Get to Know Proud to Plan: Hannah

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Childress Photography

Tell us about yourself: 

I am a Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management student at the University of Delaware. I am a girls girl and love the girly details of putting together a wedding! My favorite TV show is Glee because I was a total Drama Club and chorus nerd in high school. I currently live with seven girls and we all can not seem to get sick of each other!

Where do you live?:

I live in a house on the campus of the University of Delaware but home, home is Baltimore, MD.

Give us three words that describe your personality:

Compassionate, playful and creative.

How did you get involved in the event industry?:

My involvement with event planning started in high school with my senior prom and drama club trips to NYC. I loved the satisfaction of throwing a successful event and when I found out about Proud to Plan, I knew it would be the perfect company to learn more about the business from. 

What's your favorite part of a couple's wedding day?: 

My favorite part is the anticipation and excitement for getting ready for the big day. I love helping the bride and bridal party get dressed and helping them to feel confident and excited about such a magical day. 

When you're not doing events, what do you do?: 

I am a full time student, sorority girl, best friend, and girlfriend, so my time is definitely occupied when I am not doing events. 

Do you have any hobbies? Or what do you do for fun?: 

I love scrapbooking and crafting. There is something so therapeutic about the simplicity of crafting. I also love to run...well not so much the run itself but the endorphins that follow!

Fun question, if you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?: 

If I could only eat one food for the rest of my life it would be hands down be Auntie Anne's pretzels. Any variety is fine but you can't beat the classic salt and butter...yummmm!

Picking a Mother of the Groom Dress

Congratulations! Your son is getting married and you are going to look radiant and stunning on this amazing day. But it seems like there are so many rules on Mother of the Groom dress etiquette and protocol; not to mention the long list of taboo colors and styles! How will you find that perfect dress?

You should start by talking with your future daughter-in-law. Ask her if she has any particular color scheme or corresponding style in mind for the mothers. If she seems to have no preference, mention what you have in mind and feel out her response. You will be able to tell how much freedom you have to play with colors based on her reaction. 

Traditionally, Mothers of the Groom (and Bride) are encouraged to stay away from white gowns because the bride has "dibs" on white for the day. Black is seen as a bit dreary for a celebration and red is considered too ostentatious. However, with the right design, black and red can look elegant and chic on the Mother of the Groom. Also, try to steer clear of anything too revealing or flashy. By all means, pick a dress that flatters your body but keep in mind how the bride may feel if all of the the attention is on her hot mother-in-law. 

Before you decide on a dress, consult the mother of the bride. Classic protocol stays that the Mother of the Bride should pick her dress first and then work with the Mother of the Groom so that their dresses complement each other. Discuss whether or not you will be coordinating colors and styles. This can sometimes be very unrealistic if the two of you have different tastes. In this case, thank her for informing you of the type of dress she is seeking and assure her that the two of you will look fabulous in your respective styles. 

The bottom line is that this is a beautiful day for both sides of the family. As the Mother of the Groom you are a main character in this wedding and should absolutely look fabulous and memorable. Just make sure you are taking the wants and preferences of your new family into consideration!

These three styles are from Nordstrom.com. 

-Hannah

How to Choose a Florist

When it comes to choosing professionals for your wedding there are a number of things to consider- budget, style, compatibility, location, etc. There are a number of wonderful professionals out there, but they won't all be compatible, they may not be in a good geographic location for your event, and they may not fit your style concerns or budget.

Beverly & Chuck's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Lindsay Docherty Photography

Beverly & Chuck's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Lindsay Docherty Photography

To start, do your research and ask around. If you have friends or family members who have recently gotten married, ask who they used and if they were happy- ask to see pictures. Also, look online, read reviews and even ask your venue or other wedding professionals for recommendations. It's always a good idea to meet with a couple of different florists (or DJ's, videographers, photographers, etc.) this way you can get an idea of who is the best fit for you in all categories- budget, style, compatibility, location, etc. 

Erica & Gene's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Timeline Weddings

Erica & Gene's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Timeline Weddings

When you meet with a florist, bring pictures of bouquets and/or arrangements that you like and that show the look you're going for. This will give the florist an idea of what you like and will help them give you a price estimate. It can be hard if you have your heart set on a specific flower, because all flowers have seasons, and severe weather can impact how long a flower is available, or if it is available at all, so try to have an open mind! There are a lot of beautiful flowers out there, and many have look-a-likes, if a flower you want is unavailable or is out of your budget, ask the florist for a recommendation of something similar.

Kaylan & Dan's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Lloydlee Heite

Kaylan & Dan's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Lloydlee Heite

Spend time talking to the florist so you can get to know him/her just as they are getting to know you. Be prepared with questions and ask to see pictures of their work. Also, if they have a wedding coming up, they may have some bouquets or arrangements in house, it never hurts to ask if you can see what they've created. Don't be afraid to ask your questions, you're hiring them to do a job, this is your chance to find out if they're the right fit for you. Consider asking them if they've worked in your venue before; and if so, what type of arrangements do they recommend for the space? Does their price quote include set up and break down? If you want your guests to be able to take the arrangements at the end of the night, make sure you ask for a price quote with vases included and not as rentals. 

Kristen & Steve's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Mike Landis Photographer

Kristen & Steve's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Mike Landis Photographer

If you're not entirely sure what you want or need, ask for recommendations. There are a lot of times throughout your wedding day that you can use flowers, but you don't have to, so don't let your budget hold you back. There is a florist out there that is a perfect fit for you- do your research, ask your questions and you'll be fine. And if you need a recommendation or help, well that's what your wedding planner is for!

-Becky

Devon and Mike's Wedding

Devon and Mike were married in June at Cairnwood Estate and they put together a fantastic team of vendors, which resulted in a flawless wedding day from start to finish! Devon and her bridesmaids started their day by getting their hair done by Hair by Meghan, and makeup done by Nina from Cheekadee. Devon walked down the aisle to beautiful music played by Rittenhouse String Quartet. A family friend officiated their ceremony that was held outside on Cairnwood's grounds. After their ceremony, guests were able to explore the Estate and its grounds during cocktail hour and enjoy the delicious menu created by Sage Catering. Their traditional three tier square cake was adorned with blue ribbon to follow their color scheme. Fleur De Lis Floral did a wonderful job with the bouquets and centerpieces. Devon's bouquet was mostly blue hydrangea and her bridesmaids carried white hydrangeas and the centerpieces were a mix of blue and white hydrangea making them pop against the navy linens. Thanks to Synergetic Sounds, the dance floor was packed all night long and everyone was up on their feet dancing and Pete from First Floor Films was on hand to capture all of the fun! A big thank you to Ryan Estes Photography for sending us these incredible images!

Congratulations Devon and Mike!