The Tribute
Kathy and I braved the cold winds Monday to visit The Tribute with our newest bride-to-be Kelly, her fiancee Mike and her family. This will be our first wedding at the Tribute and we were really impressed with the facility. It has so much to offer. First of all, we met with Bethenny, one of the event coordinators, and she was delightfully helpful. She took us on a tour to see the various choices for the ceremony. Kelly can choose from the ballroom, the outdoor gazebo or the rooftop terrace. In addition to the meeting rooms, The Tribute offers a very manly study complete with flat screen TV, leather couches, fireplace, and video games for the groomsmen (hope you can convince them to leave when it is time!). And for the ladies, well they are in for a treat as they have a huge suite also with couches, fireplace, TV, and a patio with a beautiful view overlooking the golf course. The Tribute also offers a small amount of rooms for out of town guests and a lavish Bridal Suite for the couple on their first night.This eliminates the need for a getaway car although they do provide a getaway golf cart for your departure from the reception.
Beth

Old Red Museum

Cyndi Hill is getting married at the beginning of January. We met with Cyndi and her mother for our final visit to the Old Red Museum. It is neat to be using such a historical location but with that come some restrictions that need to be respected. Since the building is not equipped with fire sprinklers (hard for me to hear since my husband owns a fire sprinkler company!), no candles are allowed. Another requirement that we have not dealt with before is that the caterer has to take all their trash with them…actually put it in their truck as the building does not have dumpsters. Luckily, Cyndi is working with Celebration Catering and they are familiar with the rules at Old Red Museum.

Cyndi has such a sweet heart for people and her emphasis is totally on the true meaning of the ceremony. I am excited to be a part of such a loving couple's wedding! What a great way to start of the new year! Blissfully, Beth

Photo courtesy of Blue Sunshine Photography

Geoff Duncan Photography

It was good to see an old friend today. Geoff is an amazing photographer and I'm so happy that his business is booming. If you are looking for unique, fun, and creative photos for your engagement, bridal, and wedding pictures, you should check out Geoff Duncan Photography.

Laura & Russell's wedding

                

Photos courtesy of Allison Davis Photography                                                                 

Truth in advertising...
things are not always what they seem.

Southern Weddings discusses why it is important for brides to be aware of the fact that vendors often pay for favorable reviews or for the opportunity to post on a blog. Check out their article, New FTC Regulations: Explained. Many thoughts come to mind concerning this concealed business practice...misleading, deceptive, untrustworthy...


I want to know if someone is singing a vendor's praises because they think they are incredible...or because they were paid to say it. Wedding Day Bliss does not accept any advertising, nor do we receive any compensation for products or benefit from the vendors that we discuss on our blog. We write about fabulous vendors, great merchandise, and subject matter that we feel is helpful to our readers...and we write it from our hearts.
Karen

Invisible Children Benefit

Wedding Day Bliss sponsored a screening of the latest Invisible Children video, "The Rescue". It was a heart wrenching update on the war in Uganda and its effect on the innocent children.

Now I know that doesn't sound very wedding-ish, but this is an organization that the three of us personally and professionally support. We have decided that a portion of our profits will be donated to this worthy cause.

Nov 17th, we were hosted by Judy and Steve Blaising in their lovely University Park home. Taylor Murdoch is the leader of the Texas Team of IC roadies. They drive all over the USA teaching people about the war in Uganda.

After the screening, Taylor told us about what is currently happening in Uganda. He saw firsthand what IC is doing to improve lives when he visited Uganda this fall. He was overwhelmed by what he saw. The people have nothing yet they know their way out is for their children to get an education and for the adults to learn a trade.

Through their schools for schools programs, they have been able to build new schools, get supplies and teachers for many of these children. They also have taught many of the women to make bracelets and MEND bags and purses. These are available at www.invisiblechildren.com. If you are interested in helping out, they have a program called TRI where you donate $3 a week. That is one less Starbucks for me!

Since this a wedding blog I guess I can best tie this together by saying, you can help IC two ways:

1. Consider making a donation to Invisible Children in lieu of giving favors (that usually end up in the back seat of the car anyway...sorry...it is true!)

2. Consider hiring us as your wedding consultants and know that part of your money is going to help the children of Uganda.

Oh and finally, that roadie that we love so much...he also happens to be my son, in whom I am well pleased (spoken like a true mom!!).

Blissfully,

Beth

Winning Bride is Revealed

Martha Evans is our latest winner of a FREE wedding coordination package. Martha and Josh, we look forward to working with you during this exciting time in your lives!

Photo courtesy of Allison Davis Photography

Green Living

We had a wonderful time exploring all the Earth-friendly treasures at Green Living's store in the Lakewood area. I was like a kid in a candy store! President and CEO, Tom Bazzone was so gracious to take us on a personal tour of this amazing store.

The store is full of eco-chic items for brides-to-be and newlyweds. I was blown away by the stunningly beautiful, recycled glass dinnerware and glassware products. My pictures do not do justice to the transluscent effect of the recycled glass products that are of the finest quality.                                                                    

Welcome your out-of-town guests with gift baskets filled with spa products, Equal Exchange coffee and tea, chocolate bars, and lavendar sachet.

Wine bottles have found new life as beautiful goblets and tumblers.

This beautiful table was made from reclaimed Longleaf Pine floorboards and provides a perfect setting for the lovely dinnerware. I could not pass up the attractive pale-turquoise splash candle in the bottom right corner of the picture. These would look striking at the base of a floral centerpiece.

Check out the Earth-friendly stationary and cards.

Yes, I bought an Elephant poo notepad, and no, you would never know the origin of the paper unless you were told. "The paper is really just fiber and vegetation." See, the paper has a pretty linen look.

Green Living carries Seed Paper that is embedded with wildflower seeds...great for Save-the-Date cards, favors, and Thank-you cards.

Beer bottles have been converted into tumblers... a groomsman's gift that they will actually use!

Dress your new nest with these lush organic cotton towels and sheets.                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Here's a unique gift idea for a guy...bicycle chain picture frames

I did some Holiday shopping while I was there...handmade tree ornaments, sari wristlet, and a Texas shaped cutting board for my son who recently moved to Chicago. We do not want him to forget where he is from!

Through their Fair Trade partnerships, Green Living offers products that benefit communities in need. I love purchasing items that have a far-reaching effect and I think the person receiving the gift is also blessed.

The angel ornaments made from soft drink cans are made by Zulu school children Angels Against Crime. The beautiful fabric angel ornament is made by Guatemalan women who are trying to pull their families out of poverty Hope Wear. The cute gingerbread couple are made in Nepal Fair Trade Holiday.  

Remember, just because an item is eco-friendly, it does not mean that it cannot be gorgeous...as evidenced by the products at Green Living.

Happy shopping, Karen

Resourceful Tips for the Savvy Bride...Is it possible to have the wedding of your dreams without going into debt?

Yes, but it will require preplanning and discipline. Many brides do it, and you can too!

Most people do not enjoy discussing budgets, and things may get a little tense around the house when determining the ultimate budget...The Wedding Budget. It will be less stressful for everyone involved if good communication and a sense of humor is maintained. The first step is to determine who is contributing to your wedding expenses and how much.

The next step is for the couple to envision what will make their wedding special and meaningful to them. Mindy Weiss, a celebrity wedding planner, says, “No matter how big or small their budget, every couple has to make decisions about their priorities. Here’s one good way to gauge how essential something is: Ask yourself, ‘Will anyone notice if we don’t have it?’”

Know the total amount of your wedding budget and stick to it. You can customize your budget according to the things that are the most important to you....for some couples it is photography, for others it is flowers and decor. Everyone has their own preferences and priorities.

Record ALL of your wedding expenses on a regular basis to help keep you on track. An EXCEL spreadsheet is an easy way to total up your expenses as you make purchases and submit deposits.

How do you know where to start when making a wedding budget if you do not know how much everything will cost? Real Simple Weddings provides a good starting point: Average Wedding Costs in Texas.


Another easy way to calculate your wedding budget is to use the basic guideline below. If you are planning a $20,000 wedding, the percentage listed for each topic will show you the budgeted expense. The percentages are just a guideline, customize them according to your priorities.


Reception                   50%-$10,000
Photography                9%-$1800
Flowers                          7%-$1400
Dress                              6%-$1200
Miscellaneous              6 %-$1200
Day-of Coordinator     5%-$1000
Reception Music          3%-$800
Cake                                3%-$600
Ceremony Music          2%-$400
Invitations                      2%-$400
Ceremony Site              2%-$400
Favors                             1%-$200
Hair, makeup                 1%-$200
Transportation              2%-$400


You have the opportunity to personalize your wedding by creating a budget that will reflect the areas that are the most significant to you as a couple. It IS possible to have a beautiful, unique, meaningful wedding without breaking the bank...and remember that clear communication and a sense of humor will see you through.
EXCEL is your friend!
Karen

Wedding Day Bliss at the City of Garland vendor fair hosted by The Atrium

GREEN WEDDINGS

The terms "eco-friendly", "green", and "eco-chic" are being thrown around by celebrities, politicians, and environmentalists, but what does it mean to the bride-to-be? Making the decision to have an eco-friendly wedding is easier than you might think. One simple option is to ask your guests to RSVP on your wedding website. It conserves paper, and saves you from buying RSVP cards and paying for postage. If you want to incorporate several green alternatives, a eco-chic theme wedding may be right for you.

In the Dallas area, brides are fortunate to have access to a store like green living which offers many earth friendly goods for your wedding and home decor. At their online store, they offer recycled glass vases, natural fiber napkins, beeswax candles, compostable serveware, recycled note cards, Fair Trade coffee, jewelry, organic cotton towels, etc.

Winner Is Announced!

CYNDI HILL
of Plano, TX won the FREE Wedding Coordination Package (valued at $975) from Wedding Day Bliss!

Congratulations
Cyndi!!!

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed Something Blue:

Traditions are old-fashioned to some and a loving connection to the past for others. I think that I see a trend of women being drawn back to traditions. Look at the retro and vintage craze in decorating, clothing and even cooking. People seem to yearn for a time when things were more family oriented and so this sweet tradition allows many generations to contribute to the Bride's special day. I fondly remember my mother giving me an embroidered handkerchief that my grandmother had used on her plantation in Tennessee.  I wrapped it around my bouquet right before I walked down the aisle .

I found this explanation of what the symbols mean and if  is true, then that family heirloom must have worked..... because I just celebrated my 28th anniversary!


Old as a guarantee that the love and affection she enjoyed before her marriage will endure,

New for success in her new life,
Borrowed as a symbol that friends may always be helpful when needed,
Blue to designate her loyalty and devotion to her groom.


Oh, and we are so excited by the response that we have had to our drawing that takes place tomorrow. You have one more day to enter to win FREE Wedding Coordination.... Valued at $975.00 !!
Blissfully,
Beth

Wedding Guests Complaints

Meredith Bodgas' article, Wedding Guests Secret Gripes, suggests some issues for the bride and groom to consider. First of all, it brings up the main question - should the bride and groom plan their wedding for themselves or for their wedding guests?

Disclaimer: The comments below are Karen's personal opinions and are not necessarily the opinions or policy of Wedding Day Bliss.

Guests Gripes:

1. "Your Timing Stinks"

2. "You Picked a Bad Day"
Karen - Quit complaining that the wedding is on a holiday weekend or on a weeknight. The bride and groom have probably given a lot of thought to their wedding date. They have good reasons for why they selected that particular date and they should not feel the need to justify it to their guests.

3. "You're Boring Us - Showing us a really good time is the least that you can do to thank us for giving up our free day, traveling, and getting you an expensive gift."
Karen - Wow, why were these people invited to the wedding?!

4. "The Food Isn't Great - We want a delicious meal way more than we want pretty centerpieces. You don't know this, but we actually think of that $200 gift as a contribution to a great meal."
Karen - Reception/food costs typically account for 50 percent of the entire wedding budget. Please be kind to your host and nibble on something BEFORE you go to the wedding!

5. "You Make Us Pay?! - When you have more than 300 guests and a cash bar, we wish that you would've just cut the list and paid for our drinks instead."

Karen - Most weddings have at least a few complimentary drink options. If you choose to drink something else at an additional cost, please don't complain.

6. "You Sat Us Here - Please give us plenty of places to sit. Cocktail hours are great, but it's pretty tough to balance our plates, drinks, and purses while standing — in heels no less!"

Karen - transitional cocktail hours are currently very popular. Most people are not uncomfortable standing for a short period of time. It is not just the expense of renting tables and chairs, but the cost of decorating the tables with linens, overlays, centerpieces, etc. that add up.

7. "You Don't Invite a Plus-One"

Karen - When trying to cut wedding costs and stay on budget, trimming the guest list is the quickest way to achieve it. A spouse or fiance should be included with the wedding guest, but it is not necessary to include dates. Brides and grooms want to be surrounded by people they know at their wedding.

8. "You Put Us to Work"

Karen - Agree with this one. Please allow your guests to be guests.

9. "You Don't Say Thank You"

Karen - This is a no brainer. Please send your guests a thank you card in a timely manner.

I believe wedding decisions should be determined by the preferences of the bride and groom. Certainly, they should try to make their guests as comfortable as possible, within reason. However, you cannot please everyone all the time. Planning a wedding can be very stressful. Many brides and grooms struggle with all the decisions that need to be made. So, wedding guests, please give the bride and groom a break! They are doing the best they can. As an invited guest, you should be supportive and rejoice with them on their special day.

Guests Do Not Want to Work!
I just read this from theknot.com and I thought, this is exactly why people need wedding coordinators!...it is as much for your friends and family as it is for you. People want to celebrate with you and not miss out on the special moments.

One of the main gripes from the guests is......You Put Us to Work!
"We know we'll have to help out with some tasks when we agree to be in the bridal party, but it's insulting when you consider a task like manning the guest book table an honor. We'd rather just be a regular guest at the wedding than have some silly duty like that. At the very least, give us a heads up if you'll need our help. Don't spring flower girl babysitting duties on us minutes before the reception."

People don't want to be running around looking for the tossing bouquet or finding people for pictures. That is what coordinators are for, we know what needs to happen and we are your extra set of hands!

Just a quick reminder that the last date to enter our drawing for FREE Wedding Coordination is August 31!
We are as excited as you are to see who our first winner is!! Beth

Bridal Bargains 9th edition

This book is loaded with insider information. The section on wedding dresses is fascinating! They reveal hidden costs, questions to ask before you order the gown, games bridal shops play, and best of all, they rate and compare top bridal designers. I was so glad that I read this book before I went shopping with my daughters for their wedding dresses! Karen

Vera Wang Bridesmaids Dresses
Vera Wang's collection of bridesmaids dresses is available online. Most of the dresses are priced between $190-$300. In a conversation with Brides.com, Vera Wang says that the number one mistake brides make when selecting their bridesmaids dresses is that "conformity of a dress can be somewhat tedious. Each attendant in a different gown can be a bit distracting. Establish some common ground, with slight variations for each attendant: dresses in the same fabric but different shapes, dresses in different colors but in the same style, all attendants in the same dress but carrying different flowers, all bridesmaids in skirts but with different tops."

You Can Have Your Cake and Eat It Too…
Resourceful tips for the Savvy Bride

There have been numerous articles about the economy and how it is affecting brides and their wedding plans. It may sound like everything is doom-and-gloom, but that is not the case. It IS possible to have a beautiful wedding without breaking the bank, but it will take some creativity and thoughtful planning. This is the first installment in a series, You Can Have Your Cake and Eat It Too…Resourceful Tips for the Savvy Bride.


The Guest List
The quickest way to cut your wedding costs is to trim your guest list. This will reduce costs across the board…food, drinks, size of ceremony and reception sites, chairs, tables, centerpieces, wedding cake, invitations, etc. Invite people that are important to you and your fiancé. Do you really need to include all of your co-workers, relatives that you've met once or twice, or your parent's business associates? There is nothing wrong if you choose to include these people, but invite them because YOU want them there to witness your special day. In her book Intimate Weddings, Christina Friedrichsen advises that you ask yourself these questions when making a guest list. "Are we inviting this person simply because we feel obligated to? Have we seen this person in the last year? Does this person have a significant other? If not, is it necessary for him/her to bring a guest? Do we want to invite children?"

The old saying, "The more the merrier" does not apply when you are paying for a wedding. Christine Boulton, creator of Wedding Dish writes, "75% of brides-to-be now have to adjust their budget because of the current economic climate. One of the ways they (45%) are making that adjustment is by reducing the guest list. Like I have been saying for a while, the weddings you see on TV aren't the Real American Wedding, they are the anomaly. It is time that the wedding media got back to reality and started showing brides that they can have a wonderful, touching, meaningful wedding without taking out a second mortgage." I totally agree! Good luck trimming your guest list!
Snip, snip. Karen

Invisible Children

Wedding Day Bliss is committed to supporting nonprofits. A portion of our proceeds supports Invisible Children.

Dog Days of Summer

With the Texas heat in full swing it is only natural that we think about how to keep our wedding guests cool for an outside wedding. For that I have two words, Arnold Palmer. An Arnold Palmer is a simple drink that was made famous by the legendary golfer who knew a thing or two about being out in the heat. It is a delicious drink that mixes two favorite summertime beverages, iced tea and lemonade. At first you may not think that lemonade and iced tea can be mixed, but they do combine together extremely well for a refreshing summertime sipper. This drink is a winner in many ways. It is a budget friendly drink as it has no alcohol in it and it is a healthy choice because alcohol can be dehydrating. Plus who doesn't love a cool drink on a hot day!

To make an Arnold Palmer simply:

• Make some tea, make some lemonade; chill.
• Drop a few ice cubes into a tall glass.
• Fill halfway with tea; fill up with lemonade; stir.

This would look great poured into mason jars filled with ice for a garden wedding. Prepare a table near the entryway and have some Arnie's waiting for your guests. They will appreciate a respite from the dog days of summer.

Blue Orchid Blog has a wealth of wedding information! Check out 30 days to plan a wedding.

Amanda's Wedding Video


Yesterday, I had a real treat! I got to watch Antanas and Amanda's wedding video from last summer. They are about to celebrate their first anniversary and it was so adorable to watch it with them. We reminisced about what they were thinking and feeling at different portions of their wedding and reception. Basically.... they just had a blast with all of their family and friends. When I asked what she would change....she thought about it and couldn't really come up with anything. That is good news for a coordinator to hear!! They still glow like newlyweds and it is adorable to watch them together.

It is so much fun to see our brides and their hubbies after the wedding. Luckily, we are friends with all of the families so we get to keep up with all of them. Hope your day is full of love and joy!
Blissfully, Beth

We plan to have a professional photo taken for our website when Matt comes back to Texas in August, but until then we have a blast-from-the-past on our About us page on the website. Karen has taken our photos from our weddings in the late 70s and early 80's and posted them by our bios. Don't judge us too harshly...one day your kids will look back at your photos and question your fashion sense, too!! (Really, hats were in style back then!!)

Seriously though, pulling out the old photos brought back great memories. We all married "boys" we went to high school with. Actually, Karen and I married our high school sweethearts. The four of us went to Lake Highlands High School and we were all friends. Mike and Ed played football together (Go Wildcats!) and Karen and I have been friends since Junior High. (She taught me how to curl my eyelashes!!) Kathy and Jamie went to Garland High School where she high-kicked her way to the top spot as Captain of the Drillteam and Jamie's arm led him to a college career in baseball! If I have heard the rumors correctly, even though they didn't date until college (Go Red Raiders!), Jamie had his eye on Kathy even at GHS! We are all still crazy about our boys...so I think we picked wisely back then!

With the dog days of summer upon us, I highly recommend pouring a tall glass of iced tea, cranking up the air conditioning and pulling out the old photos albums. It is a good way to remember the people that mean so much to us!

Blissfully, Beth

We're having fun!

Each bit of progress we make seems to make more work, but as Karen pointed out today...thankfully, we are still having fun! Today, we met with the printer to get quotes on our glossy cards and notepads for our giveaways at the Bridal Show. Personally, I am always ready for another new notepad and these will be so cute! Come to the Bridal Show at Dallas Market Hall on July 11-12 and we will give you one!

Today after our staff meeting, my daughter Elizabeth and I went to get pedicures and I read Modern Bride Magazine...it is so good this month. If you are planning a wedding I highly suggest picking up this edition!! Oh and please become a fan of Wedding Day Bliss on Facebook!
Blissfully yours, Beth

Beginnings...
Wedding Day Bliss officially got off the ground this week!!

Kathy and Beth LOVE coordinating weddings and did it on a part-time basis...until now. When they decided to do what they love full-time, Karen joined the team and they formed Wedding Day Bliss.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kathy and Karen have had their own businesses before but this was my first venture into being a partner in my own business and I had NO idea that there was so much paperwork for legal reasons, taxes, insurance...that is not the fun part I signed up for! I signed up for the flowers, the photos, the catering, the music and beautiful brides!! But luckily that is where three heads are better than one. We have each seen our strengths work together....and we are wise enough to know where we each fit in.

I will tell you that Karen has rocked our website!! Everyday it seems she adds another new idea ~ like this blog ~ and just when I think it can't get any better there is something new! She is also our numbers girl so she keeps us straight on the facts, figures and legal stuff! Kathy is our creative girl...she kept working with our graphic designer until he got our cards just right and we love them!! (Thanks Matthew!) Now she is busy creating the coolest booth ever for the Dallas Bridal Show. It is so much fun to literally see her face light up as those wheels are turning. She truly has a talent for all things beautiful! And me? Well I think I am the people person and a good problem solver. I love talking with the Brides and their Mothers and letting them know we can help them have a blissful wedding day!

We are having an absolute blast with this and would love to talk with you anytime! We have a comment section below and we would love to hear your wedding ideas, questions or suggestions. Also, feel free to call or email us at anytime...one of us always seems to be at the computer so you should hear back pretty quickly!
Blissfully, Beth

Wedding Books
My daughter Merichelle (Chelle's Belles) and I agree that these are our two favorite wedding books. They will inspire you to add creative touches for your wedding:
Southern Weddings
Jo Gartin Weddings

The authors of the above books also have wonderful websites
Soiree
Love Luck and Angels

We will add a FAQ page based on your questions and comments so please take a moment to let us know what is on your mind...