Just finished reading another terrific wedding article in the Huffington Post titled The End of The Vintage Wedding Trend
Harmony Walton, founder of BridalBar.com, and wedding industry notable (speaker, blogger, etc.) shared her thoughts and I’m inclined to to agree.

savvycityfarmer

“Thankfully, the vintage wedding trend that took the nation by storm (in no small part due to the relentless plugging by us bridal bloggers), is finally starting to see the shade of its own sunset. And not a moment too soon — I say let the trend end!”

Nostalgic. Whimsical. Sentimental. While I can appreciate these things, I think the key to achieving this look is “attachment”. If you are displaying family heirlooms, photos or others items to which you have an attachment or personal connection – great! The best way to incorporate vintage details is to showcase select pieces or collections because they will have more meaningful impact than a random collection of flea-market finds.

But like Harmony, I am ready to see the mason jars and doilies put away in favor of a more sophisticated look. Hmmm – I wonder what the next trend will be…?

photo display

My personal preference is to introduce one or two vintage elements. We have done this with traditional as well as modern weddings and receptions. For example: one of our couples used a cake-knife set that had been previously used (at least twice) at family weddings, while another couple used grandmother’s veil to accent their cake table. These details do not go unnoticed, and we love pointing them out to guests, as well as the photographers and videographers!
(c) Elisa Delgardio

In my next life I think I will come back as a wedding photographer. It would be nice; people have suggested it to me and I might actually have what it takes… Especially when it comes to identifying – or even helping to create – the moments that will be treasured for a lifetime.

There’s no debating that we live in a DIY world: Technology has made many things possible. It seems that everything is readily available, more affordable, and of comparable quality. This is somewhat true. Nevertheless, I must point out that: 1) knowledge and experience remain indispensable, and 2) you get what you pay for.

What to do with that wedding disc:

Many couples opt to receive a disk – typically a DVD – in lieu of a traditional wedding album. Now what? For those content to view the images on your computers or television screens, this tip is not for you. However, if you’re traditional and appreciate the nostalgic aspect of wedding portraiture you will be interested to in this pro tip – courtesy of Reed Photo:

Print on quality photographic paper.
“This means professional paper. Not the over contrasty, over saturated non- neutral stuff you get from drug stores, discount marts, warehouse/membership stores. This means use a good pro lab. Not Costco, not Wal Mart, not Walgreens, not Drug Emporium, etc etc etc.

The papers you get from consumer mini-labs are purposely manufactured to NOT have accurate color. Yep, they make it screwy on purpose. You see, Joe Consumer likes prints with colors that aren’t real. They want more saturation and contrast for that extra snap. In most cases, their photos benefit from that assistance to help the snap-shot look a bit more appealing to the eye.

Professional paper is manufactured to very exacting standards to achieve neutral balance, neutral saturation and excellent skin tones. Pro papers will handle extra saturation if you really need it for your “look”, so add it if you wish, but at least you have the option. And get this, just by using pro papers, you get an additional stop of shadow detail! The missing shadow range in the consumer papers is another reason they look so “snappy”. A properly exposed, correctly white balanced image with great composition that is printed on professional photographic paper won’t need the false extra punch to look good.” -by John Harris, ReedPhoto.com

Timing is everything

Speaking from experience, you can never have too much time scheduled for wedding photos. Plan on extra time, and then add more. Why? Because you have no control over time. Anything can happen: Limo gets a flat, grandma and grandpa get lost, flower girl is crying, bridesmaid zipper fail, flowers arrive late, unexpected rain – are you starting to get the picture? The trick to this timing thing is adding (using) the extra time in a way where your guests won’t be affected.

I found a great blog post written by Traci Turchin describing a variety of wedding photography timelines – including modern and traditional scenarios.

The Reveal (aka First Look)

I love this one! Many of our couples have done this and all have been thrilled with the outcome! A number of them even commented that it’s a tension reliever. One of the benefits I like most is that it makes for amazingly unscripted candid shots. From the perspective of the couple it is especially romantic, and they can be more intimate and relaxed since they are not surrounded by dozens of guests. This is how we typically stage it: We lead the groom to a place that is semi private, and he is turned away from the direction of the bride’s entrance. The bride walks toward the groom, and taps him on the shoulder to signal him to turn around and face. (sigh!) It’s so cool to watch this special moment unfold! Sure, it’s a break from tradition but wedding photography has evolved so much in the 20 – 50 plus years since your parents and grandparents were married.

Ultimately, the choice is yours so discuss the pros and cons ahead of time. I sincerely believe that you should be open to any approach that reduces pressure or stress on the wedding day. In my experience, the private reveal / first look works particularly well if the wedding and reception are at the same location – such as a hotel, B&B or country club. It is most definitely (in my Martha Stewart voice) “a good thing”.

© 2011 E. Delgardio All Rights Reserved

Reason #852 to Hire a Wedding Planner:

Last weekend I provided day-of wedding coordination services to a darling couple who were married at Mission Inn Resort. Bride and Groom were both in the the military and had planned their wedding from Afghanistan with the help of the Mission Inn’s Wedding Catering Manager, Tammy. For all intents and purposes you could classify theirs as a destination wedding since most of the guests were from Georgia and Colorado.

Everything was going super smoothly the morning of the wedding, except that a number of guests seemed to be running late. After a few phone calls, the party was located but we soon realized that they would be in transit for at least :45 minutes longer. The couple was upset that the ceremony was being delayed, but in this case, it just didn’t seem right to start the ceremony before the lost guests arrived – after all, everyone had traveled such a great distance.

Quick! What should you do? What can you do? As the wedding coordinator I was looking straight on at an hour delay, and needed to improvise an alternative plan ASAP! I approached the Groom and suggested that the time waiting would be better spent taking photos with his lovely wife-to-be and my counterpart Tammy agreed. Tammy and I approached the bride to suggest a “private reveal” photo session for the couple. All at once we’re checking with the photographer, notifying the banquet captain, okaying plans with the Minister and so on. In a few minutes time, we had changed the course of events.

I sincerely believe that this couple’s day could have been ruined had I not been present. And I must share credit with the entire team: I was fortunate to be working with seasoned pros – all of whom were focused on making this day the best it could be for the couple. In the end, it worked out like it was planned that way from the beginning.

This is a small example… nothing earth shattering, but when you get right down to it, do you want to be crying anything other than tears of joy on your wedding day? I didn’t want our bride walking down the aisle angry or upset because her guests were not present; nor was it worth hurting family by starting without them. (Remember, this is supposed to be a celebration!)

For more insight into the benefits of hiring a wedding planner, be sure to read “Do you REALLY Need a Wedding Planner {Wedding Advice from a Caterer}” and “Things to Consider When Hiring a Wedding Planner”

I would also like to recommend Leila Khalil’s recent article which appeared on HuffingtonPost.com, “Hire A Wedding Planner…. Or Else“… And I encourage you to read the comments as well.

I expected that this post would be quick easy to write, and then my thoughts began to run wild.  As I recalled some of the most bizarre, distressing and implausible conversations I’ve had with both clients and potential clients regarding the “B”-word, I realized that talking budget is never easy.  { Truth be told, I am not alone in what I’ve experienced. When the wedding planner convention comes to town, stories about wedding budgets will be shared.}

Wedding Budget Advice

My best advice regarding a wedding budget is: have one.  The second piece of advice is: be sure it’s realistic.  This is where things get a bit sticky.  “Why?” you ask.  Because realistic is a subjective term – that’s why.

It’s always interesting when people ask me how much I think their wedding will cost.   Or conversely, they will ask if $XXX is enough to cover their wedding.  Seriously – it happens all the time, and typically on the first phone call.  It’s an impossible question.  “Why?” you ask.  Because I don’t have nearly enough information about the client’s situation or expectations to provide a reasonably accurate or relative answer.   Occasionally we receive the answer that every event planner loves to hear: “We don’t have a budget” or “Money is not an object”.  Unfortunately,when we ask if they are comfortable with a 100k working budget, more often than not, they answer no.

All weddings are not the same.  Even if you had two weddings with the same number of guests at the same location the final tabs would likely not even be close because there are so many variables.

I wanted to share this nifty wedding trivia and bridal budget infographic.  It highlights some average costs which I find to be pretty much in line with typical central Florida wedding expenses.  Can you have a wedding in Central Florida for less than $26,984? Absolutely!  Is it possible that you wedding will cost more than $26,984?  Absolutely!

click to view larger

Getting Started

Before you can do anything, you need a figure to start with.  Most planners with a few years experience have developed a few budget calculating tips.  For example:  Take a look at that number of $194 per guest.  $194 multiplied by 50 guests is not the same wedding as $194 multiplied by 150 guests.   While a smaller guest list will, or should I say can, result in lesser food and beverage costs, other expenses (DJ, photographer, wedding gown) will remain constant – meaning they are unaffected by guest count.  That being said, I can tell you my thoughts on what I think $194 per guest will buy you, and you can let me know if that’s what you had in mind.  (Alas, that’s where the free advice ends.)

I think people are reluctant to give a budget figure because they have some impression that the planner will make them over spend or charge a higher fee.  This could not be further from the truth.  An ethical planner is looking out for the client’s best interests, regardless of their budget, and wants every client to have the best wedding or event they can afford.

This short video is just in time for engagement season! Not only are we looking forward to sharing these stunning images from real weddings with potential clients, we are excited about the message: A wedding is not only a once in a lifetime event, it’s a big investment! Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider the credentials of the person or company you are trusting to fulfill your expectations and manage what oftentimes becomes an overwhelming amount of details.

In the video we touch on these four very important questions:

We hope you enjoy the video!

James Allen

Your wedding day is your day to shine!   You’ll want to pay close attention to the details – especially since everyone else surely will!

Rock that bling!

Clean your wedding jewelry and engagement ring a few days before the wedding so it sparkles like brand new!  This is simple enough to do at home – here are some great tips that will work great on gold jewelry and most precious gemstones:

1. Soak the jewelry in small bowl of warm sudsy water with a mild liquid detergent.  A soft toothbrush can be used to gently brush the jewelry while it is in the suds.  Rinse jewelry items in warm water and pat dry with a soft lint-free cloth or tissue paper.

2. Soak the jewelry in small bowl of cold water and household ammonia (half and half) for thirty minutes.  Once again a soft toothbrush can be used around the mounting.  Swish in the solution again, then rinse and air dry on a soft cloth.

3. Use a brand name liquid jewelry cleaner and follow the instructions given on the label.

4.  Using a baking soda, add a small amount of water to create a paste.  Brush on the paste with a soft toothbrush, rinse under warm running water and let air dry.

Some people swear by a solution of vinegar and warm water, while others prefer to use vodka.  I have also read about using toothpaste as a cleaner, but jewelers seem to discourage this. (Note: Toothpaste and other abrasive substances can scratch your jewelry.)

Swarovski bridal necklaces are very popular as they are much more affordable than diamonds and precious gemstones. Cleaning of your Swarovski crystal jewelry should be done on regularly basis by using warm soapy water. You can also use ultrasonic jewelery cleaner on occasional basis. After this, it should be rinsed with warm water and air dried. It’s recommended that you keep your Swarovski bridal jewelry away from make-ups, hair sprays, perfumes and other strong chemicals.

Sparkling Crystal and Glass

I have seen so many incredibly gorgeous crystal and glass pieces at weddings: from Tiffany and Wedgwood to Baccarat and Swarovski! It always surprises me that these items are often not properly cleaned before they are displayed at the wedding ceremony or reception.

All of your personal items – unity candle sets, champagne flutes, picture frames, candy decanters, etc – should be cleaned of finger prints and filmy residue, and all stickers and tags should be removed.

Tips for removing tags and merchandise labels include GooGone (my favorite), WD-40 (be careful where you use this) and the age old ‘soaking’ technique. Heating the labels with a hairdryer is also helpful in loosening the adhesive glue. Whenever possible, use cotton gloves to handle the items.

Note: Take special care when cleaning heirloom pieces. When in doubt, consult a professional jeweler.

© 2010 E. Delgardio All Rights Reserved

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What is it about weddings that keeps you coming back, wedding after wedding?

“It’s truly a combination of things.  A big part of it is that I enjoy the magic of the day: I get to watch families make memories and share joy, and I’m instrumental to creating those experiences.

(c) marc harmon

There is also the creative aspect. Planning and designing weddings is my art form.  The event – while largely a collaborative effort – showcases my talents while reflecting the style and personality of the couple.

It’s exhilarating to create  experiences that can be appreciated and cherished by others – especially when I am so connected to them.   A wedding is a milestone event: it’s exciting, nerve-wracking  and gratifying all at the same time – like watching your child walk for the first time.

I would also have to confess to being an adrenaline junkie. There are unique challenges to this type of work – no two weddings are alike and try as I might, I can’t guarantee that things will go as planned. I never know what situation may arise and yet I know everyone is counting on me to handle it – that makes for some pretty interesting days.”

~ Elisa Delgardio, CSEP PBC | A Flair for Affairs, Orlando FL

Earlier today I came across this quote on the BrideTide Blog:

“You don’t hire a wedding planner for what they do, you hire them for what they know. Most brides only plan one wedding their entire lives while a wedding planner has the experience and understanding of coordinating numerous celebrations for each diverse individual client. Relying on a professional wedding planner to refine the details of the biggest day of your life is not only practical, it’s an intelligent way of minimizing the opportunities for ineffectively handling any unforeseen situations that may arise.”   Rudy, Founder of BrideTide

It’s difficult for wedding planners to make statements like this without sounding like we’re “tooting our own horn”.  But I felt that Rudy’s point was presented well, and I am very pleased to share it.  Additionally, I feel that it’s hugely beneficial for brides and grooms to hear someone else’s perspective.

photo by Kevin Keelan

The experience and expertise that we bring to the table can be priceless throughout the planning process as well as on the wedding day.  I know that we have ‘saved the day’ many times and in many different ways. Sometimes it seems that clients see the value of our services most clearly on the day of the event.   Our finely tuned organizational skills, natural ability to multitask and intuitive improvisation allows us to direct the event as if we are conducting an orchestra.  After the event, we always receive glowing compliments about how well everything turned out.  Recently at one of our weddings, we were quite surprised when the Minister led off the dinner prayer by saying “Let us all thank the Wedding Planner for putting together this beautiful event”.

But, I must add that what we ‘do’ is equally valuable. I think a simple clarification to Rudy’s message can be made to say that the bride & groom should have realistic expectations and/or a mutual understanding of what their chosen planner will do for them (as per their service agreement, which can vary widely). Truth be told, there’s a lot we can do and amazing magic we can work – only we don’t have a magic wand, so we need to charge accordingly.

For more insight into the benefits of hiring a wedding planner, be sure to read “Do you REALLY Need a Wedding Planner”

© 2009 E. Delgardio All Rights Reserved

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