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St. Simons Wedding Planner :: Island Destination Weddings | Blog
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Fashion Monday: Rent the Runway

Wedding Sugar

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If you are a fab fashion savvy bride, you and your best girlfriends will love Rent The Runway for their bridal attire!  Rent the Runway allows you to have some of the hottest and glam of designer fashions for your bridal party, rehearsal dinner or even wedding at a fraction of the cost and without the commitment. This is perfect for bridesmaids who constantly wonder if they will ever wear their dress again. 

 

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Winged Embellished Shoulder Dress Warrior Princess Dress Plaza Dress
Sequin Trim Empire GownSquare Neck Metallic SheathDeep Zipped-up Bandage Dress

Rent the runway features designs from Christian Soriano, Tracey Reese, Alice by Temperley and more!  Pair your selected fashions with gorgeous accessories and pick your delivery date, which by the way, comes with a free back up size to make sure you get the perfect fit.  Return and you’re done!  Stars do it often for awards shows, and now with great companies like Rent the Runway and Adorn, you and your friends can look your very best for the next event. 

Garnish:  Here is some sugar for Cocktails + Details readers!  Rent your jewelry with Adorn  and receive 10% off your jewelry rentals use code PV0HKY62), you can also get 10% off your Rent the Runway rental by using code  OW164149!

Go on, get fabulous!

PS–

What makes this even better is that Rent the Runway has teamed with OneWed, which allows you to share Rent the Runway with your bridal party and guests through OneWed’s Wedding Pre-Party, wedding planning’s first social media planning resource!  Share the code with your friends and they too can get 10% off and you can score a free rental!

Meet the Locals: Chris + Amanda Moncus, St. Simons, Sea Island and Jekyll Island Wedding Photographer

St Simons & Jekyll Island Weddings

Our new series, Meet the Locals, will introduce  you to some of the Golden Isles’ wedding professionals who service Saint Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and beyond.  Because I simply adore them, I’ve asked them specific questions to bring out their awesome personalities and showcase their work.  Enjoy!

St Simons and Jekyll Island wedding photographer

This week’s local, or “locals”, are Chris and Amanda Moncus of Chris Moncus Photography.  (Doesn’t this picture just make you smile? I love it!)  Chris Moncus Photography is the dynamic husband and wife duo of Chris & Amanda Moncus. We fell in love with photography right after we fell in love with each other. Rarely did a camera leave our side. After shooting our first wedding we were hooked and now years later here we are lighting up the Golden Isles.

  1. My favorite part of the wedding day is…seeing the love the couple has for each other – especially at the first look – and photographing it.
  2. I never leave the house for a wedding without my …(this is easy) camera.
  3. My one tip for couples getting married in the Golden Isles is: Get married in the late fall or winter. We don’t have super cold winters and this is the least booked time for vendors so you’ll have an easier time getting who you want. Don’t worry about the scenery either – Jekyll Island Club Hotel, Sea Island, and Epworth all maintain their lawns to be mostly green year around.
  4. A must-see or must-do for couples while in the area: Must-see… The sunrise at driftwood beach. Must-do: Relax in the St Simons village.
  5. A picture of our favorite wedding day image and why: Ok so here’s the deal. I feel like a parent… I can’t choose which kid (picture) is my favorite! Wanna help?

Since Chris put me on the spot, here’s the one I chose.  Completely swoonworthy:

Burchard-Barley Wedding

See more of Chris and Amanda’s work on their website and follow them on twitter!

We Likey: Cooking Together , Having Fun with Two or More Cooks in the Kitchen

Terrica Talk

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I recently received a copy of Cooking Together Having Fun with Two or More Cooks in the Kitchen and thought it was great!  I always felt that cooking is such a sweet, intimate act that you can perform for someone.  Whether it is your significant other, your parents, your children or family and friends, cooking can be fun, romantic, or elaborate, but always satisfying. 

Cooking Together is broken up into three sections:  For Two People (your significant other, best friend or colleague), Two Adults and Two Children (perfect for parents and grandparents) and When Guests Come (for multiple cooks!).  Each recipe comes with easy to read instructions, colorful images and tips, stories and riddles accompanying each.  Flavorful recipes such as Minute Steaks with Herb Crust and Baked Potatoes, Pork Cutlets with Mushroom Sauce, and Turkey Steaks with Prosecco Foam Sauce.  The recipes are very simple and not too overwhelming for first time cooks.

Like Us on Facebook for a Special Gift!

Company News, St Simons & Jekyll Island Weddings

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Some one is celebrating a birthday soon at Cocktails + Details!

To celebrate, we are offering gifts for all new clients who book in October.

Check it out–Like us on Facebook and get the goods!

(Not a client? Like us anyway. We’re awesome. Share us with someone you love.)

 

Happy Birthday cake is a miniature cheesecake with shortbread crust wrapped in white/gold-tone imported Belgian chocolate by Horchow, $200.

You Are Not Being Nickeled and Dimed. You Are Having A Wedding

Terrica Talk, Wedding Advice

 

 

Weddings are highly emotional events.  Even planning one can bring out the very best and worst of some people.  While this is an important and sensitive event that you plan, you come up against elements of event planning and business that you may have not encountered before in everyday life.  It can be hard making the distinction between your event and “business”. 

Understand, that your vendors know this is an important day for you.  It is an important day for us, too—as we truly want to bring out the best of your event.  And we do so by using the best of our talents and resources.  This is what you pay for.  All too often, sometimes the lines are blurred between the bridal couple and their wedding professionals.  When lines are blurred, couples assume that since they are such great friends with members of their event team, that they (the professionals) are more than happy to do small mundane tasks.  No, honey.  Those cost.  And it’s not a matter of you being nickeled and dimed, it’s a matter of paying for and respecting your wedding professionals’ time.

I understand that since this is a monumental, and at most occasions, a one time event, couples do not know protocol.  Here are some helpful hints:

  • Be sure your vendor’s service information is detailed.  If you have something specific you want or need done in your vendor’s capacity, ask if it is included. Typically, if it is not listed, it’s not included and you should be prepared to pay. This includes additional setup, consultation hours, etc.
  • Not only are you paying for quality, you are also paying for convenience.  No, you don’t want to be stuck the day (or day before) your wedding fluffing 80 tissue paper pom poms or picking up your liquor from a wholesaler.  True, you could do it yourself, but you would add stress and a time suck to your schedule.  The little things you don’t want to or have time to do?  Pay someone to do it, or don’t be upset when you are charged.  So when you pay your wedding planner or caterer to do these things, you are paying to make sure it is done correctly as well as your own convenience.
  • Don’t overstay your welcome.  That sounds harsh, but that is not the case.  On your contract, your wedding professional outlines the times of their service for you.  You aren’t renting a person, you’re paying for a service.  If you go over, be prepared to pay for any overtime outside of your contract.  We had a wedding that was scheduled to end at 8 PM.  I kid you not, no one danced the entire evening, until 7:55PM.  They were ready to get the party going, but the DJ’s contract was up at 8PM.  They ended up paying overtime, and surprisingly, didn’t dance again for the the rest of the night.  Situations like this are rare, but you should prepare for them nonetheless.
  • Don’t confuse line items with being nickeled and dimed.  This is a way for your vendor to ensure you understand what you are getting, you are being charged correctly and they haven’t left anything out.  It’s for your mutual benefit.  Some vendors can get overly detailed, but take it with a grain of salt and credit it to their business savvy.

 

These are just some tips to help you as you start your planning!  What have been your experiences been when working with vendors and their pricing?

Details: Fabulous Save the Dates

Wedding Sugar

 

Save the Dates are fun because they get everyone excited about your wedding. Long gone are the mundane magnets and postcards—more couples are opting for creative touches like video or themed save the dates to entice their guests.

Adorable library-esque save the dates from Alabama Weddings

 

 


See the entire story “unfold” at Lovely and Gracious

Love this “Pencil Us In” Save the Date from Melangerie NYC

Vintage skeleton key save the date handmade DIY wedding invitations gocco

Adoring this vintage save the date with beautiful espresso skeleton key.  :: Olivia Leigh Photographie ::

 

green-blue-yellow-custom-letterpress-save-the-dates

Love these delicious citrus inspired beauties from Smock

Five Things Your Wedding Planner Absolutely Loves

Terrica Talk, Wedding Advice

love you

Your Ceremony and Reception Are In the Same Location.  Logistically, it makes things a lot easier for all the vendors involved.  It also makes for better planning and transition/flow into events.  If you are looking to have your ceremony at a house of worship, look into options that may be on the same grounds or adjacent to the property where the ceremony will be performed.  Great examples are Faith Chapel and near by Crane and Cherokee Cottages at the nearby Jekyll Island Club Hotel, or the Lovely Lane Chapel at Epworth by the Sea on Saint Simons Island.

You Trust His/Her Judgment.   Yes, we secretly get giddy inside when you say “You can do what you want… I trust you”.  We understand it takes a lot to get to that point, but it means a lot when you can trust that we will make the right decision on your behalf.  It also means a lot when you take our advice into consideration when making decisions.  Being able to see the event from all perspectives, and not have tunnel vision is the perk of being an event producer.  We can work best, and in your best interest when we are allowed to do what we do best. 

Cake.  We love cake.  Please give us some.  MANY a day has your favorite Terrica sat on the couch the day after a wedding shoving buttercream in her face, while watching FitTV. It’s like a national pastime.

You Stand Up For What You Want…Even With Us.  When your planner has been planning your wedding with you from the beginning, we begin to know your likes and dislikes.  We know what is important to you, and why.  We do get disheartened when family and/or friends talk you out of something that is very important to you.  It takes the sheen off your day a bit. Even though it is a community celebration, your wedding should still be indicative of your personalities as a couple. 

You Value His/Her Time…Space.  Even though your wedding planner strives to make you feel like you’re the only client, in reality, you are not.  In fact, the business is not the be all and end all of the planner’s life.  We are especially grateful when you make all of your appointments on time, notify us if you cannot, or cancel ahead of time.  Try to call or schedule appointments during office hours.  This is a heavily logistical job consisting of many details for many people—sometimes your planner may just want to decompress in the bathtub or go to their child’s play.  Observe personal boundaries—do not call the planner at home or text him/her if you were not given explicit permission to do so.  A well rested (as much as possible) planner is a great planner.

One-of-a-Kind Guestbook (You Will Love It!)

Wedding Sugar

 

If you are looking for something unique to counteract boring, traditional guestbooks, the One-of-a-Kind Guestbook is a great idea.  This testimonial style guestbook, allows guests to be come interactive storytellers.  Guests are invited to sketch pictures of themselves, which I think is adorable. However, this might make a great addition to a photo booth where guests can take pictures.  If you want to be ultra-nostalgic, ask guests to bring copies of their favorite photos of you together.  Overall, this turns out to be a fun, sentimental keepsake that will always be touching to look back on.

Your guestbook is completely customizable with covers coming in different colors, patterns and finishes.  You may also add pages to make it more personal, as well as archival pens and more. 

What way will you save memories from your guests?

What My Louboutin Manicure Has To Do With Your Wedding

Terrica Talk

louboutin manicure

I like shopping
I hate going to the grocery store
I hate washing clothes
I like painting my nails
It excites me
You have to work to get this good
— “Diva” by Club 69

Those lyrics are from my favorite song.  They’re very true, by the way.

So you are probably wondering what I am talking about.  Well, every two weeks, I am in the nail salon thinking of ways to make my fabulousness more tangible via my nail and toe polish.  Granted, I typically choose my nail color based on the name of the polish.  Doesn’t matter if it’s in season or not—it’s based on my mood, future outfits, etc.  For example, I really want to go away, so my current color is Caribbean Temptation (it’s a fabulous color, by the way).

Last month, I decided to opt for a “Louboutin Manicure”, which mimics the famous shoe—black on top, red underneath.  Clearly this threw my nail technician for a loop—he didn’t get it, it was out of his comfort zone and he probably thought I was nuts or tacky. I noticed afterwards, there were a few details that were poorly done or off, which might have been caused by his lack of motivation or comprehension to do it correctly.

Which got me to thinking…As a bride:

There may be vendors who do not get your vision.  It’s important to base your selection of vendors on experience and creativity—not just price.  Find someone that gets what you are going for.  If a vendor believes that your vision does not mesh well with their brand, they should be professional enough to decline your wedding and offer another alternative. However,

If the vendor agrees to grant/perform your request, even if they don’t like it, they should do it right.  Even with all of the professional advice, suggestions and alternatives from your vendor, if you still choose to go along with your vision and your vendor agrees to assist you, no matter their feelings on it—it should be done correctly.