Emergency Kits

If you have hired a wedding planner for your big day, you can rest assured that they will bring an emergency kit. Hopefully, they will have the supplies to fix almost any problem (big or small). If you are creating your own emergency kit, here a starting list of things to put in it. This list is not meant to be all inclusive... but a place to start!

breath mints
black and white buttons
black and white thread (also need the color of you bridesmaids dresses)
mini sewing kit
rubber bands
corsage/boutonniere pins
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
Shout wipes
hand mirror
tweezers
feminine products
clear nail polish
dental floss
eye drops
floral tape
hot glue
hair supplies (brush, comb, spray)
lighter
lint brush

Inspiration Board

Need a jump start on some creative ideas for your wedding? Create an inspiration board! It is so easy... all you need is an empty bulletin board, some thumbtacs and wedding magazines. Cut out what you like and stick it to the board. You can also add sample material from your dress or your bridesmaids dresses, paper for invitations, programs you have saved from weddings, ribbon, or anything else that can be tacked to your board. Carry this board with you to meetings with consultants, florists, decorators, bakers, and reception venues. This board will help your vendors get a feel for the tone you want to set for your wedding. This board may also inspire additional ideas for your big day!

2009 Reflection and a Unique Bouquet & Garter Toss Idea

After the Diamond had a busy 2009 that included a destination wedding in Georgia, an outdoor wedding in October, and a wedding incorporating Brazilian traditions. We are excited about the weddings planned for 2010 and look forward to working with all of our brides and grooms.

One of my favorite blogs to read is Weddingbee (http://www.weddingbee.com/). One blog I was just reading was a unique idea for the bouquet and garter toss. If you are looking to toss up the traditional bouquet toss, consider doing a "bouquet pull". If you are worried about participation for the garter toss, add money or a gift card to your garter to get more participation. Additional details can be found at this Weddingbee link: http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/01/23/tossing-variations/#more-127092

Lighting

I have mentioned previously that I think adding special effects lighting is the next big thing in weddings. Here is a photo I took that captures the lighting from Jonnie Beth and Doug's wedding back in October. You can also see Brooke and Joel's snowflake lighting by looking at the photos taken by Photo 98 below. If you have questions about the cost and/or vendors for this, give me a call!

Photography!

Photo98 has posted some great photos of Brooke and Joel on their blog... check them out: http://photoblog98.com/!!!

If you are looking for photographers... consider asking them some of the following questions and always ask to see their portfolio!
- Does the photographer have an assistant? If so, does the assistant also take photos?
- What type of camera will be used and do they have backup equipment?
- How long do clients usually have to wait to see photos after the wedding?
- Will the photos be posted on-line? Can they be ordered on-line?

I will be adding a photo page to my website soon and posting photos from the photographers showing all the small details of the weddings. Stay tuned!

New Years Resolutions!

Merry Christmas! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! As the new year approaches (only 12 hours left in 2008), I wanted to share my After the Diamond New Years Resolutions with you…

1. Keep my website up to date! Now that I have a new site, my goal is to keep it up to date with any new weddings and/or information I have.
2. Book 6 - 8 weddings in 2009! (One is already on the calendar!)
3. Update my documentation. I need to review some documentation and make some necessary updates and include my new logo on them.
4. Update After the Diamond Blog at least once every two weeks! I will include some wedding updates and photos from current clients, information on upcoming events in the areas, and some tips or fresh ideas for wedding and/or party planning.
5. Work with Julie (my assistant) on possibly expanding this business. More details to come throughout the year!

I hope you all set some manageable New Years Resolutions as well. If "having the best wedding ever (or event/party)" is on that list… give me a call and I will help you meet that goal!

Happy New Year!

Winter Wonderland

I am not a fan of cold weather, but the winter wonderland wedding this weekend almost made winter my new favorite season. Snowflakes were the theme for Brooke and Joel's wedding. There were snowflake cookies, menus, and lighting. Brooke did a coco bar for her guests… which was a great idea considering that it was only about 20 degrees outside. Her blue and ivory color scheme added to the wintry feel.

The wedding was at the First United Methodist Church of East Peoria. Brooke looked stunning in a white strapless dress with a small amount of lace that wrapped around her just below the bust. She had a cathedral length veil edged with thick lace. Her five bridesmaids wore navy blue dresses, each one different. The groomsmen wore black tuxes with silver vests. Joel also wore a black tux but with a white vest. The church was decorated with a few Christmas decorations, oil candles in every window, and ivory poinsettias. The ceremony ran very smoothly and each guest was handed a sparkler as they exited. When Joel and Brooke came out just as the day turned into night, everyone lit their sparklers. I had been a little nervous about the close quarters and the fire hazard, but it turned out perfectly. I can't wait to see photos from this!

The reception was at the Embassy Suites in Peoria. Everything came together for the reception… the cocktail hour outside of the room included appetizers, a harpist, and quilt squares that everyone signed. Once you entered the reception room, you really felt like you were in a winter wonderland. White chair covers and linens with silver organza overlays made the room very classy. The centerpieces varied from a tall vase filled with silver glass ornaments, topped with a flower arrangement and sparkling silver branches to a centerpiece arrangement of simple white snowflake bags lit by battery operated tea lights. Silver glass ornaments were occasionally found and snowflakes were all around the walls with the special lighting effect. The photographers will be posting photos soon... watch for photos on their blog www.photoblog98.com! The room was unbelievable... truly a winter wonderland!

A big congratulations goes out to Brooke and Joel!