Northern California Wedding Planner | Wedding Planning is Easy

Hey friends! Thanks for checking out our blog and today we are sharing a little about our planning approach, because when you have a team behind you - wedding planning is easy! Ok so picture a newly engaged couple who has been soaking up the excitement of their news and are eager to get planning underway asap! Yay we love this stage because there is simply nothing better than two folks who are completely smitten with each other and want to say I do!

via GIPHY

Naturally, we have all sorts of questions from what type of venue are you looking for, how many guests do you plan to invite to whether or not you will see each other before the ceremony a.k.a “first look”. lots of questions! Ultimately a consultation with a planner is a getting to know you process, and making sure that our team has a good handle on your wishes & expectations. Then we move on to the logistics, we talk about things that work well and maybe some small adjustments that we could see helping avoid any timing issues - stay with us because this is the part where couples can start to gloss over on us - logistics aren’t always sexy!

The good news is that once you get the planning process started and you have the framework of what you hope to experience on your wedding day combined with a planner who knows the local network of wedding professionals; it comes together pretty quickly. Did you know that we use an online planning dashboard to help our couples organize the details allowing them to access all of their wedding information 24/7 - we love seeing the progress bar go up as items get checked off the list!

So there you have it, wedding planning can be done around your work or school schedule still allowing you to have those fun date nights because you will have a team to support and guide you through all of the phases of planning. We are so excited to help so many amazing couple’s plan their wedding and we get to hang out with some pretty awesome wedding pro’s too!
~ Happy Planning!

Northern California Wedding Planner | Demystifying the Invitation Suite

Throughout planning, some elements come naturally to couples and other elements just seem more tricky or confusing. Invitation suites can feel like a lot to figure out, from choosing the design to deciding what wording to use or how formal you want the suite to be. Budget does play a part in these decisions of course, but sometimes the difficulty simply lies in not being able to visualize these pieces together.

Our post today will be highlighting the various elements of the modern invitation suites, as well as what options couples have when deciding where to go to get started. We’ll share links and resources to find all of the info you need to make a decision on the best option for you!

Custom Stationery design is a process of bringing the couple’s desired aesthetic and their personalities together to create something unique and authentic. These details can be in the paper and color choice, a custom monogram or crest, specialty envelope liners, hand painted details, wax seals, custom postage and of course the calligraphy for addressing the invitations.

What goes into a design suite, well of course that varies by preference and budget but a complete suite would include most if not all of the elements below:

The method of production, from letterpress to digital or hand-painted/calligraphy is one of the more major decisions because that dictates the cost, the type of paper, the turnaround time and the design process in general. One would argue that the invitations set the tone for the rest of the event, however I don’t believe couples should be held to that 100% of the time if that deters them from moving forward with a design that they really feel drawn to.

Image via Unsplash

If you have a vision of a beautiful flat-lay image of your whole invitation suite (like those stunning photos you see on Pinterest and Instagram) this can still be achieved even if you chose a semi-custom or template from a digital design retailer and had them printed. Tip: Do be sure to mention to your photographer that this shot is important to you!

Photo by Gretchen Granka Photography

With the introduction of sites like Minted.com, Wedding Paper Divas, Etsy and many more, couples are flooded with pages upon pages of designs to choose from and this can certainly be overwhelming. You want a design that speaks to your personalities and matches with your theme or vision but you might not want something that is trending or overly popular at the moment. Even when using a pre-designed template you can find ways to personalize it by adding a band, ribbon, vellum sheet, envelope liner, embossing, calligraphy etc.

So should you choose a custom designer to ensure that you have a one of a kind invitation suite? Here is a great article from Raspberry Creative listing 5 reasons you should hire a stationery designer.

Image via Unsplash

One recommendation that I make when working with couples is to find at least one to two elements they really want to throw their personality into during their wedding planning process. This could be the decor, the food menu, the ceremony or even the dance/entertainment line-up. Of course you could put your personality into all of those, but sometimes your wedding budget doesn’t give you the ability to customize every element.

In the interest of keeping this post short and sweet, we have linked to a few helpful articles and resources on each of the various topics that we find couples have the most questions about.

How much do custom invitations really cost & a breakdown of the process

Letterpress Wedding Invitations (Etiquette, Samples, Ordering Resources, F.A.Q’s & Tips)

Watercolor/ Hand Painted Wedding Invitation examples

Additional Articles/Links:
Comparing invitation costs
https://www.papelnco.com/custom-wedding-invitations
https://www.sableandgray.com/press
https://inkandpressco.com/the-semi-custom-collection
https://www.bellafigura.com/customize/calligraphy/
https://www.howdesign.com/creative-freelancer-blog/passion-projects/why-wedding-invitations-will-never-go-digital/
Envelope Liners
How to properly Mail Your Wedding Invitations

Northern California Wedding Planner | Q & A with Custom Jewelry Designer - Adriann Joy

If you follow us on Instagram, you know we love a good ring shot!  Of course we love the bling, but what really moves us is knowing the stories behind the rings that the couple chose.  So today we are talking with Adriann Anderson of Adriann Joy, Exclusive Jewelry & Design to learn more about the custom design process!  I mean look at these gorgeous rings!

Image credit AdriannJoy.com

Q. Can you tell us a little about yourself, have you always had a passion for design?
I was born in Chico, CA and I have been in the diamond business since 2012. I originally was doing medical sales, but a family friend who was in the industry suggested I help her. She is a second-generation jeweler and has been in the business for over 30 years. At that point, I knew literally nothing about diamonds or this business – my father is a retired teacher, now caterer and my mother is a retired health professional, so working in jewelry was never a thought that crossed my mind.

In the beginning, I was completely mesmerized by the beauty and sparkle of diamonds and at the same time quite shocked by the trade itself. Over time, my understanding of not only the trade grew, but also my interest in the more technical aspects of diamonds, like cutting, grading and what aspects add to a diamond’s value and beauty. I especially enjoyed learning how cut can affect not only the look but also the value of a stone.

The diamond business is built entirely on reputation and relationships. A good reputation and strong relationship is everything to someone in my line of work. So, after several years of working for my family friend, with her blessing, I decided to start out on my own. I started Adriann Joy in 2015. My specialty is working with private clients on custom pieces. I love the design process!

Q. What is your favorite part of the design process?
My favorite part of the design process is the AFTER! I love seeing my client’s faces when they see the finished piece. A lot of client’s cannot visualize the transformation and they have to put a lot of trust in me that it will turn out exactly how they want it to!

Q . What advice do you have for couples that may be considering having custom bands made for their wedding?  Should they already have a style in mind or does that seem to happen more organically through your design process?
My advice for couples that are considering a custom wedding band is to have some sort of an idea of what you want. Do you like traditional, modern, vintage, or a mixture of styles etc? The options are limitless as to what you can have made, so it is helpful for me to have it narrowed down. If you are unsure, I have a list of questions that I will ask you. From there, I show you photos of styles I think you may like and we hone in on what you want made.

Q. Can you describe the typical time frame that you recommend for couples to inquire about a custom ring or piece?
A typical time frame for a fully custom piece is 2-5 weeks. I feel better having the latter. I never want to rush through the process and some people need more time to think through the designs. Once a CAD (Computer Assisted Design) is drawn up & approved, it usually takes 1-2 weeks to make the ring.

Q. What should couples look for when buying a quality diamond ring?
The obvious things are color, cut, and clarity, though I always tell clients to not get overly hung up on the technical aspects. That takes the romance out of the whole process.  Don’t throw those things out of the window, but buy something you love the look of and that you feel something for and you can almost never go wrong. You do not look at your diamond under a microscope (that is what we are for). So focus on what you see with the naked eye! That is what you and others will see daily!

While buying a nice diamond is a huge part of buying a ring, do not forget about the ring itself. A lot of people only think about the diamond and totally overlook the ring. The ring should be the perfect companion to your diamond. After spending all of that time and energy picking the ideal stone, you want the perfect ring to go with it!

Q. We’ve been loving the trend of unique or non-traditional styles when people are using gemstones like a sapphire or emerald. Are you seeing any trends?
I have always loved non-traditional styles, such as a gemstone for an engagement ring! There are many reasons why a customer may choose to use a gemstone versus the traditional diamond. Gemstones are typically easier on your wallet & you do not have to sacrifice a beautiful ring! Some people love the sentiment behind a gemstone. Maybe it reminds them of a loved one who is no longer here, it might be their future spouses birthstone or simply they love the beauty of the color!

Q. Do you service rings for couples as well, such as sizing, adding bands or soldering or would couples take their rings to a local jeweler in this case?
I do service rings! Sizing, soldering, engraving, repairs, adding bands etc. Depending on the type of service, I will recommend you ship the jewelry to me in Cincinnati, Ohio (It is fully insured & comes next day) or I will recommend a local jeweler. If local, I typically will recommend Julianne’s Jewelry. They are very friendly, trustworthy and super easy to work with!

Q. What is your take on insuring jewelry, is this a must?
My take on insuring jewelry is an absolute yes! I always tell my clients to check with their insurance provider on what their insurance covers. Sometimes, you may have some sort of coverage for jewelry below $5,000. They will still need to know what you purchased and have that on your coverage. Anything over $5,000 is an absolute must! It is such a nice sense of security if something was to happen to your jewelry & you can always confidently wear your gorgeous jewelry everywhere you go!

Q. What do you see trending now in everyday jewelry?
The trend that I continue to see is stacking your jewelry anyway. You can stack with your rings, necklaces & bracelets. The more the merrier! Clients are shaking up shape and color of the their stackables too! There are no rules with stackables, which makes it so much more fun and allows people to express all styles!

Q. What engagement ring styles are you seeing?
A solitaire diamond engagement ring is timeless and continues to appeal to all generations. There are so many ways to make a solitaire ring unique. You can set your diamond East to West, have designs on the gallery and different metals to create different textures. While some think a solitaire is a standard setting, it is so much more than that!

Next in line is a diamond halo engagement ring! The diamond halo surrounding the center stone is such a great option to accent your center stone. You can make the stone look larger or have it appear as if it is floating. This is such a beautiful setting and my personal favorite!

Thank you so much to Adriann Anderson for sharing her wisdom with us and providing some insight on the custom jewelry process! If you’d like to check out more of Adriann’s work be sure to reach out to her at the links below or follow her on Instagram (@adrianjoy) - we’ll be there swooning over those stackable rings!

Adriann Anderson  
Owner  at Adriann Joy, Exclusive Jewelry & Design
P:  530.570.1204  E:  adriann@adriannjoy.comwww.adriannjoy.com

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~ Happy Planning!

Northern California Wedding Planner | The Pressures of Planning

When it comes to wedding planning, there is no shortage of excitement but it also brings unsolicited advice and a lot of opinions. If you are feeling the weight on your shoulders, this post is for you.

Photo by Morgan Chantelle Photography

Plain and simple, it can be hard to please everyone all the time, at some point you may even hurt some feelings along the way. Trying to have every girl you’ve been friends with since second grade in your bridal party will only cause more headaches down the road, so keeping your bridal party super close knit is probably best!

Aside from hurting feelings, could wedding planning hurt your relationship? What if you are bickering about the smallest details like which flatware style to rent or what style limo you want to book.. yes these are among some of the decisions you need to make but try to take a step back and consider what you will actually remember or care about on your wedding day.

As wedding planners we get to know so many different couples and no matter if they have been highschool sweethearts going on 10 years or a shorter engagement; we know that making all of these decisions and trying to stay under budget can add stress to your relationship. What is important is that from day one of planning you set a realistic budget that you both are comfortable with and agree to communicate about the costs. This will help ease both of your minds and reduce the financial pressure even if it means cutting back on some of those wish-list items.

If you feel like wedding planning has opened up concerns in other areas of your relationship, seek advice and be willing to open up so that you don’t carry forward any resentment or stress post-nuptials! A healthy marriage takes a lot of forgiveness, trust, communication and understanding so try to apply these principles in your planning process and just remember that a wedding day comes and goes - but your marriage needs to always come first.

~ Happy Planning!

Northern California Wedding Planner | Elopement Planning

We’re so excited about all of the recent engagements and that we have the opportunity to work with couples with such a range of vision, from a large rustic ranch wedding to an intimate evening for 40 guests. Over the last few years we have been seeing more unique elopements and love when couples can really hone in on the experience they want to have without feeling any pressures to make plans outside of that vision.

Photo by Bloom Portraiture

If you can see yourself with your fiance and maybe a handful of your closest family members or friends and tying the knot in a location that speaks to you, then an elopement is really a wonderful option. We would love to chat with you about your ideas and help you create a magical memorable day with an incredible team of vendors to handle all of the details for you from photography, florals, beauty and more.
~ Happy Planning!

Northern California Wedding Planner | Engagement Session Giveaway

You still have time to enter into the Engagement Session Giveaway by Julia Lukash Photography!  Head over to our Instgram and follow the giveaway instructions, entries are valid until Sunday 4/22 at 5 pm.

Image: Julia Lukash Photography

We've been swooning over Julia's work since we first met years ago and we cannot wait to work with her for upcoming weddings.  We love Julia's fun personality, and her passion for photography.  You can check out her website to see more of her work or follow her on Facebook or Instagram.  
 

Don't forget to enter for this awesome giveaway, or feel free to share with other engaged couples!

~ Happy Planning!~ 

Northern California Wedding Planner | He Put a Ring On It! ~ Delphine and David

When a wedding planner dreams of one day walking down the aisle with the love of her life, the dream will likely involve a detailed timeline, a list of trusted event partners and of course an open bar.  Beyond that, just like anyone who dreams of her day it is still the little things that make the experience such an exciting time in life.

So when your biz bestie and the other half of The 530 Bride get's engaged you do your happy dance and swoon over the engagement photos! Beyond excited for Delphine and David, beautifully captured by TreCreative! 
- Veronica

We'll be keeping you up to speed on the milestones of getting these two down the aisle next September, but in the meantime you can check out the post over at theTreCreative Blog!

Northern California Wedding Planner | Wedding Show Weekend Recap

Another fun bridal show in the books! Had a blast at the Wedding Show Weekend at Canyon Oaks Country Club in Chico.  The venue is gorgeous and the staff are so friendly and fun! 

We loved getting to meet so many excited couples who are still in the beginning stages of planning their wedding, some couples were already starting on plans for their 2019 weddings!

Little Red Floral & More 

We met with a lot of couples who are planning their weddings outside of the Chico area such as Redding, Bodega Bay, Modesto, Butte Meadows and Auburn.  We are happy to travel and have had a lot of fun working with new venues in order to spread our wings a little!  

If you are still in need of a wedding coordinator, or want to learn more about what we do please feel free to shoot us a message the530bride@gmail.com

~ Happy Planning!

Wedding Tips | Making the Most of Your Engagement Photos

You're Engagement Session is Scheduled..It's Getting Real! 
Photo via Minted

The first rule is to think of what scenes would feel the most authentic to you as a couple? Are you super fans of a local micro-brewery, or maybe there is a family cabin that is your home away from home.  Choosing a location that makes you not only feel comfortable but that highlights your love story is one way to make the most of your session.  

Wardrobe: After you have selected your location, talk with your photographer about his or her recommendations on wardrobe for the specific lighting and desired look.  Then choose a few looks that are easy to change into for example jeans and a cute top for one look, throw on a cardigan to change it up and lastly for the third look switch the jeans for a cute maxi or pencil skirt depending on the vibe.  (Tip: Bring a blanket along not only to give you the option to sit down but your sweetie can hold it while you change if needed) Finally, bring a few statement pieces like a chunky necklace, or colorful bangle bracelets, watch etc for the nice close-up shots of your hands and that beautiful ring. 

Make-up: Wouldn't it be nice if you had your own personal glam squad? Sometimes it works out to schedule your hair and make-up trial on the same day as your engagement session.  This is great for seeing how your make-up look photographs and it may give you that extra boost of glam confidence.  If you are doing your own hair and make-up for the shoot, be mindful if you are shooting outdoors that wind can blow your hair around and you may have to keep adjusting before each shot.  An updo, bobby pins or some hair accessories are helpful to avoid any hair malfunctions! Eye make-up can always be a tad more dramatic for photo's but you shouldn't need to wear extra blush or bronzer depending on the lighting. 

Enjoy a cocktail or cozy beverage before you begin shooting, it can help loosen both of you up and get you ready to smile in front of the camera.  Some couples have even opted to take some photos that include them loosening up at their favorite pub or cafe.  

Have more questions? Chat with your photographer and wedding planner to relieve any of your pre-session nerves!

Don’t Let Anyone Burst Your Engagement Bubble | The 530 Bride-To-Be

I always said that I wanted to have a long engagement. I’d had enough friends get married over the years and tell me how quickly time flies when your busy planning and preparing for the day of your wedding (and all the events leading up to it) that they wish they would have stopped to enjoy the smaller moments, excitement of the experience, and the simple joy of being proposed to by the person you love most.

What I hadn’t thought about was what defines a long engagement. One year? 18 months? Two years? There are lots of books, online articles and wedding magazines that try to define it, but this is something I learned that every couple has to define for themselves.

When my long-time love proposed to me on our trip to Rome my first feeling was that of surprise, then elation, and if I’m to be honest, next came a little bit of selfishness. Here we were in Roma, Italia, a city that helps to compose the word ROMAnce, and all that mattered in the moments and days that followed his proposal were that we were engaged and in love. Not that our families wouldn’t have been ecstatic or jumping for joy had they been there, but there was something meaningful about sharing this moment alone without any outside influence – it was just the two of us.

I knew this wouldn’t last for long and so my fiancé and I came up with a term for this special time. We called it our EB; short for engagement bubble. We didn’t rush to post the news to Facebook or rack up international minutes calling family back home. Instead we chose to savor the remaining time we had alone, away from our everyday lives, simply enjoy being engaged, and staring a lot at the shiny new object on my left hand. (I really miss being in our Rome EB.)

It’s inevitable that after a period of time the high and glow that comes with being a newly engaged couple will fade as you return to your normal pre-proposal routines. And it doesn’t help that wedding planning is stressful and even those closest to you, who love and support you, can unintentionally push their opinions on the two of you or cause pressure on your relationship.

This is when it’s most important to stop, take a breath, turn to your partner and do something to get back into your EB. Remember that this special time in your lives really is about the two of you, your love for one another, and the commitment you’re going to make in … whatever time frame YOU CHOOSE.

These could be simple things that help remind you of the proposal, special moments when you were dating or just telling each other how much you love one another spontaneously. Here are some ways my fiancé and I remind ourselves that we are in our still in our EB even though we left Rome:

1. Send text messages to your partner while they’re at work that mentions something special from the proposal to get them thinking about your engagement. (We’ll randomly text something as simple as #EB or a photo from our trip in Rome to each other.)

2. Leave a note or card in your partner’s car for them to find on their way to work that tells them how much you’re looking forward to spending your life with them. (I’m planning to take my own advice a little further and plan a small scavenger hunt on my fiancé’s next day off that ends with a bottle of bubbly.)

3. Plan dates that are themed to take you two somewhere relative to where the proposal took place or that’s meaningful to your relationship. (We really didn’t need another excuse to go out for Italian!)

4. Plan fun activities together in the mix of all the wedding appointments to help make the planning phase more enjoyable. (We choose to meet with potential vendors at our favorite local coffee shop and make a point of walking our dog there and back. Ice cream tastings have also become one of our preferred vendor vetting experiences to do together!)

5. Discuss each of your wedding must-haves early on and make a point to celebrate with one another when you check one of them off of your list. (When we finally signed with a winery to be our venue, which was one of my favorite scouted locations, my fiancé and I went out for brunch and toasted with a glass of champagne.)

No matter how long you choose to be engaged, don’t forget that your engagement bubble exists wherever the two of you are and this really is a special time in your life, so soak it up.

Wedding wishes and celebratory cheers!
The 530 Bride-To-Be

Get The Word Out

At a time of year when many couples are celebrating their engagement, many are looking for fun ways to announce their news & their date to their immediate friends and family.  Call us old fashioned but Facebook just doesn't cut it! Depending on the length of your engagement you can opt for an engagement announcement, save the date card, or even a wedding announcement if you chose to elope and want to announce the nuptials.

Here are a few cute ways to spread the news!

Charming Chalkboard Save the Date Cards

Our Love Story Save the Date Minibook™ Cards

Wood Carving Save the Date Cards

Stache + Kiss Save the Date Cards

Engaged Engagement Party Invitations

E is for Engaged Engagement Party Invitations

Darling Deuce

Finally Engaged

Keep in mind, announcements like these do not have to correspond with your wedding theme as you may not have even defined what your theme is yet at this stage of the game.  If you already have your theme in mind, or would like to create one from scratch and want to work with a local designer you can head over to The Idea Emporium and get started on branding your wedding!

__________________________________________ **Disclosure: The530Bride is an affiliate of Minted.com and TinyPrints.com, we only list and recommend products and services from companies that we have personally used and believe are a good fit for our readers.  We may receive a commission from products purchased directly from sponsored posts.  For more information please contact us.

Have You Branded Your Wedding Yet?

The days of having to trying to piece together corresponding wedding items that match your color and style are coming to an end.  In comes the trend of branding your event so that the design is exclusively yours while keeping things cohesive across the board. If you are unfamiliar with this trend, you are in for a treat because we have invited our local branding expert Carey Galliani from The Idea Emporium to "school us" on what it all means!

How did branding become a trend in weddings? Like most traditions, weddings have evolved over the years.  When our grandmothers got married they wore white dresses and carried flowers and were in love.  When our mothers got married they took those customs and added some personality in the form of a set of colors that would make appearances throughout the celebration.  When our sisters got married the wedding environment changed once again with the popular addition of a theme or motif (if you’ve attended a wedding in the last year odds are pretty good it featured purple, mason jars, burlap or peacock feathers- the largest trends of 2012).  And now we stand on the precipice of the next big thing to introduce itself into the wedding world…event branding.

Okay, what is branding exactly? Branding in the business world is a term you may already be familiar with.  It’s the biggest ambassador of a business, more than a logo it’s the face of a company.  A well-rounded brand includes at least one logo, a carefully crafted color palette and specifically outlined typefaces (or fonts) all of which used together create the brand.   Each piece of collateral produced for the company  (product, promotional pieces, business cards, packaging, etc.) features the company’s “face”.  So how does this apply to your wedding?

What does it mean to brand a wedding? As any bride or groom can tell you there are a million tiny pieces that go into a wedding.  The big stuff you’ve been warned about; the flowers, the linens, the rentals… but what about the tiny touches?  This is where custom event branding can take your wedding to the next level. Event branding ensures that all of the bits and pieces, from the table numbers to the thank you cards and from the invitation to the cocktail napkins & matchbooks are cohesive, impressive, and most importantly say something about you.

“In a world of mass production, wouldn’t it be nice for your wedding to be a breath of fresh air that looks and feels like an authentic representation of your relationship?” explained Carey Galliani, owner of wedding design company, The Idea Emporium.  “Custom branding gives our clients the opportunity to show their personalities through their event details.  This year I had the opportunity to design a dinosaur theme wedding.  White roses, calligraphy and tuxedos are beautiful, but wouldn’t be a fit at all for that couple.  So we took the dinosaur inspiration and ran with it bringing in sophisticated prehistoric touches that were a true representation of the couple.  The best part was hearing how “them” their wedding was and their guests felt the same.”

How do couples get started? Branding your wedding is a two-step process; the creation of the brand and the creation of the wedding pieces that utilize that brand. Just like a company, your brand will include a color palette (good news…you can have more than 2 colors), logo and typefaces.  It will also feature a monogram for you and your future spouse and graphic patterns to compliment the look.

What does wedding branding look like? Here are a few examples of a brand board for a couple that outlines their patterns, color palette, logo/mongram & typography or fonts, etc.

Brand Board Example #1

Pages from BRAND BOARD copy

Brand Board Example #2

Pages from Rusty and Christin Palm

Pages from Julia and Craig-Design Board

Brand Board Example #3 Your wedding logo may make its appearance on your invitation, welcome signage and ceremony program.  Whereas the monogram will make its way onto things like menus, favor packaging.  The patterns and graphic elements designed within your brand are great for items like envelope liners and table runners.  These are also perfect for party favors.  Lets face it, a shot glass with your name on it is cute, but a shot glass in mint and white stripes with the white peony printed on it is something a guest will truly want to keep…which is the point of a favor anyway right?

Long story short, if you want your wedding to be cohesive and riddled with perfectly harmonious details then event branding is the way to go.

For more information about the Idea Emporium, and how to get started contact Carey today:

The Idea Emporium  www.theideaemporium.net or follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theideaemporium 

Wedding Planning 101: Timeline!

No matter where you are in your wedding planning, staying organized is important.  Part of being organized is to refer to a timeline and checklist to make sure you don't have a last-minute wedding crisis on your hands.  If you have a wedding coordinator they should be assisting you with creating an outline of the planning process, and helping you stay on track.  There are many wedding planning resources and tools out there, so you don't have to reinvent the wheel. Depending on how far out your wedding date is, you should be able to space out the time-line so that you don't feel overwhelmed.  Word of advice: ask your fiance to help you with the parts that he can help you with because it is his wedding too! If he can't help you then look to your friends and family because chances are they are pretty excited for you and would love to help.

Note: timelines are meant as a guide only and may or may not reflect your actual event.  If you feel that some of the items do not apply to you; not to worry.  Take your check list with you to your vendor meetings so that you have the information as a reference if needed.

Wedding Checklist 9 – 12 Months Determine Your Budget, and set-up a time to talk about who pays for what Select the Date for your wedding Determine the number of guests you expect to invite Start looking at available wedding venues appropriate for your guest count Hire a Wedding Planner/Consultant if needed Browse wedding magazines and websites to see what trends & color schemes appeal to you. Book your engagement Photo Sessions Mail your save-the-dates cards Choose your wedding attendants Set-up Consultations with Caterer, Florist, DJ or band and Photographer

6-8 Months Select your wedding officiant Finalize your agreements with your Caterer, Florist, DJ & Photographer Create a wedding website or blog Select & order your wedding dress Order or create your wedding invitations Select or assist bridesmaids with choosing a gown and over-all style Register for wedding gifts (Ask your wedding vendors about registry options) Start compiling your music selections to review with your DJ Research Cake Decorators and schedule a Tasting Finalize your wedding food menu with Caterer Review your budget to ensure you are on track or make adjustments Arrange for the groomsmen to be fitted for their tuxedos Order your wedding rings Reserve the limo or make transportation arrangements Research Honeymoon destinations

4-5 Months Finalize Honeymoon arrangements Reserve rental equipment Review your guest list Have the Bridesmaids order their dresses, and groomsmen order their tuxedos Check-in with your travel agent and finalize honeymoon details including flight information & passports Shop for a wedding gift for each other and for the wedding party Schedule the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner Set-up room blocks at nearby hotels, do this early to ensure your guests will have no problem finding a place to stay during a busy weekend or event.

2-4 Months Check your states requirements for marriage licenses Meet with your photographer to determine your must-have shots & do a walk- through of your venue and timeline Send out the invitations Enjoy your bachelorette party Print or order your ceremony programs Decide if you will be writing your own vows, and begin preparing or researching your vows Send your wedding announcement information to the local newspaper Purchase wedding accessories such as guest book, flower girl baskets & ring bearer pillows or signs, toasting flutes & cake knife. Order or start creating your wedding favors 2-4 Weeks Assemble the favors & programs if needed Think about rehearsal dinner speeches Check your RSVP’s against your list of invitations, call the guests who have not yet responded Attend your last dress fittingSend out final payments if possible Confirm Hair & Make-up appointments Confirm all groomsmen have completed fittings and ordered their tuxedo’s Meet with Wedding Planner and vendors to ensure all plans are satisfactory

Week of the wedding Make sure to confirm special readings for your ceremonySubmit your final guest count to your caterer Confirm arrival times with vendorsPrint/Email directions and locations for drivers of transport vehicles Pick up your dress, or make specific arrangements with bridal shop for pick-up Send a timeline to the bridal party & parents Pack for your honeymoon if you are leaving soon after your wedding Book Spa appointments for nail treatments Break in your shoes Delegate any other tasks such as bringing your purse, camera and/or night bag to a family member or close friend

Day before your wedding Attend wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner Get lots of rest & Stay HydratedCharge camera and cell phone batteriesSend your hubby to be a love note,  to bring the focus back to where it should be..You  and him!

Wedding Day Eat a light meal & hydrate Appoint a bridesmaid or family member to do a time check with your coordinator while you are getting ready, to ensure you stay on schedule Do your hair & make-up  applications  before  you  get dressed Get dressed 30 minutes  before  you  leave  to allow  for  photographs Enjoy your day and take in every moment, you  will always remember this day!

Carnival Themed Events

Out of the box creativity is the best ingredient for a good time, especially if you are looking for a new spin on a bridal shower, bachelorette party or wedding.  While you don't have to have a set "theme" it does help to keep everything cohesive.   We are loving the carnival themed ideas, so here is some inspiration for you! http://www.engagedandinspired.com/2011/09/12/vintage-carnival-themed-bridal-shower/

Click here for a downloadable template from OneCharmingParty.com

http://www.utahbrideblog.com/color-pallets/a-perfectly-planned-themed-bridal-shower-by-autumn-buys/

http://ruffledblog.com/carnival-themed-dc-wedding/

Pair these details with a whimsical Carnival Themed Engagement session and include in your wedding day photography  and you are set! http://www.bridalguide.com/planning/engagement/carnival-themed-engagement-photos

http://www.brides.com/wedding-ideas/real-weddings/2012/05/cassie-chris-i-do-sign

It's That Time of Year!

This time of year is a popular time for proposals, and the beginning of the wedding planning process.  So in honor of engagement season here are a few tips and resources for the newly engaged!

Is that left hand heavier? First and foremost, try to resist the urge to admire your new bling while driving and focus on keeping your eyes on the road!  After you have settled down from the excitement you might be wondering what to do next, and what the etiquette is for this time in your life.  You can read our post on announcing your engagement for some of the various ways to spread the news (without shouting from the rooftops.)  Did we mention you get an excuse throw an awesome party? While not required, an engagement party is a great way to introduce and start merging your closest friends and family with his.  Read here about the Etiquette of Engagement Parties from Martha Stewart Weddings.

Now that you are engaged, you might be inspired to pick up a wedding magazine while checking out in the grocery line or maybe even DVR Say Yes to The Dress or Platinum Weddings on TLC. Take our advice and give yourself time to let it sink in and don't overwhelm yourself with wedding madness. Just enjoy this exciting time and take it step by step while communicating with your fiance about what you both want for the wedding.  Here are some of wedding buzzwords that you might not already know:

BM: Best man, or bridesmaid BP: Bridal party DH: Dear husband DOP: Day of Planner DW: Destination wedding, or dear wife E-ring: Engagement ring E-party: Engagement party E-pic/E-Session: Engagement pictures (usually taken outside in a variety of poses, outfits, locations) FFIL: Future father-in-law FG: Flower girl FH: Future husband FI: Fiancee FILs: Father-in-laws FMIL: Future mother-in-law FOB: Father of the bride FOG: Father of the groom FSIL: Future sister-in-law GM: Groomsmen GP: Grandparent HM: Honeymoon JP: Justice of the Peace LTBM: Living together before marriage MIL: Mother-in-law MOB: Mother of the bride MOG: Mother of the groom MOH: Maid of honor OOTG: Out-of-town guests RB: Ring bearer RD: Rehearsal dinner STDs: Save the Dates TY: Thank you For more check out http://www.yourwedding101.com/wedding-basics/wedding-glossary.aspx

No proposal yet? Dropping the hint: If your significant other has expressed their intention of proposing or taking things to the next level but you aren't sure if they know your ring style, you can start by checking out the website of your favorite jeweler.  Most large jewelers will have a page or link on their website for "dropping a hint" this can either send an email link with the style number, size etc via email or you may have the option to print it out and leave out in plain sight.  If you want it to be a surprise, then give your significant other the confidence to choose out the ring style on their own, by letting them know you will love whatever they pick out.  As a fail safe, some jewelers will have the customer pick out the diamond to their specifications and propose with a basic setting until the couple can come in together and select the style.  For a helpful glossary on wedding jewelry click here.

Check back for more engagement related posts, and enjoy your holiday season!

Wedding Rings Guaranteed to be Original!

Wedding Rings have come a long way, with new styles and gemstones being introduced constantly there are virtually endless options.  We have posted about Rose Gold, and Celebrity Bling but this post is about a company who offers a new spin on custom jewelry. For some couples, it is about finding the ring that fits their unique personality and captures the essence of who they are.  They may not know exactly what style rings they are looking for until they see "the one."  Brent & Jess offers custom fingerprint and signature jewelry including wedding rings, pendants, keepsakes and more. With the ability to put your own personal stamp on your wedding rings, or special piece of jewelry it just doesn't get more custom than that.  We not only instantly liked the concept, but we liked that the company was a small start up with a passion and has blossomed into a successful brand! Photos Courtesy of Brent&Jess.Com

About the Company: Brent and Jess created the first fingerprint wedding bands in the early 2000s. In 2007 they finally had the opportunity to pursue their dream of starting their own business and began listing the Original Custom Fingerprint Wedding Band in sterling silver on the fine craft website Etsy.com. The idea was picked up by several wedding blogs, and customers quickly began asking for the rings in finer materials.

About the Jewelry: While the Original Custom Fingerprint Wedding Band is still offered in sterling silver, Brent and Jess have expanded their line over the years to include many fingerprint jewelry creations in gold, palladium, and platinum.  The company is eco-conscious and all the pieces are handmade in the USA.

You may be looking for a special way to say " I Love You" or possibly looking for a gift that will make a lasting impression, if so visit Brent & Jess's website or blog for more information and to check out the rest of their designs!

The Etiquette of Parents Meeting Parents

An engagement season can be magical as a couple busily plan their wedding, shares their excitement with those close to them, and bask in pre-wedding festivities. No matter the length of the engagement, one of the crucial tasks during this time is for the couples' parents to meet and get better acquainted.After all -- they're about to become family!

Whose parents reach out first? Traditionally, if the couple’s parents have not met one another, it is the groom’s parents, or specifically mother, who arrange this meeting. However, this is one of those traditions that is more for the sake of tradition than for practical, modern application. In fact, it dates back to when brides would move in with the groom's family, thus making the groom's side a dominant figure in the marriage. Even if the bride's parents wish to adhere to tradition, if no invitation or arrangement has been communicated within the first few days or weeks following the engagement announcement, it is perfectly acceptable for them to take the initiative. His parents may even be waiting for hers to make the first move.

How to make contact As a parent, don’t be afraid to get the other parent’s phone number(s), and introduce yourself with a friendly call. If you’re comfortable with technology, you could suggest video chatting through a program like Skype for a more in-person vibe. If your schedules are very busy, or you find it difficult to coordinate, it is acceptable to use email, although this is seen as more of a last resort. From there you can arrange a time to meet in person that works best for everyone. In the event that distance prevents you from getting together in person before the big day, stay in touch throughout the engagement and wedding planning process.

What about divorced parents? If the other parents and/or yourself are divorced, the first question to field is how pleasant the relationship is between exes. This is a conversation to have with the bride/groom regarding their parents. If the relationships between all exes are on good terms, there's no reason not to all come together for this wonderful moment. If any relationship is not on the best of terms, you should decide to meet separately, but as close to the date as possible so as to avoid hurt feelings.

In any case, it's a good thing to keep in mind that whether or not you all become best friends, this is a time to think about the kids you share, and the grandkids you might share someday.

Posted by Kendall Arelleis, Event Coordinator with The 530 Bride

Your Name Doesn’t Have To Be Your Something Old

For many engaged couples, the prospect of sharing the same last name is joyous. However, for many women, changing their name is accompanied by a feeling of loss, of who they once were, and of their family heritage. Some women may even feel undervalued by the unequal treatment of only her changing her name. While the majority of brides still take the more traditional route and acquire their groom’s last name, more modern women keep their family surname, or hyphenate with their new hubby, a movement started during Women’s Lib. Some progressive husbands even change their name to hyphenate alongside their wife. But did you know that you have more options than your parents did?

CA’s name change law Laws change per state, but in California we have what’s called The Name Equality Act of 2007 (AB 102, Chapter 567, Statutes of 2007), and it’s opened up a world of name possibilities to those filing for marriage and domestic partnerships. Before it was passed, multiple couples had spoken out against the state for having archaic laws that promoted gender discrimination when it came to name changes, even if the man’s intention was as noble as wanting his wife’s family name to continue, despite having no brothers. Now a couple can change one or both of their middle and/or surnames, using any of their last names that are current, or from birth.

How it works You have the option of both taking his name *or* her name, hyphenating in either order, swapping names, or, for those looking for a truly unique moniker, combining your names in a sort of word scramble with segments of two or more letters, and arranging them in any way you find pleasing for your new last name. Middle names can stay untouched, be replaced by the old last name, or be hyphenated with the old last name. My husband and I opted for the “word scramble”, and after much time, effort, creativity, and names like Hartstetter, Lear, Ellis, and Muarette, our final choice was Arelleis.

Need a hand? If all these options give you too much of a headache, you can always turn to a Name Consultant. While many couples are turning to the opinions of friends and family, even creating online survey sites for them to visit, some hire a professional to layout all their options for them. The 530 Bride offers Name Change Consulting, along with other Wedding Planning services, for which we create a customized list of all possible names and initials for a couple.

Whatever reasons you have for choosing any direction with names for your new life together, just remember to do it in the name of love.

Posted by Kendall Arelleis, Event Coordinator with The 530 Bride

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For further reading on Name Changing: More Men Taking Wives' Last Names To Be Safe, Call the Bride by Her First Name