Registering...better with a girl friend

So I have been pretty not into this whole registry process. To be honest, it is pretty overwhelming. There are like a billion and one stores to choose from, not to mention everyone's and anyone's opinions! So registering (or "registration" as my fiance likes to call it), has been put on the back burner.

Upon arriving at our friend's place yesterday (another soon bride-to-bee) for a fantasy football draft, we, as the girls, obviously had to find something to do to entertain ourselves. My response to getting manicures was "No-Williams Sonoma to register." I cringed with excitement-not what I had in mind. But, as I roamed the aisles with a fellow bee, the registry grew, become filled with items needed to make the very home I want.

Registering with a female counterpart in the same boat as me, the clueless boat, was so successful, and so much fun; we were able to bounce ideas, tips and product uses off each other, without feeling overwhelmed or completely uneducated!* I walked out of there feeling confident of my future kitchen, and look forward to our next 'Registration' day.

*Mom, you are still my favorite female to register with. :)

Creative placecards

Want to do something different for place-cards? Try a table all aglow. At one of my girl friend's wedding a couple of weeks ago at the Ballroom at the Ben , I walked into the cocktail hour to a round table full of beautiful candles (non-scented*) with guest's names typed on a piece a paper and wrapped around the candle with an elegantly knotted black bow. It was simply fabulous! (Note, image attached is not from her wedding).

Want some more - for an added touch, garnish the table with rose petals, or center the candles around a simple arrangement. Just be safe and make sure all is arranged to avoid a fire hazzard.

*Savings Alert* Without confirmation from my friend, I am assuming these "place cards" are less costly than professionally manufactured ones, or ones done by a calligrapher. Though spending money on the candles, and ribbon, these items can easily be found at dollar stores or wholesale party stores). However, using one of the many artsy computer programs offered to create names and table numbers, will definitely save you dollars.

*NOTE - Scented candles would not work in a situation like this (unless you are having a very small and intimate wedding). Be considerate of your guests, as some may be sensitive to smells.

Take time to enjoy

I haven't posted in a while, and with reason; I simply am taking the time to enjoy being engaged.

With an engagement doesn't just come a man asking you to be his partner, and a diamond on your finger, but the almost immediate planning of your big day. Lately, with so many acquaintances becoming "les fiançailles," it has been a constant day-to-day topic of discussion about who is doing what, when, where, how and why and...enough! It's easy to get caught up in the whose who of wedding planning and forget what is actually going on...HELLO, like, I AM GETTING MARRIED! I am going to be someone's wife, I am making a promise to someone to love and cherish him for the rest of our lives, no matter what he does or doesn't do, until we die. You think the wedding is a big deal; this is a BIG freaking deal!

I believe myself to be a smart little wedding bee, because with the wedding hoopla that has taken over our country, I knew the competition I was in for in planning my big day. So I did rush to book the biggies (venue, band and photog). So for now, until I start trying on dresses and hyperventilating, I am taking some time to relax and enjoy my summer as an engaged woman.

Please don't stop the music

Great way to hear your music options - Showcases.

These mini concerts give you a chance to hear the band or dj live, rather than via Internet. Most of the band/dj websites list their showcases - if you don't see any offered, don't be afraid to call and ask. However, try to request a dvd or other recording of the entertainment performing at an actual wedding or similar event. The showcase is typically in a small room with a limited amount of people, just a bit different than a large venue with 100+ guests, and you want the opportunity to see them work a crowd. If possible, ask to stop by a wedding or other event that the band/dj is actually playing at. A lot of companies offer this service-they just have to run it by the wedding couple first.

Some questions to ask during a band/dj showcase:

Does the lighting scheme (shown at showcases) come with the package?

Does the package include ceremony and cocktail house music?

Is the band able to be modified (i.e. extra horns, singers, etc.) and at what cost?

Can you see a song list?

Is there a preference of music the band leans toward playing?

Does the band/dj require compensation for travel, overnight accommodations?

How does the band/dj plan to work with other event staff?

What is the band's/dj's plan of action in moderating the night in terms of timing, meal service, etc.?

Can they provide references that you can speak with?

What happens if one of the band members can't perform on the day of your wedding?

How does the band/dj cater to audiences comprised of people young and old?

Book the Biggies...

... and do it quickly! Weddings nowadays have turned into small, or large, productions. Whether you are aiming for a 400 person extravaganza or a family and close friends only destination wedding, venues book up and the book up fast.

It may sound crazy, but if you have your dream wedding in your head: time of year, atmosphere-start looking before the big question is even popped. A lot of venues will hold dates for a specific amount of time without a deposit. Shopping around early will also give you an idea of what you want, maybe want, and absolutely do not want, in your wedding space.

Don't be afraid to ask

It doesn't matter if it's a long lost friend or a complete stranger, if you want to know something about a wedding, you have to ask.

A childhood friend of mine got married almost two years ago at the synagogue I grew up in, and also one of the places I am considering the wedding. I remember the room being vast and on the older side, and my recent visit to the location confirmed my memory. However, the room had potential. I needed to do some research.

As I looked through my facebook friends to see if any happened to have a wedding at this synagogue, or had been to one, I came across an old friend who was married there two years ago. Strange as it may have been, I immediately sent her a message.

Not only was I met with an almost immediate answer, but one with such enthusiasm! *(First lesson I have learned as a new bride to bee: past brides love to share their wedding stories, information and vendors. This is a GREAT tool! In the past two weeks, I have learned of a new photographer, florist and band). Not only did Friend tell me her wedding was absolutely amazing, mainly due to her florist, Petal Pushers, who completely re-vamped the older room, but she offered me to visit her apartment and watch her wedding video! Talk about hospitable.

Of course I took her up on the offer, and stopped by her apartment last night for a viewing. She was right, the room looked amazing. I now have a visual aspect as to what can be done with space, and ideas of what I would want, not want; what I could change and leave the same.

I would like to personally thank said Friend for her kindness and excitement; and eagerness to share her resources. Lesson learned: it never hurts to ask!

Let the planning begin!

So I have forever waited for the day to plan my wedding. I have been planning parties since I was a wee one (see: planning a pizza party in nursery school and having four year olds show up to my door, parents not informed). In high school, I spent my weekends slaving away making centerpieces and favors, because I had more fun doing that than getting wasted in some loser's basement (or was I the loser? Probably).

That being said, in the past few years with an overwhelming amount of friends getting hitched, I have been more than ready to lend my services: producing themed events, creating centerpieces, accompanying brides on site visits, menu selection, band, caterer and florist recommendations, you name it.

Two weekends ago, I had the most amazing man, who I fell in love with one year ago, get down on his knee and ask me to marry him. It was the most amazing moment of my life, and I have had constant butterflies since, while walking on Cloud 9. Planning our wedding is going to be the most fun, exciting, special, crazy, stressful, emotional time and I cannot wait to start (I mean, I started last year when I met him, duh).

I will be planning this extravaganza from start to finish, and writing daily about my experiences! Please post your questions, stories, tips and tricks-let's talk wedding, chicas!