When the weather is dreary I always think of vacationing, and one of the most beautiful places I’ve been is Maui. While staying there, you see signs asking people not to take the beach home with them. In fact rumors were created saying if you take any of Hawaii of the island, you’ll have bad luck for 10 years! And I can’t blame them for being so cautious, because if I could, I’d plop the island in my pocket and take it home with me!
I met Jamee Jones, jewelry maker and owner of Jonara Blu Maui , who runs her business out of Maui on the side of the Volcano. Imagine the view! She draws all her inspiration for her jewelry from her breath-taking surroundings. She mixes shells, pearls, silk and beads into delightful pieces that are perfect accessories for any beach wedding. This is a excellent way of taking a piece of Maui without offending the islanders.
While scheming my imaginary Hawaiian wedding, I picked out my favorite piece called "Champagne Circles ," (love the name also) which is made with mother of pearl shell, Swarovski crystal, silk, gold and freshwater coin pearls. The freshwater pearls are an added bonus for me, because it was my husband’s first gift to me! And I also handmade freshwater pearl necklaces, as gifts, for all by bridesmaids.
Love Siena Heart
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Hola! Check out our newest feature, the Books and Planners page, on the right! Here we list some books we own and love, have read, or want to read. As you’ll see, they link to Amazon where you can purchase the book new or used. We use Amazon’s affiliate program to make posting books easy. We do make a tiny bit of moolah on each sale, but we’re doing it as an easy-to-use resource, not a source of income. Check them out!!
Have books that you think should make the list? Tell us about ‘em! Post a comment or email us at weddingfanatic {at} gmail {dot} com.
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Bonjour! I’m excited to announce the winners of our Hilton Giveaway!! I say winners because two of our entrants happen to be marrying each other. 
Tom and Liz are tying the knot in Miami Beach North on October 10 of this year. They plan to say “I Do” on the beach at sunset. I’m sure it will be beautiful! One of the hotels they are considering is the Doubletree Ocean Point Resort and Spa. Here is the fabulous couple!
Special thanks to Snippet & Ink and Ericamay Photography for sharing this giveaway with their readers! And of COURSE, Hilton Family E-events for sponsoring the event!
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Hello hello! Happy Monday! I just wanted to drop in and tell you about a giveaway that we’re doing. The thing that makes this giveaway so great is that the sponsoring company, Karate Kat Graphics, donates half of their proceeds to Save the Children!
Mary, Karate Kat Graphics owner, works with her three kids in creating “playful yet polished products”, the most popular of which are her personalized stamps! They have some fabulous wedding stamps to chose from, which you can check out here.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS: Just leave a comment on this post telling us about your favorite Karate Kat Graphics product (they have more than just stamps)! Or, share with us your favorite charitable organization, like Save the Children. We’ll randomly pick a winner at the end of the week and she (or he) will receive a sheet of personalized stamps! Free stuff and helping the kids of the world at the same time. What could be better?!
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What a better way to
welcome the week with
welcome bags ideas.
Welcome bags or boxes are a nice way to thank your guests for being part of your celebration, especially if they are coming from out of town.
Here are some cute ones:
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I feel really lucky to be able to work in the industry I do. The way people are with each other when they are at the height of love is truly inspirational!
We went and interviewed Aimee and Mike about how they met, and the stories they told still keep me smiling! We projected the video at their wedding and the smiles on everyone’s faces were priceless.
It makes me think, being married myself, how you can forget to be that way every day around your spouse, and even your loved ones. A video like this is something that can bring back those wonderful emotions. I read in a book once that someone’s Love Story saved their marriage… amazing! We are really in a new era, with people discovering the importance of documenting their most precious moments. When you get married, consider a Love Story from your Videographer, don’t let your truly special moments slip away!
And even with all those documented moments, let’s not forget to express how much we love the people in our lives…every day.
Watch Aimee and Mike’s Love Story
Here.
by Digital Princess Productions
xoxo Siena HeartDiyWeddingGirl.com
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Writing about Brides freaking-out might seem taboo, but to a wedding planner who cares about you I feel that it might be important to talk about. Why I am inspired to write this post? Well, first, here at La Ruche we are in the midst of prepping to be filmed for the television show, Bridezilla, with clients Kathryn and Keith.
Secondly, right now in Arizona we are in the midst of "wedding season". The big bridal show just happened, many of the newly engaged women are hunting for the best deals, and at La Ruche we are walking many couples through the final stages of wedding day preparation.
With this said, I DO think that it is natural and many times very gratifying to freak-out. Okay…maybe not freak-out per se, but to at the very least put your foot down and stand-up for yourself. Below is a quick mini-guide on to how to freak out when you need to freak out, and when to know if you’re freaking-out about the right thing.
DO freak-out on someone or some vendor if or when:
- Your vendor increases your pricing from the contracted rate . A deal is a deal, so gently remind them of their obligation. HINT: Do NOT use the word "legal" or "legally" when talking to a vendor as this type of serious banter can create huge problems later-0n.
- Your Maid or Matron of Honor (M.O.H.) or Bridesmaid complains about her dress. Remind her that you do like the dress and that you hope that she can support you. Let her know that her complaining does not help, it just creates friction. If you are related to your M.O.H. or Bridesmaid ask them to be positive on your behalf. If your M.O.H. or Bridesmaid is complaining about the cost of the dress, do some fact-finding to see what they believe a reasonable amount to pay for the dress is. If finances is a real concern for them, consider offering to pay the difference of what they cannot.
- Your fiancee is absent during the planning process. Although many brides will agree that the complexity and details of the wedding may be more for the bride and less for the groom, that does not mean that it is appropriate for your fiancee to bow-out when planning discussions begin. I often tell engaged couples at wedding consultations that if one of you seems disinterested in the process it is likely because there are terms and timelines that aren’t being properly explained, explored, or understood. If you have an ongoing issue with your fiancee being involved, perhaps it is time to take a step back – without precondition – and find out what the real issue may be. There is no sense in getting married if you are dragging your fiancee to the alter.
- Your financial backers create specific conditions with their financial support. It may not be worth the sadness and heartache caused to you (and your wedding planner!) to plan a wedding that will soon be resented because of conditions that some families place on their financial support of a couple. If you know that you will be planning a wedding for others and not based upon your and your fiancee’s desires, consider eloping. Not kidding. (You would NOT be surprised at the devastation and chaos that this type of conditional financial support creates.)
DO NOT freak out on someone or some vendor if or when:
- You are on your period. This probably goes without saying (because you likely know yourself well by now), but trust me…waiting until the menstrual cycle crazies are over will 100% for sure calm you down. If you feel yourself about to call "so-and-so" to give them a good tongue lashing, instead simply write down the issues that you have with "so-and-so" and follow-up on the issue in a few days. If the issue cannot wait, ask your fiancee or your best friend to hear you out and determine the best course of action.
- You feel stress. Many times the endless knit-picking – especially to your fiancee – can send the wrong message. Instead of conveying that you are very happy to be getting married but that you are just stressed about "such-and-such", when you knit-pick and are generally morose or negative it sends EVERYONE the message that you wish you were not having to go through this experience. Instead of complaining out loud, consider practicing discipline and write a letter instead. The letter can be written to yourself – simply to complain – but after it is written you may actually feel better having expelled some of your negative energy. Even better, consider burning the letter after you write it and starting a list of the things that need to happen in order for your issues or worries to be resolved.
- You don’t have enough money. This is tricky because nearly everyone I know wants finances to be private, but when the money is tight or simply isn’t available, complaining about your financial situation to whomever happens to be listening sometimes accidentally happens. Instead of allowing outsiders into your very personal financial situation, consider taking an honest "from-the-top-down" approach to the most expensive items on your wedding list. You may find that you really don’t need the personalized water bottles, bubbles, or specialty linens after all.
I am soooooooooooooo not a relationship expert; I am an event planner. I am certainly not condoning calling-off weddings, Bridezilla moments or creating lasting family problems. I simply wanted to put into plain terms some of the real issues that may arrise and what to do about them when they happen.
Best,
Alisha Forrester Scott, Owner
La Ruche. event design studio.
Alisha can be reached by e-mail at studio@enterlaruche.com
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With so many options available now (gardens, mansions, hotels, yachts, restaurants, estates, back yards, just to name a few) how does one narrow down the venue search and not become burnt out within the first month of wedding planning?
The key is to sit down and determine what it is that you are really looking for. Are you set on having a waterfront view? Then I probably wouldn’t look at those venues that can’t provide that to you. Have you always dreamed of having your wedding downtown at a swanky hotel? I would start first with boutique hotels and not beachfront cottages.
I’m not saying that you should limit yourself completely. It is a good idea to sample a couple of different places, styles, locations, etc but if you see a style that doesn’t work, focus your search on what does. If you do this, you won’t waste your time and energy on visiting places that you know you won’t like.
My initial conversation with a couple is to get to know them, learn about their personality, find out what they are looking for and what is important to them. If they are looking for a more modern space with floor to window ceilings, I know right away that we won’t be a great fit for them. If I know this ahead of time, I can steer them in the right direction.
The most important thing is that the venue (whatever it may be) feels right. I cannot emphasize this enough. I feel that every bride should have their wedding in a room that they feel great in. It should represent the couples style.
A few key things:
- Make a list of what you must have in a venue & what you would like to have in a venue. This will help in narrowing down the selection.
- Don’t try to convince yourself that you like the venue. It needs to FEEL right (for both of you.)
- Be honest with the venue contact. If it’s not a good fit, let them know. Don’t waste their time and they won’t waste yours by calling constantly to follow up.
- Have fun and try not to get too overwhelmed!
I’d love to know, what helped you make your decision on your wedding location?
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I think the nicest gifts you can give someone are handmade. Really, instead of sugar-coated almonds or little chachke you decided on in a panic, how nice would it be for your guests to give them something lovely, from the heart? Here, I’ve made a Dragonfly Box that is a great gift by itself or you can fill it up with your favorite treat! I will walk you through how I did it:
What you need: (I purchased everything at Michael’s )
1. Small Box
2. Ornamental Dragonfly or Butterfly
3. Ribbon (Martha Stewart has some nice ones!)
4. Glass Beads
5. Glitter
Glue
Scissors
1. Twist the included wire (on bottom of the insect) in the shape of a flat circle and glue to lid of box.
2. Cut enough ribbon to fit over lid of box. Trace the length of the ribbon with a small stream of glue and attach it to lid.
3. Put small dabs of glue inside lid and wrap ribbon so that the ends of the ribbon curl around the lip of the lid. Cut excess ribbon to look tidy. Let dry.
4. Put lid on box and use a pencil to trace where the ribbon will go on box. Cut and glue ribbon around the box to match up with markings so that the ribbon looks like it’s wrapped around the whole box (when lid is on).
5. Put a spot of glue on the center of the lid and add beads to it. Then put more glue around beads and add glitter, carefully shaking off any excess.
You can place your new gift box directly on top of place settings, which can add another decorative element to your tables!
xoxo Siena – Wedding Videographer
www.digitalprincessproductions.com
p.s. Feel free to contact me. If you want to try to make something or need an idea, let me know… I’ll help you out! DiyWeddingGirl@gmail.com, diyweddinggirl.com
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You should remember your honeymoon for the rest of your life. There are millions of places the two of you can go, but how do you decide?
Most importantly you should choose a location where the two of you can focus on eachother, be busy with eachother and really enjoy eachother. Choose a beautiful location! Beaches are very popular locations and there are many beautiful beach destinations. And hey! Its a great excuse to wear less clothing
Our destination was Santorini Island, Greece . I have to say, it was the most beautiful place I have ever been to! Absolutely breathtaking all the time. It’s a small little charming and unique island in the Greek Caldera. It is known to have the best sunsets in the world! We stayed at a hotel called Oia Mare Villas. Great accommodation! Pictured below is a photo from our honeymoon.
The two of you have to choose together where you want to go and then have some unforgettable fun!
Hmmm….I can’t seem to figure out how to post a photo? Can someone help me?
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