Fun Guestbook Idea

I've been seeing a lot of the thumbprint tree guestbooks lately, and they are so cute!

You can pre-thumbprint the tree, or have guests do it themselves

(just be sure to provide a wipe to clean up with).  

Add a little sign for guests to "leaf" their name on the guestbook tree and you're all set!

However, leaves and trees may not go with your wedding theme, so see below to personalize it!

 

Balloons in your color theme would be fun...maybe with a drawing of one of your hobbies (like the bike below, or skiers, etc), or how about a sketch of a little cute couple walking away, holding hands?

 

You can look on Etsy.com for various artists who can create and personalize these looks for you.

However, you can also download a tree image and create your own.  Thanks to Style Unveiled for providing a great Tree Download!
Here's the blank tree image and what they describe you'll need. 

Download Your Wedding Fingerprint Tree

Just click the image to the right to be taken to the downloader!  Work with your invitation designer to add your own names or add them yourself using an online editor.

• The tree is sized to be printed 16" x 20" with a quarter inch space around the edge
• You want "Archival" or "Acid Free" paper and ink to make sure it lasts for years to come
• Pack it flat so you don't have curling paper on your day.  You can also display it in a frame, minus the glass.

Who to tip! Wedding Vendor Gratuity

...there more like guidelines (insert your favorite Pirate of the Caribbean accent here).

That line has been running through my head all morning as I've been typing up my gratuity information for an article in Martha Stewart Weddings.  We won't get credited, but the editor is gathering up information from various people across the country for a December issue on gratuities and we were excited to contribute.  I'm sure many of you are wondering about tips...so read on for a few thoughts....

I have a very defined list of gratuity guidelines that I send to my clients.  It's a good idea to account for them in the budget right from the start.  Gratuities should never be expected, but be aware that many vendors will outright ask for them. Unless it's written in your contract (often times that's the case with limos) never feel pressured to give a gratuity, a tip is given for service that is efficient and above expectations.

The one that's always a surprise to couples is that the service charge from the caterer is not a gratuity.  If you are ever questioning if gratuity is already included be sure to ask. 

The one that drives me crazy is the tip jar at the bar.  If you are hosting the bar, there should not be a tip jar set out, and your bartenders should not accept money from the guests either.  You'll have to discuss this with the catering staff ahead of time so that the bartender knows how to address it when it comes up.

Besides the normal ones you would think about, DJ, caterer, hair and makeup.  It's also nice to think about some of the other vendors who've worked so hard for you, like your photographer, videographer, florist, wedding planner, etc. 

Many of these vendors are smaller companies, and honestly sometimes a lovely thank you note that they can show to potential clients, fabulous reviews you can post online, and of course telling all your friends and family how wonderful they were is better than any gratuity!

Wedding Shoe Obsessions!

I've been having a lot of shoe obsession moments lately!  I think I bought 3 pairs last month that I've yet to wear. When I saw this post by Inside Weddings I had to share the shoe love. It's all about Christian Louboutins as wedding shoes. (Sigh!)

Inside Weddings-Wedding Style: Christian Louboutins

Here are my faves!

 Photograph by Ira Lippke

LiquidLightImages

Photograph by John Solano

Photograph by Jay Lawrence Goldman

Who will you be wearing on your wedding day?

A Sneak Peek....Vintage Wedding!

Here's a sneak peek at Lisa and Dave's vintage wedding at the Westin Riverfront Beaver Creek.

Photo of the Week....Love is In the Air at the Westin Beaver Creek

During Lisa and Dave's Fourth of July Wedding at The Westin Riverfront Beaver Creek guests enjoyed a fabulous fireworks display....I love how Jason+Gina caught the fireworks in the background and that they look like little hearts!  How did they do that????

 

Dating myself here, but when I was really little I remember a TV show called Love American Style and I'm totally humming the theme song while I write this!

See Why Having a Wedding Video is Important!

Couples always tell me they don't think they want a video for their wedding, and I always reply the same way.  Why don't you look at one, so you know what you aren't getting. Just about every time they change their minds.
Video is so different from photography (no matter how fabulous the photographer), it's capturing everything that happens between the clicks of the camera. Once you experience that, then you'll see why it's so important to have both mediums.

Here's what I mean.....

Here's part of the first look moment from Sarah and Anthony's wedding in a great shot (among many others) from www.jason-gina.com

Here's the video trailer from Rising Moon...you can feel his nervous excitement to see her!

Sarah + Anthony Trailer from Rising Moon on Vimeo.

Both so different, both beautiful, and I believe both necessary!   Be sure to save a little room in your budget for videography...not having a video is the one regret most couples have, don't be one of those couples! You'll be so happy to relive your day again and again.

Have you seen this Amazing Wedding Music Video?

I've watched this video so many times recently, I just had to share it with you.....I love it! I want to do this!

It's a "parody music video of “The Time (Dirty Bit)” by the Black Eyed Peas that was filmed at the real wedding of Joya and Emre at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA" done by filmmaker David Robin.
Be sure to wait for the last few seconds of the video...



Anyone up for creating their own music video...I'm in! Let's make it happen!