How Long Should My Wedding Reception Last?

We often meet with clients that think their wedding reception should last ALL night long. And in some cases, they are right. But more often than not, less is more when in comes to wedding receptions.

Here in Jacksonville, the typical wedding reception lasts between 4 and 5 hours.  There are some factors that will influence your reception length:

• The type of meal being served. If you are serving a 5-course meal, your dinner will last longer than an hors d'oeuvres reception.
• How long your cocktail "hour" will last. Many couples have a "cocktail hour" that lasts longer than an actual hour.
• Your guest list. If most of your guests are from out of town, and are staying at or near the reception venue, they may be more likely to party later.
• Venue restrictions. There may be sound ordinances you need to comply with, or your venue may have a limit on the number of hours in your rental fee.

Some reasons to end your reception a little earlier include:

• The send-off. If you'd like to have a grand exit, you'll want to leave before all your guests do.
• You'll be exhausted. You've spent a year planning every detail of this day, and the butterflies in your stomach may not let you sleep the night before!  Plus, you'll usually be up very early on the wedding day to start hair and makeup.
• It's easier on the budget. The longer your reception lasts, the longer you will have to pay for food, drinks, and entertainment.

If you'd like a longer reception, consider staging an "after party" in a different space at your venue. Create a unique setting, and have different entertainment. Or, keep the post-reception casual by meeting at a nearby bar. Just be sure everyone has safe transportation home afterward!

November In A Nutshell

So... I haven't been blogging very much this month. Sorry! But here's what has been going on this month. First, we celebrated our 10th anniversary. We had an amazing company dinner at a beautiful riverfront home at sunset. I don't have the professional pics yet, but here's a little sneak preview:

Huge thank-yous to D'Vine Cusine, Rose of Sharon European Florist, Kris Graham Photography, Classic Cakes, D'Land Productions, and Kirby Rentals for making it all happen.

A day later, I left for Colorado to speak at the Association of Bridal Consultants' Business of Brides conference. I always love getting to see my fellow wedding planners and friends at the annual conference. We got to hear great ideas from industry leaders Donnie Brown and Rebecca Grinnals, see new products and trends, and learn about all sorts of topics. I met a wonderful woman, Yehudit Steinberg, from the Jewish Interfaith Wedding Network, who specializes in creating custom interfaith ceremonies for brides and grooms. Plus, I attended a session called, "Special Needs Weddings for Visually, Hearing, and Mobility Impaired."

To make it an even better trip, I got to spend a few extra days in Colorado, enjoying Estes Park and Vail.

Before I knew it, Thanksgiving was here, and now it's already November 30th! This month has really flown by - I hope yours was as great as mine was.

We're 10!

Today is a very special day - it's our 10th birthday! Sometimes it feels longer, sometimes it feels like just yesterday. It was November 8, 2002, when our corporate paperwork was officially filed and legal. We've seen hundreds of weddings, lots of our couples have children now, and some of our brides and grooms are doing amazing things! We love to keep up with everyone, and it's so much easier with Facebook and Twitter.

We've worked with so many talented wedding professionals over the years that it would be impossible to name them all. Having a great team really makes our job a lot easier!

And we've added to our own team over the years - including a some babies of our own. We're celebrating with a small dinner party this evening, but we'll be sure to share photos soon. It's been an amazing 10 years, and we look forward to many more! Cheers!

10th Anniversary Sale!

This month, we're celebrating our 10th Anniversary! As a special gift, any bride or groom that books a wedding with us between now and November 8, 2012, will receive 10% off their service price. Contact us to schedule your consultation!

The Fine Print: Contract must be signed and deposit received by Thursday, November 8th. Wedding must take place in 2013, based on availability. Valid only for new bookings.

Beach Wedding Tips

Even though summer is winding down in most parts of the country, here in Florida it is still perfect beach weather! I personally don't recommend having the ceremony on the actual beach, for several reasons: the on-looking public, noise, wind, sand everywhere, not to mention Speedo-guy in the background of your photos. We have several lovely locations here in North Florida and South Georgia that overlook the beach while minimizing some of these issues. But, if you do choose to have your ceremony on the beach, here are some things to consider:

• Always have a backup plan. Weather in Florida is so unpredictable, and the soft ocean breeze can easily become a tropical storm force wind in a matter of hours. While a tent may be an option, it may not be the best solution.
• Think about access for older guests. Can your grandparents walk easily in the sand? If not, designate a family member (not someone in the bridal party) to help them.
• Warn guests that ceremony will be on the beach. Make it clear on the invitation that guests should be prepared to remove their shoes or wear sandals for the ceremony. Nothing is worse than high heels and panty hose on the beach.
• Have water available for your guests. Even when the temperatures are in the 80's, it can be hot in the sun. Remember that your guests will begin arriving about 30 minutes before your ceremony time, so have a water station to quench their thirst. Add some cucumber to the water for a fun treat!
• Have towels to wipe off feet. As I mentioned previously, there will be sand everywhere. It's a nice touch for your guests to be able to clean up before entering the reception.
• Rent a sound system. The sounds of the surf are romantic, but they make it difficult for your guests to hear what is being said during the ceremony. Be sure to ask about battery-operated systems, since chances are you won't have a power outlet nearby.
• Provide sunscreen in welcome bags. Some of your guests may be sensitive to the sun, even if your ceremony is at sunset. Add some sunscreen to your welcome bags, or have it available at your water station.

(photo from Shanae and Marlon's wedding at The Lodge and Club at Ponte Vedra Beach, by Naturally Photography)

Custom-Tailored Shirts and Ties For Your Groom and Groomsmen

The rented tux is pretty standard for weddings. On occasion, it might be a suit instead. But men's attire doesn't vary that much from wedding to wedding. Have you considered having the dress shirts custom-tailored to go with the rental?

For the grooms, this is a great way to have a special memento of the wedding day. And did you know that a special fabric can be sewn to the under-side of the cuffs, so that we you're out there dancing and rolling up your sleeves, you have a stylish surprise! Or check out the groom in the photo - he and his groomsmen all wore these great Gator shirts under their Air Force uniforms.

As a special touch, have his monogram embroidered on the cuff.

If you can't afford to buy custom shirts for all the groomsmen, think about having ties custom-made. Not only is that a great way to get the exact color or print you are looking for, but it's a great groomsman gift.

Whether buying shirts for all the groomsmen or just the groom, you'll need accurate measurements. There are also a variety of fits and collar types, and your tailor should be able to help you make selections based on body type. There are also fabric choices - not only in color but also thread count. Similar to buying sheets, higher thread counts tend to be softer.

A top-notch tailor will help you through all these decisions. If you are in Jacksonville, we recommend that you visit The Tailor Shop for expert guidance.

Planning Your Wedding Menu

When you begin planning your wedding menu, there are many more decisions to make that just sit-down or stations/buffet. Here are some tips to consider: Think about what foods are in season at the time of your wedding. In-season fruits and vegetables are more budget friendly too!

Choose foods that will pair nicely both in flavor and in presentation. Monochromatic may work as a wedding color scheme, but it doesn't work well on a plate. Be sure to choose a variety of colors and textures for your meal.

Avoid overly spicy foods. There are few things worse that heartburn during your wedding reception!

Ask your caterer about alternate meals for vegetarians, vegans, and those with food allergies. They will usually offer an alternate entree that will meet all these needs.

Consider printing menu cards that detail the meal and include them at each place setting. If someone does have a concern about a menu item, they can ask their server.

Don't be afraid to ask your caterer about incorporating a family recipe into your menu. Most chefs love to try new recipes, with enough advance notice.

(photo by La Dolce Vita Studios)

Do You Need A Professional Makeup Artist?

YES!

(Ok, I'll elaborate...)

Many brides, especially those on tight budgets, are quick to think, "I look pretty good on a daily basis, I can do my own makeup for my wedding." And while, yes, this is true, there are many reasons to hire a pro:

• Being on time. Think back to your senior prom, when you did your own hair and makeup. Did things go exactly as planned? Usually not.
• Less stress. Why not sit in a chair for an hour and relax while someone makes you more beautiful? Much better than standing in the hotel room's bathroom.
• Play up your best features and hide any flaws. Just because your photographer can photoshop that zit, he or she doesn't want to have to do that in 1,000 photos. A professional makeup artist can hide any little imperfections without making them more obvious.
• Long-lasting coverage. You'll be sweating, dancing, kissing, and eating during your wedding day. And from the time your makeup is done in the morning to the time you leave your reception, that can be a 10-hour day.
• Proper intensity for photographs. We've all seen those photos of brides whose face looks three shades lighter than the rest of their body, or they look like they aren't wearing makeup at all. Just like models have more dramatic makeup, you'll need to step it up a bit for your wedding day too. A professional makeup artist knows how to achieve this while still making you look like "you."

The most important step in hiring a makeup artist is scheduling a trial run. You'll want to be sure you're happy with the results, but long before the wedding day. In fact, having your makeup done the same day as your engagement photos kills two birds with one stone! Then, if you aren't happy with the look, you have time to make adjustments rather than having a melt-down on your wedding day.

Photo from Megan and Vivek's Wedding - Makeup Artist: Kimtasha (be sure to check out the before and after photos on her website!) - Photographer: La Dolce Vita Studio

Bridal Show This Sunday!

Looking for a great way to meet lots of wedding professionals in one place? Stop by the Premier Wedding Expo this Sunday! We have been proud to help produce these great events for many years, and they keep getting better.

• Over 100 exhibitors
• Great discounts and prizes will be available for brides planning their weddings
• Each bride gets a bridal bag when entering the show

The event runs from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the UNF University Center (12000 Alumni Drive). Tickets are $10 at the door, but if  you purchase the online in advance they are only $7! Be sure to visit the show's website, www.TicTocEvents.com, to learn more.

DIY Wedding Maps

Chances are, you'll need a map to include with your wedding invitations. If you are having your invitations custom designed, you graphic artist will probably create one for you. But what if you aren't? There are lots of websites and artists that can create pretty maps for you. But did you know you can do it yourself? I didn't really believe it either, so I made one for our office location! Here's how it works... {Word of Caution: Don't rush this project! Give yourself plenty of time, and work on it over a few nights. If you lack patience, consider hiring someone instead.}

Step 1: Find your locations in Google Maps, Mapquest, Bing, or another online source. If you will have multiple locations, be sure to zoom out wide enough to show them all. You'll be tracing this map, so be sure you are happy with its size, zoom and position. Use Print Screen to capture the image.

Step 2: If you have access to a drawing program, like Adobe Illustrator, open it up and paste your map into a new drawing. If you don't have Illustrator, you can accomplish the same thing using Microsoft PowerPoint! Paste your image in a new slide to get started.

Step 3: Use the drawing tools to trace the main streets on your maps. If you are using PowerPoint, use the Curve tool to trace most roads. You can also adjust the thickness for major roads, and add text boxes to add labels. Remember, it doesn't need to be exact, as long as all the roads are where they should be. Once you have all the roads traced, delete the original Google map and check out your design!

Step 4: Add icons to your map for your ceremony and reception locations - Google "free wedding clipart" to find some cute images. You could also add rehearsal dinner locations, or any other places your guests will need to find.

Step 5: In PowerPoint, use the Select All command to select all the elements of your map. Once everything is selected, right click and choose the Save As Picture option. A dialogue window will open allowing you to save your map as an image file.  Depending on the size your printed map needs to be, it may be better to save the file as a PDF.

That's it! This is my finished product:

Not too bad for a couple hours work!

Our New Planning Studio

It was recently brought to my attention that there was not much fanfare when we moved to a new office earlier this year. Since the move took place in May, when we were in the midst of our busiest wedding month of the year, we had other things on our mind. Forgive us? Even though it's been 3 months already, we are still in the process of unpacking, decorating, and making the new space "home." But, I thought I'd give you a peek in case you haven't had a chance to stop by yet!

What will you find in our office, you may ask? Here's a little taste:

• Dozens of wedding-related books, including six Emily Post's Etiquette books dating from 1940 to 1965
• Lots of photos from 10 years worth of weddings
• Linen samples from all the major rental companies
• My Master Bridal Consultant plaque, the biggest honor of my career
• A collection of glass vases and candle holders
• A freeze-dried flower petal display
• Random left-overs from weddings we've coordinated (extra bubbles, favors, paper stock, etc.)
• My wedding-movie DVD collection, including the original 1950 version of Father of the Bride starring Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor
• An autographed photo of Randy Fenoli of Say Yes To The Dress (just because he's so darn cute!)

And of course, you'll find us hard at work helping our clients find everything they need for their weddings! We hope you'll stop by and say hi.

Mira & Matt - Wedding at Home, Jacksonville

Matt and Mira are such a sweet couple, and both have such amazing families!  They met in college and have survived the years through medical school and now residency as they begin a new journey as husband and wife.  Because of their hectic schedules, Matt's mom was responsible for most of the wedding plans - we think she did an incredible job! In addition, she and her husband hosted the wedding and reception at their beautiful riverfront home.

This photo by Agnes Lopez truly captures the love that the bride and groom have for each other! Be sure to stop by her blog to see additional images from this wedding.

These adorable programs were printed by Whimsical Prints, with layout and assembly by the First Coast Weddings team. The gorgeous flowers were done by Rose of Sharon European Florist.

Tables, chairs, and linens were supplied by Beachview Tent Rentals, with the First Coast Weddings team doing all of the setup and breakdown.

The wooden bowl pictured above was handmade by friends of the family, and held the rings during the ceremony. It was passed around during the ceremony for the guests to offer a blessing for the couple.

The menu, created by Karen Glenn, was a buffet of French-inspired Southern favorites. Some highlights included Chinois Grilled Lamb Tenderloin with Cilantro Mint Vinaigrette, Shrimp and Grits, and Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread.  Oliv'r Twist provided bar service, where local favorite Bold City Kiler Whale Ale was served alongside Labatt's Blue in honor of the bride's Canadian heritage. The signature drink was a Lemon Drop, the bride's favorite!

The lemon-flavored cake, to compliment the Lemon Drop Martinis, was created by The Cake Shop of San Jose. The super-sweet forks, engraved with the wedding date, were a gift to the bride and groom.

The bride and groom departed their afternoon reception with our favorite photo opp - the ribbon wand send-off. We just love this colorful and fun exit.

The best way to leave a riverfront reception - by boat! We love the special flag that the mother of the groom ordered, as well as the pretty streaming ribbons and floral wreaths by Rose of Sharon European Florist.

Mimi & Trey (05.19.12) - Marriott Sawgrass Wedding, Ponte Vedra Beach

Mimi and Trey's wedding weekend was a true celebration of family, friends, and love! Thanks for letting us share your wedding day with you.

Mimi worked with a friend that designed all of her stationery for her, including the adorable programs!

The Heritage Ballroom at the Marriott Sawgrass looked amazing for their ceremony. All decor by PRI Productions.

The String Group provided ceremony music, and then continued during cocktail hour.

Stunning escort card display. PRI Productions provided the centerpiece, and Mimi found the escort card holders on Etsy.

Love this photo of Mimi and Trey on the Marriott's deck. Andy Armstrong was their photographer, so be sure to pop over to his blog to check out more amazing images from this wedding!

This head table is incredible! It seats 30 people, including the bride and groom on the bench in the middle. All decor by PRI Productions.

This crowd was here to party! DJ Jeff Bell of D'Land Entertainment kept the party going all night. All decor by PRI Productions.

Yes, that is Taco Bell! We got extra-special permission from the hotel to bring in the bride and groom's favorite late-night snack at the end of their reception.

Unless otherwise watermarked, photos by PRI Productions.

Special-Diet Wedding Cakes

Special diets are a hot topic in the catering industry these days - and I'm not talking about South Beach vs. Atkins. Many people have dietary restrictions, including sugar-free, gluten-free and vegan, and why shouldn't they get to eat cake at their own wedding? Many cake bakers in North Florida recognize the importance of dietary restrictions, and have cake options for their clients.

• Gluten-free cakes require that equipment and supplies be kept separate from gluten-containing products, and the work surface must be sanitized thoroughly.
• Diabetic cakes often replace sugar with agave nector, fruit purées, honey, maple syrup and evaporated cane juice.
• Vegan cakes will not have diary or egg products. Alternative dairy products are used, such as soy, rice, oat, coconut and almond milk, soy butter, and coconut oil.

If you have a special dietary restriction, you may consider ordering a small cake that can be placed near the traditional wedding cake.

Or, ask your cake baker about a dummy cake! Many cake bakers can make a cake of Styrofoam and fondant, making it look very real. Then they can add a small layer of cake made especially for you, which you can cut during the reception. Then, the guests can be served from sheet cakes that are stored in the kitchen. This way, you get to cut your wedding cake and eat it, and your guests can enjoy a more traditional cake recipe.

If you have close family members or friends that have dietary restrictions, some may recommend having special cupcakes for them. While this is nice, it often draws attention to the fact that they have a special need. Consider having a small cake in the back and alerting your caterer to those that should be served the special cake.

The pretty cake featured here is from one of our past weddings, and was created by Simply Delicious! Cakes - they offer a variety of special diet cakes in North Florida.

Escort Card Holders

This weekend we will be coordinating Mimi and Trey's stylish and chic wedding at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort and Spa. Mimi found these great escort card holders on Etsy, and we can't wait to use them on Saturday.

Check out the SpottedInk shop on Etsy.com to get yours!

Fall Internships

As experienced planners, we feel an obligation to help out those that have a passion for wedding planning. We offer two internships a year, one for the spring semester and one for the fall. We are currently accepting applications for our Fall 2012 internship; interviews will begin in July. Interns must be enrolled in a Bachelor's/Master's program at an accredited college or university and provide documentation from their school stating they are able to receive academic credit for this internship. The internship requires a minimum of 12 hours in the office each week, and you must be

In addition to these internships, we also offer apprenticeship opportunities to our fellow members of the Association of Bridal Consultants. available on weekends.

You may be asking, what's the difference? An internship is designed for a student to shadow in the office and during events for 4-5 months. An apprenticeship is an intense, hands-on two-day experience designed for those that have already completed coursework or have worked in the wedding industry.

For more information on these opportunities, please visit this page: http://www.firstcoastweddings.com/internships-and-employment/

Wedding Insurance - A Good Idea, Always!

Did you know you can insure your wedding?  With the recent news of a popular wedding venue closing today, we are reminded that EVERY wedding can be protected by wedding insurance.  Lost Deposits can provide coverage if a vendor goes out of business, declares bankruptcy before your event, or simply fails to show up. For example, if your band or your limo provider fails to show up, this coverage can reimburse your lost deposit. We thought we would re-post an article we wrote on the subject not too long ago on the other benefits on wedding insurance.

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There are several companies that provide wedding insurance, but here is some information from Wedding Protector Plan.

Some of the things that can be covered by wedding insurance include:

• No Dress. You can get repair or replacement cost if the bride’s wedding gown or groom’s tuxedo is lost or damaged.
• Lost Rings. You can receive repair or replacement cost if the bride or groom’s wedding bands are lost or damaged.
• Severe Weather.  If severe weather (such as a hurricane) forces you to postpone your wedding, we can provide reimbursement for non-recoverable expenses.
• Call to Duty.  If the bride or groom is unexpectedly called up to active duty, or has her or his military service leave revoked, forcing you to postpone the event, we can provide reimbursement for non-recoverable expenses.
• Damaged Gifts.  You can get repair or replacement cost if your wedding gifts are damaged.
• Sudden Illness.  If the wedding needs to be postponed because sudden illness prevents the bride, groom or their parents from attending, you can receive reimbursement for non-recoverable expenses.
• Venue Requires Insurance.  As an additional option to your policy, you can add liability coverage to protect yourself in case a guest is injured or causes damage to property.
• Liquor Liability. As an individual liability option to your policy, you can add this coverage to protect yourself against liability arising from alcohol-related occurrences (subject to policy conditions and exclusions).

Rates start at $165 for this company, and other companies offer similar prices.

If you would like to see a brochure, click the link below: http://www.protectmywedding.com/pdfs/Wedding_Insurance_Information_Wedding_Protector_Plan.pdf  And for rates, click here: http://www.protectmywedding.com/pdfs/wedding_event_insurance_rates_liquor_liability.pdf

Wedding Day Do's & Don’ts

Everyone wants their wedding day to run smoothly, so to insure that everything goes accordingly, it’s important to plan ahead. Here are some tips to be aware of to guarantee  a successful day:

• Don’t consume alcohol before the ceremony. If you do want to partake in the bubbly before you walk down the aisle, only drink  half a glass. If you drink too much your buzz will show on your face for all your guests to see and will show on your wedding photos.
• Arrive early to your venue. If it’s possible, get ready at the venue, because if something were to happen and you’re late to your wedding site, it could cause the whole schedule to run late.
• Don’t forget to take any regular medications. It’s easy to forget taking a pill when there's a hundred things going on.
• Make sure to eat and drink plenty of water. You need to be hydrated to prevent headaches and fainting. Make sure to eat foods that won’t make you feel bloated.
• Don’t go crazy and start taking your stress out on others. If you’re yelling at your vendors, wedding party, or family because things aren’t going your way, that’s all anyone will remember when the day’s over.

Wedding Wish Lantern

Looking for something unique to have at your wedding? Floating lanterns are a stunning visual effect that adds enjoyment and wonder to your event. The lanterns are a paper structure that’s fully biodegradable, nonflammable and easy to use. They symbolize hopes, dreams and wishes for the life of the newlyweds. They can also represent friends and family members who have passed. The lanterns can either be released at the end of the ceremony to symbolize the new marriage, or the guests can release them during the reception. However you decide to use them, one thing is for sure; your guests will remember them for years to come!

Future-Signifying Gifts for the Bride

Many couples exchange personal wedding gifts to on another to make their wedding day special and memorable. Gifts can either be exchanged at the rehearsal dinner or can be delivered by the best man and maid of honor on the wedding day. A unique gift for the groom to give his bride would be something to symbolize their future together. Add-on jewelry is ideal for representing  a couple’s future. The groom purchases a bracelet or necklace with a starter bead/beads and every year for the couple’s anniversary the piece of jewelry is added on to.

There are many jewelry brands that that hold this concept and range in price depending on what materials they’re made out of. Here are some examples of jewelry brands.

Chamilia Charms

Pandora

Add A Pearl

Brighton Charms

DaVinci Beads