meant2be events : Party with Pantone

We have mentioned before the influence of Pantone on colors and trends. In the coming months we will start showing ideas for the 2015 colors of the year that have come out from Pantone. But just in time for the weekend...let's think about our libations in a color story from Pantone!

Cheers to a fabulous weekend!

meant2be events: new tagline

We are so excited to unveil the new tagline at meant2be events!  Since we have grown so much over the last year, it was time the logo caught up.

Our very own talented Lynn Hochrine is busy busy taking Seattle by storm.  Frankly, Washington is leaps and bounds ahead of Arizona in a few ways- but for us the important thing to note is gay marriage is legal in WA!

It's important that we let everyone know we not only support this, but we are eager to help anyone and everyone celebrate their love story! So, "event planning for the modern bride" has now changed to "event planning for the modern celebration".

And we couldn't be more excited to share!

meant2be events: bridal party gifts

So through the planning process, I get all sorts of questions. One of the most common is "what should we get the bridal party?". They play a big role for you that day- Keep you calm, laugh with you and share tears with you, so it's important to honor them in the best way you can for spending this very special time with you! 

Here is a list of 50 ideas to take care of your lady squad:

Entertain her

1. Tickets to a musical or dinner theater 2. Magazine subscriptions
3. Headphones in her favorite color
4. Specialty playing cards 
5. The latest best-selling book
6. A gift certificate to a movie theater or music venue 
7. An e-reader like a Kindle Fire or iPad
8. A movie-themed gift basket 
9. Tickets to a sporting event
10. A set of movies themed around a favorite actor, director or film era 
11. A bottle of wine and a new board game

Pamper her

12. Silk pajamas
13. A Moroccan-inspired robe
14. Personalized stationery
15. A gift certificate to a local boutique
16. A monogrammed set of bath towels
17. A designer clutch
18. A gift certificate to a luxury spa
19. A designer makeup bag
20. A beauty gift package
21. A hair and beauty makeover at a local salon
22. A boudoir photo session

Make her something

23. Personalized jewelry
24. A scented candle
25. All-natural soaps
26. Holistic beauty treatments such as bath salts and scented astringents
27. A hand-painted platter or vase, designed at a local ceramics studio and personalized with her favorite colors
28. A knitted scarf, throw or other woolen delight
29. A hand-bound photo album or scrapbook
30. Assorted jars of homemade jam and scones
31. A personalized poem, framed

Play off her passion

32. A gift certificate for an introductory ballroom, salsa or flamenco dance class
33. Workout gear
34. A flight bag, camera case or classy travel kit bearing her initials
35. An introductory pottery class
36. A gift certificate for a session with a personal trainer, Pilates instructor, reflexologist or nutritionist
37. A hot new cookbook or a first-edition classic by Julia Child, dessert bowls or a state-of-the-art pepper mill
38. Gardening tools, a flowering plant or a gift certificate to her local gardening center
39. Vintage ashtrays, lace bureau scarves or Depression-era glass
40. A subscription to a niche magazine (like skiing or photography) and a matching accessory, like a hat and scarf

Wine and dine her

41. A French press with a pound of gourmet coffee
42. Sushi-making supplies
43. A fabulous bottle of bubbly, a nice ice bucket or a wine club membership
44. A gift certificate to a favorite restaurant
45. Luxe table linens, napkin rings and place card holders
46. Decadent chocolates
47. Caviar, foie gras or a gift certificate to a nearby gourmet grocer
48. A deluxe picnic basket
49. A cute apron
50. A collection of your favorite recipes with a tea towel or colorful colander

We found this juicy list on The Knot. 

Happy Planning!

regina

meant2be events

event planning for the modern bride

meant2be events: sweet favors

DELISH!
Rogue Confections Chocolates are as uniquely eye-catching as they are delicious. Handmade, pure Belgian chocolates adorned with cool colorful vintage patterns or customized with your own logo, photo or image. What a perfect custom treat for your big day!!

meant2be events: emergency kit must have!

Oh the things that amuse us planners....what a great find!  

meant2be events: Brides.Com & the ZEN mindset

Glancing thru the lastest from the greatest I fould this gem of an article available from Brides.com.

One of the most important things I can do for my clients is stay calm. When you are calm you can listen attentively, react surely, & problem solve more effectively in the face of high stress, high emotion situations. Most of the "stressful" situations that my brides face happen all the time. Like, "why aren't my guests rsvping?" , "what if my dress doesn't fit?", "what if it rains?"...the same isssues everytime.

Now for each bride it's your first time dealing with this, I know. But, in all the times I have, getting frantic never ever helped the situation. So, how do you stay calm?

Well, I love this article it appeals to my spiritual side....

Here's an exert:

A Zen outlook can help calm you down when the seating plan or his mom is driving you nuts. Consider Zen your spiritual wedding planner.

The truth about the slipper.....

So many wide eyed brides are fixated on fairytale romances that we grew up reading as kids. Many of those stories were written in other languages originally and have evolved into the modern day versions that we all know and love.My favorite mishap of translation that full wedding THEMES have been based on is the glass slipper from Cinderella. For the "fabley challenged", its the story of poor Cinderella - mistreated by her step sisters and patronized by her evil step mother. The kingdom holds a ball in which the Prince is to chose a wife. Through the magic of her fairy godmother {insert wedding planner here} she is able to attend the ball in a carriage with a beautiful gown and glass slippers. {As a planner I would never recommend a glass slipper...but I have to remember this is just a story}.

At the stroke of midnight the magic comes to an end {as it does in real life} and poor Cinderella is turned back into a commoner.  In her haste to escape, she leaves behind a glass slipper and its the one thing that brings the prince and Cinderella together in the end so they can live happily ever after!

In the wedding world...we live by the details. And there was a little misstep in the details during the translation of the original version of Cinderella. In the first stories written in french...her slipper was originally written as pantoufle de vair .In oral transcription was accidentally recorded as pantoufle de verre- which means glass slipper.

The VAIR version {and the correct version} meant her shoe was made of SQUIRREL FUR! A little less romantic to say the least!  Happy Planning!

meant2be events & picking your bridal party

So one of the discussions that happens often with my clients is related to bridal party drama. I have been witness to much shinanigans between a bride and her bridal party.

 We can honestly say that almost 50% of my brides will "fire" a bridesmaid at some point in the planning process.
In part I feel this happens for a few reasons. First, you are NOT obligated to have someone stand for you in your wedding because you did in their's.  Friendships change and evolve. Asking someone to buy a dress, hair & makeup as well as attend functions and appointments along the way is an honor and a responsibility. Consider if you are even slightly questioning if you want them in your wedding- you can guarantee that they are too!

Next, give your bridal party some slack. They have commitments in their own lives they have to honor too. Give them ample notice if you need something done- such as tuxedo rental or alterations. Consider your gift to them be something that helps them be a better attendant, such as hair & make up or shoes for the girls, or tie or shoes for the guys. This makes your vision easier for them to maintain and keeps you sane as well!

Last, your bridal party numbers dont have to match!! It kills me when I have the stand in bridesmaid/groomsman who could care less about the outcome of your day simply because of symmetry. And I ask "why do you want them standing for you?" The answer ALWAYS is "I want it to look right."  And my response always is 2 fold- first you dont even care if that person is there-how does that REALLY look?? And if I can teach you anything about design- ODD NUMBERS is the golden rule!  When someone drops out they don't need to be replaced nor do we need to add unnecessary placeholders if someone is added to the other side. 

In doing my field research along the way...I found this great Craigslist Ad for fill in bridesmaids!


Looking for Bridesmaids - w4w

---

Date: 2009-02-27, 8:53PM CST
^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

---

So, my fiancee and I are getting married in June. He has 8 groomsmen lined up and I only have one bridesmaid. So, I need some girls who are attractive and around my age to stand up in my wedding. You can be single or taken. It doesn't matter....you just have to be hot. But, not hotter then me. Email me for more information. The wedding will be in Madison and you won't have to pay for a thing.


Hope to hear from you!

• Location: Madison

Moral of the story- you are choosing your supporting cast for your big day. There are no rules, no obligations, no need for drama! You only have a very short precious amount of time to spend with friends and family planning and celebrating your relationship- cherish it and pick your bridal party wisely!

meant2be events: bridal show tips

It's that time of year again!   Time for another crazy Bridal Show!

Now these two were smart, they just hired us!  But for the brave ladies who decide that long lines, car salesmen tactics, and complete chaos sound like a good way to plan your wedding here are some tips to survive!

1. Bring a bottle of water and a snack. There are concession stands that are available, but they charge an arm and a leg. Also, cake vendors and caterers have all but completely stopped bring samples to shows~ so for those of you counting on the chocolate covered strawberry or the bite or risotto~ you will be disappointed.

2. Bring Labels. There are so many who still haven't figured this one out. There are lost of opportunities to sign up for emails, raffles and drawings it is likely if you don't bring labels your hand will fall off. And do not use your REAL email address. Create a wedding account to keep those blasts from filling up your inbox!

Lastly, relax. There are experts who have weeded through all the insanity for you , so you can have your "cake sample" and eat it too!

meant2be events: tips for having your dog in the wedding

Some people are very attached to their pet dogs that they want to bring him or give him a special role in events like weddings. And at meant2be events, we have had many four legged friends in our beautiful ceremonies!  Some of them as ring bearers, flower girls, and even a best man! If you are this kind of person, you would need to consider these tips on how to include your dog in the ceremony!  

Consult with the venue authorities first.
Before appointing your dog any role in the ceremony, it is crucial that you inform the people in charge of the ceremony venue first. In some churches and other wedding venues, pets are not allowed or there may be restrictions about bringing pets, so you have to know about these things before going on with the wedding planning. If the venue authorities would not allow it, consider finding another venue or have your dog stay at home instead. 

Choose a suitable role for your dog.
It is your pet so you know its behavior and temperament. Basing from its personality, you should choose a role that will be fitting for it. For example, if your dog is energetic and smart, it may be able to do the job of the ring bearer effectively (given that it would be held on a leash by an usher and the ring will be in a pouch to be carried in his mouth).

Practice your dog for its role.
To ensure a smooth flow during the ceremony, make sure that your precious dog knows about its role in the event. Practice several days before the wedding and be sure to reward your doggie for doing it right. 

Appoint a dog handler.
You have so many things in mind during your big day so it would be ideal to have someone walk your dog or take it to a place to relieve itself before the ceremony. 

Give your dog a good bath.
Before going to the ceremony, be sure to wash your pup so that guests who have allergies on pets would have nothing to complain about. 

Ensure that it is well fed and relieved before going to the wedding.
This is important to avoid unnecessary behavioral problems or tantrums that may cause to disrupt the event. 

Leave your beloved dog at home.
This is the right thing to do unless you can be absolutely sure that your pet can behave well during the event. You do not want it doing something that can ruin your special day.

With the right preparation and consideration, your furry friends can be a big part of your biggest day!

meant2be events: THE KNOT magazine party at firesky resort & spa

 What a great turn out at THE KNOT meet & greet party we  hosted at FireSky Resort !

God's Garden Treasures, Yknot, Ivy Studios, La Dolce Pesca  The Event Essentials

meant2be events: preparing for the "day of"

So there is the week before the big day, when all the little details are falling into place and the bride and groom start looking forward to the day finally coming together! And there are always lots of little things that I need to make sure there are no missed details to worry about....and VIOLA- thus came the creation of the BOX OF LOVE. This box has all the items that have been collected in the planning process...so I have created a list of items for my ladies to help them pass the right goodies on to me for safe keeping and for completion of their thoughts and wishes for their day! Some of these are obvious, some are really maybe not....

Attire & Just in Case Attire

__Extra Lip Gloss

__ Extra shoes (flip flops, slippers)

__Extra outfit for after the wedding

Getting Ready

__Food and Beverages for the time while getting ready
__Your emergency kit

Reception Details

__Cake Topper (if not previously delivered to cake designer)

__Toasting Flutes

__Serving Set

__Guest Book

__Card box

__Votives with candles

__Favors

__Gratuity Envelopes

__Marriage License

__Reception Stationary

Every Bride will have a variation of this, but will get you started on your BOX OF LOVE!

All of these goodies are to be exchanged at the rehearsal, so that on that day its all taken care of!