Breaking with Tradition: Writing your Ceremony from Scratch

Over the last century, cultural loyalty to tradition "for the sake of tradition" has gone to the wayside. Weddings in particular have gone from mountains of "unquestionable" etiquette and protocol, to now using tradition as more of a guideline while personalizing anything and everything. One of the most common paths to personalizing your wedding is the vows, or in some cases, the entire ceremony. If you decide to do the latter, you'll find that building a ceremony from scratch is a daunting task. Personally, I begun to question why I was even trying to do it. But if you are one of those brave and creative souls that has your heart set on a ceremony that is unlike any other, here are a few tips.

1. Check with your local government to determine what your ceremony absolutely must include in order for it to be legal. For the most part, all you need is "an oral expression of consent to marry", and the signatures of your officiant witnesses, and of course yourselves, on the license to back up that this indeed did occur.

2. Determine a style that will match your relationship. If you are a rather romantic couple, use your favorite poems, or if you are a different type of serious, say lovers of logic, incorporate quotes about love from scientists or philosophers. If you are a goofy pair, be goofs! It's a celebration of *your* relationship, and if too much seriousness won't reflect you properly, throw the whole notion out.

3. If you aren't a born writer, craft a ceremony built from famous writings. A few places to look for inspiration include books, movies, songs, poetry, and even legal writings. You might be surprised to find how many people incorporate the refreshing simplicity of love in children's books like Dr. Suess and The Lovely Love Story by Edward Monkton.

4. If you have no idea what direction to begin in formatting your ceremony, it's not a betrayal of your creativity to use the skeleton  of your average ceremony. Here's a sample outline:

Welcome of Guests (This is where someone, usually your officiant, lets everyone know you're about to begin, and to please be seated, turn off your phones, etc)

 Processional (This is the part where you and your gang all make your way down the aisle)

Gathering Words (This part is rare, and is used to thank parents or specific loved one who contributed greatly to helping pull the wedding together. You can choose to do this during your toast instead.)

Declaration of Intention (This is the real beginning of the ceremony, the traditional, "Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today..."; the officiant talks about you both and your relationship, perhaps your story, how long you've been together, and what they personally have witnessed.)

Definition of Marriage (This part describes the "seriousness of the actions you are about to take", including the personal and cultural  importance of marriage. A popular choice for couples is to quote Goodridge Vs. Department of Health)

Vows (This is where you make promises to one another, list your reasons for deciding to marry, or just talk about your love!)

Ring Exchange (It can be as simple as giving each other the rings, or poetizing the moment with something like Richard III Act 1 Scene 2)

Pronouncement (This is the part of "You are now married; Kiss please!")

Recessional (Cue music as you and your party head back down the aisle under a shower of birdseed, petals, bubbles, or ribbon wands)

Readings usually go after the Definition of Marriage, and before the Pronouncement, so there's a lot of freedom there. If you want to add in a unity ceremony, that usually comes just before or after the vows.

No matter what you decide to do with your ceremony wording, just remember, it's *your* wedding, and it should feel like it!

Happy Planning!

Posted by Kendall Arelleis, Event Coordinator with The 530 Bride

Free DIY Resources

Tackling a do-it-yourself wedding project is a great way to add a personal touch to your event while impressing guests with unique ideas and creativity. Though many DIY projects can save money and are fun to create with bridesmaids, they can also be time consuming. Fortunately many wedding websites offer free resources for visiting brides—in the form of print templates and speedy projects —that bring the fun back to crafting your special day!

Here are a few of our recent finds online that we'd like to share with our 530 brides.

Please make sure to follow any copyright or use instructions on the following websites. 

We would love to see your finished creations and feel free to share the resources you have found along your  journey!

~Happy Planning~

Free Custom Monograms.

A Whole Collection of Adorable Mason Jar Designs.

DIY Fringe Cake Topper.

Free Guestbook Fingerprint Tree Print.

Free Printable Table Numbers.

Free Chevron Patterned Print for Invitations, Save the Dates and Inserts Cards.

 

The Bash - Recap

We always enjoy getting to mingle with brides and local vendors, so we couldn't miss The Bash event hosted by  Carey of The Idea Emporium. The Bash featured Poise Photography, treats by Three Girls and a Kitchen & Lovely Layers, decor by The Idea Emporium & Eco Peach Events.  Magik Entertainment DJ'd & Snapshots Photobooth's provided the props & booth for a good time!

Here are a few snapshots from the ol' iPhone for those who missed it and we look forward to more out of the box events in the future!  

Stay tuned for upcoming wedding events in our area.  Have an event to share? Contact us

 

The Chico Bridal Show Recap

Chances are you're coming down from your sugar high from cake samples, and your feet are a little sore from the Chico Bridal Show today.  There is one thing we know for sure, you won't leave a bridal show hungry with all of the food, sweets & refreshing drink samples.  We want to thank all of the couples who stopped by our booth today, we always enjoy having the opportunity to meet new people and share in your excitement.  We look forward to sitting down with all of the couples who signed up for a complimentary consultation.  Don't forget, all of the couples who meet with us for a consulation will be entered to win coordination for their bridal/wedding shower.  If you need more information about the drawing please email us with any questions.  For anyone who wasn't able to attend, here are just a few images we snapped of the show (forgive us for our iPhone photography!) Thank you to WeDoDesigns & Cambray Rose for collaborating on the open concept design of our booth for the show. We hope all of the attendees liked our booth and we are looking forward to a great show in August! For more information on any of the vendors you see here, you can check out our Bridal Show Page for direct links.

Happy Planning!

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Wedding Giveaways & Sweepstakes

If you have been following our blog you have seen our posts about some of the reasons why attending a local bridal show is important, mainly because it can save you time and money. If you didn't catch the part about all of the prizes you can win at a bridal show; listen up! The Chico Bridal Show is this Sunday, February 24th at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds. Check out some of the prizes that will be given away at the show!

Make sure to attend the Chico Bridal Show for your chance to win some of these sweet prizes: ♥ Thousands in door prizes ♥ Two honeymoon giveaways ♥ Three sets of wedding bands at the show! Valued at $600 each (shipping and handling not included)

These are just a few of the prizes available, as most of the vendors will also have their own raffles and contests at their booths so don't pass any booths on your way through the buildings. You never know what you will miss if you do! Signing up to win prizes may seem like a waste of time but if you end up winning you can save a lot of money, so bring your mailing labels with you!

Mark your calendar, the Chico Bridal Show is Sunday, February 24, 2013 from Noon to 5 p.m. at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico. For more information visit the Chico Bridal Show Facebook Page

Good Luck and stop by to see our booth at the show!

_____________________________________________________ Here is another contest going on in 2013:

Michaels Craft Store is having a 2013 Ultimate Wedding Contest www.mdesign.michaels.com/bridecontest

 

Dieting Stinks

All of us at some point may have felt the pressure or need to diet, but brides, their grooms, and other guests may feel an enhanced urge to shed a few pounds before the big day. We just got through the first few weeks of the New Year, the part of the year where we redeem ourselves for the splurge from the past year’s holidays, and start fresh. Whether or not you have tried a diet yourself, I assume most people are familiar with dieting; magic weight loss pills, and cleanses. Who can honestly say, “I love dieting! I love not feeling satisfied! I love feeling guilty when I slip up and eat that stupid piece of chocolate!” No one.

Other than the fact that dieting is physical and emotional torture on our bodies (and possibly wallets - cleanses and pills are expensive and not conducive to a wedding budget), dieting does not work! Well, let me rephrase that last statement. In a short time frame people can be successful on a diet and lose some weight. However, rarely anyone can maintain a diet for a lifetime, and even if you could, why would you want to? In dieting, or cleansing, or whatever other measures you choose to take, you may not be providing your body with sufficient nutrients. Think of your body like a beautiful car. Cars will not run without fuel – just as our bodies will not run without fuel, or food. We must properly fuel our body if we want it to perform. Or if you are not feeling the car metaphor, lovely lilies and hydrangeas will begin to wilt without sufficient water. Not eating enough, or enough of the right nutrient-dense foods will cause our bodies to become fatigued. Fatigue prevents us from doing the things we want or need to do - like planning our wedding, being active, working, and enjoying the winter sunshine. Just to clarify, when I say nutrient-dense food, I am talking about whole grains, fruit, vegetables, lean meats, and low fat dairy products - not a dense piece of German chocolate cake.

We cannot meet our weight loss goal and just go back to doing what we have always done…which was what got us into the predicament of needing to lose weight in the first place. If we always do what we've always done then we will always be what we've always been.

Weddings are a major life event, an event that will be photographed and remembered for a lifetime. Why not make a lifestyle change that will last as long as the memory of your wedding. A lifestyle change is something that we will be able to maintain throughout our lifetime – by itself it is not drastic or earth shattering, but over time will add years to your life, and quality to those years.

So how do we go about making a lifestyle change?

  1. Start with something that really matters to you – not media, not your friends – just you. Choosing something that really matters to you keeps you motivated to maintain the change.
  2. Start small. You do not want to make a huge change that cannot be achieved – that is essentially what dieting is all about. An example of a small change may be switching from a grande mocha with whip cream (330 calories) to a tall mocha without whip cream (200 calories). This small change would save you 130 calories each cup. Say you did this small change 4 days a week, that would save you 520 calories a week or 2,080 calories a month, or 24,960 calories a year. This minor change would save you from gaining over 7 pounds throughout one year! You are not eliminating your daily coffee; you are just modifying the size. This would be a change you could maintain for a long period of time, without feeling deprived.
  3. Make one change at a time. Choosing to take on too many changes at once can be overwhelming. Feeling overwhelmed can cause us to give up on our goals.
  4. If it helps, involve a friend, or ask for help. Being surrounded by people who support your new change will help you be more successful. That may mean having a walking buddy to meet you at the park or gym, or getting your fiance on board with a small nutrition change (like switching from full fat milk to a lower fat choice.)
  5. Remember that NO ONE is perfect. It would be ridiculous to assume perfection for anyone. We are human. The best thing to do after a slip-up is to get right back on the horse. Do not think that just because you slipped up one time, you have to wait until Monday (or after vacation, or the holidays, etc.) to get back on the saddle. If you splurged at lunch, have a healthy dinner. Or if you haven’t exercised in a few days, get up off the couch and go for a walk.

Here's to a happy engagement, amazing wedding, perfect honeymoon, and long healthy life with your other half!

Save on Your Photography Package with Emily Hajec Photography

Meet Emily of Emily Hajec Photography!

"What you see is what you get...I am what I am.  I am a reader, an animal lover, a cook, a wine enthusiast, an aspiring novelist, an Italian who loves listening to country music and singing out loud." - Emily

Specializing in creatively capturing your memorable moments and milestones. Artistic, natural light photography for fresh, fun, modern people in Chico, Northern California, and the Reno-Tahoe area. Emily Hajec Photography is a fresh face on the Northern California wedding scene and is looking to meet lots of new clients. As an introduction, she is offering excellent pricing on her wedding collections.

Book your photo session before Valentines Day and recieve a $50 print credit ♥ All fans of The530Bride Facebook page will also receive an additional $25 print credit!

Head on over to Emily Hajec Photography's Website for more information and to view the image gallery.

 

The Do's and Don'ts of Valentines Day ~ Ladies Edition

I was going to write about what men should do for their ladies on Valentine's Day, and then it hit me.  This whole site is about weddings, and "girlie" topics so it isn't likely that a man will be reading this.  However, Valentine's Day is a two-way street so here is the alternative: The Do's and Don'ts of Valentine's Day ~ Ladies Edition 1. What Wedding? Going out on a limb to bet that you have been talking wedding pretty much since he proposed, so number one on the list is to not talk about the wedding AT ALL! That's right, no talking about the wedding on Valentine's Day because you can't forget about the things you used to talk about and enjoy doing together before the wedding planning began.  Remind him of your sense of humor, and your spontaneity.

2.  The Key to His Heart Plan a dinner at a low key restaurant, somewhere that HE feels comfortable.  Flip the switch and pay the bill, a guy likes to be wined and dined once and awhile!  If you know your way around the kitchen, then whip out that family recipe and enjoy the evening together without having to deal with the crowds in town.

3.  It's The Little Things That Count Make a basket of his favorite items such as: - Favorite Coffee - His Favorite Jerky, or Snacks, Sweets etc - Sports/Hobby related such as a hat or t-shirt - Tickets to an upcoming event such as the races, sports game - Action Movies, Books or a CD These things may not sound like much but it shows him that you pay attention to even the small things that he enjoys

4.  Day Trip While not everyone can take the day off for Valentines Day, consider planning a weekend trip or day trip a few days later.  You can give him a card with a few hints about what you have planned over the weekend.   We are lucky in California to have so many natural beauties at our fingertips, so you don't have to spend a fortune on activities. Pack up your bikes or hiking shoes and just enjoy the outdoors together.

5. Royal Treatment Before you think you yourself that your guy would never step foot in a salon, keep in mind their are some easy alternatives to this.  Give the ultimate royal treatment with a couples massage, if you don't think you could talk him into going to a salon then bring the salon to him.  A mobile massage therapy company can come to your house and possibly even give you some pointers on technique for massage so that you know how to work out the knots yourself.

What do you think the ultimate gift is for your guy? Share your ideas or comments here!

Related Posts Guys List of Do's and Don'ts GetWed's List Real Buzz's List Marie Claire's List

Budgeting and The Elusive "Average"

As wedding coordinators we meet with couples who may be planning a very intimate wedding of 40 people or under, or on the other hand couples who are trying to keep the guest list under 300.  After the engagement is official and the couple begins making selections for their venue and vendors, it becomes a question of where to start.  There are many tools and checklists that are helpful, and we offer our assistance for every step of the way during the planning process even if a couple books us for Day of Coordination vs. Full Service.    The biggest question that I hear brides ask is "what is the average cost of _________?" The reason this question isn't always easy to answer is because there are many variables to cost, therefore the photographer or venue for one wedding may not be comparable to another event due to some of these reasons: ♥ Location ♥ Time of Year ♥ No. of Expected Guests ♥ Specific Package Selections ♥ Demand for Service/Product ♥ Level of Experience of Vendor

Watching the Wedding Programs on TV or flipping through a magazine may have skewed your grasp of what a realistic budget is in your area.  While it is important to understand what is realistic, it is even more important to establish your budget based on what you feel comfortable with.  Even if a $2k floral budget is average in some areas, it may not be a number that you can or want to spend for your event.

When clients contact us, we ask them to complete a questionnaire and rate what the most important areas of their budget is.

We ask questions such as:

From 1 -5 in importance (1 being most important) rate the following:

  • Abundance of Fresh Flowers
  • Extensive Photography and/or Videographer Package (over 6-8 hours of photography and printed images in album)
  • Luxury Linens, Centerpieces & Decor
  • Venue
  • Food & Beverage

If budget was no option we would splurge on: a. Gourmet Food & Premium Drinks for our guests b. Chandeliers, Draping & Up lighting c. Modern Furniture & Lounge areas d. Gift Baskets /Custom Favors e. An over the top Wedding Cake f. Custom Stationary (Invitations, Save The Dates, etc) g. Other(s) ______________________

These types of questions give us insight on helping you establish your budget, and pair you with vendors that can not only provide the products and services you are looking for but also stay on budget.  We can assist clients prioritize the expenses so that all of the major areas are covered and we can identify some of the "extras" to have on standby if budget permits.

We support the DIY Couples in their projects and creativity, and can even help you budget for your DIY projects to estimate your savings and cost effectiveness for each project.  Our goal for the DIY couple is to help you organize all of the projects and elements that you have worked on creating, and put them together into a smooth timeline with tasks and detailed information to keep everyone on the same page.  If you would like information on our packages, or our upcoming DIY Workshop please shoot us an email at info@The530Bride.com

We will be seeing our Northern California Brides at the upcoming Bridal Shows!

Yuba Sutter, January 27th at the Yuba City Fairgrounds Chico Bridal Show, February 24th at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico

Want tickets? Shoot us your information from our contact us page to get on the list for fast pass tickets!

Chico Wedding Weekend ~ January Recap

We had a great time meeting the couples at the Chico Wedding Weekend, and getting the chance to "talk wedding" with so many of you! You guys had a lot of great questions, and we want to always be a resource for couples so please feel free to send us an email or contact us on our Facebook page if you have a burning wedding question! Check out some of the photos from the event as well as our venue tour on the following day.  A big thank you to WeDo Designs, Logan with LJS Productions, Chico Catering, and In Tent Events for making the Venue Tour a success! Too much fun and thank you all for coming![gallery columns="1" orderby="rand"]

Chico Wedding Weekend 2013 ~ Grand Prizes

If you attended the January Chico Wedding Weekend Show, you have good odds at winning prizes from not only the individual vendor booths but also at the Venue Tours.  Every Venue that you visit on the tour will have entry slips for the Grand Prize Drawing and they will each have their own raffles and giveaways.  Here are the grand prizes from the Expo!

Hotel Diamond - Complimentary stay  and dinner at Johnnies ($600 Value)

Events Inc. -Wedding Stationary custom design ($1,000 Value)

Hotel Monaco -2 night stay in San Francisco and dinner for two ($800 Value)

Bailey Creek at Lake Almanor -Golf and lunch for four at Bailey Creek Bar and Grill ($400 Value)

If you aren't a bride or groom but part of the family or wedding party that attended with the couple you can still enter into the drawing to win the following:

$500 Marriot Credit - Courtyard & Residence Inn

$100 Johnnies Restaurant Credit

Oxford Suites and Moniks Lounge & Bistro - Romance Package for 2 and International Wine Flight Tasting at Monks ($400 Value)

The White House Inn Bed & Breakfast in Nevada - Win a 2 night Stay, minutes away from Tahoe ($400 Value)

Blue Sugar Cupcakes -Gift certificate for One Market Restaurant in San Francisco

If you missed the show, or you were on the fence about attending you missed some great deals and chances to win! The good news is there are more shows to come! For more information on the Chico Wedding Weekend you can visit their website at www.ChicoWeddingWeekend.com

How to get the most from a Bridal Show

A Bridal Show is an investment in your wedding.Not only can you compare vendors with more ease and speed than normal, but you can score amazing promotions, “show offers”, and prizes for your wedding. The key to getting the most out of a Bridal Show is to be prepared! Below are a few quick tips that are sure to improve your experience.

Buy your ticket early Most shows sell tickets online, and if you buy ahead of time you will get the best price. If it slipped your mind in all the chaos of wedding planning, you can sometimes purchase at the door, however you are risking the show being sold out. You can also ask any vendors that will be in the show if they have any complimentary tickets.

Bring someone along Your fiancé, your mom, your maid of honor, or the whole bunch will add to your support group. They can help you accomplish everything on your to-do list for the day, keep you from getting overwhelmed, and make the experience fun!

Wear comfortable shoes! However long you plan on staying, you will be mostly walking and standing. Also, temperature control is a gamble, so come prepared. It can be too hot with all those people there, or the venue may overcompensate for the crowd by running the AC too much.

Have a Game Plan Chances are you won’t be able to make it to every vendor, and if you did, it’d be more overwhelming than helpful. Before the show, find out which vendors will be in the show, and decide whose booths you want to visit. Keep in mind that many vendors will be offering promotions and drawings that you won’t want to miss!

Bring a camera, a notepad, and a pen You will probably hear or see things that will inspire you. You won’t want to forget the creative DIY altar featured in that one picture, or the exact design or flavor of that unbelievable cake you tasted.

Bring your Checkbook Some deals or dates won’t be around after the bridal show, & some won’t even make it to noon. It’s important to go in knowing your budget and knowing want you want because this is the time to jump on a deal when you hear it.

Don’t shun the Literature Even if you didn't plan on searching for a certain vendor while you’re there, still take brochures and business cards for later. You may see something you like, decide to pass them to another bride, or even end up needing to replace a vendor later on, and having some extra knowledge of what’s out there won’t hurt.

Bonus: Use Contact Labels A nifty tip for a super-organized bride is to bring along address labels with your name, email, and phone number. Use these to place on vendors’ contact sheets, otherwise you’ll be spending valuable time writing the same information over and over.

Now that you're ready for the Bridal Show, don't forget the most important part of the wedding process: enjoy yourself!

Posted by Kendall Arelleis, Event Coordinator with The 530 Bride

Win a Free Pass to the Chico Wedding Weekend

The Chico Wedding Weekend is around the corner, and if you haven't had time to purchase tickets yet but would like to go to this valuable show just follow the instructions to be entered into our drawing for the tickets! All you have to do is go like our Facebook page and then comment to this post with the word "Chico" and you are entered!  We have 7 tickets so good luck!

DIY Inspiration

Chico Wedding Weekend

If you are recently engaged or looking for great deals and information for your upcoming event, make sure to get your tickets to the upcoming Chico Wedding Weekend.  Swing by our booth for our show promotion and get a great deal on coordination services for your wedding.

You don’t want to miss out on your local bridal shows because this is where you will meet professional & talented vendors who specialize in weddings.  By walking through a bridal show, you will see exhibitor booths for caterers, photographers, wedding planners, DJ’s, wedding venues & more.  Taste samples of wedding cake and entrees like tri-tip & chicken. You will have the opportunity to save money with exclusive bridal show offers, and enter contests to win some sweet prizes.

Tips: Have a game plan on what vendors you still need to secure, to avoid becoming overwhelmed by all of the options. Ask your wedding planner, or do your own research on the vendors before the show so that you can identify what questions you have and you can narrow down which vendors you feel match your needs.  Wear comfortable shoes, bring a bag to hold all of your bridal show goodies & if possible have address labels printed to save you the trouble of handwriting your name and address on all of the contest entry forms!

Neighborhood Church 2801 Notre Dame Blvd, Chico 11 to 3 pm

TICKET SALES: Tickets are on sale at http://www.chicoweddingweekend.com/get-online-tickets.php.

See you at the show!

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/

Downloadable Template Click here for a downloadable template from OneCharmingParty.com

Shower Invite 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

Real Wedding at Yuba City Fairgrounds

When planning a large wedding couples might not think of the local fairgrounds, but considering the ample indoor space, parking, and on-site kitchen you may want to keep the fairgrounds in mind.  Besides, we haven't seen the Yuba City Fairgrounds look this cool in well, ever.  Our team assisted WeDo Designs with setting up for this 600+ wedding, and we heard it was quite the party!  Table settings, linens, decor, florals, glassware & flatware provided by WeDo Designs.  Congratulations to Navi & Raj  Kalkat![gallery columns="1" orderby="rand"]

For information about events & rentals at the fair grounds click here.