Groom's Cake

/
A groom's cake is a tradition that started, and is still associated with, the South. It's a gift from the bride to the groom, and usually chocolate, but can really be any flavor. The groom's cake is smaller than the wedding cake and reflects a particular hobby or interest of the groom. Traditionally, the groom's cake was not served at the reception, but sliced and given to guests as a wedding favor. Something new I learned was that single women would take home their slice and sleep with it under their pillow, so they would dream about their future husbands. Lately, the groom's cake is usually served at the reception along with the wedding cake.

I found some very interesting and unique ideas for a groom's cake; some of my favorites are shown below.

This guitar cake for the musical groom looks awesome, and I'm sure it tastes amazing as well. Photo credit here.

This Xbox 360 cake is for the groom that loves to game. Photo credit here.

I thought this one was a really funny idea for the groom that's obsessed with his iPad. Photo credit here.

Finally, what guy is not obsessed with cars? This could be a good way to let the groom have his perfect dream car.. without it costing nearly as much as a real one. Photo credit here.

I personally think having a groom's cake is such a great idea because it gives your future husband something at the wedding that is all about him. He can choose his favorite flavor, design it into whatever he loves, and it can tell a great story about him - or even a cute story about the couple.

Zineera

The Who, Whats, and Whens of Tipping

/

Tipping can be such a tricking subject, but it's one we are asked about often. Who should you tip? How much should you tip them? And when? Some will tell you only those who don't own their business deserve gratuity. Others say there are certain people who should automatically get tipped. Some believe in tipping everyone. Others believe in tipping no one. There are many differing opinions on the subject.









I think the easiest way to answer the who portion is this: You should tip anyone you felt went above and beyond your expectations.

As for how much: Tip them an amount you feel is appropriate and with which you are comfortable. If asked, I typically suggest the below dollar amounts (again, only if they exceeded your expectations)...

Hair / Makeup person - 15 - 20%
Officiant - $200 - $300, if the officiant was not hired through an officiating company.


Photographer / Videographer - $50 - $200
Ceremony Musicians - $15 - $20 per member
Band - $20 per member
DJ - $50 - $100
Waitstaff - Check your contract. If it is not already included, 18 - 20% of the total food costs (Not the total bill - which could include rentals, labor, etc.). If it has been included, I would still give a little something extra to the server who personally waits on you that evening.
Transportation - Check your contract. If it is not already included, 10 - 15%.

And now for the when: You should always tip after the service is complete. (Or, you can give the tips to your coordinator, and she will gladly take care of distributing them for you.)

And probably the most important thing of all: Don't forget to give online praise and to write thank you notes. Most wedding industry vendors like to display their thank yous for other potential clients to see. Sending a little praise goes a long way. It is appreciated perhaps more than anything else.

Happy planning,

Bridal Hair

/
Choosing a hairstyle is one of many things that will be part of planning your wedding. There are so many options in deciding your hairstyle from whether you want it up or down, loose or tight, curled or straight, accessories or no accessories! Here are a couple hairstyle inspirations to help you find the perfect look for your wedding day.

Updos



Half Updos



Down


(Photo Courtesy of Style Me Pretty and Hair Romance)

Remember to set up an appointment with your hairstylist before your wedding day to go over your hairstyle. Bring along any hair accessories, your veil, and a picture of your dress to help your hairstylist better understand your overall look.

Click here for some hair accessories ideas!


Jacklyn

Weddings to Celebrate: Whitney & Steven | Houston Wedding Planner

/

In April I had the privilege of coordinating Whitney & Steven's wedding at the beautiful Haak Winery in Santa Fe, Texas. Below are some images captured by Photo 832.

Whitney & Steven-

You guys are such a fun-loving couple and it was truly a pleasure to get to know you!

xoxo,

Cast of Vendors:

Venue: Haak Winery

Coordinator: Something to Celebrate, Lauren Carrillo

Officiant: Alan Jenkins

Photographer: Photo 832

Videographer: Video Shoppe

Florist: Clear Lake Flowers

Lighting: Phoenix Design Group

Ceremony/Reception Music: Music for the Masses

Transportation: Classic Carriage Company

Music Notes

/
Until recently, I had not really thought about just how many song choices have to be made when planning a wedding. Its more than just picking a song for your First Dance – you’re probably also wading through decisions on Father/Daughter & Mother/Son dances, cake-cutting songs, bouquet & garter toss songs, processionals, recessionals, and the list goes on. Whew!

Of course, each category above has it’s classic choices (Butterfly Kisses or Isn’t She Lovely for the Father/Daughter Dance, Here Comes the Bride or Canon in D for the processional), which doesn’t at all mean you shouldn’t choose them. But if there are songs that hold a special place in your heart, then by all means choose those!

Photo Courtesy of Life 123

Regardless of whether you tend toward more traditional choices or more trendy choices, choose the music that you feel best reflects your personality as a couple. Here are a couple websites that have different lists of ideas for wedding music:

Wedding Music Central
(you can listen to the songs on this site!)

About Weddings

Wedding Wire

Team Wedding

Preserving Memories

/

Something that brides might not think about amidst all the hub-bub of planning is preserving their wedding dress, either for a future daughter or relative to wear, or just because you love it! Unfortunately, clothing starts the process of breaking down from the instant you wear it, slow as it may be (we're talking many, many years). The dresses here are from ca. 1880, 1910 and 1960 (all from the fantastic Brooklyn Museum clothing collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art). Although stunning, look closely and you'll see stains, discoloration, torn tulle and fragile silk.


It's not glamorous, but the reality is that sweat, dirt from the floor, a splash of wine, or an unknown stain (a dropped green bean or a dollop of frosting) will show up years later if not properly cared for. Fear not! There are things you can do to slow down this process.

Here's how to slow the march of time:

1. Find a cleaner you trust and who doesn't use PERC, an environmentally harmful substance that dry cleaners have traditionally used. Ask your married friends or the salon you purchased your dress from for recommendations. Hand-cleaning would be best (or a mixture of the two), especially if you have intricate beading or fragile fabrics on your dress. Request a thorough inspection of your dress so you feel confident the cleaner is using the best materials for your specific piece. Do this as soon as possible after your wedding because the longer the stains sit on the fabric, the greater the risk they will be set. Maybe it can be your maid of honor's final duty to drop your dress off at the cleaner you choose while you are sipping a mai tai on your honeymoon!

2. Make sure the cleaner you choose uses acid-free tissue or muslin (no plastic please) to wrap your dress, and properly pads the dress. Over time, if silk isn't properly folded, it gets dry and will crack, so every fold needs to be padded with acid-free tissue. Preferably, once padded, the dress would be loosely wrapped in muslin (a non-dyed cotton fabric). This will prevent any dust or other rogue contaminants from settling on your dress. Lastly, the dress should be placed in an acid-free box (no cardboard!!). The Container Store sells archival acid-free boxes you can purchase if your cleaner doesn't have that available.

3. Store your little bundle in a place that is relatively temperature stable (cold is better than hot)and that isn't exposed to drastic temperature changes or humidity fluctuations.


The expense of this process (probably anywhere from $300-$1000, depending on the material and complexity of your dress) is worth it. Your dress, which was possibly a major expense in itself, is a reminder of the happy moments of your wedding day, so treat it as the heirloom it will become.

BHLDN is now open!

/
BHLDN officially opened its doors yesterday at its very first location in Houston's own Highland Village. For those of you who don't know, BHLDN (pronounced beholden) is Anthropologie's sister store for all things wedding. From the moment you set foot in the store you are whisked away to a world of romance, beauty and whimsy. The stores beautiful palette of gray, white and stunning distressed wood combinded with its warm lighting is not only inviting, but incredibly calming, as well.

When you enter the store you walk into a room filled with amazing bridesmaid and any occassion dresses. Sprinkled around the room are cases filled with stunning headpieces made by Jennifer Behr and vintage beaded bags they found at French flea markets. You then head down a wide hallway where you find the decor room tucked away to the side. This is a small dark paneled room filled with the most amazing little things- from stationary, to unique escort card holders, to handmade cake toppers, you are sure to find something to add that special touch to your special day. Heading back out to the hallway you enter into the store's shoe salon and accessories space. Right off of the shoe salon is the room dedicated to the most amazing, delicatly beautiful lingere. You then walk to the back of the store, and just when you think things can't get any better, they do! The room is filled with mannequins dressed in BHLDN's stunning collection of wedding gowns. The gowns are priced from $600-$6,000 and range from size zero to twelve. The amazing thing about BHLDN is that you can have your gown in hand within three days of purchasing it!

On Wednesday I had the privilage of attending BHLDN's Wedding Indusrty Brunch. Below are a few pics I snapped on my phone's camera :)

One neat fact I learned from talking to BHLDN's incredibly sweet staff is that each of the spacious dressing lounges are equppied with iPod docks so Bride's can listen to their own Ipod!

Happy Shopping!

DIY Projects

/

Whether it's because you're on a budget, or simply because you are crafty, there are a ton of fun do-it-yourself projects that you could use for your wedding.

These candle-holders can be used to set your tables and are very quick and easy to make. You just need some old jars, yarn, masking tape, spray paint and fabric, as well as candles to put inside. Photo credit and tutorial found here.


These beautiful chiffon and tulle flowers can be used in your hair, on your bridesmaids' dresses, as a cake decoration, or as decor for your wedding venue. Photo credit and tutorial found here.

If you're into flowers, creating your own bouquet could be a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding. Photo credit and tutorial found here.

If you want to send your guests home with favors that you can make yourself, or even just favors for your bridal party and special guests, these bottles are a great way to show your appreciation by including personalized notes inside. Photo credit and tutorial found here.

For outdoor weddings, monogrammed luminaries are a creative way to light up the pathway with your initials or a nice message. Photo credit and tutorial found here.

If you like to sew, then you probably have most of the materials needed to make this garter for your wedding day. This could be a fun project and maybe even a stress-reliever. Photo credit and tutorial found here.

Finally, these do-it-yourself wedding fan programs are so pretty if you have the time to create them yourself. All you need besides a computer and printer are some scissors, cover stock, and some eyelets and eyelet-setter tools. Photo credit and tutorial found here.

These are just a few ways to add some personal touches to your wedding if you like to be hands-on. They are also great for keeping costs down and making space in your budget for something else. There are so many fun projects for your wedding that you could do yourself if you just get creative. If you have trouble coming up with fresh, new ideas, browsing the internet is always great for inspiration.

Zineera

Weddings to Celebrate: Lindsey & Rick

/
Lindsey and I "hit it off" from the moment we met. I knew I wanted to plan their wedding, and I was thrilled when they selected me. She is an absolutely beautiful person - inside and out. And to that a sweet and caring mother, a groom who can rap free-style, and an "A-Team" list of wedding vendors, and you have the recipe for a perfect event. Here are just a few of the pretty pictures captured by Elizabeth Sullivan of E.Sullivan Photography. If you don't know her, you are missing out!

















Guys - planning with you was like a paid vacation. I couldn't have asked for better clients.

xoxo,


Cast of Vendors:

Venue: The Houstonian
Coordinator: Something to Celebrate, Resha Zazueta
Officiant: Ron Ramey
Photographer: Elizabeth Sullivan
Videographer: Video by Robot
Florist / Linens: Wedding Flowers by Lisa
Lounge Furniture: Darryl & Co, Scott
Lighting: Bright Star Productions
Cakes: Susie's Cakes
Ceremony Music: Divisi Strings
Band: Mid-City Players

Sweet Treats

/
Wanting to get away from the traditional wedding cake or looking for a sweet addition? Take a look at these ideas that will keep you and your guests sweet tooth happy and wanting more :)

Cake Balls

courtesy of Sweet Tooth
Cake balls are a great way to still get all the cake you want but in bite size portion. Perfect for couples, who want many different flavors, and the picky cake eaters :)


Cupcakes

courtesy of Wedding Cupcakes
Cupcakes, like cake balls, are great for couples that want many different flavors and still want the cake. Cupcakes can also be decorated in many different ways, either to go with your theme or put a fun twist on it and allow your guests to decorate their own!




Cookies

courtesy of Martha Stewart
Yum! Who doesn't love the taste of some home-baked cookies? I don't know about you, but my sweet tooth is loving these ideas :)


Ice Cream

courtesy of 100 layer cake
Ice cream is a great for those hot summer weddings. You can choose to have it pre-made in mason jars or you can have an ice cream bar where your guests can be allowed to add their own toppings.


S'mores

courtesy of pinterest
Great way to get your guests to reminisce, at your outdoor wedding, about being young and making s'mores around a warm campfire.


Pies

courtesy of pinterest
For those that don't like cake, pie is a great alternative. Pies remind me of fall and family so what a perfect choice for your upcoming fall wedding!


Dessert Shots

courtesy of Cupcake Couture
Signature dessert shots are another fun alternative that will keep your guests light and happy throughout the night.



Sweet Planning!

Jacklyn

Vendors to Celebate :: Scott Stater Photography

/
Last year, we were thrilled when Scott Stater gifted a free session to one of our clients, no strings attached. Lisa was the lucky recipient, and she couldn't have been more pleased with the bridal session with Scott. Here's what she emailed to me when she received the photos, followed by some images from her session. Gorgeous! And stay tuned for my next blog post, featuring Lisa's amazing wedding day!

I think they turned out great!!  I owe it to my hair dresser, make up artist and especially Scott's great photography..

I want to give my honest opinion about Scott.  He was absolutelyamazing to work with.  From the time we booked  the session there werefollow up calls/emails to ensure I got the shots I wanted.  He planned
the setting and the style of the shots around my wants and needs. More than any other vendor he made the effort to contact me and ensure I was taken care of. I had full confidence that he was in control of the entire process. He was also great to work with during the shoot and made me feel completely comfortable.  I know you wanted my opinion and I have nothing but the highest praise for Scott's work.  I would highly urge you to book with him again.  And you know me, I wouldn't
just say that :) I'm sure I'm biased but I've never seen more incredible photos. LOL  I
love them!!
Anyway, thank YOU for giving me the chance to win this session on your blog.  You've been a true blessing to my wedding.
Love you tons Jess!! :)
Lisa













Weddings to Celebrate: Heather & Glenn

/
Back in May I had the absolute privilege of coordinating Heather & Glenn's wedding at 5226 Elm. The outdoor space of this venue was transformed into the elegant garden dinner party Heather envisioned by the stunning floral work of Felix from Behind the Garden Gate. My favorite decor feature, hands down, was the beautiful chandeliers! Below are some amazing photos taken by Brad Carr of Studio 5226.



Heather & Glenn- Thank you so very much for allowing me to be a part of your special day! I had a blast working with you!


The AMAZING Cast of Vendors:
Venue: 5226 Elm
Coordinator: Something to Celebrate, Lauren
Photographer: Studio 5226, Brad Carr
Florist: Behind the Garden Gate
Linens: Aztec
Ceremony Music: Chamber Music Unlimited
Reception Music: Mark Chandler Duo
Transportation: AFC Transportation


Couples to Celebrate: Emily & Adam

/
In April I had the pleasure of helping Emily & Adam with their wedding weekend at the FABULOUS Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa. They were such a great couple, with equally wonderful family & friends (Emily's mother is amazing!). Food was the focus of this reception: they had everything from a fresh sushi station during the cocktail hour to a banana split station after the cake cutting. YUM! Here are a few pictures taken by the always sensational John Ly or John Ly Photography....












Guys - Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your special day. It was one for the books!

xoxo,


Cast of Vendors:

Venue/Catering: The Houstonian
Coordinating: Something to Celebrate, Resha
Cake: Susie's Cakes
Florist/Lighting: Plants N Petals
Linen Rental: Distinctive Details
Photographer: John Ly Photography
Videographer: On Your Marks Productions
Band: Radio London
Hair / Makeup: Adorne Artistry

The Invitation Station

/
Invitations are such an important part of declaring the style of your wedding. They are the first glimpse that guests will get of your big day.

If your wedding falls on the elegantly traditional side, you probably want your invites to convey that classic feel.
Photo Courtesy of Storkie

If your special day is going to be quirky and fun, then choose invitations that are uniquely you!
Photo Courtesy of My Gatsby

There are so many things you can do to personalize your invites, but here are some things to remember regardless of your style:
  • Plan to mail your invitations by at least 6 weeks before the day of your wedding. This will allow you to set the RSVP deadline for around 3 weeks before your big day, enabling you to track down non-responders before the craziness of Wedding Week sets in.
  • Approximately 85% of the people you send invitations to will attend your wedding. But this number can be affected by things like having a high number of out-of-town invitees or getting married on a holiday weekend.
  • If you are addressing the invitations yourself, make sure to write on the envelopes BEFORE putting the invites inside. If you don't do this, you might leave indentations on the invitations!
  • Order more invitations than you think you will need. If you're a klutz like me, you are bound to spill your drink at the most inopportune moment or accidentally set your elbow on the next invite leaving a big, ugly crease. Trust me, you'll be glad you have spares!
Photo Courtesy of The Green Kangaroo

Have fun with your invitation design! It will be a keepsake you treasure for years to come.

Holly

The Big Question: What Kind of Send-Off?

/
intimateweddings.com

A couple weeks ago, we posted about sparklers as a send-off. During this burn-ban here in Texas, sparklers aren't always an option, and some venues don't allow them. So what are some fun alternatives to this popular choice? Never fear...there are many creative ways to take your leave for the first time as man and wife!

The pic above shows ribbon streamers--a fun DIY way to incorporate your colors. For a fun vibe, make vintage-inspired pennants with your monogram and colors. Etsy also sells hand-rolled streamers in any color you can imagine: (http://www.etsy.com/listing/63074147/100-hand-rolled-wedding-ceremony). They make for a really cute picture!

Bubbles! This pic shows bubble guns (a fun switch-up from the more common wands) but you can always have custom bubble wands made tied with ribbon in your colors.


For the more creative bride: paper airplanes! Maybe your stationer can create something that goes along with your theme or colors and includes your new monogram. Or if you are crafty, hand-letter them with a sweet note about starting a journey together as a married couple.

groomsoldseperately.com

Maybe your band can lead you out in a New Orleans-style parade? Or if you get married during the Christmas season, give your guests jingle bells. If your wedding falls near to New Year's, noisemakers would fit the bill. Throwing lavender or a variety of herbs would be a nice summer or spring send-off. Whatever you decide, make it fun and interactive for your guests to wish you well!

Katie

Table Settings

/
Photo Credit: Alchemy Fine Events

Thinking about your table settings is a small detail that often gets over-looked. I think that your place settings allow you to add extra charm to your event. You can add an element unique to you and your wedding. For example, a small flower tucked into each napkin, a menu card, your favor placed at each setting set on top of a beautiful colored napkin. There are so many things you can do!

This allows you to welcome each individual guest and make them feel special when they arrive at their seat for the evening. Happy Planning!



Couples to Celebrate: Meredith & Trent

/
My adorable bride Meredith and her equally sweet groom Trent recently had their engagement shoot, and I couldn't help but share. Aren't these beyond fantastic? Rachel Robinson really outdid herself. Add me to her fan list :-P

I have the pleasure of coordinating their April wedding, and I can't WAIT to show you all of the amazing things we have in store. (Alas, you will have to wait though ... we have to show Meredith's guests first. lol) Until then, enjoy these images ...







For more picture fun, here is an article from Modern Luxury magazine featuring their cute session.

xoxo,