We've won the Couple's Choice Awards!!!

We are incredibly honored to announce that we won the WeddingWire 2015 Couples Choice Award for Wedding Planning!

This award recognizes the top 5 percent of local Wedding Professionals from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. 

What's special about it is, unlike other awards where winners are selected by the organization, the WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards® are awarded solely based on the reviews from newlyweds! They use a combination of four factors: overall rating, total number of reviews, review performance from 2014, and consistency of reviews from year to year.

It's amazing and humbling to realize that our couples picked us for this! To us, nothing is more important than taking care of our couples, and their families, on such an important day in their lives. To hear that what we do meant so much to them, is truly the highest honor! 

To see what our couples had to say about us, check out our reviews HERE!

Here's to more fantastic weddings in 2015!!!

Happy New Year everyone!

Wedding Ceremony Programs

Ceremony programs can be a traditional, fun, imaginative, and/or informational part of any wedding. While they certainly aren't a requirement any longer at weddings, we think they can definitely be a fun touch if there's a bit of extra room in the budget. It's a great first clue to the feel and theme of your big day and a great place to make your first impression with your guests.

Traditional bi-fold programs are a quick and easy way to make programs while still remaining elegant and purposeful. This particular program twist is great for summer weddings or any wedding that expects hot weather:

Photo via Intimate Weddings

I really love the idea of having the bridal party's info in the wedding program! You can even add in a short description of who they are, how you met, etc. This way, all the guests know just who everyone in the party is. Here is one cool example:

Via Events by Kelli

Quick tip - only order a little over half the number of programs as your guest count. I know, sounds crazy, but the truth is that most couples share them, kids don't take them, and tons get left behind in seats. Save a little $$ and order less.

Personally, I love it when couples include fun facts about themselves on them for guests to read while waiting. Also, any special traditions that will be a part of your ceremony are great to add into the program with a description of the meaning behind it.

What are your thoughts on wedding programs? Will you have them? Do you like them as a guest at weddings?

Highlight Video - Erin & Nathaniel

Andrew and Meagan from Unveiling Media have done it again with another awesome highlight video, this time from Erin and Nathaniel's wedding!

Their lake-front, backyard wedding was captured so beautifully by them and we couldn't wait to share it! Full of fun Gator details, lace and pops of gorgeous peachy color - it was magic!


Malcolm Wedding Highlight from Unveiling Media on Vimeo.

We were so happy and honored to be a part of Erin and Nathaniel's wedding! Check the video out and see for yourself how beautiful their day really was!

Venue: Family Home, Gainesville, FL
Wedding Planner: MasterPiece Weddings
Photography: Ben Sasso Photography
Videography: Unveiling Media
Catering: Blue Water Bay
Rentals: Beautiful Moments
Flowers: The Plant Shoppe
DJ: Wayne's World Entertainment
Hair & Makeup: Amanda Hopcraft
Cake: KB Kakes
Officiant: Rabbi Michael Joseph

Rain on your Wedding Day

Rain on your wedding day is never ideal, but it's something that many couples have to be aware of, especially in Florida. If you are planning a wedding outside, we've got some tips, tricks, and even fun ideas to share with you in case it does end up raining on your wedding day.

Have a Backup Plan

And be realistic about it. If your ceremony and reception are planned outside, make sure that your inside backup location is large enough to accommodate all of your guests.

Be Optimistic

We know that if it rains on your wedding day, it won't be exactly what you've been dreaming of, but you should always make the best of it! The real reason you're having a wedding is to marry the person you love! Did you know that rain on your wedding day is actually good luck? It's because a wet knot is harder to untie!

via Pinterest

Be Prepared (In a fun way!)

So maybe it rained in the morning and stopped before your outdoor ceremony, but the ground is still a bit wet and mushy. So you're wondering, "how will my bridesmaids walk down the aisle and take photos in their heels?!" Maybe they don't have to! If you think it might rain on your wedding day, grab some cute wellies for yourself, the groom, and the bridal party, and give them as a gift! Bonus: get a cute picture with you and your bridesmaids in your rain-boots!

via Wedding Chicks

Plus, even if it doesn't rain, your bridal party still gets a cute, useful souvenir from your wedding day!

Make it a Photo Op!

So you've got your photo with your rain boots on, now why not use the rain to your advantage with some beautiful photos that wouldn't have been possible without the rain?

via bobbi+mike

We love the photo on the right with the reflection of the couple in the rainwater. And it wouldn't have been possible without the rain!

We've had outdoor weddings where unwelcome rain has made it's way into the day as well. Luckily, our couples took some of these tips and still had fabulous days! Check out this fantastic photo from one of our weddings last year!

via Sweet Serendipity Photography

We know you can make the best of your day even with a little rain! What do you think about these tips and tricks?

A Wedding Day in the Life of a Planner

I had this idea for a series on the blog... 


Turns out we hear often (especially at bridal shows) "All my friends told me that I HAVE to get a wedding planner, so I know I wanted to come talk to you....but - what do you actually do?"

I get it - totally! The term "wedding planner," depending on the person using it, has morphed into many different meanings over the years. The good, TRUE, wedding planners out there know that to be a wedding planner, means being a confidant, time and money saver, point-of-contact person, detailed and positive for the bride and groom. I like to say we're "Command Central" for your wedding. And that's just in the months leading up to your big day. We're in three places at once day-of making sure everything is just right and that if any issues come up, they'll be solved before you ever need to know.

So I thought, once a month, I'd write a blog with a REAL timeline from one of our past weddings (names and dates changed to protect the innocent of course!), with notes filled in about what we were actually doing behind the scenes to make everything perfect for our couple of the day.

Here goes!

Installment Number One: A Vintage Wedding Morning Brunch

Ok, so of course, not every wedding has this many uncontrollable hiccups out of our fellow wedding professionals hands that needed to be dealt with and solved. We came together, pitched in with the other amazing vendors that day, and made it happen for the couple. 

Typically, the vast majority of our weddings run very smoothly, all things considered (they should - we confirm all details with everyone involved in a wedding two weeks out from the big day). I wanted to start things out with a doosie though, I am attempting to make a point, right? ;) 

The point is, our amazing couple didn't realize anything was ever wrong behind the scenes - honestly, I still don't think they ever found out. That's the point! You hire us - you get a dedicated team managing the details and you get to be truly guests at your own wedding! 

What do you think? Do you like a behind the scenes look at our weekends? Should I tackle Installment Number Two?! 

    

DIY Wax Paper Backdrop

I definitely love it when I see decorations at weddings that are both beautiful AND homemade. And an added bonus? Minimal supplies! This DIY wax paper backdrop has all three of those qualities!

via StyleMePretty

It might look complex, but all you need for this eye-catching backdrop is ribbon, crochet string, waxed deli sheets, a tapestry needle, and a match stick! It might take some time, but I think this project might just be worth it! So grab your girls and make s bridesmaid-bonding day out of it!

via Allie Rae Photography

Find the full directions here.

We think it'd be beautiful behind your ceremony, sweetheart table or as your photo booth backdrop!

Where would you hang this lovely DIY decor at your wedding?

Splash Zone Guest Book Art

Want an activity that's fun for your guests, and is something you can keep after the wedding as a special memory? We think this is just the thing! 

via Katelyn James Photography

I can definitely say I've never seen something like this at a wedding before! Fill up a bunch of balloons with colorful paint, attach them to a large canvas, and give guests darts to throw at and pop the balloons. After it dries, you can take it home and hang it in your home as a fun, one-of-a-kind piece of modern art!

We think these things might be self explanatory, but you never know:

Make sure to do this outside in a wide open area.

Make sure you keep it away from all other things wedding related. The ceremony, the reception, the cake, the dress...

Make sure the darts are in a safe area and out of the reach of younger children. 

Consider having some sort of barrier as a "throw from here" line so that guests don't get splashed with paint from being too close.

Would you do something like this at your outdoor wedding?