Weddings in the City

NEW BLOG SITE

2010-06-19T20:10:00.001-07:00

Please Visit us at our Brand New Blog Site!!

www.wedinthecityblog.com

"Miss Bride in the City" ~ Erica

2010-04-29T14:43:00.000-07:00

This week's featured bride is Miss Erica!! We cannot wait for her fabulous wedding at Casa Feliz in a couple of weeks. We are busy in the office finalizing all of her details and keeping her as stress free as possible! :) Her colors are blue, brown and burgundy and she and Chad are expecting around 90 guests (the perfect number according to Erica)

When did you get engaged? March 6, 2009

When is the Big Day? May 15, 2010

Who are the Wedding Vendors you have already decided to hire?

Photography: Leigh Taylor Photography

Catering: Arthur’s Catering

Cake: Anna Cakes

Florist: Carly Ane’s Floral Studio

DJ: White Rose Entertainment

Ceremony/ Cocktail Hour Music: Mark DeHaven, Guitarist

Officiant: Rev. Glynn Ferguson

Outdoor Lighting: Kaleidoscope Production Services

MakeUp: Meghann Davis

Seamstress: Jeanine

Tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal

What is your venue and why did you choose it?

Chad and I were pretty particular about what we wanted in a wedding venue. I wanted something “vintage” with a little history and neither of us wanted it in a hotel or ballroom. We also wanted our wedding not to feel and look like every other wedding that we’ve been to. I was also very particular about the aesthetics. I refused to even consider a place that had parquet dance flooring or banquet chairs. Casa Feliz met all of our criteria and more.

What are you most excited about for your wedding day?

Chad and I have been together for seven and a half years so I am excited for the entire day but especially the part where we say our vows to each other and thus become Husband and Wife, FINALLY! 

Are you keeping a wedding blog while you plan? Why is this helpful?

Yes I am! Who knows if anyone ever reads it but I blog, or try to blog weekly. I find it helpful because it keeps all my wedding ideas and thoughts in one place. It is also an easy way to keep our bridal party and parents up to date on what is going on with the planning.

Is there anything you are nervous about for your wedding day?

Rain! Our ceremony and reception are outdoors. I try not to think about it because I don’t have the weather reports for our day yet.

What is your wedding theme going to be? What inspired it?

Our Vintage theme is actually inspired by our venue, Casa Feliz. This historic house inspired everything from our wedding colors down to the smallest detail like our cake topper. This property is gorgeous and I didn’t want to take away from any of it so I deliberately tried to choose things that would compliment Casa Feliz.

Where are you planning to go for your honeymoon?

Aruba! A whole week of no email, work or phone calls. Heavenly!

What are some of your favorite wedding planning tools (websites, blogs, books, etc)?

The Knot’s Message Boards, Hot Pink Brides, Style Me Pretty and Ruffled.

Is your husband-to-be helping with the planning? What are his jobs?

Yes, Chad, AKA “Corporate Approval” is involved in the planning. When I first started planning I thought I was going to do this all on my own but I found out relatively fast that he had opinions, especially about the cake topper. Who would of thought?! His only Solo jobs are setting up the Rehearsal Lunch and the honeymoon but he has been involved in helping to decide everything from vendors to wedding favors.

What is your best advice to brides who are currently planning their weddings?

Get organized, go with your gut and try to take things with a grain of salt. Notice how I say “try”. It is easier said then done and I have yet to master this but I’m still attempting to take my own advice.

Also, for your own sanity, get a Day of Coordinator. I don’t know what I would do without Ashlie. I didn’t plan on getting a “DOC” because I’m a control freak and thought I could do it all myself until I realized enjoying my own wedding day was more important than worrying about all the details and set-up. She is the Yin to my Yang and always calms me down when I’m having a crisis over candles or flowers. She has been an amazing help so far, becoming a really good friend, and worth every penny.

Are you planning to see each other before the ceremony? Why or why not?

We are not a traditional couple so we are planning on doing a first look. I think the moment when you a couple sees each other for the first time, whether it be walking down the aisle or not, is personal and I didn’t want to share that with everyone. I wanted something just for us. I also anticipate that I am going to be a happy, but emotional train wreck, so I figure if I see him before I won’t be totally loosing it while I’m walking down the isle.

What are three words that describe how you feel right now?

Elated, Excited, and Anxious.

"Miss Bride in the City" ~ Vedika

2010-04-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

Vedika and Ryan's August wedding is fast approaching and we can not wait!!! They are having a traditional Indian Ceremony followed the next day with a fabulous American Reception at the Wyndham Orlando Resort! Vedika loves bright and beautiful colors, the Indian Ceremony will be in Royal Purple, Apple Green, Fuschia and Turquoise! And the reception will be Black, White and Sunshine Yellow. We are looking forward to 3 days of fabulous traditions and festivities!!

When did you get engaged?: Christmas Eve 2008

When is the Big Day?: August 13, 2010

Who are the Wedding Vendors you have already decided to hire?:

- DOC: Ashlie Shea Hampton of Weddings In The City

- Photographer: Tabitha McCausland

- DJ & Lighting: Jay Edwards of Liquid Entertainment

- Florist: Debra Shea Robertson of Atmospheres Floral & Decor

- Videography: Ana with OneiProductions

- Cake: Heather of It's Tasty Too!

- Chivari chairs: Bells Chair Covers, Inc.

- Make Up & Hair: Meghann Davis of Today's Diva

- Custom Drapery: Tony Soto of Tony Soto Designs

- Dress: Alfred Angelo

- Tuxes: Men's Wearhouse

What is your venue and why did you choose it?: We chose the Hindu temple because it was centralized and obviously the most fitting place to have the ceremony. We chose the Wyndham Orlando for our reception because we love the layout of the property. Donna, the Event Coordinator, has been so helpful and is going above and beyond to make sure our day is one of a kind!

What are you most excited about for your wedding day?: Becoming Mr. & Mrs. After knowing each other for 15 years, it's about time! We are super uber excited to have all of our family and friends with us to celebrate!

Are you keeping a wedding blog while you plan? Why is this helpful?: I did start one, but with school and work, it's been difficult to keep it up to date. I do find wedding blogs helpful! I used Heather's Road to the Aisle blog as an inspiration for my invitations. I follow Ashley, a fellow Knottie, through her many DIY projects also!

Is there anything you are nervous about for your wedding day?: I am nervous about changing outfits for the Indian wedding. I hope everything goes as planned as stays on time!

What is your wedding theme going to be? What inspired it?: Our theme is roses. Ever since I can remember, my Dad had given me a dozen yellow roses for my birthday. They have been my favorite flower and are a perfect fit for our wedding colors :)

Where are you planning to go for your honeymoon?: It's a surprise!..I have a preference to go somewhere cold!

What are some of your favorite wedding planning tools (websites, blogs, books, etc)?: TheKnot.com, roadtotheaisle.blogspot.com and weddingbee.com. I also recommend the following magazines, Central Florida Bride, The Knot: Florida, BRIDES and Modern Bride.

Is your husband-to-be helping with the planning? What are his jobs?: Ryan has been VERY helpful with the planning! He was very into getting the wedding registry done; he insisted on picking out the cake, flavors and design, on his own. He also took up planning the honeymoon :)

What is your best advice to brides who are currently planning their weddings?: Let your fiance help! A lot of the time we think the guys won't be interested in helping with "girly wedding stuff" but sometimes, they get more into it than we do! It's better to ask his opinion first instead of assuming he will say no. Remember, the wedding is for you AND him! You want his personality to show in the wedding just as much as yours will. Also, recruit the help of others. Don't think you have to do everything by yourself, because you don't! Friends and family will be more than willing to help as long as you ask and act politely :) Have fun with planning your wedding! At the end of the day, not everything will be perfect, no matter how much you plan..But, you will be marrying the most perfect person for you!

Are you planning to see each other before the ceremony? Why or why not?: Yes! We want to get that moment alone to say, "Hi! I love you!" It will also maximize our photography time and get to capture a more intimate moment before all of the wonderful hoopla!

What are three words that describe how you feel right now?: appreciative, anxious, and ecstatic!

One of Our Own, Ties The Knot!!! :)

2010-04-14T07:00:00.001-07:00

Rachel is one of our Wedding Coordinators at Weddings in the City and we are so excited for she and Jeff! They tied the knot last weekend, April 10th, 2010 and she could not have made a more beautiful bride!! Marc Harmon took these amazing pictures!! Their colors were Apple Green and Black and everything looked amazing. Atmospheres Floral and Decor and Weddings by Carly Ane's created the amazing florals!!! Jay from Liquid Entertainment kept the dance floor packed all night and Jeff with Cinematique Films caught it all on tape!! The Ceremony and Reception were at the Buena Vista Palace and Angela ensured the event ran flawlessly!!!

We cannot wait for her to get back from her honeymoon, we miss her!!!

"Miss Bride in the City" ~ Maria

2010-03-18T16:18:00.000-07:00

We have been so busy in the office working on upcoming weddings.... but we had to get this “Miss Bride in the City” published before the weekend.... This week’s bride, Maria, will become a Mrs on Saturday at the Courtyard at Lake Lucerne. We are very excited for she and her fiance, Ryan! Their wedding is going to be a beautiful event!! They have chosen a gorgeous color palette of black, royal purple and lime green. They are expecting about 90 guests, which is the perfect number for The Dr. Phillips House!

When did you get engaged? May 7, 2009

When is the Big Day? March 20, 2010

Who are the Wedding Vendors you have already decided to hire?

Florist - Lee Forrest

DJ - Bryan Taylor-Tagas

Photography - Joey Wright Photography

Caterer and Cake - Puff n Stuff

Seamstress - Judi, The Seamstress, Inc.

Hair and Makeup - Patricia LeJeune

Tuxes - Mens Warehouse

Wedding Dress - David’s Bridal

What is your venue and why did you choose it?

The Dr. Phillips House at the Courtyard at Lake Lucerne.

Ryan and I have been to a lot of weddings in Orlando…I mean A LOT, so we knew we wanted to find a venue we hadn’t attended a wedding at.

I knew I didn’t want to get married in a hotel ballroom or country club. The Dr. Phillips House provides an intimate and charming atmosphere.

What are you most excited about for your wedding day?

Getting married to the best man in the world! Also, celebrating with our friends and family, and dancing the night away.

Are you keeping a wedding blog while you plan?

No - I wish I had the time!

Is there anything you are nervous about for your wedding day?

I think there are tons of things that a bride can be nervous about, especially when you play worst case scenario and let your imagination run wild. Having a great team of vendors and an excellent bridal party has really calmed my nerves!

What is your wedding theme going to be? What inspired it?

Modern, classic-Mixing tradition with modern touches to keep things fresh.

Where are you planning to go for your honeymoon?

California-Napa Valley and San Francisco-we are super excited for wine tastings, excellent food, and exploring all that San Francisco has to offer!

I’ve already promised our florist Lee a bottle of wine from his favorite winery in Sonoma. I have a feeling we will be shipping back lots of wine

What are some of your favorite wedding planning tools (websites, blogs, books, etc)?

The Knot, hands down, has been the best planning tool.

Is your husband-to-be helping with the planning?

Yes I wanted to make sure that our wedding represented “us”, so his input and opinions have been important. Ryan’s project at the moment is making Seinfeld table numbers to represent his favorite TV show.

What is your best advice to brides who are currently planning their weddings?

Hire a coordinator, or at least a day-of coordinator. The last month is the most stressful, and knowing Ashlie will be pulling all of the details together has helped me immensely.

Use the internet; it is your best planning tool.

Set your budget early. This is usually one of the first things on To-Do lists and there is a reason why! You don’t want to fall in love with a venue, dress, etc. that isn’t in your price range. Also, prioritize what is most important to you and your fiancé, so you know where you will be spending the most money.

During the planning process, remember the reason WHY you are having a wedding! Yes, having a candy bar, personalized monogram menus, signature cocktails, and bathroom baskets are nice, but in the end, it won’t be what you remember.

Are you planning to see each other before the ceremony? Yes!

Why or why not?

I think it will definitely calm our nerves and allow us to have a more intimate moment together the first time we see each other. I’m looking forward to our photographer capturing this moment.

Also, we want to get pictures done before the wedding, so we can have more time to mingle with our guests and get to the fun stuff-like dinner and dancing!

What are three words that describe how you feel right now?

Excited, anxious, super happy 

"Miss Bride in the City" ~ Terri

2010-03-02T15:58:00.000-08:00

We are so excited to be a part of Terri and Will’s amazing chic wedding at The Grand Bohemian Hotel in downtown Orlando. They are expecting about 90 guests and have chosen Eggplant, silver and gold as their colors, which, if you have ever been to The Grand Bohemian, you know, those colors are perfect for the existing decor!! We cannot wait till their big day and we are looking forward to seeing Terri’s family again, we had the privilege of being a part of her twin sister Lisa’s wedding in February 2009, and also meeting Will’s family!!

When did you get engaged? Inauguration Day- January 20, 2009

When is the Big Day? May 22, 2010

Who are the Wedding Vendors you have already decided to hire?

Photographer- Nikki Rosa

Videographer- Simply Cinematic

Florist- Lee Forrest

Cake- Michael Anthony Cakes

Hair and Makeup- Patricia LeJeune

DJ- Al Dee Productions

Ceremony Musicians- Lisa Ferrigno

Lighting- Tagas

Chair Rental- Bell Chair Covers Rentals

What is your venue and why did you choose it?

The Grand Bohemian. We chose it because it’s chic, artsy and in downtown Orlando. The Grand Bohemian is absolutely gorgeous and sophisticated.

What are you most excited about for your wedding day?

Celebrating with family and friends!

Are you keeping a wedding blog while you plan? Why is this helpful?

I was, but with work, school, and wedding planning, it got to be too much.

Is there anything you are nervous about for your wedding day?

I don’t feel nervous, but I have had a few wedding nightmares. Most of them have to do with not being on time or people being late.

What is your wedding theme going to be? What inspired it?

We want a classy, glamorous, and sophisticated feel. Not sure what inspired it, but it’s just something we decided on early in the planning.

Where are you planning to go for your honeymoon?

Saint Lucia. We Will be staying at Jade Mountain and Sandals Grande.

What are some of your favorite wedding planning tools (websites, blogs, books, etc)?

Theknot.com, especially the message boards! I also follow a lot of wedding people on twitter who have been a great source of ideas and inspiration, such as @stylemepretty @hotpinkbrides and @bridetide Another great wedding planning tool is my twin sister! She got married February 2009 and she has been so helpful with giving me her opinion, recommending vendors, and letting me use her templates for DIY projects.

Is your husband-to-be helping with the planning? What are his jobs?

He helps with just about everything except making DIY paper stuff like table names and Reserved signs. This is because he isn’t good at crafts and doesn’t want to “mess anything up.” Otherwise he helps with ideas and making decisions, writing the ceremony, and he even went dress shopping with me (he doesn’t know which dress I picked out though).

What is your best advice to brides who are currently planning their weddings?

Get to know your vendors. I truly think all of my vendors are great people and trust that they will help make our wedding day amazing, special, and memorable.

Are you planning to see each other before the ceremony? Why or why not?

Yes! We have seen pictures of couples who did this and I think they make for great photos. Also, it’s nice to have an intimate moment together where we see each other up close and personal rather than across the aisle.

What are three words that describe how you feel right now?

Excited, busy, fortunate

"Miss Bride in the City" ~ Alyssa

2010-02-25T14:12:00.000-08:00

We have begun a new segment on our blog today.... periodically.... or as our busy brides send them in to us... we will be featuring current Weddings in the City brides. These posts will be titled "Miss Bride in the City" and we hope to also create a segment named "Mrs Bride in the City" where our Brides who's weddings we have planned can share from there weddings experience as well.

We know that Brides have a lot going on and want to be as productive as possible in there wedding planning, our current brides are in the thick of their wedding planning and are each inching closer to their Wedding, every day! They are full of insight and wisdom that would love to share with you!!

We would like to introduce our first Bride and Groom featured, Alyssa and Brian, they are planning a beautiful vintage themed wedding at Casa Feliz in Winter Park. As a couple they have chosen bright colors for their wedding - Turquoise, Hot Pink, Tangerine and Lime Green!! They are expecting about 100 guests and are looking forward to dancing the night away!! They have selected some fantastic vendors and we are so excited to be a part of planning their special day!

When did you get engaged? May 22, 2009

When is the Big Day? April 2, 2010

Who are the Wedding Vendors you have already decided to hire?

Photographer – Fat Catz Photography, the first vendor we decided on. We found them online by chance and loved their playful style. We didn’t even both meeting other photographers.

Florist – Lee Forrest, he’s equal parts hysterical and meticulous. He gets what I like and what I want to see at the wedding, and isn’t afraid to tell me if something I think I want will look dumb.

Cake – Belladonna Cakes and Confections. There was no question that her cakes were the best tasting out of any we tried. She also had a lot of great ideas and listened really well, and picked up on little quirks in our interests to incorporate into the cake design and make it really personal.

Gelato – Penguin’s Paradise. Friendly people, really interested in making the wedding special, great gelato.

Caterer- Arthur’s Catering. The only caterer that Casa Feliz works with, so it was a no-brainer.

DJ – Jay Edwards (Liquid Entertainment). Also an easy pick. Great personality, I was instantly at ease with him even over the phone, and all of the girls on The Knot who’ve used him loved him.

Lighting – Tagas. We wanted market lights over the courtyard at our venue, and they’re the only people who would do it without a lot of pricey extras.

Seamstress – Jeanine. She’s outstanding. She works from her home so she doesn’t have the overhead cost of the bridal shoppes or storefront seamstresses, and she really knows what she’s doing. She is also not afraid to tell me if something I think I want won’t work, because she’s there to make the dress look right, not to sell me whatever she can.

Tuxes – Men’s Wearhouse. No particular reason for choosing them, other than needing a store with national locations; it was just the first place we walked into.

Makeup – Studio Cara. Another Knottie recommended them to me and they’ve been fabulous. They’ve helped me find a hairstylist since theirs was unavailable, and no one has ever made my skin look that good.

Hair – Stella Luca. To be honest, I didn’t really shop around for hair or makeup. I just took the Knottie’s recs and decided which I felt would be worth paying twice (you pay full-price for your hair/makeup trials, girls). I like this salon because the gal was excited to play around with the styles I wanted and was very flexible.

What is your venue and why did you choose it?

Casa Feliz has incredible old-world charm and character, but it’s not so stuffy that we couldn’t have lively, fun décor and make it feel like us. I was adamant that I wanted to get married in a garden, and we both wanted to have the ceremony and reception at the same place. And I just love old, Spanish buildings.

What is your wedding theme going to be? What inspired it?

I guess you could call it ‘What’s old is new!’ There are a lot of bright, modern, sassy colors and florals, but all of that is paired with an Old Hollywood/vintage glam. The Old Hollywood glam-factor was directly influenced by my gown – there’s just no other way to describe it. I love bright colors as well, so they got mixed in, and voilà.

What are you most excited about for your wedding day?

Not having to plan anything anymore! No no, I’m kidding, the best part will be all of the love in the air and having all of the people with us who’ve played a role in bringing us to where we are today, and celebrating becoming a family. Getting to show off my great gown and our mad dance-skills will be a perk, too.

Are you keeping a wedding blog while you plan? Why is this helpful?

Yes, I’m keeping a blog, but I’m not sure it’s all that helpful to me. Mine is more a Guest-Information Center, and the blog is a side-thing.

Is there anything you are nervous about for your wedding day?

Actually, I’m worried the dance floor will be slick and I’ll fall on my butt! Gotta start scuffing up those shoes!

Where are you planning to go for your honeymoon?

New Zealand!!!

What are some of your favorite wedding planning tools (websites, blogs, books, etc)?

The Knot is the biggest help. Next, picking the brains of my fabulous coordinator, florist, and cousin (also my matron of honor). Lastly, there are one or two blogs that I read from time to time. My favorite is The Broke-Ass Bride.

Is your husband-to-be helping with the planning? What are his jobs?

He IS! He helped pick the venue and the florist (because I couldn’t choose one!), and then after that he was mostly in charge of Project Honeymoon. He also reconstructed our invitations (design and everything) almost single-handedly in one night after a snafu with the original ones. Incredible. Just about everything we do is a team effort, so he’s had input on everything along the way, but those have been his largest contributions to date.

What is your best advice to brides who are currently planning their weddings?

#1 - Get a coordinator. If you don’t have room in your budget, find someone to be in charge for you that isn’t you, your fiancé, your parents, or anyone in the wedding party.

#2 – Keep a level head. People get strange and crazy when a wedding is involved and get upset about things that wouldn’t matter at any other time in life. (Not just the brides, but family, wedding party… Drama Central.) Yes, some wedding things should be perfect and do deserve anal-retentive attention, but some things really don’t, even if it is your wedding. Before you get into the thick of things, make a list of your priority items and your minor-detail items so you can remind yourself not to get worked up over napkins when the photography is what’s most important to you.

#3 – Find a wedding-community in your area. The Knot chat boards have been great for me, but it’s not for everyone. The nice thing about the chat boards is that you can read over the things that other brides obsess over and why, decide whether that should be important to you, and remind yourself later so you don’t find yourself stressing about little things.

#4 – Roll with it. There’s no such thing as a perfect wedding. Perfect for you, yes. No glitches whatsoever? Yeah right. Realize early that they will happen, think about how you would like to handle it if any one of the possible glitches did happen to you, and tuck that in the back of your mind. This will help prevent the title “Bridezilla” and make your day (and the planning process) much happier memories.

Are you planning to see each other before the ceremony? Why or why not?

Yes. At first I didn’t think I wanted him to see me before the ceremony, but then I saw another bride’s ‘First Glance” photos and the emotion captured on the groom’s face was tear-jerking. I want that moment to be personal and completely natural so that we don’t feel like we have to put on the ‘right’ face for the crowd.

What are three words that describe how you feel right now?

In general? Overworked, sleepy, and sick! LOL

In regard to the wedding – Busy, thrilled, ready!

New Father/Daughter and Mother/Son Dance Songs

2010-02-17T18:22:00.000-08:00

Loved these songs by T Carter Music!!

Central Florida Bride - Weddings Unveiled 2009

2010-02-02T19:13:00.000-08:00

Didn't want to forget to mention our Wedding's Unveiled featured in the previous Central Florida Bride Issue.

Deborah and Sean were married on November 15th, 2008 at the beautiful Wyndham Orlando Resort! They had a gorgeous traditional Jewish ceremony in one of the ballrooms with a custom Chuppah built by the Bride and Groom. The reception featured lighting by Tagas Event and Production Services, Florals by Atmospheres Floral and Decor (Previously DSR Designs), Music and entertainment by Paul Vesco Band. Marc Harmon captured every special moment in pictures, while Seth with Visual Effects by Seth captured it on film. Deborah looked stunning, her hair and make was done my LeJeune Precision Cosmetic Application, Patricia even came back during the reception to put Deb's hair up into an up-do!! Amazing!!

Central Florida Bride - Weddings Unveiled #2

2010-02-02T09:45:00.000-08:00

Our Second wedding in Central Florida Bride this issue!!

We loved being a part of Emily and Michael's fabulous Summer wedding! Their traditional ceremony took place at St. James Catholic Cathedral and the reception took place at the Historic Ballroom at Dubsdread, Cathie and her staff did an amazing job, as usual! Atmospheres Floral and Decor took Emily's vision for her flowers and created an amazing display of fresh florals. Of course no wedding is complete with out a talented photographer, Mike Briggs, and a jammin' DJ, Darrin with Fun Factory. The perfect cake was designed and baked by Party Flavors. Their day was flawless, just how we like for it to be!

"Which vendor was most important to you? Having a day-of coordinator was very important to me so that my friends and family could enjoy the wedding day and not be stressed by all of the tasks that were sure to pop up. Ashlie Hampton was amazing and felt like a good friend from day one. She made the wedding day flawless" - Emily Engle Drylie

Check out Central Florida Bride for your copy of this issue!!

Central Florida Bride - Weddings Unveiled

2010-02-02T07:35:00.000-08:00

Weddings in the City (previously known as Atmospheres) has had the honor of having not one, but two of our weddings featured in the most recent issue of Central Florida Bride. We are so excited about this accomplishment and can't wait to have more of our weddings published!!

Kristin and Zachary had a gorgeous garden wedding at The Courtyard at Lake Lucerne on September 27th, 2008. We were so honored to have been a part of the team that created their amazing wedding day! They truly had a "Dream Team" wedding, including Scoobie's Photographic Images, Visual Effects by Seth and Liquid Entertainment. Atmospheres Floral and Decor (previously known as DSR Designs) created the beautiful florals, and Cut the Cake made their delicious cake that was customized to match their wedding invitation!

Kristin had such wonderful things to say about her vendors.... we love that she even mentioned us!!

"What was the best decision you made in regards to your wedding planning? Hiring my wedding planner! She truly saved my wedding day by keeping me on target and preventing any procrastination! She dealt with all of the inevitable wedding day glitches with a constant smile. Everyone commented on how organized the wedding was. Words cannot describe how hard she worked to keep the whole day perfect for us. She even decorated our wedding suite with beautiful flowers, petals and candles everywhere."

You can pick up your copy of Central Florida Bride at our office and around town!

Click on photo's for a closer look and to read Kristin and Zach's interview! :)

Something Blue

2010-01-26T07:55:00.000-08:00

Blue no longer has to be something you hide under your dress. Now a days you can incorporate something blue in your wedding, and even make it part of your wedding color palette. You can add little touches of blue throughout your wedding, from a six-tier wedding cake to your wedding bouquet the possibilities are endless. Get creative. Who says that you have to stick to the traditional, is your wedding and you can change it or transform it in any way you want. It is your special day!

The six-tier wedding cake covered with buttercream and filled with fresh-blueberry and white-chocolate buttercream. MarthaStewartweddings.com

The stems were bound with double-faced blue satin ribbon, which was tied in a bow and embellished with rhinestone buttons.

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/pale-blue?lpgStart=1&currentslide=3&currentChapter=1#ms-global-breadcrumbs

Top 10 things to know about Hiring a Wedding Planner

2010-01-06T10:18:00.000-08:00

Considering hiring a wedding planner but not sure a) if you need one, b) what exactly they do, or c) where to start? Chicago wedding planner Heather Lynne Vickery of Greatest Expectations recently published an article on OneWed that summarizes my career perfectly. Here she shares her tips and knowledge on the benefits of hiring a planner and how to select one that's right for you.
1. There are three kinds of “Wedding Planners”
A) Event Producers – If you speak about your wedding as “a wedding production” and have plans to have the video screened at your local theater, this may be the way to go. Event producers can cost $20,000 or more, and specialize in very large events with multiple moving parts.
B) Wedding Day Coordinator – Many people love doing all the legwork and planning of their wedding, they just don’t want to worry about details the day of the wedding. For $500-$3,500 a wedding coordinator can step in, and take care of making sure all the details are in place the day of your wedding.
C) Wedding Planner – A wedding planner helps bring your vision of your wedding day to life. He or she takes care of all the details from day one through the last dance and beyond. Depending on what services you need, and where you live, a typical wedding planner will cost between $1,700-$15,000.

Knowing which kind of event planner you’re looking for can make your search process a lot easier.

2. This should be your first step
If you’re hiring a wedding planner, do yourself a favor and make it the first thing you do (well, besides finding someone to marry). No matter where you are in your planning, an event planner can always step in and help, but involving one at the very beginning will increase your savings of both time and money.

3. Get recommendations and referrals
If you’ve read a lot of these top tips articles, you’re probably sort of bored with this point. But, as I’ve said before, it’s the single most important thing to do. It’s why sites like OneWed let you rate and review vendors. When you first meet with a planner ask him or her for 3-5 referrals. Heather always tries to refer people to more recent clients, including someone for whom she is currently working. If you have any special concerns about your wedding make sure to ask for a referral to a similar couple. For example, if you are planning a Jewish or Catholic wedding, which both have specific requirements that other weddings don’t, ask for a referral from another Jewish or Catholic couple. The planner should also have a portfolio of events, but keep in mind that each of those events was someone else’s vision, it doesn’t have to be yours.

4. Wedding planners are supposed to be helpful
Contrary to reality shows and movies, wedding planners are not supposed to be scary. They are not supposed to make you nervous, yell at you, or impose their will on you. A good wedding planner will listen to you, understand you, and make you feel less stressed, not intimidated. At your first meeting he or she should be asking you questions about your ideas and vision, not forcing their own ideas or vendors on you.

5. Fit is everything
As with the perfect dress, fit is the most important aspect of choosing a wedding planner. You’ll be working closely with this person through most of your planning. One of the things a good planner can do for you is run interference with family members, if you feel that this is a service you’ll need, make sure you feel comfortable that the planner can handle it with tact and discretion.

6. Understand how a planner saves you money
If you’ve ever been a regular customer at a local store or restaurant, you know that it has it’s benefits. You get extra goodies, special treatment, and special deals. Hopefully, you will not be a repeat customer of any wedding vendors! But, your wedding planner is. This is one of the ways they save you money. It’s not that vendors overcharge brides (of course some do), it’s that planners are repeat customers who know how to ask for favors. Similarly, they know how to check vendors’ contracts to make sure that all your needs are included, and prices are reasonable.

The other way planners save you money is by understanding what is and isn’t needed for an event. For example, if you’re having both wedding cake and a sweet table, do you know how big the cake should be, and how many sweets you should order? Probably not, but your planner does and can keep you from over-ordering.

7. You’re paying the planner to have recommendations
One of the reasons you hire a planner is for his or her expertise with other vendors. Your planner should have great options for venues, caterers, photographers, etc. Notice, I said OPTIONS. Planners should recommend vendors they know will serve you well, but they should not push any specific vendor on you. It is important to note though that the more comfortable all your vendors are with each other, the more smoothly your event will run.

8. Understand what you’re paying for
Different wedding planners charge in different ways. Some have specific packages from which you can choose. These packages may specify the number of hours they’ll be working for you, or the services they’ll provide. Others, like Heather, work with you to determine your needs and then give you a flat fee. In either case, the contract should spell out exactly what the services and fees are. You should expect to pay 50% of the fee when signing the contract.

As with all “day of” vendors, tips are not required, but are of course appreciated. Under much duress, Heather suggested 10% of your catering bill would be an appropriate amount to tip a wedding planner who had gone above and beyond the call of duty.

9. Ask about emergencies and contingency plans
One of the main reasons to hire a planner is so that you don’t have to worry about anything the day of your wedding. That includes, whether or not the planner will show up! You should ask a planner what happens if he or she is sick, or has a family emergency the day of your wedding. There’s no right answer to this question, but you should get a sense that this person is a professional who has thought about how to handle this issue.

If it won’t stress you out, you might also want to ask the planner about day of emergencies he or she has handled for clients. For example, Heather told me about a limo stuck in traffic, and having the wrong cake show up. These problems were both handled without stressing out the couple, AND after the wedding she was able to contact the vendors and arrange for refunds for the couple. This is another benefit of hiring a planner. If you have a problem on your wedding day, a planner has a lot more pull in getting a refund then you do.

10. The wedding is over, the planner is still working
It may seem impossible to believe now, but the day after your wedding, you won’t want anything to do with weddings! A planner can take care of everything from returning tuxes, to having your dress cleaned and mailing out your pre-written thank-you notes.

Extra!! Extra!! Read all about it!!

2010-01-06T08:24:00.001-08:00

Weddings in the City, Wedding and Event Planning and Design, is excited to announce a NEW YEARS Special!!!

For all new coordination contracts received by January 31st, Brides and Grooms will receive $200 off any Weddings in the City package.

www.wedinthecity.com
ashlie@wedinthecity.com

Rush and Judy - March 7th, 2009

2009-12-23T07:42:00.000-08:00

Rush and Judy had a gorgeous wedding at Leu Gardens in Winter Park. Their gorgeous colors were green and brown, and Debra with DSR Designs did a fabulous job on Judy's flowers, Levan's made the amazing food, Les and Wendy from Soundwave did an fantastic job on their lighting and music and of course, Nikki Rosa took the following breathtaking photographs!!

Bryan and Erin's Pink and Navy Wedding!!

2009-12-19T23:51:00.000-08:00

Erin and Bryan's ceremony was at Christ Church Unity followed by their beautiful reception at the Rosen Centre. The music and entertainment was provided by Al Dee, Erin's gorgeous Hair and Make up was done by one of the best hair and make-up artist's in orlando, Patricia LeJeune. And of course..... the following fabulous photographs were taken by Victoria with Elegant Imagery!! Enjoy!

Natalie and Rusty's big day!! Vegas Style! November 21st, 2009

2009-11-28T21:51:00.000-08:00

Rusty and Natalie’s gorgeous ceremony was at Holy Cross Catholic Church and then they had a beautiful reception at Disney’s Shades of Green Resort! They are so much fun and crazy in love and that was evident in every accent of their wedding day. They had FSU and Vegas touches around every corner... their colors were gold and garnet, their favors were dice boxes, and their table names were Vegas resorts. Mike Briggs took the amazing photo’s, Drew and Sacha from White Rose kept the party going all night long and Vintage Vines did a beautiful job on the florals!

Sarah and Tom's Beautiful Day - November 7th, 2009

2009-11-09T21:17:00.000-08:00

We were so excited to have been able to be a part of Sarah and Tom's beautiful wedding day!! Everything ran smoothly...... Vanessa and I were on site to keep everyone calm and collected. Of course it always helps when a bride and groom choose an amazing team of vendors.... I truly was able to work with a few of my best friends in the industry and that helps make everything, of course, flawless!! Jay Edwards kept the dance floor packed the entire night, Tab McCausland took breathtaking photo's, Alisha from TAGAS shot the beautiful video, Penguin's Paradise put out an amazing Gelato Bar (a fun surprise for the Groom) and of course the Wyndham Orlando Resort hosted the Ceremony and Reception and everything ran flawlessly!!

Here are a few shots from the day!!

It's always a blast to work with Tab, I love love love her!!!!

Save the Date

2009-09-11T07:51:00.000-07:00

I just received a very cute idea for "Save the Dates". Erin and Chris decided on a fantastic vintage postcard, with their picture included (in "Florida"). I love this idea, very original and it's sure to wow their guests. The backside gave more details about the wedding.

Other popular ideas for save the dates include magnets, photo booth pictures, reminder stickers. Don't be afraid to be creative and make them personal. Give your guests a little insight into your relationship!

TheKnot gives some great information on Save the Dates and what should be included on them!

Dance the night away!!

2009-09-08T14:18:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of the top 10 new wedding songs! :) Thanks to theknot.com for this priceless information!!

"Lucky" by Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Caillet

Who will like it: The bride and groom and the rest of the lovebirds.
When to play it: The first dance.

"Viva La Vida" by Coldplay

Who will like it: Everyone.
When to play it: During the cocktail hour or between dinner courses.

"Good Time" by Alan Jackson

Who will like it: The country-music lovers.
When to play it: Right after dinner.

"The Way I Am" by Ingrid Michaelson

Who will like it: The romantics and nostalgics.
When to play it: The cake cutting.

"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" by Beyonce

Who will like it: All the single ladies.
When to play it: The bouquet toss.

"Beautiful" by Akon

Who will like it: Couples and hip-hop enthusiasts.
When to play it: As one of the first slow songs after dinner.

"So What" by P!nk

Who will like it: All the single guests.
When to play it: Following a slow song to get everyone back out on the dance floor.

"Just Dance" by Lady GaGa

Who will like it: Your guests who like to dance.
When to play it: Once the elderly guests have left and it's time to get the party started.

"Green Light" by John Legend

Who will like it: Couples and any singles who may have paired up at the end of the night.
When to play it: Toward the end of the evening.

"When the Night Comes" by Dan Auerbach

Who will like it: All the couples.
When to play it: As the last slow song at the end of the night.

Check out these links for more ideas and suggestions for wedding music!

Wedding Wire Music Lists

The Knot Music Ideas

Hot Pink Brides

2009-09-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

You must check out all of the exciting happenings on the "Hot Pink Brides" blog!! Awesome giveaways, exciting articles, amazing vendors!! :)

Hot Pink Brides

Extra!! Extra!! Read all about it!!

2009-08-11T16:42:00.000-07:00

So, in my frantic search through my office this week, I came across some memorabilia from my own wedding. I had so many ideas and creative things I wanted to do..... some I did..... some I didn't end up doing. One of the many things I wanted to do what send my bridesmaids a monthly newsletter...... sure..... monthly...... I think I made it to issue two and that was it!! But I did it at least! Sending a newsletter to your bridal party is an easy way to inform them all of important information, if you wedding is a year away, maybe shoot for a quarterly newsletter, its less daunting than trying to send a newsletter once a month.

Here are some ideas of what to include in your newsletter:

A letter greeting your bridal party and letting them know how grateful you are that they are standing next to you on your wedding day
Information about dresses, shoes, tuxes, etc. The details that they will need to cover
Information about progress you have made in your wedding planning (ie. Bought your dress, booked your venue, etc.)
Everyone's contact information, so they can contact each other when planning events
Information about scheduling a get together
Pictures of DIY project you have completed or would like help with
A question..... that helps them feel involved (ie. What are your favorite filling flavors for cake?)

Most of all, have fun with it!!

How to prepare to attend a Bridal Show?

2009-08-05T17:04:00.000-07:00

We are so excited about the next Bridal Show we are going to be showcasing our work at is a Perfect Wedding Guide show on Sunday September 27th from 12n-4pm at the Rosen Centre Hotel. Click here for more information and to pre-register.

After attending a bridal show planning meeting today, I started thinking...... I know what I do to prepare for a bridal show and the brides I am going to come into contact with, but what about the brides, what can they do to make their "Bridal Show Experience" worth their effort? I came across the following article written by Charity Piaster, she has some great insight into preparing for a bridal show! Enjoy!!

Planning a Wedding? Here's how to attend a bridal show!

You can find local Bridal Shows being held anywhere from malls to hotels, convention centers and wedding facilities. You can expect to see anywhere from 10 to over 100 wedding vendors, and every single one of them is competing for your business. What to do? How to start? What to bring?

If possible, find out which vendors will be participating in the show before you attend. This will help you map out your plan of attack. Knowing who will be there in advance, as well as maybe having a layout of the show itself, you can seek out the vendors you really want to talk to, and those that aren't so important to you.

Wear comfortable shoes

Bring someone with you! Bring your Mother, a Bridesmaid, and yes, your fiancé may even enjoy himself! They can help you with collecting information and would be happy you included them in the planning process! As for your fiancé? Just tell him that he can win free stuff and eat free cake!

Other than some cake samples, and possibly appetizers, most Bridal Shows will not have food or drink available to purchase. Make sure you eat before you go, and bring a beverage.

Don't take too many people with you. They'll wander off and you'll spend all your time trying to keep everyone together instead of focusing on your goals for the day.

Bring address labels. I recommend printing out labels on your home computer with your name, address, phone number, email address and wedding date. I also recommend opening a free email account that is designated strictly for all the wedding info you will receive and then cancel them email account after you have booked all of your vendors! You can also rent a P.O. Box to handle all the wedding brochures and mailings you will receive, and then cancel the PO Box when you no longer want the mailings. However, just remember, these vendors will use the information you provide for them — if you don't want sales pitch phone calls or mailings, simply do not give out your phone number or address! You may miss a great deal though!

Bring the following items: pen, notebook, date book, checkbook, credit card and a large tote bag to carry everything in. Many vendors offer special pricing if you book with them and leave a deposit with them the day of the show. Still not sure if this vendor is truly the one you want? Ask if they would be willing to extend the special price to you for any length of time after the show. Most vendors won't have a problem working with you. If they say no, it makes you wonder why you need to do it RIGHT THERE AND THEN! Say thank you, and pass on by. Maybe it wasn't meant to be.

Before you place that deposit, be 100% sure that you have read and agree to all the details on their contract concerning the description of what it is you are signing up for and their policies. What sounds like a great deal won't be so great if you later find out the DJ takes an hour break and your cake doesn't come with a stand!

If you plan on attending the Fashion show portion of the day, make sure you arrive at least an hour early. Seating is often first come, first serve, and if you've brought all 12 of your Bridesmaids along, you want to guarantee good seats for everyone!

If attending the Fashion Show isn't so important to you, then use that time to visit with the vendors. Since the majority of brides will be watching the show, you will have a better chance to actually talk to a vendor and it will be a much quieter atmosphere.

If you are provided with a "Bride" sticker, don't be embarrassed to wear it! It can become confusing for vendors to identify everyone that attends, and if they know you are the bride, you are more likely to get special treatment!

When filling out any contest entries or door prize drawing slips, print clearly! Who would want to miss out on winning a free limo for their wedding because no one could read your phone number?

The best place to take notes is on the actual brochure handed out by each vendor. That way you connect a face to your notes, to your brochure, and it will be easier to remember when you make your follow up calls.

Most shows will charge a nominal fee for attendance. Make sure you pre-register if the option is available, and don't be too embarrassed to call the company hosting the show to see if they offer any discounts on admission.

Enjoy yourself! It's just a bridal show! Nothing HAS to be set in stone that day. Many of the bigger shows will be crowded and noisy — don't let this deter you! Use this time to gather information and enjoy any of the special offers extended to you. You are the Bride; you make the rules when dealing with vendors. It's YOUR day, not theirs!

Welcome Home Honeymooners!!

2009-08-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome Home John and Charisma!! :) We were so privileged to be a part of their beautiful wedding, and we are so excited that they are home and beginning their new life together as a Mr. and Mrs. Here are few Pictures of their special day!!

Thank you Tab Mccausland for taking these fabulous pictures!!

Tommy and his amazing team at Greenery Productions did a beautiful job on the flowers!

Their Bridal Party was a blast!!

G Clef Productions took care of all of the music for the wedding and he kept the dance floor packed all night long!! The bride raved that even people she didn't think would dance were out on the floor!!

Happy Anniversary Amy and Lee!! :)

2009-08-03T16:39:00.000-07:00

Amy and Lee are celebrating their 1 year anniversary this week. They were married on August 2nd, 2008 and we were so excited to be a part of their special day! Here is a glimpse back at their romantic downtown wedding!

Victoria with Elegant Imagery took these amazing pictures!!

DSR Designs provided the breathtaking florals

The reception took place at The Ballroom at Churchstreet and Puff N' Stuff provided the delicious menu!

Finally!!!

2009-07-25T08:53:00.001-07:00

Well..... I finally took the time to create a blog...... hopefully one worth reading. I will attempt to blog a couple of times a week, with either updates on current wedding we have either done or are working on, vendor cameo's, wedding tips and ideas.

We are currently working on a new website for "Weddings in the City" and we are looking forward to unveiling it in the next couple of weeks.

"Weddings in the City" will be the new name for our Wedding Coordination and Complete Wedding Package Company and our Floral Company will become "Atmospheres by DSR Designs". We are separating the two companies and will have new websites coming soon!

We are excited and looking forward to all the creative new ideas we have up our sleeves!!