It's been a long time coming and not without some bumps in the road but without further ado - welcome to the first official Manic Mondays post!
Want to try something delicious -try Orange Ginger Creme Brulee! Where can you find such a treat you ask? I found it at Eez Fusion & Sushi in Huntersville, NC, in the Birkdale Village near the movie theater.
Oooo MMmmm Gosh!!! Can you say Yum?? I think I need to go there right now. Everything I have had at Eez has been fabulous but the Orange Ginger Creme Brulee was the best dessert I have had in a long time.
So what does this have to do with weddings? Eez will cater! YES! I'm very excited about this!! If you are looking for an interesting late night snack for your reception guests, why not California rolls? Light, yummy and hits the spot after a full night of wedding festivities! Bridal luncheons, rehearsal dinners, the list is endless. But they are always packed so plan in advance! See their website for booking catering or have your wedding planner do it for you!
October 11, 2010
October 07, 2010
Will You Even Remember You Got Married?
Feature Article
by Tracey Baxter
At the end of your wedding day, your marriage has already begun but the wedding will already be just a memory. How well, and an in many cases if you remember all the intricate details you created or exactly how uncle Sal looked in his groovy rust colored tux will depend entirely on your photographer. Capturing your event on film –or in modern terms, digitally, your photographer has the ability to keep your memories vibrant and alive. It’s important to know the difference between features and results when choosing a wedding photographer. And features do not necessarily achieve the expected result. For example, the feature would be a state of the art digital camera that only 10 people in the world own. A result would be eliciting the kind of memories you desire. But that state of the art camera may or may not get that result you desire depending on which of the 10 people are using it!
Your wedding photography begins with the results!
Do you long for traditional portraits or your story in a journalistic montage? Or maybe blending these styles is more your goal? Photographers will present you with their best work samples in a consultation so before you scout out photographers to interview; it’s helpful to know your preferences because this is the result you are looking for! Look for photographers who capture the emotion you want to feel when you look at these pictures in three years… 10 years… 25 years and more from now. Some couples want to feel reverent and others glee when reflecting on their wedding photos. Whatever that feeling is you desire, it is critical to pinpoint. Until you know this first, you will not be able to find a photographer that is able produce that result for you.
What features are important to you?
Once you have narrowed down photographers by the style and feeling they can evoke in their photos of you in your price range, it’s time to determine what features are relevant to your needs. Not every photographer offers the same features even if within the same price range. What features you need and what can you do without depends again on your style and personality. There is not necessarily one right feature set for everyone. Here are some features to consider when choosing your photographer:
1. Do they have a second photographer shooting the event?
2. Will there be a time limit or is service for the full event day?
3. Will the photographer(s) travel to locations other than your ceremony and reception sites on your wedding day?
4. Is there a limit to the number of photos they will take? Some photographers still set a limit on the number of shots taken.
5. Do packages in your price range contain more than 2 elements that you don’t want? And if so, can you negotiate trading for something else. For example, if you don’t want a 4x5 album for your parents, can you trade that for additional hours, an engagement shoot or something else?
6. How much does it cost for prints?
7. Who gets the copy rights?? In other words, must you order prints through the photographer?
8. Will you see actual printed proofs or will only online viewing be available?
9. Does the photographer touch up the photos in any way?
10. How long will it take to see proofs and then get finished products?
Your Wedding Planning Homework:
Knowing your style and desires for how you want to reflect on your wedding is the key! No other photo album will be as emotionally charged as your wedding album or scrapbook. Take time to really ponder how you want to feel when you look at your wedding photos in the years to come. .
Want to use this article in your e-Zine, blog or website? You may as long as you include this complete statement:
Wedding Solutions Specialist Tracey Baxter publishes the "Aisle Do" bi-weekly e-zine. Get your Free Report: "5 Fun and Fabulous Reception Ideas for a Reluctant DIY Bride” at www.aisledoweddings.com
by Tracey Baxter
At the end of your wedding day, your marriage has already begun but the wedding will already be just a memory. How well, and an in many cases if you remember all the intricate details you created or exactly how uncle Sal looked in his groovy rust colored tux will depend entirely on your photographer. Capturing your event on film –or in modern terms, digitally, your photographer has the ability to keep your memories vibrant and alive. It’s important to know the difference between features and results when choosing a wedding photographer. And features do not necessarily achieve the expected result. For example, the feature would be a state of the art digital camera that only 10 people in the world own. A result would be eliciting the kind of memories you desire. But that state of the art camera may or may not get that result you desire depending on which of the 10 people are using it!
Your wedding photography begins with the results!
Do you long for traditional portraits or your story in a journalistic montage? Or maybe blending these styles is more your goal? Photographers will present you with their best work samples in a consultation so before you scout out photographers to interview; it’s helpful to know your preferences because this is the result you are looking for! Look for photographers who capture the emotion you want to feel when you look at these pictures in three years… 10 years… 25 years and more from now. Some couples want to feel reverent and others glee when reflecting on their wedding photos. Whatever that feeling is you desire, it is critical to pinpoint. Until you know this first, you will not be able to find a photographer that is able produce that result for you.
What features are important to you?
Once you have narrowed down photographers by the style and feeling they can evoke in their photos of you in your price range, it’s time to determine what features are relevant to your needs. Not every photographer offers the same features even if within the same price range. What features you need and what can you do without depends again on your style and personality. There is not necessarily one right feature set for everyone. Here are some features to consider when choosing your photographer:
1. Do they have a second photographer shooting the event?
2. Will there be a time limit or is service for the full event day?
3. Will the photographer(s) travel to locations other than your ceremony and reception sites on your wedding day?
4. Is there a limit to the number of photos they will take? Some photographers still set a limit on the number of shots taken.
5. Do packages in your price range contain more than 2 elements that you don’t want? And if so, can you negotiate trading for something else. For example, if you don’t want a 4x5 album for your parents, can you trade that for additional hours, an engagement shoot or something else?
6. How much does it cost for prints?
7. Who gets the copy rights?? In other words, must you order prints through the photographer?
8. Will you see actual printed proofs or will only online viewing be available?
9. Does the photographer touch up the photos in any way?
10. How long will it take to see proofs and then get finished products?
Your Wedding Planning Homework:
Knowing your style and desires for how you want to reflect on your wedding is the key! No other photo album will be as emotionally charged as your wedding album or scrapbook. Take time to really ponder how you want to feel when you look at your wedding photos in the years to come. .
Want to use this article in your e-Zine, blog or website? You may as long as you include this complete statement:
Wedding Solutions Specialist Tracey Baxter publishes the "Aisle Do" bi-weekly e-zine. Get your Free Report: "5 Fun and Fabulous Reception Ideas for a Reluctant DIY Bride” at www.aisledoweddings.com
July 29, 2010
"The Most Common Mistake Made by Newly Engaged Couples"
Feature Article
"The most common mistake made by newly engaged couples!"
by Tracey Baxter
This major mistake can be costly in many ways. Whether you are dreaming of a very intimate gathering or a bash that rivals New York’s Times Square on New Year’s Eve, the most important factor to consider is creating your wedding guest list. Most brides and mothers of these brides estimate that they will host a certain number, say 135 guests, and jump right into booking venues and dress shopping. Unfortunately, what they think will be 135 guests actually tallies to something quite different when they finally sit down and make a list of who they really would like to invite. Let’s examine a couple examples of how guessing your guest list total sabotages your wedding planning before you get started.
Some brides justify procrastinating creating an accurate guest list thinking there will be a large number of guests that will be unable to attend. This is not usually the case. Inviting more than 10 guests over what your venue will safely accommodate is not a gamble worth taking. You will be in a world of hurt much too late in the game to change the location and your venue will have no choice but to force you (or your family or wedding planner) to turn guests away at the door because they take fire code violations very seriously. This would be more horrific than not inviting some people to begin with don’t you think?
When you over estimate your guest list and choose a venue scaled for well over your actual needs, you’re still not making the most informed decision. Hosting a small event in a massive space is not the end of the world but you will still have only two options if you don’t care for the idea of your intimate event getting lost in the expanse of the ballroom. And your options could be expensive. You will need to either increase your budget to make the space feel more intimate by adding fabric, tents or other large scale décor or forfeit the deposit so you can find a venue elsewhere that is more appropriately sized for your event.
The guest list, particularly the trimming of the guest list, has more potential for prickly discussions than any other wedding planning category. When brides immediately start searching venues and caterers, they often choose a site that is too small because they underestimated their guest list. This creates unnecessary stress as the guest list has to be reduced. Traditionally, the guest list size is determined by the host and is divided in half for each family to select their share of the guests. But if the reserved venue is much smaller than the guest list needs, there are only two options. You must either trim the guest list or lose your deposit and booking somewhere that safely accommodates all of your invited guests.
Guest list size makes the financial impact. If you have a large reception in mind, say 300 guests, allotting $65 per person will total $19,500. The same reception for 200 guests drops to $13,000 and for 100 guests to just $6500. This example of $65 per person included bar service, cake, décor in addition to a plated meal. If you selected a menu that alone is $65 per person, revisit the numbers above and add to them at least 50% for the addition of décor, bar service and cake. You can easily see the financial significance of accurately figuring out the guest list right from the start.
Communication is key! Regardless of if you go with the traditional guest list allocation, tally based on who is contributing to the budget, or some other formula, clear and compassionate communication between you, your fiancé, and both of your families is important. Not only are you more likely to create an event that you truly desire, it will also set the standard for a future of good communication between you all.
It's time to make that guest list! Don't procrastinate! I like to use a spreadsheet and make columns at the top for the guest first name, last name, their spouse or guest's name, names of children, total guests in the party etc. The auto tally feature also helps so you don't have to count them up when you are done. If you already have a gotten started on your guest list, have you considered a column for how the invitations outer and inner envelops should be written?
If you're closer to the wedding then sending invitations, on your guest list spreadsheet, don't forget a column for how the escort or seating cards should be written and recording the date when you wrote a thank-you card!
"The most common mistake made by newly engaged couples!"
by Tracey Baxter
This major mistake can be costly in many ways. Whether you are dreaming of a very intimate gathering or a bash that rivals New York’s Times Square on New Year’s Eve, the most important factor to consider is creating your wedding guest list. Most brides and mothers of these brides estimate that they will host a certain number, say 135 guests, and jump right into booking venues and dress shopping. Unfortunately, what they think will be 135 guests actually tallies to something quite different when they finally sit down and make a list of who they really would like to invite. Let’s examine a couple examples of how guessing your guest list total sabotages your wedding planning before you get started.
Some brides justify procrastinating creating an accurate guest list thinking there will be a large number of guests that will be unable to attend. This is not usually the case. Inviting more than 10 guests over what your venue will safely accommodate is not a gamble worth taking. You will be in a world of hurt much too late in the game to change the location and your venue will have no choice but to force you (or your family or wedding planner) to turn guests away at the door because they take fire code violations very seriously. This would be more horrific than not inviting some people to begin with don’t you think?
When you over estimate your guest list and choose a venue scaled for well over your actual needs, you’re still not making the most informed decision. Hosting a small event in a massive space is not the end of the world but you will still have only two options if you don’t care for the idea of your intimate event getting lost in the expanse of the ballroom. And your options could be expensive. You will need to either increase your budget to make the space feel more intimate by adding fabric, tents or other large scale décor or forfeit the deposit so you can find a venue elsewhere that is more appropriately sized for your event.
The guest list, particularly the trimming of the guest list, has more potential for prickly discussions than any other wedding planning category. When brides immediately start searching venues and caterers, they often choose a site that is too small because they underestimated their guest list. This creates unnecessary stress as the guest list has to be reduced. Traditionally, the guest list size is determined by the host and is divided in half for each family to select their share of the guests. But if the reserved venue is much smaller than the guest list needs, there are only two options. You must either trim the guest list or lose your deposit and booking somewhere that safely accommodates all of your invited guests.
Guest list size makes the financial impact. If you have a large reception in mind, say 300 guests, allotting $65 per person will total $19,500. The same reception for 200 guests drops to $13,000 and for 100 guests to just $6500. This example of $65 per person included bar service, cake, décor in addition to a plated meal. If you selected a menu that alone is $65 per person, revisit the numbers above and add to them at least 50% for the addition of décor, bar service and cake. You can easily see the financial significance of accurately figuring out the guest list right from the start.
Communication is key! Regardless of if you go with the traditional guest list allocation, tally based on who is contributing to the budget, or some other formula, clear and compassionate communication between you, your fiancé, and both of your families is important. Not only are you more likely to create an event that you truly desire, it will also set the standard for a future of good communication between you all.
Your Wedding Planning Homework!
It's time to make that guest list! Don't procrastinate! I like to use a spreadsheet and make columns at the top for the guest first name, last name, their spouse or guest's name, names of children, total guests in the party etc. The auto tally feature also helps so you don't have to count them up when you are done. If you already have a gotten started on your guest list, have you considered a column for how the invitations outer and inner envelops should be written?
If you're closer to the wedding then sending invitations, on your guest list spreadsheet, don't forget a column for how the escort or seating cards should be written and recording the date when you wrote a thank-you card!
July 22, 2010
Feature Article
“Manage Your Motif So You Don't Make a Mess”
By Tracey Baxter
Managing your motif means prioritizing your spending. Never before has DIY wedding planning been so easy to do. The web has numerous wedding websites, blogs and professional design boards just a click away. With so many inspirations, it’s also easy to get carried away and attempt to pull too many elements into one wedding. I’ve heard it before, “I just want this one last thing to pull it together…” Meanwhile, this bride had to increase her budget to accomplish this. Prioritizing from the beginning, this bride would have kept the budget in check and clearly communicated her wedding style without needing a single thing to pull it together. And really, will that one last thing pull it together? Not likely!
So many elements, where to begin? Bengaline, damask and pin tuck – Oh My! A Candy Buffet or a dessert buffet ...or both – but why? Using a notebook to collect and file ideas is an easy way to remember what you like. But pulling it together should not be an afterthought. It really should be the very next thing you do after determining your total wedding budget and guest list. Does having both a candy buffet and a dessert buffet even make sense? Maybe, if your overall theme is inspired by a sweet shop. Do you need trinket favors and a candy buffet? Again, this depends on the overall style of your wedding. But rather than taking on all the latest trends, let your personal style influence your décor and menu choices. This is your day so begin by examining who you are and what you love.
My advice to brides is regularly examine what you have collected in your notebook. While you are in the early planning stages you should weed your notebook regularly. Some ideas might have been added in the impulse of the moment. And some are truly things you will want to include in your wedding décor. Invest in the areas that make you say “Oh yes, I need this” and minimize or eliminate everything else. Carefully choosing elements you want most and doing them exceptionally well will be more appreciated by your guests. More importantly, you and your fiancé will be happier with the polished end result!
Your Wedding Planning Homework:
Start your wedding planning by figuring out who you are. How do you really want to celebrate your wedding? What elements are the most important? Let the answers to these questions be your guiding light.
Want to use this article in your E-zine, blog or website? You may as long as you include this complete statement:
Wedding Solutions Specialist Tracey Baxter publishes the "Aisle Do" bi-weekly e-zine. Get your Free Report: "5 Fun and Fabulous Reception Ideas for a Reluctant DIY Bride” at www.aisledoweddings.com
By Tracey Baxter
Managing your motif means prioritizing your spending. Never before has DIY wedding planning been so easy to do. The web has numerous wedding websites, blogs and professional design boards just a click away. With so many inspirations, it’s also easy to get carried away and attempt to pull too many elements into one wedding. I’ve heard it before, “I just want this one last thing to pull it together…” Meanwhile, this bride had to increase her budget to accomplish this. Prioritizing from the beginning, this bride would have kept the budget in check and clearly communicated her wedding style without needing a single thing to pull it together. And really, will that one last thing pull it together? Not likely!
So many elements, where to begin? Bengaline, damask and pin tuck – Oh My! A Candy Buffet or a dessert buffet ...or both – but why? Using a notebook to collect and file ideas is an easy way to remember what you like. But pulling it together should not be an afterthought. It really should be the very next thing you do after determining your total wedding budget and guest list. Does having both a candy buffet and a dessert buffet even make sense? Maybe, if your overall theme is inspired by a sweet shop. Do you need trinket favors and a candy buffet? Again, this depends on the overall style of your wedding. But rather than taking on all the latest trends, let your personal style influence your décor and menu choices. This is your day so begin by examining who you are and what you love.
My advice to brides is regularly examine what you have collected in your notebook. While you are in the early planning stages you should weed your notebook regularly. Some ideas might have been added in the impulse of the moment. And some are truly things you will want to include in your wedding décor. Invest in the areas that make you say “Oh yes, I need this” and minimize or eliminate everything else. Carefully choosing elements you want most and doing them exceptionally well will be more appreciated by your guests. More importantly, you and your fiancé will be happier with the polished end result!
Your Wedding Planning Homework:
Start your wedding planning by figuring out who you are. How do you really want to celebrate your wedding? What elements are the most important? Let the answers to these questions be your guiding light.
Want to use this article in your E-zine, blog or website? You may as long as you include this complete statement:
Wedding Solutions Specialist Tracey Baxter publishes the "Aisle Do" bi-weekly e-zine. Get your Free Report: "5 Fun and Fabulous Reception Ideas for a Reluctant DIY Bride” at www.aisledoweddings.com
Candy Buffet Tips featuring Aisle Do!
Attention All Candy Buffet Lovers!
Visit Candy.com's Blog to learn some great Tricks to Building a Stellar Candy Buffet by Sue Gillerlain at Candy.com We are are thrilled to have some of our top tips included too!
Here's another great tip:
Feature a decorative or themed container to compliment your stock glassware. This inexpensively adds to the decor and creates a unique buffet every time!
July 06, 2010
Editorial Calendar Created! Update!
It is official! We’ve created an editorial calendar for our blog! And we’ll supplement this with guest bloggers, special offers and fun promotions for you! Here’s our regular line up:
Manic Mondays - these posts will feature a color scheme, design board or maybe even things that make us go hmmm... If you want to know more about our company personality, you'll find it here.
Technical Tuesdays - feature a simple technique, tip or trend with the “how to” to accomplish it on your own. We're all about share the knowlege! We'll even add some videos when applicable.
Wednesday Whims - we’ll find a product, service, or idea that we just think is cool, fun, or otherwise makes us go 'wow'!
After much consideration, we'll begin our new blogging routine at the end of August when our new website is launched also!
May 17, 2010
Jackie & Ian Dargavel - May 8
On May 8, 2010 Jackie & Ian exchanged rings and promises of happily ever after in sickness and in health at The Cathedral of St. Patrick in Charlotte! The weather couldn’t have been more beautiful and the couple could not have been happier! The entire day proved worth every moment of working though details, every meeting, every email and every phone call! Guests of all ages enjoyed this wedding as much as the couple. Here are some highlights from their reception at The Victorian Villa Bed & Breakfast on Lake Wylie …
The cake had anchors to tie into the nautical theme.
Check out the bride and groom dancing in the mirror!
Yummy Candy! Blue and nautically inspaired candies!
Father and daughter dance to "A Summer Place"
Thank you Jackie & Ian for allowing Aisle Do to assist you in planning your wedding! It was an honor to be part of your special day!
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