To Bathroom Basket or Not To Bathroom Basket?

Do you think bathroom baskets are a must-have?

While I don't think they are a must-have, I do think they are a nice-to-have, especially if the bathroom your guests must use is less than posh.

If you are having a barnyard wedding, that is so rustic and fabulous! But, your guests many not enjoy using an outhouse - even the "executive ones". So to spruce it up a bit, add a basket with nice toiletries and maybe even a lightly scented candle if there is enough surface area. Even of you are not having a barnyard wedding, who couldn't use some hand sanitizer, a breath mint or some extra lotion?

If you want to go the extra mile, put things in the basket that your guests may need for those little mishaps that could ruin their night - clear nail polish in the women's bathroom, men's body spray, bandages, a travel toothpaste/toothbrush kit, contact lens solution, feminine hygiene products, etc. Your baskets can be small and dainty or industrial sized depending on your location.

Its also a great idea to personalize your basket by adding a little note to your guests or a poem (Great DIY Project!). This is one of my favorite poems:

So happy you're here to share in our special day,

but should something happen to go astray,

Please help yourself to the contents within,

Wet wipe, hand lotion, and even aspirin,

Use only what you need and leave the rest,

It may also be useful to another guest,

So repair the damage that may have been done,

Then hurry on back and join in the fun!

Whether your skin feels dry or your hair out of place.

You're not feeling so fresh, or whatever the case.

We've put together a basket to help you along.

Now hurry back out before you miss the next song!

Happy Planning!

Images courtesy of With This Ring Weddings and Pink Avenue Brides

Happy 4th of July from LB Event Couture!

Happy 4th of July from LB Event Couture! I hope your holiday is fun, restful and safe ;-)

Happy Planning!

Photos courtesy of Skip to My Lou, The Big Felafel, Parties Supplies Hut, Real Simple

A Great Tradition: Recipe Boxes!

A new client of mine is having her family members bring their favorite desserts to the wedding and wants them to write down the recipes of each dessert.

This is a great idea to preserve some family history - they make great keepsakes!

Some clients like to use recipe boxes for bridal showers or baby showers with kid friendly recipes!

I've decided to showcase some of my favorite recipe boxes for inspiration to all you brides-to-be, moms-to-be and chefs-to-be!

From left to right: Recipe File Box - Dots and Stripes $18.00, Recipe File Box - Paddock Shawl $18.00, Made from Scratch $10.00, Martha Stewart Collection Recipe Box $14.99, Pink Flower Box $13.00 (no, I'm not sure why its called "Pink Flower Box" when its blue), Bamboo Recipe Box $14.99 (its plain but you can customize it with a monogram and other decorations), Tatutina Black and White Mod Circles Recipe Box $25.95, What's Cooking Recipe Box $16.95, Recipe Box - Bon Appetit $19.99

Happy Planning!

Wedding Party Timeline

Your wedding party (and sometimes their significant others if they are not in the wedding party) need to know a wee bit more that just the date of the wedding. Here's a cute way to send your wedding party a save-the-date that gives them a timeline of their obligations. Best part about these are... you can print them at home yourself!

Happy Planning!

Reflections of a Newlywed...and a Wedding Planner

I can't believe its been over a year since I got married. No really, I can't believe it...the time has gone by so fast! My husband and I have been busy with work and travel, I officially started my wedding business (although I've been doing it for years) my son is a year older (and a foot taller) and honestly, its just been a blur!

As a reflect on that incredible day that I shared with the people that I love, I remember that the day was p-e-r-f-e-c-t. Now, don't get me wrong, as a wedding planner, I know that there is no "perfect wedding". Everything didn't go as planned - my dad ad-libed most of the ceremony, my wedding band didn't announce the wedding party the right way, the wedding party had to be corralled to take pictures after the ceremony, our first song was incorrect until I went over to the stage and changed it to the right one, we missed part of the reception changing for the after-party and my Uncle got up and did an unplanned blues set with the band. But you know what? THAT'S what made it perfect. All the imperfections, all the impromptu things that may have made the planner in me cringe, bring the biggest smile to my face. Each of those things added that special something that made the day absolutely amazing. As I look back, I wouldn't change a thing.

Let me set the stage for you. I planned the h-e-double-hockey-sticks out of that wedding. I included my husband in all the decisions he wanted to be involved in, I had spreadsheets and space plans and timelines for my wedding party. I made the save the dates, invitations and the programs. Each person in my family had a very special role in my wedding...a position of honor, I like to say. Once I handed off my final plans to my day-of-coordinator (yes, I had one), I let everything else go. I mean, I really let everything else go. I did my best to plan and my job after the rehearsal was just to enjoy the meaning of the day with my husband and son and all the people that love and support us.

That's what the day is all about. Its about celebrating your love with the people you love. Its about enjoying all those quirky things that make the people in your life who they are. Its about leaving it all out there on the field and having no regrets. So, while there's no such thing as a perfect wedding...my wedding was perfect for me.

Happy Planning!

Photos courtesy of Amanda Gibson Images

Creative Table Names

The table name trend has been personalization for a while now, but couples are running out of original ideas. Here are some ideas that will add a personal touch to your reception, without making your guests feel like they're low on the totem pole based on their table number.

"Favorite Movies/Music/Restaurants": Name each table based on your favorite movies, albums or restaurants. You can even choose a theme if mutual favorites are hard to come up with - comedies, love stories, movies filmed all filmed in NewYork, restaurants you want to try, R & B hits of the '90's, etc. Go the extra mile by not only having a sign with the name, but also the picture of the DVD/CD cover or restaurant logo.

"Why I love him/her": The bride and groom can name each table for reasons they love each other such as "Table His Eyes" and write a brief explanation why - "His eyes are the gateway to his soul and when I look into them, I know that everything will be okay." or "Table Her Compassion" - "She always thinks of other people before herself and has a way of making people feel like family, even when she's just met them for the first time."

To ensure that the catering staff knows which table is which, put a small number on the bottom right hand corner of the sign.

For those who want a creative way to use numbers, you can use "Count the Ways". For this theme each table will have a number, but the numbers are associated with ways the couple love each other. Similar to the "Why I love him/her", the bride and groom can list X amount of ways they love each other and why. For example, "Count the Ways 1 - Because she always lets me have the last bite", "Count the Ways 7 - Because he always makes sure my car is filled with gas, just so I won't have to worry about it".
Any of these ideas will add the perfect touch of personalization for your reception. They are great ice breakers for guests at tables who don't know each other and lend conversation starters for family and old friends.

Happy Planning!

The Event Couturess of LB Event Couture

Google Docs Rocks!

OK… those of you who know me, know I’m a little biased but seriously Google docs is a life saver (or a wedding consultant saver as it were)!

First, let me say that there’s nothing like having a face-to-face consultation. I’ve been pretty fortunate that all of my extremely busy clients have been web 2.0 saavy. I’ve been able to use Google Docs, Spreadsheets, PDF Upload, Forms, Presentation and Sites to serve my clients virtually when their schedules didn’t permit a face-to-face meeting.

Google Docs allows for real-time planning between the consultant and client. You can chat via Gtalk while making updates to a guestlist spreadsheet or see exactly how the venue will be laid out real-time by moving around tables using the online presentations. Really cool stuff!

Best of all, when you are on site and have…ehem…forgotten something, all of your information is in the “cloud”. If you have an gPhone, iPhone, Blackberry, Palm Pre or any other smart phone, you can pull up your online documents on the spot! This came in real handy when my hard copy print outs were on one side of the room and I need to get to information asap!

You can always be sure that you have the latest and greatest information when your documents are in the cloud and you can access them anywhere you have an internet connection.

Thumbs up Google… your mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful is alright by me.

Web 2.0 Tips and Tricks: Utilize online documents like Google Apps to create and share your planning documents with all the stakeholders. This will allow you, your parents and your wedding consultant to view the list from any computer, make modifications and start adding contact information as you get it. The best part about that is, everyone will always be able to view the most recent information in one place! Google Apps keeps a history of revisions, so you can always see who made particular changes.

Keep in touch and share with friends and family. Free, intuitive tools you can access anywhere with a single account.
	Gmail Fast, searchable email with less spam
	Google Talk IM and call your friends through your computer
	Google Calendar Organize your schedule and share events with friends
	Google Docs Share online documents, presentations, and spreadsheets
	Google Sites Create websites and secure group wikis
And much more… Happy Planning! The Event Couturess - LB Event Couture

Planning – Where do I begin?

If you already have your stack of wedding magazines piling up and are itching to get going, then let’s get started! Before you get ready to send out save-the-dates, order the flowers and book the DJ, there’s something that you should do that should precede all of that – the guestlist! Figuring out the who’s who of your guestlist will save you time and money (by helping you set your budget).

Decide what kind of wedding you want to have. Do you want an intimate affair for 35 with close family and friends or a blow-out soiree for 400 people? The type of wedding you want to have will determine how you organize your guest list. Now this tends to be the not-so-fun part of planning but if you and your fiance communicate your wishes with each other (after all the wedding is for both of you) its actually a great time to set expectations. If parents are financing the wedding, its also a great time to find out if they will be adding additional guests.

Once you’re done conceptualizing your event and talking it through with all of the stakeholders (fiance, parents, best friend that you bounce everything off of), make a list of any and everybody you would want at your wedding – from your mom and dad to your next door neighbor’s cousin’s dog walker. Then depending on the type of event you want to have, sort them by “A List”, “B List”, “C List”, etc. Don’t worry, you can get contact information later.

After you make the initial list, let it sit for a while. There will be important people that you forgot – and less important people that you decide don’t really need to be invited. Take a look at the list one week later and go for round two!

Happy Planning!

The Event Couturess of LB Event Couture

Advice for the Newly Engaged Couple

Sometimes as soon as a couple gets engaged the frenzy begins. My first piece of advice to newly engaged couples is this – take some to to actually enjoy your engagement! Couples (and most often their families) tend to forget that engagement is the actual step towards marriage, not just a formality. Take some time to enjoy your fiance (or fiancee), celebrate and relax until its time to get planning.

Have a brunch celebration with your closest girlfriends, go out to dinner with both your parents or plan a low key (i.e. low effort on your part) engagement party. Whatever you choose to do, its a time to celebrate and reflect on the step you and your fiance have taken towards your brand new life together!

I am always happy to discuss your needs and answer any questions you may have. If you’re interested in more ideas to celebrate your engagement or need some help putting something together, feel free to email me or visit my site for more information.

Happy Planning!

The Event Couturess of LB Event Couture