Our Bright Star!

Check out a dynamite wedding consultant, Lora Ward with A Day to Remember on the KCRA-3 news tomorrow during the 5 p.m. news segment. The feature is addressing how economic times are affecting the wedding industry. Don't miss our bright star featured with two of her clients! For more information on A Day to Remember, visit the A Day to Remember label on our blog.
To contact Lora Ward, visit A Day to Remember's website.
Photo courtesy of Jordan's Photographic Designs

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.

Tip - Head Table Layouts

The traditional head table is single sided with your entire bridal party lined up on one side. It is difficult to have conversation with those you have invited to stand up with you. Consider a “Great Table” or “Royal Table,” which is a large table that can be positioned in the center of the reception room. All bridal party members, and their spouses or dates, can sit at this table and have better conversation. The table is usually decorated heavier and can be quite a focal show stopper.Tip provided by A Day to Remember Wedding Consultants
Photo courtesy of Jordan's Photographic Designs

Tip - Ask An Older Flower Girl

As cute as the itty bitty flower girls are… they are unpredictable when it comes to sending them down the aisle. If you have an older niece or friend’s daughter, give them consideration. They are less likely to disappoint you, and the older ones follow directions fairly well. They usually enjoy wearing hair adornment (whereas many little ones pull wreaths or halos off their heads and usually destroy the flowers in the process.)

Tip provided by A Day to Remember Wedding Consultants
Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Tip - Charger Plates Decorate

A lovely decorator element for your dinner tables can be the addition of a charger plate. Rental companies offer a variety from an inexpensive acrylic in gold or silver, to higher-end ones made of hammered metal or glass with beaded edging. If your budget does not allow upgraded linens, charger plates dress up the dinner table very nicely.

Tip provided by A Day to Remember Wedding Consultants
Photo courtesy of True Love Photo

Trend - Outdoor Lighting

Theatrical lighting is used more and more these days to enhance the mood, create ambiance and add to the drama of a wedding reception. Even outdoor garden/landscape lighting is being used for backyard weddings. Spotlight an architectural feature, uplight trees, create a pattern on a bare wall or on the dance floor. The dramatic feeling evokes by lighting can be stunning.

Trend provided by A Day to Remember Wedding Consultants
Photo courtesy of Allison Stahl Photography

Trend - Giving Recognition to Your Family

Incorporating an “Honorarium Table” at the reception is a great way of giving recognition to your grandparents, parents, siblings or other close family members. Including vintage wedding photos is very touching. Be sure to label the photos so your guests will know who’s who. Trend provided by A Day to Remember Wedding Consultants
Photo courtesy of Allison Stahl Photography

Trend - Update Flower Girl Baskets

A very popular adaptation to the flower girl basket is a unique idea of having a floral “kissing ball” or pomander made for the young ladies to carry. Many churches will not allow petals to be scattered, so florists are creating something different and eye catching. Flower girls love this idea!

Trend provided by A Day to Remember Wedding Consultants
Photo courtesy of True Love Photo

Tip - Exit Pathway

A grand exit is a happy, fun and memorable ending to a fabulous day. Many reception venues will not allow the use of sparklers or the tossing of rose petals or other material that requires clean up. Instead, collect an assortment of glass cylinders that can hold pillar candles. As you leave the reception, the lighted trail will glow and it will be a lovely pathway to a waiting limo and the start of your new life together as Mr. and Mrs.!
Tip provided by A Day to Remember Wedding Consultants
Photo courtesy of Jordan's Photographic Designs

Trend - Late Night Snacks

Many couples are including a late night snack about an hour or so after the dinner (perhaps to provide energy for more dancing!!) A simple and fun idea is to make two different favorite cookie recipes and display them in large glass jars. Guests can help themselves through out the remainder of the evening. Having a stack of personalized cards with the recipe is a nice addition.
Trend provided by A Day to Remember Wedding Consultants
Photo courtesy of Allison Stahl Photography

Wedding Day Inspiration

A Dynamite Vendor, Lora Ward of A Day to Remember was able to participate in a very rewarding and inspirational wedding day story that we had to share with you all. Get some tissues!

"Nearly five years ago, when Carrie Shellhammer was dying at UCSF Medical Center, she and her mother selected songs for her funeral, which they assumed was just weeks away.

On Saturday, those songs were played at her wedding instead."

To read the rest of this amazing story visit SF Gate.com.
Photo provided by The Chronicle.

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

Trend - Face Your Audience

Rather than keeping your back to the audience during the entire wedding ceremony, the officiant is changing positions half way through so that you’ll be facing out to your family and friends. This has become a popular twist on tradition.
Trend provided by A Day to Remember Wedding Consultants
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Tip - Wedding Website

Set up a wedding website, which is useful, fun, instructive, and the best way to advise your guests of necessary bits of information concerning the wedding and reception. This is a perfect avenue to list your wedding registry (which is never to be included in the wedding invitation).
Tip provided by A Day to Remember
Photo courtesy of Profinish Design

Wedding Workshop

Wedding Workshop at David Girard Vineyards

May 4th, 1p-5p

Enjoy an afternoon at David Girard Vineyards at this fun and informative approach to planning your perfect & unique wedding day. Speakers include Laurie Schmalzel and Lora Ward of A Day to Remember, both Sacramento based wedding planners with combined experience of 45 years and over 1,000 weddings! Champagne preview, food tastings, speakers, cake & wine tasting. Bring a notebook!

Please pre-register for this event:$20 per person.
Call 530-295-1833 or email weddings@davidgirardvineyards.com for more information.

Tip - Father of the Bride's Toast Before Dinner

Just prior to the dinner starting, invite the bride’s father to offer the first toast. This is a wonderful time to acknowledge the groom and his family, and to give best wishes to the newlyweds. Having this first toast before dinner, shortens up the length of speeches that will be given at the formal toast prior to the cake cutting.

Tip provided by A Day to Remember
Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography