Confetti Program

What a cute idea! I love this confetti program idea I found on Martha Stewart Weddings. Attach a small clear envelope on the back of your ceremony program with a note telling your guests to shower you newlyweds with the colorful confetti as you make your way back up the aisle. Just be sure your venue allows this.

Color Color Color!!

I love bright, vibrant colors in weddings, especially colors that contrast. Bridesmaids usually wear the same color, but now more and more, I see brides who want their bridesmaids to choose their own style of dress but still sticking to the same color palette. Bridesmaids have a choice and don't have to be stuck wearing a dress that may be unflattering for them.

How cute is this rainbow wedding party?!

What to talk about before getting engaged ....

Planning and being around weddings is so much fun, but we can't forget about all the important factors and issues that go into being in a marriage. I really can't say, because I have yet to marry and experience marriage; some people tell me it is very difficult and takes constant work, while others tell me its the same as being in a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. But how can that be? I think the latter aren't thinking about finances, kids, and all those other things you really need to talk to your significant other about before marriage is considered. Marriage is a very intimate, sacred thing that should be taken very seriously.

I found a list of questions that a couple should talk about before considering marriage.. yeah, its heavy stuff, but nonetheless important and eventually an issue that you will come upon at some point in your married life.

Family and Children

• Do you want children? If so, how many?
• Do you want to own any pets? If so, what kind?
• When our parents get older, how will we take care of them?
• If families live close by, how often will be seeing them?
• If our families live far away, how often will we go visit them?

Our Home

• Do we want to own a home or rent?
• Where do we want to raise a family?
• Where do we see yourself retiring?
• What type of home do we want to live in?
• How will we take care of the home and divide up the chores?

Jobs and Finances

• Are we both happy in our careers or do we have other future plans?
• What if one of us gets laid off, what will be our options?
• Is a wedding budget necessary/important to us and what are the expenses we should allocate for (new car, student loans, vacation, family)?
• How much have you been saving and how much do you hope to continue saving?
• What current bank and credit cards do you use and should we combine accounts?
  
  
  Hopefully both of you are on the same page about these questions, but it's ok if you're not! That's why it's a good idea to talk about it before getting married. As intimidating as these questions may be, remember that open and honest communication helps to build a solid foundation for a good marriage.

Cupcakes or Cake?

The cupcake tower has been a huge trend these last couple of years. Cake or cupcakes, I am a huge fan of all the sweets! I can't go to a wedding and NOT eat cake, I would just feel like I'm missing something. I love the cupcake tower for many reasons:

• It's a lot more inexpensive than cake! Regular-sized cupcakes cost about $3.50 each, minis are $1, while cakes can run $4-8 per slice!
• YOu can have a variety of different flavors, colors and decorations
• Not everyone eats cake, so cupcake towers have the potential to waste less
• they are oh so pretty!

You still want to have the traditional cake cutting, so I still recommend a smaller 6" cake just for the bride and groom to cut and take home. Display it at the top of your tower. What a marvelous idea!

At a couple of my past weddings, there have been so much leftover cake! I am practically begging guests to take home a huge chunk, offering it to the catering staff and venue staff ... Don't get me wrong, cake is still very wonderful to have, I just recommend asking your baker to make it for less servings than your actual guest count.

Another fabulous idea is to buy small boxes, and have your caterer package the leftover cake and leave it by the venue exit for any guests who might want to take home a midnight snack! If it's yummy cake, it will be sure to go fast!

Smart Idea for a Windy Wedding

If you are getting married in a windy area or during a windy time of year, this is an ingenious idea! Sew tiny weights (available at any hardware store or craft store) to keep from the bridesmiads' dresses from blowing up. Slip the weights inside the hem, and stitch into place.



Thanks Martha Stewart!

DIY THank You Notes!

I am a huge fan of crafty things! (Maybe not so creative or talented in that area, but I still love it) I could spend hours walking up and down the aisles of Michael's and Beverly's Crafts. A great item to DIY is your thank you cards, and etiquette says that you are allowed up to a year to send them, (but seriously, a year later?!) I think proper timing should be within three months of the wedding. They should always be hand-written, and definitely get your new husband to help. Here is a cute idea:



Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings



Send your thank you card on a 4x6 postcard, save on stamps! You can go to screen shops who can print your "Thank you" message onto an iron-on transfer and iron onto plain T's, OR even better, buy vinyl lettering and just peel off the adhesive backing and apply! Take a picture with a digital camera and print out! Cannot be any easier! You can also print out a bunch of your wedding pictures and also stick onto a 4x6 and send off! Love the all the DIY stuff!

Welcome 2011 !!

As the new year begins, I can't help but reflect on everything that has happened in this past year. It went by sooo ridiculously fast, as usual, in a blink of an eye, and I am grateful for everything.

I am one of those lucky people; I found the love of my life this year, and I could not be happier. I can't believe that I have found a person who compliments me so well, understands me, and makes me so happy! Makes me realize how hard relationships can be, and usually are. How much compromising and consideration it takes to be in a relationship. How hard it is to find a relationship that makes you feel completely whole. Never in my most perfect dreams did I think I would ever find something like this. I feel like I have won the lottery!

It has been a great year for Tickled Events! Got to work with some wonderful vendors, who I know I will be referring for years and years to come. Met some absolutely awesome clients who I could not be happier for their marriages this year, and some welcoming a new addition to their family in 2011! I had a few weddings in some of San Francisco's most elegant and premier wedding venues. I am grateful for all of my wedding experiences, positive and not so positive, all which help me become a more efficient wedding coordinator ... and it's turning out to be a busy 2011!

2011 also brings the marriages of two wonderful friends of mine, which I am honored to be in their wedding party! Lots of bridal showers and bachelorette parties to come! A new nephew will be arriving into the world this spring, and a huge birthday to celebrate coming soon! I am so thankful for all the wonderful people in my life, family and friends who make me who I am. There is still so much I want to do and accomplish, that there isn't possibly enough time for it all. Time passing by so quickly makes me cherish the moments I have, to make the most of everything, yet make time for myself and my loved ones, splendor in the company of my dear friends and buddies, and to try new things that I had not in the past.

Best of everything and great wishes to all in 2011!