Guest Post: Bridal Party Jewels

This post was written by one of our fabulous former clients, Ashley McCormick Travers.  Now Ashley works for Stella and Dot, and she was excited to share some of the latest looks with our readers. Brides are longing for that fun, creative statement to differentiate their wedding… Stella and Dot makes that happen.  As a First Coast Weddings client I was married to the cookie-cutter look and making sure my girls matched everything head to toe.   Fast forward three years and today I am in love with the mis-matched accessory look – changing up the jewelry and shoes amongst the bridal party.

As a Stella and Dot stylist I have TONS of fun styling brides, bridesmaids, flower girls, mothers of the bride and guests! And not only on the wedding day but showers, rehearsals and honeymoons too!  Our new vintage chic, on-trend looks for spring can quickly style the bridal party in affordable couture pieces they will surely work  with jeans, at the office or with a simple LBD.  Although so many brides’ wedding rings are white gold or platinum, everyone is wardrobing with gold baubles.  It’s the hottest look for 2011!

The Charlotte Charm necklace is under $50.  What I love most is the charms are removable, so I’ve seen each bridesmaid pick her favorite charm and each has a different look.  This also looks great layered with pearls and gold chains.

The Sofia Pearl Bib is my all time fave and biggest selling statement necklace hands down!  Stunning on the big day and perfect with jeans and a tank.

Great gift ideas are the initial charms and birthstone briolette charms.  A friend of mine just did the Glint flower necklace (stud set above) and stud earrings for all her bridesmaids.  A pulled together look in sterling silver for under $80 per girl.

The mini-soiree necklace with matching bracelet is ideal for the Flower girl.

Contact Ashley, your personal stylist, and let her work with you to create the look you want for any occasion.  Want to style your life? Become a stylist. Shop at her eboutique:  www.stelladot.com/ashleytravers

Farewell, 2010!

2010 has been an exciting year at First Coast Weddings and Events!

We had some amazing weddings at the top venues in the area - The Lodge and Club, TPC Sawgrass, and the  Omni Hotel Jacksonville just to name a few.  We've also had some great weddings in the surrounding areas - Amelia Island, Jekyll Island, and St. Augustine.

Our little home at The Wedding Party has continued to grow, this year expanding by 50%!  We've had a lot of fun with our bridal open houses and our vendor get-togethers, and we look forward to more in 2011.

And last but not least, we've had some changes in our personal lives.  Melanie and Emma both had babies this year!  We're excited to start training baby Madison and baby Noah as flower girl and ring bearer as soon as they can walk.  On a sad but happy note, Lauren moved to Hawaii where her love Ryan is stationed in the Navy.  While we miss her terribly, we know she is having a blast settling in to her new surroundings.

So what will 2011 bring?  Only time will tell...

Our New Website Is Live!

We still have a few minor adjustments to make, but our new website is up and ready to receive visitors just in time for the holidays.  Feel free to email us at info@firstcoastweddings.com if you see any issues with the new site!

Under Construction!

No, we're not remodeling our office again. But, starting Friday, we'll be making some changes to our blog.  So over the next week or so, we apologize if you come looking for us and we're not here.  Rest assured, we'll be back and better than ever really soon!  Be sure to visit our Facebook page in the meantime!

Royal Engagement Photos - Theirs and Yours!

Unless you live under a rock, you know that Prince William and his soon-to-be bride posed for their first official engagement portraits recently.  And, as expected, they look amazing!  So how can you get awesome engagement photos without the celebrity photographer?

• Choose a photographer that you get along with.  If you feel relaxed, you will be relaxed in your photos!
• Be yourself.  Don't were ridiculous outfits that have nothing to do with your personalities.  If you are jeans and t-shirt people, by all means wear jeans and t-shirts!
• Along the same lines, think about having a theme for your session.  If you love a certain area of town, a tv show, or have an interesting hobby, why not incorporate this into your shoot?
• Bring a few changes of clothes so that you have some variety to your  photos; just remember that patterns aren't great in photos.  Also remember to bring touch-up makeup, especially lipstick!
• Rely on your professional photographer to get fun and unique shots.  Don't be afraid to do something crazy - it might just be your favorite shot!

Pantone's Color Of The Year 2011

It's official - Pantone has released their 2011 Color of the Year:

Is anyone thinking of changing their wedding (or business) colors to add in this new choice?  2010's color of the year, Turquoise, will always be OUR color of the year!!

It's A Boy!

We're thrilled to announce the second new addition to the First Coast Weddings family this year! Emma and her husband Drew welcomed baby Noah into their hearts last night, and mom and baby are doing great. When Emma first joined our team, she was a recent college graduate. I've gotten to watch her go from dating to engaged to married, and now to mommy. I've also seen her blossom into a top-notch event planner.

I'm so excited to watch her embark on this new chapter in her life... Watch our Facebook page for photos soon!

Virtual Tour of The Wedding Party

For those of you that aren't in Jacksonville, or haven't stopped by to say hi yet, I thought I would share a virtual tour of The Wedding Party.  We are a collection of wedding professionals (some of the best in the business, if I do say so myself), that all share office space. There are other folks out there trying to copy the idea, but they are mostly advertising outlets.  Vendors pay a monthly fee to have their marketing materials on display.  What sets us apart is the actual offices.  We are (for the most part) all here all day, all week.  If a bride walks in, she can easily meet with any of us during normal business hours.  Or, if a bride comes in to meet with our photographer, she might decide she wants to check out our videographer or cake baker while she's here.  It's really great for the clients!

Take a look around - either virtually or in person!

K & L (10.23.10)

I love commitment ceremonies.  Or same-sex weddings.  Or whatever term you want to designate, since we aren't lucky enough to live in state that recognizes them as "marriage."  When today's featured bride came in for her first meeting, she was clear.  This would be a "wedding," and would be treated as such.  We put together an amazing team of wedding professionals, including: Venue:  The Lodge and Club at Ponte Vedra Beach Florist:  Liz Stewart Floral Designs DJ: Y? Entertainment Photography: Kris Graham Photography Videography: In Motion Video Productions Ceremony Music: Magnolia String Quartet Cake: Classic Cakes Linens: Connie Duglin Chairs: Flaire Event Rentals

It was truly a beautiful day!  The weather cooperated, as did the "ring bearer" - the brides' Boston Terrier, Berringer.  Thanks for letting us share your wedding day with you!

Love Notes: K & L

We got the sweetest comments from our 10.23.10 couple!  We'll be sharing some images from this beautiful wedding soon.

"From start to finish, our experience with FCWE was effortless. Vendor selection was made very easy as Heather minded our style, budget and personality. I only now realize how much effort goes into coordintating such a day - the team performed their activities in the background and yet somehow managed to get every detail just right. We are grateful for the talent, experience, professionalism, and heart of Heather and her team."

Megan & Vivek - Video Highlights

We always love seeing the photos and videos from our weddings, and sharing them! Megan and Vivek were married on September 25th at the Omni Hotel Jacksonville. Here's a sneak peak of their video:

Megan and Vivek's Preview Video from In Motion Video Productions on Vimeo.

Wedding Trends: How Do You Keep Up?

I had a great question from a bride last night at The Wedding Party's "Fully Engaged" event - "How do you keep up with all the new trends?"  And my answer was simple: a lot of the same ways you do!

• Magazines: In fact, I have the latest issue of Weddings Unveiled sitting next to my computer as I'm typing this.  Hopefully I'll get to read through it one of these days!  In addition to bridal magazines, I also read lots of industry publications regarding special events, catering, etc.
• Blogs: I have over 200 blog subscriptions in Google Reader right now.  Does that mean I read every one, every day?  No.  But I love reading the headlines, scanning the photos, and if something really catches my eye I'll read it in more detail.  Not all of them are wedding-related either; some are about interior design, some are about fashion, some are about running a business.  You never know where inspiration will strike!
• Conferences and Trade Shows: This one is more unique to industry pros, although you may find ideas at your local bridal show.  Personally, I attend at least two conferences a year, where I can see over-the-top decor ideas, learn about new products, and talk to other event planners from around the country.

But the real answer to the question is this:  We don't keep up with the trends, we create them.

Most wedding magazines are published only two to four times a year.  That means that the weddings in the current issues may be over a year old already.  Which means the details that went into that wedding were planned for at least a year before that.

I keep hearing about trends like "feathers" and "monograms" and all sorts of other wonderful ideas - but we have been using those ideas for several years now.  As an example, check my post about Kimberly and Victor's March 2008 wedding using these "trends."

Re-creating something in a magazine is great, but ask your event designer, florist or planner about creating a look that is uniquely "you!"

Love Notes: Megan & Vivek

I just got a super-sweet note from our September 25, 2010 bride Megan:

"I thought Heather did an amazing job! She found the best people for my wedding and made sure if ran very smoothly.  I could not have done it without her.  I'm so grateful I found her.  Thank you for making my days so amazing, beautiful and special.

I especially recommend her since I was planning a destination wedding.  Excellent job!"

This photo is from Megan and Vivek's engagement session - to see more, check the La Dolce Vita Studio's blog.  More wedding details will be posted soon!

Wish Upon A Wedding Auction

First Coast Weddings is proud to be part of The Wedding Party's donation to the Wish Upon A Wedding auction!  Wish Upon a Wedding is the world’s first nonprofit wish granting organization providing weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances regardless of sexual orientation.  Our organization offers couples a chance to enjoy a very special day, without any thoughts of existing health or other serious issues, while surrounded by their closest family and friends.

Our destination wedding package valued at $5,800 is perfect for a weekday wedding with up to 50 guests.  Check out The Wedding Party's blog for complete details, and visit the Wish Upon A Wedding auction site to bid on this and hundreds of other great items starting October 1st.

Pantone's Top 10 Spring 2011 Colors

It's that time of year again - Fashion Week!

These are the colors chosen as the Top 10 colors for Spring 2011.  I can't wait to see some of these fun and bright colors hit the stores!

Bridal Show Week!

It's bridal show week again here at First Coast Weddings and Events!  In case you don't know, we co-produce the Jacksonville Bridal Connection bridal shows, held twice a year at the UNF University Center.  If you are interested in attending, click for all the details:

http://www.JacksonvilleBridalConnection.com

While we're busy getting ready for the show, we thought we'd share some bridal show tips:

• 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.

We have FREE tickets left for Sunday's show, so drop by The Wedding Party to pick up a pair!

It's a Girl!

We're thrilled to announce that Melanie and her husband Eric have a beautiful baby girl!  Madison Mary was born yesterday, and everyone is doing great! As some of you know, Melanie is not only part of our amazing coordination team, but she is also a former client!  I met Melanie and Eric as they began planning their December 2007 wedding in St. Augustine, and I had a great time getting to know them and their families.  So when Melanie came to me about a year later and asked if she could intern with me, I was thrilled to say yes!

When Melanie told me she was pregnant, I almost fell off my chair.  But I couldn't be happier for her and Eric, and I can't wait to have Baby Madison as part of the First Coast Weddings team!

Awards - What Are They All About?

If you look at any wedding professional's website, you are likely to see some type of award they have won.  Which is great! But before you use that solely as your decision-making factor, take a look at that award and see how it was earned.

• Brides voting:  These awards are usually reputable.  The Knot has awards, Wedding Wire has awards, and many other well-known wedding sites have awards.  But also remember that anyone can register as a "bride" and vote, so there is still a slight chance of not-so-honest results.
• Industry peers or associations:  These awards mean the most to me.  They show that not only do your clients love you, your fellow professionals do too.  The field is often limited, and judging is usually done by well-known folks in the industry.
• Paid "awards": Yes, they are out there.  "Send us $100 for your plaque..."  I don't think I really need to explain this one!

I was honored to be nominated for one of the National Association of Catering Executives' Best Wedding Reception of the Year awards.  NACE has a very lengthly submission process, and from those submissions, only a handful make it through to actual nominations.  This year's awards were held at the NACE Experience! 2010 conference in July, and while I didn't win, it was such an honor just to be a nominee.  I even got to wear a little sticker on my name badge that said "Award Nominee!"  Out of 600 conference attendees and over 4,000 members, it was so special to be in such an elite group.

As you are interviewing prospective vendors, please be sure to ask questions!  Not only about awards, but also certifications, education, and associations.

NACE Experience! 2010

I've just gotten back from Austin, TX, where I attended the National Association of Catering Executives annual conference, Experience! 2010. There are so many highlights, I'll have to write several posts over the next few days as I go through my pages of notes and tons of photos!

For me personally, the highlights were:

• Being runner-up for Best Wedding Reception of the Year (with over 4,000 members, this is such an honor!)
• Teaching a session on "Wedding Harmony," which included a great discussion between wedding planners, venue managers, and event professionals
• Getting to spend time with my local NACE pals, seeing old friends from across the country, and meeting new event professionals to inspire me
• Learning about new trends, products and services to share with my clients
• Riding a mechanical bull!

Watch for more details soon...

Brides Against Breast Cancer Gown Sale

The Brides Against Breast Cancer Nationwide Tour of Gowns is coming to Jacksonville! This unique opportunity allows brides-to-be a chance to find the gown of their dreams at a remarkable price, while helping to make wishes and memory-making events come true. Most gown prices range from $99 to $799, including hundreds of beautiful new name brand and designer gowns valued up to $8,000.  More than half the gowns presented during each event are NEW designer gowns that arrived directly from designers, manufacturers and bridal retailers.

You won't want to miss it!

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront 225 E Coastline Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202

VIP NIGHT Friday, July 23: 6 PM – 9 PM $45 per Bride and guest, $20 each additional guest In addition to getting first pick of the gowns, enjoy hors d'oeuvres, a mini-bridal show, and a wedding expert panel discussion Buy tickets in advance

GENERAL SALE Saturday, July 24: 10 AM – 8 PM Sunday, July 25: 10 AM – 6 PM Free Admission

(this is me, volunteering at the Brides Against Breast Cancer gown sale in Orlando in 2009!)