Teaser Tuesday

Thank goodness for the rain's departure on Saturday afternoon for Greg and Andrea's wedding! The couple started their day at the Westin Mount Laurel. Gloss Salon was on hand to pamper the girls with hair and makeup. After hair and makeup was complete, the bride put on her beautiful dress, complete with pieces of Greg's mother's wedding dress sewn onto her dress. She also made herself a clutch using material from her mom's wedding gown! After everyone was dressed and ready, we headed to St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church where Father Joyce led the ceremony. They were announced husband and wife and then headed out for some great photos with Studio K Photography. Guests were so excited to see the new Mr. and Mrs. and showed their excitement by dancing all night long with the help of Illusions DJ. The ballroom was decorated with beautiful, tall white orchids by Leigh Florist, and we can't forget the yummy cake by Diane's La Patisserie! Overall the day was simply beautiful and included so many personal touches from the bride and groom. Congratulations Greg and Andrea! -Annemarie

Cate and Keith were married on Sunday with their closest friends and family in attendance, and even though it was a small guest list, it was a HUGE event and one of the most fun and beautiful that we've ever been a part of! Their photographer, Jennifer Childress, recommended our services to the couple when they were considering hosting a wedding in a barn on their property. The minute I got onsite and saw the space and met the couple, I knew it was a perfect match! Cate's a big Pinterest fan and wanted the wedding day to show off all the fun details she had been compiling on her wedding boards. We went with a rustic theme, complete with lots of burlap, lace, candlelight, vintage touches, great food, and organic floral designs. Our friends from Starr Events put together a delicious menu consisting of an amazing raw bar, seasonal salad, yummy entrees, and a dessert display of pies, cakes, and even a Coldstone Creamery sundae bar! Then, the AMAZING guys from Synergetic Sound and Lighting draped the barn in fabric and string  lights to create an unbelievable look! Our go-to gang for all vintage accessories, Maggpie Vintage Rentals, helped us select furniture and a bar for our vintage lounge, which looked beyond perfect in the space. Party Rental's farm and picnic tables were the perfect foundation for gorgeous floral design by Miss Fancy Plants, and we brought in a ton of rental items to fill in the centerpieces and decor. An intimate lakeside ceremony was conducted by Judge John Murray, and then following dinner, we were treated to a spectacular fireworks display, courtesy of the couple! Once the fireworks ended, the whole party moved into their tavern to cheer on the Eagles on their shut-out against the NY Giants! It was an unforgettable event with fantastic vendors and an awesome couple and I'm so honored we were a part of it. Congrats Cate and Keith! -Erin

Sunday was a wonderful day for Sara and Jared's wedding! Sara and her closest ladies started their day in a suite at the Omni Hotel with hair and makeup done by the staff at the hotel's salon. In between getting their hair and makeup they relaxed and enjoyed a catered breakfast. Sara then headed over to Hotel Monaco to get into her stunning lace gown. She wore a bolero during the ceremony and cocktail hour and then took it off for the reception- it was beautiful! Ron, from Faith West Photography, was on hand to capture their first look and the 2nd Bank Building and then headed out into the gardens for photos with their bridal party, while Damon, also from Faith West, captured all of the fun they had on video! Everyone then headed to the National Museum of American Jewish History for the ketubah signing and then the ceremony. Their ceremony was held on the 5th floor of the museum and once the coupled exited the space, we escorted guests down to the concourse for a delicious cocktail hour. The dinner and dancing portion of the evening was held back up on the 5th floor and was filled with lovely and touching speeches from the couple's parents and family. Tables were topped with pretty florals done by Nature's Gallery Florist. When it was time to kick the party into high gear, the Ken Ulansey Band turned up the tempo of songs and got the guests out onto the dance floor. It was a perfect day from start to finish and we were so happy to be there to help! Mazel Tov Sara and Jared! -Lisa

Teaser Tuesday

The weather for Ashley and Pat's Knowlton Mansion wedding was pure perfection. It was a beautiful day that began with the girls getting their hair and makeup done at Salon Esperanza. They then headed over to the Mansion, where they were joined by the guys, to finish getting ready. The couple shared their first look on the staircase in the Mansion and walked the beautiful grounds with their bridal party for photos. Michael Chadwick Photography was there to capture the day and guests enjoyed a photo booth by Best Booths NJ. Ashley and Pat's ceremony was beautifully officiated by one of their friends and another one of their friends provided the music and vocals. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a delicious cocktail hour and meal from Conroy Catering and the dance floor kept busy thanks to Dave from Schaffer Sounds. The bride did a lot of DIY projects that gave the Mansion a personal touch. Ashley and Pat, thanks so much for allowing us to be a part of your special day- we wish you all the best! -Becky

Patricia and Dan's wedding started bright and early on Saturday morning, with Patricia and her bridesmaids getting their hair and makeup done by Jazmin Rhee in their suite at Hotel duPont. Cory from Dorothy Cinema arrived in the early afternoon to begin the videography and shortly after Amanda from Love Me Do Photography arrived to capture the finishing touches of makeup. We then got Patricia in her Monique Lhuillier gown and sent her off for her first look with Dan. After, they headed over to Winterthur Museum for photos with their bridal party. The ceremony was held at the Reflecting Pool at Winterthur and was officiated by the bride's cousin and guests enjoyed cocktail hour at the pool before heading down to the Visitor's Center for the reception. The crew from Synergetic Sound and Lighting draped the space then uplit it in warm amber and projected a wash on the dance floor. They also added string lights to the patio outside which guests were able to enjoy all night when they headed out to the bar and to the photobooth provided by Majestic Photobooth Company! Mike and Pat from Synergetic spun tunes and got guests out on the dance floor- it was packed!! It was a gorgeous and flawless day and we are so happy for Patty and Dan! Enjoy this teaser from Love Me Do Photography- we can't wait to see the rest! -Lisa

Truc and Tuan's wedding day started with a Vietnamese Tea Ceremony held at the bride's parents' house. The wedding party were dressed in their Ao dai and, following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a delicious luncheon of traditional foods. Once the tea ceremony was complete, the wedding party changed into gowns and tuxedos and headed to St. Helena's Church for a Catholic wedding ceremony. All eyes were on the stunning bride as she processed to her groom and there were even a few tears shed during their sweet vows. Afterwards, we took some fun photos in the city with our amazing photographers Sam Hassas and Tony Hoffer, and awesome film crew from Tweed Weddings. Then, the gang arrived at Vie and were spoiled rotten by the Cescaphe Event Group- so much yummy food and cocktails to choose from! The room looked incredible thanks to the floral designs of Petals Lane, and the guests had a blast dancing to tunes spun by Binh of Silver Sound Entertainment and posing in the photo booth by Chariot. It was a long, great day full of love, laughter and fun and we were thrilled to help Truc and Tuan's wedding dreams come true! Congrats to a wonderful couple! -Erin

How We Can Save the Day with Our Emergency Kit

Besides helping our clients plan their weddings and coordinate everything the day of, we like to think of ourselves as our clients' own personal superman. We often find ourselves "saving the day" by reaching for our wedding day emergency kit (or our E-Kit, as we commonly refer to it), a large toolkit complete with a never-ending list of wedding day essentials. From stain remover to safety pins, we come fully prepared to tackle any issue that may arise on your wedding day. Below are just a few scenarios we find ourselves in on wedding days and what we grab for in our emergency kit to help save the day!

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Medicine and First Aid

Scenario: The groom had a little too much to drink the night before and is having a good old fashioned hangover headache. 

What's in Our E-Kit: We are stocked with all sorts of pain medication including Aspirin, Advil, Tylenol, and other medicines including nasal decongestants, if his hangover happens to really be a bad cold coming on, though it's probably doubtful. 

Scenario: The father of the groom is having some stomach issues from the coffee he drank this morning.

What's in Our E-Kit: From Tums to Pepcid, to Rolaids and Pepto, we have them all on hand so the father of the groom can take his pick of which works best for him. 

Scenario: The bride's gorgeous new shoes haven't been broken in and she's getting blisters on her feet. 

What's in Our E-Kit: We will help clean them off, put some Neosporin on them and cover them up with band-aids to get her back to enjoying her day. 

Scenario: The Maid of Honor's contacts are acting up and she doesn't have any solution.

What's in Our E-Kit: We have Visine, contact solution, and a case if she needs to take her contacts out. 

Scenario: It's that time of the month for one of the bridesmaids and they weren't expecting it. 

What's in Our E-Kit: We've got tampons, panty liners, and Midol so it doesn't stop her from enjoying the day. 

Scenario: One of the guests pops an appetizer in their mouth and only after the fact, realizes that it included something they were allergic to. 

What's in Our E-Kit: If it's a mild allergy, we have Benadryl on hand for a quick fix, but if things get serious, we also carry an Epi-Pen. 

While Getting Ready

Scenario: The bride has buttons going up the back of her dress and no one has fingers tiny enough to latch them all. 

What's in Our E-Kit: We have a latch hook to help get each of the tiny latches in a breeze. 

Scenario: Before the bridesmaids walk out of the hotel room and head downstairs for photos, their black dresses have collected lint and the silk fabric is causing a static party under the dress. Not to mention their strapless dress wont' stay up. 

What's in Our E-Kit: Don't worry, we have lint rollers and static guard ready to go and have a full stash of safety pins and fashion tape to hold their dresses up. 

Scenario: The bride jumps in the limo on the way to the church and while getting out, black grease smudged on the bottom of her dress. 

What's in Our E-Kit: We reach for our Tide To Go Pen, Shout Wipes, and other stain removers to take care of that stain fast. If the stain doesn't come out, we rub white chalk on her dress to help blend in and cover up the stain. 

Scenario: One of the groomsmen goes to put his jacket on and the button pops off. 

What's in Our E-Kit: We have a sewing on hand and have been known to replace a few buttons or sew ripped dresses before. 

Scenario: The groom's boutonniere keeps falling apart and the florist didn't provide a backup. 

What's in Our E-Kit: We carry floral tape, floral wire, and corsage pins, so we can make a new boutonniere for the groom in no time. 

Scenario: The bride is admittedly a crier and so is her mother. 

What's in Our E-Kit: We are stocked with tissues and will always have them on hand throughout the day for the first look, the ceremony, and at the reception during all the great toasts and speeches where there won't be a dry eye in the house. 

Scenario: The bride's nerves have been on high all day and she realizes she hasn't even eaten yet. 

What's in Our E-Kit: The ultimate life saver, granola bars, are stocked in our E-Kit. 

Scenario: It's a windy day and the girls' hair just isn't holding up while taking photos outside. 

What's in Our E-Kit: Our hair products include all the basics like bobby pins, hairspray, a brush, comb, and mirror so we can freshen up their hair before they walk down the aisle. 

Scenario: It turned out to be a 90 degree day in May, but you were forecasted to be in the 70s. 

What's in Our E-Kit: Our brides may need a little suncreen, a fresh coat of deodorant, and even some oil absorbing sheets to blot their face. 

Scenario: The mother of the groom's false eyelashes are starting to fall off!

What's in Our E-Kit: Don't worry, we have eyelash glue on hand. 

At the Ceremony

Scenario: As we start getting the outdoor ceremony space set-up, the wind starts picking up and the aisle runner, aisle markers, and other decor just aren't staying put. 

What's in Our E-Kit: We have a full stock of every kind of tape, adhesive putty, ribbon, glue dots, and more. 

Scenario: The best man was given the task of taking care of the rings. But, when moving from the hotel to the church, the best man forgot to bring them!

What's in Our E-Kit: We always keep two fake rings on hand just in case! No one will be able to see the rings during the ceremony, and they will never know! These also come in handy for the ring bearer's pillow instead of leaving a 3 year old ring bearer in charge of the real rings!

At the Reception

Scenario: The mother of the bride ate too many appetizers packed full of garlic during the cocktail hour and wants to go around to greet guests. 

What's in Our E-Kit: One of our mints, breath spray, or a piece of gum should do the trick, but we've got Wisps and a full toothbrush and toothpaste on hand to make sure her breath smells minty fresh. 

Scenario: While setting up the reception room, we need a little something on the cake table and along the bars, and your bar signage just won't stand up straight. 

What's in Our E-Kit: Well it's not technically in our E-Kit, but we always have them with us: clear vases for the bride and bridesmaids bouquets so we can use them to decorate the reception room along with easels when a sign needs a little more support. 

Scenario: With over 200 votive candles and another 50 large candles throughout the room, it may take a full half hour to light all of the candles. 

What's in Our E-Kit: We always have a full stock of long lighters to make lighting candles a quick and easy. And if one of the votive candle holders is missing the candle, we have some backups. 

Scenario: They got to cut the cake, and the groom decides to smash a piece right in the bride's face. 

What's in Our E-Kit: Don't worry, we're behind you ready with a pack of wet wipes, so we can get you cleaned up and back on the dance floor. We also carry an extra cake knife set, if the couple hasn't brought their own or the venue isn't providing one. 

Scenario: This emergency kit staple can be used in almost any scenario.

What's in Our E-Kit: All throughout the day we seem to always grab our emergency kit staple: SCISSORS! Not a wedding goes by where we don't use them. 

-Caitlin

Cake and Dessert Table Decor

Besides the sweetness of the occasion (your marriage!) the actual sweetness is the dessert! Your wedding cake and dessert table decor is a great way to continue your wedding theme and add a unique touch to your special day. 

The cake can be showcased individually on its own table for a more traditional feel. Votive candles are a great way to highlight this and add romance to this simple and elegant cake table. 

Shay and Aramis' Wedding
Photo courtesy of M2 Photography

A cake stand is also a beautiful feature to add dimension to the table. Especially if you have a classic three tiered cake, the stand offers additional height. 

Anna and Josh's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Clair Pruett Photography

Another great addition to a single display cake table is the bridesmaids' bouquets like our bride and groom, Kate and Bryan did!

Kate and Bryan's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Jenn Woodruff Photography

To combine your cake table and dessert table also offers additional decor. Offering an array of sweets on one table creates a plethora of options for your guests. 

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Adding family mementos to your cake or dessert table is a great way to be unique and personal as a couple. You can use images from your parents' and grandparents' weddings, baby pictures of you and your spouse, or pictures of your pet!

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Utilizing a different style table also adds an especially unique feel. Consider a vintage dresser or a tea cart. 

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Your new monogram or your last initial are also a simple and great touch to a dessert table!

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Dessert and cake tables are a great place to be as simple or elaborate as you wish to be. The smallest details can make all the difference, and a decorated dessert display will make your special day even sweeter.

-Gina

How to Budget for Your Wedding

Everyone had big elaborate plans for their dream wedding day, however, all those details can add up from a financial standpoint. Here's our advice on budgeting for your wedding and ensuring you execute your big event without going broke. 

Setting Your Total Budget

1. Discuss who will be contributing- Have either of your parents' offered to help? Will you and your fiance be splitting the tab? Make sure you have an open conversation with your fiance and your families, and be clear on amounts to be contributed. Remember that money from family sometimes comes with strings attached- parents can invite their friends or feel entitled to choose your wedding dress, for example. Make sure you emphasize that it is your wedding and that while you appreciate their financial contributions, you would like to have final say in all decisions. Setting expectations early on can avoid disagreement and heartache later.
2. Decide on total amount- Once you have an idea of who will be contributing and how much you and your fiance are able to spend, you can develop a total budget. Total wedding budgets can vary tremendously based on location, number of guests, and bride & groom lifestyles. Some couples can execute their dream wedding with only a few thousand dollars and others spend hundreds of thousands of dollars. The last thing you want to be doing right after you get married is digging yourself out of debt, so remember to only spend what you feel comfortable you can afford and pay off. 

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Allocating Budget by Category

1. Draft your guest list- Since many costs are dependent on the number of attendees, such as food/beverage costs and number of centerpieces, it is important to have an idea of how many people you plan to invite. 
2. Research vendors and get estimates- Getting estimates for what you are looking for in your local area is critical. You may not have a realistic idea of the average cost of a photographer or flowers until you ask around. 
3. Compile estimates to form your detailed budget- It is best practice to get several estimates from each type of vendor so that you can compare their services and price shop. Once you select a vendor, keep an ongoing list of total wedding estimates by category. We suggest using software like Excel so that you can keep the estimates organized as well as easily calculate differences between vendors. 
4. Use this guide for a breakdown of budget by category:

Pie Chart created by Christie

Tracking Your Actual Expenses

1. Analyze budget vs. actuals- Once you decide on vendors and finalize the cost of their services, it is important to keep track of actual expenses for each category and compare to your initial budget. Calculate any variances so that if you wind up spending more in one category, you can utilize excess from another category or cut back elsewhere.

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1. Calculate total spend- Once you have contracted with all of your vendors and know exactly how much each will cost, calculate total spend and ensure that it is within your original budgeted amount. 

No matter what, enjoy the wedding planning process knowing that you have made one of the first important financial decisions together as a couple!

-Christie

Teaser Tuesday

The sun was shining for Katie and Jason's wedding on Saturday. Katie and her bridesmaids started their day by getting ready at home with the help from the ladies from Salon du Monde. The bridesmaids looked stunning in different dresses in rose, gold, and neutral tones. The entire bridal party met at Sunset Lake Park for a touching first look and some pictures. Everyone then headed to Water Witch, which is a converted 1920s Clubhouse. The ceremony took place outside and was truly touching as Katie and Jason wrote their own vows. Everyone then enjoyed a relaxed cocktail hour outside, complete with Bocce Ball and Jenga! Rustic Food Custom Catering created a delicious vegetarian menu and their beautiful wedding cake was created by one of their bridesmaids, Laura. SRS Photography was on hand to capture everything, including the sparkler sendoff! Congratulations Katie and Jason!! -Jen

Teaser Tuesday

Saturday was a gorgeous day for Katie and Rayvaughn's wedding! The day started with everyone getting ready at the Wingate by Wyndham Hotel in Voorhees, NJ. Your Day Your Way came early to do the makeup and hair for the girls, and they looked gorgeous! The bridal party then made their way to Lakeside Manor for the ceremony and reception. The Wedding Pastor, Andy Mahaney, officiated the ceremony, while Party of Three entertained guests with their beautiful music. Guests enjoyed a pretty view of the lake during cocktail hour. Everyone then moved inside to enjoy the food by McFadden's Catering and music by Joe, from DJs Available. Centerpieces, by Precious Petals, included pink gerber daisies and a pink vase. The day seemed to go too fast but thanks to Mike Landis Photography for capturing these stunning images. Congratulations Katie and Rayvaughn! We hope you are enjoying your honeymoon in Puerto Rico! -Annemarie

City Themed Hotel Bags

If you have reserved a block of rooms at a hotel for your wedding guests, a nice gesture is to have hotel bags to welcome them upon check-in! This is an easy project and adds a personal touch to thank your guests. Below are some things to include in your hotel bags.

• 2 bottles of water
• Something sweet
• Something salty
• Mini packages of Advil, Tylenol, Tums
• Any pertinent information for the weekend of the wedding (shuttle information, brunch invite, etc.)
• Local information if you have several guests that are from out of town

Here are some ideas for your hotel bags if you are having your wedding in any of these areas. 

Philadelphia

Tastykakes: You really can't go wrong with this sweet treat. There are a variety of options, from butterscotch krimpets, to peanut butter kandykakes to cupcakes!

Herr's Potato Chips: A classic Philadelphia snack!

Peanut Chews: A candy treat that has been around since the early 1900s! 

Visit Philly's website is a great tool if you are looking to include some local information for your guests. 

Ocean City, New Jersey

Johnson's Popcorn: This is a famous spot on the boardwalk. Delicious caramel popcorn awaits your guests if you include this treat! Here is a link to their website where you can order smaller, favor size containers, perfect for a hotel bag. 

Salt Water Taffy: When you think of the shore, you think of salt water taffy! 

Fudge: Another great sweet treat from the shore!

Check out this website that could be helpful in planning an Ocean City New Jersey wedding!

Take this project as an opportunity to show off the location where you are getting married!

-Jen

*All images found via Google 

Teaser Tuesday

Friday was a gorgeous day for Rachel and Jack's wedding. They started their day by getting ready at the Sheraton Suites Wilmington. Their traditional, Catholic ceremony was held at Holy Rosary Church. Guests then headed to the newly renovated Waterfall Banquet Center for a delicious cocktail hour followed by dinner. Belak Flowers did a beautiful job of transforming the room. Rachel got the party started when she did a set with her band. Steve from Silver Sound kept the party going all night! They even extended the reception by an hour because the dance floor was so packed! Guests were treated to a cake from Sweets to You by Ginger and a fantastic candy buffet. JPG Photography and Flanagan Productions were on hand to capture all of the night's memories. The night ended with a spectacular sparkler sendoff! Congratulations Rachel and Jack! -Jen

Kim and Chris were married on Saturday in Delanco, New Jersey on the Delaware River. Kim's parents own a riverfront property and they used it as the site for their ceremony. Kim arrived to the ceremony on a horse drawn carriage provided by Uptown Pleasure Carriages. They were married in a personal ceremony that featured a solo sung by the bride's friend- it was a beautiful touch! The reception was held at Glen Foerd Mansion in their brand new tent. The tables in the tent were a mix of rectangle, square, and round tables adding some uniqueness to the space! The bride's mother spent months leading up to the wedding collecting cute and vintage looking vases and vessels to hold the florals created by Nancy from Wegman's. After a delicious dinner from Jamie Hollander Catering, the guests cut loose on the dance floor to the music spun by Matt from Synergetic Sound and Lighting. It was a picture perfect day from start to finish and we can't wait to see the images from the bride's uncle, Frank Barbera Photography! Congratulations Kim and Chris! -Lisa

Unique Readings for Your Ceremony

Let's be honest, ceremony readings can be a difficult thing to decide on when planning your wedding ceremony. When choosing a reading, there are a lot of things to take into account. Primarily, most couples would want their reading to resonate with their guests, while saying something unique about them as a couple. Obviously this can be a tricky road to navigate due to the fact that you're skirting a fine line between sentimental and sappy. Brides and grooms can spend days, weeks, or even months mulling over reading choices. 

Narrowing the decision down to literary or lyrical options was a bit difficult, but ultimately this is just a jumping off point. Hopefully the suggestions below will lead you in the direction you were hoping for. Instead of going with the more traditional approach using a religious passage or wedding blessing, these options give a bit more depth and range. Again, use these as a springboard to catapult you to the reading that suits you and your significant other best. 

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Poetry/Literature

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in) by E.E. Cummings

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)

i am never without it (anywhere i go you go, my dear, and whatever is done by only me is your doing my darling)

i fear no fate (for your are my fate, my sweet)

i want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres
"Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion, it is not the desire to mate every second minute of the day, it is not lying awake at night imagining that he is kissing every cranny of your body. No, don't blush, I am telling you some truths. That is just being "in love", which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident."

Atonement by Ian McEwan
"...falling in love could be achieved in a single word- a glance."

"I've never had a moment's doubt. I love you. I believe in you completely. You are my dearest one. My reason for life."

A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns
O my Luve is like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Luve is like the melody
That's sweetly played in tune.

So fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
I will love thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only luve!
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my luve,
Though it were ten thousand mile.

Song Lyrics

The Luckiest- Ben Folds
I don't get many things right the first time
In fact, I am told that a lot
Now I know all the wrong turns
The stumbles and falls brought me here

And where was I before the day
That I saw your lovely face?
Now I see it everyday
And I know that I am
I am, I am the luckiest

Words and Music- Sondre Lerche
You be words and I'll be music
Ain't you heard that's how they do it
You're a poem when you're on your own
I'll try not to get in your way
But I've all the pretty poems I have known
Baby, you give me something to say

I'll be words and you'll be music
I concur, I can't refuse it
You're a sad little tune by yourself
So lovely I wanna sing along
If there's one thing I know I can tell
When we get together we're a song

Whenever I'm with you, it's true
It's everything you say and do
It's words & music, you and I

Make You Feel My Love- Bob Dylan
When the rain is blowing in your face,
and the whole world is on your case,
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love.

When the evening shadows and the stars appear,
And there's no one there to dry your tears,
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love.

Love Me Tender- Elvis Presley
Love me tender,
love me sweet,
never let me go.
You have made my life complete,
and I love you so.

Love me tender,
love me true,
all my dreams fulfilled.
For my darlin' I love you,
and I always will.

Love me tender,
love me long,
take me to your heart.
For it's there that I belong,
and we'll never part.

Love me tender,
love me dear,
tell me you are mine.
I'll be yours through all the years,
till the end of time.

Given a bit of time, you'll find the right reading that suits your tastes, but allow yourself the opportunity to read through everything and anything that you may stumble upon. Dog-ear pages of books, go back through your favorite songs or movies and jot down lines as you hear them. Your best bet is to always have a notebook handy in case you get inspiration while out and about. This will all help to narrow down your choices and decide.

-Melanie

Ceremony Backdrop Inspiration

If you are getting married in a church or a synagogue, there is always a natural altar area and backdrop for you to have your wedding ceremony in front of. Besides some additional flowers or simple decor, the stage is already set for you. When it comes to having a ceremony at another location, especially outdoors, it's often up to you to set the scene. From Chuppahs to altars and arbors to pergolas, whatever you choose to call them, they set the backdrop for your wedding ceremony and especially for all of your ceremony pictures. 

You may have your florist create one, or be inspired to make your own. Either way, here are 10 inspirations for creating a more unique wedding ceremony backdrop. 

1. Paper Petals: A cheaper and easier way to make a bold impact. Simply purchase (or hand make!) paper flowers and attach them to a sturdy freestanding backdrop. 

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2. Chalk It Up: Make it personal by listing your names and the names of your VIPs. This chalkboard backdrop makes a great frame for photos. 

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3. Drape It: Draping helps create a more formal and romantic feel. Try switching out traditional fabrics for lace or even burlap.

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4. Graffiti Wall: Have a graffiti artist create especially for you and then transform it into a great photo booth backdrop after the ceremony. 

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5. Knock Knock: Create your own backdrop by hinging together old salvaged doors. 

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6. Let the Light Shine Through: Hang windows or hinge them and let the light shine through. 

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7. Quote It: Bring in your favorite song lyrics, a meaningful poem, a promise to each other, or even part of your vows. 

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8. Flower Power: Go straight to your florist and let them go crazy with flowers to make a beautiful Chuppah. 

KC and Eli's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Tim Joyce Photography

9. Light it Up: Use lighting to give a soft and romantic feel. String lights or candles will do the trick!

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10. Nature is Your Backdrop: Sometimes all you need are the elements around you to make the perfect ceremony backdrop. 

Lacey and James' Wedding
Photo courtesy of Claire Hudson Photography

-Caitlin