W is for Website

It's the "in" thing... Creating a wedding website gives your guests access to all of the relevant wedding information that they need to know. There are a multitude of free providers that allow you to post the date, time, location, directions, and information on accommodations. The planning for your wedding is greatly simplified for guests, especially for those who need to make travel arrangements.

Many websites feature plannin tools that can help you track RSVPs and meal requests. You can blog about your planning, share updates about the wedding, and communicate with guests before and after the big day. Depending on what provider you use, the pictures and comments can all remain on the site and serve as a great wa to look back and reminisce! (Some providers do have expiration dates for the sites, often one year after the date of the wedding.)

 

Click through the links to wedding website providers below and pick the one that works for you!

http://www.momentville.com/

http://www.mywedding.com/free-wedding-websites

http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-websites.html

http://weddings.weddingchannel.com/our-wedding-website.aspx

http://www.weddingwindow.com/

http://www.projectwedding.com/ourwedding

http://offbeatbride.com/wedding-websites

http://modwedding.com/home.html

https://www.weddingtracker.com/main/default.aspx

V is for Vows

The vows are a BIG part of the wedding. Often one of the most emotional moments, as the bride and groom promise to love and cherish one another forever. It is the moment that seals the deal after all of the planning and preparation leading up to the wedding day, and it is the moment that is celebrated by family and friends afterward.

Image from keepandshare.com

There are the traditional vows... "I, _______, take you, _______, for my lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part." (For this, similar adaptations, as well as non-traditional vows: CLICK HERE.)

The non-traditional vows... Maybe you choose to go with a poem or reading?

Or even the vows you write yourself... I love this post from A Practical Wedding! Follow the link for sage advice from someone who has been there and done that!

Picture from buzzsugar.com

If you're feeling overwhelmed or looking for inspiration, take a cue from Hollywood. The exchange of vows is a memorable moment, on screen and off. Check out this article featuring some of the most romantic/sentimental and cheesy/comical vows from TV and the movies: CLICK HERE.

U is for Umbrella

Rain on your wedding day? You lucky duck! ...So superstition says.

Rain is not something that most people hope for, but unfortunately, the weather is not something that you can accurately anticipate in your planning. If you're holding any portion of your event outside, make sure you have a backup plan. More importantly than having a Plan B, loveandlobster.com recommends that you like your second option; if a tent was not what you had in mind, remember that may be the only solution in the event of rain. Even if you are having your ceremony and reception indoors, inclement weather can put a damper on the day and make travel inconvenient for guests.

Don't let the possibility of scattered showers rain on your parade though. Make the best of the situation! Rain gives you some great photo opportunities and the chance to accessorize! Weddingbee.com has a fantastic collection of rainy day wedding pictures, including the picture below.   

Umbrellas can be coordinated to match your wedding colors, used as props (and a practical necessity) in pictures, and can help make the best of your rainy wedding day. Loveandlobster.com also points out that you can take the rain theme a bit further and add "brightly colored galoshes and wellies, [to] brighten up any drab day."

Even without the rain, there are plenty of cute options for umbrellas and parasols that can make your wedding photos unique and memorable.

Photo from Longwoodevents.com

Meet Shannon...

"They say it's your birthday..." And now that song will be in your head all weekend!

We celebrated a very special birthday at The Center this week! If you haven't already, be sure to wish Shannon a Happy Birthday Week! In true Shannon fashion, we started the day yesterday with a sugar fest of Dunkin Donuts. Shannon's favorites consist of chocolate glazed and vanilla cream, which of course, must be eaten together!

Aside from her crazy eating habits, Shannon can be found showing off her expertise in social media around the office. Bringing The Center from page 9 to the first option on Google is nothing to laugh about. She is the main contributor to the blog and does a great job keeping us updated.

Without further ado, meet Shannon!

Q: How did you become part of The Center?

Shannon: I joined MCA Center the week before our opening. It has been a rewarding experience watching awareness of The Center grow over the past year and to have the opportunity to participate in so many unique events. We have met with many amazing clients and vendors and continue to receive more and more calls each day!

Q: Tell us a little about yourself...

Shannon: I was born and raised in Cincinnati. I graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana in May of 2011 with a degree in History and Political Science and then moved back home. I enjoy learning new things and am grateful to have the opportunity to gain hands on experience in sales, marketing, event coordination and so many different aspects of the event industry. I love writing and social media and I am a huge fan of post-its!

Q: What's your favorite part of the job so far?

Shannon: I have really enjoyed working on our print ads, promotional materials and maintaining our social media sites. I was on the journalism staff for newspaper and yearbook in high school; researching developing event trends and interviewing vendors for our blog reminds me of how much I enjoyed journalism! It allows me to be creative, stay informed on local and national industry developments, and interact with clients and vendors every day.

Q: What are your hobbies or non-work related activities?

Shannon: I love spending time with my family and friends. I am lucky to have a lot of very smart, funny people in my life who are extremely supportive and keep me laughing. When I am not able to spend free time with them, I thoroughly enjoy watching ridiculous amounts of reality TV.

Q: Are there any trends that you absolutely love or would love to see brides leave behind?

Shannon: I like the non-traditional receptions we've seen in The Center. The uplighting does so much to transform the space and the lounge furniture makes the atmosphere of the room very relaxed. The use of flowers, candles and the more delicate touches still add elegance to the event. I absolutely love that brides are not afraid to make their event their own.

Q: Tell us 10 random facts about yourself.

Shannon:
1. My go-to comfort food = Dunkin Donuts.
2. Mio's is my favorite place to eat pizza because I can color on the table while I enjoy my meal.
3. I was a big fan of Dave Thomas and his commercials for Wendy's as a child.
4. I am realizing how hungry I am right now (it is past my normal lunchtime).
5. I continue to try to wear high heels during the work day and don't know why. (I am usually very practical.)
6. My initials spell SNOW.
7. I have been to 28 states so far. I plan to visit all 50 in my lifetime.
8. Fall is my favorite season.
9. The Jefferson Memorial is one of my all-time favorite places. I had an internship in Washington, D.C. in college.
10. I could spend an entire day sitting by a fountain.

Shannon standing by one of the fountains on Butler's campus in Indianapolis.

Check back in next Friday to meet the third and final member of The Center's staff. We know you're on the edge of your seats!!! Happy Friday!

2013 Freshly Minted Trends

Excuse the wordplay in the title, the excitement over this color trend for 2013 weddings is hard to contain. You guessed it - Mint! 3D-Memoirs highlights 10 amazing trends for 2013. The first on the list, the color mint - check out the full blog post: HERE.

 

Not only does the color create a light, soft feel for a wedding (and a gorgeous pinterest board!) but, imagine how delicious the dessert bar would be!

 

 

Yummy!

 

Moving past the delicious treats... Another fabulous trend for 2013 - Laser cuts! From dresses to invites to showcasing your food, the design possibilities are endless. Again, check out 3D-Memoirs for an awesome collection of pictures, including those below.

 

 

For 2013, the big hair of 2012 is being replaced by braids (3D-Memoirs).

 

 

 

Chicken wire, birds, and 1920s inspired gowns, hair, hats and headwraps are just a few more of the 2013 trends highlighted by the 3D-Memoirs blog. For a complete overview of the 10 Hottest Wedding Trends series: CLICK HERE.

 

Societybride.com shows rustic wedding benches as an indoor/outdoor trend for 2013 weddings.

 

 

 

And finally peplums. This tunic-style dress has been spotted on runways for both brides and bridesmaids in 2013!

 

 

Martha Stewart Weddings

 

Wedding Wire

 

 



 





T is for Theme

The theme is a great way to bring all of the elements of your wedding together. The overall idea can grow from the location of the wedding, a specific time period, style or color. Try to avoid picking a theme that will overshadow the meaning of the day, but don't hesitate to pick a theme if it is one that makes your day more fun and adds meaning for you.

There are many great pictures, blog posts, and recommendations for themed weddings online to help you generate your own ideas. Check out this post on Micanonymous - I love the Starry Starry Night theme (#18 of 30, see below) and the Travel theme (#26 of 30, see below).

 

You can also find some... interesting(?) wedding themes involving costumes and props. If you're into sci-fi, comics, or are just feeling particularly theatrical... no judgment here!

 

Star Wars Wedding from Unrealitymag.com

Super Hero Wedding from thegeektwins.com

 



For a more subtle theme, but still one that can be worked into every part of your wedding day, I love the monochromatic themes and themes that double as colors/flavors, i.e. mint, peach, or the champagne theme featured on MarthaStewartWeddings.com pictured below!

 

Champagne Theme

 

 

Seasonal themes can also be really beautiful, and they can be as simple or as elaborate as you want.

 

Fall Wedding

 



 

 

Meet Sam...

Approaching our year anniversary, we are still feeling pretty new to the block. Today we introduce our newest addition to The Center, Sam Lammers. Sam walked in with the biggest smile and bigger laugh during her first day and she hasn't stopped since. For those of you lucky enough to have met her already, you know what we mean. For the rest of you, the next time you see Sam, be sure to give her a warm welcome...and make sure you tell her a joke, you'll feel like you could be a stand up comedian!

Sam on the far left, with Alana and Shannon

Q: How did you become a part of The Center?

Sam: I became involved with The Center because of the growing popularity with the venue. Events have increased in the past couple of months, and continue to increase, therefore The Center requires more staffing to help accommodate the demands of the appointments being made.  I enjoy being part of what the Center has to offer and I am excited for this new opportunity. 

Q: Tell us a little about yourself?

Sam: I am a total “people-person,” I really enjoy meeting new people and interacting with people. I am very laid back; I don’t get stressed out easy so I like to have my hands on a lot of different projects at once.  I enjoy jobs that allow me to do different things all the time, and allow me to get up and move. Luckily, this job requires that.

Q: What's your favorite part of the job so far?

Sam: My favorite part of this job is the actually seeing all the different visions that people have for their big day or their event come together. Watching people plan out their ideas for months, and then finally seeing it all in the space, is incredible. I most look forward to the “big reveals” of each event.

Q: What are your hobbies or non-work related activities?

Sam: My husband and I are such sports fans that almost every night in the summer we have the Reds on our TV, and something is on the grill outside, also, in the fall we stay at home and watch football, every Sunday.  My favorite thing to do is laugh, so I enjoy listening to people tell funny stories. My brother is the silliest person I know.  Anytime I am not at work, I am most definitely hanging with my family, we are super close.

Sam and her brother

Q: Are there any trends that you absolutely love or would love to see brides leave behind?

Sam: I really enjoy the creativity of each bride, mainly when it comes to their centerpiece selections and cake choices. The centerpieces of each table are such a focal point that brides can really have fun with decorating it. Aside from just flowers, I’ve seen a spring wedding with vase full of lemons, and a Christmas wedding with Ornaments neatly arranged on the tables.  Also, the cake choices are always an “eye-catcher”, there is no limit to the size, shapes and colors of a bride’s sweet selection, plus, I can’t wait to taste it!

Q: Tell us 10 random facts about yourself.

1. I’m a huge dog lover, they are my favorite animal; I feel like we just understand each other, I’m a “dog whisperer” in training.

 Sam's Dog Cesar

               

                2. I once watched Titanic three times in a 24 hour time period, I absolutely love that movie.

                3. My brother, dad and mom are all in a surf band- I just go and watch J

                4. I love to dance, my ring tone is the Cupid Shuffle, and every time it goes off I bust a move.

                5. I am a huge NFL football fan, my licenses plate, e-mail address, bedroom was nothing but NFL, (before I got married) I can name every starting Quarterback for all 32 teams, and of course I play Fantasy Football every year.

                6.  I drink so much coffee that I should invest a share in Starbucks.

                7. I buy old TV series on DVD and re-watch them all the time. (The O.C and Dawson’s Creek are my favorite oldies)

                8. I love Cincinnati!!  I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. I named our Boxer (Cesar) after a former Reds player, Cesar Geronimo, and I eat Skyline Chili once a week.

Sam's actual start to her lunch today!

                9. There isn’t a day when I don’t wear polish on my nails, I am OCD about having them look super nice.

                10. I love tattoos; I have so many my artist is on speed dial. 

This surf band sounds interesting! Maybe they'd like to play one of our upcoming events!?

Check our blog next week for more useful, entertaining...err off the wall information about The Center's staff.

S is for Seating

Should you assign seats, tables, or let everyone wing it? No matter what you decide, your guests will likely figure out where to take a seat - however, having a plan does make it easier for everyone in the long run.

Why have a plan? Inevitably, (especially with larger guest lists) there will be relatives who are no longer speaking to each other, childhood friends who desperately want to sit together, or an out of town guest who doesn't know anyone else and is not comfortable approaching a table full of strangers without some direction. Having a plan will greatly reduce the stress levels and potential anxiety of those in attendance. It will also ensure that people who want to be near friends or family, can be.

Where to start? Think about the floor plan of the room. Try a variety of arrangements and don't be afraid to switch things around and see which plans work best.

Decide on where the bridal table will be (if you want to have one) and who will be seated at it. Traditionally, the bride and groom are the focal point of the room, but it is completely up to you. Some couples choose to sit at their own "sweetheart" table, some sit with their Maid of Honor and Best Man, others have a long head table with the full bridal party. The significant others of your bridal party who are attending the wedding can either be seated at the head table or at other tables in the room. If being the center of attention does not sound appealing, you could sit among your guests, or leave a few chairs open at tables around the room so that you can switch tables throughout the night.

Sweetheart Table

Headtable for Wedding Party

After you have decided where you and your groom will be and where your bridesmaids and groomsmen will sit, think about the immediate family and close friends. Do you want a family table with the parents and grandparents of the bride and groom together? Do you want separate tables for the bride's family and groom's family? Are there any divorces or family tensions that need to be considered? If so, separate tables can help ease the stress that sharing close quarters during the meal could cause.

Next, think about friends of the family and more distant relatives. Are there people on your guest list who you don't know well? Don't stress, this is a good area to involve your mom or mother-in-law-to-be. Assign specific tables or groups to them, without letting them take control of all of it. Are kids invited to the wedding? Will they be in their own area or seated at the tables with their parents.

*Side note - if you have invited children to the wedding and reception, consider hiring a babysitter. This will help ensure that the kids are entertained and happy, and give their parents a break for the evening.

Seating Chart and Gift Table

Use a seating chart or place cards to direct your guests to their table or seat.
  

Behind the Scenes - 9/8/12 Event Set Up

Check out these pictures taken during the event set up on Friday, September 7, 2012 and prior to the event on Saturday, September 8, 2012. The bride and her family came in to decorate and filled the space with vibrant colors and personalized touches. The bright pops of color made for another unique, custom event!

 



R is for Rings

If you are an avid reader of our blog (and we hope that you are) you may have seen our "J is for Jewelry" post and be thinking, "Hey! They already covered rings!" Before you jump to the conclusion that we have completely run out of ideas to blog about, (save that thought for when we get to U, Y and Z of this alphabet series) this is a new concept for rings.

Well, new for us anyway. We like to stay informed on developing trends in the industry. We carefully monitor our social media sites, check wedding boards and Google like crazy. The latest topic to catch our attention - "mangagement" rings. This Huffington Post UK article, dated 5/12/11 suggests that we are behind the times on this one, but we'd prefer to think of it as fashionably late.

Within the United States, women are traditionally the wearers of the engagement ring, however, according to the article, engagement rings for men are not uncommon around the globe. Yes, we are talking diamond rings worn publicly during the engagement period to signify the commitment they are making to their fiance. It is this sign of commitment, and all that it means, that is making men... "Put a ring on it," so to speak.

Canadian crooner, Micahel Bubble, proudly wearing his mangagement ring.

TheKnot.com and MensHealth.com conducted a survey in 2011 and found that 5% of men were wearing mangagement rings, and 17% were open to the idea (sodahead.com). Some men choose to wear their wedding band early, while others upgrade to a new ring during the ceremony or switch the ring from the right to left hand. Some men sport both rings. There is still a ways to go before this practice becomes commonplace, but with more women feeling comfortable with initiating the proposal and with both individuals equally committed to each other, why not?

Q is for Quilt

According to Wikipedia, "quilting traditions are particularly prominent in the United States." It was an activity that combined practical needs (warm bedding) with creative and social elements. Wedding quilts were often given to the new bride, as she would not have enough time to complete quilts of her own for her family right away, to help her establish her new home. Other sources suggest that the bride was expected to make 13 quilts during the time of her engagement, in preparation for her marriage.

The wedding quilt traditionally includes symbols of love and good fortune in the design. In the 1800s, quilting bees were held to mark special occasions (often upcoming weddings) and women in the community would gather together to help sew quilts (Let's Talk about Fabric). These events were often considered engagement announcements.

"Wedding ring" quilts are a common quilt pattern, popularized in the 1930s.

 

 

A quilt can also serve as a unique idea for a guest book. Have guests sign squares of fabric that can later be sewn together into a quilt.

 

Check out these quilt-inspired wedding cakes from MarthaStewartWeddings.com

P is for Programs

Bring attention to all of the elements of your ceremony and/or reception that have meaning to you in your program. Whether designed and produced by a professional, computer software, or all you - the program gives your guests a timeline and helps explain the significance of the people, readings, songs and traditions that you've made a part of your day.

The DIY programs can be more affordable (note the word can - take the total cost of supplies and the time investment into consideration!) and throwing a party and inviting friends to help put everything together could be fun. For suggestions on how to find affordable DIY program supplies: CLICK HERE. There are many different style options, from a single sheet printed both front and back to a booklet style using cardstock and liner paper, bound with a ribbon. A program fan is great for a summer wedding!

You can designate a friend or relative to distribute the programs to guests entering the ceremony, have your ushers hand them out as they seat your guests, or have the programs already in the seats.

What should your programs include?

* The full names of the bride and the groom.
* The date and location of the wedding.
* The order of the wedding ceremony. (Include titles of songs, the composers and the performers; list the readings, the source, and the readers.) It is often helpful to explain the significance of the traditions in the ceremony. You may also want to include information for the reception, or create a separate program for that portion of the event. This gives your guests a timeline and highlights your favorite moments.
* Include the names of your wedding party and their relation to you.
* Name the officiant.
* A common addition is a thank you to the parents of the bride and groom, as well as a thank you to all of the guests for attending.
* A memorial for the loved ones who may have passed away is also appropriate for the back page of the program.