Congratulations Treves and Alissa!

Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Treves Lanham

We wish you all the happiness in the world. We had the best time planning your special day!

Wedding Trends for the 21st Century

     A posting from Emilypost.com lists the following trends as increasing in importance for the weddings currently being planned.

• Personalized weddings are increasing.  Brides may follow traditional guidelines for the ceremony and reception, but they also want their day to have elements that are unique for the couple and which make the event memorable.  Creating a monogram that is used throughout the process or adopting a signature color or theme are ways they are putting their individual stamp on the event.  Invitations may be the first indicator of the couple's decision to make the wedding uiquely theirs.
• Cost sharing is common.  At one time the bride's family funded the event, but with couples being older and both employed, wedding costs can be shared or even funded solely by the bride and groom.  What has not changed is the need to have clarity around who is paying for what.
• High Tech infuence is clear.  The internet plays a growing role in registries, vendor research and selection and information sharing related to the wedding.  Maps, instructions and even invitation design are possible with the help of electronics.
• Color is appearing in more and more bridal gowns.  Color themes are increasing popular and influence all aspects of the weddig - flowers, invitations, attendant attire, reception decor and even food, beverage and cake display.
• Grooms are more actively involved in wedding planning and choices.  Couples often take mutual responsibility for all aspects of wedding decision making - guest list, financing and even writing thank you notes!

For more ideas and inspirations about planning your wedding, contact us at 850-814-7526 or email us at planyourwedding@aol.com with questions.  Or check out our Facebook page!

Portraits and Pictures

     The Fall/Winter 2012 issue of the knot.com did a good job of suggesting new ideas for photo ops at your wedding.  We've included some of their ideas as well as suggestions from wedding planners. Wedding photos are THE lasting memory of your special day.  Making sure that the photographer captures the essence and spirit of the day is so important.  You may wish to review some of these ideas with him/her prior to the wedding.

• Though you may not like standing for posed portraits at your wedding, don't make the mistake of skipping them.  This is a special day that will only happen once.  Everyone is together looking their best.  Even if you think you don't want them, you'll be glad to have them after the wedding.  You can pare down to "five must-take portraits:  the bride and groom together, the entire wedding party, the bride and groom with their parents, the couple with the brides immediate family and the couple with the grooms immediate family." (theknot.com)
• Consider photos of the groom and his groomsmen getting ready.  The focus of the pre-wedding pix does not have to be on every hairbrush and roller in the bride's room.
• If you don't mind having the groom see you before you walk down the aisle, consider "staging" a "first look" photo on a stair case, in a garden, beach or courtyard.  The point is to capture his reaction to the first time he sees you in your gown.  this can be a speical shot especially if you won't have time between the ceremony and reception for many formal pictures.  Its also special because he is the first to see you before any of your guest!
• Consider having the photographer capture the look on the faces of the family members as they see you walk down the aisle.  You may not even have noticed those reactions in the rush of the moment but will enjoy them later.
• Ask the photographer to seek out an unusaul vantage point for shooting photos of the ceremony.  Request the same for the reception.  A wide angle shot of the reception area filled with guest will be a wonderful reminder of the entire day.
• Think of your wedding as a "time capsule capturing the context in which your wedding takes place" (theknot.com).  In fifty years, your grandchildren will enjoy looking at the photos.

     While wonderful wacky informal shots from your reception may be recorded on the disposalbe camera you left at every table (some you get back!) you will want pictures from a professional photographer who knows how important they are as a record of your incredible day.  Hire the best you can afford.  They are worth it!

Take A Moment in Time!

"THIS PICTURE SAYS IT ALL"

Take a moment to yourselves.... Your wedding day maybe planned for 4 or 6 hours, but I promise you it passes in an instant.  I love this picture it says a thousand words ....to this Bride and Groom, it says - "Ah, we did it"!! "We've made it through all the details of planning our wedding, handled all the guest questions and desires (stressful)... and we've said, our "I do's", taken family and bridal party pictures.  Now...we are taking just a moment in time to soak it all in and be alone with one another."

  Take the time to do this at your wedding.  Make sure you have a photographer, that just doesn't take pictures to fill the album, but they capture's presious moments like this.

P/S - We have extremely talented photographers and videographers in our area.  They know the perfect places for engagment pictures, they know each of the venue's like the back of their hand, so you have a creative album not just a traditional one.  As a Bride know that the photographers are the most important part of your day, because they capture so many prescious moments and you will have those for a lifetime!  Spend your budget wisely, but hire the professionals.

We have MANY recommendations for talented and gifted photographer or videographers, please give us a call today and not only will we help you plan the perfect day, but we will help you find the perfect vendors!

July 13th Bride and her DIY idea's

Another Elegant Beginning Wedding

We had such a wonderful time with Virnetta and Raheam's bridal party and family!

The Mother of the Groom, did all the footwork herself.  The banner that hung over their Sweetheart table was a quote from the Wizard of Oz, which I thought was so funny, the grooms cake table shirting was a towel they had professionally spray painted - Roll Tide, the candy table - boy did the kids have a blast with this, the "W" was all tootsie  rolls, with all sort of candies in the buckets and each place card had their name and meal they had choosen.  The tables weren't numbered they were named, flip flops, starfish, sand dollar, sea shell, etc.

There are so mnay things that you can do yourself, which just add's that special touch...

Thank you Virnetta and Raheam for letting us be apart of your special day!

Photo's are from our IPhone, but the professional pictures will follow soon.

Looking for decor that isn't that "cheesy" beach theme - I thought this was a nice touch!

Simple, Elegant with a Beach Theme!

We recently did this is a light gray and pink!  Will send pictures soon....

Dating...Romance....Desire....Wine... Relationships and LOVE!!!

Make's me want to run up and give them my business card! LOL

Need A Day of Wedding Coordinator? Check out the new DEAL we are offering to Brides!

Hello Ladies! Looking for a Day of Coordinator for your wedding? Elegant Beginnings Weddings and Events is offering $250.00 off our Day of Services package for weddings in 2013. We realize you have handled all your wedding planning and worked with venue's, caterer's, photographer's and many more vendors. Planning all that can be very stressful! Call us today at 850-814-7526 about our Day of Services and how we can take the stress out of the wedding day, so that you can RELAX & ENJOY!

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Klaus

Crystal and Mark were married at the Hilton San Destin Resort on April 13th, 2013

Crystal called Elegant Beginnings on January 2013, we hit it off on our first conversation.  I knew immediately we were going to work together great!  Check out the great review she gave us on Wedding Wire.  Thank you to all the vendors involved that made their day so Special - The Good Lord above for making it such a beautiful and perfect day for this outdoor wedding, San Destin Hilton for the great services they provided to the Bride and Groom, Minister - Don Goodrum, always a pleasure to work with, Elizabeth Laird photography for such great pictures, so talented and Perfect Day florist for the beautiful flowers!

Just another Perfect wedding with Elegant Beginnings!

"Changing Times"

     Many of the traditions that we follow in weddings today have their origins in Elizabethan or Renaissance eras.  It is no wonder that some changes have occurred.

• VOWS - the phrase "Honor and Obey" has been replaced with various alternatives that reflect equality in the relationship.
• BRIDAL ESCORTS - more and more brides and couples are having both parents escort them down the aisle.  In some ceremonies, the groom comes down the aisle with both is mother and father, followed by the bride on the arms of both of her parents.  This honors both parents and recognizes each of their roles in preparing their sons/daughters for this day.  In fact, if the bride's father is not available or if this is a second marriage, a bride may choose to walk down the aisle alone or she may choose anyone to escort her.  A sibling, her mother, her grandfather, her son or a friend may do the honors
• PARENTAL ROLES - Parents are no longer limited to escort duty.  Many grooms are choosing their father to be the best man and brides are asking Mom to be the matron of honor
• RECEIVING LINES - These may still be part of a very formal wedding where the ceremony and reception are at different venues, but for smaller weddings with the same site for ceremony and reception, more and more couples are foregoing the receiving line and instead making it a point to acknowledge and thank each guest at his/her table throughout the evening.

Lauren and Derrick's Wedding 2012

 Special Thank you to all the vendors involved San Destin Golf and Beach Resort, Blossoms Florist, and Jacqueline Ward Images.  It was a great team and an a perfect day for our Bride and Groom.   It was a pleasure to provide Full Service Planning for this couple.  Happy Days!!

Shelley McGlathery & Ryan Guidry Wedding April 14th, 2012

Shelley and Ryan were married at the Beachside condo Walkway and their reception was held the at San Destin Golf and Beach Resort at the Bayview Terrace and Ballroom.  This was a beautiful wedding and a very special couple. Thank you for letting Elegant Beginnings help you create your Special Day!

Also, a special thank you to all the vendors involved.  It is always a pleasure to work with such talented and wonderful people!   Floral Designer - Celestine's Special Occasions, Rae Leytham Photography, Bboys Productions provided a violinist for the wedding and a wonderful 3 Piece Band and of course Barbara Miller with San Destin Golf and Beach Resort!

Wedding Trends for 2013

            According to several sources, including emilypost.com brides this year can expect to see weddings that reflect these changes and influences.

• Personalized Weddings continue to be important to couples who are looking to include elements that have personal meaning to the couple.  Ceremonies and receptions can reflect multi-cultural and/or inter-faith statements.  Monograms remain important and reflect the couple's first names.
• The Internet continues to play an important role in wedding planning.  High tech access is used in vendor selection, gift registries, information sharing, guest information sources and communication with members of the wedding party.  Note:  Email invitations and thank you notes is still not considered correct or classy.
• The importance of color continues in bridal apparel.  While white and ivory remain favorites, wedding gowns are showing color touches, shoes are colorful (with blue the odds on favorite) and floral decorations carry the color theme throughout the wedding plans.
• The role of grooms in wedding planning continues to grow.  There are more and more joint decisions being made by the couple (who tend to be older and funding their own weddings).
• While the formal structured wording of the wedding invitation is still customary, more couples are choosing to individualize their invitations with colorful papers, ribbon trims and unique wording.  It is important to note that even if the format of the invitation is unique, it should still contain all the information guest need plus be grammatically correct.

            Brides need to remember that no mention of gifts, even"no gifts, please" is ever made on a wedding invitation.  It is acceptable to mention a website on an enclosure card and that website can contain information about gift registry options.  The phrase "black tie" may appear on the reception invitation, but is not printed on a wedding invitation.

Lavender Wedding

                                                 www.rebeccaknowlesphotography.com

Bridezillas Are Wrong

       We all realize that the bride and groom are the focal points of this very special day.  The wedding and its celebration are milestones in individual lives and family memories.  It is a significant social and personal event that deserves the attention given it.

        But what many of us have learned is that the weddings that are most remembered are those which consider the family and friends who will be joining the couple in celebrating the event.

         Here are some ways brides and grooms can focus on guest and family.

• Remember to treat attendants like the friends they are - not servants.  They are expending time and treasure to celebrate with you.  Certainly they are there to support your wishes, but not to grant your every whim.  Consideration and gratitude are welcome gifts to wedding party participants.
• When you are developing your gift registries, remember to include items for all price ranges.  Friends and family members want to give you a nice gift.  Spending time making some thoughtful choices.
• Select reception food that most guests will enjoy.  If you are planning an ethnic specialty, be sure to include an alternative.  Not every guest will welcome unfamiliar food.
• If music is to be played during cocktails and/or dinner, make sure it is back ground music soft enough so that people can hear themselves and others talk.
• If you are having a wedding with dancing, make sure that the band plays some "golden oldies" so that parents and/or grandparents and their friends can dance too.
• Don't micro manage everything.  Once plans are in place let vendors you've hired do what you hired them to do.
• For everyone's sake, try to limit the time delay between the end of the ceremony and the start of the reception to one hour or less.  If it must be longer, arrange something for the guests to do while they are awaiting your arrival. No one wants to go home and come back again.
• Remember that this is one of the biggest parties you and your family will ever give.  Make it memorable for your guest.  Give me a call at 850-814-7526 or email me at planyourwedding@aol.com if you need help planning your special day.