and clarify for yourself what is part of your original fee covers what.  

The point here is to ask what the 20% covers and if the venue or the caterer can't tell you what it covers then you have an issue.  They should be able to describe it to you and not just say it covers miscellaneous, isn't a good enough answer.  This is a part of the bill that you can attempt to negotiate.  It is worth asking and seeing what they tell you.  It is simple, you should be aware of how your money is being spent and what is covered and what isn't.  It is your money and you should be okay with how it is being spent.

Expressing Tradition!

Giving your wedding a personal touch is a wonderful thing & bringing in a bit of family tradition can be a sweet touch. It doesn't have to be wedding traditions though, like getting married in the same church as your parents or the same wedding date or reception location.

I had one sweet bride (I'm using the word sweet since I know she still reads these)  decide to share her Nana's cookies with everyone and even the recipe. It was a nice personal touch of family tradition that will be remembered for years to come.

Another couple who decided that their candy bar was filled with candies from all their own childhood.  Many people tend to stick to the wedding theme or the colors which is amazing but this couple wanted to filled the jars with their childhood.  Plus they even went as far as to add in their parents favorites.  

One couple used the wedding bands from the family, one from the bride's father who had passed away many years earlier is now being worn by the groom.  It was a sweet gesture, and something that will be forever special to the couple.

When you decide to do something like this, then take the time to share it with your guest.  Add a cute little sign that explains your choices, or add some information into your programs.  You guests want to know and you should share.

Valentine Romance

Organic Photography

With Valentine’s day just around the corner, the big push for what you should be doing for that day has of course already started.  I think the push actually started months ago when Valentine candy was even out before Christmas was over, but anyways next Tuesday is the day.  Do you plan to go out that night, or maybe go out this weekend or the weekend after?  Will you create a romantic dinner at home? Just buy each other gifts? Plan a getaway?  The questions are kinda endless. The biggest question I always have, are you being romantic cause you want to be or cause of the date?

No matter what day you decide to celebrate, let us make a few suggestions.  For the next week, why not use your good plates, the good wine glasses, and real napkins.  Why not light candles throughout your dinning room, or your kitchen table.  Why not add candles throughout the room?   Pick a night to cook together, start with a bottle of wine, and cook together!  One of you can pick up the needed items from the store, and the other one can put the dishes away but take the time to create a meal together.  This works best if you put your phone in another room, don’t turn on the tv, though music is okay.  Why not buy a box of chocolates and enjoy biting into each one and figuring out if it is one you like or you don’t. Or even better feed them to each other and see if you can guess what they are.  Take one night to enjoy your partner’s choice in a movie and then the next night switch.  I also recommend that you both plan a night out and make the reservations and surprise each other.  You don’t have to go out for a huge pricey meal, but instead go out for drinks before or maybe just dessert.  Plus there are plenty of great restaurants that offering amazing deals this month, so do a little research and find the best deals.Have a little fun seeing who can find the best deal in town.   If you don’t have a babysitter, then why not pick up a take out order from that place you both have been wanting to go too.  Maybe just turn on your favorite song and dance around the house together, it doesn't cost you anything. 

 
My hope here is that I’ve given you a little food for thought on how to be romantic for more than just one day or at least how to make the one day really count.  I personally am not a huge fan of Valentine’s day, believe or not.  I don’t even own anything red, (someday I will share a photo of my cool walk in closet and you won’t see red. I do own a few pink items but I’m sure my mother bought them for me).  I am a huge fan of romance though, maybe that is why I love weddings.  While there are so many wonderful details to a wedding, my favorites are always the simple acts of love the couples share.  That first moment they see each other, be it during a first look or when one is about to walk down the aisle.  I love the moment when a couple is first married, and have a few seconds after the ceremony before anyone else hugs them or congratulates them. My favorite of all time, is when I see a couple both talking to other people look across the room, filled with friends and family and mom’s co-workers and they share an entire conversation with just a smile.  Those are the things I wish most for my couples, that they don’t lose that special connection, that they take time to still enjoy each other and love all moments, good and bad with each other.  So if you find yourself thinking of what to do this holiday, then make an effort to honestly take time to spend with each other and be a tiny bit more romantic.

Also do your best to shop local, (buy flowers from a local place)  & eat at locations that aren’t chains, and  support the places around you if you can. That has nothing to do with romance but just a nice reminder for you.

Things to consider for an outside ceremony

Last wedding season I was lucky to have a range of different ceremony locations.  I had a good chunk of them be outdoors, I think it is something many of us enjoy but there are always a few things to take into consideration when deciding on an outdoor ceremony location. 

Set the ceremony away from the sunshine.

Lots of sunshine!

SUNSHINE:  Make sure you figure out where the sun will be during your ceremony. Try to ensure that your guests and your wedding party isn't squinting throughout the service.  You want people to focus on the ceremony not on the fact that they can't see you. Try to pick a time for your ceremony that works with the level of sunshine if you can.

Two Roads Photography

SOUND:  Since you are outside, it is important to figure out how to make sure you are heard.  There are ways to hook up a sound system, this is a great thing to discuss with your DJ or musicians for your ceremony.  Your planner of course knows ways to help too.  If you decide not to use a sound system, make sure everyone speaks clearly, a bit louder than normal and have your guests sit closer together.  As the wedding couple, make sure you are looking at each when you exchange your vows instead of having your back to your guests.  Don't have your wedding party block you either.


BUGS:  It is a great idea to have bug spray available around the ceremony site.  Stick them in a basket, with packages of tissues and you are good to go.  Another product beside spray are bug spray wipes, they are easy to use but remember to have a trash can close by for people drop the wipes into after use.  You can fog the area a few hours before the ceremony, set up bug traps, or have a professional bug spraying company come out usually the week of the wedding.

SEATING:  What will work best for your style of wedding, budget and number of guests.  You don't have to have everyone sit if you plan on a short and sweet ceremony.  Though it is important to have some form of seating for certain guests, you don't want your grandmother standing for the whole ceremony.  Rented chairs, benches, blankets, hay and there are always clever choices to be made in seating.  Just remember, not everyone is going to want to sit on the ground and find the best solution that works for the space and your style.

Always be willing to work with the space you are in, remember to have a back up plan or even two or three of them!  Outdoor ceremonies can be amazing and taking the time to work out the details is important. 

Meeting both needs, chairs and blankets for a freestyle wedding.

I admit it...

Okay, I admit it, I've been lacking on the blog posts.  It is very easy to spend my late night hours checking out Pintrest, or creating a one of a kind cake stand for one of my couples.  I look at the blog, I even start them but then I have about 3 different topics to cover and well you get the picture. I'm going to spend one whole week posting in my blog. (Don't mind the fact that I'm starting this on Tuesday. :)  I have a few topics to cover and I may cover one or more a day but until next Tuesday there will be a new post every day. 


We will be covering Valentine's Day, our upcoming bridal show at the Mark Twain House & Museum. Feature a few of our favorite wedding vendors, cover a few pressing issues like Facebook Eventing your wedding, creative tips and more.