Top 10 Reasons To Hire A Wedding Planner

Happy Monday!  Poly of Poly Mendes Photography asked me to share my top 10 reasons to hire a planner on her lovely blog! With engagement season in full swing and many couples thinking whether they should hire a wedding planner it couldn't be the most appropriate time -trust me, we are well worth it!! Poly does such AMAZING work and of course when we met we hit it off without a HITCH! She's kindhearted, loves what she does and is so much fun, who wouldn't love her?! Head over to her blog to check the 10 reasons and her gorgeous images! Thanks Poly for having me!!

Proposal Tips| Marry Me

Happy Monday! The Holiday season has officially begun and so has engagement season! We're excited to work with our newly engaged couples! Proposing to someone you love is one of the most special and life-changing moments in your lives.  For those of you who are planning to or helping a loved one to pop the question, you're in for a treat this week. We'll be sharing proposal planning tips throughout the day Wednesday, November 28th on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to "like" our fan page and follow along using the hashtag #MarryMe!

Planning Tips |Invitation Etiquette

Happy Monday everyone!  Emily McCarthy of Emma J Design created this handy guide of invitation wording dos and don’ts and I wanted to share. I know with our less formal couples adjustments are made for many of the rules but this is such a great tool nonetheless! 

What Will You Sacrifice on Your Wedding Day?

Your engagement is the time to strengthen your relationship, realize the changes marriage imparts and work through any challenges that may cause a problem during your marriage. Not only do we want your day to run smoothly but we also want to make sure it’s one of many memories of a lifetime! Meet our guest, Marie of the Marriage Studio. She’s a relationship coach, who clearly knows her stuff! And we’re excited to share our little blog space with her:

Tomkinson Weddings 

Many of you will be saying your vows soon. You will be looking at the person you want to spend forever with and making many promises. Most of you will be doing so at an altar, either in a house of worship or a place that you consider beautiful and sacred. 

                        Since an altar is often considered a place of sacrifice it makes me wonder: 

What will you sacrifice on your wedding day? 

That sounds harsh, doesn't it? For the most part, we hate sacrifice and giving up things that make us feel comfortable. A marriage that will grow and flourish requires that we make sacrifices, though.

What kind of sacrifices am I talking about? I'm talking about sacrificing a desire to be right. Sacrificing the pride that comes with never asking for help. Sacrificing the easy route of focusing on unmet expectations and instead choosing to be grateful and see the good every single day of your marriage.

While you're standing at the altar and making promises to one another, what do you plan on sacrificing? 

Bio| Marie McKinney Oates, M.M.F.T. is the founder of the Marriage Studio and a relationship coach in Nashville, TN. She created the DIY Marriage Plan as a way to provide couples with in-depth marriage prep without having to talk to a stranger or even leave the couch! 


      Like the Marriage Studio on Facebook                                 Follow Marie on Twitter

Debut Digital Edition |Munaluchi Bride

Munaluchi Bride will be debuting their quarterly digital edition tomorrow February 21^st! The Winter 2012 edition of their amazing publication will hit digital newsstands on issuu and will be released soon through the iTunes store for iPad, iPhone, and android devices.

The Winter 2012 edition cover features the stunning bouquet by Janie Medley of The Bride’s Café and JM Flora Design, a gorgeous Veronica Sheaffer gown, and photographed by Amelia Johnson. You will find beautiful real weddings, expert planning advice, the latest in bridal fashion, along with 20 pages of the editorial style shoot that grace the front cover of this debut digital issue. We can’t wait to see the creative work of photographer Amelia Johnson, event stylist Dana Fitzgerald, floral designer Janie Meldey and calligrapher Moya Minns of MM Ink.

Subscribe to Munaluchi Bride's digital newsstand to get an instant update once it goes live. Until then enjoy the teaser!!

Like Munaluchi Bride on Facebook                 Follow Munaluchi Bride on Twitter

Planning Tips |Bridal Show Season

A couple of weeks ago, we attended The Wedding Fair at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The fair is put on three times throughout the year, January, March and October. There are dresses on display, menu sampling, tablescapes and fashion shows periodically through out the day. Some of the wedding professionals in attendance were Linen Effects, Lucas Botz Photography, Saavi Formal Wear, and Minnesota Bride. Since we are in the midst of bridal show season, here are a few tips to help the day go smoothly:

Create a wedding e-mail account.  An overflow of planning details and information may be a lot to overcome following the show in your personal (or work) inbox. Use this centralized account to stay organized with potential wedding professionals you meet as well as manage wedding R.S.V.P.s.              

Print mailing labels.  Many booths will ask for your contact information. Making labels instead of writing it out saves time and keeps your hand from cramping. Be sure to include your name, e-mail address, wedding date, and wedding location. 

Don’t get overwhelmed!  Yes, there are tons of brides, hundreds of wedding professionals, but enjoy it. The fair is an excellent way to get inspiration for your big day.

via Cristina's iPhone

Bring color samples and swatches.  It’s much easier to talk color, coordinate linens or accessories for the wedding party with swatches present. Many professionals will offer assistance and insightful suggestions when you come prepared. 

Talk to everyone.  A pro not your style?  Not in your price range?  Talk to them anyway!  They may have a friend or colleague that would better fit the tone, theme or price range of your wedding day. 

Use promotions.  Some vendors will offer a discount if you book an appointment at the fair. If you were planning on making an appointment at that bridal salon anyway, what a great way to cross something off your list and get a discount!

Head over to Minnesota Bride, MSP Weddings, the Independent Wedding Association, and The Wedding Guys for information on upcoming bridal shows in the Twin Cities.

Bridal Salon Spotlight |Wedding Shoppe

via Wedding Shoppe, Inc.

One of my best friends is getting married next August and she has been tirelessly planning since her engagement in October. I am lucky to be one of her bridesmaids! We recently went bridesmaid dress shopping at Wedding Shoppe on Grand Ave in St Paul.

My first impression of Wedding Shoppe when we walked in was that it had a great boutique feel. It is located in a large home that has been transformed into a bridal salon. Wedding Shoppe has a large selection of wedding gowns located on the first floor. The bridesmaid dresses are located in the lower level.

The salon was as busy as I expected for a Saturday morning in the height of engagement season! If you plan to visit, make an appointment. The appointment allows you 90 minutes to shop and try on with the help of a consultant. We worked with Jodie and she was extremely helpful and knowledgeable about designers, fabrics, and what dresses come in what color.

I would suggest making a plan before you arrive. The fitting room area is quite small, and with how busy they are, it could be chaotic! We designated one of the bridesmaids to try on which kept things moving. Surprisingly enough, we were able to find a dress we all agreed on in about 45 minutes!

On top of the in person experience, they also have a comprehensive website. Once you have chosen the dress and get measured, you can order the dress directly online. This is great for bridesmaids who are out of the state (or country) during the planning process.

Having shopped at other salons for bridesmaid dresses, I was impressed with the selection at the Wedding Shoppe. They have a wide variety of designers and styles. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. And lastly, the dresses are affordable. The entire process went smoothly and is one more thing to check off the bride-to-be’s list!

Like the Wedding Shoppe on Facebook                 Follow the Wedding Shoppe on Twitter

Planning Tips |First Steps Towards Forever

It’s the Holiday Season, a time of cheer and merriment that brings along with it engagement season! Congratulations to you two!  Remember to take a deep breath in between the screams, laughter, and tears of joy.  Your moment to proclaim your undying love for one another, to the world, has arrived.

What now?  What are the next steps in wedding planning?  Of course you've let your family and friends know, updated your Facebook status or posted THE ring on Instagram.  But after all that, what's the game plan?  You are embarking on a journey of spending your lives together and planning your rite of passage: your Wedding Day.

1.    Bask: Over the next few weeks enjoy the newness of your engagement.  Plan a night where nothing wedding related is discussed.  Sit down, relax, and enjoy each other’s presence.

2.    Baby steps: Try not to think of all the planning at once.  Planning can be stressful, time consuming and at times tedious.  However, if you take it in strides you will be surprised at how simple, and relaxing, the process can be - take it slow.  Your wedding day is a celebration of your love; don't get wrapped up in the planning and lose sight of this.

3.    Align your futures, together: Lay out your expectations and dreams with one another; make sure you're both on the same page.  Be sure to also discuss these plans with those who will be hosting the wedding.

4.    Budgeting: Take this time to set an initial budget, which can always be altered.  How many guests are you able to accommodate comfortably?  Knowing your guest size will set proper limitations on your budget.  The easiest way to cut costs is by narrowing your guest list.  Your budget is the determining factor of the size, and formality of your wedding.

5.    Secure location: Before announcing the date and venues find out if your officiant and church (or ceremony site) are available on the date and time you desire.  Once this is confirmed you can lock in your reception venue date.

*For those of you who are getting married within one year, I would advise that you start booking your creative team now. Many wedding professionals such as Wedding Planners, Photographers, Cinematographers) and venues can only accommodate one wedding on a particular given day.  Many of who are booked a year or more in advance.  Understanding this increases the likelihood of you getting the team you love on your special day.

Building A Support System is a MUST:

·      Counsel: Family and friends who have been recently married or who have years of nuptial bliss can offer great advice.  Marriage comes with ups and downs; premarital counseling can put you off into the right start.

·      Professional: Consider hiring a Wedding Planner or a Month of Coordinator.  Wedding Planners can be invaluable in putting together your ideal day; save you money, as well as offer unbiased opinions on details.

·      Resources: Sign up to wedding websites such as The Knot, Munaluchi Bridal, or Wedding Bee to chat on local forums with other engaged couples. There are many wedding blogs online such as Snippet & Ink, Elizabeth Anne Designs, The Bride’s Cafe, and Style Me Pretty that offer advice and inspiration.

·      Be sure to create a wedding binder of inspirational pieces from online sites, wedding magazines (such as Minnesota Bride, The Knot Minnesota, Minneapolis Saint Paul Weddings) and any information gained from Bridal Fairs, Bridal Trunk Shows along with checklists, contacts, and timelines.  Organization skills are very important in the planning process.

This stage of your life is a big deal - it involves several changes so slow down and embrace it.

Enjoy. Happy Planning!

Bridesmaids |Dress to Impress

via Love and Lavender

After choosing your bridesmaids, the next big task is to pick your bridesmaids’ dresses.  For some brides this is more difficult than choosing a wedding gown!  After all, you know what you like.  You know your body type.  You know what looks good on you.

When picking dresses for your bridesmaids, it’s important to consider their likes and dislikes, body types, time of year, their budgets and the type of wedding you want to have.  All of these factors can have a role in choosing the perfect dresses.

via Wedding Wire

Brides may go the traditional route and choose matching, floor length gowns.  Some view this is a more formal take on the bridesmaids look.  Depending on the fabric, floor length gowns may be appropriate for outdoor ceremonies as well.

Jessica Watson Photography via Style Me Pretty

Knee length and tea length dresses have become extremely common and are especially popular for summertime weddings.

Corbin Gurkin Photography via Style Me Pretty

Asking your bridesmaids to select their own dress style allows them to choose what looks best on them, while sticking with a color and fabric theme.

Our Labor of Love by Heidi via Ruffled Blog

A popular trend takes a more laid back approach to choosing bridesmaids dresses.  Brides choose a color palette and let their bridesmaids have total control of their look, with the bride’s approval of course.



How will you choose your bridesmaids' dresses?