A New Way to See Venues.... Hmm, I Don't Get It.

A Multi-Venue Open House... What? Yeah, that's the reaction I've been getting. Sometimes, just because something is clear in your own mind, it doesn't translate well to others. This has been my experience with the concept for a really fantastic event that I'm a part of; Wedding Walk Tacoma. I can see so clearly how the concept makes amazing sense; 5 premier venues, some of them with historic significance  all having a no-holding-back, pull-out-all-the-stops, interactive open house tour, ON THE SAME DAY! In my mind, who'd want to miss that?! Well, I guess a person has to understand it, to know that they don't want to miss it. So, here it is, described as best I can....

• Get your tickets online, CHEAP, by signing up for an invite! www.weddingwalkyourcity.com/Membership.html
• There's a start point, to check in. The start point is at the 1st participating venue, where there is also great parking
• At the start point, ticket holders check in, then get "passport" that maps out the whole event. Follow it.
• At each venue there's a Planner table, that explains the thought process behind the design/theme of each space
• At each venue (there are 5 venues) the event spaces are fully decorated, as if you are at a wedding or party
• At each venue there are great eats, from leading caterers, who've set up just like they would for a stellar party
• At each venue there is a dessert or cake expert, also set up and serving
• At each venue there are additional event service professionals offering goods, and/or discounts 
• Many venues are offering other activities/entertainment: Photo Booth, Spa Services, Candy Buffet, Live Musicians & DJ's
• Get your passport stamped at each venue to be entered in a drawing for a FREE WEDDING/EVENT
• At the last venue, there's an after party

"Okay, really, why wouldn't someone want to spend an afternoon this way?", I ask myself. Ah, because this concept is new, innovative and people just don't "see" it quite yet. So, come try it. See for yourself what a great time this is! Even if you're not planning an event, THIS is an EVENT, and IT'S FUN!

WEDDING WALK TACOMA, Sunday Feb. 24th, Noon-5pm: www.weddingwalkyourcity.com/membership.html
www.agreaterplan.com

Event Tenting the Northwest; When the Rain Won't Go Away!

The Great Pacific Northwest can't be beat for sweeping views of mountain, sea and sky. It's majestic  magnificent, full of wonder, and ....wet.

When planning any outdoor event in Western Washington, or Oregon, or anywhere that rain can sweep though despite a sunny forecast, a Plan B, is crucial! Tenting is the answer. If you do it right, it even makes a beautiful Plan A. There are ways to keep views unobstructed, and guests dry, at the same time.

clear walls keep out the rain, but let in the pond, fountain and forest views

1. For a gorgeous outdoor venue, plan to have the ceremony outdoors, with the realistic view that it might have to move into the reception tent, in the case of rain. If a plan is already in place, this Plan B transition will go smoothly. One way to prep, in case of moving the ceremony, is to leave space on and around the tented dance floor, using that space to move the ceremony under cover.

2. If you're worried about a tent obstructing the view, splurge a little on clear side walls. You can keep the standard white tent (recommended if you're putting it up for shade), but have clear walls installed, so everyone can enjoy the surroundings. Keep in mind, a clear topped tent will steam up on a sunny day, just like a greenhouse would.

3. A standard white tent can be decorated in your colors by adding swagging to the sides and ceiling. At party suppliers, online, there are many different options for purchasing fabric yardage, specifically for event draping.

4. Light it up: remember that any outdoor event, tented or otherwise, will need ample lighting. Discuss options with your planner, the venue or the rental company, to be sure there is practical lighting and pretty (mood) lighting.

Make the Day Memorable!

We all look for ways to make a special day stand out. So, what happens when you're out of ideas? It happens; we're looking for something so unique, so new, that sometimes the date approaches and we have..... nothing. 

tip 1. Being decisive is better than being right... If we always worry about being right, we may never make a decision. So, instead of asking yourself if something is "just right", ask yourself if it's "not bad". As long as an idea has some good in it, you've got a starting point!

tip 2. Something small, sweet and finished, is better than something big, ornate and incomplete... Yes! Big Ideas have their place, but they don't always have their time. I mean, if you can't manage time in a way that gets the big idea done properly, then it's SO much better to scale a concept down and do it well!

tip 3. Keep it personal... When ideas stem from what you, or the guest of honor, loves then an event is unique; uniquely YOU! That's what really matters.

Here's a cute idea for a child's birthday party, based on a simple idea; The Little Red Wagon

www.agreaterplan.com

link is on top photo for source

Rise of the Shabby, Made Chic!

 

Though all design styles appeal to me, on some level, I'm particularly fond of the rise in what is currently termed "Shabby Chic"... Wait, I take it back; the thought that "all styles appeal to me". Note to art scholars, Mannerism has never appealed to me. It's just kind of gross... though, hopefully, would never be found in any event setting. Anyway, Shabby Chic, has become known as blending vintage pieces (depression glass, early 1900's furnishings, heirloom linens) with more modern twists. In this time of economic trials, more and more brides are looking to their roots, and realizing what's really important; family ties of love, and fond nostalgia. Personally, I adore the trend that makes a place for grandma's silver locket (pinned to a bouquet), grandpa's pocket watch, and aunt Helen's milkglass collection. Weddings and Events are all about having the people around that you love most. Why not include their favorite collectables, in a tasteful mix of "now and then"? It's sweet, and makes an event personal and memorable.

Ideas for Shabby-Chic Weddings:
1. Use an antique secretary desk as the guest book table, with a modern fountain pen (less mess than ink well and quill), to sign in. Add some old family photos at the guest book "table", making sure frames are in the same finish, for some continuity.
2. Ask grandma, or great aunt, for a family heirloom piece of jewelry to pin to the bride's hand-tied (ribbon wrapped) bouquet.
3. Find vintage linens for reception tables. Smaller linens can overlay standard white linens.
4. Use crystal and silver (and/or pewter) on the buffet and in reception centerpieces. If the bride and groom, or the immediate family, don't have many of these pieces, recruit from friends, or start shopping thrift stores. To keep straight which is who's, remember to put a sticker on the bottom of each piece.
5. Add a classic poem to the ceremony order. Suggested authors are Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Emily Bronte, Anne Bradstreet, and William Blake.
6. Throw in a touch of lace. Great places to just sprinkle in a hint are the bride's bouquet &/or veil, the groom's pocket square, handkerchiefs for each bridesmaid and chair ties!

    

Figuring Out How to Incorportate a Handfasting Into a Modern Ceremony

As a Wedding Planner, it is part of my job to come up with creative solutions to a client's requests. Recently, a bride asked me if I had any ideas, aside from music, about how to add a little "Scottish Tradition" to her wedding ceremony. Since she's already expressed a dislike for the, now common, Unity Candle Ceremony, I thought, "Hmm, a Handfasting might work." She was intrigued, so I went back to my office to do a little research. Now, honestly, I'd only seen this old Celtic tradition in movies, like Braveheart, or read about it in books. It turns out that most all wording for Handfasting Ceremonies that I could find, were lengthy. Really, they were the entire body of a ceremony, not just a short "added wedding tradition" to place amongst the body of a more modern ceremony, that has the expected "message", "vows" and "exchange of rings".

What to do? Well, the solution was to write one, on my own, that fit the vision. Using ideas from multiple sites, input from the bride and groom, and a self-imposed word limit, I came up with a finished product that the clients were thrilled with. Read on, below:

 

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Wording for A Modern Handfasting Ceremony

In much of Europe, most commonly in England, Ireland and Scotland, until the mid 1700’s, few unions were initially sanctified in a church or synagogue, as Chaplains traveled, serving many parishes.
When a Chaplain wasn't in residence, couples' unions were celebrated by a simple handfasting ceremony in which the two partners, along with witnesses, joined hands over the village anvil, in the fields, or in groves of trees. The couple would link hands to form an infinite circle. Then, their hands or wrists would be bound together, in a pledge, symbolizing the binding together of their two lives into one. It is from this practice that the expression "tying the knot" comes from. Later, marriages were formalized in the local parish.
In honor of the Bride's/Groom's (Irish or Scottish or English) heritage, ____ and ____ have chosen for their unity ceremony, a Modern Handfasting, to commemorate their entering, together, into the union of marriage.


--Handfasting cord is taken from the altar.--


_____ and ______, this cord is a symbol of the lives you have chosen to bring together, in a bond of love, patience and mutual respect. Up until this day, you have been separate in goals, speech and actions. As your hands are bound together by the strength of this entertwined cord, so too, shall your lives be bound, intertwined in strength, as one.

If you would, please turn to face each other, and join your right hands.

--The Bride and Groom’s hands and wrists are lightly bound with Handfasting Cord.--

Just as your grasped hands are now united, so too, are your lives. May you be true to each other, forever in faithful unity, sharing in all things, with love and loyalty for all your time to come.
As further reminder of this sacred binding of one to the other, the bride and groom wish to say their vows, joined by the symbol of the knotted cord...


--Bride and Groom’s hands and wrists remain bound as they take your wedding vows.--

--Vows-- (as are chosen by Celebrant or couple; i.e. " ____ repeat after me..".).


As it is, these two cannot always be physically united with a joined cord.

--The Handfasting Cord is removed, (hands release and slip out) without untying it, and is replaced on the altar.--
As a reminder of this union, we use the wedding ring to symbolize the new connection, witnessed by friends and family, this day. It is a daily shining reminder of the sacred bond shared between a husband and a wife.


--Ring Ceremony--
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The added fun of this challenge, was that it added a unique touch. One that I could say that I helped with, to make the couple feel special. That's what I adore about my job!
Gina Marie Spadoni-Lillie
A Greater Plan Weddings and Events Consulting www.agreaterplan.com
Serving as your Premier Wedding and Events Planner for all Western Washington, including Seattle, Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Port Orchard and Bremerton ~ Voted in the TOP 5 for King 5's Best of Western Washington 2011!

Search Resources for Handfasting:

Celtic Cords by Niamh Trua

Mama Moontime (supplies and instructions on making multi-strand wool cord)

Nina Designs (Thick Silk Cord)