My initial thoughts go to having a coffee bar or hot cocoa bar at your reception once it hits about halfway through the dancing.  While we’ve all seen the standard set-up of a coffee urn with cups sitting out, why not have some gourmet options?  Better yet – have someone actually serving, or making cappuccinos or espressos to order?  Not only will the caffeine help sober up some and keep them on the dance floor, this is something delightful, a bit personal, and fun.  Liven it up with some fancy hot chocolate offerings as well – such as cocoa spiced with chili, or mint versions, or the option to even add some Irish Cream?  Again, having a server there to make sure everything stays tidy, or to help guests serve themselves, is a very special touch.

I’m also thinking back to comfort foods, but in ways that can still read a little formal for a reception.  I’m all about having chicken noodle soup on a cold day, but it’s a bit common as a regular soup course these days.  Have it in shooters instead during cocktails, or offered as part of a late-night snack.  Along with shooters of tomato soup and hot potato soup, these would be a yummy yet cozy hit.

A really superb touch is to have inexpensive shawls or pashminas available for the ladies.  Regardless of the weather outside, ballrooms are notorious for being a tad chilly, and unless they’re dancing up a frenzy, those taking a break or sitting on the sidelines to chat always get cold (why else do you see gals running around in men’s suitcoats over their frocks all the time?).  It’d be an excellent, usable and practical party favor, and perfect for in keeping with the cold weather theme.

Regardless of what you do – know that it will be a memory that your guests will rave about for years to come – and who doesn’t want their wedding day remembered with such warmth?

There are very few flowers that come in shades of blue – hydrangeas, which can be sprayed or natural or orchids.  A few others, which may be seasonal, are hyacinths, delphiniums, sea holly and thistles.  Otherwise, using white and soft greens are great for the tables and bouquets, which dressing up the tables with blue linens, chair adornments and napkins.

There are even blue wedding dresses, though that’s a super personal choice.  Blue is also easy to use for favors, invitations and the cake, and you can be as vibrant and use as much blue in these elements as your heart desires.

Regardless, know a blue wedding will feel cool, crisp and fresh, which may give that snowy vibe you want, without being cliche.

Ann and Randy’s Art Deco style wedding a month ago, and our use of feathers to give a vintage feel to their special day made me think about all the creative designs feathers can be included in.

I love to see feathers incorporated into bouquets and flower arrangements! Feathers provide a different texture and shape to the flower design and bring your attention to the beautiful pieces. Colored feathers add to the overall vision of the room by tying in the accent colors. This is especially true for colors not usually found in flowers. (Black, grey, brown, multicolored, bright blue etc.)

Feathers can also stand-alone in a vase. Ann and Randy’s wedding design used big, black, ostrich feathers. When added as centerpieces or arrangements these feathers give the allusion of mini palm trees reminiscent of the 1920’s clubs. These are perfect in a vintage design, Las Vegas themed, or even a masquerade ball.

Feathers are also being used as fashion accessories for your hair or earrings, as that little pop of color. No hairstyle is excluded. For an up do a round flat feather is pretty and for hairstyles that are down tucking a long feather underneath a layer of hair to peak out is a brilliant touch. These long feathers can now be purchased in many solons as hair extensions. Another popular accessory that can incorporate feathers are earrings. These depend on the design of the dress and the type of feathers used. Multiple feathers or single feathers are both pretty. If the feathers are too long or big it may be distracting so keeping the earrings simple is the best way to go.

Of course we cannot leave out the beautiful peacock feathers! A majestic color pallet of blues, greens, purples, golds and browns; it’s hard not to notice that these feathers are a theme of their own for any event. From the save the dates to the napkins and cake, peacock feathers, when used just right, are the “something blue” that draws everyone’s attention to the breathtaking details.

Whether they’re artificial or natural, ostrich, peacock, pheasant or rooster, when used correctly to highlight a theme or color, feathers become a charming and chic design element!

I have a confession… I love to snack. Alright, who doesn’t? So it is no wonder that my favorite foods of weddings are the late night snacks! It is the perfect surprise to top off the perfect day. It’s also an ideal break from your dance floor fun to regain some energy and get back out there for your favorite old school jam.

Let’s first start with when you should present this special treat to your guests and whom you will really be serving. If your dancing begins at 8pm and goes until 12am you may want to set out your late night snack around 10pm. This gives you two hours after dinner/desert and a break in the middle of dancing to relax. Two to Three hours is a good time frame to keep in mind when coming up with the scheduling of food service. Now looking at who will be around at 10pm to taste these late night delicacies. If children were invited to the wedding reception or elderly guests, they may have headed off to bed by now. So we are looking at the wedding party and some dance your socks off, party animals.

Comfort Foods- Within my own family weddings I have seen a variety of pizza buffets, an awesome idea for everyone to enjoy and great inspiration for this blog! Pizza is one of my favorite comfort foods so I’ll start with those. French fries can be another fun comfort food made chic by standing them in a paper-cone basket matching the printed-paper to a theme or color, such as a newspaper print. They can also be placed in a silver bucket or thin glass cup. I like a variety of choices so adding sweet potato and shoestring fry options are a great way to do that. Pairing the baskets of fries with mini cheeseburgers is a stomach pleasing idea. Adding veggie and turkey burgers can open up options for vegetarians and healthy eaters as well. Some other comfort food snacks may include mini grilled cheese and tomato soup, grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and finally a display of milk and cookies is a heartwarming addition to late night treats!

Sweet Treats- One of my personal favorite late night snack options comes from the sweets group and is the candy buffet. Mentioned in more detail in an earlier blog post, candy buffets are a good way to keep your guest happy and add another exciting element to your wedding design. The buffet may include the couple’s favorite candy, classic candy, or some that match the colors of the wedding. Some fun and unique sweets to incorporate, that come in many colors are cotton candy or rock candy sticks. Other snacks that fit into sweet treats include s’mores, ice cream sandwiches, chocolate covered strawberries or chocolate moose cups. Of course keeping in mind that something like ice cream can only sit out so long before the extras will melt so be sure to announce when it is presented.

Creatively Healthy- After a big dinner and desert like cakes and cookies, you may be looking for a healthier morsel. A veggie bar is a healthy but still sleek alternative to a candy buffet. Tall, square, glass vases are excellent for vegetables to be displayed in, one type for each vase. The veggies should be accompanied by dip displayed in a martini glass (or another type of glass as fitting to the theme). Shish kabobs of fruit and cheeses are another unique idea that I love! Cheese and crackers are always a crowd favorite as well.

Themed Cuisine- Falls not over yet! Caramel apples, popcorn balls and hot apple cider are still acceptable for a speedy snack between songs. I love themes! They can be really creative! For example what is a movie theater wedding without the popcorn!? Popcorn is a light snack that is sure to have guests nibbling happily late into the night. It’s easy to expand on popcorn as well, with clever bags and a variety of types, cheese, caramel, or colored to match the décor! If movie candy is available the boxes can be used to decorate the snack table as the candy is shared with the popcorn.

Ethnic foods are great for late night snacks too! Nachos, mini tacos or quesadillas are simple and just plain yummy! A sushi table is a chic way to incorporate a variety of tastes. California rolls, chicken, fish, tuna and even fruit rolls can be included. Tags with the different types should be added as well.

My favorite meal is breakfast but most weddings don’t include a breakfast during a reception so my personal favorite touch plays off of breakfast foods! Miniaturized: pancake stacks, pigs in a blanket, coffee and donuts are just a few ideas to start. I am also found of parfaits in martini glasses, small jars or other containers to meet the theme of the wedding.

Whatever you choose make sure it is snack that represents something about you and your partner, whether you have a huge sweet tooth or your first date was over sushi, make it special. And don’t forget to add a little sign explaining your late night treat and thanking your guests for making your day that much more extraordinary.

Regardless of who is forking over the money, there’s definitely something to be said for paying as much as you can up front.  Couples who pay in multiple installments every month do not face gigantic bills the week before their wedding.  On the other hand, by waiting toward the end, you’ve allowed for maximum time to save up.  Much of this is determined by how your own paychecks come in: do you get large commissions or bonuses every quarter?  You may want to save up for bigger chunky payments then.  If you’d prefer to whittle away costs with your bi-monthly check, do so.  Be sure to check with every vendor you sign with that it’s OK for you to send multiple payments, especially if their contracts state otherwise.  Even better, get it in writing so you can fall back on that piece of the contract to remind them that you are indeed sending over many payments over the months.  Vendors, while always putting the client first, sometimes get a little turned around when getting a check from you 12 months in advance while dealing with the couples for the coming weekend.

As to payments themselves, I’ve had lots of couples and parents want to use American Express.  While this obviously gives great rewards back when charging to this card, at least 50% of vendors or more do not take AmEx due to the high fees they are charged when putting through payment.  If you’re going to want everything on a credit card, you’ll have much better luck with a VISA, or even a Mastercard.

Bear in mind also that many small vendors will not take credit card at all, due to the monthly fees they’d be charged.  I myself do not take credit cards – I’m not a big shop that runs transactions every day, nor even every week…sometimes not even every month!  And the fees would just not make sense.  Remember, when using a smaller vendor, like, say, a personal invitation designer, or a small time florist, you’re getting better prices because they don’t have a lot of overhead…but then they’ll also need personal checks too instead of credit card.

My advice in the case of checks is to have a checking account that you can write wedding bills out of, as well as pay all the wedding credit card costs out of.  This will help you keep track of payments made to each vendor, and make it easier in case there is a contest about what has been paid yet or not.

Either way, a wedding isn’t necessarily the cheapest thing you’ll ever pay for, but it is indeed one hellava celebration and totally worth the splurges here and there.  Best pay for it in the most organized and cohesive way possible.  :)

Now that Indian Summer is nearly over, it’s time to turn our thoughts to the next few months, when snowflakes and wind chills settle in.

It’s inarguable; a wedding in the winter months might be the most beautiful time of year to do so. Soft blankets of snow outside emanate feelings of stillness, serenity, and breathtaking scenery—a unique atmosphere one might be hard-pressed to replicate in any other season. However, along with the beauty of winter comes the chill of this sometimes harsh season. Don’t let the single digits keep you from looking beautiful on your wedding day, but turn to fun winter cover-ups and accessories to complete your winter wonderland look.

Cloak—Yes, a cloak. For those especially chilly weddings, a long satin or velvet cloak can look stunning. If perhaps you are having your ceremony outside, or in a colder place like a dome or courtyard, a cloak can easily complement your dress while keeping you nice and toasty. Cloaks can always be found in white, but often come in different colors as well, to accent your wedding theme. You can also find cape-like cloaks with an accompanying hood, which can look striking and romantic in outdoor photos.

Shrug—If you’re looking for a cover-up that will keep you comfortable, but for the entire duration—ceremony, pictures, and dance—of your wedding day, look to a shrug or wrap as an accessory to your dress. Wraps come in a variety of lengths, cuts, and styles to balance your style, not overpower it. Shrugs are great for strapless wedding dresses, while wraps work well with backless and halter dresses. You can find them with fur, satin, velour, and silk, all great, heavy, winter-appropriate fabrics and materials that are functional but keep you looking stylish.

Hats & Gloves—Certain accessories, if used correctly, can add another layer of warmth to your wedding day while avoiding the all-bundled-up look. Fur trimmed and silk lined hats are a chic way to keep your head and ears comfortable. Wool hats are another option, depending on your style, or you could turn to berets or scarves as well. Gloves and muffs are another elegant way to spice up your gown and make sure your hands stay warm. A versatile accessory, gloves can be almost any color, any length, and work especially well in fabrics like cashmere or even leather.

Don’t throw style to the wayside when shopping for winter wedding dress! You can stay sensible and chic with a few well-placed cover-ups or accessories.

When we first met, we met in the bar at the Ambassador Hotel, and Randy pointed at the architecture.  He wanted to have vintage 1920’s cars, architecture, and printed pieces, and Ann just loves pink.  By combining the two, we were able to come up with just the right mix for a wedding design and everyone was happy.

The Astor Hotel was the venue of choice for both ceremony and reception.  The entire hotel drips with 1920’s flair, from the wood paneling to the chandeliers.  Once we selected that, everything started to fall into place seamlessly.

The Elegant Touch provided the linens and the pink sashes in just the right shade of dusty rose.  La Tulipe created centerpieces with silver and feathers nestled in among the pink roses.  And Centennial Press + Design created utterly divine art deco invitations, escort cards, table numbers (with names of 1920’s cars instead of numbers) and the like.

After a very very touching ceremony (Ann cried the whole time, I think), we flipped the ballroom while people had cocktails and appetizers.  Sound by Design lit the room in a pale shade of warm pink, and prepped the music.  Front Room Photography was busy capturing all the little moments, and taking the couple around town to grab photos in the fall colors and among Randy’s favorite art deco hotels, driving around Milwaukee in Riteway Limo.

By the time we pried all the guests out of the bar (the Brewer game was in full swing), salads were ready and the cupcakes, from Delicately Delicious, were on the art deco stand, ready to go.  Dinner was delicious, but the best were the speeches.  As jaded wedding planners, we don’t generally tear up, but we certainly did – listening to the heartfelt happiness from the wedding party as they explained how happy they were that Ann and Randy finally found each other.  When Randy got up, to explain that he’d waited a long time…and that finally God in his graciousness had found him the love of his life…OK, we were all crying.

It makes sense that the Brewers won (they probably did it to celebrate Ann and Randy’s big day) so everyone was in a festive mood, and the dance floor was packed before we even got the bride and groom together for their first dance!   But it’s a great thing to see everyone having fun right away.

I know the happy couple took off to celebrate and relax for a few days, but I’m still thinking about their wonderful lovely day.  It was such a pleasure to work with them – they deserve all the best and more!

After attending a big Italian wedding where the bride and groom used a wine bottle for the perfect placement of their menu cards, I began to think of all the creative ways to incorporate menu cards into a wedding to really enhance the look. For example, this Italian themed wedding could have also used a cork that has been flattened on one side and split to hold the menu card up right – a trick often seen in vineyard themed events and weddings.

I’ve also seen menu cards tucked safely away in a napkin folded to perfection. It’s an elegant touch to add a little something to each place setting.

Also bringing in items such as mini chalkboards, picture frames, or origami folded menus can be a fun and different element. Origami menus in the shape of something simple like a heart or perhaps a paper fortune teller can be a creative design for your dinner tables.

When all else fails, using a beautiful stationary and placing the cards just right on top of the plates can be a sophisticated look your wedding tables are missing.

And if you really want something divine, using edible sauce to write out the menu on a soup plate or something can be the element that everyone remembers from your meal.  Yum!

Balloons are not just for kids’ birthday parties anymore. Balloons are excellent accessories to wedding decorations that add a simple touch to make your wedding chic, fun or whimsical.

When thinking of balloons you may picture the familiar oval shaped ones, perhaps strung together to make some kind of traditional archway. Well…it’s time to take a second look at the way balloons can be incorporated within a wedding with some innovative creative techniques.

Let’s start with the form. The current “in” shape is round… Big, circular, round balloons. One singular balloon for photos is a fresh, whimsical and young look, while countless highflying, spaced out balloons can be a charming, elegant look.

Although balloons should not completely take the place of flowers it is a good way to save money on decorations and cut back on some pricey flower arrangements. They make a lovely accessory to the day and look great in your wedding photos. Balloons can be an unexpected and inexpensive replacement for a dove release. This is also an excellent opportunity for a group photograph of your entire party and guests having fun.

Filling the whole ceiling with various balloons of the same color can actually give a new vibe to a reception hall. A normally yellow-toned room may turn purple when the lights shine through the hundreds of dark purple balloons lining the ceiling. Another creative aspect is to have the balloon (or balloons) a bright spot color in a black and white photo or mixed in with a soft color palette for that extra splash of color.

A room filled with balloons is a cool photo opportunity as well. This can give the happy couple a romantic and joyful look to their photos. The balloon filled room is a stress reducing solution to the, “What if it rains?!?” worry that comes with your wedding.

Whether used as a prop for pictures or part of the décor, balloons are a great way to add a little something extra to your special day.

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