Pass The Salt -Wedding Rituals

A pure substance, salt to many people is a good luck symbol and consider it to be a the purest of all earthly materials. What does salt have to do with a wedding?

The Covenant of Salt indicates a binding contract.  In the Bible, when a contract was made, each party put a pinch of salt into the pocket of the other person.  It was said that when each grain of salt could be sorted, identified, and returned to the rightful owner, the contract could be broken.  Today, partners each take a vial of salt, and pour their salt into a container, joining the grains together for eternity.

Indian weddings, the bride passes a handful of salt to her groom without spilling any. He then passes it back to her and the exchange is repeated three times. She then performs the salt exchange with all the members of the groom's family, symbolizing her blending in with her new family.

When considering a salt ceremony don't feel like it's limited to newlyweds.  The Marriage Salt Covenant is great to renew a couple's commitment to each other no matter how long they have been married. Also, consider having children participate in the union as a reminder that they to are a part of the commitment being made.

 (photo credit: centered ceramics)
 Getting Married and need assistance?Email Me for current specials For All Your Event Planning Needs Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. Sharon Patrice, Owner Simple Perfect Peace Events Designs by Shay

It's A Wedding Planning Weekend!

This weekend there is plenty to do if you're in the process of planning your wedding.  First up on Friday, January 28th, 3pm-9pm, Sharon's Custom Cakes will be hosting their first Bridal Open House of 2011.  They will have every flavor and filling to taste.. and NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY!!! I've raved about Sharon's cakes before so if Friday doesn't work for you, maybe Sat. Jan. 29th from 11am-4pm OR Sun. Jan. 30th from Noon-4pm does. At any rate, make your way to Crete, IL where the cake not only looks good but tastes good too.

Join the Odyssey for their 5th Annual Bridal Event this Saturday, January 29th, 2011~10:30am - 1:30pm (Dockside Open House).  Complimentary showcase featuring champagne, entertainment and hors d'oeuvres. View cakes, linens, floral arrangements, photography and more from some of Chicago's top wedding vendors!  To RSVP go to www.odysseywedding.com/chicago

If you dont have enough to do Saturday, shoot on over to Kenmore Live Studios join Chef Lovely from "Hell's Kitchen" at a FREE event at Kenmore Live Studio on Sat., Jan. 29 from 3-5pm Central! Demo appetizers for your shower and have a "Registry 101" with an industry expert. Plus you could win a $500 gift card! RSVP here.

Sunday isnt just for football!  The Bridal Sampler's no pressure Wedding Expo is Sunday, January 30th at the Hilton in Rosemont, IL.    Check out Bridal Show Savings on beautiful dresses under $1,000.  Set your appointment at the show and get show prices. Dozens of other gowns and bridesmaid dresses will be available at the show.

Looking for ME this weekend? In between a private event for a fabulous client and cheerleading practice; I will be at the Open House on Friday, Kenmore on Saturday and the Wedding Expo on Sunday.

~Peaceful Planning
Getting Married and need assistance? Email Me for current specials For All Your Event Planning Needs Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. Sharon Patrice, Owner Simple Perfect Peace Events Designs by Shay

Pretty In Pink

I have had several people ask me about color trends for 2011.  A few months ago just like my counterparts I did a post when Pantone announced this years color.  In case you missed it, let's recap. 

Yes, 2010 was the clearly the year of Turquoise and there were countless inspiration boards to prove it.  While the blue-green isnt going anywhere anytime soon, it now becomes a subordinate to HONEYSUCKLE and yellow the accent.  A reddish pink, Honeysuckle is an uplifting and encouraging bold color that is guaranteed to produce a healthy glow when worn by both men and women.

Dessy, a leading manufacturer of bridesmaid and social occasion dresses, carries Honeysuckle as one of 200 Pantone Wedding colors.  A color for all seasons, courageous and vital~there is nothing "everyday" about it.

(photo credit: dessy.com, theknot.com) 

Getting Married and need assistance?Email Me for current specials For All Your Event Planning Needs Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. Sharon Patrice

 

Cookies for Cancer

There are three organizations that I support... Brides Against Breast Cancer, Wish Upon A Wedding and Dreams for Kids.  Each of these organizations, although different, are similar in many ways.  They are backed by large groups of people and help those that are in need. 

I had the very humbling experience of attending an event called "Cookies for Cancer" on Saturday, January 22, 2011. It was very cold outside and eight teenage girls, with the help of their parents, saw the need to sit in the cold for seven hours and sell cookies outside of Walt's in Frankfort with the hope of bringing awareness to a community and help to the family of four (4) year old Madison who was recently diagnosed with Leukemia.

The eight students, all from Hickory Creek Middle School (Rachel Gage, Allei Ducay, Savanna Hoffman, Bailey Ogalla, Abbey Graf, Colleen McBrady, Val Lazo, Lindsay Murphy), not only baked over 1,000 cookies and sold special $5.00 bracelets to show their support for "Maddie" they also wore tshirts, which were designed by Rachel Gage.  I asked the girls, friends and table buddies, what made them want to do such an act of kindness and the answer was simple.. "we wanted to help".

Madison's parents, Ryan and Michelle are extremely thankful for all the support given thus far by the girls, the Frankfort community as well as a local cheer team of one of the teens.(Cheer Command).  All proceeds raised from the sale went directly to the family of "Maddie"

 As cold as it was, my heart was warmed by the outpour of support shown this family.  If you would like to donate to "Cookies for Cancer"  or "Bracelets for Maddie" contact Ryan Dempsey at rd62279@gmail.

Getting Married and need assistance?Email Me for current specials For All Your Event Planning Needs Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. Sharon Patrice
 

Wedding Party Gifts

It's a special honor and an important responsibility to be part of a wedding party.  How do you say thank you for the months of hard work and being on the emotional rollcoaster with you called "wedding planning".  Your bridal has proven to be ride or die, now it's time to present them with a token of appreciation.

• Often the Bride thanks each bridesmaid with a necklace or earrings to be worn at the wedding or a fancy journal if they enjoy writing. My favorite pick is almost anything personalized (engraved).  A Toiletry Tote is something that they'll be able to use over and over again while remembering the meaning behind the gift.

 

• At the bachelor party, give each groomsman an engraved flask, leather wallet, club subscription, monogrammed coasters, or event tickets.

 

• Present your maid of honor's gift at the final dress fitting and the best man's at a special guys-only outing. Consider engraved cocktail shakers, a monogrammed watch, an embroidered robe, a frame, crystal decanters, a sculpture or framed print from a favorite artist, or a monogrammed set of bath towels.

Whatever you choose,  keep it personal and within your budget.  More than likely the people you've chosen to stand by you on this most important day are honored to have been asked and will appreciate a simple handwritten thank you note.
(photo credits: BeauCoup)

~Peaceful Planning

Getting Married and need assistance? Email Me for All Your Event Planning Needs Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. Sharon Patrice

Your Wedding Guests and the Bar!

While thinking of blog topics, I asked my eleven year old daughter and husband if they had any questions pertaining to wedding planning.  Quite a few of their questions were discarded as "no duh's" but this one question stuck with me.  Sure, she's only 11 but has heard me talking about weddings and events as long as I'm sure she can remember.  So her question was "how do you stop guests from getting really drunk at the reception".  My first thought was why would you want to do that..... then I thought REALLY drunk isn't  good so I came up with a few ideas worth sharing.

• My FAV:  Schedule a morning or midday reception with just a signature fruity cocktail like Mimosas or "Someshay" (which is something I make up myself). Another option is to hold the reception on a Sunday night, when guests are more likely to exercise restraint and the festivities can wind down by 10 p.m.
  

• Another simple tip is to close the bar during a seated dinner, and serve only wine and soft drinks.
  
• Skip the champagne toast: Let guests clink with whatever is in their glass, whether it's water, wine, a cocktail or Gatorade. Make sure, though, that no one's glass is empty.
  
• Be creative: Set up sangria bars or offer mocktails like tequila sunrises with flavored syrups. If you make it look pretty enough, most people will never ask "Where's the liquor?"

• When deciding on what role your friends and family will play in the wedding, make sure you appoint a designated "watcher." This person will keep an eye out for any guests who are getting overly drunk during the reception. Any good bartender will take notice too.

 Have ideas? Let's hear them.... ~ Peaceful Planning
Getting Married and need assistance?Email Me for current specials For All Your Event Planning Needs Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. Sharon Patrice, Owner Simple Perfect Peace Events Designs by Shay

Walk It Out - Your Wedding Shoes!

Who says your wedding shoes have to be white? Brides today see their wedding shoes differently then in years past and don't mind walking it out in a variety of colors and styles.  These elegant dressy heels by Badgley Mischka are the perfect complement to beautiful wedding fashions. These colorful styles make a beautiful style statement and best of all, you can wear them again after the big day.

 (source:  heels.com)
~Peaceful Planning

Getting Married and need assistance?Email Me for current specials For All Your Event Planning Needs Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. Sharon Patrice, Owner Simple Perfect Peace Events Designs by Shay

Whose Right Is It Anyway?!

Although it's traditional for a bride's father to walk her down the aisle, that arrangement isn't ideal for everyone. Today's families can sometimes be complicated, remember that this is your wedding, and it's your decision to make. Do what feels right to you.


If you're on good terms with your father, ask him to walk you down the aisle if this tradition feels like the natural choice for you. If that doesn't tickle your fancy, walk down the aisle alone if you prefer it~if British royalty can do it, so can you.

Consider walking with your mother or with your brothers if walking alone isn't something you're interested in.  At the end of the day it's about what makes you comfortable on your day.  It's a true statement that brides want to make everybody HAPPY!!!!Your guests may not understand your decision and your family may not appreciate it; but the idea is to have your family's support as you walk into your marriage, and that's exactly what you will be doing.

Now for those of you that are blessed to be in the brides inner circle for her most important day; remember she wants to please you so make it easy for her to do so by remembering it's about her.  So to answer the question about Whose right is it anyway? It's HER right!!  The Bride's Right...

 

~Peaceful Planning

Getting Married and need assistance?Email Me for current specials For All Your Event Planning Needs Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. Sharon Patrice, Owner Simple Perfect Peace Events Designs by Shay

Wedding Cake Toppers

Decorating your wedding cake is one of the most important things you'll do for your wedding, and selecting "just-the-right" cake topper will show your guests that you paid attention to even the smallest details. It can also convey your own unique style and sense of fun! Whether you're going for a traditional look, a modern look, a whimsical look, a special theme like a beach theme or western theme, or just want to make a bold or unique statement, selecting the right cake topper can really add that special ambiance to your wedding cake and wedding decorations! Not only will it add that special touch to your wedding decorations, but after the wedding, it is a keepsake you will keep and cherish, that will bring you fond memories of your special wedding day.

 ~Peaceful Planning
Getting Married and need assistance?Email Me for current specials For All Your Event Planning Needs Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. Sharon Patrice, Owner Simple Perfect Peace Events Designs by Shay

Choosing the right BRIDESMAIDS

10-10-10 Bride
Photo by Kayleen Taulanga

Many brides know their bridesmaids before they know their husband!  Choosing bridesmaids and particularly the maid/matron of honor can be a tough one, especially when your best friend or beloved sister is not the type of person who is well suited to being organized and helpful. Equally if you have two sisters or two very close friends, or one of each, you'll find it hard to choose between them and will be reluctant to make a choice for fear of upsetting whichever doesn't get the job.

Here are a few tips to help your decision making:

• Size Matters. Are you going for a small, intimate gathering, a mid-size celebration or a huge bash?  An intimate wedding with 50 guests may look odd with a slew of bridesmaids standing at the alter. The Knot suggests having 1 bridesmaid/groomsmen for every 50 guests, but anything from a single maid of honor to an alter full of attendants is acceptable today.
• Keep it realistic. While you may find it difficult to exclude Samantha but include Tiffany, know where to draw the line. You may get to the point where you don't know where that line is, and in that case, keep it simple and just include family and close friends.
• Consider the meaning. Sure, it's fun to include your college roommate because she throws a heck of a party, but if her morals are less than appealing, remember the meaning of a bridesmaid. She is there to stand with you and your future husband at the alter as a witness to your vows. She is committing to supporting your marriage through the good times and bad. You don't need a bridesmaid who will try to hook you up with her cousin the first time you and your new husband have an argument.
• Finalize before you advertise. Once you ask someone to be your bridesmaid, that invitation should be concrete, with the exception of extreme circumstances. Pick only the friends and family whose relationships you know can last the test of time.

• Get the word out! There are tons of fun ways to ask your friends to be bridesmaids. Everything from a phone call or a surprise dinner to a personalized greeting card is acceptable these days

(photo credits:  Details Beyond Design, Sweet Berry Lane)
Getting Married and need assistance?Email Me for current specials For All Your Event Planning Needs Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. Sharon Patrice, Owner Simple Perfect Peace Events Designs by Shay

What's the Emergency!?!

Nothing will go wrong on your day ~ of course it wont!  However, better safe than sorry.  So, your maid-of-honor gets a blister from her new high heels, one of your bridesmaids comes down with a headache due to a few too many glasses of wine at the rehearsal dinner the night before, and another bridesmaid dribbles a bit of her shrimp cocktail sauce on her mint colored dress. Thankfully, you (or your coordinator) thought ahead and prepared a cute survival kit for them.

As a wedding planner, I come with with kit in hand and supply the Bridal Assistant with a smaller version to make sure everyone is covered :)  If you are that DIY bride, here are a few items I keep on hand and you should have handy on your wedding day.

• Nail File
• Nail Polish (your color of course)
• Extra Stockings (if you're that kind of girl)
• Tissues
• Handkerchiefs
• Lint Brush
• Baby Powder
• Eye Drops
• Safety Pins
• Fashion Tape
• Bobby pins and hair ties
• Band aid
• Cotton Balls
• Breath Mints
• Lotion
• Contact Lens Solution
• Deodorant
• Tampons & Pads
• Acid Relief
• Headache and pain medicine
• Black Socks
• Straws (can't mess up the lipstick)
• Consultants Contact Information

If you dont have a case, you can also create cute cellophone bags or get super nice wedding keepsake totes to pack all these items in. This way you can reuse the tote for your honeymoon emergency kit. And don't forget about the groom and his guys --- they have emergencies too!

(Photo credit:  wherebridesgo.com) 
Peaceful Planning
Getting Married and need assistance?Email Me for current specials For All Your Event Planning Needs Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. Sharon Patrice, Owner Simple Perfect Peace Events Designs by Shay

Vendor Spotlight: Carasco Photography

While networking with other industry professionals, I had the pleasure of meeting the absolute coolest most hip couple in the wedding busniess.  Cara and Scott Nava of Carasco Photography operate a boutique-style studio based in Chicago and "Simply Love What They Do". From Chicago to Playa del Carmen; Cara and Scott are available for national and international wedding photography commissions.

Name: Cara Nava


Business: Carasco Photography

Your Site Address and/or Blog Address: Website: www.carascophoto.com Blog: www.carascophoto.com/blog

How would you describe your style or work: Documentary and fashion-driven.

Favorite Thing About Your Job? The relationship we build with our clients. When we first start working with a bride and groom, oftentimes they have very little set in stone. I spend a significant amount of time talking with them about their traditions and sense of style before the wedding day. You learn a lot about the couple throughout the planning process. So when we arrive to document the occasion, it's such an amazing feeling to witness their vision coming together.

Magazine/Book Must Have… Chicago Social Brides

Guilty Pleasure…late night Gratin de Macaroni (macaroni gratin with Gruyere cheese) at Bistro Campagne.

What Do You Do When You First Wake Up? Espresso then walk my two dogs.

When It Rains… If I have a spare moment, I'll read or maybe watch a scary movie. But usually I blog.

MAC or PC… Mac

What’s on your iPod? Bjork, DJ Shadow, Erykah Badu, and Blackeyed Peas.

One piece of advice for Brides-to-be... Don't forget to breathe and be in the moment. After months of planning, the day goes by so quickly; you want to take it all in.

Interested in learning more? shoot us them an email or give them a ring to talk more about how they can preserve your wedding day memories~ .


~Peaceful Planning


Getting Married and need assistance?Email Me for current specials For All Your Event Planning Needs Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. Sharon Patrice, Owner Simple Perfect Peace Events Designs by Shay