tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37834505108435075332024-03-13T23:16:45.065-07:00Simply Celebrations & EventsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3783450510843507533.post-18370542746972847612017-03-14T15:07:00.000-07:002017-03-14T15:29:45.136-07:00Radio Interview with Simply Celebrations & Events<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtutb0JbkQG58gDgZEXa9beR-HqJo9DsavDq2cmC73xAnVzzecv7rSfp7kvm1aY3DH9jzxLTkzOKJX96dkplkyxW-xIja89hqgqlTmBdiqXHz9LtxR9rURGuSQBSqYOE-_JfGO5MCEttT/s1600/SYLVIA-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtutb0JbkQG58gDgZEXa9beR-HqJo9DsavDq2cmC73xAnVzzecv7rSfp7kvm1aY3DH9jzxLTkzOKJX96dkplkyxW-xIja89hqgqlTmBdiqXHz9LtxR9rURGuSQBSqYOE-_JfGO5MCEttT/s320/SYLVIA-47.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I had the wonderful opportunity to be interviewed on Empire Radio Now last month. If you want to know more about my company and what I do for couples planning their wedding day, check out the interview. Give me a call if you would like help with your wedding planning.<br />
<a href="https://empireradionow.com/nancy-skipton-2-22-17-wedding-and-event-planner/" target="_blank">https://empireradionow.com/nancy-skipton-2-22-17-wedding-and-event-planner/</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3783450510843507533.post-44348531985268713282015-01-06T12:30:00.000-08:002015-01-06T12:30:00.567-08:00Wedding Website - How do I make one for my wedding?<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">So you are planning your wedding and you need to let your guests know details about:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Where to stay during your wedding</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Where you are registered </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">give your guests directions to your wedding ceremony and reception.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">A personal wedding website is the best place to do all of this. But you say "I don't know how to make a website!" And I say "You don't need too." And you can match your invitations to the same look as your website depending on which design you pick. One company gives you this option - Wedding Paper Divas.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Wedding Paper Divas offers FREE wedding website templates
to match more than 30 of their bestselling wedding invitations. This means that
you can now easily create an ad-free personal wedding website complete with
online RSVP capabilities and more—and keep it FREE for one year! Get started
now to ensure that everything will be beautifully designed and perfectly
coordinated as you prep for your big day.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=87173&m=12808&u=508095" target="_blank"></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=87173&m=12808&u=508095" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=87173&m=12808&u=508095" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooo4cZll4hoKRXTPxLZRfz2tfKD5nucOw7HP3-QMGE22QX7dyRZldNVfKdHvgCNg_ICIUU52bis9oN76gt60RpHndA05D2px7pJEFba5xuIyjOvJHNpV0-iD2jKsiJxzEnUefu8Nt9Sfo/s1600/120x600+Free+Wedding+Website.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=87173&m=12808&u=508095" target="_blank">Click "Create Site" to check out what WPD has to offer.</a><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=87173&m=12808&u=508095" target="_blank"></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">With Wedding Paper Divas templates, you can put together your own wedding website easily with your own photos, online guest RSVP, share your story of how you both meet and became engaged...and so much more.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Wedding Paper Divas makes it easy for you to get it done and check one more thing off your list.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3783450510843507533.post-65457080431110522912014-09-04T12:10:00.000-07:002014-09-04T12:10:00.537-07:005 Creative ways to “number” your reception tables<div class="sf_blog_entry">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDd11FPDVIn6WlBQUqCOvqIjc6WAgxOt3RQDPepjJp4EAuFEnp40AoQwwS5rl0uHat8fEbDRLeDZYqnIrRCCUaAKSRwIJb-K3pR_GMm_ir8YGgwAFWlQPJ58ZTiQcrYFgRg-9wO1tuwcx/s1600/TS1+468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDd11FPDVIn6WlBQUqCOvqIjc6WAgxOt3RQDPepjJp4EAuFEnp40AoQwwS5rl0uHat8fEbDRLeDZYqnIrRCCUaAKSRwIJb-K3pR_GMm_ir8YGgwAFWlQPJ58ZTiQcrYFgRg-9wO1tuwcx/s200/TS1+468.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Your ceremony is over and you are married. Wow! The first part of your day is complete. Now comes the fun part….your reception. While you and your husband have pictures taken, your guest will be heading to the reception. Once they arrive, where will they sit? If the food at your reception will be served buffet style, open seating works perfectly. However if the meal will be plated, you will need to do place cards and perhaps also assign tables. Doing the seating chart is a fair amount of work and is straight forward…..not a lot of room for creativity. You will need a list of all your guests, which entrée they will eat and where they will sit. Place cards and table numbers do not need to be fancy or expensive, but these can be a place you show your creative flair or continue the theme of your wedding. Here are five ways to be uniquely you with your table assignments:</span></div>
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<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Name tables instead of numbering – use your favorite wines or types to label your tables: Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, etc. Your place cards could be bottle shaped or the color of each wine type.</span></li>
</ul>
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<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHu2pMn5B1ao5g_ma1lrXmLAGvun9Cx8BT042AqUwqG2-J9c_mkC0W2duqNJoWkNcX4RBXhF8qUwIN8-aewTW1EKumPifEj9jnTVUQiXNLsk5hmdO-BHcZHdvkBkDadMdSo6BFwufQblm-/s1600/Wa+State+table+cake+899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHu2pMn5B1ao5g_ma1lrXmLAGvun9Cx8BT042AqUwqG2-J9c_mkC0W2duqNJoWkNcX4RBXhF8qUwIN8-aewTW1EKumPifEj9jnTVUQiXNLsk5hmdO-BHcZHdvkBkDadMdSo6BFwufQblm-/s200/Wa+State+table+cake+899.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>
<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Label your tables with names of states you have visited together or lived in – each table could have a story about being in that state: the state where you met each other, where you each grew up, where you vacationed together or went to school. Place cards could have a ribbon matching a color in the state flag or a picture of the state plant or bird. You could do cities instead of states. Have fun with this!</span></li>
</ul>
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<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">What if you and your groom are big readers, you could use favorite author’s names or book titles. You can really take off with this one. Your place cards could be bookmarks with the guests name, entrée and author/book. You could include your names and wedding date and their place card can double as your favor. Your guests now have a keepsake from your wedding to use again in their favorite book or magazine.</span></li>
</ul>
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<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Add some bling to your guest tables and use gems as the names. You could go really glamorous with this one. If your base table cloths are white or ivory, you have a great “canvas” for adding some color to your tables. The Diamond table could have rhinestones around the center of the table and the place cards can have a “diamond” glued to it. Think your birth stone, his birthstone and then your whole bridal party for gems to use. Craft stores have rhinestones in many colors and shapes.</span></li>
</ul>
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<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Let’s say you love to garden. What is your favorite thing to grow? This one has lots of options. Pick your favorite culinary herbs and spices for table names. Try flowers, vegetables, fruits, or shrubs. Your place cards could have a picture of the plant, vegetable, fruit, etc. Your favors could tie in with corresponding seed packets for your guests. Or choose wildflowers and there is actually handmade paper that has wildflower seed embedded in it. The paper can be used for place cards and table sign, and then the really cool part: seeded paper can be planted and the seeds will produce wildflowers. From table décor to place cards to table sign into a guest favor. Eco friendly and creative too!</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Part of the fun part of wedding planning is being able to infuse the personality of you and your groom into the day. Be uniquely you all the way to your reception tables. I would love to help you create unique ways to name your tables. Seating charts can be a chore and you can hire me to do these for you.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3783450510843507533.post-35207334130744089212014-08-06T10:38:00.000-07:002014-08-06T10:40:24.658-07:00Wedding Invitations –3 Local Design Companies to Choose
A beautifully designed and custom wedding invitation sets the tone for your
wedding day. It gives your guests a glimpse of what they will experience on
your wedding day. Your invitation is the first look for your guests and you
want to show them your style as a couple.<br />
<br /><br />
There are three local companies I want to showcase because I personally know
each of them and know they will take great care of any of my wedding
couples. All of these three ladies can create a fabulous invitation and other
wedding papers for your day with style and grace and with some of the best
customer service you will ever receive.<br />
<br /><br />
Paper Passionista is a wedding paper company privately owned and operated
by Gayle. She knows the wedding industry from more than one perspective.
She has planned weddings, owned a wedding retail store and now offers mobile
invitation design. She comes to you for your convenience. Her website has many
options for you to consider. Take a look and give her a call for a
consultation. <a href="http://www.paperpassionista.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.paperpassionista.com/</span></a><br />
<br /><br />
Paper Fling is a retail location based business in Kirkland owned by Ruth. I
have worked with her several times and my couples loved her designs and her
customer service. She will guide you through the process step by step to
create your wedding invitations based on your wishes and your budget. She
knows how to work with couples and has done some beautiful
invitations for bridal couples of mine. This is her website and she
is waiting to help you with your design. <a href="http://www.paperfling.com/index.html"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.paperfling.com/index.html</span></a><br />
<br /><br />
Valerie's Invites is one more company for which I trust to refer
my clients. She can do completely custom designs or assist you in choosing a
customizable design from one of her many suppliers. Just as the other two
companies can, Valerie can help you with menu cards, place cards, table cards
or ceremony programs. See what she has to offer here: <a href="http://valeriesinvites.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://valeriesinvites.com/</span></a><br />
<br /><br />
I only recommend companies that I have checked out in person and that have
worked with clients of mine. These ladies do excellent work and will take great
care of you.<br />
<br /><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3783450510843507533.post-83268254420601158562014-08-02T14:54:00.003-07:002014-08-02T14:58:58.737-07:0020% off from Wedding Paper Divas on Invitations & MORE<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Do you need save the dates, invitations or other wedding
paper such as menu cards, place cards, or ceremony programs? Now is the time to
see what Wedding Paper Divas has to offer
you. Take advantage of the opportunity to buy your wedding papers during this
great site wide promotion. </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Offer expires 8/5/2014 at 11:59 pm (PT)</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=213108&m=12808&u=508095" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Shop now for 20% off</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Enjoy 20% off your order using the code <b>SUMMER14</b> at checkout There is no minimum purchase required for this promotion. This promotion code cannot be combined with other offers. Offer not applicable to previously placed orders, shipping, taxes, rush processing charges, and excludes photo books, calendars, gift certificates and items from their Thermography, Letterpress, Foil Stamping and engraving collections and our professional printing service. Offer is valid only on Wedding Paper Divas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">To take advantage of this offer click the shop now link below and get started.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbk2eYGuQbP0Q0-3bDWPBFDym8vZtaU_aAXPq5F4_UUnWwGGO75mYl9I_FswBbeS643D7Z8w045atsQp8aItvGZdusDIMHzJjoF79p0hEuE4gjuAeg1tx29lAfU62grJPOkUsXMdvPLrM/s1600/29318_300x250_WPD_Save-_The_Date_0306.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=213108&m=12808&u=508095" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Shop now for 20% off</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Here are a few examples of their beautiful invitations:</span></div>
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Call or email Nancy if you need help with planning your wedding paper for your wedding.<br />
206-601-6957<br />
Or<br />
nancy@simplycelebrations.com<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3783450510843507533.post-48911300325481952782014-07-31T16:52:00.000-07:002014-07-31T16:52:28.616-07:00How Will You Create Your Wedding Invitations?There are so many ways for you to create your wedding invitations or other wedding papers such as Save the Dates or ceremony programs. <br />
<ul>
<li>You can order them online and design your items there. </li>
<li>You can also go to one of the many retail locations for invitations and wedding papers and have an in-house designer help you create your invitations or other items.</li>
<li>If you have the DIY talent and desire, you can create these yourself from scratch.</li>
</ul>
How you go about this depends on a few variables. <br />
<br />
<br />
If you are crafty and have the motivation and the time to make your own, this can be very satisfying and rewarding. This direction has personalization and customization written all over it. However if you run screaming when some one mentions crafting and you have nightmares about using a glue gun or a decorative paper punch, this might not be the best way for you.<br />
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<br />
Designing and ordering online has its benefits and its pitfalls. Where you go matters. Customer service, ability to customize and the number of options vary from company to company. You may have to proofread your invitation online and not get to see, touch or feel the quality of the paper in person until your full order arrives. Some online companies will send you samples or proofs via snail mail. However this method is very convenient and usually less expensive than going to a printer who specializes in wedding invitations and wedding papers. There are some really great companies online if you chose this method. <br />
<br />
You can go to a craft store (i.e., Michael's, Joann's, Hobby Lobby) and buy the boxes of pre-made invitations and, using their templates, print your own invitations. This might be for you if you are not looking for something very unique or customized. One drawback here: your at home printer may or may not be able to "process" the paper if it has a raised border or design on it. You may want to buy one box first to be sure your printer can handle the invitation first. Otherwise this seemingly cost effective method might get expensive fast and also it is labor intensive for you to print your own.<br />
<br />
<br />
Going to a wedding invitation designer is frequently more expensive than all of the above methods. But if you are a person who wants to actually touch the different types and thicknesses of the papers, this way might be for you. The designers I know will show you all different types of qualities of papers as well as embellishments and a huge variety of fonts and font colors. The designer will walk you through every step by your side in person. If you appreciative this in person experience, this is the best way for you.<br />
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So think about what best fits you and stay tuned for a few related posts to come.<br />
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Let me know what you think about this post in the comment area below.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3783450510843507533.post-29503816751848593812013-07-24T11:45:00.001-07:002013-07-24T11:45:53.889-07:00Maintain Your Engagement Ring
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Everything worth having in life is worth receiving regular
loving care. This goes for marriages, relationships, your home, your car and
also for your jewelry. I learned the hard and stressful way when I
procrastinated on my engagement ring maintenance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I stepped out of the shower one day in June, I looked
down at my engagement ring as I often do every day. This time the view was shocking
instead of full of lovely memories of my wedding day. I saw empty prongs with a
missing center diamond! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7VNIRSdCBpnDN7URWNzIO2c5GmXm70KsuA5iMvr2NFLg_p3C9gyUjw8v96rTFImIsXYCZUX6PbaS4C3cr-hTdQvncCbLsYV_osTHSuclh0O2hhpunW8fkNOfJ54QxRBrWe6mkyM536Lh/s1600/Broken+ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7VNIRSdCBpnDN7URWNzIO2c5GmXm70KsuA5iMvr2NFLg_p3C9gyUjw8v96rTFImIsXYCZUX6PbaS4C3cr-hTdQvncCbLsYV_osTHSuclh0O2hhpunW8fkNOfJ54QxRBrWe6mkyM536Lh/s320/Broken+ring.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next few minutes were spent saying “No, No, No” and a
frantic search around the tub, the drain and floor of the bathroom. No diamond
in sight. My heart was sinking and my stomach was tightening. I had lost my
diamond from my ring. Needless to say, not much got done for work this day.
After searching all the floors of my home and the dismantling of the shower
drain with no results, I made the dreaded phone call to my husband. With tears
streaming down my face, my husband, being the calm loving man he is, assured me
that we would get it fixed, repaired, whatever it takes. He called our jeweler
and made an appointment for the following Monday to have the broken prongs
looked at. Two of the four prongs had broken off at the top.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The rest of my day was spent scouring the house, the
furniture, our bed, sinks, everywhere for the missing stone. I knew it was
somewhere in the house because I looked at it the previous night before going
to bed. Later when my husband got home from work he went under the house and
cleaned out the P Trap in hopes the stone would be found there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ladies you do not want to have to do this. It
is beyond icky! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still no diamond found! The
only good thing about this ugly activity was I knew then and there that my
husband would do anything for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That night I went through the house one more time with a
bright flashlight and all the lights in the house off….searching the floors and
rugs. As I went through the half bath down the hall with my flashlight, I was
feeling I would never sleep this night. Searching around the back of the toilet
and toilet topper I saw a little glint. Could it be? In the cabinet over the
toilet on the bottom shelf was a small round shiny object: MY
DIAMOND! Yes! Yes! Yes! Happy tears and running through the house yelling “I found it!
I found it!” One of my luckiest and happiest moments!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was lucky that my center stone did not dislodge outside of
my house. Don’t let this potential loss happen to you. Here are some steps to
preventing this very upsetting experience.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Twice a
year inspections</b> - My jeweler warranties the integrity of the ring if you
bring it in for twice a year inspections. Add this to your reminders on your calendar so you do not forget to schedule
this inspection. They will check your ring for wear and tear, for the integrity
of the prongs and to check if the stone is still in the setting properly. At
this same time you can usually get your ring cleaned professionally. It will
sparkle like new!</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regular
cleaning at home</b> – Clean your ring at home monthly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It depends on the type of stone which cleaner
you should use, if any. Ask your jeweler what the proper care is for your stone(s). A toothbrush is a good tool for a
light gentle cleaning under the center stone and around the setting. Very mild dish
soap is what I use. Rinse well.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Remove
when doing yard work or other hand work</b> - Ladies, most of us wear our
diamonds every day not matter what we are doing. We do house cleaning, yard
work, as well as many other things. We risk bumping or harming our engagement
ring during some of these rigorous processes. I know that I always feel weird
without my ring on but I take it off now when doing yard work, scrubbing and
some types of food prep as well. Have the same safe place to put your ring every time
you take it off. When I told one of my friends about my experience, she shared with me that she had lost her center
stone while gardening.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Insurance</b>
– Most homeowner’s or renter’s policies have an extra “rider” you can purchase for jewelry. This
can cover accidentally loss or theft…it depends on the policy. There are also
separate companies who insure just jewelry. I found a really informative
article on TheKnot.com about this subject. I encourage you to read it. </span><a href="http://wedding.theknot.com/getting-engaged/engagement-rings/articles/engagement-ring-insurance-101.aspx?MsdVisit=1"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://wedding.theknot.com/getting-engaged/engagement-rings/articles/engagement-ring-insurance-101.aspx?MsdVisit=1</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hope my experience will end your procrastination to have
your precious ring checked twice a year. See my ring below all fixed.<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmq43Cyddm3DzBYi01l7kGTleaFcZg_R0oNBwaa2G2BmWM-DEPynxhEZoZEHtGy6Y7F1l1TqkERBmjUYUCmY08GA1hlmmxoqlRGjYPbocy1cqHGRJ2lnLfk150UfXmsoFTPC2vh5SAvMnr/s1600/My+repaired+ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmq43Cyddm3DzBYi01l7kGTleaFcZg_R0oNBwaa2G2BmWM-DEPynxhEZoZEHtGy6Y7F1l1TqkERBmjUYUCmY08GA1hlmmxoqlRGjYPbocy1cqHGRJ2lnLfk150UfXmsoFTPC2vh5SAvMnr/s320/My+repaired+ring.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
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Ladies, don’t let my experience happen to you. I found my
stone and was very fortunate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make the
appointment to <strong>maintain your engagement ring so YOU don’t ever lose YOUR bling</strong>.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3783450510843507533.post-57912903019353495212013-07-22T12:54:00.001-07:002013-07-24T11:22:06.353-07:00Getting Married? Attend a wedding show or event.<strong>
</strong><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you are engaged and looking for quality vendors for your
wedding day, consider attending a wedding show or event. The Puget Sound area
has some excellent wedding events to attend and check out local wedding
professionals. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a professional wedding consultant , I will be at </span><a href="http://www.weddingshow.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Seattle Wedding Show</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> coming next year on
January 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and 12<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, 2014. Come by and meet me and other
vendors.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Below are some suggestions for attending any wedding event
to make it a more valuable experience for you:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Go to the show online and pick out your top 5 vendors that
you want to see and consider for your wedding. Write down the booth numbers and
company names. Shows can be overwhelming when there can be 200 vendors or more
at a show. This way you have a plan of who is most important for you to see.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many wedding events have vendor drawings and you
may also want specific vendors to contact you after the day of the show.
Consider pre-printing some labels with your crucial contact information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot tell you how disappointing it is as
a vendor to have a drawing and not be able to decipher the handwriting of the
winner. Your labels should have the info you want to share: Name (Bride/Groom),
phone, email, wedding date, and your mailing address (if you wish). Any office
supply store will have labels you can print at home and then peel off and place
on entry forms or contact forms at the show. Quick and easy for you and easy to
read for the vendor.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You may find the perfect vendor for you at the
wedding show. Go to the show with your checkbook and credit card so you can
book a vendor that day if you wish. A few words of advice: Do not feel
pressured to sign right then and there. Read the entire contract before signing
or making a “deposit” to hold a vendor for your day. Most vendors take a “first
payment” which is frequently non-refundable. I suggest making an appointment
with a desired vendor for the week following the show. This will allow you to
meet and ask questions in a less hectic environment than the show floor. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">An additional way you can improve your wedding
show experience is by considering your comfort. Wear comfortable shoes – you may
be walking the aisles for 2 or more hours. Choose clothing that can be worn in
layers. When the show floor gets crowded it can get quite warm and at the beginning
of the show it can be chilly. Bring a handbag that is not heavy with items already
before the show even starts. Your back and neck will thank you after the show.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do bring information you already have for your
wedding day. A small binder is a great way to have all your info gathered in
one place. You can add the vendors that you meet and like at the show to your
binder for easy locating later. You will be thankful later that you did this
when you don’t have to sort through everything you picked up at the show.</span><br />
<br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Wedding shows and events are fun and sometimes
overwhelming. If you start off prepared, you will enjoy it so much more. </span></strong><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3783450510843507533.post-30981764087924361882012-11-21T13:43:00.000-08:002012-11-21T13:43:09.360-08:00The Wedding Ceremony - When Sarah marries Sam<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So finally Sarah and Sam are engaged. This is an exciting and exhilarating time for a newly engaged couple. It can, however, also be a time filled with concerns and questions about how to plan their wedding ceremony.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let me tell you a little about Sarah and Sam, my fictional couple for this post. Sarah and Sam just got engaged after being together for several years. They both live in and grew up in Washington State. They are very excited to be taking the step of marriage in their relationship. They are both in their middle to late twenties. Sarah is not very religious but Sam grew up going to church. Some of their family and friends are very happy for them. However there are others who do not support their engagement and upcoming marriage. Sarah’s parents were divorced when she was fairly young and her mom has remarried. Sarah is close to both her step Dad and her father. Sam’s parents have been married for almost 30 years. They are uncertain if they can be supportive of Sam’s marriage to Sarah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Sarah and Sam start to think about their wedding day, they have many of the same questions and issues that other couples have. They, as a couple, have never had to consider the aspects of planning a wedding ceremony.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who will walk down the aisle with Sarah or Sam? Will it be Sarah’s Step Dad, her father, or both of them? Sarah now needs to think about what this decision will mean to each of her “dads”. Will Sam walk down the aisle with parents or alone? Maybe Sarah and Sam will each walk down the aisle alone or together and not be “given away”.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Will they have friends and family in their wedding party and if so, how many people? Neither of them wants to alienate any of their friends or family by not choosing one of them. Who will stand up for them and support them? Many they will be unique and have a Man of Honor or a Best Woman.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Which family members will sit in the first few rows at the ceremony? Will Sarah’s Mom sit in the first row with her husband along with Sarah’s Dad or will this a point of contention? Will family or friends who don’t support them decide not to attend at all? Will Sam’s parents come around and be there for them? How will Sarah and Sam feel about this possibility?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Will they write their own vows or go with a more traditional ceremony based on Sam’s religious background? Perhaps Sam’s family, trying to be involved and supportive, will give lots of unsolicited advice about what they should or should not do. How will the couple address this in a strong but loving way so they can have the ceremony that they really want and still be respectful of Sam’s parents?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who will perform their ceremony and marry them since Sarah does not belong to Sam’s church? Will they even be able to marry in Sam’s church or will they need to consider getting married by a non-denominational celebrant at their reception venue instead?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These are a few of the many decisions Sarah and Sam will need to make for their wedding ceremony. Just the same as other couples, they will have some easy and some challenging moments during their wedding planning. They now <u>can</u> plan their wedding ceremony in Washington State and say “I do”. Until now, this was not a legally recognized option for same sex couples. But now, with some family support, love and good wedding planning, all the details will come together on the day that Sarah marries Samantha.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3783450510843507533.post-1315050271123333192012-07-02T16:23:00.000-07:002012-07-02T16:25:19.706-07:00A Mountaintop Wedding<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Last summer in July, one of my bridal couples got married
on the summit of Crystal Mountain. What a unique location to have a ceremony!
The view was beautiful. Below is a link to a video clip from their mountain top ceremony
and reception at the base lodge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="http://vimeo.com/26824377">http://vimeo.com/26824377</a></div>
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This couple was such a pleasure to work with on their wedding
planning. She was very creative in her choices for place cards, centerpieces
and table markers. He was a fun loving man, very in love with his wife to be.
Their video captures their spirit and their love for each other.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A few things that made this wedding interesting and a bit
of a challenge:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There was snow still on the mountain that day in mid
July. In fact that was their last day of skiing that year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Guests rode gondolas to the summit for the ceremony. A
few of the guests were not aware of this beforehand and found this mode of
transportation a little scary. Planning was essential for the logistics of
getting 100 guests up the mountain for the ceremony and down for the reception.
All this and still keeping on the timeline for the day’s events.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Due to mountain weather being unpredictable and able to
change in a moment, this venue has 7 different layers of back up plans
depending on the couples’ preferences. My couple was lucky and it was mostly
clear with a great view of the Cascade mountain range.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The summit is 7012 feet in elevation. Winds and cold are
challenges for the usual wedding wear such a strapless wedding gowns, high
heels and updo hairstyles. Some thought should be given to stable aisle markers
and ceremony décor not only because of the wind but because everything has to
go up and down on the gondola. These things all worked out for my couple but
not without a few challenging moments. They even had a harpist who brought a
full size harp up in the gondola for ceremony music. By the way she had to take
out an extra insurance rider for the harp under these conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I love working this venue even with my fear of heights in
the gondola, the interesting logistics and the multiple back up plans needed
for a successful mountaintop wedding.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3783450510843507533.post-67577551813370049012012-07-01T17:40:00.000-07:002013-09-08T17:33:04.565-07:00How to Be Certain About Your Wedding Choices<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dItNcvudAJmVaJ6JgbtK9dcgxVVbI5Xj7BOdSkL7TAsYg3PQcYgylwuyPv0_3QoPRt26aYvE6AaH8ND2P0M8BUklrylzlSqbiIF6reS1KRRwSdzTNK-GaWRUdXYYo3FY7aIpZ515rAf1/s1600/Confused.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dItNcvudAJmVaJ6JgbtK9dcgxVVbI5Xj7BOdSkL7TAsYg3PQcYgylwuyPv0_3QoPRt26aYvE6AaH8ND2P0M8BUklrylzlSqbiIF6reS1KRRwSdzTNK-GaWRUdXYYo3FY7aIpZ515rAf1/s200/Confused.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Do you find yourself second guessing your every decision? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Are you afraid to pick your wedding day vendors? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Not sure what you really want? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Are others telling you what to choose? </span><br />
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Indecision can hurt you while you are planning your wedding. Being in limbo is very uncomfortable. Some of this is normal and comes from this being a new experience, doing something you have never done before. Planning your wedding is most likely the most expensive “party" you will ever plan. Yes, this can be scary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Here are some suggestions to tame these concerns:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Know that you are not alone.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Feeling nervous about making the "right" decision is normal. Believe that you can do this and if you know you need help, hire a professional to help you plan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Get to the root of your indecision.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Is there a real reason why you are struggling with making a decision about a wedding vendor? If you feel there is a real reason for your inability to choose, get a second reliable opinion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Honor your budget.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Every couple knows deep down what they can afford to spend on their wedding day. From your total budget, spend your dollars on the aspects that mean our most important to both of you. It is tempting to be impulsive and spend on each new thing that catches your attention. Staying within or close to your budget will leave you feeling better about your decisions after the wedding day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Listen to your heart.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> When you are fairly sure it is right, trust yourself and go with the decision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sleep on it.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Give it a day or two. Don’t let others (friends, family or wedding professionals) rush you into a decision. If it is right for you, I believe it will still be there in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Don't be a sheep.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Just because three of your friends did a cake topper or a candy bar at their wedding doesn't mean you have to do so also. Be yourself and only you. Your personalized wedding will mean so much more to you both than chasing every new trend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4Ng8CMdafLnwSpDXLNs4mZLgg8RENmPmhzVCxw0pIIEL2G-62t3riEJVF_NCaH65mqep76EOK1eryRacJGbvRrsheZkGXzdp7OxC80KfTehdbeAOZ6ZryJcJt59rljPIL94CjUcYpD8M/s1600/Happy+Bride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4Ng8CMdafLnwSpDXLNs4mZLgg8RENmPmhzVCxw0pIIEL2G-62t3riEJVF_NCaH65mqep76EOK1eryRacJGbvRrsheZkGXzdp7OxC80KfTehdbeAOZ6ZryJcJt59rljPIL94CjUcYpD8M/s320/Happy+Bride.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Keep a long-term perspective.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Remember that your wedding day is only one day in the rest of your whole married life. At the end of the day, you will be married to your love, your spouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Trust yourself. You made the decision to say “Yes” to the love of your life. The rest is just icing on the cake. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Call me 206-601-6957 or email me <a href="mailto:nancy@simplycelebrations.com"><span style="color: blue;">nancy@simplycelebrations.com</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>if you want some help getting on track. Your “get acquinted” first consultation with me is complimentary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3783450510843507533.post-133850237918588752012-06-27T16:06:00.000-07:002012-06-27T16:06:38.886-07:0010 Questions to ask any wedding vendor<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As a bride or groom, you will
be meeting with several different types of wedding vendors like photographers,
DJs, caterers, etc. It is easy to forget your questions when sitting in front
of a vendor or sometimes it is hard to know what to ask in the first place.
Here are ten general questions to ask any vendor you interview:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span>Are
they available for your wedding date and time?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span>How
long have they been in business<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span>Do
they have a business license?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span>Do
they have liability insurance?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span>Is
the person you are interviewing going to be the person who is there the day of
your wedding?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span>Has
the vendor worked before at your location? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span>What
is included in the price/package?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span>What
is the required deposit and is it refundable?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span>What
are the fees for extra hours?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span>Do
they do more than one wedding a day?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span>What
is their back up plan in case of illness or accident?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">These ten questions will tell
you a lot about a particular vendor. Depending on the answers to these
questions, you will probably think of others to ask. Remember this is an
interview and you are the one offering the financial opportunity.</span><br />
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3783450510843507533.post-4842613512197162442011-12-10T09:31:00.000-08:002011-12-10T09:31:54.114-08:003 best ideas from the creative DIY bride<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of my 2009 brides had a flair for creativity. Not only did she have great craft skills but a motivation to keep within her budget. Her ability to craft many parts of her wedding reception herself saved her money and gave her the chance to make her wedding her own. Here are a few of the great ideas she used:</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LO_Gl78MRGRntdwv_HskMzFW1GZY2IUqKY9NG-bKBdE3ntpfTXks4zCzzWzauU0F_DYPxb0Dq9PNiX2p07wUVqizOS9oPUGrwkut0i7ILYRQkiKzUhjCPJ6ClBrLmyxNGlRCi8unclkT/s1600/Harlan+%2526+Trinity+288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LO_Gl78MRGRntdwv_HskMzFW1GZY2IUqKY9NG-bKBdE3ntpfTXks4zCzzWzauU0F_DYPxb0Dq9PNiX2p07wUVqizOS9oPUGrwkut0i7ILYRQkiKzUhjCPJ6ClBrLmyxNGlRCi8unclkT/s320/Harlan+%2526+Trinity+288.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> <strong>Place cards</strong> – This bride found a template to create place cards with a cut out for a swatch of fabric to show through. Each of her twenty-two tables had a 14” square of unique fabric at the center of the table. The fabric in the place card matched the fabric for those guests’ table. Ingenious!! She also added a handmade table number for each table which was also printed on the place card for that table. See the link to get your template and directions for making these place cards.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" sizcache="0" sizset="85" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/place-seating-card-templates#slide_2">http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/place-seating-card-templates#slide_2</a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">The place cards were then attached with straight pins to a foam core board which was covered with fabric. </span><span style="font-size: small;">As guests came and picked up their place cards, the pins were pushed into color coordinated pin cushions.</span></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqw0vUe0M5gcjxZm3z0nnZ-qF2o9xilWJ4TNXzsWAXJ5DZsG6ACzH6DltWOhNPIu5Mzjxp14SfpqBdbNBc10KBPi0KzqDkmgIe2o4qbWFjhRh_s1zKX8cYsM2vs_TNqc6D6CiZ6oZkXBc/s1600/Harlan+%2526+Trinity+433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqw0vUe0M5gcjxZm3z0nnZ-qF2o9xilWJ4TNXzsWAXJ5DZsG6ACzH6DltWOhNPIu5Mzjxp14SfpqBdbNBc10KBPi0KzqDkmgIe2o4qbWFjhRh_s1zKX8cYsM2vs_TNqc6D6CiZ6oZkXBc/s320/Harlan+%2526+Trinity+433.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Centerpieces</strong> – Many brides will use a square beveled edge mirror for the center of each of their reception tables. So you already know this bride used the twenty-two different fabric squares for each of the guest tables. These served three purposes: 1.) Fabric squares were color coordinated with the guest place cards so each table was unique. These also echoed the wedding colors. 2.) Each served to be the base for the three potted plants that were the floral centerpieces for each table. All the plants, some flowers and some culinary herbs, were potted by the brides and friends before the wedding. The potted plants also served as an additional favor for guests to take home at the end of the night. 3.) The fabric squares were gathered up at the end of the evening and then given to an aunt of the bride. The aunt had promised to make a quilt of all the squares as a gift for the bride and groom, to be displayed in their home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Favors</strong> – These were a square two piece glass picture frame that doubled as a coaster. This bride inserted various pictures of her and the groom into these and tied them up with a ribbon. The picture frames gave the guests a dual use. One as a framed memento of the bride and groom and two, as a coaster which could be used for protecting their own tables at home from water marks. Guests, if they chose to, could switch out the picture later and color coordinate it to their home décor. Extra frames/coasters were available if guest wanted to have a matching set. </span><br />
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</div></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3783450510843507533.post-54355500717956715832011-04-16T13:51:00.000-07:002011-04-16T13:54:27.608-07:00White Dress, “Green” Wedding?<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">It is very cool and chic to be earth friendly these days particularly in the Northwest. What most people do not know is that it can also be very budget-wise to be “green”. Even if “fair trade”, “sustainability” and “carbon neutral” are not in your daily vocabulary, you can benefit from incorporating some of these eco-friendly tips to reuse, renew, and recycle:</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Use rental (reusable) items instead of buying new. There are many local rental companies to supply you with table décor, linens, place card holders, etc. Or if you do buy items for your wedding that can be reused by someone else, there are websites you can list your items on to be bought and used again by another bride. Try <a href="http://www.bravobride.com/c/reception.html">Bravo Bride</a> or <span id="goog_1996606448"></span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/sell?ref=so_sell">Etsy<span id="goog_1996606449"></span></a> for this.</span></div></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsXSgUqmCI0HLuUWTEBpvMkR98AOK93rlEjR1eFrUrYPG-WJIrzmNXZjDy8754egXKeOrUh2Yh-27D8Gdbtl1ohh2fvSdW9qJbyckyr7y1HqqwLjfgGA0ZhkVVCLRCi60lc-UpR1O6nyN/s1600/Heaps+Head+Table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsXSgUqmCI0HLuUWTEBpvMkR98AOK93rlEjR1eFrUrYPG-WJIrzmNXZjDy8754egXKeOrUh2Yh-27D8Gdbtl1ohh2fvSdW9qJbyckyr7y1HqqwLjfgGA0ZhkVVCLRCi60lc-UpR1O6nyN/s200/Heaps+Head+Table.JPG" width="132" /></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Consider asking your floral vendor about which flowers are in season locally at the time of your wedding. Not only will it save you money but you will support local growers and reduce the carbon emissions caused by shipping flowers long distances. Use your altar arrangements twice - once at your ceremony and then have them moved to your reception and use them at your head table or on your buffet. This will save you money and reuse your arrangements. Bridesmaids’ bouquets can be placed in vases along the head table at the reception instead of doing more centerpieces. After your wedding, donate your flowers to a local children's hospital or an assisted living facility. Your flowers will not only be used twice, but will brightened someone else's day. You might even be able to get a tax write off for the donation!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">If you are not attached to saving and preserving your wedding dress, consider cleaning and selling it on <a href="http://www.bravobride.com/">Bravo Bride</a>. <a href="http://www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org/#donategown">Brides against Breast Cancer</a> will also take wedding dress donations. Your bridesmaids can donate their dresses to <a href="http://www.donatemydress.org/">Donate My Dress</a> which benefits young ladies who cannot afford to buy a new prom or homecoming dress. If your bridesmaids love their dresses, they can consider having their dresses shortened to cocktail dress length and reuse their dresses for future events they attend.</span></div></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Try to use local vendors whenever possible to reduce your <a href="http://www.carbonfootprint.com/carbonfootprint.html">carbon footprint</a> caused by shipping items long distance. Supporting local businesses is great for your local economy and almost always costs you less to buy local and in season. Consider doing a carbon offset through a company like <a href="http://www.terrapass.com/wedding/">terra pass</a>.</span></div><ul><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Reuse a family member’s items from their wedding. A grandmother’s embroidered handkerchief can be used to dry your tears of joy or as a stem wrap for your bouquet. Your grandma will love you even more for using it. If your mother’s wedding dress was a classic timeless dress and close to your clothing size, you can have it altered to fit you. This is a lot less money than buying a dress new. This can be your something old or something borrowed!</span></li>
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</div><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Here is a very simple cost effective tip you can utilize at the beginning of your planning. Find a venue that can hold both your ceremony and your reception. You save by paying for only one location for your wedding. Your guests save time and gas (emissions) by not having to drive from the ceremony to the reception. All your flowers can easily be moved from ceremony to reception.</span></div></li>
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</div><ul style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .5in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTqpF6QXP_diUmihjeRtfbT1BJ-DcpbrSOuurWkfiXsf9KaF1oyelFhuz1XNILZ8vvV4KzToav7-VvgcI_yXGNuCJLGH3NOcTB_hyphenhyphenrq4TX-5evlQgAnShu-Pk2JKEA1jIXBer7pVKH34z/s1600/Favor+w+rings+1158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 181px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 289px;"><img border="0" height="212" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTqpF6QXP_diUmihjeRtfbT1BJ-DcpbrSOuurWkfiXsf9KaF1oyelFhuz1XNILZ8vvV4KzToav7-VvgcI_yXGNuCJLGH3NOcTB_hyphenhyphenrq4TX-5evlQgAnShu-Pk2JKEA1jIXBer7pVKH34z/s320/Favor+w+rings+1158.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Give favors that are appealing and can serve a dual purpose. A program printed and made into a paper fan for a late summer outdoor wedding can be the program and a favor all in one and keep your guests cooler. OR consider a plant-able favor<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>like a tree seedling in a mini terracotta pot that makes your guest tables look great and can be planted later and green your guests’ yards. Give favors that are very likely to be used by your guests after the wedding such as cookie cutters with a ribbon matching your wedding colors. </span></li>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">So walk down the aisle in your white wedding gown but think “green” while you plan. </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3783450510843507533.post-33037223491335062992011-03-05T16:29:00.000-08:002011-03-05T16:29:44.024-08:00Get Personal for your Wedding Day.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">One of my bridal couples in 2009 took personalization very personally! This bride and her groom came up with some of the best ideas for making their wedding all their own. Even as a trained wedding planner, I was so impressed with their ideas that I feel compelled to share with other brides. Here are just some of the amazing ways they expressed their individuality on their wedding day:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Reception table personalization</b> – Brides and grooms are always looking for ways to name their tables in a unique way that brings out the couple’s personalities. This bride and groom decided to name their guest tables after pets they had owned during their lives and after states one or both of them had lived in. This may at first glance seem hard to pull altogether, but it really worked. They had tables for a horse, a childhood pet of the bride. There was a table named after their pet cat as well as Washington state and New York state tables. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5naPeajuuomLcrPhmJc62-v6Eqs2zX8aG2AlcgDsunlUofMCvDXWW84Nt_FjdC-gRvLrYplY_NdJXl1TSFrt6XoSNcSsVE0s2xFBRR_oRSZ8gymAqRjzKbkKemw_AniqUnCS7NEJnTU7/s1600/Centerpiece+cake+0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 268px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 180px;"><img border="0" height="200" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5naPeajuuomLcrPhmJc62-v6Eqs2zX8aG2AlcgDsunlUofMCvDXWW84Nt_FjdC-gRvLrYplY_NdJXl1TSFrt6XoSNcSsVE0s2xFBRR_oRSZ8gymAqRjzKbkKemw_AniqUnCS7NEJnTU7/s200/Centerpiece+cake+0019.jpg" width="131" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Menu Cards</b> – Each table had a different menu card even though the menu was the same at each table. One side of the menu card gave the details of the salad, entrees and dessert. The other side of the menu card listed the name of the table, either a state or a pet. Then a short paragraph followed telling a story about the pet or the significance of the state to the couple. Then there was a section about the centerpiece which was a two tiered mini wedding cake. There were instructions to have a designated person at each table to cut the table’s cake right after the couple cut their own cake. Each table had a different flavored cake and guests were encouraged to visit other tables to find their favorite cake slice. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyBKSWp679h1HMvyBWQPBZT0q9_TKdMyOZBuk5OnCEewYgH4bvSLJGbHm0N0cITvPBk3OpdxlbqEvig4-nnXOXFcsLjZyexgKiai_UkKnTN9QTU7Ng7NapqsEcgtepErVS5pw5i1qdgvT/s1600/IMAG0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="400" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyBKSWp679h1HMvyBWQPBZT0q9_TKdMyOZBuk5OnCEewYgH4bvSLJGbHm0N0cITvPBk3OpdxlbqEvig4-nnXOXFcsLjZyexgKiai_UkKnTN9QTU7Ng7NapqsEcgtepErVS5pw5i1qdgvT/s400/IMAG0061.jpg" width="237" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMVZfghIHHXeHi-p8cTAaomO6OBNbWHH8CKBzfPWtyMA1CAGC5mw0FXfWc2uKIQ29Up_GrymV9ggeiM13T0iePVVgpyhWb-aiY9e1b0l5-3CD8BdoboOmRwDLjIoL48XfqopXS_iVje2i/s1600/IMAG0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 432px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 238px;"><img border="0" height="400" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMVZfghIHHXeHi-p8cTAaomO6OBNbWHH8CKBzfPWtyMA1CAGC5mw0FXfWc2uKIQ29Up_GrymV9ggeiM13T0iePVVgpyhWb-aiY9e1b0l5-3CD8BdoboOmRwDLjIoL48XfqopXS_iVje2i/s400/IMAG0060.jpg" width="237" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHLtY4AejRuNlE1GZZYu2h5cK8dcriuTTKYaunmE7-A1M3NuXT16k41XypWzMyVfqZTnAs3k5LTI4Ym-OZilp-OCt29qi6f_S570CGEwFgECpP_4S6ZBeRRqz9m-UC5wcDOamqvI3lWv2/s1600/Favor+w+rings+1158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHLtY4AejRuNlE1GZZYu2h5cK8dcriuTTKYaunmE7-A1M3NuXT16k41XypWzMyVfqZTnAs3k5LTI4Ym-OZilp-OCt29qi6f_S570CGEwFgECpP_4S6ZBeRRqz9m-UC5wcDOamqvI3lWv2/s200/Favor+w+rings+1158.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Favors </b>– Can you guess what the favors were? Think states and pets! Each table had cookie cutters in the shape of that table’s pet or state. How cool is that!! It gets even better when you know that on top of each table’s centerpiece cake was a cookie in that shape with either the state’s abbreviation or the pet’s name. On the head table was the <place w:st="on"><state w:st="on">Washington</state></place> state cookie cutters as favors with a cake topper cookie in the shape of the state and labeled “WA”. Such attention to detail!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD19XAK0jj6EstF1s9llPB99PbFvi0tbN0lYJhSaSOgv0k3QN_zCqacCMMdv8gHZcutN6h-5VKa3QhjcNvM9pryILF5mK4G3NDB-l66DxNKcO9abKlo2uzZjKCQRiYqYx8afda4__x4T-r/s1600/Flowers+from+sister+passed+0881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 227px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 168px;"><img border="0" height="200" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD19XAK0jj6EstF1s9llPB99PbFvi0tbN0lYJhSaSOgv0k3QN_zCqacCMMdv8gHZcutN6h-5VKa3QhjcNvM9pryILF5mK4G3NDB-l66DxNKcO9abKlo2uzZjKCQRiYqYx8afda4__x4T-r/s200/Flowers+from+sister+passed+0881.jpg" width="133" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Flowers</b> – The wedding flowers in general were the picks of the bride and what she loved in her color scheme. One special touch was two free standing arrangements of a specific pink flower which held significance for the groom’s family. A member of the groom’s family had passed away way before her time. The pink floral arrangements were first placed on either side of the ceremony arbor and then moved inside by me to either side of the wedding picture table. This touch meant a great deal to the groom’s fam</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">ily and included in memory a missing family member. Very touching way to honor loved ones who could not be there!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZu3iAwrtuZt-RPs2w9sCkUykspKzlQu7i9e_qmUMjnA4BjeO2BNY8awT0xx2BrClRFuNxsuoEe10SNDb7hV8D0IAJAf2jKyULJeOwYNmGJjbiZcajn1lo2vF_Dge8SAVdm_IRuw1wYiY/s1600/Fam+Wedding+Pictures+Table+0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZu3iAwrtuZt-RPs2w9sCkUykspKzlQu7i9e_qmUMjnA4BjeO2BNY8awT0xx2BrClRFuNxsuoEe10SNDb7hV8D0IAJAf2jKyULJeOwYNmGJjbiZcajn1lo2vF_Dge8SAVdm_IRuw1wYiY/s320/Fam+Wedding+Pictures+Table+0024.jpg" width="320" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wedding picture table</b> – The final idea that I found so wonderful was a table of framed wedding pictures of family, friends and other relatives. The parents of the bride and groom had pictures from their wedding day along with grandparents, aunts, uncles and close family friends. This was done to honor and recognize the many long term marriages that this family had. The pictures were all dated and had the names of the wedding couple pictured. Some pictures dated back to the 1940s. One of the pictures even caught the eye of a random person staying at the same resort where the reception was taking place. This lady told me she recognized a woman in one of the pictures. She gave me the name and I checked my guest list. Unbelievably, this person (not a guest at the wedding) knew this wedding guest from two decades ago. After checking with the named wedding guest, a reunion ensued between the two women. This story still touches my heart.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This couple took their story and their history and artfully incorporated these aspects into their wedding ceremony and reception. Think of special moments in your lives and share these stories with your wedding guests. These memories will create new moments for you as a couple and make lasting impressions on your guests.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3783450510843507533.post-34931986759178293972011-01-24T18:36:00.000-08:002011-01-24T18:36:03.534-08:00Planning tips for you at Bridal 4-1-1 workshops<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 36pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZm6uuPPmc754zYITRbCrCK9ziaNIZwUiV6kGtXCG9W9aIwaeZBVtIZqXN0IyU4jxbEYFww3z-8ejLOaLO4eAV5aaE6VpMWHjorKzYeAoTuyIrIKUgG9a7S-4U-SEWm6G0sP2lM4wnc3MH/s1600/main-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZm6uuPPmc754zYITRbCrCK9ziaNIZwUiV6kGtXCG9W9aIwaeZBVtIZqXN0IyU4jxbEYFww3z-8ejLOaLO4eAV5aaE6VpMWHjorKzYeAoTuyIrIKUgG9a7S-4U-SEWm6G0sP2lM4wnc3MH/s320/main-image.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></i></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Book Antiqua", "serif"; font-size: 36pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Bridal 4-1-1 Workshops</span></i></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe Script", "sans-serif";">Wedding Tips from Professionals</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe Script", "sans-serif";">Planning Advice for your wedding</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe Script", "sans-serif";">Q & A with up to 16 different vendors</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe Script", "sans-serif";">Wedding Checklists, Giveaways, DIY Advice</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">If you are planning your wedding and have questions or concerns, these workshops are for you! Every bride has questions and sometimes no one to ask. Come listen to wedding professionals with answers. The workshops are designed to help you learn to interview potential vendors such as photographers, florists, DJs, wedding planners, officiants, caterers, etc. The workshops will provide you with information to make wedding planning decisions with ease, choose the best wedding dress or wedding flowers for you, and connect you with wedding professionals with DIY solutions.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Each workshop is a series of four 2 hour sessions with up to four wedding vendor presentations each session. Sign up for one session or all four. The first workshops will be held in Tacoma and Seattle/Tukwila starting in March 2011 . Future workshops are planned for Auburn, Gig Harbor, Sumner and other upcoming locations .</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">$10.00 per person for each session through January 31, 2011. Starting February 1, $15.00 per person.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Call 206-601-6957 or email </span></b><a href="mailto:nancy@simplycelebrations.com"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="color: blue;">nancy@simplycelebrations.com</span></span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">For more information and to buy workshops, go to </span></b><a href="http://www.bridal4-1-1workshops.com/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">www.bridal4-1-1workshops.com</span></b></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3783450510843507533.post-19388283122592424252011-01-15T09:25:00.000-08:002011-01-15T09:25:15.770-08:00Find Your Perfect Place for Your Wedding<div class="sf_blog_entry"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Now that you are engaged, you are starting to think about where and when to have your wedding. You have probably already thought about how your dress will look and what colors you like for flowers and bridesmaid dresses. The venue you pick for your ceremony and reception will affect many other decisions. You can determine ahead of time what you want for color scheme and style of wedding and then find a location that FITS what YOU want.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">I suggest you ask yourself a few questions before you decide on a venue:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Do you want to have your ceremony and reception at the same location?</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">How many guests will be coming? </span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Do you want to marry indoors or outdoors?</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">What time of year do you want to marry?</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Once you know these things, you are one step closer to selecting the right venue for you. Maybe you have already searched online to see what venues are available that fit your criteria. Once you have found a few locations that appeal to you, now ask a few more questions</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">What will the venue look like at the time of year you are marrying? Which plants, trees or bushes will be blooming at that time?</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">What is the maximum capacity for the venue?</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">What are the permanent colors in the space such as walls, carpeting, and maybe even the chair colors? Will these go with the colors you want to have or will the colors clash?</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">For reception venues, do they have an exclusive in house caterer or do they allow other outside caterers to use their facility?</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">What is included in the fee to rent the venue? Are tables, chairs, linens or their sound system included? Can you use the whole venue or only certain rooms?</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Do they have a preferred vendor list and do you have to use their chosen vendors?</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Your budget and timing for the day can be affected by all of the above. When you go and look at a few venues, ask lots of questions before signing a contract. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you would like a full check list of questions for selecting a venue, call or email me for a complimentary consultation. I offer many wedding services including researching and recommending vendors to brides.</span></span></span></div><span class="chicklet_group"></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3783450510843507533.post-52124438932810262772010-12-31T07:00:00.000-08:002010-12-31T07:00:33.829-08:00Will you be working on your wedding day?<span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">You have spent your time dreaming about, planning for and spending your hard earned money toward your wedding day. Friends and family have been invited and will attend to see you marry your groom. You have scheduled time off from your job perhaps before and definitely after your wedding day. This is the day you have been waiting for months, maybe even years! Will you still be working on your wedding day?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Maybe you will spend the week leading up to the day worrying, checking every detail, or calling all your vendors to confirm everything. Now your day has arrived and you are too tired or stressed to enjoy it. Getting married should be very fun and enjoyable. After all your efforts and money spent, YOU deserve to be able to celebrate it. Your guests and family want you to spend your day with them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Hiring a bridal consultant who offers a Day of Wedding package could be one of the best decisions you make as your wedding day approaches. Many brides wish they had hired a planner either part way through their wedding day or the week leading up to their day. You don’t have to hire a bridal consultant….most brides can plan their own wedding fairly well. Brides who did hire a day of wedding consultant rarely regret having spent the money for this service.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Here are some of the things you will enjoy from hiring me as your “day of wedding” bridal consultant:</span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">You will get a detailed "Day of" timeline for you and your wedding party. All your vendors like your photographer, caterer, videographer, and DJ will have your timeline and know when different events of the day are happening. (We are all on the same page.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">All your wedding vendors will be contacted by your planner to confirm their arrival/departure time and the details of their service at least a week before your wedding.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Your ceremony rehearsal will go well and any potential issues will be addressed that night. Your ceremony on the day of your wedding will be organized and run for you not by you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">All the little items like the guest book, place cards, ring bearer pillow, and toasting glasses are turned over to the consultant at the ceremony rehearsal not on your wedding day. (Remember - no working on your wedding day!)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Your vendors will be greeted at the ceremony and reception for delivery and set up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any problems that come up will be handled without you needing to worry about it. You can enjoy your day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The corsages and boutonnieres will be pinned on family members and the wedding party. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Your DJ and bridal consultant can work as a team to oversee the schedule throughout the reception so your events happen as planned. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile you can enjoy just being married and celebrating with your new husband, your family and guests.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Final payments will be distributed to your vendors if needed on the day of your wedding. These too can be given to the bridal consultant at the rehearsal. (If you are handing out checks/tips to your vendors, you are working on your wedding day!)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Your set up and breakdown will occur within scheduled venue hours per your contract so you don’t get unexpected charges after your wedding is over. At the end of the night, you will have “left the building” in grand style, perhaps in a limo that showed up on time. Your consultant can make sure clean up happens, all your personal items (guest book, toasting glasses, cake server, wedding gifts) have been returned to a family member. They will keep these safe until returned to you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Just in case someone in your bridal party gets a headache or a blister from their shoes or needs tissues, a bridal consultant provides an emergency wedding day kit. You should see what is in mine: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Band-Aids, straws, mouthwash, hairspray, pain relievers, a pair of black sox, a needle and several colors of thread, tape….ask me what else I bring!</span></div><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 2pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 30.95pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></h3><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Consider being a guest at your own wedding and leave the stress, details, and all the rest to a bridal consultant on your day. The only job you should do is to be a great hostess who has fun and spends time with her guests and family. Let me work on your wedding!</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228129159126185712noreply@blogger.com0