Free Photos for a Good Cause

Photographer Ezra Ayala (http://www.ezramarcos.com) is doing something wonderful on Sunday!  He's offering free 15 minute photo shoots in exchange for a donation to help the people of Haiti. Here are the details from his blog:

So this is the deal. From 10am until it gets too dark, on Sunday, January the 24th, I'm booking 15 minute photo sessions in front of Anomaly (1021 Park Street - 5 Points). No appointment needed...I'm taking walk-ins! All you have to do is write a check to the Yele Foundation or UNICEF (any amount...just give!)...I'll have stamped envelopes already addressed to Yele or UNICEF...we'll put the check in the envelopes...and then give you the envelope...yes, we're using the honor system...you'll be responsible for mailing the check! During that process, we'll get your contact info so that we can deliver your images! Pets are welcomed!

Tuesday Tips: Getting Moms Involved

We are often asked how to include both your mom and your future mother-in-law in your wedding plans.  Here are some fun and easy tips:

• If both moms live close by, or will be in town at the same time, plan a girls' shopping day.  Have lunch at a nice bistro, then shop for both moms' wedding attire.
• Include both in wedding plans by asking if there are cultural or family traditions that should be added to the ceremony or reception
• Ask your mom for "something old" and his mom for "something borrowed" for the wedding day.  This is another great way to include family heirlooms!

Tuesday Tips: Flooring 101

One often-overlooked wedding item is flooring.  Whether you need to rent a dance floor or build an entire "room" using a tent, here are some things to think about:

• If you are putting a dance floor on grass or another uneven surface, you will need a plywood sub-floor underneath it.  Be sure to ask your rental company to include this in their quote, because it will affect your price!
• If you are laying a dance floor on a smooth, uneven surface (such as stone), you may need carpet underneath to keep it from moving around.
• Tent flooring can make any surface level! Work closely with your rental or event design company to design a space that works for you.
• Ask you venue about any special requirements well in advance, preferably before signing a contract.

Bridal Show Tips

It's here: Bridal Show Season. If you are newly engaged, bridal shows can be a great way to start your planning!  Not only can you see great new ideas and hot trends, you can meet with 80-100 wedding professionals in one location.  There are two major bridal shows in North Florida this month, and a FABULOUS show in February.  Okay, I'm a little biased, because I co-produce the February show!

Here are some tips for attending any wedding show:

• Pre-register if you can.  Often, there will be a discounted admission if you register online, plus you can skip the hassle when you arrive.  Registering will qualify you for some awesome prizes at the show!
• Have pre-printed labels with your name, address, email, phone number, and wedding date.
• Bring your schedule (calendar, Blackberry, iPhone) with you - you may want to schedule meetings with vendors right away!
• Don't be afraid to ask questions!  The pros you meet do weddings all the time, but they know that this is you're a novice.  There are no dumb questions.
• Wear comfortable shoes.  You will do quite a bit of walking and be on your feet for 2-3 hours.
• Grooms can have fun too!  Most shows have a wide variety of food and cakes to sample.

The Wedding Party will be at the Ultimate Bridal Fantasy on Sunday, January 17th and at Jacksonville Bridal Connection on Sunday, February 21st.  Drop by for complimentary tickets to both show!

Tuesday Tips: Setting The Date

So you're engaged.  Now what?!

Your first instinct may be to pick a date.  It's not a bad place to start, but there are lots of factors that can affect that date.

Some couples have a special date that is significant to their relationship, and nothing is more important than that date. These couples may need to be a little more flexible on location, budget, or guest list.  For others, they simply must have 350 people on their guest list - here in Jacksonville, that means that their venue options are a bit limited.  If an oceanfront wedding is most important, the couple may want to think about a Friday or Sunday wedding if they choose a popular venue.

So where do you start?  Try setting your priorities by numbering these items from 1 (most important) to 10 (least important):

• Time of year / day of week
• Officiant or ceremony location
• Guest list emphasis – family or friends
• Food and drink
• Music
• Reception location
• Attire
• Flowers and décor
• Photography and videography)
• Other

Once you have a list of your priorities, you can look at your budget and decide how much to spend in each area based on its rank.

Farewell, 2009

It's been an amazing year here at First Coast Weddings and Events.  As we say farewell to 2009, here is a look back at a few of our amazing brides and grooms that were married this year.

Photography credits, clockwise from top left: Agnes Lopez Photography, Photography by Nikki, La Dolce Vita Studio, Photography By Nikki, Kris Graham Photography

Lessons From Emily Post

"Nothing is less important than which fork you use. Etiquette is the science of living. It embraces everything. It is ethics. It is honor." - Emily Post

For Christmas, I received not one, but six copies of Emily Post's Etiquette.  The six editions range from 1940 to 1965, and surprisingly didn't change all that much during those years. Here are a few highlights from the 1940 edition:

Manners for Motorists: Drink and Driving

"It is unnecessary to emphasize the menace of the drunken driver; certainly there is nothing to be said in his defense, nor can anyone want him to escape the full penalty of the law."

New Aspect of Hospitality: An Obligation to the Servants

"The kitchen should be returned to its rightful tenant, the cook, in just as good order as it was turned over to the family when she went out.  The same is true of the pantry and even the dining room."

The Day of the Wedding: The Wedding Dress

"It is always proper for a bride to wear a white dress and veil, no matter in what season of the year the wedding is held.  It may be of any white material, satin, brocade, velvet. chiffon, or entirely of lace.  It may be embroidered with pearls, crystals or silver; or it may be as plain as a slip-cover.  It may be anything in fact that the bride fancies, and may be made in whatever fashion or period she chooses."

I'll be featuring random passages occasionally on the blog - if there are any topics of interest to you, please post a comment!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Our office will be closed from December 24th until December 28th, so we'd like to take a moment to wish you a safe and happy holiday.

Spotlight: Apron's Cooking School

Too often, I hear about couples that let wedding planning overwhelm their lives.  I've mentioned it on the blog before, but I have a quote on my office wall that says, "Now and then, it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy." (quote by Guillaume Apollinaire)

What better way to spend time together as a couple than cooking!  Here in Jacksonville, we are lucky enough to have an Apron's Cooking School at the Publix at San Jose and I-295.  You might think "cooking school" sounds boring, but these chefs are anything but.  From the Publix website:

Whether you're a brand-new beginner or an experienced cook wanting to expand your repertoire, we have classes that you'll find entertaining and informative. Renowned chefs, authors, cooking celebrities and restaurant chefs make the culinary arts accessible and fun. Some classes focus on certain cuisines or cooking techniques, others center on topics such as desserts or holidays. We also offer deliciously entertaining gourmet food and wine tastings, and cooking classes just for kids and teens.

Some examples of classes coming up in January are:

• Couples Cooking: New Year's Lifestyle
• Brazilian Steakhouse
• Wines of Monterey
• Date Night Pizza
• Havana Nights

Some classes are demonstration-style, where you watch the chefs prepare food for you to sample, while other classes are hands-on.  Most classes include wine pairings and 3-5 courses (appetizer, soup/salad, entree, dessert).

Our local chapter of the National Association of Catering Executives has had several luncheon meetings at Apron's, and the food is always amazing!  So next time you are looking for a fun date night, check out the Publix website.

A Touch of Teal

The city of Jacksonville will be bathed in teal tonight as our Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Indianapolis Colts.  And since I have teal on the brain, I thought I would share some pretty inspiration boards from around the web:

From Snippet and Ink

From Lucky In Love Wedding Blog

GO JAGUARS!

Spotlight: Loft 9

This post is a shameless plug for two of my favorite people: Kimtasha Armstrong and Casey Powell. These two lovely ladies are always my first two calls when a bride is looking for a hair stylist and a makeup artist.  They show up on time and make our brides look AMAZING - and they were both just named to Jacksonville Magazine's Best of 2009.

Even more exciting is that these incredible ladies now share a studio space - Loft 9 in San Marco.  If you haven't seen The Lofts San Marco, it's the former South Jacksonville Grammar School built in 1916.  The building is gorgeous, and it's event list on the National Register of Historic Places.  The large windows let in tons of light, perfect for a salon! (Of course, I'm even more excited because Casey happens to be my personal hair stylist as well as a great wedding industry friend!)

One of our beautiful brides, Lauren, made even more stunning by Casey and Kimtasha!

photo by Agnes Lopez

I Now Pronounce You...

This video is good for a chuckle!

Peggy Post: Wedding Etiquette

Heather and I recently attended the Association of Bridal Consultants’ annual conference in Indianapolis.  We met a lot of great people, and attended some very informative classes.  One of the highlights of the conference for me was meeting Peggy Post. That’s right, Peggy Post, the great-granddaughter-in-law of Emily Post – etiquette guru!

I attended two of Peggy’s sessions at the conference, and learned some really interesting things about etiquette and how it changes between cultures and over time.

One thing that really stuck out to me was that the giving of a thank you gift can differ between cultures.  The type of gift, when to give it, when to open it, and the appropriate way to reciprocate the gift can all vary depending on the culture.  For instance, be cautious if giving flowers as a gift.  Different colors or types of flowers have various meanings depending on the culture;  some even symbolizing death.  What I found even more interesting (and not surprising) is that chocolates are the universal thank you.

My favorite part of Peggy’s presentation, (besides her calling wedding coordinators saints) was her showing how the principles of etiquette have changed over time.

In 1922: A bride-to-be could not accept apparel, a house, or a car from her fiancé. A wedding in the evening would never take place in New York. A sit-down breakfast reception was the norm. Southern weddings took place in the evenings (because the weather was typically cooler).

In 1980: Female guests should never wear white or black to a wedding. A woman who is re-marrying should never wear white. A bridal gift registry could only consist of crystal, silver, china, and linen – that’s all! The bridal party could only consist of men standing with the groom and women standing with the bride.

Now in 2009, we have honor attendants or even pets as participants in the bridal party.  It is acceptable for female guests to wear black; sometimes even the bridesmaids' dresses are black.  And bridal registries often consist of just about any household item, even camping gear and flat screen TVs.  Not to mention the option of having a honeymoon registry, or requests for charity donations in lieu of gifts.

I also found it interesting that the one rule of etiquette that has not changed in over 80 years is the sending of a hand written thank you note after receiving a gift.

How do you think the rules of etiquette will change over the next 20 years?  Will evites be acceptable as wedding invitations?  Will social or eco-responsibility be more of a rule instead of an option?

Reminder: Peek Romance Photography Giveaway!

One week from today, we will be announcing  the winner of Peek Romance Photography giveaway!  Check out the post about the contest here: http://www.firstcoastweddings.com/wordpress/2009/11/were-back-with-prizes/

We've had some great entries but it's not too late!  Get your entry in soon.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

We're working on some changes to our blog!  Please excuse the dust as we tweak our new design.

Jennifer & Karl (09.26.09) - Part 2

We just saw the adorable video highlights from Jennifer and Karl's wedding at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort and Spa!  Thanks so much to Together Studios! Click the photo below to view the video:

Getting Ready For Indy

Melanie and I are getting ready to attend the annual Association of Bridal Consultants' International Conference, and we are so excited!  I've always been a believer in continuing education and feel that our clients benefit greatly.  Next week, we'll be learning from keynote speakers Sylvia Weinstock ("The Leonardo Da Vinci of Cakes") and Peggy Post (THE wedding etiquette expert), as well as two of the industry's top pros, Rebecca Grinnals and Frank Andonoplas. Each breakfast, lunch and evening event is themed, with events at the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the famous members-only Columbia Club.

We're sure to come back with notebooks and Blackberries and cameras full of great ideas!  I'm looking forward to telling you all about it when we return.

(Please note, our office will be closed Saturday, November 7th through Wednesday, November 11th)

Love Notes: Lindsay and Erik

I love getting mail, especially when it is a comment card from a wedding!  I received this lovely feedback from the mother of the bride following Lindsay and Erik's October 10th wedding:

Coordinating plans between Chicago and Jacksonville really required anticipatory guidance, etiquette guidelines, advice and recommendations to keep us on course. Heather did a FANTASTIC job! The best help was the wedding day - we could leave everything to her and her assistant Emma.  I didn't relax until then.  I will highly recommend her.

Heather responded promptly and professionally to all our phone calls and emails.  She was pleasant, calm, and helpful, and very accommodating  My daughter and I are very detail oriented and Heather was knowledgeable about all the specifics during our discussions.  That was very reassuring!

Celeste and Michael (10.24.09)

I have to preface this post by saying I did not coordinate this wedding.  I was instructed to be a guest, and I tried my hardest!  Celeste is my oldest cousin, and couldn't have been happier that she chose our hometown of Orlando for her wedding.  But when she announced it would be at Walt Disney World, it was even better! Mike and Celeste both have a long history with the mouse, and since they were engaged at Disneyland it was only fitting that they say "I Do" at Disney's Wedding Pavilion.  After a perfect ceremony with the Florida sun gleaming off Cinderella's Castle, we boarded buses to the reception at EPCOT.

Cocktail hour was hosted at Italy's Isola, a small island overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon.  The view at sunset was beautiful!  And what entertainment - pop sensation Taylor Dane was performing next door.

We were escorted in to the American Adventure Rotunda for a scrumptious Southern-inspired dinner of pork medallions, mashed sweet potatoes, and green beans.  Celeste and Michael had chosen an orange theme (the fruit, not the color) - each table was named with an orange-crate label, and the centerpieces were stunning glass vases filled with sliced oranges.  Each lady received an orange pashmina on the back of her chair - which would come in handy shortly.  Mickey, the "Mouse of Honor," even made an appearance and posed for photos with the guests.

After dinner, we went back outside to Isola for dessert - and to watch the Illuminations fireworks/laser show!  What an amazing ending to the evening.

But the highlight for me was the incredible "first dance."  You see, Michael has a broken foot.  So since he wasn't able to "dance," the newlyweds came up with a great alternative:

(I'll probably get in trouble for posting this, but hey, that's what family is for)

New Spotlight Gallery!

Be sure to visit our Spotlight photo gallery on our website!  We have just uploaded some gorgeous photos from Jennifer and Karl's September 26th wedding, courtesy of Oeil Photography.