Down The Aisle Weddings & Events

Introducing Tiffany

2011-10-10T12:18:00.000-07:00

On this happy day, we would like to take a moment to introduce you to a great addition to our Down The Aisle team!

Meet Tiffany Wolfgram, our newest Assistant Planner!!

Tiffany joined Down The Aisle in early 2011 has been a great addition to the team! From our first conversation, Tiffany came across as a perfect fit to our company. She was confident, eager to work with clients, and full of great ideas... so of course we offered her a position! In the time she has been with Down The Aisle, she has shown an incredible eye for detail, a quickness to understand a client’s vision and point of view, and a work ethic that drives her to make everything she touches picture perfect!

She is creative yet focused, and loves everything that goes into planning and executing events. She also has a passion for using blogging and social media to help clients of all budgets pull together beautiful events, and will be sharing tips and some of our favorite things on our blog, facebook, and twitter pages.

We are super happy to have her with us and look forward to many more beautiful and fun events with her!

Until next time!

Jackie

Cake #3

2011-09-22T17:50:00.000-07:00

We just LOVE the drama of the black and white juxtaposed against the softness of the blush colored blooms, and the mix of shapes utilized in the different tiers! With its simple approach, this cake is proof that more isn't always more, and that a well-executed streamlined design can commandeer much attention and be visually interesting without needing to be overly ornate... Divine!!

To see this beautiful cake, along with many other black accented cakes, visit weddingwire.com While there, feel free to stop by the vendor section and see our wonderful storefront, with client reviews and vendor endorsements from professionals in our network that we love to work with!

Until next time,

Jackie

There's A New Kid On The Block!!

2011-09-21T20:17:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago, my sister-in-law and I got a chance to relive our teenage years by attending the NKOTBSB concert in Orlando. We had front row, center stage seats-- literally at arm's length from all the performers (including a surprise mini set from Boyz II Men!) -- needless to say it was a very fun girls' night out, and I can unashamedly say it was the most fun concert I've ever been to! (Don't judge... you had to be there!!) Why am I sharing this? Because that night, in the middle of a packed arena, I decided that the best way to celebrate my sister-in-law's impending bundle of joy was to do a

NKOTB inspired baby shower!

My first thought was to play off the words "New Kids on the Block" and use them to announce the new baby joining the family. From that point on, what followed was a very fun journey planning a shower that was both 80's pop AND baby appropriate, since anyone can just have an 80's party but this was a different kind of celebration! Since I knew that this theme was pretty original and there was nothing pre-packaged that could be purchased, I used my limited graphic design skills and came up with a whole theme-- from invitations that looked like concert tickets which asked guests to dress in their best 80's attire, to banners and apparel, to a party where every single element was directly tied in to the title of a New Kids On The Block song! With a greatest hits CD playing in the background, it was a fun day for all! Below are some of our favorite images from the day, courtesy of my very talented brother-in-law, who was a great help with his lovely wife's shower... enjoy!

Custom banner designed for the CLICK, CLICK, CLICK Photo Booth,
where guests could have their picture taken with the guest of honor

A beautifully done cake to match the graphic design, courtesy of the one and only Frances,
owner of Unique Cakes by Frances

We had the perfect amount of blocks, we used the back of the cake to spell
the baby's last name, since the gender and name are still a secret!

A beautiful detail on the cake-- completely made out of fondant and modeling chocolate!

The drink station may have been named FUNNY FEELING
but no worries, all drinks were preggo-safe!

Instead of Hanging Tough, we made this the HANGING THOUGHTS wall,
and all the guests got to write notes with their hopes and wishes for the mommy and baby

Kinda hard to see from the table, but all the food went with a song title,
SINGLE (veggie tray of single veggies displayed),
KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED (finger sandwiches),
YOU GOT THAT FLAVOR (chips and dips station), and more...

Since the mommy likes Rice Krispies, we did RK Pops to represent the song POPSICLE...
if I'd had another 5 minutes to set up, I would have straightened out the 2 leaning popsicle sticks
and tied cute ribbon on each stick... but they were a hit nevertheless!

Of course, no Southern shower is complete without a SUMMERTIME Fruit Salad

Using the graphic I designed, I created custom onesies that did triple duty--
they hung on a clothesline as decorations,
they were intended for use during our STEP BY STEP Diaper Relay GAMES,
and they are now cute keepsake gifts for my nephew or niece to wear!!

For our IF YOU GO AWAY favors, I made custom cake pops and decorated them in the color scheme
of the party graphic and cake blocks. The labels on the favors and other assorted glass containers
gave the party a cohesive, personalized look, and they were so easy to make!

A big thank you to my mother-in-law and brother-in-law (sadly, not pictured), and my best friend
Maggie (on the left) for helping me give my beautiful sister-in-law (on the right) a great party!
Doesn't she look AMAZING in her 80's outfit with her cute little baby bump???

Until next time!
Jackie

Cake #2

2011-09-18T16:36:00.000-07:00

The minute I saw this cake I knew it had to be part of our featured gallery.

Another subtle cake-- simple colors, minimal decorations, but everything done with precision and attention to details! Love the touch of color that the blush-toned roses add! What a beauty!!

To see this cake, along with other images from this and other featured weddings, visit stylemepretty.com.

More cakes to come soon... really soon!!

Nicole and Mike Sneak Peak

2011-09-15T14:50:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we had the PRIVILEGE of helping bring to life the wedding of Nicole and Mike Stephens. This lovely couple first came to us over a year ago and asked us to help them put together their special day, taking place at the Winter Park Farmer's Market. Since Nicole and Mike were planning a destination wedding, we made sure to utilize their time and resources wisely. We came up with a beautifully simple plan, and surrounded ourselves with great vendors to make the details come to life.

There is no denying that over the past year a great relationship developed between this couple and myself. We started out planning this sweet wedding and somewhere along the lines a beautiful friendship bloomed. Needless to say, we put lots of effort into EVERY wedding that we do, but there was something about this wedding and this couple that made our work more important and more meaningful. As Nicole walked down the aisle to meet Mike beaming with beauty and understated elegance, some guests smiled, some were speechless, but many fought back tears as they witnessed such a special moment. In case you're wondering... yes, I cried...3 times... Don't judge; if you had been there you would understand!

Clearly these two are in love with each other, and clearly these to are deeply loved by their family and friends. I am so humbled to have been able to witness such an incredible day!

A special thanks to our friend Nikki Rosa for getting Nicole and Mike's wedding pictures to us in record time!!! (Click the link for the slideshow and enjoy!) My favorites are the pictures of the bride and groom on the railroad tracks-- so great to see the actual picture after dreaming of them for over a year!!

We will share more pictures once we have the rest of them from Nikki.

Until next time,
Jackie

Cakes, Cakes, Cakes

2011-09-13T17:52:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love a good cake???

In honor of all the yummy goodness contained inside a wedding cake, we've decided to share some of our favorite cake images throughout the rest of the month of September... To start out, this gorgeous cake featured on sweetandsaucyshop.com's gallery

Who ever said an all-white cake had no drama certainly didn't see a cake like this!!

What do you think of this cake? Would you have a cake like this at your reception?

Stay tuned for more sweet masterpieces, coming soon!!

Bridal Party Survival Kit

2011-08-26T06:18:00.000-07:00

We recently discovered a site that we just LOVE and want to share with you all!!

www.I-do-it-yourself.com.

It is FULL of cute DIY ideas, inspiration, and FREE templates! That's right, FREE!!

Today, we are sharing a super cute idea from their site, a bridal party survival kit. Here at Down The Aisle, we are always prepared with a large and well stocked kit for any wedding day needs or emergencies, but we still love the idea of having something small that is just for each bridal party member. We know that the bride is inevitably the center of attention on her wedding day, but this is a simple and adorable way of making your bridesmaids feel a little VIP themselves!

Fill it with essentials like lip color, bandages, nail polish, bobby pins, or fill it with their favorite snacks so they have something to enjoy while all of you are getting ready for the big day

...either way they will love it!

Anne and Sean sneak peak

2011-08-16T07:52:00.000-07:00

Several months ago we had the privilege of joining Anne and Sean in the planning of their wedding day. When we first met Anne had a vision for her day, her ideal venue booked, and was ready to work on the rest of the details. Since she and her mom wanted to be very hands-on with decor and enjoyed the process of planning, we agreed that partial planning would be the best fit for their needs and set out to do what we always do... making her day amazing! All was going well until about a little over 5 weeks from her wedding, her venue closed unexpectedly, costing her both the look of the wedding she originally envisioned and thousands of dollars. Needless to say, this was difficult for her to learn, and she was understandably nervous about how everything would come together now. At Down The Aisle, we knew that this was our time to shine and make her wedding beautiful and seamless, even if we had to start our venue search from scratch, with about half the budget we originally had!

Being industry professionals gives us the advantage of having lots of options to offer our clients, and it also gives us the opportunity to leverage relationships built over time for the benefit of clients who could use some help. With this in mind, I picked up the phone and called our friends at the DoubleTree by Hilton at Sea World, and they graciously and enthusiastically jumped in with both feet and joined our mission! The wedding we had taken months to plan was deconstructed with a phone call from the initial venue, but in a few short days we were able to put together a great new plan, and a wedding that was even more beautiful than the one originally planned! The bride and groom were thrilled, their parents were relieved, and now all of them were able to relax and ENJOY the time leading up to the wedding as well as the big day!

As I saw them dancing at the reception looking like they didn't have a care in the world, I was struck with how devastating this could have been for them if they didn't have a professional wedding planning company on their side -- finding services, reworking all of the logistics, and negotiating great discounts in order to accommodate their remaining budget. Between the time we told the bride about the initial venue closing and their wedding day send-off following a fabulously fun reception, we were told time and time again how overwhelming and hopeless this situation would have been without the work we do here at Down The Aisle, and how appreciative they were of all the additional services we provided, whether part of our initial agreement or now, to ensure their day would be a great one! As you'll see from their wedding pictures, their day was beautiful, special, and they had a wonderful time!!

See the Sneak Peak by Nikki Rosa Photography here!

So humbled in seeing how what we do makes such a big difference, and so happy for all the local vendors who partner with us!

Until next time!
Jackie

Clarke and Hanna sneak peak

2011-07-25T14:09:00.000-07:00

Many wonderful things came out of working with Kirk and Bradley as they planned their wedding. One exceptionally cool perk was meeting Hanna and her fiance Clarke.

Hanna and Clarke are young, fun, and ANYTHING but traditional! They appreciate the history behind traditions, but they definitely approach the world with an artistic bend, so even their version of traditional is infused with creative, wonderful surprises.

They wanted a very rustic setting that would be casual but welcoming to their 250+ guest list. We found a gorgeous location and transformed a wooded area into an enchanting reception location.

After working very hard on making their wedding day a celebration of their love and the people and things they love, we are super pleased with the end result! What we got was a truly unique, personal, joyous celebration that they won't soon forget!

We received TONS of compliments all day long about all the creative things we did for them. Here's a few shots of our favorite things for your viewing pleasure! Thanks to JP and Wes for these-- as usual, brilliant!

Instead of a traditional cake stand, this cake rested on a thick slice of wood. We love the grass details

and the hand-made cake topper (crafty bride and groom-- we like!)

bride collects vintage books + groom loves photography and vintage cameras = cool centerpieces!

The reception space was surrounded by beautiful trees. We hung ribbon from all the trees around the perimeter and watched the wind play up the beauty of such a simple idea.

We will add more images of their beautiful day to our site soon, under the showcase tab. Stay tuned for those... some of the best pictures of our little creative touches are still to come!

In honor of our new logo colors...

2011-07-13T03:11:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share a beautiful black, white, and bright yellow palette! Sleek, modern, striking, not overly fussy... we just LOVE the tablescape! As for the cake, I think I may need to order a smaller version from my favorite baker to celebrate our new look!

Until next time,

Jackie

WeddingWire Rated for 2011

2011-07-07T08:28:00.000-07:00

Down The Aisle Weddings & Events is now WeddingWire Rated for 2011

{Orlando, Fl} - {July 5, 2011} - WeddingWire, the nation's leading wedding technology company, is pleased to announce that Down The Aisle is WeddingWire Rated 2011 for Wedding & Event Coordination Services. WeddingWire Rated is an annual award program that distinguishes wedding vendors across the country for their excellence. Based on hundreds of thousands of recent wedding reviews, WeddingWire Rated is the most recognized and trusted brand among engaged couples looking to find the best local businesses for their wedding.

Down The Aisle has 9 reviews on WeddingWire. Reviews by our newlywed clients include detailed ratings and insightful descriptions about their experiences working with our business and staff. Our reviews provide transparency for potential clients, assisting them in making the most informed decisions for their big day.

"We are delighted to unveil the 5th annual WeddingWire Rated program," said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire, Inc. "Down The Aisle has made a commitment to capturing their clients experiences on the nation's leading wedding review site."

As the largest site for wedding reviews, WeddingWire empowers engaged couples with the most comprehensive and trusted review system available. The WeddingWire Rated program provides Down The Aisle with a simple platform to capture customer feedback from their wedding planning experience. Newly engaged couples can easily access all of the reviews for Down The Aisle on WeddingWire.com. We would like to thank our newlyweds for our WeddingWire Rated 2011 recognition.

For more information, please visit Down The Aisle on WeddingWire at
http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/down-the-aisle-weddings-events-orlando/b632283921ce1629.html

For more information on WeddingWire Rated 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire, the nation's leading technology company serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 local wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives local businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. Businesses that join the WeddingWire Network appear on WeddingWire.com and other leading sites, including ProjectWedding.com, MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Weddingbee.com, and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands, NASDAQ: FLWS).

In with the NEW... part one!

2011-07-06T21:01:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,

Over the past couple of months, we have been very busy working on some things we are super excited about. Today we are happy to unveil one of those things.

When you visit our website, you will find that right on the first page, it reads, "Our events are fun, personal, and well executed! They are done with YOU in mind. No cookie cutter planning here!" That is who we are and what we are all about-- tradition with a twist, originality and a beautiful aesthetic, attention to detail and a fresh approach!

It is in seeing this clear definition that I saw the need to make our outsides match our insides, so to speak. After much consideration, we decided to completely change and redesign our logo and all of our marketing materials. So, (there really should be a drum roll here...) with much joy and anticipation we bid farewell to our old look and hello to our new and improved logo!

We just LOVE the new look!!! It is beautiful, fun, classic, bold, fancy without being fussy, and fresh! My great compliments to Katie at Savoir Faire Media on the gorgeous piece of art she has created for our company! I can't wait to see it all over our promotional materials, website, and social media pages!!

So, what do you think of the new logo? Share your thoughts!

Until next time,

Jackie

Kirk & Bradley sneak peak

2011-07-02T20:38:00.000-07:00

Here at Down The Aisle, we had the privilege of kicking off 2011 with a New Year's Day wedding!

Kirk and Bradley are one of our all-time favorite couples! Sweet, kind, fun, creative and definitely in love!!!

We will be posting some pictures of their day on our website showcase tab, but here's just a few favorites until the full slideshow is up.

Enjoy!

PURE BEAUTY

2011-06-14T18:36:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share a picture of Hanna, one of our April clients.

Clearly stunning from head to toe, but also radiating with kindness,
joy, and pure beauty that can only come from deep within.
This has to be one of my all-time favorite shots of a client!
Loved designing her wedding day!!!

Will post more images as soon as we have them!

Whose wedding is it, anyway?

2011-04-21T13:11:00.000-07:00

I can't believe spring is almost over and summer is just around the corner!!

Around here, we have kept ourselves pretty busy over the past 3 months-- lots of events, new staff additions, meeting new vendors, booking new clients... whew! I'm tired just typing it-- almost!

Perhaps the most important thing we have been up to is taking time to find inspiration for future events. I don't want Down The Aisle to keep up with trends, I want to work with visionary clients and set new trends!

I am so excited about recent events we have completed, and some other ones later on this year, that are infused with TONS of charm, personality, flair, and fun... definitely no cookie cutter events in our near future! This makes me thrilled, because I can't even count the times clients have come to the table with an offbeat idea that they wouldn't have mentioned unless I encouraged (and sometimes dragged it out of) them. They know of something that sums up their relationship perfectly, or something with great significance to the two of them, but they are almost afraid to break outside the box because they feel the pressure (often from family and friends) to be traditional. How sad would it be to spend months, and thousands of dollars, planning an event that doesn't speak of who you are?!

Clients, even though there's a beauty and warmth to traditional weddings, remember that the wedding must reflect who you are as a couple, and the things that make you different from the hundreds (or thousands) of couples getting married every day! From simple little touches, like a special song that may seem goofy to everyone else but holds special meaning to you, to really outrageous and amazing things, like a full ball gown dress that is anything but "bridal" in color and style-- be FREE TO BE CREATIVE! Instead of feeling like guests at your own event because doesn't reflect your personality at all, give yourself permission to invite family and friends into the amazing world that you and your fiance have built! Strive to make your wedding an event that shows everyone the depth of your love, as well as the things that are unique to the two of you when you join together!

Until next time!
Jackie

Bride's Choice Award 2011

2011-01-27T16:04:00.000-08:00

2 Years in a Row!!!!

Orlando, Fl – January 25, 2011} - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Down The Aisle Weddings & Events has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for wedding planning and coordination services!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

Down The Aisle stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Down The Aisle for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that Down The Aisle is among the very best wedding planning and coordination companies within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today athttp://www.weddingwire.com/vendor/VendorViewStoreFront?mode=edit&tab=profile.

For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.

WeddingWire.com, the nation's leading technology company serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 local wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives local businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. Businesses that join the WeddingWire Network appear on WeddingWire.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), ProjectWedding.com and Weddingbee.com (both part of eHarmony), and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands, NASDAQ: FLWS).

Color Palette-- Warm Orange, Mocha, and Chocolate

2010-11-03T16:11:00.000-07:00

A palette to FALL in love with!! This palette is beautiful and inviting, perfect for the season! We are reminded of warm apple cider, chocolate and caramel truffles, and breath-taking sunsets.

We love how the centerpiece featured below combines the rustic and the elegant, and how it incorporates all the colors in a subtle way, without overwhelming the eye.

This palette is pretty picture-perfect as it is, but if you want to change it up a bit, add some winter white details, easily brought in through florals, printed products, and candles!

Color Palette-- Blues and Yellow

2010-10-26T09:22:00.000-07:00

This palette is fresh and stylish, and perfect for an outdoor fete! Whether using a cobalt blue, a turquoise, or a teal, a bright yellow is the perfect fellow for these cool hues. Paired with a soft ivory or with a silver, this palette can be adapted to many different styles. We love the bouquet below, and the simplicity and cuteness of the yellow flower girl dress with a blue sash.

Love this palette but want to add a little more color to it? Try adding in a soft green for depth, especially in your flowers and place settings... it will be beautiful!

Image courtesy of www.mypersonalartist.com/blog

If it seems too good to be true...

2010-10-25T15:12:00.000-07:00

Ok, I must start by saying that this is not aimed specifically at anyone, but rather inspired by actual events.

I recently met a prospective client who inquired about Partial Coordination services. We had a couple of exchanges over email, a few lengthy phone conversations, and agreed to take time to meet and sign a contract. As I always do, I put several hours into reviewing the specifics of her event and lining up some important items for her, so that I'd be ready to hit the ground running by the time we signed the contract. After not hearing from her for about a week or two about our contract signing appointment, I received an email saying that she had decided to hire a different wedding planner who was only charging them about $200 for the services they had asked me about. Now, you are probably thinking that the rest of this blog entry will be about how mad I was that after the work I had done on her behalf she decided to hire someone else, but actually, I wasn't mad at all... I was worried!

Knowing the specifics of her event, I do not understand how a reputable planner who didn't have a personal connection to them would charge them only $200 for all the services they asked for. When I asked if it had been a special discount she proceeded to tell me these were the planner's regular fees... which, of course, concerned me even more! How can this planner possibly do all the work involved in pulling off successful events with trained assitants for $200-300? Any planner in the business will tell you that even Day-Of Coordination services end up being about 25-50 hours of work at least, once you include all the behind the scenes work and all the staff involved. So, for an average event, their rates are $4 an hour, including assistant fees?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of overpriced wedding planners either, but when prices are this low... when something seems too good to be true, it normally is! I have actually spent a little time today researching this planner and I have to say that I am not breathing easy on behalf of this bride... I have serious concerns that her day will not be what she wants it to be, that something will go very wrong.

I hadn't even given them a quote yet, but I can say it would not have been $200. It wouldn't have been much, much more than that, but it would have definitely been more than twice that much based on the amount of guests, the amount of work expected, the amount of assistants I would need to hire, the traveling to/from her distant venue... and our services are actually very inexpensively priced!

Brides, a good planner knows how much work has to be done and wants qualified assistants making sure your event goes off without a hitch. We charge our brides the lowest possible amount needed to get the event staffed and executed well. Yes, we pay very close attention to the bride's budget, but quality is always our priority! Because I know that just about every bride is on a budget, I make sure that our fees are reasonable not just for us, but for their budget, and I make sure that I save them as much money as possible through vendor discounts. With almost all the clients I have ever booked for full coordination services, I have made sure to secure vendor discounts that added up to at least the fee I was charging for planning services, so that hiring a planner wasn't a burden on their budget, but a great investment that didn't cost them anything.

Bottom line, spending less money on a planner who is inexperienced and may ruin your special day isn't getting a deal... it is a tragedy! AT the end of the day, it may end in either disaster, or in no money saved at all-- if the planner you hire is in over her head and you end up having to scramble to hire a professional after all, you have just wasted whatever you paid the inexperienced planner to begin with. Be wise, be thorough, make an informed decision... whether you hire us or not, make sure you hire someone competent and committed to you and what matters to you!

As for the bride, I graciously parted ways with her and wished her the best of luck with her big day, and let her know that if she does need me in the future, I would love to help her with anything. I hope this doesn't end up being a lesson learned at an inopportune time for her, and I really hope her day is beautiful and goes well. Every bride deserves a beautiful day, and I really hope she has it!!

Until next time!
Jackie

Color Palette-- Lime Green and Tangerine

2010-10-17T13:09:00.000-07:00

This palette reminds us of sunny childhood summer days... playing in flower fields, cooling down with popsicles, taking in the sunset and breeze while flying high on a swing.... This palette is perfect for a young couple with lots of personality who loves fun and spontaneity, a couple that doesn't take itself too seriously. You can interpret this palette in a fun, casual way with daisies and wild flowers, or in a more classic way by incorporating calla lilies, as shown in the picture below.

Like this palette but want to make it your own? Consider adding purple or yellow along with the lime green and tangerine for a fresh take on these bright and sunny colors, perfect for spring and summer weddings!

Image courtesy of www.mypersonalartist.com/blog

Color Palette-- Light Pink, Silver, Black

2010-10-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

Continuing our color palette series, here's a timeless wedding combination. We love the softness of the pink and silver mixed in with the structure and formality of black. From whimsical to formal, these colors provide a beautiful backdrop for your big day.

Below are a few images from some of our favorite sites...

from www.mypersonalartist.com/blog

from www.brendasweddingblog.com

from www.onewed.com

Who said pink is just for little girls? Pink can be sophisticated and show-stopping, if paired with great contrasting colors that enhance its beauty! Hope you're as big a fan of this palette as we are!

Until next time...

Color Palettes we LOVE!!!

2010-09-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

One of the questions I get asked the most is, "what colors should I use for my wedding?" Sometimes brides will have one color in mind but not have any ideas as to which other colors to incorporate into their wedding. They don't want to just do black (or brown), white (or cream), and one color... they want their day to have as much personality as they do!

Since I am always being asked about this, I knew that I wanted to devote some time to blogging about different color combinations, from subtle and classic to fun and funky! I was going to wait until October to start my blog series on this, but after looking at some of these great combinations and falling in love with them all over again, I just cannot wait!!! The next few weeks we are going to be looking at COLOR, COLOR, COLOR!

For inspiration, I look at many different sources, but one of my favorite sources of inspiration is A Wedding Sketchbook, by Michelle Mospens. Michelle Mospens has worked with brides for over 11 years creating custom wedding invitations. Her wedding color ideas + combos have been published in popular wedding magazines and on other popular wedding blogs. You will find many of Michelle’s wedding color inspiration boards posted on her blog, found at www.mypersonalartist.com/blog.

To kick off the color parade, here's one of my absolute favorite color palettes featured on A Wedding Sketchbook... ENJOY!

Navy, Royal Blue, Blue Violet, and a Dash of Yellow!

Credits: Brett Buchanan (2), Harper Ferguson (2), Sweet Pea Events, Rochelle Mort (2), Blooms by Martha Andrews (2), My Personal Artist Handmade Letterpress Invitations, Lisa Franchot, Oh How Charming!, Andrea Polito Photography, Inc.

Everyone Loves A Good Deal, Right?

2010-09-10T18:55:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,

As fall approaches, it's only fitting that we announce good deals to fall in love with!!!

In the spirit of Perfect Pairs, here's a couple of promotions for our clients!

Promotion #1:

$100 Off Any Package!!!

Book within 10 days of our initial consultation and receive $100 off any of our packages! Must mention this promotion during initial consultation.

Promotion #2:

Two Brides, $300 off!!!

It's easy as 1, 2, 3...

1. Book coordination services with Down The Aisle
2. Refer a fellow bride
3. If she enters in to contract before your event day, you receive $200 off your coordination packages... and she receives $100 off coordination packages, too!!!

*Promotion must be mentioned at consultation in order for the referral discount to be applied. Don't delay...offers expire December 1st, 2010!

Wedding Wire Rated!

2010-09-05T17:33:00.000-07:00

Down The Aisle is now WeddingWire Rated for 2010

Orlando, FL - - WeddingWire, the nation's leading site for wedding reviews, just announced that Down The Aisle isWeddingWire Rated 2010 for wedding planning and coordination services. WeddingWire Rated is an annual award program for wedding professionals based on hundreds of thousands of recent wedding reviews.

WeddingWire Rated, the industry's first formalized review program, is the most recognized and trusted brand among engaged couples looking to locate wedding businesses. The award program recognizes wedding professionals across the country, like Down The Aisle, that have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to service.

Down The Aisle has 6 reviews on WeddingWire. These reviews have been written by past clients, and include detailed ratings and insightful descriptions of the newlyweds' experience. From quality of service to overall level of professionalism, these reviews showcase the high level of service newly engaged couples can expect from Down The Aisle.

"We are excited to unveil WeddingWire Rated, now in its fourth year, as a way to recognize wedding professionals for their commitment to service," said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire's CEO. "WeddingWire Rated allows wedding businesses to clearly differentiate themselves in their market, while providing engaged couples an easy way to find the best services for their wedding."

Down The Aisle would like to thank their past clients for sharing reviews of their weddings on WeddingWire. Reviews for Down The Aisle can be found across the entire WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee.

For more information, please visit Down The Aisle on WeddingWire at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/down-the-aisle-weddings-events-orlando/b632283921ce1629.html [?].

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire, the nation's leading technology company serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 100,000 local wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives local businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. Businesses that join the WeddingWire Network appear on WeddingWire.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com, ProjectWedding.com and Weddingbee.com (both part of eHarmony), and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands).

Anniversary

2010-08-17T22:58:00.000-07:00

Back in June, my husband and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary! Our wedding day was picture-perfect (thanks to great pictures from Marc Harmon Photography), so as our anniversary approached, we decided to celebrate it in a special way. Instead of going to dinner or doing something by ourselves, we invited our immediate family and close friends to join us for dinner at our home, as we renewed our vows and celebrated all the amazing things God has done in our lives over the past 5 years.

I initially hesitated about sharing pictures from the day on the blog, but as I thought about it more and more, I realized I wanted to share a few pictures of what was another great day for my husband and I and the little details that helped make it so special for everyone there... As far as pictures of the two of us from that day, you won't see any here... some things you just treasure in your heart and share only with each other.

We are blessed to have a great pastor who officiated our wedding ceremony, so we asked him if he would officiate our vow renewal as well. While I wanted things to be beautiful, I also wanted to keep everything simple. I called my friend Carli at Taylor Rental, and she provided tables, chairs, linens, dinnerware... you name it! My friend Gail from Classical Impressions was sweet enough to bring to life my idea for the centerpieces, and the cake was provided by Unique Cakes By Frances, who does ALL our cakes-- both personal and professional-- and has been doing our cakes for 5 years. I have to admit, being an event planner makes having your own parties so much easier! You know exactly who to go to for the best service and price!

I went to town on the invitations, the place settings, the back drop, the runner, and all the little details. My husband is a good man, and he spent a good chunk of time hanging lights, helping me with set up, and doing much manual labor. Nothing says, "I love you!" like lifting a table that's too heavy for me just hours before reciting our vows, right? I love that man!!!

A close up of our centerpieces... even the pictures don't do them justice!

We decided to do thank you cards for our family and friends that coordinated with the invitations and the place cards, and placed them on the guest tables.

Beautiful satin pewter tablecloths combined with the crisp white, silver banded plate settings, topped by a purple napkin that matched the votive candles, the ribbon on the centerpiece vases, and the jewels hanging from the floral arrangements...

Another amazingly beautiful, delicious cake by Frances! The jewels on the cake are actually made of sugar, so they were completely edible!

A custom-made (by me) monogrammed cake topper... so much cheaper (AND CUTER) than buying one already done...

As the night sky settled over us, the votives were lit and the glow of the candles gave all the tables this gorgeous purple glow... the light made the satin on the table cloths, the jewels, and even the glasses a special sparkle... it was so simple, yet so beautiful!

I probably should disclaim the pictures and explain that they are, by no means, professional pictures, rather images captured by a wedding planner who loves taking pictures with her new professional camera... all while hosting about 35 people and focusing on the important part of the day, the vow renewal... the next time we renew our vows, in about 20 years, I'll make sure to hire a professional!

Until next time!

Jackie

Bridesmaidzillas!!

2010-08-10T09:15:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of the new trend in weddings? It's not something you wear, something you dance to, or something pretty to look at... no, this new trend is something you don't want... it's the attack of the awful bridesmaids! We are all used to hearing stories about a crazed bride who's lost her way in the midst of all the planning and the stress, but now more than ever, these brides are being given a run for their money by the very people they chose to stand by their side on one of the most important days of their lives... below is an article by Tatiana Byron on the kind of bridesmaid no one wants...

A new generation of bridesmaids — let's call them bridesmaidzillas — is in revolt. One such girl grabbed a terrified father of the bride on the dance floor at an outdoor wedding on the North Shore of Massachusetts and started grinding with him. Another bridesmaid gone bad, in the middle of toasts at a barbecue-themed rehearsal dinner in Austin, Texas, called her cable company and got into a shouting match over the bill. One attention-seeking bridesmaid had a tummy tuck and boob job just before a wedding inPasadena, California, and showed up with bandages and scars, and another clingy BFF used her toast to dis the groom. There was the artistic attendant at a California wine-country wedding who scribbled on the couple's engagement portraits with a Sharpie, and three more at a swanky Boston hotel who got so trashed at the reception, they cut off the bottom third of their $300 gowns. One girl, a pissed-off sister of the groom at a seaside Rhode Island wedding, screamed at her brother to back out of the marriage — 10 minutes before the ceremony and in front of the bride-to-be.

But nothing beats the coup Kim's bridesmaids pulled over Labor Day 2009 at a posh Virginia resort. Her attendants were her best friends from law school: They'd lived together, studied for the bar together, and one of them even helped Kim's fiancé choose her round-cut diamond. But when Kim, 28, asked them to be her bridesmaids, the relationship started to sour. After she booked the resort, the two girls — East Coast lawyers in their late 20s — panned the spot as remote and inconvenient. They pushed the planning of the bachelorette party onto Kim's younger sister, the maid of honor, then complained about the cost. When the group chose Palm Beach for the party, the girls bailed, saying they couldn't afford it, even though they had high-paying jobs. They skipped the bridal shower and criticized the green, floor-length Lela Rose gowns Kim loved, lobbying so hard for dresses by a different designer that Kim chipped in for the Lela Rose ones herself.

By the time the wedding rolled around, Kim wasn't speaking much to either one. Still, what happened next was shocking. As the girls checked in to the hotel, she rushed to meet them. They barely acknowledged her, hugging her sister instead. Kim rushed out of the lobby in tears. Her mom came to the rescue — she tracked down the girls in their hotel room, and after a good talking-to, told them they could leave if they liked. Amazingly, they did. The next morning, the day before the wedding, they checked out, leaving their unopened, unaltered dresses on the floor. They charged their room balance, including room service and pay-per-view movies, to the wedding account. When Kim got back from her Bora-Bora honeymoon, she got an e-mail invoice from one of them for $500 for the dress and travel expenses. The final insult? She'd been unfriended on Facebook.

The bridesmaidzilla, a lethal mix of frenemy and Mean Girl wrapped in a sash, is popping up at weddings across the country, leaving a trail of bulldozed brides and apoplectic planners. It used to be crazy-eyed brides, caricatured in movies, sitcoms, and on reality TV, who scared everyone silly. Now bridesmaids, the faithful friends who've been paying, planning, and keeping their mouths shut since the dawn of taffeta, are digging in their dyed-to-match heels and making a fuss.

Bridesmaids, why be so unhappy? Being a bridesmaid can be GREAT!

Here's a list of the best things about being a bridesmaid:

1. You get all dressed up-- head to toe-- and know you look like a million bucks

2. You get professional pictures taken of yourself-- new facebook profile pic, anyone?

3. You get pretty flowers that someone purchased for you... and if you're single, that may not happen too often.

4. You get together with friends old and new for the shower, the bachelorette party, and the wedding day party.

5. You help your friend make some important decisions, like picking out her cake... by trying a million flavors for free!

6. You get free food, free drinks, and free entertainment on the wedding day-- whether it's dancing or laughing at the dancing.

7. You get to practice your walk down the aisle if you are single... if you are married, you get to reminisce.

8. You get to meet (and dance with) single groomsmen, single ladies.

9. You get to give a speech filled with innocent but hilarious anecdotes about the bride-- and she thanks you for it!

10. You get to witness something better than any chick flick... REAL love!

Wedding Do's!

2010-08-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I shared Tatiana Byron's top ten wedding mistakes. Today, I have decided to share my top 5 wedding do's for a bride who wants a great day and a great experience planning the special day.

Here they are!

1. Select the right wedding planner-- Obviously, it is vital to pick a great planner, someone with experience, competence, and creativity, but also someone who LISTENS to you and designs your day around YOUR desires and not just their ideas. I've met a few planners who are, unfortunately, more committed to their vision than their clients' vision, and it shows... all their previous work looks the same! Sure, we are experts at what we do, but you are the expert on YOU... so they should listen to you! A good planner will have a portfolio as diverse as her previous clients.

2. Select the right photographer-- I'm amazed to hear of brides who will spend thousands of dollars on invitations and linens but who skimp on photography. They say they have a friend that took a photography class who can do it for free, or they find a new photographer who is inexpensive but also inexperienced, or one who doesn't deliver pictures that capture the essence of the day and all the details that went into it. Since pictures are forever, make sure to allocate money in your budget for someone who will take beautiful pictures for you to enjoy long after the day is gone, even if you have to streamline other things due to a limited budget.

3. Consider price AND quality-- a great deal is not a deal at all if it doesn't go with your theme, or if the quality of the products you're getting is low. I'm not talking about just choosing what is most expensive, rather considering if what you are getting for the amount you're paying lines up with your likes and if it looks well put together. For example, paying $200 for low quality flowers that are not done well and don't look lush (or alive!) in person or in your pictures isn't saving on flowers... it is wasting $200 on flowers that you won't be happy with. It is better to go with the vendor who had better flowers but was asking for $400 instead.

4. Trust your instincts-- Even brides who say they don't know what they want actually know what they want. When meeting with a vendor or selecting decor, trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, don't do it. Vendors should offer suggestions, but if they try to pressure you to make decisions, kindly remind them that this is YOUR day, and take your time making absolutely sure that every decision you make feels right to you and your husband-to-be. At the end of the day, that is who this whole day is about.

5. Enjoy the day-- Some brides are very into the details... so much so that they can't relax and take in their day. They have gotten so used to managing the wedding as an event that even on the wedding day they forget they are the bride and not the planner. Before they know it, they are rushing towards the getaway car and didn't actually get to enjoy one of the most special days of their lives.

Share your thoughts on this! I wanna hear what your wedding do's and don'ts are!

Until next time,
Jackie

Wedding Mistakes

2010-08-02T06:38:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

I came across this article in marie claire and wanted to share it with you all. In it, Tatiana Byron, of the Wedding Salon, lists her top ten mistakes that a bride can make with regards to her wedding day... I agree with these, but there's a few things not on here that I would have included. I will share my own top ten list tomorrow.

Top Ten Wedding Mistakes

1. Forgetting what the day is really about and losing perspective. It’s only 4-5 hours of your life.

2. Not involving your significant other in the planning process.

3. Getting intoxicated the night before can seriously take a toll on you. You’re going to be on your feet for hours upon hours the next day – Get your rest.

4. Being inconsiderate. Asking your guests to wear particular color, fly to Timbuktu, or bring things you should be providing them.

5. Not adhering to a budget. Enough said.

6. Not having a Plan B. What if it rains? Do you have a back-up plan?

7. Not knowing your officiant and your DJ really well. These are the leaders of your ceremony and reception – They should have a clear idea of your expectations.

8. Wasting Money. Is it really necessary to get the $1000 pair of shoes for your day? Figure out what are the most important things to you – and go from there.

9. A lack of personality. Couples do the same cookie cutter wedding, and don’t put any of their own style and personality into it.

10. Letting the wedding take over your life; and your friends’ lives; and your families’ lives. It’s a large part of your life, but make sure that you don’t lose too much focus over it.

By Tatiana Byron

Jennifer & Ray's Wedding Showcase

2010-07-26T07:18:00.000-07:00

I finally did it! I added the pictures from Jen & Ray's wedding to the showcase tab on the website. They had so many great pictures it was hard to decide which ones to share... and the wedding was so beautiful and so much fun that I found myself going through them and just reminiscing about what a great night it was for all!!

I truly loved this couple and loved working with them... and now, almost a year after the wedding, we still keep in touch and share great news with each other, like the news that they are expecting their first little one!!! I couldn't be happier for them! With love like these two have for each other, and amazingly supportive family around, this little boy will not be short of love!

Down The Aisle Receives WeddingWire Bride's Choice Award!!!

2010-03-20T20:05:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I recently received good news that I wanted to share with everyone. Down The Aisle has been named as one of the local recipients of the WeddingWire Bride's Choice Award for 2010! Here's a little more information on the award, straight from WeddingWire.

The WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards ™ recognizes the top local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness, and professionalism. Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the organization, the Bride's Choice Awards are determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds. This year's winners represent the top five percent of WeddingWire's vendor community, which consists of over 100,000 local wedding professionals nationwide.

I am so happy that the brides we serve have been so pleased with our services and have given such positive feedback on their experience! I really work very hard to make sure the clients are always beyond happy at the end of our time together, and this recognition just fuels my desire to work harder in serving our clients even better.

Thanks to those who reviewed our services and made this possible!

Jackie

New website showcases!

2010-02-22T17:19:00.000-08:00

I have created galleries for Kristy and Casey's wedding, as well as Hugh and Alicia's and have posted them under the showcase tab of the website. Two very different weddings, but both great successes!

Take some time to view them... it'll buy me some time to get Jennifer and Ray's uploaded :o)

Until next time!

Jackie

Jennifer & Ray's Wedding!

2009-11-16T10:03:00.001-08:00

About a month ago I had the joy of seeing Jennifer and Ray become husband and wife.

It was a beautiful day and everything was breathtaking... from the venue, to the decor, to the weather... everything just came together beautifully! The bride and groom were happy, the families and friends were happy, and everyone had a great time!

I am posting a link with pictures from their day, but I thought I'd also attach my favorite picture from the day. Again, thanks to our friends from Beautiful One Photography for such amazing shots!

Enjoy!

http://www.beautifulonephotography.com/slideshows/jenniferandray/

Until next time!

Jackie

Jennifer and Ray's Engagement Pictures

2009-10-31T10:46:00.000-07:00

About a year and a half ago, I met a bubbly, fun, beautiful girl named Jennifer who had just gotten engaged to her boyfriend, Ray. These two had been together for about 6 years and were excited about planning their wedding and getting married. From the first conversation, we just clicked and it was obvious that we would have a great time planning this wedding and that it was going to be an awesome day.

Jen's family, who I was privileged to work with closely over the entire engagement, was a delight. Full of life, and fun, and loving... always an adventure... they were a large part of the process and in no time we became like family! They welcomed me in and let me get to know them.

As I worked with the couple, I came to see that these two were truly special. Jen and Ray are into music (he is a talented producer and rapper) and she is his equally talented muse. They love life, laughing, and love love! Every time I met with them, I was struck by how perfect these two are for each other, and how happy and in love they are... I'm not just talking about the giddy, school-age type of love, but also a deep, peaceful, knowing of each other and a full acceptance of the other person... the way they talk to each other and look at each other like there's no one else around (and they look at each other like that ALL the time) is just incredible!

I am posting a link to their engagement pictures, done by our friends at Beautiful One Photography. Wedding day pics to follow soon... enjoy!

http://beautifulone.zenfolio.com/rayandjen

Until next time!

Jackie

Bad Proposal Stories

2009-10-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

I've recently gotten an idea and I am compiling bad proposal stories. Know of anyone with one (or even yourself, God forbid!)? If so, please reply to the thread, or email those to Jackie@AisleEvents.com with the subject title of Bad Proposal...

Looking forward to getting some stories... I know they are out there!

Until next time!

Jackie

PWG/ OWG Luncheon at BICE

2009-09-21T09:03:00.001-07:00

So what does a wedding planner do the day after she gets discharged from the hospital from having a baby? She does an event, of course! About 2 days after I had Jack, while still in the hospital, I received a phone call from Jennifer Brown from BICE Ristorante at the Portofino Bay Hotel asking me if I would like to help her by doing some feature decor for the Perfect Wedding Guide/Orlando Wedding Guild luncheon they were hosting at their facility in a few days, on April 29th. Now, under normal circumstances, anyone who just delivered a child would probably not even entertain the idea, but these were not normal circumstances. This happened to be Jennifer, who is a dream vendor to work with and I cannot say enough nice things about, so the answer was a big "YES!"

What Jennifer wanted was to do a couple of different looks for their venue to show the versatility of their place in addition to the beautiful surroundings and fabulous food they offer. I enlisted the help of Gail Hennemann from Classical Impressions Florist and we teamed up with Mike Cruz from BBJ Linens, and put together two very different looks for her room. Onemore formal, the other girly and whimsical. The luncheon was a great success. Everyone enjoyed themselves and had a great time taking in the gorgeous views that BICE and Portofino have to offer.

Below are some images from the day courtesy of Jennifer Brown... enjoy!

The more formal table setting... I just love the smooth texture of the flowers juxtaposed with the rough textured look of the linens!

Gorgeous Orchids! Thanks, Gail!

Some hand-painted gold glass napkin rings from my personal collection made the gold chargers pop against the eggplant and moss green colored linens!

Now for the whimsey!

Again, beautiful roses in an array of shades of pink compliment the patterned linens so well!

A simple silver charger dresses up the white plate and hot pink napkin but does not compete with the gorgeous table linens...

Decor is all about balance... you CAN have a patterned linen and still make your table look classy, so long as you pick simple place settings that compliment the pattern.

Here is Jennifer Brown, from BICE Ristorante speaking to the group of wedding professionals.

And here she is telling THE WHOLE ROOM that I'd just been discharged from the hospital and that I'd had a baby 4 days before their event... So that's me in the black shirt laughing as she told the story of how my response was, "Yes, of course I'll do it, but I just had a baby and need to see if I'm gonna be discharged on time or not..."

View of the restaurant from the back. Love the tray ceilings!

And the yummy food...

And these, I could have had 100 of... they were sooo delicious!!!

Until next time,

Jackie

Baby Boy #2!

2009-08-19T13:06:00.000-07:00

Our precious baby boy is here, and boy, are we just over the moon about him! Jack is everything you want a baby to be... big, cute, cuddly, and smiles pretty much around the clock (unless it's time to eat, when he shows off his powerful lungs in defense of his grown-man appetite). He was born April 25th, a few weeks before my due date in May, weighing in at 9lbs, 9.4oz, and measuring 20 1/2 inches. Good thing he was born early!!! The past couple of months have just been bliss, as we get to experience all the things about a newborn that we were not able to experience with Jon because of his prematurity, as well as reliving some of our favorite things about new parenthood... all the little firsts that take your breath away! I must say, though, that I definitely think the lack of sleep is just never something you want to get used to, especially when there are now a 2 year-old and a newborn to take care of on about 2 hours of sleep, in addition to working and maintaining a home and a life! I am blessed, though, because my husband is an awesome hands-on daddy with both of them, so he's been a life saver!!!

Enough with the talking, already... Here's a few pictures...

With the first 3 months behind us, life is settled quite a bit and I am now settling into a great rhythm for working. I am certainly looking forward to the events currently on the calendar, as well as any new clients coming my way! One thing I love about what I do is that, even though the economy may be hard right now, people still fall in love and hit milestones in their lives, and those are to be celebrated... at the end of the day, there's still reason to stop and enjoy the happy moments in our lives and share them with those we love!

Until next time!

Jackie

Hugh and Alicia

2009-03-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, so since I gushed so much about them the last time I blogged, I figured I'd post just a few of my favorite pictures of Hugh and Alicia. I am working on creating their gallery on my website, so this is just a few pictures of just them... Enjoy!

Posing with the bride and groom... something I NEVER do... usually too busy running around!!

Bliss!! Isn't this THE picture everyone wants in their wedding album?!

The newlyweds looking happy, relaxed, and in love... as always...

I just love the contrast of the basic black and white on them against all the color behind them...

So romantic!

Happy couple... Great Day... Gorgeous Pictures... what more can anyone ask for?

Long Time No Post...

2009-03-07T18:13:00.000-08:00

Last time I blogged, I commented on the October 4th wedding I'd just wrapped up. Well, after taking a day or so to recover, I hit the ground running again to put the final touches on Hugh and Alicia's December wedding.

Hugh and Alicia came to me last summer for help with planning an intimate, unforgettable wedding day. Even though I like big weddings and most of my business is bigger events, I truly have a special place in my heart for small weddings. Intimate gatherings have a magic all their own... they are like this well kept secret that only a few lucky people are in on. That is exactly what their wedding day felt like! The guests were this amazing group of people who clearly loved these two and were completely convinced (as I am) that they were made to be together!

The process of planning with them was a dream! There was not an ounce of madness, stress, or even hesitation in Alicia. Every step was one where we shared a goal and a vision and all the steps to get us there were exciting and fun. And Hugh was a great groom too-- involved, having great ideas and feedback, and completely on top of stuff! By the time I sent Alicia down the aisle to Hugh, it was hard for me to hold back my emotions because these two are so special that in just a few months I became attached to them. When guests got teary-eyed, I was fighting back tears too... and when Hugh did a special dance with Alicia's young daughter that brought the entire place to its feet, I was clapping and rooting for them along with every other guest! There are not enough nice things to be said about this family! I with them nothing but the best, most joyful journey through life! There were absolute bliss to meet and work with, and are missed dearly!

I know I have not put pictures up on the website from this event or the October wedding. I promise that's coming soon on my to-do list.... And speaking of coming soon...

Since September, I've been experiencing a lot of growth... especially in my mid-section! No, I've not been overindulging, I've been growing a baby!! Yes, that's right... we're expecting our second son very soon... We are joining the legions of crazy people who will have 2 kids under 2 years old-- feel free to insert either happy or gloomy music here, depending on how frightening a thought this is for you. Needless to say, this is very exciting and the past few months have been filled with many amazing moments for our family. In fact, the entire time I've been typing, the not-so-little one in my belly has been kicking and dancing, so he must like the sound of my fingers hitting the keyboard... As for the toddler, he's quietly sleeping on a couch in the living room next to his daddy... he LOVES curling up on the couch and drifting off to sleep within inches of us... and I must admit we love it too!!!

While having a baby (while raising a toddler) is a big event in and of itself, I am still continuing to work with several clients getting married this year, as well as planning a few non-wedding events (Quinces) for the end of summer, so I am very busy indeed... Once the baby is here I will do my best to enjoy my bonding time with him because, before I know it, it will be time to hit the ground running again and get going with a few back to back events... such is the fun life of a wife, mother, and event planner extraordinaire-- crazy, exciting, rewarding, and I wouldn't have it any other way :oP

Until next time!

Kristy and Casey's Wedding

2008-11-03T12:20:00.000-08:00

Back in May, I met a young lady named Kristy who was recently engaged. She called and asked to meet because she needed help with creating a cohesive design for her big day, not to mention help with all the overwhelming details. We began working together almost immediately, and on October 4th I finally got to see her walk down the aisle to meet her groom. I am awaiting the arrival of my set of pictures from the day so I can post them on the website and share them with the world. It was a beautiful, elegant, luxurious affair, and I had a great time dreaming up designs and ideas and being allowed the freedom to add many special touches to the event.

As usual, I worked with some great vendors, but there are a few worth thanking again! Thanks to Gail for the beautiful floral arrangements that converted the church and the reception room into a fairytale display of vibrant colors set against a classic black and white background! Thanks to Frances for another unique, show-stopping masterpiece cake that everyone was in awe of... and, just like every other cake you've made for my previous clients, it was super yummy!

I also want to thank my events team for the day! Andy and Melissa, you were an incredible set up crew and you left no detail to chance. Also, Nikki, you were a great assistant coordinator. You were a lot of fun to work with and you made my job much easier. Thanks!

Lastly, thanks so much to Carrie and her photography team! Another home run and another happy client! I LOVE working with you and knowing that my clients will love their pictures, but more importantly, they will love how comfortable and natural you helped them feel on their wedding day. I can't wait to do a million more weddings with you!

Every time I book a client, I tell them how much they will love meeting and working with my preferred vendors, and so far they have all been blown away by the quality, price, and professionalism that you guys display. It makes my job much easier, and whole lot more fun!

Jackie

Tips on Tipping

2008-09-03T04:57:00.000-07:00

As a wedding planner, I am constantly surprised with the amount of clients who are shocked to find out about vendor tipping... this is especially true for people who have never planned a special event before.

I think there are three major reasons contributing to many clients not knowing about tipping. There's the fact that when a vendor gives you a quote, unless they are providing catering, they usually don't mention gratuity anywhere. Secondly, I think that because some vendors are so over-inflated with their pricing, clients feel that in paying the vendors' fees they really are tipping them as well. (I hear you there!) Thirdly, there's just people who don't know because it never occurred to them in the usually-rushed, whirlwind event execution process... so that is why I've decided to write about vendor tipping.

Now, in writing about tipping, the logical place to start is in saying that, just as in restaurant dining, tipping is not required, but instead a highly recommended industry standard. Most vendors will not demand a tip (if they do, it's just rude and it might be a good idea to go with someone else), but every vendor will gladly welcome one.

Tips may consist of many different things, but we will start with monetary ones... When tipping vendors, the correct etiquette is to tip them with cash close to the date of the event if not on the event day. By "close to the date..." I mean days before the event after the final payment has been issued, or for some vendors that you'll see after the event like a wedding photographer/videographer, the first time you see the vendor after your event. An envelope with a simple note saying "Thank you for all you've done to make our event a success.." and cash is very appropriate. If you forget to get cash before hand, a personal check is also acceptable. When tipping vendors monetarily, it is normally customary to tip around 15-20% of their bill. For example, if your flowers total $500, it is appropriate to tip $75-100 to your florist. Now, for brides with much higher budgets, it is perfectly acceptable to tip 10% and up... for example, if your flowers total $5000, a $500 (10%) tip will be well received by a florist. This is especially true the higher your budget is... After all, a vendor giving you $100,000 in services would just be ungrateful to not consider a $10,000 tip appropriate...

As far as which vendors to tip, it is a matter of personal discretion. Any and every vendor that you feel did an outstanding job bringing your event to life is a vendor worth tipping. That may include your event coordinator (hopefully they did an outstanding job... if not, call me for your next event...), your florist, your photographer, your cake baker, your limo driver, your videographer, etc... Now, I know those of you with smaller budgets are reading this and may have just started to panic, so I am going to address some alternatives in just a little bit. Keep breathing...

A few differences worth noting... if you would like to tip the coordinator at your event venue, it is appropriate to address the envelope and note to them personally and not the venue. Another important person to handle differently is the officiant. Officiants normally charge a flat fee or take a donation for their services, but if you decide to tip the officiant, a non-monetary gift is considered much more appropriate. Which leads me to non-monetary tips...

Want to express your gratitude for a vendor but don't want to do it with cash? There are many things that you can do to show your appreciation. You can give your vendor gift certificates to a favorite store or a nice restaurant in leu of cash. When giving a restaurant gift card, it would be wise to at least cover the cost of a dinner for two. This shows the vendor that you cared enough to do something special for them because of all the effort they put into your event. This is an especially good solution to brides on a very tight budget who are charging many wedding expenses to a card because they don't have the cash to pay for everything up front. (I am in NO WAY advocating credit card debt, just stating a reality that I see more often than I'd like to)...

So what do I recommend to my budget clients who want to tip cash? Simple... When planning and budgeting, keep in mind that you will most likely want to tip several vendors and plan accordingly. For example, if your flower budget cannot exceed $500, then plan on ordering no more than $425 in flowers so you can use the other $75 dollars for tipping. I know, that sounds hard to do, but it will be better than finding yourself out of money before it's all said and done.

For brides with bigger budgets, don't be afraid to think outside the box and be creative too. One of my former clients decided to show her appreciation by paying for a hotel room for my husband and I at the Ritz-Carlton in addition to a 10% tip. She said she would have given me the entire amount in cash but she wanted to make sure that I experienced some luxury for myself as I had been so good at helping her feel pampered and relaxed... Needless to say, it was a very well received expression of gratitude for my services.... This is just an example of how thinking outside the (cash) box can make a good impact on your vendors, but there are many other things that you can do. Think of hobbies or things that your vendors like and give them access to things they love or are interested in... think spa gift certificates, tickets to shows, if they are married or in a relationship, give them a romantic night out for two (think "restaurant dinner followed by entertainment idea")... They will love it and remember you for a long time to come for your creativity... No time to be creative, go back to the beginning and tip cash...

The point here is this: take time to show your vendors appreciation for all the hard work they put into your big day. Those who go above an beyond what is required to ensure your happiness and satisfaction should be thanked in some way, and these are just a few suggestions...

Until next time...
Jackie

Ready, Set, Charge!

2008-08-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

When thinking about the tables at an event, most people only consider centerpieces and linen. Granted, centerpieces are the main focal point of the table, and the linens provide a palate for the table items, but that is not all that can be done to dress up your table. Why not consider charger plates?

If you have the budget for them, charger plates are a great way to make your table look even more personalized. They are available in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes... from your typical gold or silver round chargers, to gorgeous, vintage-looking pieces.

Ask the Event Manager at your chosen venue if they have charger plates they can provide for your event. You'll be surprised how many venues either provide them at no extra cost or have them available in-house (at a cost to you), saving you time and guesswork in trying to rent them from an outside company...

Planning and Decor Tips...

2008-08-27T12:35:00.000-07:00

Since every bride wants an elegant and personalized wedding day, I've decided to share my event planning experience with the world. Periodically, I will post different planning or decor tips to make your event stand out, even on a shoestring budget!

Keep checking out the blog for creative, inexpensive, and unique ideas... and if you have questions, please feel free to write and I will answer them on the blog.

New Site is LIVE!!!

2008-08-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

Great news! After months of hard work, the new website for Down The Aisle Weddings & Events is live! It communicates my passion for wedding & event design, and it has a good sampling of the widely different clients I have worked with in the past, but I have to admit that what I like best is... it's pretty! I know I probably shouldn't say that, but it's true... I think the website is beautiful... and it captures exactly what we're all about and why we do what we do...

Check it out: www.AisleEvents.com

Like it? Let me know...

Love it? Tell everyone you know...

New Blog!

2008-08-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

I have decided to start a blog documenting thoughts, adventures, and special moments in wedding planning. I will also update the blog with pictures not just from events, but from the fun and busy life of a wedding planner who just happens to be a wife and mother to a gorgeous 1 year old.

Stay tuned for more, folks!

Jackie