New Jersey Wedding Planner - Looking Cool, Feeling Cool

Ah, the summer months are upon us. This calls for celebrations – beach trips, pool parties, BBQ weekends.. and weddings!! As we all know, summer is one of the most popular seasons for weddings. And for good reason: the weather is warm, the sun is shining, flowers have bloomed.. everything is just brighter, you might even say happier. But what happens when the lovely summer atmosphere turns into that gross, humid, sweat-rolling-down-the-back-of-your-neck air? Some people don’t like sitting for 4 hours in the sweltering sun, it can be draining and uncomfortable. However, you don’t want to compromise that perfect spot outside by the lake that you and your partner are destined to be married at. Guess what? You don’t need to. You just need to figure out the best way for you and your guests to stay cool. Here are some ideas:


1. Provide hand fans (or parasols) for everyone. This not only serves as instant air conditioning (or shade), but also as a favor for your guests. You can really get creative with this idea.


2. Set up a cool down area. If a significant amount of your wedding is outside, make sure you provide guests with a shady area to escape the sun and cold beverages to cool off with. You can even consider offering an ice cream station or adding a misting area.


3. Buy or rent fans for indoor areas. Some churches and venues don’t have AC, so you’ll have to make your own. Get a few big (but silent!) fans and spread them around your ceremony to make sure no one suffers from heat exhaustion (this idea could work for outdoor areas as well).


4. Think about the time of day. Obviously, a summer afternoon will be much hotter than a summer night. Maybe you can change your ceremony time from high noon to summer sunset at 8.


These easy, thoughtful ways to keep your guests cool will make the two of you even more of a reason to celebrate. Consideration for other people goes a LONG way, and trust me, your guests will be extremely grateful!



Stay cool. =)

Kaitlyn


Photo Sources:
www.amarieweddings.com
www.serendipstjohn.com
www.culinarycrafts.com
www.herecomestheguide.com

New Jersey Wedding Planner - Cocktail-style Wedding

We had a fabulous wedding on Friday, May 7th!! It was the wedding of Yvette and Steve, who were the winners of our "Dream No More Wedding Giveaway" sweepstakes from Entourage Effortless Events this past November. Everything was so magical; from the wonderful couple to the stylish lounge, to the gorgeous lighting; everything was amazing!! We had such a great time.

One thing that Yvette and Steve decided to do for their wedding is have a cocktail-style wedding reception. This is a more informal way of hosting -- where there are more guests than there are seats. The tables used were a mix of high boys and regular sized reception tables. There were no assigned seats, so guests were free to roam around wherever and whenever. That is usually the point of a cocktail style, to make sure guests are up and dancing. It's just another style to consider when you are planning your wedding ;o)

We know Yvette and Steve had as much fun as we did and we look forward to keeping in touch with this fantastic couple!


Kaitlyn

New Jersey Wedding Planner - Be a Great Wedding Guest

I've been blogging a lot about what brides and couples should do to prepare for their wedding day, but what about the guests? If you're a guest to a wedding, you're going to need a few guidelines, even if you have attended weddings before. Here are some tips on what you absolutely should not do as a guest at a wedding (no one wants ANY type of “zilla” at a wedding!). Some of these may seem obvious, but trust us.. they need to be said and more importantly followed!!



1. Don’t ask to be part of the wedding party if the bride or groom doesn’t ask you. There’s a reason

2. Unless it’s absolutely unavoidable and excusable, don’t skip the ceremony and go straight to the reception. It’s not only rude but disrespectful to the wedding couple.



3. Don’t bring your children or other family members whose names are not explicitly included on the invitation.

4. Don’t wear white, unless it clearly says that’s what the couple wants (ie, some couples ask all guests to wear white, but that only happens occasionally).


5. Don’t, under any circumstances, arrive late to the ceremony. It’s extremely inconsiderate to interrupt the ceremony, so give yourself ample time to get to the venue. Allot time for traffic, lights, stops; anything that might set you back.

6. Don’t cause a scene anywhere. This includes fighting and drinking too much liquor.

7. Don't assume you can invite a date (unless it says +1). Nowadays especially, people are trying to cut their budget costs, and adding an uninvited guest is impolite and more costly for the wedding couple. There’s a reason only your name is on the list.


It's very important to follow these rules, because in doing so you are showing the newlyweds your gratitude, appreciation, and respect for them. No matter how close you may be to the wedding couple, there are no excuses to breaking these rules. Don’t assume you’ll be able to get away with it, because chances are, you won’t. A bride, especially, will remember who let her down on her wedding day.

They aren't too tough to follow, so I know you guys will have no problem being great guests! Remember to have as much fun as possible!! =)


Kaitlyn


Photo Sources:
patrickcox.wordpress.com
swsmag.net
www.faqs.org
canongateoccasions.com