Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Pushy in-laws?

Having trouble planning because of pushy in-laws? You're definitely not the first. It's almost a given that both sets of parents will want in on the planning, and soon it will become overwhelming when you've got the in-laws suggesting to do this with the guest list, or that with the centerpieces. Here's an idea: give the in-laws a special project that they can be in charge of. Just make sure all confirmations go through you. It is important that everyone involved in the wedding feels important, especially the parents and the in-laws. If they want to help, that's wonderful for you! Think of it more as a stress reliever by  having them at your side. They'll love it, and you'll have a chance to have a few bonding moments in the process! Happy planning!

Monday, January 30, 2012

Pretty in Peach

Peach is a delicate color that can be used as a bright, pop in your wedding, or as a subtle touch of sweetness. You can play on the theme of a peach, using the fruit itself to decorate tables and incorporate into favors. There are so many hues to choose from within the realm of peach - different hues and tones go nicely together. Wouldn't it be yummy to have peach cupcakes and peach Bellinis? How refreshing!  



Top left: Pretty bouquet 
Top, second to left: Peach place setting and invitation
Top, second to right: Center piece 
Top right: Delicious cupcakes 
Bottom left: Groomsmen in peach shirts 
Bottom middle: Stylish fabric flowers 
Bottom right: Bridesmaid dress 

Friday, January 27, 2012

Fun DIY favor idea

Ever tried making your own soaps? It's super fun and easy, and you can make any kind you might like. The possibilities are endless with the molds and scents to choose from. Homemade soaps can be a wonderful gift, especially for a small wedding or a bridesmaid luncheon. Customize the soaps according to color, and match your scents to the time of year or the venue. Packaging can be fun too: small terracotta pots with soaps stacked inside, tulle tied around them with a fluffy bow, tied to a naturally grown sponge. 

Giving a handmade gift certainly means a lot, and there are so many options so you and your guests won't get bored. The plus side? Everyone uses soap :)



Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Put your own flower arrangements together!

Interested in cutting out a hunk of that budget of yours? Here's an idea: create your own bouquet and center pieces... boutineers too! You can use either real or silk flowers, and the beauty of using silk flowers is they will not die. There are wholesale flower shops in most areas where you can stroll through the warehouse and pick the type of flowers you might want. Prices will differ of course depending on what type of flower you choose and if it is the right time of year.

Nervous about your bouquet-making abilities? YouTube it! YouTube has a plethora of sources to choose from, offering directions for different bouquet styles and shapes. Center pieces are a breeze too! You can make these ahead of time, especially if you use silk flowers.

If it seems scary, it's not. Buy a few small bouquets of flowers and do practice runs a few weeks before the big day so you can get used to it. Think of it as girl-time with your bridesmaids. Make mimosas and have fun being creative.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Color of the Week: Lavender

Lavender is such a soothing color, and a wonderful scent too. Lavender is a versatile color, and complements most skin tones as well. It can be accompanied by darker shades of purple, and yellow looks lovely also. Perfect color for the spring. Consider giving guests lavender sachets to toss after your reception rather than bird seed or bubbles- it will smell amazing, and it is environmentally friendly! Lavender is a wonderful color for a Spring wedding! Happy planning!


Top left: Lavender bouquet 
Bottom left: Bride and groom
Middle: Centerpiece 
Top right: Cupcakes
Bottom right, farthest side: Lavender sachets 
bottom left, closest to center: Boutineers

Monday, January 23, 2012

Bridal Party Gifts & Tips

Your bridal party consists of a group of people who are special to you. It is an honor to be asked to be a part of someone's wedding, and it is a major responsibility in some cases as well. Bridesmaids and groomsmen play a large part in preparing for the big day. Bridesmaids are constantly planning and prepping for the day and the events leading up to the day to run as smoothly as possible.

The Bride's go-to girl is the maid/matron of honor. The maid of honor generally plans the bridal shower and the bachelorette party with the assistance of the bridesmaids. In addition to all the planning, the members of your wedding party may end up spending a gracious amount on traveling, dresses, shoes, etc. Yes, this is something members of your wedding party choose to do to be a part of your wedding, but there are a few things that can be done to make it an easier process for them, and also to thank them in the end.

Consider choosing dresses and accessories that will not break the bank for your wedding party. Remember, generally those bridesmaid dresses end up in the back of the closet, unfortunately. Depending on the style of your wedding, it may be a nice touch to allow the girls to choose their own style within the color scheme you choose.

On a budget? Worried about what to get or how much to spend on gifts for the wedding party? Of course it is not mandatory to give gifts, but it is a wonderful way to show your appreciation. There are so many ideas out there to choose from, and no set rules for what to give. Base gifts on your budget for the wedding. It is thoughtful to customize each gift towards the person you're giving it to, and gifts don't have to be extravagant. Something useful would be nice- a jewelry box, or a plush robe. Even a basket of her favorite scent- lotion, shower gel, scented spray.

Another thought: make sure to do a little something extra for your maid of honor... she will do a lot for you and be your rock sometimes. Make sure she feels like it meant something!

Consider using Pinterest as a tool, and get that creativity flowing. A Handmade gift always means a lot. Mason jar candles, a fluffy scarf, a scrap book filled with your favorite memories of you and her... the message of appreciation will definitely get across.

Whatever you do decide on, don't wait until the last minute. Rushed gifts are sometimes obvious, and almost always turn into a very expensive ordeal.

Consider this when giving a gift to anyone: would you want it?

Need more ideas? We'd be happy to help!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Beautiful Savannah

Savannah, Georgia is a treasure just waiting to be explored. With all the beauty surrounding this historic town, there are endless amounts of things to do in the area. What a perfect place to celebrate your love. 

One things Savannah is very well-known for is an overwhelming amount of majestic oak trees that are hundreds of years old. Wouldn't getting married under a tent of beautiful Oak trees be breath-taking?


Wormsloe Plantation is home to a very interesting history, as well as tabby ruins, marsh views, and plantation homes. The Spanish Moss that hangs from the trees looks mysterious, and makes for beautiful photos, too! Several paths coil through the park, where guests will uncover interesting facts. Wormsloe is home to some of Savannah's oldest standing structures. 

Savannah offers a ton of things to do for guests attending your wedding from out of town. With tours galore, and the a beach twenty minutes from downtown Savannah, they'll never run out of things to do! Horse-drawn carriage tours are offered downtown that will wind around the squares, which is a lovely way to explore the city. Tours last about one hour, and are reasonable. Carriage Tours of Savannah offers a few different packages, and the tour departs from a central location in downtown Savannah.

In addition to joining you on your special day, out-of-town guests can enjoy a mini-vacation while they celebrate a joyous time in your life. 

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

On a budget?

Let your venue serve as your decorations! Rather than opting to use a reception hall, or dress up the rec room at a church, think about using the outdoors.

 Local venues including (but not limited to) parks, backyards, and local public docks serve as their own decor. There is little you need to do to dress up a park or a square during those first few weeks of Spring when all the greenery is coming back to life, and the flowers are making their come-back. Other than the beautiful bride and the hansom groom, there is not much else to add to make your day spectacular - other than chairs, maybe! Nature will work for you, and it will make a beautiful impact on your guests.

Price tags for outdoor weddings and receptions will vary depending on time of year, location, and number of guests. The possibilities are endless. As for using a back yard for your venue- some families will rent out their property for the day. How lovely.

Top left: Benches on an open lawn
Bottom left: Majestic overhanging Oaks
Middle: An enchanting field of flowers
Top right: Existing brick structure with lush vines
Bottom right: River as a backdrop

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Champagne and Soft Pink

Champagne eludes elegance and grace, and while it is a very subtle color, it can make a lasting impact on your guests. Champagne is versatile. Beautiful when worn, and lovely as an accent, champagne makes an excellent color choice anytime of the year, and adds a light sparkle to any venue. Adding a soft pink in the mix adds a bit of innocence and is very romantic. 



Champagne and gold tones are used here at a reception, just the slightest hint of color can go so far and be so simple. -- http://www.weddingchicks.com20091216classic-black-and-white-wedding-from-jl-designs


Used as an accent to bridesmaids dresses or extra flair for your gown, these fabric flowers are simple and sweet. --http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/diy-gorgeous-chiffon-and-tulle-flowers/8 


The muted pink here is sweet and simple. Elegant. -- http://stjudescreations.blogspot.com/2009/11/pink-dahlia-paper-flower-wedding.html

The greenery here complements the champagne-almost gold- chairs and linens. Beautiful location, all the colors seem to work together, and definitely belong in this area. -- http://theberry.com/2012/01/09/b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l-wedding-ideas-35-photos/

What a statement! So elegant and sophisticated- this would be a gorgeous accessory for any bride. --http://www.etsy.com/listing/90262822/wedding-bridal-ivory-champagne-peacock?ref=sr_gallery_7&sref=&ga_search_query=champagne&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_locationFull=&ga_removeLocation=1&ga_locationQuery=&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=

Monday, January 16, 2012

Excited to join the team!

Hey there, brides and bloggers! I'm Madeline- the new intern at Everlasting Occasions, and I'm thrilled for the opportunity to work for and learn from Raven and Kate. I am a senior at Armstrong here in Savannah, graduating with a degree in English Communications.

As many women are, I am enthralled with weddings. The wedding I may have one day, weddings of my friends and family, and even weddings of complete strangers. I love hearing every detail, from the dress to the walk down the aisle and everything in between. The fact that the whole day- and every day leading up to the big day- can be customized in so many terrific ways is so exciting. The bride and groom's personalities and interests shine through the decorations, the choice of music, and the venue. I love that in the wedding planning industry, people like Raven and Kate can help that special couple bring their vision to life through their visions and expertise. The possibilities are endless!

I'm so excited to learn about how the wedding planning business works, and what it takes to help the big day run beautifully. I cannot wait to be a part of something that achieves such a magical outcome, and work alongside experienced, creative planners. I look forward to meeting people and exploring the options available to couples planning one of the most magical times in their lives.

So grateful for this opportunity!

Madeline

Monday, January 9, 2012

WeddingWire's Bride's Choice Awards 2012 Winner!

We are so excited to announce that we have won WeddingWire's Bride's Choice Awards for 2012! This will be the third year in a row that we have attained this fantastic honor. This means we are in the top 5% of Wedding Professionals nationwide! As stated by WeddingWire, "The WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards™ recognizes the top local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the organization, the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ are determined solely by the reviews from over 1.2 million newlyweds."

We would like to thank our wonderful clients for giving us such fabulous reviews. We are so happy that they were pleased with our services and were thoughtful enough to leave us such wonderful comments!


We hope that everyone had a fantastic New Year's and we are looking forward to the exciting weddings that we have during 2012!



Sunday, January 1, 2012

CONGRATS TO ALL COUPLES ENGAGED OVER THE HOLIDAYS

Happy New Years!  We would like to wish everyone an amazing 2012 full of love, happiness, friendship and dreams that do come true!  We want to extend a special congratulations to all the newly engaged couples over the holiday season. Please like us on Facebook between now and January 31st and we will give you $200 off our full planning package From This Day Forward, and $150 off our day of package Happily Ever After!

Bustles and Badges

We are so excited to be a part of this!  Email us if you would like more information!!


A Wedding Event That Gives Back
Come experience Savannah's newest Wedding venue along with the area's top wedding Vendors.

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind fashion show featuring traditional and modern bridal gowns from The Bride On Broughton.

Officers of the Savannah Chatham Metro Police Department will have a chance to register to win a complimentary Spring 2013 Wedding, donated by the following:
...
List of Wedding Vendors, as of December 10, 2011:
The Bride On Broughton, an exclusive bridal boutique.

The Bride On Broughton, an exclusive bridal boutique: Bridal Gown.

Rev. Steve Schulte; Officiant.
 Savannah Wedding Makeup & Hair Professionals, by Lynn & Co.; will provide hair and makeup for bride and bridal party.

Kato Floral Design; flowers for tables at reception.

Everlasting Occasions; reception coordination.

Savannah Welcome Totes; welcome gifts for guests.

Brockington Hall; reception location.

309 east Wedding Gallery:

All About You Entertainment; DJ for reception. 
Come experience Savannah's newest Wedding venue along with the area's top wedding Vendors.

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind fashion show featuring traditional and modern bridal gowns from The Bride On Broughton.

Officers of the Savannah Chatham Metro Police Department will have a chance to register to win a complimentary Spring 2013 Wedding, donated by the following:
...
List of Wedding Vendors, as of December 10, 2011:
The Bride On Broughton, an exclusive bridal boutique.

The Bride On Broughton, an exclusive bridal boutique: Bridal Gown.

Rev. Steve Schulte; Officiant.

Savannah Wedding Makeup & Hair Professionals, by Lynn & Co.; will provide hair and makeup for bride and bridal party.

Kato Floral Design; flowers for tables at reception.

Everlasting Occasions; reception coordination.
Savannah Welcome Totes; welcome gifts for guests.

Brockington Hall; reception location.

309 east Wedding Gallery:

All About You Entertainment; DJ for reception.

Beacon Photo; wedding photos.

Posh, Petals, and Pearls; wedding day coordination.

Savannah Event Catering; food for reception.

Dream Weaver Photo Booth; photo booth for reception.

Blue Sparrow Bridal; providing minor alterations for bridal gown and custom head piece.

Gabby Cakes; wedding cake.

Lizard Eye Photo; engagement photos.

Massage by Hannah; couples message week of ceremony.

Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department’; security for park or square.
Madison Carriage Company; carriage (must be historic district pick-up) to ceremony location.

Grace Limo; transportation for bridal party to ceremony and reception from one downtown location.

Urban Poppy; bridal bouquet and bridesmaids bouquets, groom’s boutonniere and groomsmen boutonnieres, flowers for parents.

In Any Event; event supplies such as chairs, tables, linens.

Instrumental Music by Chris Dooley for ceremony.

Hotel; wedding night lodging, one night stay.

AMH Communications; local announcements.