Monday, July 26, 2010

connie + chi

Love is not bound by time. And therefore...

...it's never too late to get married.

I think it's safe to say that my dad and his college roommates had been waiting for Chi to get married for a long time.  Even as a kid, I remember hearing them constantly wondering when it was going to happen -- it was literally all I knew about Chi.  So when the day finally came it was nothing but celebration amongst old friends.

Of course, I was also excited because it was another opportunity to gain some wedding planning experience.  If there's one thing I've learned in this journey -- it never hurts to offer to help.  You may get more than you bargained for, but it'll be worth it.  And that's precisely what happened.  I offered to help day-of, and I ended up being one of the official coordinators along with my godmother, Elaine -- got listed in the program and everything :)

This wedding was a lot of "firsts" for me.  First time making a wedding timeline.  First time running a rehearsal.  First time setting up a reception by myself.  It was the transition from being just a wedding assistant to the wedding planner, and one step closer to my dream career.

If I could describe this wedding in one word it would be simple.  The day was dedicated to celebrating Chi and Connie's marriage. There was no bridal party or groomsmen.  Dinner was served uninterrupted (no toasts, bouquet toss, dancing).  The favors were ferrero rocher (they were a big hit among the kids who walked around the reception hall trying to get as many as they could). 

The more weddings I attend the more I realize that elegance can be achieved without spending a lot of money.  One easy tip is to use the same flowers in your reception as you did in your ceremony.  This saves you the cost of ordering additional floral centerpieces!

Here are some pictures from their beautiful day!




The happy couple!



Me and the beautiful bride!  Thanks to Connie for letting me plan your wedding!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

inspiration: floating candles

It's a fact that floral centerpieces can break your budget if you're not careful. As I was looking for inspiration for a Christmas fundraising dinner I'm planning, I came across these beautiful floating candle centerpieces.  Not only are they beautiful, but they cost a lot less than a bundle of flowers!

Cranberries are a creative addition to Christmas decor