What I'm Loving Today

Today, I was searching for a unique "happy" for a friend of mine when I stumbled upon this site.  I love finding new resources, and this one is a two-fer as I quickly discovered that they also do wedding favors!  I think I'm in love...

The Secret Garden

The Dreaded Budget

I watch every wedding show on TV (yeah, I know) with the exception of one - Rich Bride, Poor Bride - because I refuse to spend thirty minutes of my time watching people fight over the wedding budget.  I guess it's too close to real life and TV is supposed to be about suspending reality.

I have found that when most couples begin planning their wedding, they visit a bridal media website and either print, download, or use the site's wedding budget calculator to determine their wedding budget.  You know, the one that let's you enter a figure and then breaks it down into neat categories like 36% catering, 10% photographer, 5% cake, 3% flowers, 2% DJ, 1% miscellaneous.

Then the couple meets with a few wedding vendors and find that catering is about 50-65% of the budget and the photographer is really 15%, flowers 12%, and so the fighting ensues, and it doesn't stop either especially in the last month when all the miscellaneous items start adding up to a figure far greater than 1% of the budget.

So, to avoid using the phrase: "I can't wait for this wedding to be over," which usually follows a fight over the budget, plan your budget realistically.  I'm not totally knocking calculators.  Use them, they're a good guide, but if you haven't planned a wedding or have been intimately involved in helping someone plan a wedding in the last five years and you don't watch every wedding show on TV, pick up the phone and make some calls.  Surf the web.  Talk to other brides in your local area in the midst of planning their own nuptials.  Attend bridal shows.  Read local bridal magazines.  Then sit down with all the power players (the people footing the bill) to determine your must-haves, nice-to-haves, and needs to come up with a figure and spending plan that works for all.

Give a Little, Get a Lot!

Recently I read about Maria and Evan, an adorable couple who were married in November 2009.  The night after they had their engagement photo session, Evan stopped by the store to pick up a couple of items and was hit by another driver, splitting his car in two and throwing him into a concrete wall.  This accident resulted in a fractured neck at a C2 vertebra, and injury that is often fatal.  Doctors told Maria that Evan would probably not be able to walk down the aisle.

Click below to read their sweet story.  Trust me, you don't want to miss it!

Roll Tide & the Groom's Table

I know, I know...I'm a little late in congratulating the 2009 National Champions...our own, University of Alabama.  So, now is a better time than ever to discuss the Groom's Table.

Most of us remember the scene in Steel Magnolias when all of the women are in Truvy's beauty shop discussing the groom's cake, a red velvet cake with gray icing in the shape of an armadillo.  In the Northern US, not too many people had heard of a groom's cake before Shelby's wedding, but in the Southern States, it is a long standing tradition.

With its roots in Southern tradition, the grooms cake has been around for many years.  Traditionally, the grooms cake was a dark fruitcake, sliced and boxed for the unmarried girls attending the wedding.  She would take it home and place it under her pillow hopeful that the man she dreamed of would become her future husband.

Today, the cake is to be a reflection of the groom's interests, hobbies, favorite sports, alma mater, profession, or anything else that he enjoys.  While a grooms cake is not mandatory at a wedding, it does add a special and memorable touch.

These cakes were made by Diana Olexa at Olexa's Catering.  Call them today at 205.871.2060 to find out how they can help add that personal touch to your wedding cakes.

Oh...and Roll Tide!

Rachel + Bobby Engagement

Rachel and Bobby are getting married February 20, 2010 at Independent Presbyterian with their reception being held at the beautiful Rosewood Hall in Homewood.  The bride's father captured this beautiful couple in New York City, where the bride currently resides.  Check back with us in a few months for pictures from what is sure to be an unforgettable evening.

 

 

Evie + Lee Engagement

Evie and Lee are getting married on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at Covenant Presbyterian Church, with the reception following at Vestavia Country Club.  Stay tuned for more pictures from photographer, Dee Moore.

Have You Voted?

Have you cast your vote for Best Wedding Planner in Alabama? Voting ends Thursday, January 7 at midnight!

Everything Bridal at The Veranda on Highland

An afternoon at The Veranda on Highland

Sunday, January 10, 2010

2 p.m.

The Veranda on Highland is the perfect location to host your rehearsal dinner, bridal luncheon, and wedding reception!  Enjoy a bridal afternoon as you tour the facility, enjoy tastings of their exquisite menu and wines, drink Champagne, and visit exquisite room displays and decorations provided by selected Birmingham vendors.

Come see M. Elizabeth Weddings & Events and several other wonderful Birmingham-area vendors! You don't want to miss this!  Call my sweet friend, Event Coordinator at The Veranda, Virginia Au, for more information (205.939.5551).

Portico Weddings

The wedding issue of Portico has hit newsstands!  This issue has wonderful gift ideas for your out-of-town guests and an article on Birmingham area stationary experts.

While I was in graduate school at Auburn University, I served as Alumnae Advisor for the Tri Delta chapter on campus.  This issue is extra special to me, because the bride on the cover was a member of the chapter while I served as advisor. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Craig Strong who were married August 15, 2009 at Auburn United Methodist Church in downtown Auburn, with a reception following at Fountainview Mansion.

Engaged brides, do you want to be apart of Portico's Summer Wedding Issue?  Visit their website or contact them at 205.879.6922 or weddingissue@gmail.com!

Birmingham Magazine goes Bridal

Go pick up your copy of Birmingham Magazine today.  This first wedding issue under new editor, Julie Keith, is not to be missed!  With articles on Birmingham's own Project Runway alumna, Heidi Elnora, and Dreamcakes owner, Jan Moon, this magazine is a "must" for any bride-to-be!  The new "Savvy Bride" section is a great resource for brides-to-be when looking for vendors for your wedding day.  M. Elizabeth Weddings & Events is very proud to be apart of this issue!

Did you miss my previous post about Deb Warnat Designs?  Check out her beautiful work in the Gracious Invitations article.  Thank you Deb for including the beautiful card you made for me in the photo shoot!