Tip - Rehearsal Dinner Invites

Rehearsal dinner invites usually include the wedding party and those closely involved in the wedding. If you invite your photographer to get to know the family, you may want to ask if that counts towards the hours you're paying for, some photogs charge extra for attendance.Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

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

Tip - Know Your Postage Cost

Something that people often forget when budgeting, is postage costs. When selecting your invitations, be sure to find out the cost to mail those invitations, based on size and weight. A 6x6 invitation will cost more to mail than a 4x6. Take a sample to your post office (not a mailing center) and have them tell you for sure.Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Trend - Bridesmaid Dresses You CAN Wear Again

If you've seen 27 Dresses, you know the most repeated phrase was "The best thing is, I can wear this again!" We all know that's what you say as your standing there in a lime green floor length gown with a brown sash. Something that brides are leaning towards is finding more affordable dresses that you can actually wear again! J Crew, Nordstrom's and Banana Republic have some amazing bridesmaid dress that won't break the bank and have rewear appeal.
Another option is assigning a color and length that you desire and letting the girls pick out and purchase their own. This way they're guaranteed to be happy and while your color scheme isn't sacrificed, a little creativity is added by having different style dresses.
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Spotlight On Interview - Ruth's Chris Steak House

We had the privilege of asking Jan with Ruth's Chris Steak House, a few questions to get to know her better. Here's your chance to find out about Jan, behind the scenes at Ruth's Chris!

My favorite item from our menu is... Filet

My first job was… Lifeguard

The most important thing to ensure a successful rehearsal dinner is… to rely on our expertise to do the planning.

The one item I can’t live without… Pasta

The last movie I watched was… Sex In The City

The most elaborate group we’ve hosted is… The Raiders Football Team

Our way of giving back is… We participate in approximately 15 to 20 Charity events every year.

When I go to dinner at someone’s house, I like to bring… Wine

The most unique food request we’ve had is… Complete Vegetarian Menu (we are a steak house)!

My goal for this year is… To survive the gas crisis

Something people may not know about our location is… We have complimentary Valet Parking

My favorite dessert is… Crème Brulee

Our most popular bottle of wine is… Rombauer Chardonnay & Silver Oak Cabernet

For a dinner reservation, call before… 1 week out

We can accommodate… 15 to 100 guests

Spotlight On Interview- Sheffield Multimedia

We were able to ask Phill, of Sheffield Multimedia, and ask him a few questions to get to know him better. We wanted to share what we learned about Phill with all of you.
The 3 things I can’t work a wedding without…
- A game plan. I require a minimum of 60 minutes with my clients before the wedding to talk about their vision for a perfect video. Knowing whether or not a clients likes something classic and traditional or fun and contemporary is key going in to each customized production.
- Knowing the other vendors and giving them/getting from them a heads up. Having a team-player mentality going into an event really raises the quality level and makes for a more pleasant experience. I’ve made some great friends by just giving them a call/e-mail before the event and introducing myself.
- My magic equipment bag: cameras, adapters, tapes, batteries cords, Advil, muscle relaxers, and the master itinerary.

The site/blog I visit most frequently… Engadget.com. It is a constantly updated technology blog that deals with things from mobile video delivery, to high definition trends and fancy new toys to buy.

My favorite movie is…The Shawshank Redemption, nuff said!

The first cinematic masterpiece I ever shot… In my last semester in college, I filmed a parody of MTV’s the Real World, using friends and fellow students. It was shown to an audience of 50 peers and so well received that I knew video was my future.

If I made a documentary it would be about… I get such a kick out of green energy, I’d like to explore some new exciting trends on technologies like solar, tidal, wind, and hydroelectric renewable energy.

My best feature or trait is… I am always on the hunt for some new and exciting footage. I never leave an event saying that “I wish I got more footage.” I am constantly on the go, and always want to keep shooting, keep striving for new and dynamic shots. Also, I am tall! I can see over crowds of people to get my shots :)

If I wasn’t a videographer, I would be… My grandmother was a wedding photographer in the 1920’s, my mom a landscape painter, so I cannot escape my creative destiny! I would probably be a graphic designer or marketing go-to guy.

The wedding I enjoyed most last year… Every wedding has its charm, and I remember each bride and groom vividly. My most recent memory was that of my New Years Eve wedding. It was perhaps the most atomically decorated, tricked out, staffed, coordinated, and shot wedding than I’ve ever seen.

The place I go to learn about ways to advance my business… I learn a lot from industry leaders in similar fields to my own. I’ve attended seminars on filmmaking, photography, lighting, and even how to mix music together as a DJ would. Using a composite of all this knowledge, I am able to up the ante on wedding video.

I can’t get through my day without… Tea. Currently my passion is white blueberry tea; on slow days I prefer a hearty black tea, and for mellowing out time its green tea.

My favorite producer is…I am a big fan of the Wachowski brothers, they have a way of incorporating asian visual elements with western flair and grit to tell their message.

The YouTube video I never get tired of… Right now it is Pork & Beans by Weezer…all your internet celebs, all in once place!

I usually sleep… 10 p.m. till 5:30 a.m. I am one of the 7 people in the world who are true morning people That gives me a few hours to make a daily checklist and crank out some work before the phone starts to ring and before it gets to be one thousand degrees outside.

I prefer to capture… Candid, happy moments…as unobtrusively and naturally as possible.

My goal for this year is… To constantly improve my production quality, and have clients say, “Is this all I paid for my finished video? I would have paid you double!”

Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography

Trend - Personalized Bridal Party Gifts

Personalized bridal party gifts are a huge trend. Try finding a special gift for each attendant that fits their personality and interests. Maybe golf tee cuff links for the best man and an autographed copy of the Tori Spelling autobiography for your maid of honor. Personalizing each gift will let them know that you are truly honored they're participating in your wedding and gave their gifts special consideration.
Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Tip - Send Invites Out Together

Make sure to send your wedding invites out in one bunch. People tend to talk and if one person gets their invite 2 weeks later, they may think it was a last minute decision not just because you ran out of postage.

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Tip - Bridesmaid Reminders

When selecting bridesmaid dresses and shoes keep in mind different body shapes, ages and other factors like tattoos or large birthmarks. Just be aware of what you're comfortable with your bridesmaids showing on your wedding day and make sure to discuss the options with them to see if there's anything you could choose that may make them uncomfortable. A happy bridesmaid is a helpful bridesmaid.
Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Trend - Online Ring Shopping

Many couples are finding their engagement rings and bands on the internet. Some are shopping on eBay to bid on rings direct from out of state jewelers or auction houses. You can save a lot of money shopping online and still get exactly what you're looking for. Know that most online outfits don't include a warranty. Do some research on the seller before making the purchase. In some cases if you don't get what you expected, it may be too late for any recourse.Photo courtesy of Profinish Design

They Like Us, They Really Like Us!

We wanted to give a Dynamite shout out to BestWeddingBlogs.com! We have recently been added to their Northern California directory under bridal resources.

They also host a great bridal blog, The Flirty Guide, an "oh so fun & flirty wedding and lifestyle blog". Check it out!

Tip - Number Your RSVPs

Place a small number on the back of your rsvp cards so when you start getting them returned, you can just run down the list in order. This way if you get an rsvp for Sara and guest and you invited 3 Saras, you'll know who rsvpd.Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Trend - Kids Welcome

Kids being invited to weddings is a huge trend! Couples were moving away from kid friendly celebrations because the $55/guest meal didn't seem realistic for a child or they were worried about crying during the ceremony and things getting broken or out of control during their magical reception. Guess what? Worries are over! With event nannies coming onto the scene, kids can enjoy the wedding just as much as the adults. PB & J, pizza, washable finger painting, movie night, a jump house, the options are endless and parents can check in on their kids anytime. Make it an amazing night for everyone!

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Top 100 Wedding Planning Blogs

We were listed on the Soul Mate blog under the Top 100 Wedding Planning Blogs. Our listing is under the advice section. We are grateful to be included with so many other great blogs. We'll keep providing the useful advice as long as you keep visiting! Thanks for the consideration Soul Mate!

Survey Says - Did You Live With Your Fiance First?

Did you live with your fiancé before you got married? If so, do you think this helped into the transition as newlyweds? If not, did you have any surprises as you moved into together that you’d share with another future bride?

Yes, I think it helped with the transition of the day to day living together stuff, but I think it also takes away from all the "new" things our parents/grandparent experienced. I think that's why so many newlyweds are so upset over the excitement”of the wedding being gone because life is back to normal for those of us who have already experienced cohabitating with your husband.
- Lauren, married May 2007

We did live to together before the wedding and I firmly believe that it helped with the transition as newlyweds. It would have been more difficult sharing a living space while adjusting to sharing everything else as a married couple had we not had some practice beforehand.
- Amanda, married October 2007

I did live with my fiancé before the wedding; however we also had a roommate up until a month before the wedding. I think it was helpful in that it was one less thing to stress us - we didn’t have to deal with moving on top of the wedding. And having our roommate move out close to the wedding made it different enough that we could feel like were starting our own life together.
- Julie, married September 2007

No we didn't live together. The surprise to me has been that this man who was so self sufficient before we got married is suddenly not! Weird. Also I didn't realize what a neat freak I was until I moved in with my messy hubby.
- Bree, married November 2007

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists