By Simon Daykin

Right then, We’re gonna do it a little different this issue no pictures, just info!!!  During the Bridal Fair I got a ton of questions about what to look for when going after a Wedding Planner.  You know you need one, but you want to make sure you get the right one.  You don’t want a “CCP” or a little old blue haired lady that has no idea what the current trends and styles are, so you need to know what to look for yes!?!  Oh, “CCP” is a phrase I coined that means “Clipboard Clutching Planner”, this planner resembles a deer in the headlights, but with a clipboard!  So below are my 8 Simple Rules To Finding A Wedding Planner.

Here we go in no particular order…

1. Can They Provide “The Hook Up”?
Does the Wedding Planner have good relationships with vendors and venues?  Can they pull you the discounts?  Do vendors and venues want to work with them?  We pass on all the discounts that we get from vendors DIRECTLY to our clients, and we get those discounts because we bring those vendors a lot of business and they love working with us.  Having your planner be able to “hook you up” is one of the reasons you hire a planner in the first place.  Your planner should be fighting for you to get you the best deals they can.

2. Are They Insured?
Pretty simple question no???  A lot of planners are not insured, they rely on venue insurance which doesn’t always cover them.  You MUST make sure that in the event of any kind of accident, both you and your planner are covered.  Wearing a lampshade on your head at a party (when it’s your choice) can be hilarious, having a lampshade fall from the ceiling and bonk one of your guests on the noggin….not so funny.  It’s your ass, so cover it guys!!!

3. You Got A Real Purdy Website
What is their web presence like?  Do they have a great site out there?  People seem to love this internet thing and do tons of research before they even contact a planner.  So take a look at the planner’s website.  And this is always a red flag for me…do they have a real email address.  Is it weddingplanner25@hotmail.com or is it info@fireflyoccasions.com?  Have they taken the time to set up a real email? This may be the web snob in me, but I feel that real email addresses are REALLY important!

4. And Speaking Of Websites…
Really look at the portfolio section.  Does the planner have a varied portfolio or do all the weddings kinda look the same?  You want your wedding to be as unique as you, so you need to know that the planner can pull off a unique wedding.  You don’t want to become just another wedding in the eyes of your guests.  Also look to see if the venues in the back ground are different.  If the planner works mostly with the same venue I find that they become “lazy” in their design strategies and reproduce old weddings, and you don’t want that either.

5. Full Time, Part Time Or Just Time To Time
Does the planner you’re looking at work as a planner full time?  You want to be able to contact your planner when you need to.  If they are at their day job from 9-5 do you really think you’ll get their best when they get home and THEN start planning your wedding?  When I’m done at work, all I want to do is watch TV and veg the hell out.  So are they planning weddings full time or is this a hobby business for them?  I don’t want to knock newer planners or part time planners, but if I were building a house, I’d hire a guy who builds homes for a living, not a guy who builds them in his spare time.  Hire a professional. I’m just sayin’…

6. “Preferred” Isn’t Always A Good Thing
In the wedding industry there are things called preferred vendor lists.  When you meet with a venue they may recommend people to you.  This seems great, the venue says they’re cool…so they must be, right?  Well not always.  Preferred vendor lists can be bought. A vendor can give the venue a chunk of money to be on that list.  The venue may not have EVER even worked with them, but they pay, so they play.  Ask the venue if their list is based on reputation and talent or if companies can simply buy a spot on the list.

7.  Is Your Planner An “Expert”?
Does your planner travel?  Do they attend conferences?  Hell, do they speak at those conferences?  Is your planner an Expert in their field? I feel planners should travel and always be learning more stuff, because let’s face it…you can’t be trekking all over hells half acre looking for new wedding trends.  It’s the planner’s job to do the learning for you and bring that to the table when planning and designing your wedding.  Ask them if they belong to any Associations, if they speak at conferences and if they travel to track down the latest and greatest in wedding stuff.

8. And Finally, Do They Know You Exist?
When I was getting married, I had to insert myself into any meeting I wanted to attend, because most planners only focus on the Bride. It’s not their fault, they don’t know any better.  They focus on the Bride because history tells them the Groom wasn’t interested.  Well that was THEN, this is NOW and we’re re-writing history here fellas.  Make sure your planner knows you, the Groom exists and that you want your opinion heard.  When you meet with your planner for the first time, make sure you attend that meeting.  You can get a lot from a first impression, if the planner doesn’t ask you your opinion when they first meet you, it’s a good bet they won’t…ever!

Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

I know some of the above points may seem a little harsh, but after some of the questions I got last weekend I had to write this.  I hate having the Groom overlooked in the planning process.  Now I can’t do anything for you if you take yourself out of the process, but you won’t do that will you???

The thing is, the odds are very good that you will not figure out you hired the wrong planner until your big day comes and it all goes pear shaped.  So if you follow these 8 simple rules, you’ll have a better chance of getting it right the first time.  And don’t be afraid to ask the planner for references, ask them to hook you up with their past clients, the parents of past clients, hell…ask them for vendor references from photographers or DJ’s etc they have worked with in the past.  See what the other pros in the industry have to say about them.

It never gets any better than a first impression, you’ll be spending a lot of time with the planner you choose so make sure it’s a good fit.

Click here to book your free consultation with Firefly Occasions & Gutsy Groom and we’ll take care of everything…and everyone!!!

By Ciara Daykin

It doesn’t matter what venue you’re getting married in or where you’re having your wedding reception, it’s all about the logistics. From the way you organize the timing of your entrance to the reveal of your wedding cake you can use each opportunity to WOW your guests. And the best part, is it’s simply the logistics of the day, and often these little tweaks are low cost to no cost for any bride and groom to do.
Enter With A Big Oooo Ahhh
Every bride wants all eyes on her when she enters into the room. Well, at a wedding we did (that actually won the award for 2008 Best Ceremony Décor in Canada) we had the bridal party walk down the aisle to a string trio playing Pachabel’s Canon. Pretty typical wedding right? But then… when the doors opened to reveal the bride, instead a trumpeter walked out of the doors and joined in the song and then the bride followed. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Sure we could have had the trumpeter standing with the rest of the band the entire time but then we would have missed out on the DRAMA!

Cocktails Blah, Dinner OMG!

At a wedding we did on New Year’s Eve we had the cocktails take place in one third of the ballroom. We used all the hotel furniture and linens and had a couple of simple white flower arrangements. It was pretty but nothing out of this world. But then when it came time for dinner, we opened the airwall separating the ballroom and revealed an amazing dining area complete with an 80’ red drape backdrop, silver chiavari adorned tables with overflowing red flower centerpieces, lampshade chandeliers and pinspotted tables. People’s arms shot up trying to take pictures over other guests.

No extra money was spent on this big reveal. We could have had the airwall open the entire time. But to give the guests a big surprise it was logistically brilliant to keep the airwall closed so they could all experience the reveal at the same time.

Wedding Cake Goes From Hum Drum to Holy Wow!
One of my favorite ways to do this is with the wedding cake. At one wedding we put it on a stage above all the guest tables. It was a beautiful cake with butterflies on it and we put up a white drape behind it, lit it from behind and attached faux butterflies to the drape to make it look like the butterflies were flying off the cake. It was a small logistical change from having the cake in the middle of the room at eye level but it increased the grandeur of this unique cake.

With that same wedding we got wind up butterflies and wound them up and put them inside each guest napkin and then put a Jones soda on top, which was the favor. When people went to undo their napkin a butterfly fluttered out causing big laughter and smiles of surprise.

Ciara’s Bridal Advice

Take a look at your wedding currently. Where are you spending your budget to impress your guests? With a simple logistical tweak could you double the impact? Comb through each detail and you’ll be surprised at where you could add in some lavish logistics.

By Ciara Daykin

I was reminded recently of a bride who neglected to thank her sister-in-law during a wedding shower and it tragically led to a 2-year rift in their relationship. The bride’s misstep in not thanking the other person was completely unintentional. It simply happened because she was invited to say a few words to everyone during the shower and she was so nervous speaking in public that she forgot to mention her sister-in-law. Long story short: Her sister-in-law didn’t speak to her for 2 years and the relationship is only now being mended.

It totally sucks and you don’t want this to happen to you!

There are a lot of things going on in a bride’s life as she gets ready for her wedding. Between showers and rehearsals and just showing off your ring and the wedding day itself, there’ll be a lot of times when peoples’ eyes are on you. Being the center of attention can be fun, but only if you’re ready.

If you haven’t done so yet, take the time to prepare a handful of speeches/ talking points which you can have memorized and ready to deliver at a moment’s notice. While you may not be giving speech after speech you’ll be telling your story multiple times… and there may be some parts you want to keep private, so figuring out what you want to share before you’re asked is the best idea. But don’t memorize them to the point where your delivery makes you sound like a robot. Here are some things you’ll need to cover:

• How did you get engaged?- People will want to know and you’ll need to say it over and over. Make sure your story matches the mood of the engagement. Was it romantic? Make sure you highlight the romance in your story. Was it spontaneous? Make sure you highlight the spontaneity. Was it fun? Zany? Unusual? Highlight those elements and talk about why it is special to you. It’s fun to relive the moment and share why you said yes!
• So dear… tell me about yourself?- His Aunty is sure to ask this one if you’re just getting to know his extended family. You might want to tell a couple of sentences about yourself, about your groom, and about what you plan to do once you’re married–  such as where you’ll live and what your aspirations are.
• Who should I be thanking?- You don’t want to forget anyone in your main wedding or rehearsal speech so start making a list of who to thank and when. It can hurt a relationship forever if you’re seen as the ungrateful bride. Remember that the people who’ve helped you put on your wedding are doing it because they love you but mega emotions are involved in a wedding and it is a time that can either solidify or destroy relationships.

Ciara’s Bridal Advice

Speaking in front of people can be scary, but what better way to let your personality shine through? Just be yourself and be sincere and your speech will be a hit. And don’t forget- your groom will more than likely have to give a speech or two as well, and he’s probably just as worried about it as you are! So why not write your speeches together and practice them on one another? Don’t forget to thank him in your speech either. He’s been putting up with all this wedding chaos too.

A BONUS TIP- Get some great thank you cards and practice the art of appreciation. Whether a friend buys you a wedding magazine, your aunt sends you some lace from your Gramma’s dress, or your girlfriends throw you a shower- you should be sending out sincere thank you cards. The more thank you cards sent before the wedding the more joy there will be at your wedding. (In my DIY Wedding Planning System I have a whole template to make thanking easy- it’s 50% off right now with code HOLIDAYS09.)

Ciara Daykin is the CEO of Firefly Occasions Inc. a wedding and event planning company with offices in Calgary, Alberta Canada and Beverly Hills, California, USA. Ciara’s popular bi-weekly ezine newsletter is read by over 7500 brides. Ciara is a frequent speaker at wedding industry functions and coaches other wedding planners across North America.

Ciara provides each bride she works with the haute couture wedding experience. Her planning website can be found at http://www.fireflyoccasions.com/ where you can sign up for her free report, “10 Tips to Take Your Wedding From Cookie Cutter to Couture.” She and her husband Simon Daykin are a husband and wife planning team and document their adventures on their popular blog http://sheandheplanweddings.com/

By Simon Daykin

OK guys, everyone makes New Year’s resolutions. Most (myself included) forget all about them, there is a ton of dust on my gym membership card…but I digress. I’m gonna let you know of 5 easy resolutions you can make to make the planning process easier on you and your bride. And if we’re honest here…a happy Bride makes the process SO MUCH EASIER! So take heed fellas, grab a pen or hit print on your computer and file these away for a rainy day so you can surprise your Bride to be with your awesomeness.

Be A Groom Who Takes

By this I mean take stuff OFF her plate. Go through the things on her “need to do” list, find stuff that you’re interested in and take them over. It’s not that tough and could be fun. If you like music and food, take those and own them. Look for DJ’s or bands, get their demo cd and check them out. Go to the hotel and talk to the chef, see if you can help design the menu. You will of course want to take your fiancé to the tasting but you can do all the leg work leading up to it. Don’t just sit back and let her try to do everything. The marriage is a team effort, so is the wedding and the planning should be as well.

Listen, Listen, Listen

As the planning process goes along, your Bride is going to need to talk to you. You must listen to her. She may not need you to fix anything, she may just need you to listen. (If you get confused, as I do…ask her what she wants you to do, but ask nicely) Sure there are forums and what not, but sometimes she will have to talk to you. Be patient and see what she wants you to do. She may be complaining about how many DJ’s she is having to contact (See above section) if she is complaining about getting overwhelmed, then see if she wants to hire a planner. (Here’s a good one.) The most important thing to do is listen to her.

Take Time For The Two Of You

Make time for the two of you to do stuff that isn’t wedding related. Sounds simple but a lot of people forget this one. Go out to dinner, but don’t talk about the wedding, go see a movie, you’re not even allowed to talk there. Go out with friends and have a good time. Try to do something non wedding related at least once a week. It’ll help you get back to normal. My wife and I run this company together, we work together every day, it’s pretty hard to not talk about wedding planning at dinner…but we try and so should you. It helps. So feel free to surf blogs and gossip pages while you’re at work so you have something to talk about when you get home.

Give A Little Along The Way

Give her stuff, it doesn’t have to be huge things. Sometimes flowers and a nice card will make all the difference to her. Things to let her know you are thinking of her and you love her and you can’t wait to get married to her. You can set this up in your work calendar so you get prompted when the time comes. She’ll think it’s spontaneous (but you’ll know better) You can get romantic about it and as the days lead up to the wedding, you could send her something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Just be sure to explain it in the card you attach.

Don’t Be Afraid To Speak Up

This wedding is a combination of both of you. Don’t forget this. Sure you need to listen to her, but you need your ideas heard as well. Don’t let her mash all your ideas into the dirt like a poorly protected quarterback (holy crap, I think that is my first sports reference in 2 years of writing this!!!) Sure you may need to compromise on some of your ideas, but make sure you are heard and that she listens to you as well. The wedding should be a true combination of BOTH your personalities, just as the marriage will be down the road.

Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

The planning process can take its toll on couples, that shouldn’t be news to anyone. But there are simple ways you can help to make it easier. If you don’t support her, the whole thing is gonna suck, if you don’t get your ideas heard, you may get angry and resent you never got the wedding you wanted. So try to make the planning process a team thing.

It can be fun. It doesn’t have to be work. How tough would it be to have the boys over on a Saturday, break out the bottles and concoct your signature drink? Yeah, not that tough really is it!?!? Will it really be a chore to eat a few steaks to see which one you like the best? Nope. So grab that list, take over some items and get on that. Own those items guys. She’ll love you for it…wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

So in closing, take the time to just hang out with your fiancé, and you can start this over the holidays as well. Not every conversation needs to be about the wedding, if she doesn’t believe you…show her this E-zine. I’m apparently an expert in this stuff so my word counts. Good luck guys, I know you can all do it.

Click here to book a free meeting and get started planning your one of a kind wedding, we can take all the stress off you and your Bride so you can focus on the fun of being engaged.

So Happy Holidays, have a great New Year…may the turkey be moist and the wine properly chilled. See you in 2010!!!

I am so excited to announce that we just signed the lease on our new office space in Calgary! It’s right beside downtown in Bridgeland and how appropriate is it that it’s actually an old church that’s been converted? We have a little work to do on it before we officially open the doors, but I really hope you come see us when we do!

I’m also soooo busy right now getting ready for the New Year’s Eve wedding that we’re coordinating, but I’m so excited because it is going to be truly spectacular! What better way to ring in the New Year than by having the wedding of your dreams?

I just love the Holidays, and I love giving gifts to the people that matter most in my life. As my gift to you this holiday season, I am offering 50% off my Do-It-Yourself Wedding Planning System from now until midnight on December 31. The system includes all my worksheets and templates that I use to plan my client’s weddings, as well as hours and hours of tips and advice that I have recorded onto audio CDs, so if you have decided to plan your own wedding it’s kind of like having your very own planner in a box! Just click here for more details and enter the coupon code HOLIDAYS09 upon checkout to receive your 50% discount.

Love and bridal bliss, 

By Kendra Scott, Associate Planner at Firefly Occasions Inc.

This weeks inspiration came from Raj Tents. This company makes the most amazing tents, linings and walls. What a way to completely transform your ballroom or create smaller lounge areas. This wedding is full of bright colours and intricate detailing. Definitely a wedding to remember!

Photos courtesy of:

http://www.inspirationwed.com – cake and cupcakes
http://www.kembacelebrations.com/community/blog/cultural-traditions/wedding-inspiration-indian-block-prints.php – save the date card
http://www.onewed.com/blog/savvy-scoop/2009/06/23/its-jaime-thing-spellbound-weddings-inspired-indian-culture – drinks
http://www.americanbridal.com/personalized-coffee-favors-dsws871.html – favors
http://www.rajtents.com – tents and furniture
http://www.wildflowerlinens.com – table linens and place setting

By Kendra Scott, Associate Planner at Firefly Occasions Inc.

This weeks inspiration came from a lovely gown by Vera Wang. This bridal gown is a strapless, full A-line gown with a pleated bodice, emphasis on the natural waist and a softly tucked hand painted skirt. It can be discribed as vivacious as well as uniqeuly flattering and could only be the work of Vera Wang. Available in Citrus Watercolor, Ivory or White. The opening price points range from $3,100 – $4,500.

I’ve used this one dress to create two completely different weddings. The first wedding has a beautiful simplicity to it. It feels clean but not boring. I call this wedding Citrus Breeze. The second wedding will take you into a whimsical, enchanted forest and is appropriately titled Fairy Dust.

Photos courtesy of:

Citrus Breeze
http://blushevents.blogspot.com/2008/04/happy-earth-day.html (Butterfly place setting, green and white flowers)
http://www.mnweddingminister.com/weddingblog/blog.html (Table setting with Limes in tall vases, place cards)
http://www.thepartydress.net/?p=2704 (Wedding Cake)
http://paperolive.blogspot.com/2009/08/hip-lemonade-coolers-summer-wedding.html (Citrus Drinks)
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2009/06/16/lemon-yellow-wedding-by-sillapere/ (Ceremony Set-up)
http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/33016/detailview.aspx?type=3&id=33016 (Bouquet)
http://www.declanphotography.com/gallery.php?gallery=1&tstart=3 (Flower Girl)

Fairy Dust
http://www.kissthegroom.com/?p=1827 (Fountain, path, forest set-up)
http://manolobrides.com/2009/10/26/kristen-and-todds-fairytale-affair/ (A fairy wedding Fairy flower girls )
http://www.yourweddingday.com/ywd/event-design/Fanciful-Garden.html (Table linens, table setting, cupcakes)
http://www.momentaldesigns.com (Stationary)

By Annette Hoegner, LA Division Manager, Firefly Occasions Inc.

Another trend becoming more popular with our eco-friendly brides is to use biodegradable plates, cups and utensils. It can be a great way to implement some great products like Verterra Dinnerware. I recently saw this product at a business fair and was really impressed. VerTerra, a new eco-friendly servingware line, features dishes, plates, bowls, and cups made entirely from fallen leaves and water—no plastics or chemicals. The pieces have a wood-grain look and are oven, refrigerator, and microwave friendly. They are sturdy enough to be hand washed and reused, but will naturally compost in under six weeks. If you would like to learn more about it you can visit http://www.verterra.com/.

Another type of product that can be used for your “green wedding” are utensils made of corn startch and sugar cane fiber. They are suitable for foods up to 200 degrees F. Unlike petroleum based plastics, these are made from annually renewable resources and depending on composting conditions can take up to 24 months to biodegrade in a composting system. A great source for these products is  www.worldcentric.org.

If these options are not as elegant as you would like for your wedding don’t despair. You can opt for reusable china, stemware, and silverware from local rental places. You can always feel good about using products that won’t end up in our local landfills.

By Kendra Scott, Associate Planner at Firefly Occasions Inc.

For this week’s inspiration board, I decided to use Taylor Swift’s music video for Love Story as my starting point. Here is a wedding with purity, romance and old elegance. This one is the fairy tale wedding of all little girls dreams. Think lots of ivory, lace, castles and horses.
 

Photos courtesy of:

Horse: http://npclub.wordpress.com/
Car photo’s: http://masterpieceweddings.blogspot.com/2009/03/victorian-amazing.html
Victorian Stationary: http://www.stylemepretty.com/2009/03/12/wedding-invitations-by-wiley-valentine-ii-2/
Table Setting: http://www.yourweddingday.com/ywd/user2/Hollywood-Glamour.html
Castle: http://www.ehow.com/how_5026466_attend-tennessee-renaissance-festival.html
Taylor Swift: http://strawberrytartmusic.wordpress.com/2009/01/06/album-fearless-taylor-swift/
Ceremony set-up: Firefly Occasions Inc.

By Annette Hoegner, LA Division Manager, Firefly Occasions Inc.

Today’s eco-conscious brides are looking at alternatives to the traditional and expensive gowns that outlive their purpose in one day. They are buying dresses that can be worn again or that have already been worn once. You can find great dresses by high end designers at a consignment store in your area or at some awesome websites like www.encorebridal.com or www.preownedweddingdresses.com. Of course there is always ebay and Craig’s list for a really great deal.

Or if you prefer, there are some really great fabrics that can be used when having a gown or suit made like hemp, bamboo, tencel and peace silk ( which allow the silkworms a full life cycle). For couture in organic wool, soy silk and other eco-fabrics, try designers like Linda Loudermilk of www.lindaloudermilk.com or Wai-Chang at www.inhabitat.com .

Another awesome way to give back is to buy your dress from a charity such as the Making Memories Beast Cancer Foundation, which grants the last wishes of breast cancer patients. The foundation sells both new and used gowns (some are high end designers). Awareness of the environment has come a long way in a short time. How ever you decide to make a difference in your wedding should be applauded. Saving the environment is something that needs to become more of a priority for all.

By Kendra Scott, Associate Planner at Firefly Occasions Inc.

Consider incorporating a favourite activity into your big day.

You’ve heard it before but I’ll say it again, a great wedding should reflect the personalities of both the bride and the groom. Often though, the groom doesn’t seem all that interested in picking the colours or flowers does he? Try incorporating a favourite activity. Do you as a couple enjoy golf? Why not create a beautiful outdoor ceremony on your favourite or most picturesque golf course. Arrange a fun tournament for your guests to fill the time between ceremony and reception. Your Groom may even have time to hit a few balls with his groomsmen before the ceremony.

Maybe your both avid skiers, forget the summer wedding and plan an amazing winter wedding in the mountains. Make the celebrations last a whole weekend rather then just a day and plan group ski trips followed by an evening in the hot springs. Did you know that the Hot Springs can be rented out for groups up to 60?

Incorporating an activity that you love will help reduce the stress that comes with focusing on the formalities of a wedding. You want it to be a weekend that you both are looking forward to with excitement not nervous anticipation.

Photos Courtesy of:

Groomsmen in golf carts : http://eephotography.squarespace.com/blog/2009/9/20/carianne-aarons-wedding-ohio.html
Green bouqet: http://www.brendasweddingblog.com/blogs/tag/themes
Green table setting: http://entertaining.dinnerwarecenter.com/category/table-setting/
Place cards : http://thingsfestive.blogspot.com/2009/07/guide-to-wedding-stationery-which.html
Bridesmaids on golf cart: http://gatorbride.com/golf-carts-and-weddings/
Tree and aisle: http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2009/01/26/garden-wedding-ideas/
Chocolate golf balls: http://www.totallychocolate.com/CorpProducts.aspx?&detail=6788&menu=14

By Annette Hoegner, LA Divsion Manager, Firefly Occasions Inc.

Our eco-friendly brides are looking for any way that they can to do “their part” for the environment. One way that they can contribute is with their choice of invitation.

Wedding websites are great and serve their purpose for general information. However, wedding etiquette experts would agree that the personal touch of paper invitations is a must. With that being said here are some tips for different types of materials to look for when shopping for paper invitations.

If you are making your own invitations you will need to start with the paper. When shopping for paper, you will come across terms like “tree-free,” which means it is not virgin paper made from wood pulp (this is an ideal choice). Paper can also be “recycled” or made from scraps in the paper making process or from other recycled fibers like cotton. Preferred paper is 100 percent post consumer waste (PCW) recycled paper. You can also find paper that is embedded with seeds that can be planted in a pot and turned into sunflowers. When it comes to pre-made invitations there are many stationary companies that have stepped up to meet the needs of green consumers. They use chlorine free recycled materials, they also use vegetable-based inks such as those made with soy oil rather than those that are petroleum based. Some recycled invitations are colored with vegetables and herbs and then decorated with fern and pressed flowers.

All of these tips add extra value to your invitation and show people that you care. You can find an eco-friendly line of invitations at www.einvite.com.

The paper industry is in need of scrutiny. Natural forests have been replaced by tree farms for paper production. Mass amounts of energy go into turning those trees into paper.  Large amounts of water are required to bleach the paper. Toxins are released in paper bleaching. Unfortunately, vast amounts of paper still end up in landfills, creating methane, a greenhouse gas, as it breaks down. This is harmful to the environment and needs to be addressed.

By Kendra Scott, Associate Planner at Firefly Occasins Inc.

I think it’s really fun to take inspiration from pop culture and with the release of New Moon, the world is once again in Twilight mania. Here’s an inspiration board to show you how to take a theme and fuse it into your wedding. It’s important to remember especially with a theme like this, that you don’t want it to be cheesy, it’s not a child’s birthday party. When your guests arrive they should be able to feel it, not necessarily see it. There should be something in the mood and decor that is inspired by but not necessarily taken directly from the books/movies. I don’t want to see vampires, blood or fangs but there are definitely characteristics that can be used. If you do want something obvious, consider naming your tables after the novels: Twilight, Midnight Sun, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn etc. You could also chose to use music either from the movies or from Stephanie Myers list of songs that she felt went with specific scenes. As with any elaborate theme you want to keep the obvious connections to the smaller details.

Photos courtesy of:

http://media.photobucket.com/image/twilight%20inspired%20wedding/kdhart226/mlw%20inspiration%20pics/twilight/twilightbookWScopy.jpg – meadow wedding
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LaayJVYtK58/Sdm4N4ONP7I/AAAAAAAAB-Q/jlHvLHnaWSk/s400/gothicchic.jpg – place setting and candle/chandelier
http://media.photobucket.com/image/bella%20and%20edward%20gazebo/patticakes/ljentries/gazebo.png – gazebo
http://www.daintree-ecolodge.com.au/media/image/large/daintree-ecolodge-high-res061-800.jpg – rainforest wedding

By Annette Hoegner, LA Division Manager, Firefly Occasions Inc.

A green wedding is a wise choice for many reasons. The biggest reason of course is to do your part in conserving our environment. There are many things that can be done to ensure you have a green wedding while still tailored to suit your dreams……

One easy way is to include eco-friendly favors like baby trees that can be replanted or seed packets with a label that matches the colors of your wedding.

Another great idea that I have been seeing more and more is finding a nice recycled card stock and printing something like “ In lieu of favors we have made a donation in your name to our favorite charity. Then take that money you would have spent on favors and donate it to a worthy cause.

By Ciara Daykin

I had the pleasure of sharing my story with 300 wedding planners this past week at the Fall in Love with Indy Association of Bridal Consultants conference.

Tonya Shadoan, a member of my elite mastermind group for wedding planners did such a great job of designing the enchanted woodland lunch (complete with a scent machine!) that I spoke at. The atmosphere and the energy of everyone in the room were absolutely amazing!

I just wanted to share these pictures with you quickly, as I am off to Turks and Caicos in less than 24 hours for another speaking engagement. Hope you enjoy!