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.

Rehearsal or not?

     Unless you are planning to elope or get married by a judge in his/her chambers, you and your wedding party are going to participate in a wedding rehearsal.  Even if you have been a bridesmaid in six weddings of friends, this is your wedding and you will want a run through.

     What are the things you will want to cover:

• The order of the processional and recessional:who goes with who and who stands where and for how long.
• Where the photographer and videographer will be located as well as any musicians who may be part of the ceremony.
• What music will be played - when and for how long.
• Who will cue the wedding party to enter and exit.
• The officiant's instructions and cues for vows, reading, music and movement.
• The duties of the flower girl, ring bearer; best man and maid of honor.

     Who will run the rehearsal?

• It's usually handled by the wedding planner you have been working with and/or the wedding coordinator from the church or synagogue where you will be married.
• The officiant will have input and the final word
• You may want to ask a family member or friend to oversee the rehearsal to make sure all the questions are covered, but be careful not to choose someone who could be at home on a battlefield.  These are not orders to be given, but friendly and caring requests.

     You are about to star in the biggest "show" you've ever been in.  No show goes to Broadway without weeks of rehearsals. You are only asking for your bridal party's attention for one hour or so and then they will be fed and thanked at your rehearsal dinner.  Make both parts of the evening festive.

Questions for a Wedding Planner

Should you hire a wedding planner or are you preparing to do it all yourself? Most busy working brides today need to the help of a professional planner - for all or part of their weddings.  A professional wedding planner's advice and expertise can save time, money and sanity so don't dismiss the idea out of hand.

When you meet with a wedding planner to talk about how much or how little you need him/her to do for your wedding, here are six key questions you should ask to guide that informational meeting.

1.  Here the vendors and venues I am considering using.   Do you know anything about them? Who are your favorites and why?  

The planner can often give you some good feedback about particular vendors and /or steer you away from potential trouble.

2.  How many weddings of my size have you done?

If you are planning on a small intimate gathering and the planner specializes in huge society weddings, you two may not be a good match.

3.  If I hire you for my wedding, what is your role and what is mine?

It is a good idea to have charity around who is responsible for what and in a tight situation, who has the final say.  Do you need to have the planner clear every little detail with you or can he/she make decisions based on early parameters you two have established?

4.  How many weddings do you do each month?  Do you have enough staff to cover all weddings you book?

You don't want to be one of a multitude in June if the planner doesn't have the staff to handle all of its commitments.

5.  Ask for a client and vendor list and ask if you may call them for references.

6.  Ask for an explanation of how he/she charges.  Is there a flat rate, a sliding scale, extra charges for add on's?

7.  Do you belong to any professional organizations?

Associations such as Weddings Beautiful Worldwide have helped increased the value, and raise the professional standards of wedding planners everywhere.

The goal of all good wedding planners is to save you time and ...and most importantly for you to enjoy one perfect day!

Great New Venue for receptions in Rosemary Beach!

If you are looking for a Wedding on the beach, or on a beautiful grassy area overlooking the beach, with a Reception inside Tommy Crow Studio's is the perfect location!

Using Technology

     Brides who are used to communicating with electronic "tools" may be tempted to "do it all" with technology when they think of wedding planning.  We caution our brides to take a careful look at the world of Eplanning.  There simply are times when the bride needs to leave the keyboard or apps and do some of her planning face to face.

     The Internet will be a help in searching out reception sites that may fit one's budget, but a bride simply must check it out in person.  She may be able to hear music played by a band she is considering , but nothing beats meeting the group in person.  

     Cake makers can show photographs of some of their creations on line, but until you've tasted the actual product, how can you decide?

     Ordering your wedding gown or bridesmaid's dresses on line is also a bad idea.  Sizing and quality can vary widely so you and your maids should try on your gown choices before making a purchase.  To assure that gowns will be in on time, don't risk ordering from an online resource.  Shop a reputable store that stands behind its merchandise.

     Before registering online for wedding gifts, we recommend that you meet with an expert sales associate at a major retailer.  They have years of experience helping couples select registry items.

     Bride may be tempted to send "virtual invitations", but once again we caution brides against that.  Use the Internet to enter pertinent information about your wedding but plan to send printed invitations.  As one bride put it, "I may be old fashioned, but there is a touch of class I want associated with my wedding and an electronic invitation doesn't cut it."

     We advise our brides to be careful about disclosing information about their weddings on the social networks.  Here we feel that "less is more".  Certainly share the joy of the upcoming wedding but don't constantly post updates on the status of your plans.  Don't go overboard posting photos.  A select few are a nice touch.  Too many will leave a bad impression.

Guest Tips! What should I wear to the wedding?

     Your college roommate is getting married in June.  Your cousin is getting married in July.  A co-worker is planning an August wedding.  While the bridal couple may be knee deep in planning, guest have a role to play in helping the couple have a wonderful wedding.  Guest are invited to provide public witness to the legal ceremony taking place and to help the newly wedded celebrate the importance of the steps they have taken.  Marriage is a public statement indicating the new legal status of the couple.
     While there aren't many "rules" about what it means to be a wedding guest, there are some time honored expectations and one question - what should I wear to the wedding - is real. While our culture may seem more casual than in decades past, this is still an important event that one honors by dressing appropriately.  Check the web page of the couple for clues to how formal the wedding is likely to be.  Ask members of the bridal party if you know them.  Here are some guidelines to help you decide.

• Don't dress to stand out.  Remember that the bride and groom are the stars of this production.
• Men should wear a tie (unless the wedding is at a beach somewhere)
• When in doubt, it is usually better to overdress rather than under dress
• Avoid any low cut, tight and /or skimpy dress.  Watch the sequins and the glitter.
• A black cocktail dress is okay, while white can be iffy.  If one does choose white, it is necessary to make sure that it looks nothing like a wedding gown.  Creamy white and simple style that is totally different from the gown is better.
• If the wedding is to be "informal" nailing down appropriate apparel can be tough.  Ask around to get a feeling of what other guests are planning.  Take a cue from where the ceremony is being held.  If it is in a large cathedral that will tell you one thing.  If it is in a party room at a horse ranch, you know that informal means something else.  If you get no clue from the ceremony location, try the reception spot next.  A country club cocktail reception will mean something quite different than a reception where beach volleyball will be the main entertainment.
• If the wedding is semi formal, it means that men should wear a suit and tie.  At one time dark suits were indicated, but that is relaxed now and tan or khaki suits are OK.  Women should wear a suit, a tailored dress or pant suit.  She could add some "bling" but don't overdo it.
• If a wedding is clearly a formal affair, men should wear tuxedos and women should wear cocktail dresses - long or short.

Whatever level of dress a guest decides upon, the other item to include is one's best manners.  This is an important day in the life of a couple and one honors them by behaving well.   Wearing one's best behavior is always in style.

Tips for the Bride on a Budget

     The results from The KNOT's 2011 BRIDAL FASHION STUDY indicates that for the majority of the 9,690 brides interviewed in the survey, the tough economic times "have not stopped brides from buying their dream dress."  (VOWS, January/February 2012)  Brides seem willing to cut back in other area's in order to buy the gown they want.
     What are some of the ways brides can save?
      They need to prioritize.  Figure out what matters most and allocate budgets accordingly.  These items should arise out of honest conversations between the bride, groom and their families.  Such discussions can make sure that what matters most is funded.
      Budgets need to be set.  Couples must figure out how much they can pay for individual items like flowers or receptions or photography and then communicate that to the vendors involved.  It works better if a dollar amount is mentioned rather than a price range.
      Consider your own resources.  Do you have unused frequent flyer miles that could cover honeymoon travel?  How about an uncle who collects classic cars?  Could he provide a unique and elegant ride between the church and reception for the bride and groom?  Do you know someone who "knows someone" who could get you a good price on quality champagne?
      Step outside the usual.  Rather than insisting on a Saturday night wedding, could you move to a Sunday?  It has always been an option but few brides used it.  Every time you choose times, places or options that few others are choosing, you'll save money in various ways.
      Rethink what your wedding means.  It is a special celebration for family and friends, not the way to pay back everyone who has ever invited you or your family to a party.  If you are thinking that your wedding is a way to impress people, think again.  Have it your way and keep it personal.
      Our certified consultants can help you find more ways to save and still have a beautiful and meaningful day.  Our Lavish Soiree Package is a great package to help you with your budget.  It includes our services in allocating your budget accordingly and keeping you on track!!

Role of the Wedding Planner

     If the bride and her family would like a stress free wedding, the solution is to hire a wedding planner.  If the wedding is to be at an out of town/destination wedding, then dependence on a planner at the venue to which the wedding party will be traveling is a must.  If the bride and the groom are planning a small intimate wedding and reception but the couple both have jobs that demand huge time commitments, a wedding planner can take the couple's wishes and instructions and produce exactly the event they envision.
     The term planner can cover a wide range of services.  In general the term refers to services provided by an individual, selected by the bride or her mother, to assist with some or all the details involved in the planning and implementing of an error-free, stress free rehearsal, ceremony and reception.  A plus feature in hiring a wedding planner or coordinator is that the bride can decide the level of service she desires and pay only for those services.
     Brides-to-be should determine the credentials of the planner they are considering.  They should check the training/certification that the planner has earned.   They should ask for references from two or three brides the planner has served and decide on the level of involvement they will require.  Maybe an initial consultation to help identify choices and set preliminary plans and schedules is enough for one couple.  Others may want a comprehensive package which covers time and advice on all aspects of the wedding plus vendor and site negotiations.
     Do make an appointment with one of our experienced consultants who can make a valuable and beautiful difference in YOUR wedding.