Planning a Wedding: Tales from the Bro of Honor; Coordinating Besties

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So, as you may or may not know by now, one of my dearest friends, (we call her A), is getting married soon… ish. She’s asked me to coordinate and be in the wedding as the “Bro of Honor.” This is such a great honor and also quite the challenge. It’s a lot of responsibility to handle one of these tasks. But BOTH?! Luckily, I’m awesome and I’ve already got a solid game plan for the entire day. Even though I only got the news about 2 weeks ago (I’m kind of efficient sometimes). Check out my last post here to get all of the details about how this whole shebang got started.

So, as A was talking to me the other day bout ring shopping with the groom (K), something hit me. She is so freakin lucky. I mean, obviously because K is a great guy and they fit together so well. But, I really meant that she’s lucky to have me. I mean, what girl can say that she has a friend who LOVES to talk about wedding stuff 24/7? Most of your girl friends will be excited for you at first obviously. And they’ll keep feigning that excitement all the way up to the big day when they realize that you’re done talking about chair covers, and flowers, and rings, and tossing bouquets, and wedding playlists, and all that other stuff that they’re not anywhere near being ready to worry about yet. But, it’s all you’re thinking about, so it’s obviously all you’re talking about. This is where I come in. I love weddings. Everything about them. I can talk about it all day long. Not just the fun stuff like booze, or decor, or tossing things, but the actual guts of the wedding; the seating chart, the set up, the schedule for the entire weekend. That is my zone. So, yes. A is very lucky to have a friend like me. Because not only am I helping her with the wedding prep, but I’m keeping the rest of her friends sane.

We’ve changed color schemes about 3 times. K has vetoed our original ideas about what the guys would wear. And we’ve decided to combine rustic with glam-bling. This all may change anytime in the near future. A texts me whenever she has a thought about switching something, or a new idea. And it makes me so happy for her. Happy that she has me to talk about this stuff with. Even though she’s changed her mind a few times, We’re still on the same page about all of it. It’s a really crazy thing, but it works. And that’s how I know that this day is going to go off without a hitch. I mean, how could it not when you’ve got someone as awesome as this kid right here?

So, recently engaged ladies out there, I urge you to find a friend who loves weddings. Someone who you would trust to help plan your wedding. Someone you can share all of the details with (and I do mean ALL of the details). This person will save your life. Good luck out there girls. And check back to find out all of the other shenanigans and on-goings with this huge day in our lives.

Planning a Wedding: Tales from the “Bro of Honor”

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So, a couple days ago I found out that one of my best friends from high school, A, will be getting engaged very soon. This isn’t some crazy hunch she’s had. He’s not dropping hints and she’s not going crazy. They’ve discussed the matter and she’s given him options for the ring and is patiently waiting for the big moment. So, why not start the planning process, right? It’s never too early to get a head start on making those big decisions for the big day. And by big decisions, I mean weeding through your Pinterest boards and deciding what you actually love and need from all of the crazy (Believe it or not, this is insanely difficult). So, with the decision to start planning, she’s decided to enlist me to help with the planning and execution of possibly the biggest day of her life so far. Daunting? Maybe. Exciting? You better believe it. I’m so ridiculously excited to be helping with this amazing day for this amazing couple. But wait. There’s more. Not only am I coordinating this shindig, I’m also in the wedding. Yes. I will be the “Maid of Honor.” But, since I don’t really like that title too much, I’m switching things up. “Bro of Honor” it is.

So, this is the tale of how I’ll help plan (and star in) a wedding for my best friend. Let’s start off with a little info on the couple. They’re both cute nerds and they fit together so well. I remember when I met him and I could see how happy he made her. She was a naturally happy person anyway (I’ve never seen the girl upset… not once) but he seemed to amplify that. They’re so sweet to each other, but even better, they pick on each other constantly. And honestly, that’s the most important part of any relationship. I almost died when she moved with him to Texas last year, but I pulled through because I knew he’d take care of her. They have 2 kids and one on the way. And by kids, I mean amazingly cute and wonderful dogs. (Dogs who will be featured in the wedding, I’ve been told) They’ve decided to have the wedding in Fayetteville. They said it’s for family reasons, but I know it’s about me, obviously.

So, here we are. Planning a barn wedding for Spring of next year. This will be the story of all of the ups and downs. Okay. That was a lie. There won’t be any downs. I’m literally so excited I’m going to burst. I have so many wonderful ideas and so does she. We’re already on the same page about everything so this is going to be perfect. Y’all stay tuned to find out what’s going on this process. I’m excited to be sharing it with you, and I hope you can find some inspiration and ideas from this process as well. Not only will I fill you in on all of our wonderful decisions on decor and vendors, I’ll also share the experience of being in the actual wedding. Something totally new to me. I’ve worked about 30+ weddings so far, but I’ve never been in one. It’s exciting and it’s totally new and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check Pratt’s Pinterest page, and the board I’ve made just for their wedding, A&K to see all of the inspirations for what we’ve got going on. I’d love to hear your ideas, suggestions, or advice, so feel free to leave me a comment. Thanks so much again!

New Trends in… Wedding Favors!!

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So recently I’ve been writing about some awesome new trends in the crazy wedding world. The past couple posts, I covered the new stuff for the Bridesmaids and the Groomsmen. But what about all the other crazies you invited to come watch you tie the knot. They’re gonna want something out of the day, other than the meal and the free booze. So, wedding favors. Wedding favors have been around for a while, and they are all usually pretty lame. Until recently. They’ve kinda gotten awesome. Bride’s want their guests to be happy, so they want to send them away with something they’ll actually use, or something that’s just too cute to get rid of. So, these are my favorite new wedding favors.

Alright. Like I said, you want to give people something they’ll use. So, sunglasses are ALWAYS a fun, cute, sensible idea. Especially if you’re having an outdoor anything and it’s going to be warmer. Another fun one is Lottery tickets. These are literally a dollar a favor and they’re super fun for everyone. Somebody may even leave your wedding a few bucks richer. Another route to go is a fun “natural” route. Send everyone home with a bag of fresh lavender, or a little baby tree. Super sweet and it’s a gift that they’ll have for a while. I’ve also seen couples give out matches with tags that read “The Perfect Match.” It’s useful and cute. Along that line, any kind of word play favor is such a good idea. Everyone loves a good pun. Probably my favorite thing to do though is to give glasses to the guests. They get one glass for the night to drink whatever they’d like, and at the end of the night, they get to take it home. Such a good idea. You can even get it monogrammed so they remember where they got it. I also love the idea of giving everyone a shot glass full of candy. People like to party, and they love candy. It’s the perfect combo.

And if you want to go a slightly easier route, go with something eatable. People love free food. That’s half the reason they’re at your wedding… right?.. So, give them some food to take home. There are so many different ways you could do this that go with your theme. Probably the easiest way, is to do a Candy Bar. Have all kinds of your favorite candies (you can even get them in colors to match your scheme) and leave little bags for guests to fill and take a treat home. Another take on that is to do a fruit stand, for the more health conscious couple. All kinds of fresh fruit and market bags so people can take some home with them. I’ve also seen guest give out smaller versions of a family favorite food. Grandma’s Jellies. Mom’s “Jar Cake”. Aunt Susan’s mini pies. Or Uncle Jack’s homemade salsa. All of these are great because guests get to feel like a part of the family after the wedding. I’ve also seen natural honey with a little honey stirrer. Such a cute idea for a spring wedding. Mini bottles of booze are great for the couple who likes to party and knows all of their friends do too.

The main thing to remember here is to make it something personal that people will enjoy. Make it something that will make them remember what fun they had on the day of your wedding. It’s never too hard to make people happy. As much as they really do want to be there for the free food and booze, they’re also really there to support you and celebrate the next big chapter in your life So thank them. It doesn’t have to be something big or fancy. Just something sweet that will help them remember the day. Good luck out there brides!!

Let me know what favors you used at your wedding, or some favorites that you saw at a wedding. I love to hear your feedback. And as always, check out our Pinterest page to see everything I’m loving this season!

New Trends in… HIS GUYS!

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So, recently I’ve been talking about my new favorite wedding trends for 2013. Last week (and this week) I’m talking all about the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen. Last week was the girls (click here if you missed it) and this week is all about the guys. Oddly enough, it’s a lot different from the girls. The guys don’t put as much effort into it, because they’re guys. It’s just how we roll. So, let’s take a second to learn about how the guys get their roles and how you get to dress them (which is really the fun part for you). So, let’s talk about boys!

So, remember with the girls how there were all these cute and clever ways to ask them to be your bridesmaid? Well, the guys don’t really put that much effort into it. It’s really just a simple question over beers. Easy. Bing. Bang. Done.

So, now that he’s picked them, what are they going to wear? Your groom obviously has a little say in this (or you let him think he does) but it’s mainly your decision because the day is all about you. So, some of my favorite trends right now are the more casual weddings. Guys not in suits, but in vests, or suspenders. Looks super clean cut, yet fun and young. I love the idea of a super casual look on guys because honestly what guy, other than Barney Stinson, actually enjoys wearing a suit. So, find out what your man likes and combine it with what you think would look best. Work together on it. Check these pictures out for ideas for a more casual look.

Alternatively, if you wanted to dress it up and keep the guys in suits or tuxes. There are little details that you can add to make it more fun for them. I personally love all of these ideas and I’m sure there are a million more out there. If you’re lucky enough to be marrying a nerd, then any of these hidden super hero ideas are going to be awesome for you both. These guys wore their “secret identities” under their suits to show off during the reception. You could also do this a little more inconspicuously with socks. (This is also a good place to tie in some color to match your scheme.) You could also get custom cufflinks for the guys. It’s a little more noticeable than the other options, but still kind of hidden and a great detail for the photographers to pick up on. Or, if you really want the guys to have fun, use little action figures instead of boutonnieres. This will cut down on your flower pricing and it’s super fun. But probably my favorite fun thing to do with the guys is this. These guys all had custom undies made to wear under their suits for the wedding. It’s totally hidden except for this picture (or when they have a little too much to drink later) and it’s still fun for them.

Now, usually it’s super easy to get the girls to the dance floor for the bouquet toss because if you catch it, you’re next. Coincidentally, this is the exact reason that guys try to avoid the garter toss. So, brides (and grooms) have recently thought of ways to make this more fun for the single fellas at your wedding. One way is to put the garter on a football and throw that. Guys are more likely to partake if they can show off their athletic ability. Another way to get them involved is by giving a prize (you can do this for the girls too so they don’t feel left out). Whoever catches the garter gets a bottle of Crown Royal (or another booze). You can believe that every guy in the reception will be out there trying to catch that thing.

Finally, in the same way that you thanked your girls for being there for you, you should definitely thank the guys as well. Yes, they’re drinking more than anyone else at the wedding, but a little gift is a nice touch. The guys’ gifts are super easy too. You’re typically good with some form of alcohol (bonus points if it’s their favorite) and a special glass. You could include some other fun things like cigars, fun sunglasses, or something personal. I really love these engraved dog tag bottle openers. Just remember to have fun with it.

So, the main thing to think about here is to have fun. Remember that they’re guys and they’re probably only there for the free booze and to hit on bridesmaids. So, make it more fun for them. Make them want to be there for you. Guys are easy to please too, so this area should be a piece of cake. Do you have any tips for keeping the guys happy at the wedding? What are your thoughts? Good luck out there ladies!

Be sure to check out our Pinterest page for all of my favorite wedding trends and check back next week to see what my next favorite is!

New Trends in… YOUR GIRLS!!!

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Okay so as you may know, I’m currently working on a series about my new favorite trends (see last week’s post, New Trends in… CAKES!!). I, as a writer, am taking creative license with the term “trends” this week. I’ll be discussing my favorite things related to your girls. Your biffies. You’re ladays. Your besties for the resties. Your Bridesmaids. The girls you love so much you want them to be standing next to you when you get married. These girls are your rocks. They’re there for you through times of struggle and obviously for times of celebration. They’re a blast to be around and you wouldn’t have it any other way. So, that being said, you want to treat them well for always being there for you, and for being a part of the biggest day of your life thus far.

So, probably the best way to start this is with how to actually ask your girls to be your bridesmaids. This can be tricky, because some girls will be very hesitant based on all of the previous stigmas about being a bridesmaid. Big ugly dresses. Dealing with a bridezilla. Doing all kinds of crazy tasks. These can all affect her decision. But, if you picked her, there’s a good chance none of that will actually matter. Some of my favorite ways to ask your girls are these: I love the idea of “popping the question” to your girlfriends. Use a ring pop in a big box and propose to your besties. It’s super cute and it’s super fun. And then I like this idea of making the promises beforehand that you won’t ruin her life with a hideous dress. But, possibly my favorite is these customized wine bottles with a picture of the bride and the bridesmaid with the “big question” on it. I mean, it’s insanely difficult to turn down the blushing bride when she’s handing you a bottle of blushing wine. Super. Cute.

Now this is probably the most important part and the part that the girls are going to be the most hesitant about. The dress. You’re making them show up. And walk around with you. And bustle your dress, the least you can do is make sure they actually look good. So, this is a hot button topic in the wedding world. What should the girls actually wear. Well, my FAVORITE thing right now, is selecting a color palette for the dresses, and going from there. Either make them all the same style, but different corresponding colors, or make complimentary colors in different complimentary styles. It might sound like it’s a lot going on, but trust me, it looks amazing if you do it right. This also gives the girls an option for all body types. Something will literally flatter everyone. All the dresses here correspond really well, and they are all on the same palette. Perfection. Another one of my favorite things to do with the girls’ dresses if you want to keep them all the same, is to have Maid of Honor in an accent color. Same dress. Just a different color included in your scheme. This looks stunning with longer dresses and shorter dresses. Shoes also come into play here. You don’t want all the ladies stumbling around in 5 inch heels. Give them an easy to find color and have them pick their own shoe. This is the easiest possible way to do it. This is also an area to tie in the MoH accent color idea. Put her in an accent color shoe instead of the same color as the rest of the girls. Just remember to keep their thoughts and opinions and comfort in mind through this whole process. It’s your big day, but they’re here to back you up.

So, on that note. You should thank your besties somehow. Best way to do this? GIFTS!!! Everyone loves presents. Everyone. Get them something sensible, but also personal. A piece of jewelry to wear on the big day is a good idea. Something that they’ll actually wear again, preferably. But, I really like the idea of gifting something they’ll use that day while getting ready. There are so many options for this. Monogrammed button-down shirts to wear while getting hair and makeup done. Tanks are a cheaper option to that idea. I also love the personalized/monogrammed tumbler cups with straws. Such a good way to avoid spills when you’re “not drinking” while getting ready. I’ve also seen brides give the girls personalized totes with the girls’ initials on the outside. This is such a good way for them to carry all of their hair and makeup items, back up shoes, anything they could possibly want to have on hand during the big day. Whatever you decide to gift, make it fun. Make it personal. Make it special. Whatever it is, they’re gonna love it because they love you.

Well, that’s all I have on bridesmaids. As I said, these girls are some of the most important women in your life and should be treated as such. But, also remember to have fun with it! This is a big day, but it’s supposed to be the best time of your life. Live in the moment. Share the love.

So what do y’all think? What are your thoughts on the dresses? The gifts? What have you done? What are you planning to do for your girls? Leave me a comment! I’d love to hear your feedback! And be sure to check out our Pinterest page to see everything I’m in love with right now, and come back next week to see what I’ve got to say about the guys. Should be interesting to say the least…

New Trends in… CAKES!!

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With a new year comes new trends. Not only in fashion, but in weddings. The crazy wedding world is constantly changing, and that’s what keeps it fun. So, I’m starting a blog series of my favorite new trends. Last week’s post (The Ceremony…. Wait. What?) kind of inspired this. It covered all of my new favorite ways to spice up those boring ceremonies. I may touch on ceremonies more as I dive deeper into Pinterest, but I’m covering all new stuff now! So, y’all sit back. Relax. And get your pin boards organized, because it’s planning time.

So, this week, I thought I’d talk about something fun to get the ball rolling. The Cake! Long gone are the days of the traditional white wedding cake that looks just like all the other weddings that you’ve been to. Bride’s are changing it up! They’re having fun! They’re making bold statements! They’re being fabulous! And I LOVE it!! So, here’s a couple things I’m noticing that I love:

BOLD Colors: Like I said, solid white is done. This is your chance to go crazy. You want everything else in your wedding to be absolutely stunningly beautiful. The cake is… well, a cake. People are going to eat it. Make it fun! I’m loving all the color I’m seeing in cakes right now. You can do solid tiers, or bright pops of color throughout, or bright florals. Probably my favorite way to bring color into your cake is with patterns. And what’s everyone’s favorite pattern right now? Chevron. Chevron for days. I’m obsessed. You can do this in any colors to match your scheme and it looks phenomenal. As much as I love the Chevron trend, there’s another one that I am absolutely OBSESSED with. Ombre. I LOVE the Ombre color scheme. It literally works with any colors you may choose and there’s so many directions to take it. Ombre is great because you can do that WITH patterns. I know. It’s so amazing I might burst. I’m also seeing watercolors on cakes. It seems kinda off, but it’s absolutely stunning to look at. It’s still kind of new, and some bakers might not be able to do it, but if you can find one, go for it. It looks gorgeous.

Shapes: Cakes aren’t just round anymore. They’re square. They’re octagonal. They’re leaning. People are doing some insane gravity-defying things with cake and it’s super impressive to see. I love the idea of a square stacked cake like this one. It’s super modern, and still very classic. Topsy-Turvey cakes are super fun too. You can do so many things with this design that just bring an element of fun and surprise to your cake. And I really love this off-to-one-side look. It’s intriguing to look at and it’s also super flexible with colors and toppers.

Stuff: I love this idea people are having of just putting all kinds of… well, stuff on their cake. Now, that may sound totally bonkers, but it’s amazing when it’s done right. You can go ANYWHERE with this. It will fit literally ANY theme or color scheme. I love this one with florals and pearls. Or this one with the twigs and vine wrapped all the way around with the patterned white underneath. And I’m obsessed with this cake. The petals radiating out from the center of this flower. This is so classic, and beautiful. And of course, if you’re wanting a more “traditional” look, while still being different and fun, florals are always a great addition. These cakes are beautiful.

FUN: I love all of these cakes because you can tell these couples are awesome fun people. Character themed. Movie themed. Ruffles! The half-bride-half-groom cake! I love them all!

I’m so craving some frosting now. These cakes are seriously awe-inspiring and I can’t get enough. I’m so excited to see what brides and bakers will come up with next. So, what’s your favorite new cake design? What was the cake like at your wedding? Talk to me people!

Happy planning y’all!

Be sure to head over to our Pinterest Page to check out all of my favorite wedding trends!

The Ceremony…. Wait. What?

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So, there’s always so much planning that goes into the reception. Which makes since, because that is the bulk of the day. But, the ceremony’s kind of a big deal, right? I mean, you’re getting married. Whoah. So, why not make the ceremony a bigger deal for this huge day? Granted, most ceremonies only last about 30 minutes and people aren’t spending the majority of their time here. But, it is the first thing they’re going to see. And it is the most important part of the day. But how do you make it exciting? How do you make it an event in itself? Well, it can be difficult because nobody’s really changed the way ceremonies have flowed in; well I don’t know, forever?! Until now. Upon further research, I’m finding some AMAZING things for ceremonies. And I’m only scratching the surface here. These are my FAVORITE ways to spice up your ceremony.

So, who says the aisle has to be a straight up and down walkway? Because to me, that’s kinda boring. Make it a circle. What?! That’s crazy talk! No. It’s amazing. And there’s so many different ways you could do it too. One of my favorites is the spiral aisle. Everyone gets a front row seat for the most important walk of your life and it looks incredible. Another of my favs is the take on “Theatre in the Round” seating. It worked back in the day for Shakespeare, so it should work wonders for your wedding. You can get so many different views and there are so many different things you could do with the bridal procession. The possibilities are endless. Just look at the pictures.

Those were amazing right? Yeah. I know. I can’t really handle it because it’s just so fabulous. Okay. Back on track. Anyway. So, what if you don’t want to go super crazy with your ceremony, but you want to spice it up a little? Well, don’t’ worry, I love that idea too. And the way to do that is to decorate your aisle. There are so many fun things you could do with this. My favorite? Rose petals. Rose petals for days. And I love this in am ombre style. You can do this with any color so it fits your particular color scheme. Just fade dark to white leading to the altar. Stunning. I’ve also seen brides do designs with the petals. This brings a pop of color to the ceremony and a hint of whimsy as well. Or, just cover the place in petals. They look amazing when there’s a lot of them. Don’t be stingy with your petals ladies.

Another tip I have is to fit your ceremony to your site. So, you want to get married inside. Maybe it’s a super classy place. Check out the picture of this ceremony that looks like a high fashion runway. Super classy. Super elegant. And dare I say…. Chic. I love it.

Or, on the totally opposite end of that spectrum, say you want to get married in a barn. Now, it’s easy and fun to dress up a barn and make it a classy rustic masterpiece. But, it’s also super fun to treat it like a barn. Use hay bales as seating or lining the aisle. If it’s done right, it can look gorgeous. And I just threw in this last picture because I thought it looked super romantic. This doesn’t really have a shape. It’s more of a curve that fits the landscape. Very whimsical and almost “Alice in Wonderland”-esque.

I love all of these ideas and I’m so excited to see them happening this year. And the fun part is, all of these work at Pratt! (See how well that turned out?) So what do you think? Too much? Or is it perfect for today’s modern bride? I think it’s time for a change in the ceremony department. Most of the people who show up to weddings are really only interested in the free food and the free booze. But, what if they had more? Give them something else to remember. What if 10 years from now your friends are still talking about how you walked down a spiral aisle to your wedding and everyone got to see just how stunningly beautiful you were up close.

Joshua Murphree is an innkeeper at Pratt Place Inn & Barn and is on his way to becoming a wedding coordinator. Be sure to check back every week for his insight into the crazy world of weddings, as well as some other fun tips for your big day, or any celebration you may be planning.

Where to Start?!?

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Okay y’all. It’s engagement season. According to a few different surveys, about 25% of couples get engaged during the holiday season. So that means there’s a lot of girls out there who are super pumped and are already starting to plan things out, and a bunch of guys who are just now realizing what they’ve gotten themselves into. So, the main question is, “Where to start?!” Well, fret no more adorable little couples. I have put together a list of my Top 5 favorite places to get inspiration for starting to put together the day of your (mainly the bride’s) dreams.

5.) WeddingWire.com

WeddingWire.com is an awesome site where you can view all kinds of vendors in your area and see reviews on them and endorsements from other vendors. This is a great place to look once you’ve started pulling ideas together. You can start making decisions here and booking appointments with people who really catch your eye.

Pros: Easy access. You can create your own profile to save all of your awesome ideas. Vendor reviews and endorsements.

Cons: Not every vendor has a profile so there may be someone awesome that you miss out on.

4.) Pinterest

I. Love. Pinterest. My “Wedding” board is HUGE. I love getting all kinds of great ideas for colors and themes and all kinds of great stuff from here. This is a great place to start getting ideas, and also to come back to for budget saving decorating tips. You can create a board for every section you could ever want. There’s really no limit to the awesomeness of Pinterest.

Pros: Online, so easy access. Pins typically have links to the original website so you can find out how they did what you see. Customizable boards. A lot of vendors (including Pratt Place) have Pinterest accounts so you can see what the pros like too. Mobile app so you can take all your awesome ideas with you.

Cons: I honestly can’t think of anything negative about Pinterest. It’s that awesome.

3.) The Knot

The Knot is an awesome site just for weddings. They’ve got everything laid out into great categories so it’s super simple to plan out each individual part of your wedding. They’ve also got great ideas for favors and decorating tips. These are professional people letting you know all of their favorite things and the upcoming trends for weddings. Such an amazing site.

Pros. Super organized. They have a mobile app so you can save all of your plans and take them with you. “Knotties Favorites” section to let you know their favorite trends.

Cons: Again, I have very few issues with this site.

2.) Magazines

I know, I know. It’s basically the Dark Ages. But, these magazines are still around for a reason. They. Are. Amazing. Martha Stewart Weddings magazine is incredible. We all love Martha. Also, Arkansas Bride is one of my favorites. It’s got local vendors featured. Plus a TON of “Real Weddings.” These are weddings in the area that they feature in their magazine. They are always up to date on the newest trends so you can be too. Plus, what’s better than going old school with your girls sitting around reading magazines and talking about boys like you did in middle school, right?

Pros: Real Weddings section lets you know what other brides are doing. Portable. Local vendor features.

Cons: Well, it’s real paper.

And my number 1 favorite source for wedding awesomeness?!?!??

1.) Coordinators.

Yes. Coordinators. Find one and ask them questions. Ask them all of the questions. They know anybody and everybody in the local wedding market and can tell you who is the absolute best for what you want. If you’re the kind of bride who has no idea what she’s doing, then put all your faith in your coordinator. Or, if you’re the bride who has a LOT of opinions, but just needs a little help, they can handle you too. And if you don’t want to work with a coordinator, talk to other vendors who you meet with. They all work together pretty much every week. They’ll be able to tell you who they like to work with.

Pros: REAL PEOPLE!! There’s nothing better than dealing with a real live person, especially for something so important. Local market; they know the ropes and the people around you.

Cons: There are no cons for asking coordinators or other vendors for help. It’s the easiest way to get it done.

I hope this list helps all of you newly engaged couples in this crazy process of planning. And I’ll leave you with this:

Ladies: He’s not really going to care about a lot of it. As long as he has good booze, good food, and he still has money at the end of it, he’s good. Remember this.

Guys: She will ask your opinion on everything. Just remember to tell her she looks pretty and smile a lot. You’ll do just fine.

Good luck y’all!! I wish you all the best!

Coordinators. Yay or Nay?

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Alright y’all. This is kind of a hot button topic in the wild world of weddings. Coordinators. Do you need one? Are they over-priced? What do they even do? Well, wonder no more. I have looked into the topic (and thrown in some info from my own experiences) so that I may answer all of these questions and more.

When people think of a wedding planner, they instantly think of Jennifer Lopez with a clipboard and a headset telling people what to do. Now, this may be 100% accurate for some planners in bigger areas, but the planners here in NWA are way more than that. They’re coordinators. What’s the difference, you ask? Well, it’s right in the wording. A “planner” plans your wedding and handles problems on the day of. A “coordinator” will coordinate all of your vendors to fit a perfect schedule for you. They’ll coordinate the set up of your ceremony and reception. They’ll coordinate your entire wedding day to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. They do all of the dirty work so you don’t have to. They start at 8:00 in the morning to set up, and they won’t leave until 2:00 that night after all your drunk college friends have left.

Is it worth it? Well, duh! Think about it for a second. Someone who’s life is weddings clearly knows all the best people in the business. So, they’re going to know who you should hire for exactly what you want. Plus, who else is going to set all your crazy decorations up the morning before your wedding? You? HA! Fat chance! You gotta get your hair did! And your mom is already driving you nuts. She’s not going to want to set up all that stuff. So, who else? Oh yeah. Your coordinator. Guess what. They love setting up for weddings. That’s why they do it.

Some people think that they just can’t afford a coordinator and that they can handle it all themselves. And they may be right. Sometimes, it’s just not in the budget. But, think of all the stress you’ll be saving yourself. Think about the fact that on your wedding day (arguably the biggest day of your life) you will be virtually stress free. Your coordinator has gotten to know you over the past few months, so any problems that may arise, they will handle in a way that you would. But better.

Coordinators are like wedding super heroes. They have a happy demeanor and people come to them for assistance. They swoop in and save the day. And they can leap tall buildings in a single bound…. Okay. Maybe not that last one, but they are pretty awesome.

So, do you need a coordinator? Yes. Yes. Yes. A million times yes. Life is so much easier with a coordinator.

What do y’all think? Did you use a coordinator? How did it go? Give me some feedback on this. Am I crazy for having such a full faith in these wedding gurus?

Lauren & Mark

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Recently one of our own tied the knot. Lauren Burkhalter and Mark Blanco were married on November 17, 2012 and it was a wonderful event. Now, since Lauren is around weddings all the time, you know she had to pick only the very best to handle everything. So, I’d like to fill you in on all of her choices for such an important day.

Venue: Well, clearly, Lauren was going to pick Pratt Place Barn to hold her ceremony and reception. What better place is there to have a sweet fairytale wedding in Northwest Arkansas? With it being tucked away on Sassafras Hill, the Barn was the perfect place to host all of their dearest friends and family in the heart of Fayetteville, without the hustle and bustle of the college town literally minutes away.

Coordinator: Now, some people don’t like to use coordinators, and that’s fine. But I honestly don’t understand how you do it without one. Karie Sutton of Weddings by Karie was the coordinator for Lauren and Mark’s wedding and she did an amazing job. She was able to transform the barn into the perfect location not once, but twice. With both the ceremony and the reception being held in the same place, she and a team of helpers were able to “flip” the site from “quiet intimate ceremony space” into a prime party location for all of Lauren and Mark’s friends and family to eat, drink, and be merry with the happy couple. And it looked wonderful. The entire evening went off without and hitch and the couple couldn’t have been happier with her work.

Florist: Rose of Sharon Event Florist handled the floral work for this wedding and the pieces were stunning. They do a truly incredible job. From centerpieces in varying sizes, to a vine covered in flowers for the altar, everything was marvelous. Each table had a centerpiece slightly different from the next. Part of this is because they used wine bottles to hold arrangements. This gave varying heights and colors to the tables and it looked amazing. It’s amazing how much flowers can transform a room.

Photographer: Stephanie Parsley shot this wedding and the photos look incredible. All of the pictures you see here are her work. She was such a pleasure to work with and she did an amazing job. I’ll just let the pictures speak for themselves.

DJ: Lauren and Mark know how to have a good time. So, when it came time to make some decisions about music, one person came to mind. DJ Brock. Brock knows weddings and knows how to get the crowd moving and keep them happy and entertained. He’ll even get out there and dance with you. You know it’s going to be a party when you’ve got Brock as your DJ.

Cake: The cake at this wedding was absolutely beautiful. Briar Rose Bakery in Farmington, AR was responsible for this frosted wonder. Strawberry and white cake made up the five tiers of yummy goodness. It was frosted in white with different details on every level. Finally it was topped in gorgeous flowers to bring in the wonderful colors of the wedding. It looked and tasted incredible.

Groom’s Cake(?): Now, if you’ve ever met Lauren or Mark, you’d know that they’re not your “traditional couple.” So, instead of a “Groom’s Cake” Mark had a full sweet treats bar complete with pumpkin cupcakes, tuxedo cake pops, and THREE different kinds of cookies, including a White Chocolate Cranberry Pecan. YUM! Briar Rose handled all of these sweets as well.

We clearly enjoyed being a part of Lauren and Mark’s special day and we couldn’t be happier for them both. We wish you all the best in everything you do.