The one downside to these fabulous linens can be the cost but I have put together a couple tips that we love to pass along to our amazing brides:

1. Check out options that your venue may provide! (MAKE SURE THEY ARE FLOOR LENGTH THOUGH!) Many venues will offer a basic linen at little to possibly no charge but quite a few of these options tend to be shorter and will not be floor length, lending to a more casual atmosphere
2. Maybe instead of worrying about draping each guest table in your more expensive dream linen, choose a more cost effective, single color linen for your guest tables and splurge on your dream linen that may cost a bit more for your head table and/or cake table! This is a great way to create texture and bring in different colors!

Hopefully this helped open your mind to so many different options but if you are still a bit confused and want to look at options, feel free to call us or email us and come into the studio! We have linen books from some of our favorite companies like La Tavola & BBJ Linens and would love to sit down and talk linens with you!!!

Happy Planning!

I have seriously been lacking in my blogging skills in the last few weeks and I am SO SORRY! We have had quite a few busy weeks here at Always Planned, meeting with fabulous brides, planning for so many more and of course a gorgeous Style Shoot thrown in there as well! I can’t complain though, this has been the best few months of my life and I can’t wait to be a part of the beautiful weddings we have already for next year!

On to more fabulous business, my topic of the day: ESCORT CARDS!!

Last week, I sat down to put the finishing touches on the place cards for our upcoming wedding and I just fell in love with the creativity that is our Scrabble place cards!! Escort cards, an escort card display and place cards are a fun way to create a cute party favor, add a little bit of your “couple style” in the details or tell a cute story!

If you have considered having a seating chart for your wedding, think about the things that mean the most to you and your man! For instance, one of our wonderful grooms proposed using Scrabble tiles! Rayna worked her creative magic and now, 115(ish) place cards later, we have a fabulous Escort Card Scrabble board and a place setting, personalized for each guest that they can keep as a momento of that special day! For another one of our beautiful brides, travel and planes in particular hold a special meaning in her heart and we are going to have fabulous vintage 3D planes for her escort card table!

The sky is (literally) the limit! I can’t stress enough that your wedding day is meant to be a glimpse into the love that you two share, a way for you to show your family what your lives together will be forevermore! While traditions and the “norm” can sometimes cloud our decisions, it can be so meaningful and special to come up with some fun ways to incorporate yourselves into your day, even in the smallest details! It’s all about you all!

Happy Planning!

As a current intern, I can tell you that there is no better job out there! Don’t be fooled though, all of the fun that we have is only met with working five times as hard! We play hard but work HARDER! Rayna and Mallory are absolutely amazing to work for and it is the most incredible job! Be prepared to have lots of fun but also expect the unexpected and be willing to put in the effort it takes to create such fabulous events!

If you apply, here are some important details:

• Do not call or send an inquiry via our website.  Clients and vendors call me and potential clients submit an inquiry on the site.  If you want to be associated with Always Planned you must MAIL OR EMAIL Rayna your cover letter and your resume. No exception.
• This is a NON-Paid position.  It is best suited for someone working towards a college degree and who will receive credit for the hours or for someone wanting to break into the wedding/event field.
• You MUST be fun, energetic, organized, detail oriented, creative and patient.  If this is not you- please look into other intern opportunities.

Please send your resume and a short note to Rayna at rayna@alwaysplanned.com.  Always Planned is a great company to work for and we look forward to meeting you soon!

The Guest Book has been a wedding staple for decades but many modern brides are hesitant to simply place out a signature book that they know will be placed in a box later and possibly forgotten about in the process. Your guests are a HUGE part of your wedding, you have invited each of these family members and friends to be a part of your love story and the guest book is a great way to remember all of the wonderful support and love you both have from them.

The good news is, if the traditional signature guest book is not for you, many creative minds have been at work and new, fun, inventive keepsakes are slowly taking its place. At a wedding I went to in June, the bride and groom had chosen a guest interactive approach and given each guest a fun page to fill out with wishes, your own drawing of the bride and groom and special memories you had of them! After the wedding, she was able to put each of them in a beautiful scrapbook and they were able to share some fun laughs as a couple reading over them weeks later! Last week, Sarah and Ron chose to have their guests sign decorative plates that can be mounted on the wall or displayed somewhere in their home with well wishes and encouragement that will remind them of that special day they shared with all of their loved ones!

The guest book can be as traditional or as creative as you would like, but I encourage you to look into other ideas and find the one that best fits your personalities. Find something you can have for years to come that won’t just sit in a box, but will be a daily reminder of the love and support your friends and family have for the two of you during this next journey in your lives together!!!

Happy Planning!

The last thing you want to do is put one of your amazing friends in the position of really disliking the dress or being uncomfortable in the dress she is wearing on your special day. As the recent trends in weddings have leaned towards personal touches, vintage affairs and eclectic style, new “rules” for bridesmaids’ dresses have followed suit. Consider choosing a color, fabric and length and giving the girls the option to choose their own style that they love. Brides have even gone as far as to pick a style and a few different colors or shades and let their friends choose a hue of their liking, (perfect for an outdoor vintage setting in pale pastels maybe?). Finding a dress that could be worn outside of the wedding would be an added bonus to any friend who is contributing financially to her own dress.

This day is about you and your honey, and your girls getting to stand beside you when you say “I do” is an added bonus and a special moment you will all share forever! Making sure they look AND feel great, while creating the “attitude” you want for your wedding will ensure that they are able to relax and enjoy those special moments with you!

Happy Planning!!

This most intimate setting mimics the antique feel of days past, of the simple times, and most importantly – the true love that radiates from a soon-to-be bride. The rosiness in her cheeks, matching the blush of the lacy peonies in her bouquet. The light breeze that awakens the old oaks, lining the drive. The fresh scent of recently trimmed bluegrass.

The thought of it all makes me so giddy! (: I can just see it now – swaying tree branches, light wind chimes, the smooth hum of the crickets – eek!

But – while this may be MY dream come true, it could very well be another bride’s worst nightmare. For example, my best friend’s ideal wedding would take place in a Grand Ballroom of a very swanky hotel in downtown Chicago, with her reception following in the Penthouse Suite. Forget being outside, there would be eight feet of snow on the ground! (brr). She wants a very modernistic wedding, without many floral pieces or patterned linens. Clean lines and classy corners are what she is all about. And you know what? I love it!

Although my best friend and I have very different tastes, there is no way that I would allow her to be swayed by my opinion. When deciding on a venue for your wedding, don’t feel pressured to choose based on what others think. Talk with your fiance, make a pro/con list, discuss indoor/outdoor options with your planner – but make your final decision with your heart. Let yourself feel a connection to the location, and keep reminding yourself of that feeling as you continue your planning process. And though it may be stressful at times, remember – YOU’RE IN LOVE! (:

This is the perfect pick for a destination wedding or to incorporate a special place into your decor – a fun and subtle touch!  Only $15 by seller SurroundingsOnline.

Oh so vintage and blingy – these are a much for any vintage styled wedding.  I know that we are seeing vintage as the new buzz word for 2011 – what do you think?  Do you love them?!  I do!  Only $15 each by seller ericacavanagh.

I am having such a hard time deciding on my favorite – but these are definitely up there.  Oh so earthy, vintage and unique, these swanky bouts are only $13 each from seller TheBoutonniery.

If you are looking to add something fun and unique to your dashing assembly of groomsmen be sure to check out etsy.com and the sellers mentioned for the perfect fit for your style and personality!

Eleanor Roosevelt

I have a true love and admiration for shoes and my all-time favorite brand is Havaianas. These flip-flops are the most comfortable shoe ever and they come in stylish colors and designs. The photo below is of the collection I am packing for our romantic St Lucia vacay to Sandals Regency La Toc. Stay tuned next week as I blog from the property for a real time review!