Tip - Let A Pro Make You Up

Many brides decide to do their own makeup on wedding day…I advise that every bride have their makeup professionally done. It is also very important to have a trial run and have your photo taken after the trial run. Many girls think that the makeup will be too heavy and they won’t look like themselves, but a good makeup artist will only make you look your best.

Tip provided by Pfeiffer Event Planning
Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Trend - Light My Fire

Not just for smoking....the traditional matchbook is a fun, creative way to carry on the monogram theme in your wedding. Matchbooks are hard to find these days so guests like to pick them up. They're a great keepsake!Trend provided by Pfeiffer Event Planning
Photo courtesy of Nick Brown Photography

Tip - Organza Overlays Can Add Texture

Organza overlays, especially with some texture, can truly finish off the look of your wedding. This is another subtle touch that really deserves the quote a “big bang for your buck”. By adding this linen the entire feeling of the room was changed.
Photo provided by Sharpe Photographers
Event design and tip by Pfeiffer Event Planning
Rentals from Celebrations! Elegant Party Rentals

Trend - Best Man Or Best Gal

This is your day and it’s important to have your best friend by your side. There is no need to put the groom’s female friends with the bridesmaids when she can be a “groomsgal” or a “Best Gal”.
Photo provided by John Decker Photography
Trend and coordination by Pfeiffer Event Planning

Tip - Consult A Coordinator

If you're not sure that a wedding coordinator is in your budget during this rough economy, we still suggest setting up consults with a few coordinators. You may realize that their insight could prove instrumental to making sure your day goes smoothly and consider reevaluating your budget to make room for them. Another good reason to set consults is because most coordinators are eager to help and may give you a few ideas or things to think of that never would've crossed your mind. While your budget may be forcing some budget decisions to be made later, establishing a relationship with a coordinator now could prove to be a real stress reliever later.

Contact our dynamite coordinators to set up consultation:

Arcularius Events
A Day to Remember
Pfeiffer Event Planning


Photo provided by The Memory Journalists

Tip - Hand It Over

Kudos for putting in so much time and effort to make sure that your day goes accordingly. It's getting close to the big day and while you've arranged coordination of vendors, venue, wedding party, etc., you don't want to be bothered on your wedding day to be asked for final payment or where the extra glasses are being stored. Arrange for day of coordination; it will be so worth it! You worked so hard to create this perfect day and now it's time for you to enjoy it.

Be sure to check out our dynamite coordinators for day of coordination or full package deals:

A Day To Remember
Arcularius Events
Pfieffer Event Planning



Photo by The Memory Journalists

Dynamite Event Coordinators

Kendra, Lora, Catriona, Darcie and Michaela

A dynamite group of expert wedding coordinators attended the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) Conference in Newport Beach last month. They had a blast and were able to meet and interact with other outstanding professionals, like Colin Cowie and Barbara Wallace.Catriona & Colin

"As the oldest and largest group of wedding professionals in the world, the ABC have been making wedding dreams come true since 1955. ABC offers the most detailed and comprehensive training in the industry. Also, all of the members agree to uphold the ABC Code of Ethics and Professional Standards of Membership."

These women are all outstanding professionals and know how to have fun too!To learn more about each of these dynamite coordinators, visit their dynamite contributions to Dynamite Weddings:

Lora, A Day to Remember
Darcie, A Dazzling Day by Darcie (also Slip of Elegance)
Catriona, Arcularius Events
Kendra, Pfeiffer Event Planning
Michaela, Plush Events

To learn more about the ABC, visit www.bridalassn.com.

Spotlight On - Pfeiffer Event Planning

Pfeiffer Event Planning
Kendra Pfeiffer-Wershing is the proprietor of Pfeiffer Event Planning. She has 15 years of industry experience and started Pfeiffer Event Planning in 1995. Kendra received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Strategic Management and Marketing. She strengthened her education by taking the Professional Development Program and becoming a Professional Bridal Consultant™ through the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC). During her training she worked under several wedding and event planners to gain experience and knowledge. During her career she has designed hundreds of weddings and has become a leader in the industry. More than staying up to date, she is a trendsetter. She has been published and quoted in bridal magazines, newspapers and web sites. She continues to educate herself and others by attending, participating and speaking at bridal shows and conventions. Each wedding is a learning experience and she treasures each opportunity.Pfeiffer Event Planning provides professional coordinating for amazing weddings, parties and special events. They help to make your special day a perfect reflection of your style and taste, while minimizing your stress in planning. Pfeiffer’s team spends time to find out what you envision your day to be; no dream too vast, every detail vital, to make it uniquely yours. They strive to match you with vendors that will exceed your expectations while working within your budget. Pfeiffer Event Planning will not make any decisions for you; they will only help you to make informed decisions. With training and experience Pfeiffer’s team will offer you information based on your dreams and expectations. Pfeiffer Event Planning will be there to answer all your questions and make sure your wedding day is all that you have ever imagined! At Pfeiffer Event Planning, confidentiality is paramount. They are careful to protect all of the details surrounding this most personal of ceremonies and have no problem signing an agreement stating this.Pfeiffer Event Planning will not accept any referral fees from recommended vendors.

site: www.sacramentoweddingplanner.com
office: 1913 Capitol Avenue, Ste. B, Sacramento 95811
phone: 916.607.6024
email: kendra@sacramentoweddingplanner.com

Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography
Floral designs by Blooms by Martha Andrews

Themes - Hawaiian Reception

Laurie and Eric married in January 2008 in Hawaii with about 25 or 30 close family and friends attending. They decided to throw a Sacramento reception for about 150 guests, the month following. They love great wine, fabulous food, travel and they especially enjoyed snorkeling. Laurie and Eric wanted to bring back some of the Hawaiian feel to Sacramento, so a wonderful tropical experience was created in the middle of downtown Sacramento at the Sterling Hotel. February 2008

Walls were uplighted in blues and a moving water pattern on the ceiling made it feel like everyone was “under the sea.” Guest tables were covered in an iridescent green/blue table linen, and the head table, positioned in the center of the room, was covered in a shimmery ivory linen.

The flowers were outstanding! The use of tall trumpet vases filled with crystal gel and fuchsia LED lights were topped with large monstera leaves, white orchids (with hanging clear crystals) and the bottom of the vase held a perfect fuchsia catelaya orchid. The stacked wedding cake was beautifully decorated with more orchids and sat atop a glass pedestal with floating orchids and white LEDs. Icing seashells encircled the layers; they were the same design as the wedding invitations. White sand, seashells and candles adorned all tables. Fresh leis were worn by the guests (flown in from the islands).

The buffet was a feast that included a whole roasted pig (this was the one main wish of Eric), and also teriyaki grilled chicken, fresh stir-fry vegetables, jumbo prawns, tropical rice pilaf, and even Chinese chicken salad served in “take-out boxes” with chopsticks!

A continuous playing loop of their wedding photos displayed on a flat-screen monitor, so everybody could see how beautiful their Hawaiian wedding was on the beaches of Oahu. Because the couple is into music and wanted a “rockin’ party,” the evening started off with a Polynesian drum group and two Tahitian dancers who thrilled the guests with several dances. The evening ended with a packed dance floor as guests were entertained by a 10 piece rock band. Laurie and Eric said their Hawaiian wedding was beautiful, but their Sacramento “Hawaiian” reception was the most fun they’ve ever had.

Coordinator: Lora Ward, A Day to Remember
Reception Photography: Sam Wood, Sharpe Photographers
Reception Videography; Phill Sheffield, Sheffield Multimedia
DJ/MC: Doug LaVine, Music on the Move
Flowers: Shannon Cosgrove-Rivas, Flourish
Band: Bust-A-Groove
Hawaiian Drummers & Dancers: Hula Halau 'O Ka 'Ano 'l Pua
Cake: Ettores
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Lighting: Sacramento Theatrical Lighting
Invitations: Pfeiffer Event Planning

Ask Marvin - Candy Craving

Dear Marvin,
Some of my wedding Ideas are a little bit, "out of the box", untraditional if you will. I love all of the new trends out now and one of my favorites is the candy bar. All of the different types of candy that my soon to be hubby and I love. (Our first date was to the movies and so I feel candy is fitting.) The problem is that my mother and her sister think this idea is a bit juvenile. Even though my mom is helping to pay for some of our wedding I feel like it is still OUR wedding and I should have it how I want it. Should I honor my mother’s wishes and ditch the candy?

Craving CandyDear Craving Candy,
I have seen the trend of candy at recent weddings and I too, LOVE it!!!I think you should sit down with dear sweet mom and tell her how important it is to you to make your day special. Make sure she knows the connection between the candy and the first date. I'm sure after a heart to heart she will understand. Maybe show her examples from magazines or websites on how tasteful the candy bar can be done. No matter who foots the bill it is still your day and you only get one chance to make it exactly what you want.

Marvin

Flowers by Blooms by Martha Andrews
Table design and containers provided by Pfeiffer Event Planning & A Day to Remember
Rentals provided by Celebrations Party Rentals
Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography

Backyard Wedding

Brides and grooms to be are always looking for the ideal venue for their dream wedding. What about an intimate backyard wedding? You may have or know someone who has the perfect backyard for your big day. What better way to save money and incorporate beautiful outdoor elements this summer? Stephanie & Ron's wedding is a perfect example of an informal, ideal, comfortable, intimate wedding. Their vision came to fruition on May 17th, 2008. As the guests entered through the garden gate, adorned with a hydrangea and calla lily heart shaped wreath, they were greeted with lemonade and enjoyed a “pre-social” of appetizers and chilled fresh fruit. As guests mingled, they were asked to write their wish for the couple and to hang the note card by pretty ribbons from the Wish Tree.

Stephanie and Ron wanted an informal feel to their wedding, so the 80 guests stood through the ceremony and encircled the couple as they exchanged their vows. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the guests were asked to make a private wish for themselves as a stunning Monarch butterfly release took place.

Centerpieces were in keeping with the garden theme by using galvanized tubs and Mason jars to hold flowers of rust hued astromerias, calla lilies, orange gladiola blooms and gerbera daisies. The arrangements nestled on a bed of moss with polished stones for accent. Orange “glads” were a favorite of the bride’s grandmother, so individually wrapped orange gladiola bulbs (freshly dug from the fields in Wisconsin) were given as favors. Garden pathways were lined with candles in varying sizes of Mason jars. The wedding cake was definitely another show stopping focal point. Stephanie worked with the baker by providing the wedding invitation, so that a pearlescent vine and leaf pattern could be replicated onto the cake. A few colorful silk butterflies were added as accents to this piece of art.

As the evening grew darker, the setting twinkled with candlelight and guests thoroughly enjoyed dancing under the stars and celebrating all the many wishes bestowed upon the newlyweds.

Coordinator: Lora Ward, A Day to Remember
Photographer: Allison Stahl Photography
Caterer: All Seasons All Reasons Fine Catering
Florist: Katie Edwards w/Ambience Floral Design
Bakery: Ettore's
DJ: Brian Gibson w/Encore Entertainment
Garden Accent Lighting - STL (Sacramento Theatrical Lighting)
Invitations: Kendra Pfeiffer-Wershing w/Pfeiffer Event Planning
Butterflies: Swallowtail Farms
Officiant: Honorable Talmadge Jones

Tip - Lift Your Cake

If you have a small cake, consider using a cake stand. It will lift your cake typically 5” higher. Also, consider using a smaller table so your cake doesn’t get lost on a large table.

Tip and photo provided by Pfeiffer Event Planning

Tip - Prep Those Toasting

Plan in advance who will be given the microphone during the toasting time. Give those people notice to plan something nice to say and you won’t have the babbling, long winded, inebriated friend try to take over the reception.Tip provided by Pfeiffer Event Planning
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Trend - Parasols For Outdoor Ceremonies

Guests appreciate you considering their comfort. For outdoor ceremonies a parasol can be a life saver. They are available in many colors, are great as photo props, and much less expensive than a tent!

Trend provided by Pfeiffer Event Planning
Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Tip - Name Your Reception Tables

Personalize your wedding by naming your tables instead of numbering them. The names can be venue related or they may be personalized to the bride and groom. It is also important to secure you table names if you are having an outdoor wedding…a breeze can cause havoc.

Tip provided by Pfeiffer Event Planning
Photo courtesy The Memory Journalists

Our own Lora Word of A Day to Remember Wedding Consultants coordinated this Casablanca themed wedding.

Trend - Stand Out With Upgraded Linens

Upgraded linens and chairs can set your wedding apart from any other. There are many rental items available or you can purchase and make your own table cloths and runners.
Trend and photo provided by Pfeiffer Event Planning

Trend - Make Your Dance Sparkle

Sparklers are hot! Use them for a sparkling dance – outside of course or for a fabulous reception exit.
Trend provided by Pfeiffer Event Planning
Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Tip - Place Cards in Place

If you are outdoors make sure that your place cards are secured. It takes only a small breeze to make a mess of all of your alphabetizing work.

Tip provided by Pfeiffer Event Planning

Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Trend - "Kings" Head Table

A great table or Kings table will include your wedding party and their dates.

Having a head table like this is nice for the Wedding Party and for their guests who may not know many other guests at the wedding.

Trend and photo provided by Pfeiffer Event Planning

Tip - By The Power Vested In Me...

A fabulous way to personalize your wedding ceremony while saving some money is to have a friend or family member officiate the ceremony.

Most counties will allow a person to be deputized for the day to perform a wedding ceremony. There is also the option of attaining a Universal Life Certificate online (http://www.ulc.net/).

Tip provided by Pfeiffer Event Planning

Photo courtesy of Pfeiffer Event Planning