Happy Holidays

The year has come and it's almost gone! 2010 will be here in about a week - with all new promises, hopes and expectations. I hope that you will let me help you turn your wedding dreams into wonderful memories next year!

Until the new decade, happy planning...

'Tis the Season

It's here - engagement season! Most engagements happen between Thanksgiving and New Year's. In my latest edition of Wedding Trends, I discuss the 4 C's of diamonds and give some intresting ideas for popping the question.

Click to enjoy the article!

Here's a photo that I had submitted to www.newjerseynewsroom.com for the article, but they chose to use the other two that I had submitted. It's by Elzbieta Photography - www.elzphoto.com/weddings.

Until next time, happy planning...

Musings on this Holiday Season

Hello everyone!

Well, it's already December - time flies by so quickly. Sorry I've been mia for most of November! I had a couple of events, Thanksgiving and nice bout of the flu (which I've now passed along to my husband). Hope you've had a nice lead up to the holidays!

Given the economy, this holiday season is going to be challenging for many folks. And I think that no segment of the population feels it more than those of you who are just getting your engagement rings, and are planning your weddings. However, there is some good news on the horizon, as the economy is showing some signs of revival.

So, if you have just received your engagement ring, CONGRATULATIONS! This is such an exciting time!! Remember who and what is important to you and make sure to center your celebration and planning around those people and ideas.

If you are planning your wedding already, keep up the great work! Try to stay on your schedule so that you enjoy every step of the way. You will always remember the time you spent planning and you want those to be happy memories!

In my upcoming www.newjerseynewsroom.com Wedding Trends article, I'm going to write about The Engagement. Keep your eyes posted for the article - it should be up soon!

Until next time, happy planning...

Wedding Wisdom

I just received my copy of Mary Dann's newest book, Wedding Wisdom. It's "an insightful approach to wedding planning and life." I can't wait to read it!!

I'm especially proud to be mentioned by Mary in her "Special Thanks" section! She mentions me and Bride Ideas as a "wonderful wedding planner... that continues to raise the bar for our industry and exceed client expectations" - on page 124!

Until next time, happy planning...

Thank you's

Just imagine: you had a dream wedding and now you're relaxing on some island in the middle of nowhere enjoying your honeymoon. All those months of planning are behind you. No more stress dreams. Your family is all safely back to their home bases, away from you and your new spouse. Life is good.

Now, you're thinking all the wedding "stuff" is behind you, right? Well - not exactly. There are several things that still need to be taken care of after your relaxing honeymoon, such as putting your photo album together, reviewing your edited video and depositing all those gift checks! My guess is these are very happy tasks that won't feel like some of the planning tasks that preceded your wedding. However, there is that 1 pesky item that looms over your heads - writing thank you notes for all those lovely gifts!

Thank you notes don't have to be a burden. Divide them between the two of you, and try to write 5 or 10 a night. And when I say "write" I do mean handwrite, if possible (and legible). You don't have to go into a long dissertation here, but you do have to say thank you for their very generous and thoughtful gift. Also, let you guests know how you intend to use their gifts - if money, perhaps toward a down payment on a house; if fine china, you'll use it during the holidays and think of them. Please don't just take a photo card from your photographer with a preprinted "Thank you" and stick a label on it and mail it out! Remember, you took all that time planning every detail of your day, and your guests came to celebrate with you - this will be their final "touch" from you of your wedding. Make it as personal as your big day!

Until next time, happy planning...

CAKE!!

There are so many things that I love about weddings. I love to see which gown the bride has chosen. I love to sit in the back of the ceremony (even just for a minute!) and witness the joining of the couple whom I have worked with for so long planning that very event. I love watching the bride dance with her father. I love seeing the room come together before all the guests arrive.

One other thing I love is to see the cake! Before the big day, I usually have a good idea about what the cake will look like, its flavor and shape. But the big reveal of the cake is so much fun! I've worked with clients who had TALL cakes, transformer cakes, cakes that resemble the wedding gowns, round cakes, square cakes - you name it. A cake reflects the couple's personality and theme for the wedding. So, have fun with your cake!

Until next time, happy planning...

Your Vote Counts!!

Here in New Jersey, we are coming up on an election for Governor next month. There have been ads galore from the 2 major candidates (and 1 independent) that are just intensifying as the election draws closer. So, in this spirit, I'm putting out the vote to you!

What are you voting on? Well, to make a very long story short, Bride Ideas has 2 websites. Many of the pages are the same, but not all of them. I think it's time to stop my split personality and just go with one or the other website.

Here's the rub, I like elements on both sites! I can't make up my mind which site to keep and which will just disappear. I will keep both web addresses, but the physical site will just be one of them. Can you help me choose?

Please send me an email to rhonda@rhondaweddings.com and indicate if you prefer:

• www.rhondaweddings.com OR
• www.brideideasnj.com

You'll know soon enough which site won! THANK YOU for your input!!!

Until next time, happy planning...

Featured Speaker

Hello everyone! I'm excited because tonight I'm going to make a presentation before the Monmouth/Ocean Association of Family & Consumer Sciences about wedding planning! I was asked to do this back in August - but I can't believe it's already October 14th and the meeting is tonight!

My presentation is all about the career path to becoming a wedding planner. Plus, I will discuss some of my favorite wedding stories - cakes that fell (and the bride and groom never knew!), cupcakes redelivered, beautiful lighting... It should be an interesting time! Can't wait to hear their questions!

If you are interested in receiving a copy of my PowerPoint Presentation, let me know!

Until next time, happy planning...

New & Newsworthy in NJ!

Free. Wedding. It's not too often that these two words are put together! But, for Tara Meacham and Rick Clapper this dream phrase became their reality when they won a contest sponsored by the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce (SOC Chamber), NJWedding.com, A.J. Meerwald, ReClam the Bay and the New Jersey Division of Tourism.

On July 25, 2009, the Clappers were married on board the A.J. Meerwald, NJ's official "tall ship" on LBI. Eighty family and friends were on hand to celebrate their nuptials in Beach Haven. The newlyweds are still over the moon about their wedding!

But the excitement isn't over for those of you still planning your wedding. The SOC Chamber is hosting its Second Annual Wedding Road Show on April 18, 2010. Mark your calendars for this date because three couples participating in the Wedding Road Show will be chosen to be on a new television show, which will detail their planning process! For more information about LBI, Tara & Rick's wedding and the contest, please go to my Wedding Trends article at http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/style/married-for-free-aboard-njs-official-tall-ship-in-lbi

Until next time, happy planning...

Lessons from a recent "graduate"

For the past year and a half, I’ve been working as Rhonda’s assistant, helping to make our clients’ wedding dreams come true. During this time, I’ve also been planning my own wedding and have been learning all the tricks of the trade to make sure my own wedding was perfect. My wedding was on August 14 and it turned out even better than I could have imagined. Now that I’ve had some time to reflect on the day, and have “graduated” from being engaged to being married, Rhonda asked if I would be willing to share some of my experiences. Here are the four most important lessons I learned throughout my planning process.

1. No one is going to be as excited about your wedding as you are. Of course, your friends and family are likely thrilled for you and your fiancé and are excited to help you with the planning. But keep in mind, even the most dedicated loved ones are going to get to the point where they simply can’t talk anymore about the relative benefits of peonies over roses, whether you should have fondant or buttercream icing or if you should invite your boss or not. Remember that your friends and family have other things going in their lives too, and while they are excited and happy for you, they want to be able to talk about what’s going on with them and have the same kind of interactions with you as they did before you got engaged. Make sure to keep up with your friends and family and if need be, schedule “wedding breaks” where you agree not to talk about the wedding while you go out and do something fun.

2. Get good vendors. Your vendors can make or break your wedding day. Make sure you choose people that listen to you, that you enjoy working with and make sure to ask for lots of samples of their work. Do not skimp on vendors and settle for someone you’re not entirely comfortable with. It will make all the difference in the world.

3. Say Thank You. If you’re like me, as you get closer to the wedding, you might find yourself asking for more and more help, and those requests may not always be entirely reasonable (take it from me – they’ll seem reasonable to you at the time, but after you’re married and are able to step back from the craziness, you’ll be amazed at everything your family and friends did for you!). Make sure to thank the people who help you – and really mean it. It sounds obvious, but you might not realize what you’re asking of someone. At least let them know that you really appreciate what they’re doing.

4. Relax! We’ve all seen the movies (or perhaps the episodes of Bridezillas) where the bride is getting ready for her big day and has a panic attack, or starts yelling at her bridesmaids and family for no apparent reason. Don’t feel like this is the norm or what’s expected. YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED!!! HAVE FUN!!! Relax with your closest friends – joke, goof around, munch on your favorite snacks and get excited for what’s to come. Hug, laugh, dance, cry tears of joy and treasure every moment. If you’re able to relax, you’ll be able to take everything in so much more than if you’re stressing about last minute details. I’ve been married for over a month already and I’m still basking in the glow of how amazing my wedding was. Your wedding day is going to go by so quickly and you want to be able to enjoy every minute. Don’t waste time by stressing or freaking out. If something goes wrong, deal with it calmly and with grace. Some things are going to be out of your control but that doesn’t mean it has to ruin your wedding day. Resolve the issue as best you can, ask for help if you need it, and get back to the celebrations! You only get one shot at this so relax and let yourself be surrounded by the love and happiness of your family and friends.

Until next time, happy planning…

Music Mania

In honor of Bruce Springsteen's birthday today, I started thinking about the music options that my clients are presented with for their weddings. The choice isn't between a DJ or live band anymore!

When you start thinking about entertainment for your wedding, you need to break your event down into three parts: ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. Sometimes 1 company will handle all 3 parts of the day - but many times, 3 different entertainers are involved (at least!).

Starting from the beginning, your ceremony. If you are having your wedding ceremony at a church or temple, check with your officiant to see if certain musicians are required, and if others may be added. My couples have had full choirs singing, a string quartet accompany the organ - even trumpets! Remember to check with your venue first to see if there are any restrictions before booking! If you are getting married at a garden or other location, ask if your DJ can play your music, or go with keyboards or a guitar; even a steel drum band on the beach!

Once you are happily husband and wife, the next stage is usually a cocktail hour. Once again, you are not limited to the customary pianist - although, live piano music sets a terrific mood! As the cocktail hour is a time for your guests to mingle and catch up, as well as eat and enjoy a nice drink, you don't want to have a rock band playing which will interfere with this. However, a DJ can play great 1940s music, or what about a jazz band? This is also a great time for younger members of the family to play a special piece for the newlyweds, as playing at the reception may be too overwhelming.

Now you're ready to party! Dance the night away with a live band, or a DJ spinning tunes. Or, how about a hybrid - a DJ with a live bongo player spices things up, and also may allow for guests to show off their drumming skills. A special song written and performed by the groom and his band to the bride make for unforgettable moments. Be creative and enjoy dancing the night away!

Until next time, happy planning...

What's the proper way to carry a bouquet?

For my Wedding Trends article this week, I answered 2 questions posed by readers. One - how to carry a bouquet. Two - what's the groom's mother's role in planning a wedding. Both are very interesting topics!

For the bouquet, you may want to stand in front of a mirror and just see what looks the best. A typical bouquet will look very nice carried low, at the waist, slightly pointing forward. I guess the best piece of advice I can give is to relax your arms and keep the flowers low, because that's what looks good in photos.

For the groom's mom, that can be much more touchy! If you're the bride, try to involve your fiance's mother in some aspect of the planning, so she feels included. After all, you are marrying her son! While the main focus of the wedding is on the bride and groom, the celebration is a joining of two families - so start off on the right foot!

Hope you enjoy the article - any comments are welcome!!http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/style/theres-a-right-way-and-a-wrong-way-to-carry-a-bouquet

Until next time, happy planning...

"Masters of Reception"

Wedding reality shows. They are EVERYWHERE! Bridezillas, Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?, Platinum Weddings, A Wedding Story, GetMarried - the list is endless. I have to be honest, I used to watch these shows with avid attention. Or was it rabid?! I couldn't get enough of them; I almost considered them to be "research"!

But probably a year ago, I just stopped watching them. Don't get me wrong, if a friend of mine was featured on a show, I'd make a special effort to watch (at least most of the show). I think I felt a bit jaded on the shows, with their "made-up" dramas - or, if they weren't made up, they were just pathetic. And, for the sake of the show, someone always was made out to be the villain. Be it the wedding planner, bride, groom, maid-of-honor or perennial favorite, mother of the bride, someone was cast as the bumbling fool of the show. Or extravagant for extravagant's sake. Whenever I was asked to do one of these shows, I always declined as drama is one of the major things I try to avoid on wedding day!

So, when my friends at Frungillo Catering announced they were the subject of TLC's new wedding reality TV show, "Masters of Reception," I dutifully watched the premiere episode. For some reason, it struck me as being new and fresh! Of course, the Frungillo brothers are the center of the show, but instead of casting a villain in the show, they are the wedding heroes! Again, a bit oversimplified but it's so nice to see a show with truly happy couples versus in-fighting and drama.

In my Wedding Trends column, I offered my opinion of this show. Check it out at http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/style/njs-frungillo-caterers-stars-of-masters-of-reception-on-tlc. (ps-The photo in this blog entry is of Ben Frungillo, me and Jerry Frungillo at an event that I coordinated a couple of years ago.)

Until next time, happy planning!

Wedding Consultant Amanda's Amazing Wedding!

On Friday, I had the pleasure of attending (as a guest!) Amanda's wedding.

Amanda looked fabulous in her gown and was so happy to be marrying Darren! Everyone in attendance joined in the happy celebration, with a packed dance floor all night. The vendors (mostly ones that have worked with Bride Ideas for years) were top-notch, and the wedding was a smashing success!

One thing that really struck me, as a wedding planner sitting on the guest side, was the sheer beauty of the wedding ceremony itself. There's just something magical about the wedding processional - the anticipation before seeing the bride for the first time. Then, as Amanda walked down the aisle with her parents and a gorgeous smile on her face, everyone in attendance just knew that this couple was meant to be!

Amanda has been working with Bride Ideas for a couple of years now, helping on the day of the celebrations. Starting in October, however, she will be a Wedding Consultant for Bride Ideas, assisting our couples as they plan and prepare for their big day! Look for Amanda's blog entries soon!

Until next time, happy planning...

11 year anniversary!!

Hi all! I wanted to take this opportunity to share a personal story with you. Just last Sunday, August 9th, my husband Mike and I celebrated our 11th year anniversary. Eleven years since we got married - the time truly flies by!

For our anniversary this year, we decided to go to Emeril's new restaurant in Bethlehem, PA at the new Sands Casino there. It was about a 1 hour, 20 minute easy drive from West Orange. As we have been to Emeril's other restaurants in Orlando and New Orleans, we were very excited to try out his first place in the Northeast. And the food was great! Service was very good as well! We only wished that the "bam" man was there himself, but we had a great time remembering our engagement day, our wedding day and awesome honeymoon travels. Even after 11 years, the memory of our wedding day is fresh and makes us smile as we remember all the fun we had. So, as you are planning your wedding, keep in mind that you truly are "making memories"!

Until next time, happy planning!

Asked to speak

Hi everyone! In today's blog, I'm going to discuss 5 little words that strike fear into many a person's heart: "Would you give a toast?" Now, I know that public speaking ranks right up there with paying taxes and death as the most enjoyable activities on the planet, but how could you refuse a heartfelt request like that? I was just asked to speak about wedding planning before a teachers' group in Central Jersey in October, so I know the panic that sets in before making a presentation, whether long or short.

When preparing to give a toast (or any public speech), here are some tips that I share with my clients:

• Practice, practice, practice. This does not mean to write down your toast, word-for-word, but rather spend some time going over the topics you'd like to cover. Then, on 1 index card, write down your topics and recite what you're going to say in front of a mirror. You don't want to sound rehearsed, but you also don't want to stammer and just shout "Cheers!"
• Limit your drinks before your toast. There's nothing worse than someone with a mic who is totally wasted, making inappropriate remarks about how gorgeous the groom is (believe me, it's happened!).
• Keep it short and sweet. Try to limit your remarks to 3 minutes or so - share a story about you and the couple, talk about how their love has changed them as individuals, and offer a toast to many years. That makes an excellent toast - and eliminates the need for a hook!

Remember, people are interested in what you have to say - so make your short time count!

Until next time, happy planning!

Dancing to a whole new level!

By now, I'm sure that most of you have seen the YouTube video of the wedding processional unlike any other. If you haven't, here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0.

Choreographed first dances are nothing new. There was even a TV show about them. But this video takes the dance to a whole new level. It certainly reflects the couple's personality! Plus, in these cost-conscious times, it was something that didn't cost anything and yet added a huge WOW (not to mention world-wide attention).

What do you think? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, happy planning...

The Wedding Expert

Hi all!

I have some exciting news to share ... it's been in the works for a while, but now it's "official"! I have been selected to write the Wedding Column for www.newjerseynewsroom.com! When you get a chance, click to http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/style/turning-that-dream-wedding-day-into-reality-in-a-down-economy and read my first article. I'd love to hear your comments!

Every month, I'm going to write one article and also answer any of your questions. So, feel free to email me with questions - you may see my response in my column. I hope you like the information and tips I'm providing in my column as much as I enjoy sharing my experiences with you!

Until next time, happy planning...

Invited to a wedding!

For the past couple of years now, Amanda Huckabee has been working with Bride Ideas as an assistant on the day of most of the weddings I've coordinated. Amanda has a great sense of humor and a wonderful demeanor when handling the inevitable little "incidents" that occur at a wedding - of which the bride and groom never are aware.

Pictured here are Kate Bergin (summer intern), me and Amanda.

I'm excited to announce that Amanda, starting in October, is going to be a Wedding Consultant for Bride Ideas. She will be taking on her own clients and handling their weddings, using me as a resource of course!

Why wait until October? Well... Amanda is getting married herself in August! So, I've been helping her with her wedding plans for the better part of a year and can't wait to celebrate with her. It's going to be very fun to be a guest at her wedding - I've been getting all excited about what I should wear to her black tie optional event! I guess that I've been planning so many wonderful celebrations for great couples, I needed to be reminded about the fun experience for everyone concerned.

So, take a moment, step out of the planning mode, and simply remember to feel the excitement that your upcoming wedding is generating among your family and friends!!

Until next time, happy planning...

A View From An Intern

My name is Kate. Last summer I worked with Rhonda as an intern for Bride Ideas. I was able to help her with two different weddings during that time. Each wedding had their own stress points from personalities to working with various vendors. Overall, it was definitely an eye-opening experience because I learned that wedding planning isn't all about cake tasting, dress-fittings, flowers and invitations. There is much more involved, especially if you have your own business.

As a graduating senior from high school, we are required to do a project in May where we work as an intern. I decided to go back to Bride Ideas because I am still really interested in wedding planning and wanted to learn even more about the business. This time around, I worked on two separate celebrations. These celebrations were really rewarding because I was involved with the actual setting up of the venues. Not only did I get to see Rhonda drafting up the timelines in the office, I actually got to see how useful they were when it came to the actual wedding day. I can't imagine not having a planner at a wedding because it is really important to make sure that everything is on schedule so that the wedding runs smoothly.

I also got to see the marketing side of the business which I learned is a huge part of it. No matter how good of a wedding planner you are, it is important to keep finding new ways to get your name out there. Because of the new wave of technology there are so many different wedding websites to put your company's name on that it can be overwhelming.

I have learned a lot from this experience, mainly that wedding planning is anything but glamorous. However, even though it is not glamorous, it is very satisfying when you see the happiness of the newlyweds when they see their carefully decorated venue and their gratefulness for their stress-free day. I have not yet decided if wedding planning is the thing for me, but I have learned that it will be very important to take marketing in college! I want to thank Rhonda for letting me work with her again, I learned so much!

Cupcake Disaster ... AVERTED!

I wanted to share with you the recent tale of two cupcakes. Well, actually, two cupcake deliveries!


My clients' wedding on May 9th was a very intimate and beautiful celebration. Twenty-five people gathered to celebrate with Mireya and Brian well at the Hyatt Regency in Jersey City, right on the Hudson River with gorgeous views of Manhattan. The day was running so smoothly, we knew there had to be a snag somewhere...and that's when the cupcakes arrived!

Mireya and Brian had planned for their guests to have dinner and dessert in the Hyatt's private dining room, with windows on all sides overlooking NYC. The dessert centerpiece was to be cupcakes with special red icing roses on their tops on a lovely 3-tiered stand. The cupcakes were to be on display all night - like a wedding cake (in fact, there were 2 cupcakes in the shape of traditional wedding cakes, for the bride and groom).

The bride and groom were taking photos when I got a call from the Hyatt's Banquet Manager, Sandra, to come to the kitchen right away. The cupcakes had arrived -- all "smooshed". They hadn't been properly packed by the bakery and all, except for the two for Mireya and Brian, were unsalvagable! I sent them back and requested a new batch be sent right away. Now, this was 4 pm and the dinner started at 5. I started preparing for the worst, and as Plan B we called around and found a back-up bakery who would be able to have 23 cupcakes ready for us, sans the icing roses. So, we waited, called, and prayed that the cupcakes from the original bakery would arrive on time and in tact!


Luckily, right at 5 pm, the second batch of cupcakes arrived and were totally fine. While the excellent staff at the Hyatt put them out on display, I kept the guests (and the bride and groom!) distracted during the now-extended cocktail hour. At 5:30, just 1/2 hour late, the doors to the dining room opened, the cupcakes were beautifully displayed, and no one was the wiser! Cupcake disaster averted!

Until next time, happy planning...

Summer intern

I want to introduce you all to Kate, who is going to be Bride Ideas intern over this month. She is a senior in high school, on her way to my alma mater, Bucknell University in the fall. Last summer, she interned with Bride Ideas during the month of July, and she just couldn't help herself - she's back for more!

As wedding season is getting into swing, Kate will have 2 weddings this month to help out with - and also help us prepare for a wedding next month. I'm excited to help Kate explore the wedding industry, to see if this is where she wants to be! I'll ask Kate if she's interested in writing a blog post or two about her experiences!!

Until next time, happy planning...

Ways to cut costs but achieve amazing results

Last month, I was interviewed for a feature article in NJ View Magazine about how couples are cutting back on their budgets but not sacrificing any important perks for their wedding celebrations. I was honored to be only 1 of 3 planners in all of New Jersey consulted for this piece!

Here's a link to the article: http://njviewmagazine.com/article_bridal.htm - enjoy!!

Until next time, happy planning...

Happy Earth Day!

Today is Earth Day - a time to reflect and do your part to save our planet. What does that mean for wedding planners? Planning a green wedding, of course!

Here are some "green ideas":

-Instead of flowers, use locally grown produce such as pumpkins, apples, oranges, etc. for decorations

-Use recycled paper for your invitations.

-Go paperless for your invitations - or at least your response cards!

-Choose your honeymoon wisely - think eco-tourism!

-Select your wedding rings made from recycled precious metals and stones.

-Choose a vintage wedding dress.

What ideas do you have to share? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, happy planning...

Planning Your Dream Wedding In This Economy

He finally popped the question, and you said yes! That was in December - now you're in full planning mode. Except the economy has contracted, perhaps one of you has lost your job or is in danger of doing so, and you're trying to figure out how you're going to pay for your dream wedding.

Does this scenario sound familiar? I bet it does to many of you, unfortunately. That's just the reality of the current economy.

My first piece of advice is not to finance your entire wedding on credit cards. Your wedding is the first day of the marriage that will last your lifetime - and who wants to start off being in debt?

My next piece of advice is not to cut back so drastically that you don't even recognize any part of your dream wedding. If you always wanted a live band during your reception, believe it or not there are excellent bands out there that don't charge an arm and a leg! In my market, I know bands that charge in excess of $20,000 and those that charge less than a quarter of that price tag and have an equally packed dance floor. Does your vision always include chair covers? There are other rental options in the marketplace, such as "chair caps" and "chair backs" that will give you much of the same effect at a fraction of the cost. And the best way to control your budget is, as it always has been, to cut your guest list.

My final piece of advice on this topic is to seek out professional assistance. A truly professional wedding consultant will be able to help you reframe your dream wedding so that you achieve the same look and feel, but at a budget that you're comfortable with. We know the industry, know the vendors, and can truly make your day more than you even imagined!

Until next time, happy planning...

Bridal Show in Puerto Rico

Hi all,

Sorry I've been MIA for a bit - while no excuse, I was away in Puerto Rico and had the pleasure of attending a bridal show over there! The Association of Bridal Consultants had a booth, and I got to know Sari and John Skalnik of Tropical Weddings (http://www.tropicalweddingspr.com/) - they are so much fun! If you are thinking of getting married on Puerto Rico, you MUST contact them!!

Sari, John and me (right-to-left) outside the Puerto Rico Convention Center.

I want to share some photos I took from the bridal show. Beautiful designs were on full display -I hope you get some inspiration!!

Until next time, happy planning...

Alternative Centerpiece Ideas

Recently I've been asked about centerpieces that don't revolve around flowers. My clients either are very eco-conscious or were looking for new ways to personalize their wedding celebration. So, to this challenging question, I came up with the following alternatives:

1. Use a potted plant with a decorated container. That way, the winner of the centerpiece can take it home and plant it, or add it to their houseplant collection.

2. Wrap up the favors into different sized boxes and pile them in the center of the table. At an appropriate time during the evening, tell your guests to pick their favor.

3. Do something really unusual - wrap a stuffed animal in beautiful paper and then announce that the centerpieces are being donated to a homeless shelter.

What do you think? Do you have any creative ideas for your wedding reception that you would like to share? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, happy planning...

Valentine's Day is coming!

Valentine's Day is this Saturday! A time for you to pause from your wedding planning and to remember why you're getting married - the love you share!

There are so many ways to celebrate this holiday, from lavish dinners out to an intimate dinner for two at home. Whether you go out or stay in, just focus on each other and your celebration will be just perfect!

Until next time, happy planning...

Congratulations to the Yoshas!

I was sooo excited to see Lindsey & Jonthan's great photo in the new issue of New Jersey Bride! Check out page 41 to see their beautiful ceremony site! Here's a little preview:

Also in this issue is a little article about me, when I went to Sandals Whitehouse in Jamaica and rubbed elbows with the industry's elite - Preston Bailey and Sylvia Weinstock.

I hope you enjoy this issue of the magazine as much as I did!

Until next time, happy planning...

Sandals Royal Bahamian

For most of last week, I escaped the frigid temperatures of NJ for the relatively more balmy ones of the Bahamas! I was invited to go on a "fam trip" to Sandals Royal Bahamian - to visit the resort and experience it first-hand. Please contact me if you are interested in a Sandals honeymoon or vacation, as I can help you decide which resort is perfect for you!

Royal Bahamain is, like every Sandals resort, perfectly manicured. The grounds are beautiful and lush. The resort itself is relatively small, which makes it very easy to navigate. There are 2 main pools and many hot tubs dotted throughout. Also, there's a private island about 5 minutes away by boat that has a restaurant, spa, and great beaches. The restaurants have great a la carte menus and the drinks are all included!

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't all that great. We were mainly in sweatshirts and long pants. I know - you were getting snow, so I can hear the violins from here! It was the weird weather pattern that was affecting Miami that blew over to the island. Oh well!

Here are a couple of photos of the Royal Bahamian (I was the photographer, not the photographee!). The first one is of the resort from the private island, and the second is my friend and fellow wedding planner, Anna Weaver, on the pier back from the private island.

Until next time, happy planning...

Services & Fees

I just did something a bit radical in the wedding industry. Not many wedding consultants have done this, but for many reasons I felt I needed to do it. Mary Dann, a celebrity wedding planner in California with whom I met during the annual Association of Bridal Consultants conference, encouraged me to join her. So, now I went ahead and posted my Services and Fees on my website!

Why do something a bit outside the box? First, I thought it would provide some information to newly engaged couples like yourself as to the range of pricing for wedding consultants in the northern NJ area. There are so many TV programs that show how wedding planners help a couple throughout the planning process, and probably many of you think that because it's on TV that you cannot afford much needed help. By listing my services and fees, I wanted to take the mystery out of this process.

Second, I wanted to show you how many valuable services a wedding planner provides. As a newly engaged couple, you may not realize how much is involved in planning a wedding - as many as 120 decisions are made during the course of your engagement!

Third, when I started Bride Ideas back in 2002, I made the decision to charge a flat fee depending upon the services my clients needed, and not upon whether the reception is at The Pleasantdale Chateau, Stirling Ridge or The Bethwood. I also do not charge my vendors to be recommended by me, or take a commission from them when my recommendation is hired. In fact, I ask that if a commission is offered, that it be given to my client as a "Bride Ideas' discount." That's my philosophy.

Please know that I am not trying to make a "commodity" out of wedding consulting services. There is a range of pricing on Bride Ideas' site, as the exact amount can only be determined after we have an initial meeting and all of the details are discussed. Of course, custom packages are often created based upon your individual needs! I am here to help guide couples on their way down the aisle, and felt it was time that I lifted the veil, so to speak, on Bride Ideas' services and fees. I hope it helps!

Until next time, happy planning...

New Year's Resolutions

Well, it's that time of year again. Or, more accurately, five days ago was "that time of year again." The time when we look back on 2008, assess what we did right and not so right, and resolve to make changes in 2009.

For many of you, 2008 brought new changes - perhaps an engagement! 2009 will be a year of planning and celebrating that decision. I hope your new year's resolution is to remember that a wedding is a happy occasion, a time for your family and friends to come together and share in your joy and happiness. Try to remember the reason for all the planning that is to come, and not get bogged down in all the details!

For me, one of my new year's resolutions is a bit more mundane: to get and KEEP my office organized. For those of you who have been to my office, you probably didn't notice the huge pile of papers hidden in the back closet - only to return to my desk as soon as you left! I want to figure out a way to organize my office so it is a more stress-free place to create wonderful weddings!

How about you? What is your new year's resolution? I'd love to know!

Until next time, happy planning...