The Art of Planning Your Wedding

Weddings are stressful! Here are some helpful hints to get you through the wedding planning process…

Don't Keep Dress Shopping! It can drive you mad. Once you've picked out your dress, don't watch Say Yes to the Dress on TLC; it'll just make you wonder why you didn't have 25 people with you while you picked out your dress. Don't flip thorugh any more magazines and don't go to any more wedding dress websites. It will make you constantly think "Did I pick the right one?" The answer is, YES!!! Of course you did! Just stop thinking about it.

Don't let people make you second-guess your decisions! We've all heard some absolute horror stories about the torture of wedding planning and dealing with crazed family members at the same time. This is your wedding! Try not to let peole make you feel bad abou the things that you like. Just brush it off. It's impossible to please everyone all the time.

Not everything has to conform to the "wedding rules." Obviously, there's going to be a dress and a bouquet, a wedding party and a wedding cake. But all of these things can be done in such a way that they reflect your personality as a couple. Not everything has to be "cookie cutter." If you've never heard of a unity candle and you don't want one, then don't get one! Just because everyone else does something doesn't mean you have to…and that's completely okay.

Enjoy the process! Stop and enjoy it. Enjoy picking out the colors and choosing the menu. Make it fun, make it enjoyable and don't focus all of your energy on the end result. Think about how awesome things are right now. Enjoy the showers, the bachelorette parties and all of that to the fullest. That way, when the day comes and some tiny detail goes wrong or something unplanned comes up, you won't have a total nervous breakdown because all of your expectations revolved around a few hours.

Source: MyNewOrleans.com

10 Ways To Save Your Wedding

Nobody likes a bridezilla! Check out these 10 ways that a bride-to-be can prevent issues before they even arise…

Visit your flowers: You can meet with the florist, type up copious notes, provide them with fabric swatches, but unless you actually spring a visit to the florist the day before your wedding (read: when they're actually working on your flowers), you risk a bad bouquet on the wedding day…with absolutely no time left for a do-over.

Register for affordable gifts: Makes no sense, right? After all, why should you be worried about money when those registry items are being purchased by others? Here's why: When the wedding is over, you may find yourself with five out 12 crystal goblets, four full place-settings of Versace china, and pillow cases that match a $300 set of Frette sheets that you've yet to receive. If you can't afford to fill in the holes any time soon, then those gifts become useless objects in your new home.

Count postage in your budget: Allotting $500 for square, contemporary invitations is all good, but when you add on the additional USPS "odd-shape" fee, plus response-card postage, you may find yourself paying close to double that amount.

Ditch the parasols: One of the hottest trends in outdoor weddings is providing guests with cute umbrellas so they can see the ceremony under the glare of a blazing sun. What they may be staring at, unfortunately, is not the bride and groom, but the parasol of the guest sitting directly in front of them. A better bet is a basket of inexpensive sunglasses that guests can grab as they enter the ceremony site.

Choose a universally-flattering bridesmaids dress: The drop-waist number that works on your hipless college roommate might be a fashion disaster on your pear-shaped sister…and if she lives out of town, you won't realize the gaff until it's too late. It's critical to keep all body types in mind.

Tell the DJ what NOT to play: You've worked so hard to come up with a play list, but it probably didn't occur to you to write down what you absolutely don't want to listen to at your reception. Troubleshooting the music from the get-go avoids those "My Humps" moments in front of your religious grandparents.

Create a reception timeline: You spend 12 months planning a fastidious countdown to the wedding day, but if you neglect to orchestrate the timing of each and every event at your reception itself, you risk a half-empty room when you go to throw the bouquet. Trust me; some guests will leave after cake is served, so if you want an audience for your reception rituals, space out the treats.

Avoid last-minute spray tans: They're a brilliant alternative to dangerous tanning beds, but you might be inviting aesthetic disaster if you choose to get hosed the day before your wedding. Obvious streaks and embarrassing lines of demarcation between fingers are not unheard of…so be sure to give yourself a good 48 hours for any necessary scrubbing, fading, or blending.

Cover your photo ops: Your photographer is taking posed bridal-party shots during the cocktail hour, but who's taking pictures of your guests as they mingle, nibble, and greet old friends? No one–unless you specifically plan for a second photographer or worthy assistant who can shoot during that festive segment of the evening.

Hire your cook, not just your caterer: You go to the tasting and are thrilled with everything; but come reception time, the chicken is deep-fried rather than sautéed, and the salad has dried blueberries in lieu of fresh. There's a good chance that the head chef who worked so diligently on your tasting is not the same person who actually produced the food for your guests–but rather, a "kitchen lead" who was assigned the event from a set of notes. Best to ask, very specifically, who will be cooking on your big day. Then remind them to pack you a midnight snack, since you won't have time to eat the meal, no matter how perfect it comes out.

Source: Hillary Quinn

The Knot Introduces Wedding Planner App

It was only a matter of time before the wedding industry ventured into the world of phone applications. TheKnot.com announced the launch of its first all-inclusive wedding planning application for the iPhone and iPad,The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner.

Using the app that is now available in the Apple App Store, couples can now create and update their wedding to-do list, track their wedding budget, browse through wedding dresses and book mark inspirational photos of cakes, wedding decor and more.

"Today's engaged couple is busier than ever," said Carley Roney, editor in chief of The Knot. For more information on The Knot's wedding app, visit the app store!

Find Your Inspiration

Inspiration can be found in the most unexpected of places. When it comes to special event planning or wedding planning it’s important to remember that even the most original of artists have been inspired by someone else’s work.

For example, the magnificent gardens at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens can inspire a bride-to-be to create centerpieces for her tables using exotic, colorful flowers combined with the most simple moss for a unique table adornment.

The fabulous, sleek metal architecture of Florida’s very own Dali Museum can provide a CEO a color scheme for his next corporate event, which will feature black, red, white and slate as his color palette.

Some women have even been known to rip out pages from magazines and take pictures using their smart phones to show their event coordinator to get their ideas across. A fabulous idea.

Remember, Leslie Rowe Events can make your dreams a reality. No event is too big or too small and no idea is out of reach! Contact us today or call 786.402.2331.

Discounts…Everybody Loves Them!

Every one loves a sale or discount. Why not plan to have your wedding or special event during the summer months of June, July or August. Rental fees are discounted at several locations, making it more attractive to host your wedding during these typically slow or hot months. Check out these discounts:

· The beautiful Fairchild Tropical Gardens offers a 50% discount during the months of June, July and August.

· The charming, historical Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove offers a 30% discount on the rental of it’s facility on weekend rentals during the months of June, July and August.

· The magnificent Deering Estate at Cutler also gives a 25% discount during these summer months.

Discounts equal a significant savings in your budget. Leslie Rowe Events is always happy to show you ways to save!!!

2011 Wedding Trends

With each new year comes new wedding trends, and 2011 is no exception. This year, trend predictors are saying that weddings are going to be more non traditional than ever. One of the major trends for 2011 weddings is going to be the influence of vintage. For brides, this means vintage dresses, especially with capped sleeves. Vintage dresses are great for this special day because the amount of detail in an aged dress is immense. Ornate details and texture are synonymous with vintage apparel. A lot of vintage wedding dresses also come with hand-beaded accents, and although a vintage dress can cost more than a dress designed today the detail alone can be worth it. My only question is whether a vintage dress counts as, “something borrowed.”

Eco-friendly weddings are also predicted to be huge in 2011. This means that invitations will be printed on recycled paper and food served during the reception will be from local farms. The use of LED lighting will be key at these affairs, as well as natural forms of lighting like candles. Charity donations will be a popular option at eco-friendly weddings, as opposed to traditional wedding favors and couples may ask for donations to their favorite charities instead of traditional wedding gifts.

For the more fashion forward bride, modern chic will be a trend that we will see a lot in 2011 weddings. Brides will be opting for less traditional dress choices. They may not wear a white or ivory dress, but may choose a dress with the hue of a non-conventional color (think Gwen Stefani’s partially pink dress).

One of my favorite creative wedding trends for 2011 is the video guestbook. This is like a confessional-style video booth for guests to record a special message to the groom and bride. An I-Pad can even be dressed up and placed in the confessional for guests to write special wishes on. The best part about this trend is that the videos and messages can then be shared via social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.

Wedding Registry: 10 Tips on Registering

Gift giving is a way for guests to celebrate your wedding and help you stock your new home. Here's what to keep in mind when making your bridal registry. Article Courtesy of TheKnot.com

register early: What are you waiting for? Registering for wedding gifts should be one of the first tasks you tackle when you get engaged. Friends and relatives will be looking to buy wedding gifts as soon as he pops the question. Really! Take the guesswork out of gift buying by making sure they know what you want. You don’t need to complete your list just yet, but at least have a selection for guests to browse.
do it together: Hitting the stores together is essential. After all, the gifts are for both of you. To decide what you need, take inventory of the things you already have and see where the gaps are. Talk about the style of home you'd both like, and split up the final say (you could alternate items) to make it fair. (Maybe he gets to make final decisions on electronics, while you get to choose the kitchen stuff since you’re the chef.)
register for whatever you want: Don’t feel like you just need to register for china and flatware. Many stores have wedding registries now, so feel free to include whatever it is that will make your new house a home, be it electronics, appliances, or even camping equipment.
but…think about how you live: Try to avoid filling your list with things you’re never going to use. If you two aren’t the formal party types, then you probably won’t need a crystal punch bowl, as compelling as it may seem when you walk by with that registry scanner. Also, be extra-sure before you register for anything that's monogrammed. Once your name is on it, you probably won’t be able to return it.
check the store's return policies: It's always a good idea to inquire about a store's exchange/return policies. The great thing is many wedding registry retailers have amazing customer service to accommodate to-be-weds' needs (for example, you might suddenly realize that you don't really have room for 24 chargers and want to return, say, eight of them). That said, being aware of the store's return and exchange timelines will help you better plan and manage your registry.
make sure you hit all price points: As much as you may be hankering for that gorgeous $350-a-place-setting silver, be sure to register for items in a wide range of price points: under $50, under $75, under $100, under $200, and beyond, so all of your guests can choose gifts they can afford. You don't want your college friend feeling overwhelmed by the fact that he can't find a single gift; and on the opposite side, you don't want your parents' closest friends to have to buy you a multitude of smaller items to give you a generous gift.
be considerate of your guests: At least one (and preferably all) of your registries should be available online. Guests should also be able to place their orders in person, over the phone, or by fax. If you’ve registered at a boutique retailer that doesn’t offer online services, you should be okay, as long as that’s not the only place you’ve registered. We live in a hectic world and you want to let guests be able to order you a gift — even if it's 2 a.m.!
update often: When a guest buys a gift for you, your registry should automatically update, allowing other guests to see what’s been purchased (and allowing you to see what’s on its way!). Make sure to revisit your registry often (trust us, you’ll be visiting several times a day once the wedding day nears), and update it with additional selections as products are purchased so that guests always have a variety of things to choose from. Aim to have at least twice as many items on your list as guests at your wedding.
think gift cards: Sure, some couples love receiving cash, but asking for it is not exactly Future Mr. and Mrs. Manners-approved. A more etiquette-friendly option? Try gift cards. Many stores allow you to register for them and you can use them to buy the things you want and need…later. If you are anxious for cash gifts, ask one or two close friends and immediate family members to politely spread the word.
say thanks: Be gracious — let your guests know their gifts have arrived — promptly. Thank-you notes for gifts received before the wedding should be sent within two weeks of their arrival. Notes for gifts received on or after the wedding day should be sent within a month of your return from the honeymoon. In all notes, be sure to mention the gift by name.