I really enjoyed working with this couple. Thank you to Errol Colon who captured these wonderful images!
The Ceremony
The Reception
Photography by Errol Colon
Just wanted to share a few pics (sneak peaks) from last weekend’s wedding! I can’t believe that Errol Colon has already begun editing (!) and naturally I was thrilled to receive previews so soon after the event!
Ok – so I was busy as a bee last week working on special touches for a wedding that took place at Dr. Philips – a historic B&B which is part of the Courtyard at Lake Lucerne in downtown Orlando.
Our client was looking for something natural and zen-ish that would work with the classic elegance of the estate house and I was delighted to guide the design elements and create finishing touches.
The color palette for the ceremony was ivory, fern green and gray, and the interior palette for the reception was amber, fern green and rustic red. Linens were selected from BBJ Linen.
As I was shopping for ribbon and supplies to create the the programs, signage and decor elements, I came across “vine wire” and had the idea to use it in lieu of printed table numbers. Thus, we formed all the table numbers from the vine wire and then glued them to cardstock table tents. The look was clean but earthy, and everyone loved it!
The place card display – which I envisioned as vertical – worked out perfectly as we implemented scroll photo holders purchased from Pier 1.
Can’t wait to share more about this wonderful event!
They were wed in January at Mission Inn Resort – which was the perfect backdrop for their romantic and elegant wedding. Cara’s vision centered on old world elegance that was glamorous and graceful. From candles to crystals, and cigars to candy bars – this wedding was an enchanting affair! They even had a sparkler exit! One of my favorite things about this wedding was how they incorporated so many family photos into the reception decor; that was a special touch that really enhanced the nostalgic feel of the evening.
Of course there was also a fabulous vendor team working behind the scenes to make ensure that the day progressed smoothly and that everyone enjoyed a stellar evening. Thanks and applause go to:
Mission Inn Resort & Club – Ceremony & Reception Venue
A Flair for Affairs – Planning and Coordination
Cheryl’s Distinctive Creations - Floral and Decor
Brian Adams – Photography
Cakes by Design – Wedding Cake
Entertainment Concepts – DJ, A/V, Lighting
Yes, I know (but I don’t say it out loud). Times are tough, money is tight, and everyone is trying to save a buck. But lately, I’ve been hearing this way too much.
And you wouldn’t believe the trends I’m starting to see! Flower-less centerpieces, DIY linen installations, sub-par vendors, and more! It sounds funny, but in the end, it’s really not.
Maybe you’d like to poll the guests from a recent wedding that I coordinated (notice I said coordinated, NOT planned). The bride contacted me to help her with the reception design and we put together a great look for her. However, she insisted that she wanted the reception to be ‘cocktail style’ – meaning that she wanted the guests to mingle – therefore she only ordered 100 chairs for 200 people…. Hmmmm…. I think you can see where I’m going with this.
“What’s your budget?” I ask. Rarely do I receive a truthful answer, that is, until I quote a price. It’s not a problem because I know my services are not inexpensive. I charge what I’m worth: I’m an educated, experienced, nationally recognized industry professional. I work with clients and couples who realize that what I bring to the event planning process is more than the ability to create a memorable day – I help them create amazing and memorable moments. I am a specialist; it’s like comparing stitches to brain surgery. 
Anyway, I do appreciate that many people are on a budget. Whenever possible I do the best I can to meet them where they’d like to be. After all, I love what I do, so for me there’s a lot more to it than the paycheck.
In a previous post, I wrote about how Brides and Grooms can protect themselves while shopping for vendors. Check it out – there is a lot of good advice there. This post centers on something different; it’s about being realistic. There seems to be a trend towards style over substance. Let’s go back to my story about the bride with the 200 guests. Do you think those guests cared how good the room looked when they realized they might have to stand for the rest of the evening? Nope – they bailed at their first opportunity. Do you think they felt valued and appreciated? Nope.
It’s my responsibility to tell my clients if something won’t work, or doesn’t work well. I educate them. What I’m seeing lately is so many people (future brides and grooms, potential clients) who are out of touch with what things cost being serviced by vendors who want to say yes (because they need the business) – this is not exactly a recipe for success.
My free advice for today is this: If you truly can’t afford the wedding of your dreams – put it off and save more money. If you want to save an extreme amount of money without cutting corners, scale back your guest list, move up your wedding date and consider a week-day event. Also, if you’re planning a wedding or special event be a good host! – that’s just good manners.
Planner | Designer | Speaker
I've been planning for as long as I can remember! When I was younger, I planned birthday parties for my siblings and surprise anniversary parties for my parents. I spent many years in the Hospitality industry and also studied Interior Design. I couldn’t have guessed that my creative and organizational talents would lead me to a career in event planning...seriously!
"To love what you do and feel that it matters - how could anything be more fun?"
- Katherine Graham
Visit my site: A Flair for Affairs®
