Blog – Page 19 – St. Simons Wedding Planner

St. Simons Wedding Planner :: Island Destination Weddings | Blog

10923

blog,paged,paged-19,edgt-core-1.3,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,hudson-ver-3.3, vertical_menu_with_scroll,smooth_scroll,blog_installed,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-7.0,vc_responsive

Taking Over Wedding Wednesdays at Jekyll Island!

Company News, St Simons & Jekyll Island Weddings, Terrica Talk

Oh, yes. It’s happening.

As we’ve mentioned– we are the coordinator of fabulous for the Jekyll Dream Wedding, and now we are taking over Jekyll Island’s Facebook Page on Wedding Wednesdays! Each week, we’ll share behind the scenes interviews and showcases of the Dream Makers of the Say “I Do” Like a Millionaire Giveaway, gorgeous looks into the island and so much more! Additionally, you’ll have a chance to have ‘Tinis with Terrica! That’s right– I’ll be doing live Q+A each week with brides, grooms, mothers and more, each week!

So happy and blessed to have this opportunity and also to share our gorgeous home with everyone! Journey on over to Facebook and “Like” Jekyll Island to join the fun!

P.S.– want the real behind the scenes looks, check out our photo album 🙂 Shout out to iMint Media for this awesome video!

Give the Man What He Wants! Groomsmen Gift Ideas

Wedding Sugar

Getty Images

His brother. His college roommate. His friend since 9th grade. These are his go-to guys and naturally you’ve decided to include them in your wedding. They will travel from all over, bear blistering colds and sweltering heat in uncomfortable tuxedos and help create memories that will last forever. When you thank them for their participation, not only in your wedding, but in your life– what will you choose?

Have no fear, luxeling! We’re here to help! When you choose your gifts, they don’t have to be typical assembly line, cookie cutter gifts. Make it something that they will love and treasure for a long time. Choose something unique about each recipient that fits their personality, style and is meaningful.

A Gentleman Walks Down the Aisle: The Guy’s Ultimate Guide to Wedding Day Etiquette

Wedding Advice

This book has been dubbed as “The Guy’s Ultimate Guide to Wedding Day Etiquette”, we call it pure genius.
A Gentleman Walks Down the Aisle: A Complete Guide to the Perfect Wedding Day (available both in Hardcover and on the Kindle, so your man has absolutely no excuse for not reading it!) is the perfect gift for your new husband to be. More grooms are ditching the “I just have to show up” approach and are taking active roles in wedding planning. John Bridges, the ultimate etiquette expert, releases the next title in the popular GentleManners series of books to address this very important issue.

John’s guide will help the groom-to-be understand how important his role really is. With this comprehensive handbook, the groom can add to the joy, rather than the jitters, as the big day approaches.

Key Points include:
• 10 Wedding day disasters and how to avoid them.
• How to propose.
• Who should cover the financial costs involved with the big day?
• Dressing for the day – what to wear, when to wear it, and how to wear it.
• Duties of the father of the bride and father of the groom.
• Rules for the best man, groomsmen, and ushers.
• The role of a Gentleman who’s been invited to a wedding.

This book is extremely valuable for the groom himself, the fathers of the bride and groom, the best man, the groom’s other attendants, and even the gentleman who participates in the celebration merely as a guest. This book explains what to do, where to stand, what to wear, and what to say. So even if you are married, it makes a great gift for any guy in your life.

john bridges gentlemanners

John Bridges is the ultimate etiquette expert– especially for the modern man who wants to know how to behave himself, every day, and even in the most challenging situations. He is the coauthor, with Bryan Curtis, of the Gentle Manners series, which includes the bestselling book, How To Be A Gentleman, today’s most popular guide to etiquette for the modern man. He is a frequent guest on television and radio news programs, always championing gentlemanly behavior in modern society. Bridges has appeared on the Today Show, the Discovery Channel, and CBS Sunday Morning, and has been profiled in People magazine and the New York Times. The GentleManners series is a worldwide publishing phenomenon, having sold more than 1.25 million volumes and translated into more than 20 foreign languages. More information on John Bridges can be found at www.johnbridges.com.

Fashion Monday: Dressing the Man

Wedding Advice

Vanity Fair Cover

I’ve been told that women have it “easy” when it comes to finding something to wear. There are so many stores that cater to us, shapes, sizes and complexions. I will admit, it’s not always the same when it comes to men. If you remember my pointed question, Why Is Your Groomsman Wearing an “Extra Medium”, men can have it rough if their “in” shape as much as being out of shape. Here are some tips to help you and your honey decide on what to choose for your male wedding participants:

Choose something that is stylish, let timeless. As we’ve given advice to brides regarding bridesmaids in letting their ladies choose either complementary styles and colors for their dresses, the same can be said for the groomsmen. If you do not want to go the tuxedo route, every well dressed man has a black suit in their arsenal– and more likely than not, they’ve already had it tailored so that it looks its very best on them. As a gift, you can give them matching shirts with their initials embroidered on it.
Don’t be afraid of color! Adding a pop of color is a sure way to keep your men looking vibrant and attractive.
Relaxing is okay…it’s also gorgeous. If you are having a low-key beachside affair, quality khakis and a loose shirt can look absolutely STUNNING where as a upbraided tux can look completely unnatural and out of place. For less than the cost of a tuxedo rental, your groomsmen get to keep some stylish items to add to their wardrobe. If that goes too far for you, allow your guys to skip the ties with an open collar– this allows a sense of style while still maintaining a sense of decorum with a jacket. Or you can skip the jacket and allow your guys to wear sleek vests which can be paired with dress pants or class up a pair of jeans for later.
Personality is a must! Let every guy bring his own style to the table. Your groomsmen are not toy soldiers, backdrops or stand-ins. You chose them to be in your wedding because their place in your life and who they are to you. Allow them to showcase that– it could be with their choice of jewelry, footwear, boutonniere, skinny tie, bow tie or what you can agree on. Don’t think it will work? Check out how the men of Hollywood rocked out that Vanity Fair shoot above.

Want some ~~eye candy~~ inspiration? Here you go:

black tie and black shirt no tie

Black Suit for a wedding

vest and pants for wedding

Black dress shirt bowtie

monochromatic suit for weddings

I have to end with Diddy. I am huge fan of his music, business acumen and style. It takes a strong and confident man to show up anywhere with Jennifer Lopez looking like this. But he pulls it off in his own right in this layered monochromatic ensemble. He complements her instead of competing with her, and even if we saw him alone we would still think he was striking. This is the exact cue your honey should take as well– showcase his style, look fabulous in his own right and forever, both in life and looks, complement his beautiful bride.

Welcome to Gentlemen’s Week!

Wedding Sugar

Stylish Groomsmen in Grey Suits with No Jackets

:: Photo by Rebekah Westover Photography ::

This week, we are celebrating the gentlemen of your wedding: your groom, his groomsmen, your fathers, even the little ringbearer. We’ll share things of interest for you and your gorgeous beloved to help with your planning and keep you both excited for the big day. Everything from fashion, etiquette, groomsmen gifts and more, we’ll keep you informed on the latest and greatest!

Since today is Fashion Monday, look for some great looks later today!

Bling It On!

Wedding Sugar

With glamour making a resurgence this year, we’ve seen the prevalence of more crystals, rhinetones, and diamonds included in wedding decor. If you adore a little bit of sparkle, this might be something that you can incorporate in your wedding.

Cake:

Wedding Cake with Rhinestone Band wedding cake with bow and rhinestone glass cake stand

wedding cake with rhinestone band and cake stand

raise the cake rhinestone crystal stand

Dessert bars and cupcakes need not be left out of this sparkleganza. I love the concept of incorporating vintage cake stands with hanging crystals with the cake as it is already such a beautiful focal point:

antique gold cake stand with hanging crystals

square black cake stands

jeweled cupcake stand in black

jeweled cupcake stand in white

Containers

mirrored cylinder for flowers with rhinestones

black rhinestone vase white treasure vase

Tall Cylinders with Rhinestones

I love the rhinestone wrap on the cylinder vases, which can be done as banding or completely wrapped around the vase. Koyal Wholesale has the best diamond wrap that can be used for creating the vases and diamond rhinestone ribbon for cake banding above.

Flowers

Your flowers need not be left out– you can let wrap your bouquet’s stems in diamond wrap or add buckles or small elastic bands.

Calla Lily Bouquet Ruffle Ribbon Bouquet Rhinestone Wrap

Rose bouquet wrapped in rhinestone diamond rap

Rhinestone Rectangle Buckle

Oval Rhinestone Buckle for Bouquet

The key here is to glam up your decor with out going overboard and having your passport stamped in Cheeseville. Overdoing it on the bling does not subtly say opulence or luxury– it screams “all we could afford were rhinestones”. Add sweet, small touches to your cake, your dress, your flowers, your shoes and you will see that your event will stand out!

Tall Centerpiece Ideas for Your Wedding

Wedding Sugar

One of the perks about having a large space for your wedding reception venue is that you can capitalize on lighting, casting shadows, washing the room in color and other great options. However, if your centerpieces are not of the right scale, you run the risk of having your room completely engulf any of your design efforts. The same can be said for tents as well– you don’t want your space to dwarf your centerpieces. In this case, you may need to build “up” your arrangements, as opposed to building “out”.

Trees make for great tall centerpieces as they are naturally robust as they are tall. Additionally, they can be less cost intensive and can be adorned with small crystals, pomanders or blooms. Candelabras aren’t just for candles! Create a large arrangement in the candelabra’s bowl for lush arrangement of florals or eliminate the flowers altogether and use only your favorite pillars at varying heights. Want to something with a little more drama besides candles? Use ostrich feathers! Strike out by using tall plumes and drabs to fill an eiffel vase or one similar for something that is very Old Hollowyood-esque. To add depth, add slim arrangements at varying heights.

Here is some great inspiration (click on image to see larger version):

Cathleen + Ashish | Jekyll Island Wedding Planner

St Simons & Jekyll Island Weddings

hindu christian wedding on jekyll island at crane cottage jekyll island club hotel

Working with Cathleen and Ashish was such a privilege and honor. The two did such a wonderful job of combining their personalities, faiths and families for their wedding. We came in to produce and coordinate their gorgeous Hindu-Christian wedding at the Jekyll Club’s Crane ornate Crane Cottage, which was filled with many beautiful ceremonies and traditions, vibrant colors, music and delicious foods! Here are a few shots from some of the festivities courtesy of Jacksonville wedding photographer, Deanne Dunlop:

You can see more of the wedding details in their wedding video from Kinnetic Productions.

Their wedding was an absolute best– filled with so much fun and memories. I think my favorite part of the entire day was the look on Ashish’s face when he got to see Cathleen’s post-wedding surprise for him: an afterparty, with nothing but Taco bell to eat. Taco Bell is one of Ashish’s favorite vices, the only problem was as Cathleen and I plotted this surprise in the weeks prior to the wedding, I had the WORSE Taco Bell cravings. Subsequently, I ended up becoming the mayor of my local Taco Bell on Foursquare very quickly : ) Cathleen was such a sweet bride: since their wedding day fell on my birthday, she gifted me with the bottom tier of her wedding cake. A woman after my own heart!

EVENT TEAM:

Wedding Production (Coordination): Cocktails + Details // Photographer: Deanne Dunlop // Venue: Crane Cottage at Jekyll Island Club Hotel, Jekyll Island // Hair and Makeup: Image Artisans // Bouquets: Cottage Flowers // Decor and Florals: Palloos Flowers

Color Fabulous: Navy + Yellow

Wedding Advice

navy and yellow wedding inspiration

There’s just something about the blend of navy and yellow that exudes class, sophistication and style. These colors aren’t quiet in the slightest– they expect and demand to be noticed, which is why it is imperative that when used for your wedding that they are styled tastefully. They can be used for a gorgeous summer outdoor wedding or add a little pop to a cosmopolitan night affair.

navy and yellow inspiration board

Menu Nuage Mulberry :: Centerpiece Bubbly Bride :: Boutonniere The Knot :: Cake Elizabeth Page Classic Creations :: Dress Xscape Ruffle Collar Stretch Satin Sheath Dress at Nordstrom :: Limoncello PizzaBlogger

Yellow and Navy can be intertwined into your event palette with your food as well– check out this gorgeous blueberry limoncello from Giada de Laurentiis. It would make a perfect pre-wedding ceremony cocktail or your signature drink during your reception. These beautiful limoncello parfaits would also be the perfect signature dessert!

limoncello dessert signature dessert drink

Why I Love Your Wedding Photographer

Wedding Advice

Wedding photographer at work taking picture of a bride

Photo :: Pamela Marie

As a wedding planner, one of the most important questions I ask clients that come to us to discuss their wedding is “Who is your wedding photographer?” As I’ve mentioned several times before in my blog musings, the photographer is one of the most important decisions you will make when it comes to your wedding, right after choosing the venue. I feel this way for several reasons: flowers, while beautiful and provide a backdrop– eventually, they will die. The dress, in its mounds of chiffon, lace or satin will look absolutely stunning on you– however, unless you are extremely innovative you will not wear the dress again and neither will your daughter. Food and music, while very important parts of the party– they will be forgotten within a week if not days after your wedding.

Your photographs will be everlasting.

They will capture. They will connect. They will captivate. They will evoke emotion within seconds. This is why it is so very important that you pick the right photographer for your wedding. It’s not enough to be based solely on price or whom every one else is using. You need to have a visceral connection with your photographer so that you can feel at ease and your best on your wedding day. So be sure you aren’t just falling in love with great pictures, but the artistic, creative mind behind the camera as well. (The same can be said with the flipside of that argument…don’t just fall in love with the photographer’s personality, but also with their work! Being great email/phone pals will not make up for horrible photos of the most important day of your life!).

Since I like to break things down, I want you to know why I love your wedding photographer:

S/he is going to work their behinds off. It happens every time– I will meet the photography team prior to the wedding and we all look great and refreshed. Within hours– we are drenched in sweat, tired, etc. I love a photographer who is all over the place (respectfully) to get the best shots for our client. They aren’t worried about climbing on a few chairs, kneeling, being patient with a two year old flower girl and so many more instances that require true professionalism and a rock hard work ethic.
S/he doesn’t take me lightly. True story– at one wedding, I had my two assistants come to me in complete shock because they were “ordered” by a DJ to go fix plates for the bride and groom, even though I gave them specific duties and that was and never will be one of them. The nerve, right? I am not a hired bridesmaid, family friend, fluff or a filler. I am an event professional who is there to make sure that my clients and their families enjoy their day to the fullest potential and that their vendors are able to provide their best products in their capacities. I love a photographer who understands the importance of a wedding planner/coordinator/producer and what we bring to the table (and make that table look fabulous!). I know most photographers appreciate us because we do everything that most brides will push on a photographer which takes away from their own jobs (lining people up, pinning on flowers, cuing walk-ins).
I don’t take them lightly. Planning a wedding is a long, thorough process full of details, hard work, and concepts. It means a lot to work with a photographer who captured the moment exactly how we visioned it as well as all of the wonderful moments and designs that an entire event team works so hard on. Photography is so much more than some one showing up to a wedding and snapping a few pictures. It takes talent, skill and continuing education by a wonderful artist to hone their craft. Your photographer will work very hard on your wedding day, but will put in several hours in after to tastefully edit and produce your images in a way that will take your breath away and help you relive your day.
S/he appreciates all aspects of their work. I love a photographer that I meet at networking or industry events. I love a photographer that blogs. I love a photographer that invests in everything from lenses to camera bags to designer straps 🙂 Wedding photographers understand that there is so much more besides having talent– you must be smart, business savvy, and an everlasting student. In the same token, great photographers understand that technical skill will only get you so far– if there is no passion, no love, no emotional depth to your pictures, it will not get you far.
S/he brings backup. I love a photographer who knows they can’t be everywhere all of the time. Second and third shooters are essential. When you have events that take place on sprawling properties or with large guest lists/bridal parties, they are absolutely essential. There are moments and details that you don’t want to be overlooked when you have only a small window of time to capture them. With a photographer who has a second shooter or even a details shooter, you are securing your investment in everything else besides your photography. It is like the age old paradigm in wedding planning: if a bride has gorgeous florals and designs at her wedding, but the photographer didn’t capture them, were they really there?