New Jersey Wedding Planner - Lighting Your Reception

Lighting is something a lot of couples overlook when planning their wedding. I don’t know if it’s because they aren’t sure that so many great options exist, or if they just don’t want to add something else to think about on their long list of things to do (but what’s one more thing, right?). However, it’s not something you should be overlooking. Lighting is a great way to improve the mood, ambiance, and atmosphere of your weddings. Today I want to show you what great ways pin spotting can transform a room.

No worries if you don't know what pin spotting is, I certainly didn't before I joined the Pure Ambiance team. Pin spotting is a type of lighting that is set up before your reception starts. It is hung from above and you use the light to focus on one main thing. Perhaps you have gorgeous centerpieces that you want people to immediately be drawn to when they walk in; this would be the perfect time to use pin spotting. Generally anything you want to draw attention to is a great thing to use this type of lighting on. The right lighting will totally transform your reception into anything you want it to. Can you see the difference in a table with pin spotting and one without?













Another great thing you can do with pin spotting is change the color. Not all lights are white. If you want a different feeling than the one plain white offers, go for it! Blues and greens create cooler atmospheres, which are great for winter- or nature-themed weddings. On the other hand reds, yellows and oranges create warmer atmospheres; think of themes like a hot summer night or a sunny spring day.




Pin spotting isn't the only type of lighting that will make over your wedding reception, but I wanted to keep it simple to begin with. Now that you have opened your eyes to a whole new variety of options, the possibilities are endless!


Kaitlyn


Photo Sources:
www.pacificlighting.com
www.bizbash.com
www.flowershopnetwork.com

New Jersey Wedding Planner - Cake Toppers for Everyone

The Team was in a design meeting one day when we came across cake toppers in one of the bridal books we were browsing through, and let me tell you, I was surprisingly amazed. I know that you can get monogrammed cake toppers, but as for the people cake toppers, I was one of those people who thought they only came in the plastic bride and groom statues with one look and no options -- you know the one I'm talking about. I was so wrong. I had no idea what great toppers were out there. You can customize, personalize, and specialize your very own cake toppers to virtually anything you want. There are humorous cake toppers, elegant cake toppers, themed cake toppers, bobble head cake toppers, character cake toppers, outrageous cake toppers, sporting cake toppers.. and all of them are great! Whether you're short, tall, thin, curvy, blonde, brunette, pregnant or not... you can find YOU.

This is a great way to show off a side of you to the guests that you normally wouldn't get to at your wedding. There are also places where you can send in a picture of yourself and they create you as a couple. If you don't want statues on the top, you can go for custom monograms, animals, beloved characters, flowers, trees, or even have a photo of you two engraved. If you want to go crazy with something at your wedding, but don't know what... this is the perfect solution for you!! I'm attaching some photos so you can see just a glimpse of all the great toppers you can choose from.








































All I did was Google "wedding cake toppers" and found a huge selection. Start personalizing your own today. Good luck and go crazy!


Kaitlyn

Photo Sources:
www.caketoppers.com
www.weddingmountain.com
www.weddingaccessories.net
www.weddingcollectibles.com/

New Jersey Wedding Planner - This one’s for the Bridesmaids...

One of the most fun things to do when helping your friend plan her wedding is to throw her a bridal party! It is the job of the Maid of Honor and other Bridesmaids to plan and host this event, from the drinks (if you decide to have any) to the location (bride's house? restaurant?) to the games. You may consult the bride before deciding upon the details, unless of course it's a surprise party. See what kind of party she wants, then get to planning!! Here are a few things to take note of when you are planning:

*Make sure you assign specific tasks to certain members of the bridal party so no one gets confused and things aren't left out. For example, have different girls send out invitations, greet guests as they arrive, order/make the food, etc. TheKnot.com has a great Bridal Shower checklist: http://wedding.theknot.com/bridesmaids-mother-of-the-bride/bridal-shower-ideas/articles/a-bridal-shower-planning-checklist.aspx

*Use name tags so those who don't know each other can talk to one another. If it helps, give each other titles, such as "aunt of the bride to be".

*Since gifts are the major focus of a bridal shower, make sure you're organized. Be sure to have someone record what gifts the bride gets and who it's from.


*Make it fun! Some traditions at bridal showers are: play games, tell funny stories, eat, drink, and be merry! For great entertaining ideas, visit BridalShowersEtc.com: http://bridalshoweretc.com/more_activities_for_your_bridal_shower.php.

If this is all too much for you to handle, just give Pure Ambiance a call and our team will be happy to coordinate everything for you!

Have fun,

Kaitlyn


Photo Sources:
www.yumsugar.com
www.forbridalshowers.com

New Jersey Wedding Planner - Spring has sprung!

Happy Springtime to everyone!! ;o) Spring is one of my favorite seasons, and I'm so happy the weather is starting to get nicer. I was driving around today (windows open, sun shining inside.. aahh amazing!), and as the warm air was blowing in my face, I started thinking about all the different things you can do for springtime weddings. Then I saw a guy walking down the sidewalk in madras print shorts. I happen to love madras! On clothes, in patterns, just everywhere! Wouldn't it be a great idea to incorporate madras in weddings? I think that would be adorable! For those of you who don't know, madras is the multicolor, plaid pattern you see with lots of bright colors. The pattern has perfect colors that represent springtime. And you could use madras in many different ways: as your color scheme, in decor, as your bridesmaids dresses, as your linens; anywhere creative you can think! I've found a couple of samples of madras (below) so you can start thinking about all the great ways to use this pattern. Go crazy and have fun!


Kaitlyn

New Jersey Wedding Planner - All for you - Pure Ambiance has a new look!

It's been in the making for a while now, but our new site is finally up and running and I couldn't be more excited!! Some cool features to look out for are:

-Our "Live Chat" feature - We will be able to chat with you, when we're available, right then and there to answer all of your important questions. We haven't come across another planning company that offers such an accommodating service for Brides, so enjoy!

-Our FREE "MUST HAVE tips and e-newletters" - Don't miss out on FREE useful information to keep you on the right track, from the experts at Pure Ambiance.

-Our new streamlined Gallery - Shows key photos from each featured wedding, all on one screen versus flipping through pages of photos.

-Our revised packages - We have streamlined our packages to be able to offer you the best services in a more simplified, easy to understand version.

There are many other cool features, so be sure to check out the new site and sign up for your FREE e-newsletters! Don't forget to Contact Us to schedule your complimentary "Get Acquainted Consultation!"

We look forward to helping you plan the wedding of your dreams!!

xoxo,
Kisha

New Jersey Wedding Planner - Bring out the kid in you!

A lot of couples struggle with the same issue: Should we or shouldn’t we invite children to our wedding? The choice is up to you. If you prefer to have an adult only wedding, that's perfectly fine; after all, it is your wedding. If you decide to go with inviting children, that's acceptable as well. It all depends on your personal preference. If you do decide on the latter, here are some great ideas you could use at your wedding to keep the kids entertained:



1. Have a magician or a clown. The adults are getting entertainment, why not the children? This is a great way to keep the children occupied while allowing them to have a fun time as well.

2. Have a special candy/treats table for the children. Include all of your favorite snacks from when you were a child; perhaps gummy bears, fun dip, cotton candy, ice cream sandwiches, etc.

3. Have an arts and crafts table. Include coloring books, play doh, painting stations, sand art -- anything you think that will help the children have a great time.



4. Include them out on the dance floor. Perhaps have a children's dance and invite them out on the floor.

5. If you are having a reception outside, perhaps have a special outdoor area aimed towards the children. You can include jump rope, bubbles, side walk chalk, baseball, kickball, or other outdoor activities they could play.

6. If you are having an indoor reception, it may be a good idea to have a specific room geared for the children. You can talk with the owners to see if they offer any such rooms. Perhaps even consider hiring a babysitter to watch the children while the adults are celebrating at the reception. The room could be equipped with games and toys such as board games, legos, pin the tail on the donkey, etc.

The goal is to make sure both the adults and children are having an equally fun time! And who knows, maybe these ideas will inspire you to bring out the kid in you! ;o)

Happy planning,

Kaitlyn


Photo Sources:
www.weddingbeepro.com
www.tucsonweddingsite.com

New Jersey Wedding Planner - Act fast to save on your couture wedding gown

Still looking for that perfect wedding gown?! Check out the Reem Acra trunk show at Exquisite Bride in Millburn, NJ. You'll get 10% off between today and March 7th! Reem Acra has AMAZING couture gowns... I'm was a "Reem Acra Bride" and can tell you that you will not be disappointed!! Check out Exquisite Bride's site for more info!

Kisha