Planning Palooza

North Florida's top two wedding planners have teamed up for a fun wedding planning workshop offering tons of advice on hiring vendors, etiquette, your planning timeline, dealing with family stress, and much more!  Have the opportunity to ask the pro's anything... really anything!

Sunday, September 26

Haile Village Meeting Hall

4 o'clock to 6 o'clock

$30 (cash only), includes refreshments

RSVP Call: 352.317.3222

Email: RSVP@adoreevents.biz

(MasterPiece Weddings and its affiliates have not been paid for, for this post)

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Wedding Day Timeline 101

This is not they type of timeline we put together, but it gets the point across.



Really, once you get to the reception it's more of a schedule of events, something happens first, second and third, ect... but you have to get there.



One thing that can totally throw off your timeline is photography. If you don't plan for enough time to take pictures after or before your ceremony, because taking too much time after your ceremony for photographs, can throw off your whole reception.



Here's how taking an extra 15 minutes for pictures can throw off your reception by 1 hour.



So you are taking pictures at your ceremony location, so your photographer can capture those amazing images (and I am not knocking the photographer, it could be your pastor taking an extra 15 minutes in the ceremony, or starting your ceremony 15 minutes late...)



Now you are 15 minutes late to your cocktail hour, so your cocktail party is late getting your guests into the main ballroom, which will add another 10 minutes to your late'ness factor (LF), then the DJ isn't ready for your introductions because he just started a song that won't fade it out or your band then took their first brake and there is no way to do your announcements, 10 minutes to LF, we are now 35 minutes behind, and then the banquet staff gets salads served, and the meals are taking longer because they had to remake some of them so the meat wouldn't be dry or the fish wouldn't be over cooked. Now we are 45 minutes late, and the bride and groom want to mingle with their guests and that takes longer, so we need another 15 minutes you are now an hour behind.



Your wedding planner can help make up this time, or make sure that those first 15 minutes don't happen in the first place.







Photo Source

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Importance of a Timeline

 A wedding timeline is needed for many reasons on the day of your wedding. Your wedding planner will help you put together a timeline and it's so important for more vendors than just when photography takes place, or when you toast, or when you dance.



This week I want to discuss some reasons why you need a timeline. And why it's helpful for all of your vendors to be considerate of what the timeline says, if it's do'able. And if it's a well put together timeline, and things are going well, there is no reason why it shoudn't work.



Tomorrow we'll talk about the small things that a can mess up a well put together timeline.



Photo Source

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Butterfly Escort Cards

I know I posted this last week, but I am just in love with it!!



For a place card station, use these Butterflies, hand Calligraphy'ed (what's the proper term for that?) by Sarah Hanna.



Soooo pretty!!

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Plan B

There has been so much talk around the interweb about Jason and Molly's TV wedding, and how the rain really affected their day.



There should have been a Plan B - a rain plan.



Really.



How do you plan for a Plan B... well first there needs to be a drop dead time to implement the Plan B... so let's say, by noon. So by noon you'll need to decide inside or outside. Even if the weather looks iffy... go for the Plan B. You never know.



And have a Plan B... know that you'll need to have your reception under a tent, or in the banquet hall, or in the house... where ever it is.. go over with your Wedding Planner, the in's and out's of what you thinking. You don't want to be surprised or disappointed.



And plus, it makes for some pretty amazing pictures!



Photo: Luster Studios

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How to Choose a Date!

Everyone is busy, everyone has a crazy life, a crazy calendar, so as if picking your wedding date isn't hard enough -- you have events to schedule around.



Football Schedules

Art Festivals

Large Conferences

Family Events

And More....



Some things to consider, especially when planning a wedding in Gainesville in the fall is Football Season. There are very few away games and bye weeks. But there are also Graduations and Art Festivals.



All of those events will affect hotel rooms and banquet halls.



BUT, it can also affect the availability and price of hotel rooms. All of these things need to be considered when planning your wedding or party.





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A Book by it's Cover

Don't judge a book by it's cover - it's a commonly used saying. Bascially, some of the most unique finds are found in the most unlikely and sometimes plain- of places. Or if you are expecting one thing from "it's cover" you maybe be suprised.

Well, this weekend - I was cutting into a fruit that I've cut into gazillions of times... a Honeydew Melon...

Your typical HoneyDew... the palest of greens on the outside, the thump was perfect, we were ready for the super sweet suculent fruit on the inside.

Well, when I cut it open, this is what I found.

Huh? A HoneyDew on the outside, and Catelope like on the inside?!?!? Is this a new thing, maybe a Honeylope, or a Cantedew?



But, {I promise!} I do have a point, don't judge a book by it's cover, don't think you've found the perfect wedding planner, because you see an advertisment that says they are "the premier planner" that planning company dubbed themselves that... or fall in love with a photographer because they have a nifty website, or a super chic blog... get to know who you are hiring. It's your wedding... learn about your vendors.



In other words...



Read the fine print!

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Celebrate with Style

Celebrate with Style is a fantastic resource for brides! It offers tons of advice from amazing wedding vendors like Colin Cowie (who I adore), and Me (Gainesville's Best Wedding Planner)! (Never thought I'd ever have my name and Colin's in the same sentence!)



You can check us out here - and you can see many other amazing event designers, planners, musicians, all offering great fantastic, and useful tips to help make your wedding fabulous, after all, that's our goal!

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Get Married Magazine

Written by Ashley, the intern at MasterPiece Weddings:

Are you all familiar with the wonderful website Get Married? Get Married is a “multi channeled wedding resource” that is launching a brand new bridal magazine. Get Married already features a popular television show on Lifetime with host Colin Cowie and has an online website and blog.

The addition of the magazine will allow brides to “watch, surf and read” all mediums of wedding planning. The first issue of the magazine will be published in October and we couldn’t be more excited!

Email magazine@getmarried.com to request a free copy!

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Ten Tips!

One of my favorite blogs has posted Ten Tips from 10 Wedding Planners, and I feel honored to have been chosen as one of the 10!!!

Take a peek and get some fantastical advice from some of the best in the business! And thank you to Terrica for including us!

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Make yourself up!

DO have your makeup done by a professional (if not, at the very least get a consultation and have them instruct you on how to achieve the look yourself)

DO wear waterproof eye makeup (it's going to be an emotional day!)

DO highlight your cheeks with light blush and bronzer, even if it's not part of your daily routine. It will provide a nice glow to your complexion.

DO curl your eyelashes. This will make you look more bright-eyed and awake. (Fake eyelashes may be used, but make sure they are properly applied. You wouldn't want them to rotate or peel off during the ceremony!)

DON'T wear heavy foundation! It will show in photos and is more likely to smear and get on your clothes.

DON'T wear dark lipstick. Stick with light natural colors that are similar to that of your blush.

DON'T wait till the day of your wedding to try out your makeup looks. Practice before hand to avoid a stressful situation.



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We are running late!

What happens if the weather gets in the way of your ceremony, and everyone is running late!



Don't worry, it's totally fine! I know you only have your DJ or Band for a certain amount of hours, and your photographer is going to leave in 6 hours. Don't stress, there are ways to fix your timeline in the midst of crisis.



Your ceremony is only going to take between 20 and 30 minutes. You don't want to rush the ceremony - this is the time you are actually getting married. But there are ways to move along your reception without seeming like you are forcing your family and friends out. And not make it feel as if you are rushing things along.



When you first arrive before dinner or  your meal, go ahead and do your first dance. Then eat for a bit, after you {the bride and groom} are done eating, mingle, greet your guests at their tables.



About 45 minutes later, go ahead and do the Father/Daughter Dances, and the Mother/Son dance. Open the dance floor for a bit, have some fun. Once your dancing slows, do the toasts, cake cutting and garter/bouquet... get all of the logistics out of the way, so that you can spend the rest of the night dancing and having a great time with your family and friends!



Photo Source

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Best Bridal Advice!

Over at Elizabeth Ann Designs, Sara has some great advice today! Here's a snipit (I'm going to post a wee bit of what she did, check out EAD for the whole kit-and-kitboodle):

• Start with the Big Picture, Not the Details


• Distinguish Between Wants and Needs


• Don’t Let Your Wedding Overshadow Your Relationship


• Build Relationships with Vendors


• Don’t Forget the Ceremony


• Just Breathe

And my favorite bit of advice:



"When you become too irrational, read the newspaper and remind yourself that the world has much bigger problems."



Thanks Sara for posting some fantasical advice!

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What Happened to my...

Recently, I was talking with my new twin, Monica. We could have talked for hours, actually we did. We could have talked for days, seriously, days!



She is amazing! If you don't read her blog, you should, and if you do, you are doing a good thing! Her wit and hilarity is, most of the time, exactly what I want to say, but just don't. But I am getting away from my point.



She mentioned a situation that happened recently at a wedding, and I just thought it was unfathomable. And the way she handled it was with grace and elegance. With a sense of professionalism that we would all be proud of!



And, recently, I received a phone call – my band canceled our event is this weekend, can you help me! The panic in this person’s voice was heart-wrenching, I just wanted to reach through the phone and hug them and make it better.



I made some phone calls and found a band in 20 minutes. I just felt like it was my job to make their wedding all better. But in this instance it wasn’t – they weren’t my client. Just some random Jane Doe that called, because she needed help. Should I have done it… well that’s the question…



What would you do? What would you as a bride expect me to do? What would you as a consultant do?

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The Library by Elizabeth Ann Designs

In case you haven't heard, take a peek at the best new resource for the bride who needs everything, or just one more piece of the puzzle! The Library will help every bride, no matter her location, find the vendors and inspiration she needs for a beautiful event.

Check out The Library brought to you by, the amazing women of Elizabeth Ann Designs.

It is set up in such an easy to read and understand fashion! No matter what you are looking for, from Event Planners to Photography and everything inbetween - you will be sure to find it at The Library.

{on a side note, I was honored and thrilled to see our name, MasterPiece Weddings, amongst these incredible folks!- Thanks Elizabeth Ann Designs for including widdle ole' us!}

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Don'ts...

There are so many Do's and Don'ts for when you are getting married, but these specifically talk about getting measured and ordering your dress.

Don't get measured and then fight with the person ordering your dress about the size. I know it sounds strange to order a size or two larger than what you normally wear. But the designer sizes are wonky... don't take it personally if you wear a size 6 and then they ask you order a size 10... it's not you, it's them!

Don't get measured and order your dress and then get a boob job! Obviously your dress won't fit you the right way, and if you are planning on getting your boobs enhanced order your dress appropriately!

Don't not plan (That means plan!) for what undergarments you are wearing for your dress in advance. If you are wearing Spanx to the wedding, wear them for the fitting, and check and make sure the panties you want to wear with your dress, actually work.

And if you measure strange like me (Bust size 12, waist size 5, hips size 10) Order the larger of the sizes and then have it taken in... I know it stinks, but you have to do what you have to do...

That's just the start... use common sense!

You want to look beautiful and classy and amazing, not like you are going clubbing!

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Destination Vendors

So many times I'll consult with a bride about their destination wedding, and the on-site coordinator convinces the bride that she won't need outside help, although it's allowed... there's no need. At least according to the location.

But check out this picture I found on K-Gallery's site... here's reason #862... why is there any need to be that close!??!?!?!

When I went to Las Vegas there was a bride in the elevator with me, and I was chatting with her about what I do, and how happy I am for her... during our 32 floor decent - and her eyes got really big, and started to water, and then she asked me if I would help her make it down the aisle. So, I did. I basically coordinated her ceremony.

After the ceremony she pulled me aside and said that the hotel coordinator promised to take care of it all, and she wouldn't have to worry about a thing.... but the bride couldn't find her all day. (and she wasn't there for the ceremony either).

I'm not trying to scare you - but just be careful!

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I Heart the Bubbles!

I love Bubble Tea! Usually I order Jasmine Tea with extra Boba -- but today as I am sipping my afternoon snack, I was thinking... What a fun way to personalize your wedding reception, cocktail hour, or rehearsal dinner!

It would be a fun and unique way to personalize your events- And why not have a Boba Tea bar at your wedding! If it's something you enjoy and it's something you and and your fiancee want to share with your family it would be nice during the cocktail hour.

Basically it's Green Tea, mixed with fruit flavors, real fruit, and sometimes cream - YUMMMY! Then Black Tapioca Pearls are sitting at the bottom of the glass... looks really pretty - and so fun!

Here are the logistics to Bubble Tea:

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Do the Bustle....

Why is it that the most common mishap is a broken bustle? Either the bustle doesn't stay up, or a button breaks off, or a guest steps on the back and it tears off.

Keep in mind the loop underneath the dress is NOT a bustle, this is just there to hang the dress on a hanger... it's not really there for you to hold the back of your dress all night. Sorry!

I know it happens to the best of us - I've found that the most likely candidate to stay up is a french bustle with double knots tied underneath- and trust me, I've seen all kinds of bustles, some with over 50 pin ups and sometimes up to 70 all numbered!

If a bustle does come down, I've found that diaper pins work best on keeping the dress pinned up. It's a must in my wedding bag!

And if you don't know what a bustle is or why it's used - a bustle is what you do to the back of the gown, so that it becomes a floor length gown, no matter how long that beautiful train is. You basically can pin up, pull under or hook around.

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A Florist by Any Other Name

We were driving to the middle of no where for Easter Dinner yesterday. Passing many a florists, some of them I've worked with and some of them, I've never heard of.

I don't claim to know every florist in the known and unknown universe, I don't claim that title. But I do know every Wedding Florist in probably a 50+ square mile radius.

What is the difference you ask me... well a florist that sends FTD deliveries all day, and designs birthday and funeral arrangements doesn't necessarily do wedding flowers. Some do, but not all.

There are some florists that focus on weddings, and 90% of all of their business is weddings. It is extremely important to know who does weddings, knows weddings, knows facilities, and knows and understand weddings.

Not all florists are created equally. Make sure to get referrals from your venues, make sure there isn't a list of who and who isn't allowed to work there. Talk to your other vendors there are probably one or two that you hear over and over and over again. Make a point to take note of who's name(s) come up repeatedly.

And make sure to note that all florists are not created equally.

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