The Wedding Duchess speaks

Weddings

2010-06-21T13:38:00.000-07:00

We had the most gorgeous bride and groom at our last wedding.

She is small and blonde, he is tall and dark.

The wedding was held in the Oklahoma History Center. The dome room is topped off with a wonderful old airplane. It is floor to ceiling windows that feature a wonderful view of the state capital building. The sight at night is worthy of any photographer.

The bride loves hot pink. In fact, she wore hot pink high heels to the wedding. They were just the nicest touch for her beautiful lace and jeweled dress.

Early on in our consultation, the bride and I had decided that we really needed the sophistication of black and hot pink to keep the guest attention on the bride and groom and not up in the air staring at the airplane. So we used black on black tablecloths, black chair covers and hot pink sashes.

The centerpieces were tall vases filled with stems of tree branches with pink orchids tied to them. We added little silver baskets containing those cute battery operated candles to the branches which created a little sparkle all night. At the top of each vase, we had a necklace of hydrangea, orchids and roses in several shades of pink. They simply set off the tables. We decided to use white china to finish off the elegant look. Close your eyes and imagine how stunning that looked.

The food was very different for our firm's usual client but the style and selection were very important to our bride. The food was mostly organic and was all served family style from clear glass bowls. The roast fell off the fork, the mashed potatoes were so delicious and light. They did a variety of vegetables in a mild oil. My favorite was the zuchini. They brought waitstaff that was properly dressed, on time and were so polite and well trained.

The DJ service is one we have used before and still love them. They come prepared for just about every aspect of the event. They even found a way to have Eastern European music for the groom's family. They had the entire wedding party up on the dance floor. I told you they were great.

The bartender service was one we have used before and will use again and again. They are really great. They keep things moving and the guests don't have to stand in line to wait for a drink. Thanks guys. We really did appreciate your hard work.

The cake was done by a company that we have only used once or twice before. It looked amazing. White on white with the only color being the floral topper. The bride's cake was four different layers and each layer was a different flavor. Chocolate with fudge filling, white with raspberry cream filling, lemon with lemon curd filling and red velvet with cream cheese filling. Yes, you are reading it correctly: each layer was really two layers thick. It was beautiful and it melted in your mouth. The groom's cake was a replica of his country's flag and was red velvet filled with cream cheese filling, This cake is so moist. We may have found our new favorite bakery.

Overall, a wonderful event for a sweet couple. We wish them all the happiness in the world.
Can't wait for the photographs so you can see the hot pink heels.

The New Year

2010-01-26T21:56:00.000-08:00

Did you know that the majority of brides get engaged during the holiday season up until Valentine's Day?

We wish all of the newly engaged a prosperous new year and, of course, happy planning. It is all so exciting for the happy couple- the ring is on display for weeks and the groom just melts when he sees his happy fiance. It is such a great time, so we really hope you enjoy it and do not get so stressed that you fail to enjoy each other.

People still see the planner as a luxury. However, the key to this business is dependent on who you know. Of course the planner knows all the best vendors in town and can save you money during the planning.

Yet, if you are set on planning yourself, it is also a good to start by removing yourself from the situation to access what type of couple you are- earthy, modern, classic, fun-loving, simple, over-the-top. A wedding is about the two of you committing your lives to one another so all aspects of the wedding should be representative of both of you.

Attendants

2009-11-09T10:56:00.000-08:00

A few weeks back, I posted a statement that said brides should limit the number of attendants that they have....I wanted to clarify that statement.

By limiting, I didn't mean that a bride should not have her dearest and closest friends, what I meant was that some girls come in to their consultation with a list of attendants that is 14 girls long. That list might need to be re-thought.

First of all, the witnesses to your wedding should be the most responsible and patient friends that you have available. These friends are going to help you on the most important day of your life to date. They are charged with keeping you calm, keeping track of all your stuff, making sure that the rings get down the aisle with you, your dress is looking wonderful, your hair is still in place and they are going to do those chores that only truest best friends will do for you.....holding your dress for you when you have to potty before the ceremony....

I'm not saying a large wedding party is inappropriate, I'm just saying that there is only so much space in the bride's dressing room of any facility, there is only so much room at the front of any church. So be reasonable with our attendants. Its also easier on your budget, 14 bridesmaids bouquets are going to cost a lot more than 6 bouquets.

We look forward to hearing from you soon to help you with your special day.

Oh My Gosh

2009-11-09T10:36:00.000-08:00

Can you believe we are so far into November?

A lot of young women will be getting their engagement rings very shortly. I think the statistics indicate that 55% of all engagements take place at Christmas; 30% are at Valentines day; and the balance are on special days like birthdays, first date days, the anniversary of the first date, etc.

Remember, the first thing to do is make a list of guests you would invite. With that list, no matter how tentative, you can go to a planner who can help you locate a venue, a florist, a bakery, and all the other vendors that you will need to create your special day.

If it is us or any other wedding planner, we are no longer luxury items but are necessities to help your wedding day be perfect.

Fun Things

2009-10-26T09:27:00.001-07:00

We are so excited for the number of things that are going on right now.

The economy seems to be turning around, brides are starting to learn that wedding planners are not luxury items but necessities.

There are so many great advertising opportunities right now so we can go back to putting our company name out front of brides. We are glad to hear that so many wedding mags are doing special deals right now. How wonderfully helpful is that?

Did any of you get Garth Brooks tickets? I'm still convincing my family that it is essential that we go to Vegas for New Years so that we can see Garth Brooks. After all he is nearly a neighbor!

Well, got to run. The trash man is coming and the Labs are barking so loud they are actually jumping off the ground with each bark.

Photographers

2009-10-21T08:45:00.000-07:00

Photographers are an integral part of preserving your wedding day for you. that is why we work hard to find just the right photographer for each bride.

There are some great photographers out in the world today. In fact, some of our local photographers are pretty amazing and are willing to travel all over the world.
I recommended four of them to a bride way out of state. But the requirements still apply.

Here are what we consider the important things to look for when setting appointments:

1) Like them.
2) Be sure that you and the photographer have the same idea about what you want preserved in photographs.
3) Be sure that they understand the time line of your event and will honor it.
4) They will be with you for 7 to 8 hours so be sure that you can be comfortable with all their shooters.
5) Be sure that they are in your budget range or that you are willing to go over for the right one.

The right photographer is essential.

Movies

2009-10-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

I love movies. I have always been a big movie fan.
Last night I watched something that I had promised I never would: I watched "Marley and me".

I recently lost my 17 year old Lab, Gabby, and thought the movie would remind me of her and I would be overwhelmed with sadness. But the fact is, I was overwhelmed with the joy of having had her so long. She was wonderfully patient and gentle. She would talk to me, drink hot tea and have toast with me. I miss her somedays so bad that it is hard to breathe. Other days I think about her and laugh out loud.

I guess the point of this is to tell you that you can't let your fear of sadness take away from the joy of what you had and will have forever in your heart.

Love all out with no fear.

Attendents

2009-10-12T11:54:00.000-07:00

Why do so many brides have such a hard time deciding who to have as bridesmaids? And why do they think the solution is to have everyone they know as an attendent?

Sweethearts,
the answer is simple: have your best friends. It doesn't have to be your sister unless you are very close, it doesn't have to be your roommate, or your college dormitory.

This is an important and intimate day. The people who stand up with you should be your very best and closest friends. If it is one that is still fine.

Trust me, it will look better in the photographers to have one than to have thirty.

Wedding license

2009-10-09T11:01:00.000-07:00

The Duchess recently had a bride who had forgotten to get a marraige license. Her question was, "Why didn't you get it for me? You know I don't have a clue."

Sweethearts, we love you and will do almost everything for you; but you do have to think.

Anyway, the wedding day was totally beautiful and went as planned.

Weather

2009-10-09T10:58:00.000-07:00

We love outdoor weddings just like most brides, but lets all pay attention to the weather where you plan to be married. What it is, is what it will be. No about of praying is going to make Texas or Oklahoma cool in August.

Wedding planners can work wonders, but we can't control that.

2009-02-16T07:34:00.000-08:00

Don't you just love it when things go right? The Duchess does. Finally really beautiful colors are coming back.

Those gorgeous silvers, beautiful pastels (not the really pale things) and rich deep colors. It seems to be your choice. Don't you love having the ability to chose what you want.

Silver candle sticks, glass candle sticks, even wrought iron candle sticks. Just be sure you have chosen the right colors to go with them.

Fantastic Meeting with Bride

2009-02-05T12:11:00.000-08:00

Today we met with a very sweet bride. Very calm, very reasonable, has wonderful plans and a great concept of what is important.

Color is important to this bride. She loves bright colors so her wedding and reception will be bold. This is important to all weddings. If you love color, go for it. If you are not a bright bold person ( and some of us are not), use color but use it in a less dramatic way. Remember, this is your day and you don't want to be overshadowed by the color scheme.

Pink can be as effective as red for the right bride. Some of us are pastels and some of us are bolder colors. No color scheme is wrong, if it is right for you.

Remember, my dears, don't let your color scheme over power you.

I'm so tired of Unprofessional, Unethical Vendors

2009-01-18T12:53:00.000-08:00

http://creativeconceptsweddings.com
Dear Sweeties,

I very seldom say anything about wedding vendors, mostly because I love my brides and don't want unprofessional vendors to go out of their way to be rude or late,etc.

This week, I've come across some of the rudest, most unprofessional, unethical vendors imaginable.

In my business, I sign the vendor contracts so that all discussions are to be held with me, not my brides. It cuts down on their stress and gives me better control so my brides have a near perfect wedding day. A vendor should have no reason to really even talk with a bride of my company.

This past week, a vendor told my bride that my check had bounced. First, the vendor should have talked with me, and secondly, in order for a check to bounce, you have to actually present it for payment, which they had not. They called the bank in their town, not my bank, and were told the check would not clear. Instead of calling me to find out that I have a "special attention" account, they just sat there and then discussed it with my bride. And Had I not tracked down the owner of the company at Market, we would still be in the dark about the check.

To discuss something as personal as a check with another person is not only illegal, it is unprofessional and unethical. My lawyer wants to sue them and I'm trying to decide how to handle it all.

If this was the only vendor that has done something stupid this week, I probably would not be so furious, but it seems to be a theme for vendors.....do something stupid, insult another vendor and then treat the situation as if everything was just fine. Its normal for vendors to be unethical, unprofessional and untruthful.

The morale here, My Sweeties is ....be sure that all your vendors are top of the line and that your wedding is not the first one that they have been involved with. I'll keep you posted.

Weddings This Year

2009-01-07T09:02:00.000-08:00

We have some wonderful weddings this year.

I'm excited to see that even though the economy is rumored to be bad, glamour and glitz are still being sought out.

One of our brides is leaning to the 1930's era for her glamour. How exciting is that? Shiny fabrics, candle light and crystals, a sea of white with one bold color. We are working to find a white vintage automobile for her transportation.

Another one of our brides is going over the top with flowers and mood lighting. Champagne base color with multiple flower colors. Lots of staged lighting to create the glamour look that she is seeking.

Both of these brides are looking for The WOW Effect and we will give it to them.

Remember, your dream can be achieved with a little help from your planner. We know where the bargains are to be found.

Happy New Year

2009-01-05T12:38:00.000-08:00

Hello and Welcome back.

Well, how many of you got sparkling rings this Christmas? Raise your left hands and let us all see.

It is time to get started.

Have you started your guest list yet? Sit down soon and get going. We cannot find a venue until you know (or think you know) how many people we have to arrange to accommodate.

Don't worry about anything else until you get that list. Remember, it does not have to be down to the last detail, just a ballpark number.

Go ahead. Get started, we will wait for you.

Wedding Information

2008-12-29T08:43:00.000-08:00

Well, my sweeties, the Christmas holiday season is over and there are a lot of new sparklers out there. Congratulations to all.

Now that the holidays are almost over and the hectic craziness is about to settle down. We can talk more often. I look forward to it.

Today, let's talk about what you should do first.

The first thing is insurance. Make sure your ring is insured. During the cold your fingers shrink and the ring doesn't. As much as I hate to have to tell you, the Duchess has known girls who have lost their rings. It creates a terrible situation for you and your fiancee.

Second, make your guest list. We have talked about this before and I can't stress often enough how much easier it will make things if you know how many you are inviting.

Third, hire a planner. Planners offer a variety of opportunities for you. Some are full service, like the Duchess, others are day of and others will work with you on an hourly basis. There is a planner for all of you.

We Love Weddings

2008-12-01T07:42:00.000-08:00

We love weddings.

But some brides work so hard that they become stressed out and seem to forget the real joy of the event.

Our suggestion is that you keep in mind the purpose of the event. It is to join two people who love one another in marriage.

One of our brides totally flipped out over the seating chart. The fact is, guests seldom pay attention to the seating chart any way and sit where they want. So what if your family members are feuding, they can get along for two hours of a reception. If they don't have enough respect for you to behave for that short period of time; then don't invite them.

In 2009, we are stressing to our brides that common sense needs to be the ruling factor.

You can have a wonderful, beautiful event without drama and stress with just a little thought.

2008-11-28T11:30:00.000-08:00

We are almost to that most glorious of all seasons: Christmas.

The Duchess loves Christmas because of all the wonder, the decorations, the gifts and those wonderful engagement rings. The Duchess loves sparkle, don't you?

When you get your ring, what do you do after you say "Yes"?

Well, the first thing you do is decide how many guests you are going to invite. I know, I know, you think I've lost my mind...you have to get the church and the reception hall...well, sweetie, how are you going to do that if you don't have any idea how many guests will be coming??

See, when you stop to think about it; it makes sense.

Then you have to decide on your budget. WOW. That is the hard part. The Duchess hates this part, but we have to do it. Otherwise, we will just go crazy and spend our new house down payment. Then your wonderful new fiancee will not be happy with us.

The third thing, if you are really smart, is to hire a wedding planner. I can hear all those gasps, all those statements, "I can't afford a wedding planner". Sweeties, in today's world, you can't afford not to have a planner.

If you find the right one, a planner will save you money, time and stress. A planner will find the best vendors for the budget and ones that fit with your theme. A Planner will negotiate contracts...don't you just hate to have to tell people that their services cost too much; a planner will do that for you. Isn't that worth hiring one?

2008-11-28T11:11:00.000-08:00

We are getting so close to Christmas and those wonderful wedding proposals.

What do you do first when you get that ring? Sit down and figure out how many guests you are going to invite; then guess at how many of those you invite will attend. I know, I know; but without that information, you can't figure out the size of the venue or how to choose a cake or well, just about anything.

Second, figure out your budget.

Third, find a wedding planner. The Duchess would love for it to be her, naturally, but her schedule fills fast. Don't worry, we take a lot of brides but you have to be quick.

I know the first thing you thought was, "I can't afford a planner". Sweetie, in today's world, you can't afford not to have a planner. A planner helps negotiate contracts, helps you get the best bargains, helps you find the best vendors for your budget. Helps you have the day of your dreams without letting you blow your budget.