Helpful Tips for Planning the Perfect Day

You’re engaged! Now what? You’ve pictured this moment and the excitement of it all, but where do you start with planning? What are the first and final steps you take to ensure your day is everything you have imagined it would be? Wedding planning can be stressful and chaotic, but if you develop a plan of attack from the start, seek help and advice from professionals and simply allow yourself to enjoy the process of planning, it can be a wonderful and fulfilling experience for both you and your fiancé! Here are some helpful tips we’ve put together to make this time of your life less stressful and more enjoyable.

1) Spread the News:

For starters, you’re going to want to share the good news and show off the sparkly rock that now rests on your finger! Your loved ones and close friends would probably appreciate an in-person reveal, but over the phone will suffice if they are not near-by or if you are just too excited to wait to see them in person. Can’t spread the news fast enough via phone? iPads, iPhones and computers have great apps, such as Pingg and RedStamp, which allow you to send out creative announcements via text message or email. Being that it’s 2013, this might not be a bad way to spread the word quickly and with your own artistic touch. Wedding websites are another great way to spread the news and keep everyone updated on information throughout the planning process. Be warned, those who have access to your wedding website will most likely assume they will be invited to the big day. Therefore, make it exclusive to your family and friends that you will be inviting. Those who get added to the list later can be invited to the website when wedding invites go out.

     2) Hire a Planner:

Before you make the next move, you may want to think about who will be your go-to person throughout the entire process. This is where the idea of hiring a planner or day of manager may come into play. If you are someone who loves planning, tends to take charge of situations, is extremely organized and has trouble letting go of control, hiring a planner may not be necessary. However, hiring a day of manager will be worth every penny. A planner can help you from start to finish. They will bring your vision to life, manage your budget, find the best vendors to fit your needs and expectations and provide you with the advice and knowledge needed to create your perfect day. A day of manager is equally as valuable. The last thing you want on your wedding day is to be running around worrying about when the musicians will arrive, how the floral centerpieces are being set up, or even wardrobe malfunctions. Hiring a day of manager will allow you to sit back, relax and enjoy your day. They will take care of phone calls, vendors who are not on time and any mishaps that may happen along the way.

      
3) The Big Picture:

So now you’ve told everyone you are going to be saying your “I do’s” and the questions come pouring in: When and where will it be? What are your colors? Have you found your dress? This is where you may begin to feel overwhelmed if you haven’t thought about any of these things. Take some time to envision your big day and what that day is going to look like. 

• How many people will you be inviting? 
• What type of ceremony do you want? 
• What's your style; formal, vintage, rustic...
• Do you prefer having a destination wedding or staying close to home? 
• What color schemes do you love and what’s trending this year? 

Creating the “big picture” will help you determine the time of year you’d like to get married, the best location and venue for your wedding, the décor, and the overall feel for the day.

4) Set a Date:

After you’ve thought about the big picture, determined how long your guest list is and what time of year you picture yourself heading to the altar, it’s time to set a date! Sit down with your fiancé and immediate family members to determine the date that works best for all of you. Think about the time of year, travel, holidays, school, work, etc. If you have your heart set on a summer or holiday wedding, keep in mind that they are the busiest times of the year for weddings and venues and vendors will book up quickly. Getting an exact date narrowed down will allow you to book everything else you will need. Word of Advice: If you're set on a specific venue you may need to remain flexible on the date.

5) Determine a Budget:

“The budget” conversation is very important to have early on with your fiancé and anyone else contributing to the wedding expenses. Understand what you have to spend and how to work within that budget. When determining what you want to spend money on, it’s helpful to make a list of your priorities. For example, if you want your wedding to be a fun party, then food, drinks and entertainment will most likely be your highest priorities. If your heart is set on having a destination wedding on an exotic island, expensive décor may be the least of your priorities. Once you determine what your priorities are, it is easier to find ways to cut back on the things you don’t care as much about while really playing up the parts that will make your wedding memorable.

Your wedding will arrive sooner than you can imagine and the day goes by even faster! Enjoy every moment and don’t let the stress of planning and all the nitty gritty details turn you into a bitter bride and couple. Use these helpful tips for a smooth planning process and let the kinks work themselves out along the way!

For more information and helpful tips, check out our Facebook and Pinterest

Want to sit down with a wedding planner to talk about your big day? Our showroom is open Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm and on Saturdays from 9am-4pm, call to make an appointment or just come right in!

MarrymeNY 

a division of The Events Company

230 Harrison Street

Syracuse, New York 13202

315-422-9400

An Engagement Party Just For You!

Why attend a bridal show when you can experience 

Central New York's top wedding professionals 

at an engagement party they are throwing for you?

In honor of Syracuse Opera's

"The Marriage of Figaro"

we are throwing an engagement party

Friday, April 12, 2013

7:00pm - 9:30pm

Genesee Grande Hotel

1060 East Genesee Street

Syracuse, New York

Come and enjoy a hip cocktail party with a selection of hand crafted hors d'oeurves and tapas created by Chef John Grainger, fabulous desserts from Sweet Indulgence Desserts, entertainment from Maria DeSantis Jazz and the stars of "The Marriage of Figaro," and much more!

Interact with some of the finest wedding vendors in CNY:

The Partners at the Wedding Studio at 224 Harrison

Bride Design - Custom Designed Invitations and Stationery Suites

Hank Parker's Party and Tent Rentals

Maria DeSantis Music - Ceremony and Reception Music

Meghan Thomas Photography - Wedding Photography

Ormond Entertainment - DJ Entertainment

The Events Company - Wedding Planning, Design and Decor

The Floral Gardens - Flowers and Decor

Video Network, INC. - Wedding Videography

Genesee Grande Hotel

Spinnaker Custom Products

Sweet Fortune Cookies

Sweet Indulgence Dessert Catering

Syracuse Soapworks

The Speach Family Candy Shoppe

Don't leave empty handed! As our thanks to you, take home a swag bag filled with treats and special offers!

R.S.V.P.

Your reservation is your ticket. Buy your tickets today! And through the generosity of our event professionals, 100% of your ticket will go to support Syracuse Opera.

$20 in advance, $25 at the door

For more information or to make your reservation, contact Syracuse Opera at 315.476.7372 or www.SyracuseOpera.com

How to Create the Perfect Wedding Playlist

As professional musicians who have created dance experiences at more than a thousand weddings of every style, size, and type, we love to give each couple the music they love. Whether you want Motown, 70’s, easy listening pop, a string quartet, ethnic tunes, current hits, or any style of music, our goal is to make sure each bride and groom has a wedding playlist that is perfect for them.

But we also know from experience that a wedding reception dance mix has a greater chance to be successful and memorable by first considering a few important elements.

Here are some questions every bride and groom needs to consider before creating their wedding dance playlist:

• Do you want the music to primarily reflect your musical tastes or will you incorporate the musical
tastes of your guests as well? We regularly invite family members & friends of the bride and groom to choose favorites from our song list so they feel involved in the process.

• What are the songs, music styles or specific artists you DO NOT want included in the music mix for your wedding?

• What are the must play songs that are meaningful to you & your fiancée, or that are traditional and important to your families?

• Do you prefer high energy dance music throughout the evening or a “build up to it” approach for later, after dinner is completed?

• Do you want your guests dancing during dinner, in between courses, or just listening to music during dinner?

Once the songs are chosen, we help you decide when to play each song during the evening, and we can also tell you if the music is danceable. Keep in mind that people dance to what they know. You may have songs that are your favorites but “think dancing”!!

A thoughtful and personalized playlist is the key to a successful wedding dance. Good luck with your wedding and let the music begin!



Based in Syracuse, NY, the DeSantis Bands & Orchestra provides quality musical entertainment for all of life’s special celebrations. We offer musical ensembles in all sizes, from soloists to upbeat duos and trios to a full size band with vocalists, in every musical style a live band can play. DeSantis Bands and Orchestras is dedicated to providing the perfect music for every ceremony or reception need. Call 315-488-7611

We are proud members of the Wedding Studio at 224 Harrison,, the perfect place to plan your perfect wedding, in Syracuse and surrounding areas..Come to our downtown Syracuse showroom to meet with us soon.

Save the Date!

Wedding season is right around the corner and we couldn’t be more excited to start it off with an engagement party to promote Syracuse Opera’s “The Marriage of Figaro”! Join us at this cocktail style event to support the arts, learn more about the services The Wedding Studio vendors and other local vendors provide, and toast to the happy couple, Figaro and Susanna. Tickets can be purchased online at http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase. We hope to see you there!

Wedding Flowers for Holiday Weddings: The Pros and Cons

So you are getting married, how exciting!

The first thing that you need to do is pick a wedding date. Couples sometimes choose their wedding date to coincide with a major holiday. This has both good and bad sides.

I myself got married 33 years ago (and still going strong) on Memorial Day weekend. It was the first nice weekend after a very long winter, so some of the invited guests skipped the wedding to do family things. But then they came to the reception, so it all worked out

At The Floral Gardens we welcome holiday brides.

When choosing flowers for your wedding let the holiday you pick guide your theme. Christmas weddings offer the ability to have Christmas greens in your bouquets. Bridal bouquets of blue orchids will add that touch of blue for your Fourth of July wedding. Valentine's Day weddings bring red roses to mind.

Here are some pros and cons to consider when choosing a holiday wedding -

Pros
Holiday wedding usually offer more of a party atmosphere.
People are on a longer weekend, and out of town guests have more time to travel.
For Christmas and other weddings, many venues will already be decorated with holiday colors. This can save you money in the long run.

Cons
Remember for your out of town guests it is usually more expensive to travel around a holiday.
Flowers for a holiday wedding can be challenging. Florists may have to charge you more for a Christmas or Valentine's Day wedding because flowers are in high demand. And some florists don't even take Valentine's, Easter or Mother's Day weddings . Also with the time constraints of the holiday it is best that you secure your day with your preferred vender early.


Make sure you send save the date cards from someone like Bride Design to ensure your guests can attend. Putting a great team of professionals, like The Wedding Studio at 224 Harrison behind you is a great start to a perfect holiday wedding.

Wedding Tip: Open Bar vs. Consumption Bar

Determining the best option for offering alcoholic beverages to your guests while managing your budget can be like walking a mine field.

The Open Bar price is where you pay a set dollar amount per guest, no matter how much they drink. Unless you're throwing a bachelorette party, the majority of your guests will not consume that dollar amount.

Your better option is to opt for a Consumption Bar where you only pay for the drinks actually ordered by your guests.

Cheers!

MarrymeNY

2013 Color Trend Prediction: Neutrals

This year we are seeing a turn from shabby and chic to romantic and elegant and neutrals are really becoming the life of the party. Champagne, blush, browns, tans and even off whites are becoming key players at weddings and create a sweet, soft look for any romantic event.

2013 is shaping up to be a pretty exciting year in the wedding industry and we are excited to see where these color and style trends will lead adventurous couples. For more ideas and inspiration, follow our Pinterest boards and like us on Facebook to receive the latest updates in color and style trends!

2013 Color Trend Prediction: Grey

Fifty Shades of Grey was definitely a major hit in 2012 and there is no doubt in our minds that we will continue to see fifty shades of grey play a major role in wedding décor in 2013. Paired with other neutrals or a pop of color, grey is becoming more and more versatile and desired. Whether it is a dark charcoal or a light aluminum, this once considered dreary color is lighting up the party from floral inspiration to linens!

For more color and style inspiration, visit our Facebook and Pinterest

2013 Style Trend Prediction: Lace

We've always seen lace as a design trend for wedding dresses, but in 2013 we are predicting lace to be quite a style trend throughout the entire wedding. Lace will be seen on invitations, wrapped around votive candles, as linens, as menu and place card details, and even worked into the design of the cake. We can also expect to see a lot of lace paired with neutrals this year, giving weddings a soft and sweet vibe. Going for a rustic themed wedding, but don't want to lose the romantic feel? Pair lace with burlap! This classic beauty is making a come-back and pairing up quite nicely with many color combinations and design trends.

For more color and style inspiration, visit our Facebook and Pinterest

6 ways to honor a loved one on your wedding day

One of the challenges a bride may face when planning her wedding is how to honor a loved one at her wedding. I myself quickly realized this challenge as I began planning my own wedding. My father passed away when I was little and it never dawned on me how much I would miss him on my wedding day. I thought it would be nice to share some of the really unique and creative ways that some of my brides have used to honor their loved ones on their wedding days.

1. A brooch bouquet:

This is a collection of family brooches made into a bouquet. The most amazing part is that it will last forever!! Here is link to a bunch of different artists who create these on ETSY

2. A loved ones belongings:

Wearing something of your loved ones at the wedding. This bride wore her fathers hat for the ceremony. I am sure every time she looks at those pictures she will remember him. Another bride tied her fathers class ring to her bouquet.

3. Grandma's secret recipe:

A way to honor your Grandma's amazing culinary skills would be to make your favors out of her secret recipe!! I love this idea because everyone that is at your wedding gets to feel a little bit closer to Grandma.

4. Balloons:

At this wedding the grooms mother had passed away and she would have loved nothing more than a beautiful church wedding for her son. The couple got married at a big church and while outside in their receiving line they let a group of balloons fly away into the air. It was such a beautiful moment.

5. Loved ones note:

At this wedding the brides grandmother had written a note to her future granddaughters about a handkerchief that had been walked down the aisle many times before. It was beautiful to see such a wonderful piece of that families history.

6. Tattoo:

Ok I know this one is a bit extreme. I myself have never had a tattoo but after seeing this at a wedding this summer I am absolutely wanting one. This image I took this summer of a brides wrist, her 2 sisters wrists and her mothers wrist. Their father/husband had passed away and it was his handwriting of I Love You on all of the girls wrists. It has become my favorite image that I have ever taken. I know that in that exact moment my brides father was with looking down on her.

Although this can be a sad and emotional subject it can be happy too!! If you have any questions on how to honor your loved one at your wedding, I would love to help. Please feel free to email me at meg@meghanthomasphotographer.com.

Best Wishes!!

Meghan Thomas Photographer

www.meghanthomasphotographer.com

2013 Color Trend Prediction: Green

Green is the new black! With Pantone announcing emerald as the 2013 color of the year, we can expect to see this bold beauty paired with ivory, black, other jewel tones and even lighter shades of green such as jade and mint. This color can be worn any season and make a bold statement at your wedding. Mint is also making its way to the headlines. This soft shade of green gives weddings a sweet and sophisticated vibe and can be paired with a plethora of complementary colors, making it an even more desirable color to incorporate in your wedding design. 

For more color and style inspiration, visit our Facebook and Pinterest

2013 Style Trend Prediction: Patterns

The saying, “out with the old and in with the new,” couldn't be more relevant for weddings and events in 2013. If you were one of the lucky ladies who rang in the New Year with some new bling, you’ll be pleased to know that this is the year for vibrant colors and sophisticated styles. The wedding industry is seeing more and more creative color combinations as well as style trends and we couldn't be more excited to share them with you this week!

As they sweep the runway, and our Pinterest boards, we can expect to see plenty of patterns this year. After revealing their versatility in 2012, chevron, stripes, paisley and even polka dots will be making a stronger appearance at weddings in 2013. From invitations to linens, these patterns will give your wedding the “wow” factor and create the perfect eye candy for your guests. We can also expect to see more patterns throughout wedding attire. Floral bridesmaid dresses and striped ties will mix up the traditional look we are so used to seeing. Patterns are playful and offer endless possibilities when it comes to décor, but remember less is more. Done right, they can really bring the entire look of your wedding together, but don’t overdo it! 

For more color and style trends, visit our Facebook and Pinterest