Full Service Detroit Wedding Planners, Day of Wedding Coordinator, Wedding Planners

You're The Bride Now Seeking 2012 Wedding Interns

2012-01-30T18:07:00.000-05:00

You're The Bride is seeking motivated, reliable and detailed individuals for 2012 internship. Must be able to stand for long periods of time and have a computer as assignments will be e-mailed to you. Previous event planning experience a plus but not necessary. Candidates must be able to take direction but also be able to think quickly on their feet as situations may arise that need to be solved with ease. Must have your own reliable transportation and driving knowledge of the Metro-Detroit area is helpful.

This is an UNPAID position; however, an intern who successfully completes the internship may be hired on a part-time basis to assist at future events. You will receive real experience in the world of wedding planning and this alone is very valuable if you are looking to break into the industry.

This internship may involve pre-event preparation, cold calling using bridal lead lists, researching ideas and writing posts for the YTB blog, assembling favors/invitations, assisting in wedding ceremony rehearsal, on-site coordination/set-up for ceremony and reception. Other projects as needed.

Must be available on weekends as needed. May be required to attend some weekday and weeknight functions as well relating to networking, consults, vendor meetings, etc. We can be flexible with the right candidate depending on your schedule. Must be at least 18 please. This internship is June-December 2012. If you can not handle long hours on wedding days (typically 12 hours plus) or honor a six month contractual commitment please do NOT apply.

If this opportunity sounds like it would be a perfect fit for you then please send a cover letter explaining why you would like to be part of our team and why we should choose you! Send both cover letter and resume to tracie@yourethebride.com. You may visit our website, facebook or twitter to learn more about the company. Can't wait to hear from you! We will start conducting interviews in April or possibly before.

Web~ www.yourethebride.com
Facebook~ www.facebook.com/yourethebride
Twitter~ @yourethebride

Deadline: 3/9/12

Wedding Wire Press Release

2012-01-30T07:20:00.001-05:00

{Livonia, MI} – January 30, 2012 – WeddingWire, the nation's leading wedding Marketplace, is excited to announce You're The Bride has been selected to receive the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012 for Wedding Planning!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top local wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry. While many industry awards are selected by the organization, You're The Bride was selected based on its stellar reviews from past newlywed clients.

You're The Bride is recognized as part of the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire local vendor community, comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States and Canada. The Bride’s Choice Award recognizes the best local wedding vendors across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is thrilled to honor the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Since the launch of the Bride’s Choice Awards™ program four years ago, thousands of outstanding wedding professionals have been recognized by the bridal community for their supreme service and dedication to the wedding industry. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate You're The Bride for their continued professionalism and commitment to enriching the wedding planning experience for engaged couples.”

We are happy to announce that You're The Bride is one of the very best Wedding Planners within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2012.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/youre-the-bride-livonia/7a7713395b0c5c95.html.

To learn more about the Bride's Choice Awards™, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire™, the nation's leading marketplace serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 reviewed wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. WeddingWire also offers a comprehensive suite of online planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire is the only all-in-one marketing platform for businesses online and on-the-go. WeddingWire offers one simple solution to build a professional network, improve search visibility, manage social media and reach mobile consumers. Businesses that advertise with WeddingWire appear on WeddingWire.com, ProjectWedding.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Brides.com and Weddingbee.com.

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A MGM Hotel Wedding: Billie + Ryan 11/26/11

2012-01-25T07:44:00.000-05:00

Billie was referred to You're The Bride by Ronald Ponkey Photography and it was a nice surprise as it was a great wedding to end the season with. She expressed needing some help on the day of and prior so Ron referred her. She hired us for Day-of Coordination. We took care of setting up all of her guest tables with the favors and candy, setting up her place cards, pinning on all the bouts and corsages, setting up and organizing the ceremony and more! Billie didn't have to worry about a thing she was able to relax and just enjoy her day and be the bride!

For a smaller wedding of just 67 guests she had a blast burning up the dance floor !!!

She and Ryan got married on-site with Rev. Phillip Rogers officiating. She had the MGM do a little drapery behind them to create a more appealing backdrop them just a plain conference room wall. She also had the ballroom piped and draped as well and it looked great!

I love this picture of Billie and her family....She has the most adorable kids...one of the little boys (pictured front left) belongs to her Maid of Honor but he is a cutie too!!

Yep it is LEGAL now!

I had a blast with Ron and Debbie while we took the couple down to the Club and around the hotel for some additional pictures. Of course everyone loves a bride and groom and people were congratulating them as we managed to get through the crowd!

Thank you for using our services. You had a wonderful celebration and we were so happy to be a part of it!

Venue-MGM Grand Hotel and Casino
Officiant-Rev. Phillip Rogers
Photography-Ronald Ponkey Photography
Florist-Sylvia's Florist
Linens and Chaircovers-MGM Grand
Cake-MGM Grand
Candy Buffet-MGM Grand
DJ-Remix Productions
Day-of Coordination-You're The Bride
Hair and Makeup- Salon Stewart

We won the 2012 Wedding Wire Award !

2012-01-19T10:09:00.000-05:00

As a recipient, we are recognized as part of the top 5% of Wedding Professionals nationwide. Yay!

Wedding of the Century! Adrianne + Brandon 11/12/11

2012-01-02T11:29:00.000-05:00

I am excited to share this post with you. I was a guest at a fabulous wedding on November 12, 2011 at the beautiful Cherry Creek Golf Club in Shelby Township. Adrianne and Brandon had an amazing wedding! I really enjoyed myself being able to relax and enjoy their festivities instead of running around taking care of everything like I do on a normal work day at a client wedding. They are truly the sweetest couple and I can tell they have a wonderful and respectful relationship with each other.

They had a photo booth from Shutterbooth, an amazing dessert table, late night carnival food, a coffee cart, and some delicious signature drinks!

3rd Street Films captured the day on video. Here are some pictures taken by my friends at Arising Images.

During the ceremony they put wine and love letters to each other in this box
and it will not be re-opened until their 10th wedding anniversary.
I LOVED this idea and will be borrowing it for my clients :)

This was the most amazing and LONG Photo Table I have ever seen! I loved it and all of the beautiful
crystals and unique candle holders the table was embellished with. Of course my favorite
wedding picture was the one of my cousin Ellen and her husband Marty.

The place settings and centerpieces were beautiful. I loved all other the soft
candlelight and it made the room glow!

The Grand Entrance!! They were sooo excited to greet their guests!
I loved Brandon's top hat.

The bride and groom absolutely love Mickey and Minnie and even honeymooned
at Disney World! How could they not ?

The Band Intrigue was amazing and the dance floor was always packed!
What a party! I had a great time dancing with all the cousin's!

If you feel so inclined I would love if you would take a minute and vote for
this photo as they are in a contest that their photographer is having. I would
love to see them win! Here is the link to vote you just have to "like" their picture.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=339735879387991&set=a.339734049388174.95321.237831239578456&type=3&theater

Good luck with the contest and enjoy your marriage!

Love, Tracie P.S. Brandon I might need a intern this season! LOL

What the Groom Should Wear

2011-12-22T14:22:00.000-05:00

When thinking about what a groom typically wears to a wedding we think "tuxedo". When your groom goes to get fitted there are so many different options that go along with his tuxedo. Here are some key terms to help your groom understand what he wants when going to pick out a tux:

Jackets: There are five primary choices to choose from

*Tuxedo- Most classic look you see at traditional weddings. Most choose from single breasted (1-4 buttons on front) or double breasted (2-6 button front)

*Full Dress Jacket- There are the type that have the "tailcoat" on the back and are shorter in front, good for very formal events

*Morning Coats- Also known for the "cutaway" jacket, great for daytime weddings

*Mandarin Jackets- Also known as Mao or Nehru, have a stand-up collar and no lapel

Lapels: Material that attaches to the collar of the jacket and extends down the buttons that are on your jacket, there are three different choices

*Notched- The most popular, a triangle cut out on both sides of where the lapel joins the collar

*Peaked- The most broad, features a V-shaped lapel point on both sides

*Shawl Collar- Is smooth and rounded and has no notch or indentations

Collars: The collar you wear helps choose which jacket you should wear

*Wing- Most formal and popular, a stand up collar that has downward triangle points

*Crosswyck- Old fashioned but still used today, crossed collar that is fastened with a button

*Mandarin- This collar goes up around your neck, great for guys who don't like to wear ties

*Spread- The most casual collar, resembles your normal button-up shirt except a wider gap at the collar points in the front

~Jessie

Photo Credits:

groomsguideforwedding.com

Weddings with Pets

2011-12-08T12:50:00.000-05:00

On your wedding day it is important to have everyone who is close to you present. For many people, this includes their family pet. There are many different ways to incorporate your pet into your wedding. Your pet can play the role of ring bearer, bridesmaids, or groomsmen. Also, if your are getting engagement photos taken you could have your pet in those with you.

When considering having your pet by your side on your big day there are things to consider, such as if the pet will be allowed at your venue, the type of pet, and what role they will play. It is important to inform your guests and vendors that you've decided to include your pet. Make sure the pet will be with someone they are comfortable with to be taken care of. You should bring your pet to the wedding site for some practice before the wedding day and also bring him to the dress rehearsal to practice his part again.

~Jessie

Photo Credit:

sosimplyspecial.coms

Nick + Nikole...The Hunt is Over!

2011-11-28T06:37:00.000-05:00

My cousin Nick was married to his bride Nikole back on August 27, 2011. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend their wedding as I had 2 client weddings that weekend. However, wanted to share their celebration on my blog and some of the family pictures that were taken. They were married outside near the river at The St. Clair Inn. The reception followed at the couple's home also in St. Clair.

Here Comes The Bride!

Nick and the Bridesmaids!

The Bride and Groom with Nick's parents, Aunt Denise and Uncle Denny

Doug (Nick's Brother) and Nick

Grandma, Nick and Nikole. Granda flew in from Florida. I was able to see her while she was in town
so that made me happy!

The Memory Table. We miss you Vic, Mary and Grandpa D.

The gorgeous wedding cake

The guest tables

Dinner is served!

Chocolate covered strawberies, don't they look delicious?

My Mom with her Brothers (Denny, Kent and Brian) and Grandma

My sister Marcie with Cousin Nick

The Unity Candle

2011-11-25T13:38:00.001-05:00

The lighting of the unity candle is an old tradition that has become very popular at wedding ceremonies. You can use many types of candles such as a simple taper candle, a white or ivory pillar, or a fancy decorated candle. Most couples save these candles and they become an "anniversary candle" which they relight each year on their anniversary.

To do the traditional unity lighting you need two smaller candles on the side on your unity candle. If you want the candle to represent the unity between families, then it is customary to have the mothers light them at the beginning of the ceremony. After being declared husband and wife, the bride and groom take the two smaller candles and place the flames together to light their unity candle. Then the two smaller candles are placed back on their holder symbolizing the bride's family, the groom's family, and the new family (the bride and groom).

If you would like to save on a unity candle click here

Photo Credits:

aperfectlittlewedding.com

sincerewedding.com

~Jessie

Military Weddings 11-11-11

2011-11-22T09:02:00.002-05:00

On 11-11-11 You're The Bride participated and donated our day-of coordination services for the day to these 8 special couples. Here is an email I just received from Jessie at the Royal Oak Music Theater with a thank you for helping and a link to the pictures.

Hello everyone,

Congratulations to us, we did it !

Thanks to everyone's help, 8 military couples and their families were treated to a spectacular wedding that no one will soon forget. I hope you feel really good about your efforts because without each of your contributions, these couples would not have had such a beautiful and complete wedding. I wanted to share my heartfelt appreciation and let you know what a truly good deed you did. I talked with many of the parents at the wedding, and most of them had tears in their eyes as they told me that without this opportunity their son, or daughter, would not have had been able to afford such a wonderful wedding.

I received many heartfelt sentiments from the couples, their families and friends throughout the night, which made me extremely proud of what we accomplished collectively. What we did was nothing short of remarkable and life changing for these families!
If you want to see what the happy couples looked like, Steve and his team took some amazing pictures of the event!

To view the pictures go to www.pixsteve.com then click on the girl sitting on the bench that will direct you into the site. Once in go to the proofing section and enter in the event id: USA11 then press go you will be directed to enter your name and email address.
I wish I had the words to express how much all of you mean to me...! I apologize for the group email but I wanted to express my thoughts and acknowledge everyone together. You are all incredible individuals and I am honored to have had this opportunity to work with you. I will never forget the generosity of spirit you each gave, and neither will the couples!

All my love!
Jessie

Special Events Director

Royal Oak Music Theatre

586-944-8222

romtlive.com

Tulip Theme Wedding in Washington

2011-11-20T13:18:00.000-05:00

This wedding I wanted to feature as I got to know the bride and all her details pretty well although
I only worked with her via email. She ordered many stationery items from our website and
needed some planning advice along the way. Sharon ended up having a beautiful wedding! She
gave us many details about her wedding that I am including in the post that she wrote.

A few words from the bride, Sharon, Thanks so much for all your online help with our wedding. I'd never have made it without your bridal bundle and all your online help. If I were doing it again, which I may if I start consulting for the weddings at our church, I would plan it out using your bridal bundle and give everyone in the party a print out of where they were supposed to be when, with exactly what I wanted them to do.

It is always the little details that make a wedding individual and special. We chose to make cones of paper printed with lavender and fill the cones with lavender buds, and were showered with lavender and bubbles as we left.

Skagit County's leading industry is agriculture, and besides the tulip festival, which provided many activities for out of state guests, we used the local IQF strawberries and whipping cream made from Twinbrooks Creamery whipping cream, which is pasteurized, but not homogenized.

Our signature mocktail, the Strawberry Daquiri, was the most popular menu item. The beer was from the Skagit Brewery, where we got a pony keg, on tap - and served it after the first course so everyone ate before consuming alcohol. The tulip festival also has n special wines that we served with the buffet from the Farmhouse Inn, and featured a green pea salad, as the most green peas in the world were grown in the Skagit Valley when I was growing up. The farmers alternated legumes (peas) and bulbs (tulips) to enrich the soil.

The theme of the wedding was that you can go local and have a destination wedding - actually most weddings are destination weddings now because most families are widely scattered, so all the planning components are the same as if one went to an exotic location.

Skagit County has both the tulip fields in the valley and the American Alps (North Cascade Mountains near Cascade National Park) so people can see glaciers and tulips in the same county, river raft, and enjoy local fruits and vegetables and flowers. As my home town is the county seat, Mount Vernon, it was the natural choice, and Spring was the natural season for a new beginning.
Since it was the first big wedding for both of us, even though we were older, we wanted everything as if it had been done by our parents when we were young - we wanted one day to party with all our friends.

My favorite part was the bouquets of tulips on the reception tables made by my bridal attendants.

Current trends can be difficult to use as a theme when everything changes so rapidly, so I went with my favorite colors and plants, and then added accents of the color of the year, honeysuckle.

The rehearsal dinner was done in honeysuckle and lavender, with bright rain boot vases of tulips. In the wedding, honeysuckle was used as an accent in the pew bouquets, which were silk to avoid any damage to furniture by live blooms.

I planned the dresses around an old English folk tune "Lavender's blue, lavender's green. If I were King, you would be Queen." (And no, the date was not chosen because of the royal wedding. We had set the date before they announced. It worked out perfectly to let each bridesmaid use her favorite colors of lavender or blue, with everyone using the signature bi-color lace. Since the groom's uniform was Coast Guard blue, the groomsmen were in black and a dark plum.
I love little girls, and had a bouquet of jr. bridesmaids and flower girls, which worked very well, as the three little ones are best friends.
The three main colors were ivory, lavender, and bronze. I used bronze or metallic chocolate brown as an anchor color instead of black and gold or silver, although there was plenty of those too.

To save money, we constructed an impromptu photo booth from an archway and some orchid lace background. I sew, and raided my stash of fabric for as much of the wedding as possible.

To reduce stress, I used a lot of silk flowers, so many of the bouquets were done long in advance, and wrapped in plastic, with no worries about how it would all come together for the reception.

Many couples choose a symbol for their theme and we choose the double ring.

The trends that we incorporated were: Using baby's breath among our main flowers; I wore a bolero with my dress for part of the reception. When the room became too warm, I switched to a dress that was ivory with a plum waistband, and put a plain light silk wrap with it. It was relaxed, and then I put the bolero back on for warmth when we left.

The unique feature was the lavender train, with amethyst tulle and purple/lavender roses in the pick-ups. My shoes were also dyed to match the train. (I will try to get you a shoe picture) i I bought a dress from the Arizona Bridal warehouse, and it was perfect, but the bolero should have been altered. When a bride saves buying at a warehouse, she needs to remember there is probably a reason the dress is in the warehouse. The best part was the questionnaire on their website which helped clarify in my mind what I wanted in a dress. Then we added lavender Swaroski crystals to the bodice to carry out the lavender them from the back to front.

The one thing that I would have done differently would be to order chair covers and ties. It would have been worth the money. Also, having someone who designs receptions do the reception room decorations for us would have been worth it. I think more people would have dance if the alcohol had flowed more freely, but it was not worth the risk with so many driving an hour or more to the event.

Instead of an afterparty, a few people went to the Trumpeter, a local bar and restaurant that features locally grown chicken, beef, vegetables, berries and has many gluten free menu items.
Instead, we had a brunch the next day at the Farmhouse Inn.

~written by Sharon the Bride

Tracie Turns Four-Oh Bash!

2011-11-18T07:35:00.001-05:00

I decided that since I was approaching a BIG milestone birthday this year that I was going to have a fun party since I am always planning parties for all my clients. Turning 40 has actually been great and it really
just is a number! It helps that I keep telling myself that 40 is the New 30 so I am good! Plus, people
only think I'm about 34 ish and I owe that all to my Mother for telling me about Oil of Olay at a young age.
Thanks Mom! I do think it's in our family genes as my Mom looks pretty young for her age too so whatever
it is I will take it :)

My good friends Emily and Jodi were all for a girls night out and party so the planning began. Yes, I planned my own party but how could I not ?! Emily owns a photo booth company and is also a professional in the wedding industry so she was a big help with some of her vendor connections for my party so it was great to get many things donated and at reduced prices. Josh at Underdog Wine and Spirits gave us a case of wine and some vodka! Maya at Sposa Seating let us borrow her beautiful purple and black linens.We will both definitely be returning the favor by sending you business as we truly appreciate it.

The party started at Emily's house with about 15 guests. We had a blast going in the photo booth
taking fun pictures and each guest got to take a photo strip home as a memento from the celebration.
They also put one in the photo album and created their own page and special message to me. I really
enjoyed the time everyone put into making this wonderful keepsake for me and I will always treasure it.
We also sent everyone home with some nice smelling hand sanatizer for their purse.

For the food I wanted to do something that my friends would not be expecting but also wanted to keep it
simple, classy and trendy. I love the Mashed Potato Bar that my friend Josh of Thomas's Catering sets up at his events so I "borrowed" his idea! He helped me get everything that I needed to put this together. It was a huge hit and my girls were wow'ed and kept saying what a cool idea! I was so happy with the way it turned out. It was just the right amount of starch along with the other food served before a night of some adult beverages! I also served my favorite spinach and cheese pies from a local bakery along with chicken wings and other party snacks.

Emily led the group with a lovely champagne toast and a few funny but nice words! Including telling everyone how she planned this fabulous party by hiring You're The Bride! Everyone laughed at that one! Although, I told everyone "No Gifts" my friends are so sweet and of course didn't listen so I got some nice gifts. My friend Jodi who recently turned 40 in February decided to pass her "40 Prank Bag" over to me. It had funny things in it like a bed pan type thing, head band workout gear but the BEST thing in that bag was the pink
"Birthday Princess" Badge that I wore the entire evening. I will admit I wore it many times the following week when I went to Orlando to continue celebrating my birthday. Let me tell you I scored a lot of
free stuff with that badge! Many drinks, a bottle of champagne and 3 free desserts at various restaurants in Florida! It was a blast! I We met a nice couple at one of the clubs in Orlando and hung out with them for the evening. I also got many other great gifts but wanted to share that one as it went with the Four-Oh Bash.

We continued to visit with each other and look through a scrapbook that I had brought of my life starting with me as a baby.

Aunt Denise and Mom!

We were all super excited for the cake to get there by my friend Tanya of Domestic Arts. She had a very busy day with many wedding and other party deliveries but she was able to get my cake there and go to Boogie Fever with us! Everyone loved the cake and the design. Thank you so much Tanya for making my special 40th cake. I love you!

Eventually the Party Van arrived about 9:30 p.m. and we all ventured over to Boogie Fever in Ferndale to meet up with some more friends and family that didn't make it to the house party. We all had a great time there too! So much fun in fact I am planning another outing there soon so if your reading this and you want to go just let me know. Were hoping for sometime this month or next but if it gets too busy with the holidays we will shoot for January.

Jessie and Tracie

After we boogied the van dropped off many back at Emily's but then another group of us were taken over to The Embassy Suites in Livonia where I had reserved a room for 5 of us so we didn't have to do any driving that night. The hotel is fabulous and my guests really liked it as well as the next morning we all enjoyed
a made to order omelette breakfast! It was the perfect way to end a great weekend and send my friends and family on their way home.

Thank you to everyone for sharing this with me and for your friendship and kindness.

This was in Orlando with my Mom and Sister at City Walks/Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville.

Special thank you to the wonderful vendors who helped make this possible! I apologize for some of the blurry pictures we were using mostly camera phones :)

Venues-Huntley Home and Boogie Fever
Photo Booth-Mobile Exposures
Linens-Sposa Seating
Wine-Josh Brooks/Underdog Wine Merchants
Mashed Potato Bar Rentals-Thomas's Catering/Your Event Party Rental
Cake-Domestic Arts
Favors-Emily Huntley
Decor-Jodi Pampreen
Signature Drink/Vodka Slush-Tracie
Transportation-Dream Limousine
Hotel Accomodations-Embassy Suites Livonia
Event Planning-Yours Truly-You're The Bride

Jenny + Nate 9/24/11 Burton Manor

2011-11-09T07:31:00.005-05:00

Andrea and I started our day at The Livonia Marriott at Laurel Park Place. Our first mishap to solve of the day was a missing boutionniere so we whipped one up in the parking lot by using items from our emergency kit and some other flowers we had on hand. We're always prepared!

Jenny was a referral from my vendor friend Bruce at Weber's Floral in Livonia. She had booked him for her personal and reception flowers and expressed needing some help with managing the day and the rehearsal coordination at Genetti's in Northville as we could not use Burton Manor due to another event that night. Jenny was super sweet and organized! One of my favorite moment's of the day is the "First Look" between the bride and group.

The ceremony took place at Burton Manor inside an adjacent banquet room to the reception. Jenny walked
down to "In my Life".

I met Rev. Phillip Rogers at this wedding for the first time. He officiated and was very friendly and did a great job. If your looking for someone to marry you and add meaning to your ceremony give him a call. I have been getting to know him personally and he is a really nice guy!

Jenny needed a referral on transportation so we recommended our friends at Aristocat Limo in Warren. Richard the driver was very attentive and loves weddings too.

Here is the seating chart that our designer at You're The Bride created for her. It came out really pretty! She had a reception of 162 and provided mints and beer/pop koozies for all her guests. They were super cute and said "I found me a keeper".

My Assistant, Andrea did a great job decorating the cake with the beautiful orchids and roses. Jenny rented our cakestand to display her delicious cake made by Elite Sweets. I have to say our stand never looked so nice and shiny and that is thanks to the fancy photography work of Northstar Photography. Thanks!

Thank you so much for choosing You're The Bride to help with your special day. It was a great wedding and we wish you much love and happiness!! xoxo

Venue-Burton Manor
Photography-Northstar Photography
DJ-Night and Day Productions
Hair and Make-up-Charisma Salon
Officiant-Rev. Phillip Rogers
Photo Booth- Exposure Photo Booths
Cake-Elite Sweets
Florist-Weber's
Limo-Aristocat
Rehearsal Location-Genetti's-Coordination by You're The Bride
Day-of Coordination-You're The Bride/ Tracie and Andrea

Irina + Tom 9/10/11 Wyndgate Country Club

2011-11-04T13:12:00.001-04:00

Irina hired You're The Bride to coordinate her Rehearsal and to do Day-of Coordination so she could just relax and enjoy the party that she and her Mom worked very hard to plan. When my Assistant Jessie and I
arrived we saw Irina and Tom getting their pictures taken by what seemed the paparazzi! They had hired quite the crew of video and photography professionals so their day was quite documented. The images that Lance from Studio L Artistry provided to me for this post are amazing!

She was very detailed and had a lot of personal touches including signs for her signature drink and table numbers. One thing that was a big hit was their dessert table and gelato bar. This was the first time I have seen the gelato bar and is a really unique and fun idea. You can choose 3 flavors to wow your guests!

Love the dress and the "Special Hanger" with her name!

Something Blue on her shoes!

Signing the Jewish Ketubah before the ceremony

The Girls striking a pose!

The boys being silly!

Irina being very serious! I love this picture of her she belongs on the cover of a magazine.

I loved the Rabbi and the ceremony she prepared. Tom and Irina read "love letters" to each other during the ceremony and it was so meaningful and let the guests know just how much they love each other and are meant to be together. I think more couples should do this to really personalize their ceremonies as it was a great idea!

The New Mr. and Mrs. Sybrandy!

The gorgeous cake on my favorite pintuck linens!

The place card table

Love, love all the pink!

First Dance!

Thank you for choosing You're The Bride to help with your special day. Mazel Tov!

Venue-The Wyndgate Country Club
Officiant-Rabbi Tamara Kolten
Hair and Make-up-Jessica and Mardy
Photography-Studio L Artistry
Videography-Fairytale Productions
Florist-Twigs and Branches
Transportation- 247 Limo
Cake-Give Thanks Bakery
Reheasal Services-You're The Bride / Lanie
Day-of Coordination-You're The Bride / Tracie and Jessie
Chaircovers-Couture Chair Collection
Linens-Affordable Elegance
Music and Lighting-Ben Opengeym
Gelato Bar-Paciugu

Jennifer + Matt 9/9/11 The Dearborn Inn

2011-11-02T07:55:00.001-04:00

Jennifer and her Mom hired You're The Bride in January to help pull the details together for this fabulous wedding. I coordinated Jen's brother's wedding back in 2006 so that is how they knew me. It was so great to work with this family again! Jennifer went with my middle package since she was a out of town bride living in California and needed some extra planning assistance in addition the Rehearsal and Day-of Coordination that come with this service.

Plan A was to have the couple get married outside at the Dearborn Inn near the gazebo but unfortunately Mother Nature had another idea! I have never had one rained out ceremony in 12 years so I have had a pretty good run until now. My Assistant Melissa and I had to quickly move on to plan B and move everything we had set up for the outdoor ceremony inside to the ballroom. The staff helped re-arrange the chairs to make an aisle way on the dancefloor. In the end the couple was married and had a beautiful celebration. With Mother Nature we never know what she is going to do so as experienced wedding planners we just have to roll with the punches and do the best we can to get our couples married!

Jennifer wanted to give her guests a special treat so she ordered Mackinac Island Fudge favors and they
were of course delicious!

Since Jen and Matt live in California they choose "California Love" as their Grand Entrance song. This is one of my favorite party songs so I was super excited!

They served their guests a signature drink called the "First Kiss" which was a Cosmopolitan.

The First look is always my favorite !

The Bridal Party!

Jennifer was a absolutely stunning bride!

The gorgeous rings

Enjoying the room before guest arrival !

We did some rounds and square tables for a different look.

Grand Entrance and Cake!

Venue-The Dearborn Inn
Officiant-Rev. Carl Vogler
Music-Elysium Wedding Entertainment
Hair and Make-up-Bridal Beauty Detroit
Photographer-Birch Photography
Linens and Chiavari Chair Rentals-Modern Art
Florist-Venetian Flowers
Cake-Pastry Palace
Event Planning-You're The Bride

Reception Music: Band vs. DJ

2011-11-01T09:10:00.001-04:00

Having the right music at your wedding is key to setting the mood and making sure that your guest have a good time. So when choosing between a band or DJ here are some things to consider:

Band Pros:

* Sound quality most likely better then a DJ

* Live music can get your guest energized and excited and more people may dance

* A specific type band could help with wedding themes ( example 1930s theme with a swing band )

* Can easily change the tempo to accommodate dance moves

Band Cons:

* Cost of a band can be very expensive

* Some bands can really only play one sound and have a hard time switching styles

* Musicians have to take breaks so if they put a CD on it won't be the same energy as the band playing

DJ Pros:

* Your first dance song can be sung by the artist that made you fall in love, rather than an imitation

* Most DJs have libraries of hundreds of songs. That means they'll have music that your friends will like, as well as for the older generation of guests

* No breaks in the music

DJ Cons:

* Beware of the autopilot DJ, many have their routines down so they can get bored

* Might make bad jokes or play things you don't like

Whether you choose a DJ or band, make sure you meet with them and see them perform to make sure they are right for you!

Photo Credits:

outerbanksvideodjs.com

laynecorban.wordpress.com

~Jessie

Fabulous Fall Flowers

2011-10-30T08:38:00.001-04:00

When planning a fall wedding the colors that come to mind are rich reds, oranges, and yellows. There are so many unique flowers to use in a fall arrangement. Here is a list of some popular fall flowers to use at your wedding:

*Asters- they come in just about any color and are very affordable

*Chrysanthemums- mums are a sturdy flower that won't wilt, green is the most popular shade in this flower

*Berries- they can give your bouquet a fun twist and are perfect for fall weddings

*Gerber Daisy- perfect for a colorful bouquet, can be simple and stunning

*Sage- add a creative twist with a fresh herb like sage, will smell great and also very affordable

~Jessie

Photo Credits:

charlottegeary.com

my-weddingdream.com

flower-arrangement-advisor.com

cheap-wedding-secrets.com

bollea.com

Who Pays for What?

2011-10-25T10:18:00.000-04:00

These days there are no set rules for who should pay for what in a wedding. It is important that the bride and groom's parents meet and everyone discusses about budget. The groom's parents and the couple normally help with the expenses now, but here is a list of a traditional way to pay for a wedding:

Bride:

Wedding ring for the groom

Wedding gift for the groom

Presents for the bridesmaids

Groom:

The bride's rings

Wedding gift for the bride

Marriage license

Present for the groomsman

Honeymoon

Flowers

Bride's Family:

The reception

Invitations

Photograpgy/Videography

Bride's dress

Ceremony

Favors

Wedding Consultant

Groom's Family:

Rehearsal dinner

Travel expenses

Wedding gift for the bride and groom

Photo Credits:

wedding-guide.org

~Jessie

If the Shoe Fits...

2011-10-23T19:34:00.000-04:00

So you've found your dress for the big day, now all you need is that perfect shoe to complete the look. Finding shoes to compliment your dress can be challenging, but if you follow a couple guidelines you should be sure to find your shoe in no time!

The type of wedding you are having will affect the type of shoe you should pick out. For example, if your having an evening wedding with a glam gown you could wear strappy evening heels. Make sure you consider that all whites are different shades, you should take a swatch from your dress to compare colors. Also, when your getting alterations on your dress make sure to take your shoes with you so the length of your dress goes with the height of your heels. There is one rule of thumb you should always remember; fancy shoes for a simple dress and simple shoes with an elaborate gown. If you choose to not follow the rule just keep in mind that embellishments on your dress should match with the ones on your shoes.

~Jessie

Photo Credits:

wedding-splendor.com

Cute Kissing Poem

2011-10-19T17:01:00.000-04:00

There are many different ways to have the bride and groom kiss at the reception without using the traditional clinking of glass. Here is a cute poem that can be used in place of it:

Please no clinking of glasses or bells rung out loud,

We'd prefer something different from this lovely crowd.

We've filled a box with Hershey chocolates and set it aside

Near the Head Table at which sit the Groom and the Bride.

If it's a kiss that you're after come forward and stand,

Now roll up your sleeve and dig in with your hand.

Reach down deep and retrieve a Kiss of GOLD,

A smooch between the Bride and Groom you'll behold.

But if you pull out a SILVER Kiss in your quest,

Then you'll be required to kiss another guest!

Photo Credit:

specialspeeches.com

~Jessie

Reception of the Stars Tour 10/2/11

2011-10-11T07:18:00.001-04:00

On Sunday morning October 2, Jessie and I particpated in the wedding planner tour. We visited 6 venues
including Sacred Heart Banquet and Conference Center, Quality Inn and Suites, Lakes of Taylor, Portofino's, The Fairlane Club and The Henry. An enjoyable day was had by everyone!

Our first stop was at Sacred Heart and Josh Mayse of Thomas's Catering and the facility had 5 beautiful
tables setup and a wonderful continental breakfast with home made scones, cinnnamon rolls, raspberry and brie phyllo puffs and mimosa's. It was all delicious!

My favorite !

Josh and Melanie giving a presentation

Tracie and Intern Jessie

Our next stop was The Quality Inn and they had some delicious dessert waiting for us! They have a few different themed rooms from African Safari, Butterfly, Asian, Beach and more. They gave each of us a 50%
discount on a stay in one of these "fantasy suites".

WOW!!! Which one do you think I picked ? LOL

Our host, Bill Lonskey

Next up was Lakes of Taylor. I had never heard of this venue and was quite pleased on their outdoor ceremony site for my brides and grooms.

We all headed to Portofino's next in Wyandotte. If you are looking for a venue near water this is a great spot. Their room in the back is great as it's surrounded by all glass and to rent it out you only need to spend a minimum of $10 a person. They set up some beautiful mock-up tables for us to view.

Got Zebra?

The next stop along the way was The Fairlane Club. When we walked in they had Harpist Diane Dunn playing beautiful music in the lobby. They gave us wonderful appetizers too.

The last stop of our tour was The Henry. What a beautiful venue this is. They greeted us with the most delicious chocolate chip cookies and milk shooters. They also had cheesecake on a stick and those were to die for too! The property is gorgeous.

These were the bomb !

Replica of a Sylvia Weinstock cake!

80th Birthday party at The Henry

MotorCity Casino Tour

2011-10-07T08:57:00.000-04:00

On Tuesday October 4th, Tracie and I got the privilege of going downtown to MotorCity Casino and checking out their wedding spaces available for our clients. First we went up to the top floor where their award winning restaurant, Iridescence is located. What a awesome view from up there! The restaurant is very small and intimate. It has a custom made 300 bottle holder wine rack. The decor is gorgeous, with glass balls hanging from the ceiling and the illuminating panels on the sides of the walls.

We then checked out what used to be Club Amnesia, but now is only rented out for private events. This space was amazing. It had a very urban and modern touch to it. This was my favorite space by far. Not really something for your "typical" bride, it definitely has more of a club vibe to it.

After that we headed down to Sound Board. This space is where concerts are held at the hotel. This space has state-of-the-art sound technology. Again, not really a space for the "typical" bride. It is definitely for someone who wants an over-the-top show for a wedding.

While we were there we also got to take a peak at the rooms, the spa, and their ballrooms. We had a great time viewing the hotel and hope in the future to help plan a wedding here! Call us at 248-408-4602 to set up your complimentary consultation if you are looking for a wedding planner or day-of coordinator to manage your day so you can relax and not worry about a zillion details!

~Jessie

Fresh Flowers vs. Artificial Flowers

2011-10-06T09:35:00.000-04:00

As a bride you have so many different options to choose from for your wedding day. The type of flowers you have can affect how your whole wedding looks. Here are some pros and cons to real and artificial flowers:

Fresh Flowers Pros:

*They have a natural feel and look more attractive

*They have a pleasant aroma

* Can be given away to guests or hospitals/care homes

Fresh Flower Cons:

*Very costly

*Don't last long and can wilt in high temperature

*Have to be prepared in a short time before the wedding

Artificial Flower Pros:

*Can be found cheaply and in almost any color

*Can get out-of-season flowers without great expense

*If you suffer from allergies these flowers are the better choice

Artificial Flower Cons:

*They do not produce sent

*Wedding may not feel complete without traditional real bouquet of flowers

*Brides may be afraid using these flowers will make their wedding look "cheap"

~Jessie

Photo Credit:

cheap-wedding-planning-ideas.com

bouquetbridal.blogspot.com

Real Destination Wedding: Treasure Island, Florida

2011-09-25T23:11:00.000-04:00

Last weekend I got to attend my cousin's wedding, which was also my first destination wedding. The wedding was held in Treasure Island, Florida. It was a small event with just close friends and family totaling around 40 guests. The ceremony was held on the beach right before sunset. The ceremony spot was decorated with bright flowers lining the aisle way and a trellis at the end filled with flowers all over it. The sand was shaped into a heart around the ceremony spot with flower petals sprinkled over the sand.

The flower girls and bridesmaid were dressed in yellow, and the ring bearer was pulled down in a yellow wagon. The bride looked absolutely gorgeous in a sweetheart dress that had flower petals flowing all over to the bottom of it.

The reception took place at The Grand Plaza Hotel located in St. Pete Beach. It was a very small intimate room. The centerpieces were glass bowls with sand, shells, and candles in them.

The bride changed into a second dress for the reception which was a more form fitting contemporary dress. They had a great DJ and the dance floor was jumping all night long! Everything was wonderful and the guest had a great time! I wish all the best to the new happy couple!

~Jessie

Garter Toss Fun!

2011-09-25T11:41:00.000-04:00

Tossing the garter at your wedding should be a fun moment for everyone. Here is a list of popular songs to play during the garter toss to get your guest in the spirit:

1. American Women-Lenny Kravitz

2. Animals-Nickelback

3. Baby got Back-Sir Mixalot

4. Boombastic-Shaggy

5. Brick House-The Commodores

6. Dirty-Christina Aguilera

7. Drop Dead Legs-Van Halen

8. Foxy Lady-Jimi Hendrix

9. Girls-Beastie Boys

10. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun-Cyndi Lauper

11. Hey Ya-Outkast

12. Hot Legs-Rod Stewart

13. Hungry Eyes-Eric Carmen

14. It's Raining Men-Weather Girls

15. Legs-ZZ Top

16. Let's Get it Started-Black Eyed Peas

17. Sexy Back-Justin Timberlake

18. Sold-John Michael Montgomery

19. Wild Thing-Tone-Loc

20. You Shook Me All Night Long-AC/DC

~Jessie

Photo Credit:

fideliophotography.com

immabeawife.blogspot.com

Budget Centerpieces

2011-09-23T10:14:00.001-04:00

Many brides are getting creative and doing a lot of the decorating themselves. It is a great way to cut cost and give your wedding your own personal touch. Here are a few great ideas for budget centerpieces:

Candles-They are usually a lot cheaper then flowers. You can float them in water, use mirrors, or different heights to give the illusion of more candles.

Flowers-Using flowers that are in season can help cut cost significantly. Also, don't underestimate cheaper flowers (carnations, baby's breath) when done well they can make beautiful centerpieces.

Plants-If having a green themed wedding, incorporate grass into the centerpieces.

~Jessie

Photo Credits:

green-weddings.net

bouquetsandbrides.com

limelightfloral.wordpress.com

Naming your tables

2011-09-21T09:39:00.001-04:00

If you're looking to do something fun and different for your wedding, naming your tables instead of numbering them is a great way to do so. Doing this also avoids guests thinking of a number hierarchey, i.e. "I'm only at table 15, while so and so is at table 2". Here are some neat ideas on how to name your tables:

Colors - colors connected with your theme - so if your color is blue, tables could be sky, midnight, royal etc.

Places - places you've been together.

Hobbies - words connected with a particular passion one or both of you have - eg if you are golf fanatics then you could have tee, 19th hole, fairway, green etc.

Songs - names of songs by artists you both like.

Honeymoon - Going on an interesting/exotic honeymoon? Use names from that - for a safari you could use names of animals, for a beach holiday you could have palm tree, white sand, coral etc.

Venue - take inspiration from your venue. If it's castle you could have spires, moat, princess etc.

"I Love You" - "I love you" in different languages.

Season - table names could fit with the season - a winter wedding's tables could be called icicle, snowflake, blizzard etc.

Location - think of names relevant to your location - if you're getting married in a town or country with an interesting history then pick out some of those people/events.

Where you met - make a reference to where you met. If you met at university you could have landmarks from that town or a list of colleges/halls/bars.

Heritage - use your heritage/ancestors. If you have a Scottish connection then use all things Scottish - tartan, whisky, kilt, loch etc.

Types of wine grapes if you're buffs.

Flowers - if you are having predominantly one flower in your decorations you could pick varieties for the name - eg for roses you would have rose varieties.

Theme - are you having a strong theme? Use words from that - eg for a butterfly theme you could have names of butterflies. If you are having stars you could either use star signs or well known constellations.

Cocktails - if you're having a chic city wedding then how about names of different cocktails.

Countryside - at a country wedding you could have names connected with the countryside - meadow, bluebell, buttercup etc.

Favourite restaurants.

Football players from your team - past or present.

Landmarks from your home town.

Entertainment - you could tie names in to any entertainment you're having - rat packers if you're having a singer later on.

Famous couples - e.g. Fred and Ginger, Anthony and Cleopatra, the Lady and the Tramp, Romeo and Juliet.

Relationship - words that sum up your relationship - trust, laughter, companionship etc.

Movie Characters - famous characters from your favourite films.

Classic Video Games - If you're into video games, how about using classic titles for table names.

Movies - How about naming tables after your favourite films? You could use classic Bond films for example.

Planets of the solar system.

Premiership football stadiums.

Gemstones - names of gemstones eg sapphire, diamond, emerald etc.

Songs or albums - names of songs or albums by your favourite group or artist.

Authors - your favourite authors or books.

Stars - use names of stars or constellations.

Family - members of your family. How about all the grandparents!

Where you got engaged - make a reference to how/where you got engaged. If it was while having a picnic you could have hamper, picnic rug, scotch eggs etc.

Time of year - think about the time of year. If you're getting married in December you could have Christmas names - mistletoe, holly, cracker, mulled wine, or list the reindeer. Easter would work well too.

~Liz

source: http://www.toptableplanner.com/table_names.php

photo: http://www.seventhmoonweddingdesign.co.uk/rose_table_name_cards_3.jpg

Creating an Online Wedding Album

2011-09-19T12:20:00.000-04:00

If you don't want to deal with the hassle or extra cost of using disposable cameras on each table, there's another great way to still see your guests pictures. Best of all, it's free to do! Create a free photo account (try Snapfish or Photobucket) that allows you to upload photos into an online album. Then give your guests your login name and password, and have them upload the pictures they took at your wedding. To make sure all your guests are aware of this account, you can create little cards to put on each table, print it on the back of the menu, or mention it on your wedding website. Voila! You have a hassle and cost free way of seeing all your guests photos!

photo: http://mitchandmolly2008.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/favor-tag-back.jpg

~Liz

Sarah + Geoff Wed in Bay City ~ 8/27/11

2011-09-14T08:45:00.000-04:00

Sarah's Uncle Sal hired You're The Bride to help with her wedding after finding us online while searching for a Michigan Wedding Planner since he lives in San Diego, CA. He wanted us to help the couple get their plans moving in the right direction and keep them on track.

Sarah and Uncle Sal

When I first drove to Bay City to meet this couple I could just tell how in love they were. They were both so affectionate with each other and I was so excited to be a part of pulling their day together.

They had a beautiful outdoor ceremony at Unity Park in Bay City followed by a intimate reception at Jake's Old City Grill in downtown Saginaw.

The couple had a huge tree delivered so during the ceremony they put soil and dirt in the container and could later plant it at their home. To tie in with the outdoor ceremony we had shepherd's hooks with herbs and seed packets in mason jars.

The owner of Timothy's Cigar Shop next door to the park was very kind to let us store the bouquets and bouts inside so they would not wilt before the ceremony. If you are looking for cigars for a Bachelor Party you should stop in and check out the large variety of cigars they have. Tim will help you pick out the flavor that is for you! Check them out online at http://www.timothysfinecigars.com/

Ceremony Site-Unity Park
Reception Venue-Jake's
Officiant-Mary Donnely
Flowers-Designed, Sealed and Delivered
Rehearsal + Day-of Coordination-You're The Bride
Music-Family Friends Stanley and Don
Emcee-Friend Josh
Photographer-Adriene Hughes
Cake-Gourmet Cupcake Shoppe
Favors-Sweet Boutique
Italian Cookies-Sarah's Grandma Lynch
Hair-Uncle Sal
Make-up-LC Make-up Artistry

Rebecca + Will get hitched in Ann Arbor 8/26/11

2011-09-12T22:52:00.001-04:00

The girls having a little fun!

I personally was booked on Rebecca's wedding day in Saginaw for another client wedding so I had my Assistant Keri take the lead on this wedding along with Danielle assisting her. I managed all of her Day-of
Coordination and vendors prior to the wedding and Keri took over on the actual day-of and everything was wonderful for Rebecca and Will.

Rebecca sure made a beautiful bride! What a great smile :)

I had met Rebecca at a vendor event last year as she is a violinist so music is quite important to her. If you
are a bride and looking for live music for your ceremony and reception please visit her website at http://www.horizonstringsgroup.com/.

Rebecca's Mother-in-law made beautiful smelling lavendar soaps for one of their favors and of course Rebecca made cd's with music for a second guest favor.

Rebecca is bringing her dress in tomorrow for the dress cleaning and preservation service we offer.

Thank you for choosing You're The Bride to help with your special day!

Church-West Side United Methodist, Ann Arbor
Venue-Weber's Inn
Flowers- Pot and Box
Cake- Weber's Inn
DJ/MC-Groomsmen Sean
Video-Brother-in-law Keith
Photographer-Family friends Lee and Stefanie
Chaircovers-Chaircover Express
Day-of Coordination-You're The Bride/Keri and Danielle
Ceremony Music-Horizons Strings Group
Reception Music-Royal Garden Jazz Trio
Transportation-AAMUSE
Hair and Make-up-Tricho Salon

Tips for the Groom!

2011-09-12T08:10:00.000-04:00

I found this great list of top ten tips for your groom on theknot.com, and thought I would share it. Here it is!

1. Have an Opinion

This is your wedding too, so get in on the planning. Pick a few things that interest you (food? the wedding music? photos?). You don't have to wax poetic on the difference between lilies and daisies for the bridesmaid bouquets, but give your opinion on the major planning points; it'll let your fiance know she's not in this alone. And wouldn't it be nice to know a little something about your wedding before you attend it?

If she's doing the majority of the planning, she's probably bordering on wedding overload.

2. Relish Your Wedding Registry

It may seem like a tedious task, but think about it: You get to wander around a store, picking things you want that someone most likely will buy you -- you can’t beat that. Better yet, it’s now common to shop beyond the kitchen department. Consider home electronics, power tools, and camping gear. Can't justify shelling out for a plasma screen yourself? Throw it on your wedding registry, and a group of friends might buy it for you!

3. Don't Be a Pushover -- Really

She wants to register for a yellow comforter with little pink flowers, and you don't want to have to stash your bedspread in the closet every time your friends come over. See if you can meet her halfway: Tell her the floral patterns are a bit much, but you're fine with yellow, maybe in another style. You'll make her happy and salvage your manhood.

4. Give Her a Break

If she's doing the majority of the planning for your wedding, she's probably bordering on wedding overload. You need to make sure she doesn't have an ulcer (or a grudge!) by the time she walks down the aisle. Give her a night to relax and cook her dinner, do the dishes, rent her favorite movie (yes, even a chick flick), and remind her why wedding planning is worth the stress.

5. Be a Buffer

If your mom is calling your fiance every hour to talk about the wedding, you run the risk of major family conflict, with you stuck in the middle. Your mission: Keep the peace. Call your mom and let her know that while you appreciate her interest and excitement, it's your wedding and she needs to give you two some planning space. Take responsibility for communicating with your family so that you can filter out petty worries from legitimate concerns.

6. Get Some Help

Has your fiance really hit the wall? Suggest hiring a planner for the day of your wedding. (Use our local resources to find a great day-of wedding planner in your area.) Your consultant will handle all the little details that neither you nor your bride will want to deal with, and it'll be a relief to have a professional on hand to fix any little mix-ups.

7. Don’t Add Insult

Your fiance may complain about her mom who’s being a control freak, or about her uncle who wants to bring his new girlfriend, or her cousin who wants to bring all four of her kids. Don’t join in on the family bashing. Hear her out, agree with her, but don’t take this opportunity to tell her the things about her family that annoys you. Her bad mood will pass, but your careless comments may stick.

8. Arrange the Attire

Send out detailed emails to all your groomsmen filling them in on the relevant info for the formalwear -- let them know when and where to get fitted for their tuxes, and remind them to return the suits the day after the wedding to avoid annoying late fees. Loop your fiance in on the emails to prove that you've got everything under control. The more info you can share, the better. Got directions to the tux place? Include them. Don't assume they'll know anything about this stuff. Did you before you got engaged?

9. Manage Your Men

Know your friend who loses his car keys at least once a week? Probably better not to make him responsible for bringing your ring to the ceremony. And your buddy who tends to drink too much? Make sure one of your more reliable (or sober) groomsmen keeps him from flirting with your fiance’s mom at the rehearsal dinner. Your guys don't have to be saints, but they will have responsibilities, and it's your job to make sure they know what they are.

10. Get Sentimental

The day of your wedding, send her a gift, flowers, or a sweet note to read while she's getting ready. Or, at the reception, pull the videographer aside and tape a special message to her. She'll see it later and we promise, she'll love you all the more.

~Liz

Source: http://wedding.theknot.com/groom-groomsmen/tips-for-grooms/articles/top-10-groom-tips.aspx

photo: http://blog.bridepower.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/groom-social1.jpg

Aaron + Nania are married! 8/20/11

2011-09-08T04:17:00.000-04:00

Nania was referred by a former client of ours Cindy and we appreciate that! She hired You're The Bride

for a little planning help, Rehearsal Services and Day-of Coordination. Nania and Aaron were married

in the ballroom of The Michigan League at The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. They had the most

sweet and loving ceremony I had ever witnessed. It brought tears to my eyes as I could see just how much

they love and respect each other. They wrote their own vows so it was extra special.

I always love the "First Look" moment between my couples. The Photographer got some great images capturing this special moment.

After the ceremony we had to flip the room to get ready for the reception so we had the guests move to cocktail hour down the hallway to the concourse.

When the bride and groom entered for their Grand Entrance they both had changed into traditional Korean wedding clothes and did a Korean Bowing Ceremony. This is a blessing ceremony to show respect to the parents, aunts and uncles.

Remedy provided all the music and the guests had a great time and the dancefloor was always packed!

Thank you for letting us share in your special day!

Venue-Michigan League
Officiant-Dave Poole
Floral-Chelsea Flower Shop
Photographer-Jean Smith Photography
Day-of Coordination-You're The Bride
Invitations and Card Holder Rental-You're The Bride
Music/Band-Remedy
Cake-Jefferson Bakery
Photo Booth- My Exposure Photography
Chaircovers/L:inens-Linen Hero
Hair/Makeup-Sharla Mohney

Wedding Superstitions

2011-09-04T12:26:00.001-04:00

Here is a list of some of the most common wedding day superstitions and what they mean:

*Tossing the bouquet- whoever catches the bouquet is the next to marry

*Feeding each other cake- ensures you'll always be there to take care of each other

*"Something old"- symbolizes continuity with the bride's family and the past

*"Something new"- means optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead

*"Something borrowed"- is usually an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride

*In ancient Rome, brides wore blue to symbolize love, modesty, and fidelity

*A silver sixpence in the bride's shoe- represents wealth and financial security

*The original purpose of bridesmaids was to confuse evil spirits so they wouldn't know which woman was the bride

~Jessie

Photo Credit:

superstock.com

elizabethannedesigns.com

beautifulweddingsonabudget.com

Keywords:

Wedding Superstition, Old, New, Borrowed, Blue

Chair Sashes and Styles

2011-09-02T08:22:00.000-04:00

Chair sashes are an elegant way to dress up a chair cover or even just a plain chair. There are many different ways to tie them, so here are some ideas!

~Liz

For more ideas, try these website:

http://www.marqueelinens.com/tying.html

photos: http://www.caloosatent.com/images/images%202/the%20lost%20linen/sashes%20examples%201.jpg

http://www.dressmychair.com/images/easysetup_20.png

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQt-ze3IYICwg3vRwZLeEBYiZIE2_J_zGLpf2PABREqHGrBti6-6n7WToo0

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTBV5BviZPZGqFRL8kNw3lKo98j-2SpLLFrnYpIiPMNvh9yTq92

http://media.theknot.com/ImageStage/Objects/0003/0084941/image475x475.jpg

Wedding Dress Rules

2011-08-31T07:22:00.002-04:00

You found your perfect man, got the perfect ring, your next step is finding the perfect dress. For some brides this can be a very stressful time for them. But it doesn't have to be if you follow these simple rules:

*Know your frame and pick figure-flattering dresses

*Set a budget and keep in mind not only the dress but accessories, shoes, and alterations will increase the price

*Limit the amount of people you bring to your appointment it will be less opinions and less pressure

*Try to go during the week when the shop is less busy and you will have more time and attention

*Try on all kinds of dresses and then narrow down to what style you like best

*Have a time line so you know how long it will take for the dress to arrive and alterations

*Make an appointment instead of a walk-in so your guaranteed a salesperson's one-on-one help

Just remember to have fun and enjoy trying on all types of dresses!

~Jessie

Photo Credits:

encorebridal.com

Invitation Printing Processes

2011-08-29T13:32:00.002-04:00

When choosing your wedding invitations, another feature you will want to decide on is the printing process. There are four main types; flat, thermography, letterpress, and engraved.

Flat

Flat printing is where the letters are printed to create a smooth and flat design.

Thermography

Thermography is a printing process in which the letters are raised.

Letterpress

Letterpress creates a deep impression into the paper, producing an appealing texture, which is the opposite of engraving, which creates a raised texture.

Engraved

Engraving is the most expensive form, and considered to be the most elegant. The paper is pressed against a metal plate, causing the printing press to raise the letters on the paper.

~Liz

photos: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/04/Thermo-stationery.jpg/220px-Thermo-stationery.jpg

http://www.fayeandco.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dscn0629.jpg

http://www.mypersonalartist.com/letterpressinvitations/letterpress_wedding_invitations.jpg

http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/engravingdetail_gryphon_stationers.jpg

Wedding Dress Fabrics

2011-08-28T08:30:00.001-04:00

Knowing your wedding dress fabrics will come in handy when shopping for a dress. You'll be able to tell the sales person what you do and don't want. It will be especially helpful if you are designing your own gown. Here is a glossary of wedding dress fabrics:

Batiste: A lightweight, soft, transparent fabric.

Brocade: A Jacquard-woven fabric with raised designs; traditionally popular for fall and winter, now also worn in warmer weather.

Charmeuse: A lightweight, semi-lustrous soft fabric, that is satin-like to the touch.

Chiffon: Delicate, sheer, and transparent -- made from silk or rayon, with a soft finish; often layered because of its transparency, making it popular for overskirts, sheer sleeves, and wraps.

Crepe: A light, soft, and thin fabric with a crinkled surface.

Damask: Similar to brocade with raised designs, but woven in a much lighter weight.

Duchesse Satin: A lightweight hybrid of silk and rayon (or polyester) woven into a satin finish.

Dupioni: A finish similar to shantung, but with thicker, coarser fibers, and a slight sheen.

Faille: A structured, ribbed finish like grosgrain ribbon; usually quite substantial.

Gabardine: A tightly-woven, firm and durable finish, with single diagonal lines on the face.

Georgette: A sheer, lightweight fabric often made of polyester or silk with a crepe surface.

Illusion: A fine, sheer net fabric, generally used on sleeves or necklines.

Jersey: A very elastic knit fabric; the face has lengthwise ribs and the underside has crosswise ribs.

Moire: A heavy silk taffeta with a subtle, wavy design.

Organdy: A stiff transparent fabric.

Organza: Crisp and sheer like chiffon, with a stiffer texture similar in effect to tulle, but more flowing; popular for skirts, sleeves, backs, and overlays.

Peau de Soie: A soft satin-faced, high-quality cloth with a dull luster, fine ribs, and a grainy appearance.

Pique: A knit fabric with a waffle-weave appearance, pique has distinct sides. The outside resembles a honeycomb or waffle and the underside is flat and smooth.

Polyester: An inexpensive man-made fiber that can be woven into just about anything, including duchesse satin

Rayon: Similar to silk, but more elastic and affordable.

Satin: A heavy, smooth fabric with a high sheen on one side; very common in bridal gowns.

Silk: The most sought-after, cherished fiber for wedding dresses (and also the most expensive); there are several types with different textures: raw silk and silk mikado are just two examples.

Silk Gazar: A four-ply silk organza.

Silk Mikado: A brand of blended silk, usually heavier than 100-percent silk.

Silk-faced Satin: A smooth silk satin, with a glossy front and matte back.

Shantung: Similar to a raw silk, shantung is characterized by its rubbed texture.

Taffeta: Crisp and smooth, with a slight rib.

Tulle: Netting made of silk, nylon, or rayon; used primarily for skirts and veils (think ballerina tutus).

Velvet: A soft, thick fabric with a felted face and plain underside.

~Liz

Source: http://wedding.theknot.com/bridal-fashion/wedding-dress-shopping/articles/wedding-gown-fabric-glossary.aspx

picture: http://weddings-engagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/popular-bridal-fabrics-2.jpg

The Knot Event at The Colony Club

2011-08-28T08:10:00.001-04:00

Tuesday August 16th The Knot hosted their annual event. Vendors from all over came to enjoy this wonderful cocktail party. It was hosted at the gorgeous Colony Club in downtown Detoit. This beautiful venue can accomodate up to 400 guests in their grand ballroom and would be a great spot for a wedding reception. The guests were offered fabulous food, such as shish-ka-bobs, a mashed potato station, and even coldstone ice cream was there!

Special guest host Editor-in-chief, Carley Roney was there to say a few words about the upcoming wedding season.

The hall was decorated in elegant shades of purple and lovely floral centerpieces with candles lined the tables. Their signature cocktail being served was a Black Cherry Martini and was absolutly delicious. At the entrance of the room were candy tables full of goodies. They even had a photo booth upstairs that we got to try out and get silly taking pictures in! It was fun networking and meeting all the other vendors at this event and I can't wait to attend more in the future!

All images courtesy of Wilson Sarkis Photography. Thank you !!

~Jessie

Wedding Dinner Styles

2011-08-27T13:19:00.003-04:00

Family Style

Serving food family style means that all the food is placed on the table in different dishes, and passed around the table. It creates a more casual tone than serving a plated dinner. It also allows your guests to have more choice and control over what they want to eat. For example, if a guest isn't a fan of the main meat entree, they can have more of the side dishes. And unlike buffet style, they don't have to wait in a line or wait for their table to be called up in order to eat with options. Keep in mind however, if you are serving fish, which some types break easily, it may not be the best choice as it is too diffifcult to serve each person from a platter.

Plated

Having a plated meal means that each guests is served a pre-portioned plate with the main entree and side dishes. Generally doing this creates a more formal tone. An advantage of this is that your guests don't have to wait in line for food, and you have a lot more control over how long dinner is actually going to take. A disadvantage is that it limits their number of food choices, and there may be guests that don't like the food you are serving. Additionally, plated meals may not work well for guests who are vegetarian or have food allergies. Normally only two entree options are offered in a sit-down dinner.

Buffet

Buffet style means that one or two long tables are set up with the food choices. Sometimes this can be the cheapest option because it cuts down on the number of waitstaff needed. However, if you offer a wide variety of food options, it could run you more than a plated or family style dinner. The advantage of buffet style is that guests have complete control over what they want to eat, and how much of it. The disadvantage is that guests have to wait in line or wait for their table to be called. Because of this, buffet style dinners usually take longer than plated or family style dinners.

~Liz

photo: http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/wedding-buffet.jpg

Tips on hiring a make up artist

2011-08-25T08:35:00.004-04:00

If you are planning on hiring a makeup artist, you want to be sure you hire someone who understands and shares your vision. To the meeting, bring pictures of what you like, and ask her to bring her portfolio if she has one. Additionally, here are some questions you may want to ask:

-Do you have experience working with brides?

-Ask about her philosophy, what does she think a bride should look like on her wedding day?

-What do you think would be best for me?

-What if something happens and you can't make it last minute? Do you send a backup person?

-Find out if she'll be bringing her own supplies (brushes, tweezers, etc.)

-Will I need to purchase and bring my own makeup?

-How do you charge? By the hour? By the job?

-How many events do you do in a day? (Will she be rushing off to someone else?)

-Will you come to me?

-Will you stick around for touch-ups? If not, can you teach me how to do my own?

-Do you have references I can call?

Source: The Wedding Book by Mindy Weiss

~Liz

picture: http://www.agelessbeautypro.com/makeupartist.jpg

Laurel + Travis Tie The Knot! 8/7/11

2011-08-24T08:03:00.001-04:00

Laurel contacted and hired You're The Bride this past January regarding Day-of Coordination for her wedding in Cannonsburg near Grand Rapids. I didn't actually get to meet with this couple until April since
they live in Chicago. I loved them right away as they were so laid back and sweet!

This wedding season I have been able to do a little traveling outside of the Metro Detroit area which has been a nice change. Laurel and Travis both work for the Hyatt in Chicago so they put me up in a very nice room so I could be there ahead of time. Since I had some time to myself of Saturday I went exploring the area since I have only been to Grand Rapids once and it was a really long time ago. I started off by asking
the ladies at the front desk where is the best Mexican place to eat and they all agreed the Beltline Bar. Doesn't sound Mexican does it ? Once I saw a cactus on the sign I knew I was in the right place. Wow were they right they had great food and I even had a margarita! Then I decided to go catch a movie as it's not that often I get to take time to myself so I found a movie theatre and bought a ticket. The movie wasn't going to start for a little more than an hour so I walked down to the Buffalo Wild Wings that was in the strip Mall to kill a little time. I ended up talking to this really nice couple Chris and April who were also waiting for a movie. Come to find out they were getting married on Monday at the JP and celebrating afterwards by going golfing! They were are really nice couple and I enjoyed chatting with them while we were both waiting. Congratulations to this happy couple too!

Well Sunday there was a little rain in the forecast but Travis and Laurel remained calm and we sent everyone down the aisle with umbrella's.

Kristen, a former Assistant of mine was a huge help to me that day with the set-up and tear-down. Ironically she lives in Kentwood near Grand Rapids so having her assist was perfect! Kristen was also able to arrange a hair stylist for Laurel and her girls since she had a friend who does this so that was very helpful.

We also recommended the florist who did a great job on the floral and took Laurel's idea of using wine bottles and simple flowers on the tables.

Thank you for letting You're The Bride share your day. Congratulations for many happy years!

Venue-Warren Townsend Park
Caterer-Adeline Leigh Catering
Rentals-Alpine Rent-All
Bartender Services-Bars by Butch
Photographer-Lions Roar Media
Hair-Aimee Hudson
Florist-Ludemas
Cupcakes/Cake-Sweet Cakes Design
Officiant- Elizabeth Bradshaw (friend)
Day-of Coordination-Tracie + Kristen/ You're The Bride
Live Music-Robin Connell
DJ-Zach Ziegler (friend)

Trying on your wedding dress

2011-08-23T05:27:00.000-04:00

Before you head out to try on your wedding dress, keep these tips in mind to get the most of your fitting!
-In order to get the best fit, bring all the items you'll be wearing under your dress, i.e hosiery, bra, body shaper, etc.

-Bring the shoes you'll be wearing so you ensure your dress is the right length

-Skip the foundation and lipstick, you don't want it rubbing off on your wedding dress

-Have the front of your dress hemmed an inch shorter then the back to help prevent you from catching the toe of your shoe in the hem and tripping

-Bring pictures of dresses you like and don't like to show the sales person

-Wear underwear you won't be embarrassed to be seen in since trying on a wedding dress is not a solo operation

-If you're shopping a sample sale, wear a body stocking, unitard, or swimsuit under your clothing so you can change in the aisles if need be

-Bridal salons are extremely busy on weekends, especially in the peak shopping months of January through April. Try to get a day off work during the week so you can get an appointment sooner and get more attention

~Liz

photo: http://encorebridal.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/blog-image-9-09-300x240.jpg

The Groom's Cake

2011-08-21T07:34:00.001-04:00

The groom's cake is a gift that is given by the bride, the bride's parents, or his own parents. The cake is not meant to be as elaborate as the wedding cake and is often cooked by a family member. The cake is intended to be for the groom and any unmarried ladies that attend the reception. There is an old myth that the groom's cake should be cut into small pieces. They should then be wrapped in a napkin and given to all the single ladies. The night of the ladies place the cake under their pillow it is said that whoever she dreams of that night, she will marry. The groom's cake is usually decorated with hobbies or sports that the groom loves. Whether it is a simple cake or very elaborate it is sure to be something your groom will love!

~Jessie

Photo Credit:

Piece-a-cake.com

weddingaces.com

bridalbuzz.blogspot.com

Wedding Cake History

2011-08-18T09:02:00.000-04:00

The wedding cake has a long history and tradition of how it all started. Wedding cakes date all the way back to the medieval times. Back then the wedding cake flavor was wheat bread and they would crack it over the brides head to encourage a fertile marriage. In England guests of the wedding would bring many small cakes and after they were all collected the bride and groom would stack them up and stand on top and kiss. In the 17th century a new dish called the bride's pie was introduced. It was said that the main ingredient was a "glass ring" and the girl to find it would be next to be married. By the late 19th century wedding cakes became very popular. These early cakes were simple one-tiered plum cakes. The cake cutting ceremony at a wedding is supposed to symbolize the first task a bride and groom perform together as husband and wife. The once simple wedding cake has now evolved into a multi-tiered extravaganza, which was originally reserved for English royalty only. Nowadays most bride and grooms save the top layer of their cake and freeze it to share and enjoy on their first wedding anniversary.

~Jessie

Photo Credit:cakepicturegallery.com
fhiky.com

Handy Hints for your Honeymoon

2011-08-16T19:18:00.001-04:00

Between the cost of weddings and moving in together, a lot of couples find they don't have the extra money they need for a honeymoon.

But there are ways you can save and not spend a fortune on your honeymoon. Here are 5 simple suggestions to cut costs:

1. Consider a Honeymoon Registry- Some travel agencies and resorts offer a registry service and applies contributions from your guests towards your honeymoon expense, they can buy you anything from a nice dinner to golf lessons.

2. Talk to your Friends- Ask around if your bridesmaids or family members have a vacation home for you to use on your honeymoon.

3. Consider an All-Inclusive Trip- Includes all you need for one flat fee. Room, food, drinks, activities, and more!

4. Travel during the Off-Season- Many families vacation between January-April so travel prices are higher. Wait until after these months for a much cheaper deal.

5. Stay Close to Home- The shorter the flight the cheaper the fare! To save even more honeymoon in the U.S.

~Jessie

Photo Credits:

weddinghoneymoonideas.com

DIY Wedding ideas

2011-08-14T11:22:00.000-04:00

Wedding Cake

Try making your own wedding cake! It's not as difficult as it sounds, and it can save you a ton of money.

Here's a great website that shows you how to do it: http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/make-a-homemade-wedding-cake

Reception Chair Labels

Instead of forking out a fortune on chair covers and sashes, try printing one of these chair labels and putting them on the back of each chair.

http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/diy-do-it-yourself-weddings/articles/diy-wedding-reception-chair-labels.aspx

DIY Programs and Menus

Print out your own programs and menus by using an online template. Try this website: http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/downloadable-programs-menus

DIY Save the Dates

Instead of getting your save the dates professionally done, try doing it yourself by using a template. Here's a link to a really awesome DIY save the date: http://www.diywedding.org/diy-wedding-ideas/free-downloads/diy-wedding-heart-save-the-date-card

~Liz

Indoor vs. Outdoor Wedding

2011-08-13T13:13:00.001-04:00

Whether you're thinking about taking your vows in the great outdoors or a customized indoor affair, there are some pros and cons of each to consider:

Indoor Wedding Pros:

*You are in a Controlled Environment- No worries about rain or snow, you can be sure your guests will be comfortable

*2-in-1 package- Many indoor spaces can double as your ceremony and reception venue, which could save you a lot of money

Indoor Wedding Cons:

*Could be Rules on Space and Decor- Some establishments don't allow extensive decor and may be limited space for guests

*High Demand in the Colder Months- Harder to book if last minute, recommended to book at least 6-9 months before

Outdoor Wedding Pros:

*Little Decor Necessary- A scenic outdoor ceremony does not require much to make it look spectacular

*More Family Friendly- If inviting kids to your wedding, it is easier to entertain them in an outside venue

Outdoor Wedding Cons:

*Lighting Limitations- Depending on the time of day, locations, trees, etc it can make it hard for your photographer and videographer

*The Weather- Having a wedding outside is a gamble, you don't want the weather to ruin your perfect day

~Jessie

Photo Credit:

stylemepretty.com

betsywhite.com

Cheers to the Bride & Groom

2011-08-12T07:54:00.001-04:00

Public speaking is a thing feared by many people. So when a bride or groom asks you to make a toast at their wedding it is not uncommon to feel very nervous about it. Preparing for a speech will make you much more relaxed and you will find it will be a lot easier when the moment comes. You should start by making a list of everything you want people to know about the couple. It is extremely important to make sure you talk about both the bride and groom. You can include memories, best qualities, or the first time they met. Lastly jot down ideas about what you wish for them in their future. Now that you have some ideas written down you can start to piece together what you want to say. Although you might think drunken stories or past relationships may be funny make sure you keep those for the bachelor(ette) parties. If you have trouble remembering you can write down the key points and use a note card when giving the actual speech. A toast should last no longer then three minutes, so you may want to rehearse in front of friends or family to see where you stand. Just remember the best toast is sincere and from the heart!

~Jessie

Photo Credit:
guardian.co.uk

Prayers of the Faithful

2011-08-11T12:20:00.000-04:00

If you are having a catholic wedding, you will need to choose prayers of the faithful to read during your ceremony. These prayers follow immediately after the blessing and exchange of rings. The presidor for each prayer is "For...;we pray to the lord". The congregation responds with "Lord hear our prayer"

According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, the order of intentions should be:

-For the needs of the Church

-For the public authorities and salvation of the whole world

-For those burdened by any kind of difficulty

-For the local community

However, the General Instruction also provides for the intentions to "reflect more closely the particular occasion" during the Rite of Marriage.

Here is an example of some prayers you might use:

1. For all the people of God, that we may strengthen each other mutually in love, we pray to the Lord.

2. For the people and leaders of all nations, that peace may be theirs, we pray to the Lord.

3. For ____________, joined now in marriage, that their love grow and their commitment deepen every day, we pray to the Lord

4. For the families of _________________, that love, marriage and family life grow stronger, we pray to the Lord.

5. For all the lives this family will touch, that people will find love and compassion in their home, we pray to the Lord.

6. For the families and friends gathered here today, that they continue to enrich _____________________ with love and support through the years, we pray to the Lord.

7. For all who have died in the peace of Christ, especially: _____________________________ whom we remember at this celebration, we pray to the Lord.

picture: http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-page-main/ehow/images/a07/ls/ha/petitions-prayers-faithful-weddings-800x800.jpg

~Liz

Thank You Card Etiquette

2011-08-08T23:06:00.000-04:00

Writing thank you notes is something you should take care of as soon as possible. If you need tips on how to write your thank you notes, here are some tips provided by Mindy Weiss's "The Wedding Book"

Your goal is to make your notes sound warm and personal. Four or five sentences will suffice for all but your very closest friends and family members. In those sentences you want to:

-Thank the guest for the gift.

-Describe how you'll use it. If you're not sure, put your imagination to work. For a hand-painted ceramic soup tureen, you might say "It will look terrific on our table for our first Thanksgiving dinner." Avoid vague, all-purpose phrases such as "Thanks for the great gift. It's sure to come in handy." It should be clear that you couldn't possibly describing any gift other than theirs.

-State how lovely it was or will be to see them at the wedding. If they were unable to attend but still sent a gift, express how sorry you were that they weren't able to be there. If they did attend, add a personal observation- a compliment about how they looked, how beautifully they danced the samba, or their joke that had the whole table in stitches.

-Make a reference to a future visit or get-together, and if you can tie it back to the gift, so much the better: "We look forward to having you over for cocktails soon and putting that gorgeous martini shaker to work"

If you need to order thank you cards click here and receive a discount thank you cards

pictures: http://www.stacymakescents.com/wp-content/uploads/24774.jpg

~Liz

Trica + Chris are Married! 7/23/11

2011-08-03T08:54:00.000-04:00

Tricia heard about You're The Bride based on the recommendation of another happy client and through her Aunt back in May. She booked us for Day-of Coordination so she could just relax and have fun on her wedding day and that she did! We took care of all the details so she didn't have to worry.

The bride chose 3 different table looks for her reception.

Keri, my Assistant with the 3rd table look.

They had over 335 guests at their Big Italian wedding so of course she gave Jordan Almonds to keep with tradition! Also, check out her huge wedding cake.

She decided to offer her guests a signature drink was a "Dreamsicle" which consisted of Sunny D and Captain Morgan.

The Bridesmaids and Groomsmen were cheering them in for their Grand Entrance!

Tricia was so funny trying to get their first slice of cake! She was having so much fun!

Now to give a bite to her handsome new husband!

The First Dance.

They sure had a great time! The new Mr. and Mrs. Owens honeymooned in Mexico. Thank you for letting us be part of your day!

Church-St. Michael's, Livonia

Venue-Laurel Manor, Livonia

Day-of Coordination-Tracie and Keri/You're The Bride

Photographer-Robert Terwillger Photography

Video-George's Video Productions

DJ-First Class Entertainment

Cake/Cupcakes-Cakes By Stephanie

Flowers-Jellibeans 'n' Rosebuds/Debbie Malek, Plymouth

Limo-Millenium Limo

Hair-Dana/Tangerine

Make-up-Lora/The Make-up Loft

Photo Booth-Shutterbooth

Nania + Aaron are engaged !

2011-08-02T20:35:00.000-04:00

Nania and Aaron are getting married in just a few weeks on August 20th at The Michigan League on the campus of U of M and it's going to be great! You're The Bride is so excited to be helping this couple with their special day.

Here are a few of their beautiful engagement pictures from Jean Smith Photography!

Bridal Expo Extravaganza

2011-08-01T09:09:00.000-04:00

Bridal Expos are a great way to get ideas about how you want to plan your wedding. They have wonderful exhibits, food samples, and entertainment. It is also a good place to check out the latest fashion trends with their runway shows. Most bridal expos run between 5-10 dollars. There are many scheduled all throughout Michigan. Here is a list of a few coming up within the next months:

August 14th-Brides-to-Be Show at Cherry Creek Golf Club in Shelby Township

September 11th- Bride's Day Bridal Show at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi

September16th & 17th- Fall Bridal Show of West Michigan at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids

To get a list of more bridal expos you can check out the website http://www.michiganweddingslavin.com/bridal_shows_mi.html

Photo Credit:

groomsadvice.com

semobridal.com

~Jessie

Happy First Anniversary Rhonda + Jason

2011-07-31T07:33:00.001-04:00

I can't believe it's already been a year since I helped this couple with their rehearsal and wedding at
The Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth.

Click here to read their blog post from last year.

http://blog.yourethebride.com/2010/08/rhonda-jason-frankenmuth-wedding-fun.html

Happy Anniversary and many more!

Andy and Erin are Married! 7/22/11

2011-07-29T07:33:00.000-04:00

Erin was a out-of-state bride living in Ohio while planning her Michigan wedding. She hired You're The Bride last July for Day-of Coordination so she could relax and have peace of mind that all of her wishes were carried out. We gave her recommendations on linens, transportation and hair and make-up.

Check out her fabulous flowers provided by Viviano's.

I spotted this cool chair inside of the church and had Erin go sit in it since she was Queen for the day!

This couple had a fabulous day starting at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament on Woodward in Detroit.

Upon arrival to the cocktail hour they rode in a Model T car around the grounds and Greenfield Village and got some great pictures which I can't wait to see.

Their reception followed at Lovett Hall in Dearborn which is part of The Henry Ford. Erin and Andy decided to name all of their tables. They also ordered a custom seating chart from You're The Bride. It turned out
really great! My assistant, Liz, was great about helping the guests find their seats.

Erin's Mom asked up to spruce up the bathroom with some fresh cut flowers in these really cute vases. We also placed candles on the ledge to give it a romantic feel. It really gave the bathroom the extra touch it needed and the ladies seemed to like it.

We also shopped for some last minute items to go on the bathroom tray that was for the ladies to grab a mint
or freshen up before heading back to the party!

Here is the Bridal Party waiting to be announced by Derek of the Dan Rafferty Band for the Grand Entrance.
They walked into Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus. It was very high energy and a lot of fun!

The room looked absolutely amazing! It was our first wedding at Lovett Hall and I can't wait to go back. We have done weddings at The Henry Ford Museum and Eagle Tavern so it was nice to experience this venue as well. The staff was truly amazing and offered top notch service.

The cake was a main focal point on the dance floor and the guests couldn't help but snap pictures of it! It was very delicious also!

Here is the new Mr. and Mrs. Madden cutting their first slice of wedding cake :)

We also set up a memory table with the couple's loved ones. Also, the guests signed a photo signature matte and a photo album provided by their photographer.

The guests also enjoyed a photo booth that was brought in by their photographer Amanda.

Here are Derek and Erin Elise (her name is Erin also) in action singing!

Church-Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit
Venue-Lovett Hall, Dearborn
Photographer and Photo Booth-Amanda Williams Photography
Hair and Make-up-Bridal Beauty
Day-of Coordination-Liz and Tracie/You're The Bride
Cake-Pastry Palace
Band and Cocktail Hour Music-Dan Rafferty Band
Florist-Viviano's
Limo-Aristocat Limo
Chaircovers and Linens-Gala Linen

Wedding Movie Marathon

2011-07-28T08:14:00.003-04:00

Everyone loves a good movie. The best movies are those we can relate to. When planning your wedding you will find you just might have a lot in common with some of the popular wedding themed movies. Here is a list of the top 10 wedding movies you can enjoy:

10. Bride Wars

9. Sweet Home Alabama

8. The Wedding Planner

7. Father of the Bride

6. Mamma Mia

5. The Wedding Singer

4. My Best Friends Wedding

3. My Big Fat Greek Wedding

2. Runaway Bride

1. Wedding Crashers

Photo Credit:

haro-online.com

yourweddingfavors.wordpress.com

entertainment.glam.com

~Jessie

Brides go Green

2011-07-25T11:08:00.000-04:00

With such a big emphasis on the planets conservation brides are joining in and planning ecofriendly weddings. Choosing a wedding venue that is close to where most your guests live is an effective way to limit transportation. Some good locations are parks, museums, or protected areas. Try serving local, organic, seasonal cuisine.

After the wedding you can donate the leftover food to homeless shelters or soup kitchens. Instead of sending out invitations use a website to post directions, maps, accommodations, and any other information. For any paper you do have to use make sure it is 100% recycled and renewable cotton paper.

When shopping for your dress look for fabrics that are natural such as cotton, silk, or hemp linen. You could also recycle, and use your moms wedding dress or find a vintage dress in a specialty store.

Find a florist that uses local, organically grown flowers. With leftover floral arrangements, you can donate to nursing homes, hospice, or hospitals to enjoy. Start a trend that will have an impact on the planet for years to come!

Photo Credit:

cvparties.com

~Jessie

Simple Solutions to a Less Expensive Wedding

2011-07-21T16:43:00.000-04:00

Every bride wants their wedding to be perfect and memorable to their guests. Planning a wedding can be a difficult challenge, especially when your tight on cash. It can be a hard choice to decide what to cut back on when budgeting your wedding. Here are a few suggestions to help cut expenses when planning your wedding:

1. Start with your guest list and try not to invite anyone that you haven't spoken to in the last 5 years.

2. Don't get so caught up in designer names, you can buy your dress online and have altered to save money

3. Getting married on a weekday or Sunday is a lot cheaper, most venues can offer you discounts

4. If having your wedding catered you can buy bulk beer and wine to cut down the cost

5. Make favors, invitations, place settings, etc on your own

Just make the most of what you have and get creative!

Photo Credit:

http://www.yourbridalstop.com/
~Jessie

Fun Summer Trends

2011-07-18T07:32:00.000-04:00

This summer we have seen a lot of fun new ideas to incorporate at your wedding. Here are some of the most popular this season:

Personalized Themes: A lot of brides are getting away from the traditional venues and opting for a more meaningful place. Such as a local beach, park, or zoo. Places where the couple first meet or like to spend their time together at.

Desserts: Another fun trend that has been popping up is cake pops. As well as dessert bars, cupcakes, and cotton candy stands.

DIY: The "do it yourself" is a great way to save economically. Also, what better way to incorporate your own sense of style in your wedding. You can make your own centerpieces, invitations, table cards and much more!

Old School Photography: Photography has taken on a vintage vibe. It's a very simple relaxed look and tons of fun to take these pictures!

Photo Credits:

ourweddingplus.com

waterviewvenue.com.au

stressawaybridal.com

thewedhub.blogspot.com

~Jessie

FREE inside envelope liners !!

2011-07-15T08:27:00.000-04:00

Place your wedding invitation order and receive free inside envelope liners now thru July 31st ! What a great way to add a splash of color to your invitations. Place your order on our website and receive a 40% discount http://yourinvitationplace.com/yourethebride Offer valid on Birchcraft brand only.

Kate + Scott Tie the Knot! 7-9-11

2011-07-14T09:42:00.000-04:00

Kate and Scott live in New York and hired You're The Bride last July to assist with Day-of Coordination and their wedding rehearsal. Her now husband is from Redford and his parents live only a few short miles from me so we had a connection right there! We exchanged a lot of emails over the course of a year and I was so happy she relied on me for her wedding advice. I love assisting my clients when they are not certain so I can help them make the best decisions possible for their big day. Since she is a elementary music school teacher she was very organized and provided me with every detail so I could carry out her wishes since she was the star of her show! We had a very successful day and only needed a few small items from our handy emergency kit.

Seating chart with New York City Subway Stops!

This couple needed a few vendor recommendations so we told them about our great partners for hair and makeup, flowers and they used You're The Bride for their wedding invitations.

My camera was not working the best so I apologize in advance for some of the blurry pictures :(

Kate and Scott were a very sweet couple with such a spark between them! I can tell these two will be together forever! They have the most fun and loving family too. I really enjoyed watching their Grandma's boogie on the dance floor. Speaking of the dance floor it was packed the whole evening and I remember one thing Kate did not want is the "Electric Slide" but the guests formed one and she and Scott seemed to jump right in and love it! Sometimes letting go and whatever happens on the dance floor really does make for a fun night. I watched this bride and groom dance up a storm and boy did they have the moves!

That's right a Chocolate Ganache covered cake!! YUM!

My two favorite moments of the night were when Kate and Scott did their first dance to "The Lover's Waltz". I think they must have had some kind of ball room dancing lessons because they were good enough to be on Dancing With The Stars! The second was the Best Man speech. It was quite entertaining and really told me a lot about this couple. I hear a LOT of speeches and this by far was one of the best!

Michigan and New York shaped chocolates!

Kate and Scott had a fabulous time with their guests who traveled from all over to celebrate their special day. I can't forget to mention that we used school buses from Catholic Central High School to transport the guests from the hotel to the ceremony and to the reception. I am bummed that I was not able to get a picture! Now the new Mr. and Mrs. Bowling are relaxing on a beach in Hawaii !!! Congrats and thank you so much for letting You're The Bride help with your day. I loved working with you and wish you every happiness!!

Chapel-Catholic Central High School Chapel-Father Elmer
Reception Venue-Laurel Manor
Flowers-Weber's Floral and Gifts
Ceremony Music-LaCorda Ensemble
DJ-First Class Entertainment
Photographer-BJ Enright Photography (flew in from Oregon)
Cake-Elite Sweets
Transportation- Metro Car, School Buses arranged by Mother of Groom who works at CC
Hair and Makeup-Bridal Beauty Detroit
Rehearsal and Day-of Coordination-Tracie and Becca/You're The Bride

Jewish Wedding Traditions

2011-07-10T20:24:00.001-04:00

A traditional Jewish wedding is full of meaningful rituals and traditions. For the Jewish bride (kallah) and groom (chatan) it is tradition for them to not see each other one week before the wedding. Prior to their wedding ceremony they greet their guest separately and call this "Kabbalat Panim".

Next comes the badeken, the veiling of the kallah by the chatan. This is a sign of the groom's commitment to clothe and protect his wife. The ceremony will take place under a chuppah (canopy), and this symbolizes the home the new couple will build together. The chatan, followed by the kallah, are usually escorted to the chuppah by their respective sets of parents. There are two cups of wine to be used at the ceremony. The first cup to accompany the betrothal blessings and the sanctification prayer. In Jewish law, a marriage becomes official when the chatan gives an object of value to the kallah. Then comes the reading of the ketubah (marriage contract) which outlines the chatan's responsibilities. This must be signed by two witnesses. The seven blessings (Sheva Brachot) will then be recited, accompanied by the second glass of wine.

To conclude the end of the ceremony a glass is placed on the floor and the chatan shatters it with his foot and shouts "Mazel Tov". The kallah and chatan then leave the chuppah together. After their meal at the reception the Birkat Hamazon (Grace after meals) is recited, and the Sheva Brachot are repeated. It is also customary the week following the wedding for friends and family to host meals in honor of the kallah and chatan. This is called the week of Sheva Brachot in reference to the blessings said at the end of each of these meals.

Photo Credit:

http://www.steponitinc.com/

~Jessie

Wedding Love Quotes

2011-07-07T18:59:00.004-04:00

We decided to compile a list of love quotes. They can be great to use on invitations, programs, menus, wedding toasts, ceremony readings, save the dates, and more!

"Soulmates... two halves of the same soul joining together in lifes journey"

-Author Unknown

"Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale"

-Anonymous

You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams"

-Dr. Seuss

"If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand"

-Author Unknown

"True love stories never have endings"

-Richard Bach

"A hundred hearts would be to few, to carry all my love for you"

-Author Unknown

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person"

-Mignon McLaughlin

"Whatever our souls are made up of, his and mine are the same"

-Emily Bronte

"Love is the joy of the good, the wonder of the wise, the amazement of the Gods"

-Plato

-A man is not where he lives, but where he loves"

-A Latin Proverb

"If love is great, and there are no greater things, then what I feel for you must be the greatest"

-Author Unknown

"If I know what love is, it is because of you"

-Herman Hesse

"Each morning as I awaken, you're the reason I smile, you're the reason I love"

-Jerry Burton

"Love is friendship set on fire"

-Anita Hodzic

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart"

-Helen Keller

"The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved - loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves"

-Victor Hugo

photo: http://www.quotesarcade.com/comments/love/love_quotes_comments_01.gif

~Liz

Marie + Jason are Married ! 7/1/11

2011-07-06T09:31:00.000-04:00

Marie hired You're The Bride last July, a year in advance to ensure she had us for Day-of Coordination for her ceremony and reception at Cobblestone Farms in Ann Arbor. This venue requires complete setup except for tables and chairs so securing a Day-of Coordinator team is crucial to have a successful event at this location. Marie and her Mom did all the design work for the table centerpieces, bought linens, candles, made table numbers, ordered favors, made a beautiful wedding cardbox, a memory table arrangement and much more. My van was literally packed to the gills with all of their wedding belongings! We were not sure if we were going to be able to fit it all but we were good packers and made it happen. We took everything to the venue and made sure everything was set up just as Marie had envisioned. We gave her recommendations for flowers and her officiant and both turned out great!

The wedding day was a very hot day and required a team of 2 Assistant's and a little extra help from a few family members and friends because there was just so much to setup.We made it happen just before the ceremony and everything worked out just perfectly.

Marie made a beautiful bride and seemed to keep herself cool while she waited for her handsome husband-to-be Jason. They married outside on the lawn facing Packard. Rev. Stephen Goodrum performed a wonderful ceremony.

My favorite part of the day was when all the guests decided to literally do "The Train" and climbed the steps to the loft inside the reception barn when the DJ played that song. The dancefloor was always packed and they had a great party!! I just love to see that everyone has a great time that is really just the best! Also, when Jason danced with his Mom to Rod Stewart's "Forever Young", Marie caught me with a few tears in my eyes. I admit it, I love that song and it was so special! ha ha

Thank you for letting You're The Bride share in your happy day. The new Mr. and Mrs. Coletta are now relaxing in Myrtle Beach. Aaaahhhh !!

You're The Bride-Day-of Coordination-Tracie, Liz and Keri
Florist-Weber's, Livonia
Photographer-Lisa Orneiken Photography
Officiant-Rev. Stephen Goodrum,
Catering-Gary's Catering
Venue-Cobblestone Farms
Cake-A Bit of Sugar
Hair and Makeup-Le Sprit
Chair Rentals-A1 Rentals
DJ-Madman Mike

How to Stock Your Bar

2011-07-05T08:46:00.000-04:00

If you're required to bring your own alcohol to stock the bar for your wedding, you're probably struggling with what to buy, and how much of it. I found this article in "The Wedding Book" by Mindy Weiss that breaks down what you will need!

The following quantities apply to a four-hour reception of 100 people. If you know you have a crowd of heavy drinkers, increase the liquor quantities by 25%. You'll need a full selection at each bar, so add accordingly.

Vodka: 6 liters

Gin: 1 liter

Scotch: 1 750ml bottle

Bourbon: 1 liter

Tequila: 1 750ml bottle

Light rum: 1 liter

White wine: 12 bottles

Red wine: 12 bottles

Champagne (optional): 12 750ml bottles

Beer: 1 case (24 bottles)

Light beer: 1 case (24 bottles)

Sparkling water: 15 25oz bottles

Bottled water: 15 1.5 liter bottles

Tonic water: 6 liters

Club soda: 6 liters

Ginger ale: 6 liters

Cola: 8 liters

Diet cola: 8 liters

Lemon-line soda: 8 liters

Cranberry juice: 8 quarts

Orance juice: 4 quarts

Grapefruit juice: 2 quarts

Margarita mix: 2 liters

Dry vermouth: 1 375ml bottle

Tripple sec: 1 liter

Blue Curacao: 1 750ml bottle

Lime juice: 1 25oz bottle

Grenadine: 1 25oz bottle

Bitters: 1 jar

Olives: 1 jar

Maraschino cherries (optional): 1 jar

Lemons: 4

Limes: 8

Ice cubes: 250 lbs

Dont forget all your supplies either! You will need:

corkscrews and bottle openers, garnish bowls, ice buckets, ice tongs, ice tubs, knife and cutting board, citrus squeezers, lemon zester, long-handled spoons for mixing, shot glasses, measuring cups, cocktail shakers, strainers, cocktail napkins, sponges, garbage can, extra trash bags, all purpose wineglasses, 8oz highball glasses, champagne flutes, martini glasses.

Make sure you check with your hall to see what they already have. Many halls will provide supplies and soda, and you simply need to provide the alcohol.

photo: http://hyerinhealthandwellness.wikispaces.com/file/view/alcohol1.jpg/208999548/alcohol1.jpg

~Liz

Wedding Napkin Folds

2011-07-03T15:37:00.003-04:00

Creative napkin folding is a fun way to add a touch of elegance to your wedding. Many linen companies will do this for you for an additional fee. Here are some of my favorites!

If you want to know how to fold any of these napkins yourself, here are instructions:

Ring Fan: http://www.napkinfoldingguide.com/26-napkinringfan/

Heart: http://bumblebeelinens.com/heartFold.php

Lotus Blossom: http://www.fasana.com/e/fasana-club/servietten-falten/lotusbluete

Tuxedo: http://www.modernwedding.com.au/inspiration/wedding-diy/articles/Tuxedo-Napkin-fold

Accordion Triangle: http://christmas.toosurtoo.com/decorations/napkin-folding/accordion-triangle.html

Necktie: http://www.napkinfoldingguide.com/10-necktie/

Photos:

http://bumblebeelinens.com/images//heart/threeQuarter/Heart.jpg

http://www.napkinfoldingguide.com/26-napkinringfan/napkinpics/napkinringfanfold.jpg

http://www.fasana.com/img/content/fasana-club/servietten-falten/lotusbluete/lotusbluete.jpg

http://www.modernwedding.com.au/data/production/images/0000/9523/Tuxedo-Napkin5_mid_thumb.png?1305264609

http://christmas.toosurtoo.com/pictures/napkins/pliage-accordeon.jpg

http://www.napkinfoldingguide.com/10-necktie/dinnernapkinfolds/necktienapkinfold.jpg

~Liz

Wedding Gown on a Budget

2011-07-01T06:15:00.001-04:00

Just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you need to sacrifice wearing a beautiful wedding gown! There are thousands of affordable, gorgeous dresses under $200. Here are some of my favorites:

Price: $179

Link: http://www.360weddingdresses.com/A-Line-Strapless-Empire-Waist-Satin-Cheap-Wedding-Dresses-WD0085.htm?source=gg_us_store

Price: $114

Link: http://www.myidress.com/2010-Hot-Popular-Cheap-Casual-Simple-Wispy-Wedding-Dresses-Under-200-Simple-Bridal-Gowns-Myiwdd0023_p14548_dress.html

Price: $189.00

Link: http://www.meritline.com/a-line-strapless-chapel-train-floor-length-satintaffeta-wedding-dress-beading-with-embroi---p-49513.aspx?source=fghdac

Price: 195.00

Link: http://www.millybridals.com/wedding-dresses/WD5854/

~Liz

Wondering what to wear to your engagement photo session?

2011-06-30T10:09:00.002-04:00

Here are a few tips:

Keep it Simple

Avoid busy clothing with distracting patterns. If your shirt could talk, it should be whispering. Steer clear of bold stripes, logos, or ruffles that can add unwanted bulk. Dark colors are most flattering, but black can wash out a pale complexion. Opt for navy or blue instead.

Be Yourself

Don't reinvent yourself for the photo shoot. The photos should reflect your personal style. Wear something in which you feel comfortable and confident

Make-up is a Must

At a minimum, consider a concealer or light powder to even out your skin tone; you'll be happy with the result. Add in a touch of mascara to lengthen your lashes.

Compliment Each Other

Remember fourth grade, when you and your best friend wore matching outfits? This is not fourth grade. Pick a color scheme that both your wardrobes can accommodate. Coordinate your outfits together, but leave the matching fanny packs at home.

Mix it Up

Changing accessories during the shoot adds variety. Try subtle wardrobe changes like adding a scarf or switching out your necklace or shoes to add some character. Remember to keep it simple.

Article courtesy of Inframe Bride.

photo: http://www.bridalbuds.com/wp-content/uploads/engagement_photo_02.jpg

~Liz

Anniversary Gift Ideas For Each Year

2011-06-29T07:29:00.001-04:00

When it comes to anniversary gifts, there are both traditional and modern ways to go for buying your spouse a gift. Here is a list of both:

YEAR/ TRADITIONAL/ MODERN

First/ Paper/ Clocks

Second/ Cotton/ China

Third/ Leather/ Crystal or Glass

Fourth/ Fruit or Flowers/ Appliances

Fifth/ Wood/ Silverware

Sixth/ Candy or Iron/ Wood

Seventh/ Wool or Copper/ Desk Sets

Eighth/ Bronze or Pottery/ Linens or Lace

Ninth/ Pottery or Willow/ Leather

Tenth/ Tin or Aluminum/ Diamond Jewelry

Eleventh/ Steel/ Fashion Jewelry

Twelfth/ Silk or Linen/ Pearls

Thirteenth/ Lace/ Textiles or Furs

Fourteenth/ Ivory/ Gold Jewelry

Fifteenth/ Crystal/ Watches

Twentieth/ China/ Platinum

Twenty-Fifth/ Silver/ Silver

Thirtieth/ Pearl/ Diamond

Thirty-Fifth/ Coral/ Jade

Fortieth/ Ruby/ Ruby

Forty-Fifth/ Sapphire/ Sapphire

Fiftieth/ Gold/ Gold

photos: http://anniversarygiftsplaza.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Marriage-Anniversary-Gifts-For-Her.jpg

~Liz

Kissing Games

2011-06-28T11:16:00.000-04:00

An old tradition that is seen at wedding receptions is the clinking of glasses to make the bride and groom kiss. The clinking of glasses is a Christian tradition that explains the sound scares the devil away and the couple kisses in his absence. A lot of brides are thinking outside the box and coming up with new ideas to replace this tradition. Here are a few that you could try:

Have the guest stand up and sing a song with the word "love" in it

Have the guest give the bride and groom marital advice

Have the guests kiss and the bride and groom have to duplicate how they kissed

Put out a basket and make guest pay $1, you can donate the money to charity.

There are so many ways to get creative and include your guests in new kissing traditions!

~Jessie

Photo Credit:

http://www.bluesixcreative.com/

Wedding Mixology

2011-06-26T20:32:00.000-04:00

A new popular trend that has been seen more at weddings is creating a signature cocktail for your reception. The signature cocktail was first created in London in 1922 to celebrate royal weddings. There are many websites that can help you come up with ideas to coordinate with your colors, season, or theme. Creating a signature cocktail is a good way to add a personal touch to the reception. Also, it can be economical to cut back on your budget by just serving beer, wine, and your cocktail. Even if you choose a cocktail that is commonly known you can create your own unique name to go along with it. A few examples of signature cocktails are:

Blue Martini (Something Blue)

Cosmopolitan

Chocolate Martini

Mojitos

And many more!! Get creative and have fun trying out different concoctions!

~Jessie

Photo Credit:

http://www.chiff.com/

Wedding Websites

2011-06-24T22:08:00.000-04:00

With the rise of technology in recent years, many brides are choosing to make a website dedicated to their wedding. It's a great way to ensure that guests have all the information they need.

A wedding website can be especially useful if you're having a destination wedding or out of town guests. You can provide travel/flight/hotel details, directions, and information on local places to eat or hang out during down time. If you have details that you don't want to clutter your wedding invitation, a great option is to include an insert with your wedding website.

Another great reason to have a wedding website is to provide guests with registry information. It's tacky to include it on your invitation, but it's perfectly acceptable to include it on your website! Some brides also choose to set up online RSVPing, it's a good way to save yourself postage and also gets your guests to view your website.

Aside from this, your website doesn't have to be all work and no play. Have fun with it! You can include pictures, the story of how you and your groom met, plans for your honeymoon, information on your bridal party, etc.

Cost wise, wedding websites range from free to $100. Depending on how HTML savvy you are, and how you want your site to look, will depend on what you want to pay.

Our August 20th bride Nania just put one together and hers in amazing!! We at You're The Bride are super excited for her wedding at The Michigan League in Ann Arbor.

photo: http://www.ewedding.com/img/screenshot_angle_bottom.jpg

~Liz