Friday, January 21, 2011

The Knot's Best of 2011 | Toledo Wedding Planner | Perrysburg Wedding Planner

It's official!


Your Perfect Day has been selected as "The Knot's Best of Weddings 2011!" This is our 2nd year that we have won this award!

We want to thank all of our brides, grooms, followers, supporters & employees for making this happen again! We are so honored & grateful to have such a great following!

And with 2011 wedding season already in full swing, we look forward to each wedding we are involved in!

Your Perfect Day...because you deserve it!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

To throw Rice, Bird Seed or Rose Petals | Perrysburg Wedding Planner | Toledo Wedding Planner

Where did the tradition of throwing rice come from and why do we do it?

Throwing rice was actually one of the fertility rituals at weddings from ancient times. The rice seeds where symbols of "New Life" because they could germinate. This custom is believed to come from ancient Rome where both rice and later grain, dates, nuts and coins apparently were thrown at the newly weds to pave the way for fertility, happiness and good force. Nowadays rice (you can get bird safe rice) is no longer thrown as a symbol of fertility but simply to wish the couple a prosperous future and is a real festive element at the wedding ceremony. Bird safe rice is not the only option though, take a look at the suggestions below and get inspired to personalize your wedding ceremony.


Suggestion to what to throw at the wedding ceremony:

Designer rice/bird safe rice – You can still go with the old tradition and use rice for your wedding ceremony. Just use the bird safe stuff that is biodegradable. Ask your church if it’s okay first though. Bird safe rice can be heart shaped and bought at craft stores.


Bird seed – Low cost, quite commonly used and is definitely on the top five for a lot of brides. There is no clean up here as the birds will do it for you but be aware that it may be a bit messy on the hands. Remember that it is going to be thrown at you avoid the seed mix with very large seeds in.


Grass seed – Fantastic if you are on a lawn as there is no mess to clean up. Wedding venues or churches are not likely to approve this one.


Rose petals – Low cost if as you can get the leftover from flower markets. I have heard of brides who have bought rose petals for 500 guests for around $15. Amazing! You can use flower petals of whatever flowers are in your wedding bouquet.


Cherry blossoms – Gorgeous for weddings. The guests can throw the whole flowers or just the petals. A nice twist on this idea is to get small branches with the cherry blossoms on and use them as decoration at the wedding ceremony. After the eremony the guests then get one (little) branch each which they simply shake over the newly weds so the small pink petals drizzles off.


Dried lavender – Lovely idea. The lavender is more or less the same size as the rice, wont cause any harm to environment and as they are thrown and everybody steps on them they will smell beautifully!


Heather - also a gorgeous flower to use and won’t be too expensive. Heather exists in variations of purple, pink and also white. Beautiful! If you like the idea of using heather flowers then you should see my suggestion on how to make your own flower wreath using heather here.


Bubbles – Are very popular because many churches won’t allow most of the other things that are thrown at weddings. If you would like bubbles for your wedding ceremony I suggest you buy a sample and test it first. Some bubbles can leave ugly stains on clothes as they land and dry out. Also many photographers strongly advise against bubbles due to their expensive camera gear. The bubbles can also leave marks on the camera lens which will then be visible on your wedding photos.


Large size party poppers – They will pop confetti and streamers into the air. Decorate them with personalized stickers or tags and arrange in baskets or bowls for guests to take one each.


DIY wedding wands – Make wedding wands out of pieces of dowel with pieces of ribbon attached to the top! Not only does it look beautiful but wedding wands are also practical as there is nothing to clean up afterwards. They look amazing on photos too and make a lovely little keepsafe for wedding guests!


Wild flower seed – Are fantastic if you have your wedding on your own (or your family’s) property and you don’t mind gorgeous little flowers potentially appearing seasons later. I think it would be amazing to see all the little flowers the following summer or spring. It would be a romantic reminder of the wedding day year after year! Churches or other wedding ceremony venues are unlikely to allow this though. If you like this idea and are allowed to use flower seeds then consider to use flower seeds for your wedding favors as well.


Rice paper – Is thin, makes great confetti and is eco friendly.


“Sprinkles” - I have heard of “sprinkles” being used as well. It great in size, price and colors but if it’s a rainy day I would be a little careful as the colors from the “sprinkles” potentially can stain clothes. One thing is for sure – its great for the children who will probably at more than they throw. If you use “sprinkles” for your wedding ceremony then consider to also use “sprinkles” on your cake or cupcakes later to make a theme.


Autumn leaves – Rustic and wonderful for a fall wedding. Spend a little time collecting leaves and drying them before the wedding. Arrange them in bushel baskets with a little sign telling guests to take a handful each. It’s original & creative.


Pumpkin seeds – Also wonderful for an Autumn wedding theme. Arrange in individual bags, paper cones or on bowls for guests to take a handful each.


$1 bills – It’s an African tradition


Small coins – It’s apparently an Eastern European tradition.


Eco confetti – available in different colors and is eco friendly.


Streamers – get all your guests streamers. They are super festive, very easy to clean up and they come in all colors.


Jordan almonds – I have heard of jordan almonds thrown at an Italian wedding.


Miniature beach balls – Super for a beach wedding theme. You can get mini beach balls in all colors on the internet. It looks amazing and the guests will have a laugh throwing them around. I have heard it’s a lot of fun and great entertainment too!



Alternatives to throwing


Release live butterflies – it’s quite expensive though but it looks amazing if the guests release them as you walk past.


Release live doves – it’s also quite expensive but looks gorgeous on the wedding photos later.


Sparklers – Breathtaking for an evening wedding. It looks amazing and is quite inexpensive as well. Tie two sparklers together with a piece of ribbon and place in a basket or similar. Make sure your guests have a possibility to light them – perhaps with small personalized match boxes. If there are kids consider giving them little sparkle lights.


Japanese floating lanterns - Get your guests a floating Japanese lantern each. I love this idea if you are marrying around a pool or pond or similar in the evening but I am not a fan of adding more stuff to the oceans. This is also why I am not adding “Balloon Releases” to this list. I don’t like the thought of them ending up in nature somewhere when they finally pop & drop.


Fireworks – Superb for an evening wedding but also a bit noisy.


Paper Airplanes - For those who love planes or traveling.


Umbrella - Rain or shine, these make fun pictures!


Kazoos – Give your guests one each to blow after the ceremony – Noisy but very festive!


Bells - Give your guests a bell each and ring in your new life.


Silly String - This is not just for the kids anymore.


No matter what you choose for your wedding ceremony it will surely be amazing and you can easily add your own personal DIY touch to it all. Make small bags of fabric or paper or arrange in large baskets or glass fish balls and add tags, ribbon or signs.


Small tip: If you have decided on something which could potentially make your guests hands a bit dirty (i.e. birdseed, flowers petals etc.) it would be a really lovely gesture to arrange individually wrapped small wet tissues for your guests so they can wipe their hands afterwards. In particular if you go directly to the reception after the wedding ceremony.


Thank you to DIY Wedding for these great tips!

Your Perfect Day....because you deserve it!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Newly Engaged To Do's - Perrysburg Wedding Planner


Did you know that 30% of couples get engaged between Dec. 20 and Jan. 3?
If you are one of those lucky couples, congratulations! But now that you are engaged, what is the next step? Here are a few tips on what to do now!

1. Spread the Word

While there's no right or wrong way to announce your engagement, it's definitely important to let your family and close friends know first. Share your news in a phone call or a visit with your closest friends and family first. Then change your Facebook status (you don't want your best friend finding out on Facebook).


2. Plan a Party

Engagement parties usually take place within a few months of the proposal, and anyone there should be invited to your wedding as well. Traditionally, the bride's family has first dibs on planning it, but anyone can throw it for you, and it can be as formal or casual as you like. Go for a backyard BBQ or book a private room at your favorite restaurant. This party is all about the two of you, so make sure it matches your personal style from the setting down to the decor.


3. Start Dreaming

Picture your perfect day -- imagine the location, the time of year, the overall vibe, the décor, the colors, and your attire. Search websites, like WeddingChannel.com, and read magazines to get ideas. Talk to each other and even your families to see what they have in mind. There's no need to narrow anything down at this point, but having a general mental sketch of your wedding day can make the rest of the process much easier.


4. Set a Budget

Determining how much you have to spend on your wedding from the start can help save you big in the long run. Sit down with your intended and prioritize the day. Do you care more about amazing food or a great live band? Would you rather downsize your venue and spend more on your honeymoon? Give yourselves a range for some items, like catering, since you probably don't have a final guest count, but otherwise, try to stick to the budget you set.


5. Build a Guest List

We know it seems early in the game to get this one done, but trust us, having a basic idea of how many people you want to invite can help shape the rest of the wedding. You'll have very different choices when it comes to refining your budget and selecting your venue when you've got a party of around 50 versus around 200. You'll have lots of time to tweak the list throughout the coming year, but you might as well get an estimate now.


6. Pick a Date

Narrow your choices by crossing out these dates right now: Skip the weekend of daylight saving time changes (it might just confuse your guests); cross out the weekend of the Super Bowl and the weekends of Final Four/March Madness (it might leave some guests distracted); and eliminate any religious holidays that might offend guests. Other dates in the coming year, like 9/10/11 (on Saturday) and 11/11/11 (on Friday), might book quickly. If you're interested in a quirky date or a date close to a holiday, like New Year's Eve, it's better to make your final decision sooner than later.


7. Find a Reception Venue

Now that you've got your date and a general idea of your how many people you'd like to invite, start looking around for the perfect venue. While you're searching, don't forget to ask about rain plans, rehearsal options, and any add-ons, like if the venue requires you stick to a certain caterer. Go to WeddingChannel.com to read reviews on the venues you have in mind before setting up appointments.


8. Hire a Photographer

Hiring a pro for some gorgeous engagement photos will be money well spent. And just like your reception venue, photographers book up fast. Do your homework online, and when you find someone you love, reserve them! Check out Revelation Images for their $20,000 contest they have going on right now!


9. Consider a Planner

If you haven't figured it out yet, there's a lot that goes into planning a wedding. That's where a consultant or day-of coordinator can step in. Besides helping you sort through the legal jargon in the contracts you'll sign, consultants can help with just about any part of the wedding from coming up with creative ideas to helping sort out family drama, and even scoring you industry discounts. Be sure to check out Your Perfect Day! We offer a FREE 1-hour consultation and you get a FREE gift too!


10. Find a Dress

With thousands of choices, finding the perfect dress can seem a little daunting, so start small. With the general mood of your wedding day in mind, start thinking about styles that flatter your figure -- A-line versus mermaid, sheath versus ball gown. When you go to the wedding dress shop, try on several dresses, and don't be afraid to ask for advice from the shop's attendant. She may suggest something you've never even thought of.


Thank you to the WEDDING CHANNEL for this blog!


Your Perfect Day...because you deserve it!


Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Purple Wedding Ideas | Perrysburg Wedding Planner | Toledo Wedding Planner

After having such an amazing 2010 (and thank you to all our clients), we were inspired to be more vocal about all of our ideas and the knowledge we have about wedding planning and decorating. We want to be the first thing people think about when they get engaged (well, after they say YES).

The way we can do this is to blog more about our ideas, past weddings we created, advice, trends, vendor recommendations, etc. So, to start off the new year, we are going to share with you some of the ideas we shared with our clients for their wedding for this coming weekend!

Jen & Rob are having a very fun-filled wedding with purple being the main color throughout their wedding and reception. Purple is a color that not a lot of couples choose in their wedding because it is a color that is not thought of often. We at Your Perfect Day LOVE the color purple because of the different shades and it can go with just about any other color.

If you plan to have purple incorporated into your wedding day, check out some of these ideas:

Use purple table cloths to WOW your guests when they walk into your venue!


This table setting shows how you can use a variety of shades of purple and make it look gorgeous!


Show a hint of purple on the escort cards to get away from the ordinary white cards!


Purple flowers are a great way to enhance your white or cream wedding dress!


Add a purple ribbon to your white lanterns to show some uniqueness!


Everyone will be eager to open a purple invitation!


Add some purple to your hair piece to give the simple veil a splash of color!


Have your maid of honor where different shade of purple to stand out better!


Purple hydrengas are not only a beautiful flower, they are inexpensive too!


Make your "featured" drink have a purple tint!


Adding a simple purple ribbon to a white wedding cake with make it look elegant!


Your groom can even wear purple....whether it is his tie, his boutonniere or his purple keds!



Purple shoes make fun pictures!


Your Perfect Day....because you deserve it!