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