Your Rainy Wedding Day | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

Susan Stripling Photography

For all of y'all who may be hoping (and praying and crossing your fingers!) for sunshine on your wedding day, make sure that you have a great rain plan.. just in case.  Better to be prepared than scrambling around like a chicken with your head cut off.  


If you plan on having your wedding ceremony or reception (or both!) outside, be sure to have a back up plan in case of inclement weather like high winds, rain, or even a tornado.  Ask any Triad, NC wedding vendor about April 16, 2011.  Tornado warnings, wind, and rain like you wouldn't believe.  Good thing we had good back up plans!  Anywho, if you decide on renting a tent as back up, be sure you have the option of putting the sides down and know how far in advance you have to make the decision.  Some venues can't and won't do it within a few hours of the wedding.

La Belle Bride

Rainy wedding days make for some gorgeous photos!  The overcast sky provides softer lighting and you have so many opportunities to show your personality.  Colorful umbrellas and rain boots are a must!


Next, 'cause I just gotta say it .. having a wedding planner or coordinator will be essential if you have inclement weather the day of your wedding.  You can still focus on getting ready and not worry about how the plan comes together.  There is a saying that rain on your wedding day is good luck.. I have no doubt that wedding planner made that up. 

Vesic Photography

Last but most importantly, take a breath. No matter what the weather is, it is still your  wedding day.  Celebrate with your closest friends and family, remain calm and have fun! Seriously, do you want to ruin your night sulking in the bathroom or dance in the rain with your new hubby?

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What Makes a Wedding Planner a Professional? | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

You may decide that hiring a wedding planner or wedding coordinator is not for you (and that's totally ok, even though I think you deserve one!).  But y'all, if you decide to hire a wedding planner, make sure they are the real deal.  


So, in the age where everyone you meet is a 'wedding planner', how do you tell who is legit?  Here's 5 easy ways to tell who's who:  

Alexa's Photography

1. Experience: Experience is everything.  Hire a wedding planner that has actually planned weddings for paying clients from beginning to end.  They will know how to roll with the punches, make last minute decisions, and what vendors are great to work with.  When interviewing planners, ask about their experience (even outside of weddings), how many weddings they have planned to date, and how many they are currently planning.  


2. Education: Experience is a great educator, but for a wedding planner, a formal education is almost essential.  The most popular 'schooling' that wedding planners get is from a certification course.  Planners can take a course online or at a local college within a few months.  These are a great starter for those who haven't ever been involved with event planning.  Another option (and my personal preference!) is a college degree in a related field.  For example, I have my B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management.  I took classes in catering, event planning, business communication (to name a few) and was required to participate in a semester long internship.  For me, taking Hospitality, Tourism, and Business courses gave me a full scope of the event planning industry.  Business, public relations, and design are also great majors for those interested in wedding planning.

Phipps Photo

3. Day to Day Operations:  Is wedding planning this person's full time job?  Everyone has to pay the bills, but if they have another full time job, how can they adequately focus on you and your needs?  Your planner needs to be able to make phone calls and contact vendors during the work day when businesses are open.  Do they have systems in place that work well and make your life easier?  Do they respond to emails and phone calls within 24-48 hours?  


4. Research: Do your due diligence as a consumer and research!  Think of it like buying a car: you need to research online several different options, read the reviews, and then go for a test drive.  Most planners have testimonials and referrals so you can see past client experiences.  Read the reviews on their website and on an outside resource like Wedding Wire.  Also, follow anyone you are interested in working with on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and their blog.  Do they use these sites consistently to connect with their audience or do they just hop on the social media band wagon when they feel like it?  You can see how they interact with others, peruse their portfolios, and get some planning advice.  Consistency and credibility matters.   

Abigail Seymour Photography

5. Personality: Great wedding planners should have certain personality traits.  They should have a sense of humor, be able to think on their feet, know that the event is not all about them, be able to command people's attention when necessary but also blend into the background, and be a people person... just to name a few.   If you get the feeling that someone is a control freak or bossy, they probably won't mesh well with you.  Planners should work with you not against you.


There are a few exceptions to these rules (aren't there always?), but I encourage you to use these 5 tips when interviewing planners.  There are even some nifty lists floating around online that you can print out to ask the next time you meet with one.  I know I always love a bride that comes prepared!!

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Beach Wedding Inspiration | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

I am l.o.v.i.n.g. the warm air floating around North Carolina  this week.  The sun on my face has already got me dreaming of the beach (and my sun hat!) so I thought I would share a little beach wedding inspiration with you: 

Style Me Pretty

Style Me Pretty

The Sweetest Occasion

Green Wedding Shoes

Style Me Pretty

Style Me Pretty

Southern Weddings 

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Find Your Wedding Inspiration | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

You're a bride (Yay! Congrats!) and you've got this wedding planning thing down. You have made a color coded guest list, created a itemized spread sheet for your budget, booked some awesome vendors, and worked through a lot of day of logistics.  You are one organized wedding planning machine.  But there is one element that you just can't wrap your brain around: design.  You don't know how to pick a linen or discuss your centerpieces.  All the resources out there seem overwhelming so you avoid the situation.  


Well, avoid no more, my pretties. I've got five easy tips to help find YOUR wedding inspiration.  

Style Me Pretty

1. Wedding Blogs: In my opinion, blogs are hands down the best resource for wedding inspiration.  Want a Southern style wedding (our fav!), check out Southern Weddings Magazine's blog.  Want your wedding to be totally different? Try Offbeat Bride.  Don't know where to begin? Start with some of my other favorites: Style Me Pretty, Ruffled, Wedding Chicks, and Green Wedding Shoes.  Not only can you find some design inspiration, but great wedding advice from vendors and brides alike.

2. Bridal Magazines:  I think the first thing most newly engaged gals do (other than scream with joy and call their mamas) is buy bridal magazines.  I keep a healthy stock in the office and love to pull one during a consult to get a feel for a bride's style.  Some of my favorite wedding mags are: Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot, Southern Weddings, and TriadWeddings.  TriadWeddings is especially helpful for local brides because every single photo, article, and piece of information is from a Triad area vendor.  

3. Pinterest: I'm addicted. Like shaking in the corner when I haven't logged on all day.  Ok, well maybe not that bad.  But seriously, Pinterest is amazing.  All those wedding blogs I just mentioned? Did you think, "How the heck should I remember, organize, and/or save what I like from these sites?" Fear no more.. that's what Pinterest is for! Read up on how it works here and then follow me!

Better Homes and Gardens

4. Everyday Life: Don't have time for the internet or magazines?  Look around you for easy inspiration!  By looking at your closet, your favorites stores, and your home, you'll get a sense of what you already like.. even if you didn't realize it before.  If your house is full of vintage accents, work with that!  If you think your two best friends (and bridesmaids) look great in pink, roll with it.  Sometimes the answers to your design dilemma are right in front of your face.

Whitebox Weddings

5. People: Make a list all about YOU.. food you love, favorite movies and music, nicknames, habits, your job.. anything you can think of.  Once you get the ball rolling, you'll be surprised how much you know about yourself.  Next, have your fiance do the same thing.  Trade off and read each others answers for a good laugh then do the same project again.. but as a couple.  You'll see that y'all eat burgers every Friday night.  Translate that into sliders and fries as hors d'oeuvres for cocktail hour.  Y'all love a particular sports team?  Use jerseys as photo booth props.  The possibilities are endless.  Lastly, don't forget to consider your family and friends.  If your fam is very tight knit, you could display family wedding photos at the reception.  All your friends love Lady Gaga? Make sure to put her on your 'Must Have' music list for the DJ.


I hope these tips are helpful to find your wedding inspiration!  Are there resources that you find particularly helpful when finding your inspiration?

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Honeymoon Registry | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

The Man Registry

It's that time in your wedding planning process to start thinking about your registry options.  You start thinking about what you need and you decide that you really don't need more towels, silverware, or another set of dishes.  This could be especially true if you and your fiance have lived together for some time.  Another option that you many not have considered is a honeymoon registry.  


So what is a honeymoon registry?


Well, it works basically the same as a regular registry except it is just for your honeymoon.  Guests can go online and log on to your honeymoon registry to purchase certain experiences (that you have picked out).  You can choose from an enormous variety of options from a couple's massage to a snorkeling adventure to an additional night in your honeymoon suite, or even a portion of your airfare.  Some websites offer the option to upload photos of the "item" so that your guests can actually see what they are buying!  These websites are usually free to join, but do charge a service fee as a small amount tacked onto each gift or a total one-time fee.

Elegant Wedding Dresses Blog

Here's a list of some of the most popular honeymoon registry sites:

www.honeyfund.com

www.honeyluna.com

www.honeymoonwishes.com

www.travelersjoy.com

www.thebigday.com

www.distinctivehoneymoons.com

www.disney.honeymoonwishes.com

The general rule is to set up your registry (traditional, honeymoon, or otherwise) six to eight months before your wedding date.  It is also advisable to register for a large number of items (at least 3 times the number of guests invited) so there are a variety of options (and prices) for your guests to choose from.  Combining a honeymoon registry with a traditional one is a great option especially for your more traditional guests. 

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Wedding Reception Music Ideas | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

It's time for another wedding music post!  I've been jamming to my Pandora today so, I though I would share some of my favorite wedding reception jams with everyone.   Keep in mind that you don't just need hype, dance music on your play list.  Think of what you want to play during cocktail hour and dinner also.  What are some of your favorite tunes to hear during a wedding reception?

Don't Stop Believing - Journey

At Last - Etta James

My Girl - The Temptations

Honky Tonk Woman - The Rolling Stones

Old Time Rock'n'Roll - Bob Seager

Say Hey (I Love You) - Michael Franti and Spearhead

Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis

How Sweet It Is - James Taylor

I've Got a Feeling - Black Eyed Peas

Use Me Up - Bill Withers

I Wanna Dance with Somebody - Whitney Houston
Down - Jay Sean

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da - The Beatles

Stay - Dave Matthews Band

Canned Heat - Jamiroquai

The Way You Look Tonight - Tony Bennett 

Sweet Home Alabama - Lynard Skynard
Last Dance - Donna Summers

Hey Ya - Outkast

Single Ladies - Beyonce

You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC

Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison

Just Dance - Lady Gaga

Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder

Forever - Chris Brown

Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen

With This Ring - The Platters

Wagon Wheel - O.C.M.S.
All She Wants to Do is Dance - Don Henley

Could It Be I'm Falling In Love -  The Spinners

Feeling Good - Micahel Buble

Jack and Diane - John Mellencamp

This list could go on and on.. and on.. and on..  Another tip when thinking about wedding reception music, write down ideas for not only your first dance, but the bridal party introduction, the cake cutting, the father/daughter dance, the last song of the night, and more.  Music sets the tone for each 'event' within your wedding.  Also, there are certain artists that are ALWAYS going to be a hit: Michael Buble, Stevie Wonder, Black Eyed Peas, Michael Jackson... you get the drift.  Make sure you balance your musical taste and what will make your guests happy.  Just because you have an undying love for death metal does not mean your granny will head bang the night away.  Although, that would be awesome.

What are some of your favorite wedding songs?

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Styled Shoot Inspiration Board | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

I am so so so excited about this Sunday! Alexa of Alexa's Photography and I are working on an amazingly gorgeous styled shoot at the O. Henry Hotel and we have some ROCK STAR vendors participating.  To give you a taste of what's to come, here are some of our inspirations board.  You can see more of our ideas on our Pinterest board.  We can't wait to share this shoot! 

Clockwise from top left: Once Wed | Style Me Pretty |

Style Me Pretty | Snippet and Ink   

Clockwise from the top left: Heart Handmade UK | Snippet and Ink | 

Snippet and Ink | Preston Bailey Bride Ideas |  Snippet and Ink | 

Snippet and Ink | Snippet and Ink | Ruffled

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Escort Card, Place Card, and Seating Chart Ideas | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

Some of my favorite design projects to tackle when it comes to weddings are escort cards, place cards and seating charts.  (Confused on the difference?  Read this.)  You can be so creative and really show off your personality.  Here are some of my current favs straight found on Pinterest:

 Martha Stewart Weddings

Emmaline Bride

Martha Stewart Weddings

Style Me Pretty

Martha Stewart Weddings

Style Me Pretty

Ruffled

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Why Is Wedding Makeup Application So Important? | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

I can't say enough how important it is to get a really talented hair and makeup artist for your wedding day.  Even if you're a  less is more kind of gal (I know I am.. I hate wearing makeup), it's still really important to spruce up for your day.  My go to beauty guru is Carla White.  Seriously, y'all.. she's kind of amazing.  I wish she could just follow me around every day and make me look amazing.  If you loved the hair and makeup from this wedding, this wedding, or this wedding, Carla gets all the credit.  In support of her launching her own blog, Grace and Lipgloss, I've asked her to share some info with us on wedding day beauty.  Take it away, Carla!

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Often in meeting with brides, I am asked, "Is the investment of getting my makeup done really necessary?"  And the answer is always YES!  For years women have seen the importance of finding that perfect hair style, but it is only until recently that makeup has made it's way up the totem pole of importance for special events.  Special event makeup is often viewed as a luxury, something that isn't really necessary, and though of,well.. as an after thought.  In my opinion, a well done makeup application for any special event (especially your wedding) is MORE important that the hair style.  Say whaaat??? Yup!  Professional makeup application is that necessary!  (And this is coming from someone who does hair for a living as well...)

Pasha Belman Photography

When a bride walks into a room, what are people looking at first?  Her smiling face!  A flawless face has more impact than any intricate updo.  Think of it this way.. if you have a girl who has an amazing hair style, but with no attention to her face then she looks half done.  But a girl with a flawless face and a simple hair style will still look completely polished and radiant.  And that radiance is captured and preserved in photographs.


Memories from your event will fade over time.  I honestly can barely remember anything from my wedding that happened a little over six years ago.  What is the new Mrs. left with after all the months and months of planning?  THE PHOTOS! (Ohh and a new hubby to snuggle up to every night ;))  The photographs and what you look like in those photos become the cornerstone to cementing a bride's wedding day in her memory to hold and treasure.  

Carisa Chee Photography

A professional makeup artist who understands how makeup photographs is essential to loving the pictures from your most memorable day.  And picking a photographer who has "your vision" of how to tell your story is vital!  And SURPRISE not all makeup photographs well.  Have you ever seen a picture of a bride whose face is two shades lighter than the rest of her body?  Makeup in person and face to face can look amazing, but when the makeup applier does not recognize how to spot how it will look on film.. Houston, we have a problem!!
     
As a makeup artist, I know the power makeup has to transform someone from ordinary to extraordinary!  Don't we all want to look like the best versions of ourselves? I know I do!  My hubby has told me on more than one occasion how different I look when I skip my morning makeup morning routine.  I think it truly amazes him how quickly I can transform myself.  Check out the before and after pictures of me...

Now, a before and after of one of my brides...

Right: Alexa's Photography 

I remember in high school getting my hair and makeup done for prom and leaving feeling uglier than I did on a daily basis. That "feeling" of not looking your best is then transferred into your pictures.  Most of us have been subject to bad hair and makeup experiences, but finding the right artist and stylist can make or break your special event.  Pick someone that you mesh well with on a personal level and always be honest with the results!  Not feeling the eyeliner?  Then say so!  Allow the artist to make recommendations but always stay within your comfort level.  Begin to think of your makeup "look" as an accessory to your dress and shoes highlighting your best features.  Don't underestimate the power of a flawless face in turning your dream day into a lasting memory!


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Thanks for sharing, Carla!  You can see more of Carla's gorgeous work on her website and her new blog.  She's based in Greensboro but travels all over NC.  Brides, if you're interested in Carla as your hair and makeup artist, contact her ASAP! She books up crazy fast!!

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Engagement Session {Natosha + Justin} | Greensboro, NC Wedding Planner

I am so excited about Natosha and Justin's gorgeous Proximity Hotel wedding this fall!  We just recently started working together and I can't wait to get our creative juices flowing.  After I got their vendor info, I, of course, immediately looked up their photographer (who I haven't worked with before) and was blown away.  Their engagement shoot with Julie Livingston Photography at the NC Museum of Art is so fun!  Thanks, Julie for letting us share!

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