NWweddingplace.com Blog

Why you need a wedding Planner!!!!!!

2010-09-11T16:37:00.000-07:00

Planning your own wedding is very hard and it takes allot of time. It can be done, but it usually brings great stress. I will share a few reasons with you that will help you determine if you need a wedding planner or wedding coordinator. If you have poor time management skills, if you are doing it all by yourself, I get frustrated easy; I have a very busy schedule. If you read most of the information online they will say you don’t need a planner. Planner’s prices range from $500.00 to $5000.00. The key is to find the right planner at the right price. Some brides need day of planning only some need full planning so it is important for you to understand your needs when choosing a planner.

Most planners will offer you an unlimited package that will cover from the beginning to the end of your wedding. This is a great way to go to save money and time. You will get the most out your planner selecting this type of package. Using a wedding consultant to plan your wedding day had always been viewed as a luxury that only the rich and famous enjoyed. This is not so much the case anymore and the number of people using wedding planners continues to rise every day.

Planning a wedding can be like a full time job if a bride decides to go it alone. This type of event involves a lot of time with so much to learn and do and often not enough time to do it all. This event planner has to be highly organized and always knows what to do if things go wrong. He/she knows exactly who to contact when the need arises.

A professional wedding planner has to be extremely creative by nature. He or she also needs to have a very good sense of style and know what trends are current and which ones are outdated. The event planner also needs to have a personality that connects well with clients in order to understand them and to have a clear picture of their personal and specific needs for their special day.

A good event planner has lots of connections with the best vendors and works at getting his/her client the best value for their money. There is usually a budget to maintain and endless details tailored to the bride and groom. A wedding planner can also save the bride and groom a lot of money as well as time. This is because they usually know which vendors are reasonably prized and the quality of work involved. The event planner is usually in a better position to negotiate and get discounts from vendors they have worked with before.

Event planners will help their clients avoid disasters at their functions because they oversee all of the operations of the day to the last detail. Should there be an emergency at the event, the planner is usually better prepared to deal with the crisis rather than having the client try to figure out what to do.

The costs involved in hiring such a professional may be surprisingly affordable given the amount of details they have to work with. Planners also tailor their cost according to the client's budget and help them to stay within their budget.
Without a wedding planner on hand, many brides and grooms run themselves ragged as the wedding day approaches. Some couples have even complained of not enjoying their wedding day because of the stress. An event planner comes in handy at this point because the couple has nothing to worry about since all the details are taken care of. The end result of having an event planner or a wedding consultant, in this case, is well worth it. The clients end up with a stress free day and they are able to enjoy every moment of their special occasion.

Why Hire A Wedding Coordinator?

2010-06-17T19:45:00.000-07:00

As couples begin thinking about their wedding , they are often confused as to how much to spend, where to obtain specialized services, and how to choose vendors.

These worries often mount as quickly as the cost of the wedding. After the euphoria wears off and the reality settles in, it's shocking to discover of how much preparation is involved.

Couples are faced with decisions about everything from invitation wording to planning their honeymoon. Couples often find they want experienced professional help.
Not long ago, a wedding coordinator was thought of as a luxury, only used by the wealthy.

Now a coordinator is essential to the well planned affair. It is no longer "trendy" to engage a coordinator. Being experienced in negotiating contracts with caterers, florists, photographers, and other suppliers, the coordinator saves valuable time and money. The coordinator can take advantage of discounts not available to private parties and avoid costly mistakes, while turning your dreams into reality.

The average wedding can take more than two hundred fifty hours just to plan. With today's hectic lifestyles, you may not have time to compare all the options, making sure you get the best deal, and make sure all the details are in place.
Wedding coordinators are not here to make decisions for you, but to guide and assist you in making informed decisions. Their training, knowledge, and experience will turn your dreams and expectations into reality. They want you to host a beautiful and distinctive event which you can enjoy.

A wedding coordinator will save you time and enable you to get the most for your money! A wedding coordinator can serve in many other capacities. They can act as the family counselor for apprehensive brides and the mothers, a wedding coordinator can become as close as your best friend.

How do you know you're hiring the right coordinator? Trust is important in any relationship. You should feel completely comfortable with the coordinator and feel assured that he or she completely understands what your needs are.

Your personalities should match. It's important to find out how long the coordinator has been in business. Be careful of coordinators who are not members of any professional organization. These organizations have a code of ethics that the consultant must follow in order to be a member, some also require some sort of continuing education each year to stay a member.
How Do Wedding Coordinators Charge for Services?

VENUE TRENDS

2010-05-11T18:30:00.000-07:00

Recently I was talking with one of my wedding planning friends about venues. She shared that one of her brides called her specifically for a venue search. They went to several venues in Olympia and Tacoma. The bride looked at Grand Holiday Ball Room, South Sound Manor, Scottish Rite, and the Chapel. They are all very nice venues and I would recommend them to anybody for their wedding. I have personally gone out and met the owners and viewed them myself. My friend said that the bride liked them all but felt strongly that she would have to spend extra money for decorations at three of the venues. When the bride walked into the Grand Holiday Ball Room her jaw dropped with excitement. My friend said” only if you could have seen the smile on her face”. I feel this is a great trend for venues that are elegantly decorating their venues then adding that into the rental fee of the venue. Secondly providing a package that includes: catering, venue, centerpieces, tablecloths, DJ, chair covers, and more for $6,500 to $8,000 depending on your guest count, not bad. I really feel that this trend will catch on with other venues because you become a one stop shop and you stand to make more money. These days due to the economy brides must be practical in their budget but be honest champagne test never goes away. Take your time with your venue search. Make sure you look at several venues. Go back and look again if you are not sure. Don’t allow you planner to rush your decision. Remember your wedding day only happens once for the first time. Here are a few venue links below take a look if you are look for a venue for your wedding. I hope you wedding day is very special. Talk to you soon!!!!!!

Wedding Make-Up Providers

2010-05-03T15:35:00.001-07:00

Hello Wedding Fans!

As you know, we are deep into wedding planning season right now. In fact, in the past several months, I have personally helped with several weddings and have met with many brides and bridesmaids to talk about Dessy bridesmaid dresses.

An important, yet often forgotten, aspect of wedding day beauty is makeup. The bride, the bridesmaids and often the mother of the bride and groom too want to look their best, which includes having professional makeup help. Have you considered having a makeup company consultant do a pre-wedding party, and then help the day of the wedding too?

In fact, Mary Kay consultants have samples to try out, and enjoy working with groups of ladies at bridal showers or pre-wedding makeup sessions. It is easy to test out, experiment with and purchase products that match/compliment dress colors, skin tones, etc. Plus, you can ask for help before wedding photos are taken for a more flawless look.

Olympia, WA Mary Kay: Lori Sevier, Independent Sales Director. Site: http://www.marykay.com/lorisevier/default.aspx

Shelton, WA Mary Kay: Teresa Hurt, Independent Consultant. Contact: sweet4monkeys72@hotmail.com

For more wedding ideas, visit http://www.nwweddingplace.com/ today!

2010-01-29T08:40:00.000-08:00

2010 wedding? Looking to order Dessy bridesmaid dresses? Visit www.Dessy.com, then send us a note for a no-obligation price quote on your favorite style!

Note: Dresses take 8-9 weeks to receive since they are custom made for each person (style/size/color).

ordering@NWweddingplace.com

Engagement Party

2009-11-06T09:49:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, I hosted an engagement party for a couple who is getting married early next March. Here is a re-cap of the party planning process and information:

The bride and groom wanted this to be a fun time. Couples and close friends were invited via Evite online invitations, approximately 3 weeks in advance.

A special engagement cake was purchased, using the couple's planned wedding colors.

Each person who came brought a food dish to share, and the party coordinators also brought sandwiches, drinks and deviled eggs.

Drinks included a variety of pop, sparkling water with lemons and limes and coffee.

One person was assigned the job of official party photographer. She took candid and posed photos at various times during the party.

The party began at 2:00pm, and most left by 5:00.

Since this was a time for just close friends who cherish the couple to gather, and no games were needed. Plenty of networking and socializing happened naturally. It was a great time for the bride and groom to discuss their wedding plans and ideas with this intimate group of friends, many of whom will be volunteering time to help at the wedding.

Engagement parties are fun! They are meant for both men and women to attend, and usually couples will choose to invite their closest relationships.

Brought to you by http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

Day-of Wedding Coordinator

2009-11-02T09:31:00.000-08:00

So you're getting married...Congratulations! Weddings should be all fun and games, but sometimes...they cause the engaged couple to be on overload.

One of the complaints we hear from brides is that their wedding day is too stressful and chaotic. The bride knows how she wants every detail, yet can't do it all herself. The groom is not fully available either! Besides, for the couple much of the wedding day is consumed by hair appointments, getting dressed, hanging around with the bridal party, photos, greeting guests and family members, etc. So what is a couple to do??

Hire a day-of wedding coordinator! What is the difference between a day-of coordinator and a traditional wedding planner, you ask? The day-of coordinator does a lot less of the planning work, and the majority of the practical tasks at the event. The day-of coordinator sets up decorations, organizes the volunteers, coordinates incoming vendors, such as photographers, caterers and DJ's, keeps the bridal party on-time, helps clean up, may return rented items, etc. Basically, this person takes care of many of the little things that need to get done so the bride, groom and their families can relax and have fun!

The couple gives this day-of coordinator their master plan, and meets with them beforehand to review all aspects of the big day. Fees for this type of wedding coordinator can vary widely. Depending on the scale of your wedding, and the tasks you want this person to take on, fees could be anywhere between $300 - $1500.

This person needs to be very organized and task focused, as well as have the ability to work with others effectively. Reliable, creative and sharp are also great qualities to look for!

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Wedding Jewelry Deals

2009-10-26T13:16:00.001-07:00

Hello Readers!

Did you know that NWweddingplace also offers another blog dedicated to saving you money on your wedding? Yes...it's true...check out our cheap-wedding-tips blog for ideas on how to save your wedding budget from utter disaster.

As an example, we have access to this great jewelry deal from Ultra Diamonds, and we thought you'd want to know about it:

Use code 50off. Their prices are already great, so check this out and find a great wedding engagement set, or a gift for a loved one. Grooms, your lovely new bride would certainly appreciate some pretty earrings as a gift from you. Brides, what about getting your man a special watch, engraved with a wedding day message from yours truly?

Just a couple fun ideas for you :-). Happy shopping!

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Cool Ring Bearer Gift

2009-10-20T12:42:00.000-07:00

If there is one gift that's difficult to decide on when planning a wedding, it's what to get the ring bearer as a wedding party gift! Not any more...Check out this super cool, personalized back pack from American Bridal!

Click the picture to find out more information about this personalized ring bearer backpack and how to order (then type in "camo backpack"). Camo is certainly a hit with ring bearers ages 4-10! Additionally, American Bridal also has a clearance sale happening on wedding favors and gifts!

Happy shopping... :-)

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Are Blue Weddings Back?

2009-10-16T08:43:00.000-07:00

Blue - the color of the early 90's...

From what we can tell, blue seems to be back for weddings! In recent months, we've helped with several weddings, all whom have used blues for bridesmaid dresses.

In the past several years, blues have remained popular for beach themed weddings (for obvious reasons) and have been spotted in some winter weddings.

Great accent colors with blues could be browns and tans, silver, reds (used sparingly), pinks, pale yellow, and of course ivory or white. How do couples incorporate their wedding "color?" In several potential ways:

Bridesmaid Dresses

Groomsman ties

Bridesmaid bouquets and ribbons

Table centerpieces

Floral

Tableware, such as plates, napkins, linens, etc.

Balloons

Candles

Banners

Cake frosting accents

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue! Or maybe, a LOT of things blue!

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Picking a Wedding Date?

2009-09-21T09:26:00.000-07:00

Hello Engaged Couples!

Are you deciding which day of the week to have your wedding? Personally, my husband and I got married on a Friday night. My sister and her husband did also. However, as you've probably noticed already, Saturday is actually the most popular day of the week for weddings. Friday is the second most chosen day.

According to The Wedding Report, 65% of weddings in 2009 were/are scheduled on Saturdays. This statistic tells me that if your heart is set on a Saturday wedding, your best bet is to set that date up as EARLY as possible. Many other couples will be competing for venues, vendors and services that same day. Priority #1 will be to secure your venue as soon as possible after your wedding date is chosen.

Saturdays are a practical day of the week for weddings for several reasons:

Guests and wedding party typically have that day off.
Guests who must travel can more easily do so on Saturdays.
Churches normally do not have services on Saturdays, so they are available to hold weddings.
Couples can leave for their honeymoon that night or the next morning, and take the following week off of work.

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Funny Wedding Video!

2009-09-07T09:49:00.001-07:00

Are you worried that your wedding ceremony and wedding vows won't go perfectly smooth? Take a look at this very funny wedding video, and prepare yourself for a good laugh!

brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

How Much Are Bridal Shoes?

2009-08-11T15:02:00.000-07:00

Once again, couldn't help ourselves and we're going to post more wedding statistics! Today's stat is about the bride's shoes. Every bride puts thought into what shoes they'll wear with their special wedding gown. Here's a statistic on the average spent on bridal shoes:

2008 (whole year average spent) - $94
2009, 1st quarter - $91
2009, 2nd quarter - $83

Wedding statistics by "The Wedding Report"

This particular tid-bit of information got me thinking. Are the prices really going down and/or people are spending less, or is it that it's summer time? Maybe more brides are opting for flip-flops or other simple flats to go with their summer weddings? Could that be the reason for the average spending dip right now?

We may never know for sure, but what I do know is that brides love shoes! If you're searching for just the right bridal shoe for your wedding, please visit www.nwweddingplace.com's shop online section for a wide variety of bridal shoe & jewelry options!

Buying Wedding Cakes

2009-08-04T09:21:00.000-07:00

Since we're on a roll lately with wedding statistics...Thought you'd enjoy another one about wedding cakes! What are couples paying for their wedding cakes these days? According to The Wedding Report (wedding statistics company), the average amount spent for a wedding cake right now is approximately $350. This spending level has stayed relatively the same for the past 18 months, despite the economic downturn.

I took this wedding cake photo at a local grocery store's bakery department, where I know the bakers and cake decorators.

If you're looking for a unique, gorgeous cake topper for your wedding reception, visit our shop online section at http://www.nwweddingplace.com/shop-caketoppers.htm.

Wedding Planner Costs & Why Hire One?

2009-07-30T09:42:00.000-07:00

It's wedding season! For those of you planning 2010 weddings, you may be curious about the costs of hiring a wedding planner (AKA wedding consultant or coordinator). According to the wedding industry statistics experts - The Wedding Report - the average cost of hiring a wedding coordinator is around $2300. Not too shabby, considering what an over-all wedding budget adds up to be.

Why would engaged couples want to hire a wedding planner? Here are 3 great reasons:

1. You just don't have time to figure it all out yourselves. Less stress!

2. You want a great wedding, but aren't that creative or knowledgeable. I need to DIY what??? No thanks...

3. You have family members who want to "take over" but you don't want them to. You'd rather defer to the planner. "Thanks anyway Aunt Millie...but the coordinator has already taken care of that detail..."

Planning a wedding in the South Puget Sound Region? Consider UniqXpressions Floral Design & Event Planning.

Brought to you by http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

Fun, Funny Wedding March Video!

2009-07-24T13:51:00.000-07:00

OK, this is not our normal informative wedding post. But... You simply must see this video! If you're planning a non-traditional wedding ceremony, maybe this is just what you've been looking for! Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0

Cheers!
Brought to you by http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

Average Wedding Costs

2009-07-20T08:07:00.000-07:00

Happy July!

Are you planning a wedding for 2009 or 2010? I personally know several engaged couples who are either getting married this year, or are gearing up for a 2010 wedding.

We just got word from one wedding statistics source that average wedding costs are still on the downward spiral. This is probably due to 2 possible, main causes:

1. Couples are cutting out extras & taking other cost-saving measures.

2. Vendors are lowering prices & offering more deals.

Chances are, that number 1 accounts for the bulk of the plummeting average wedding costs. If you are an engaged couple planning an upcoming wedding, how are you saving? Are you cutting out extra services, opting for cheaper outdoor venues, reducing the size of your wedding, etc? We'd be interested in hearing your plans and stories. Share them as comments to this post!

For more wedding saving ideas, visit our Cheap Wedding Tips blog. Brought to you by http://www.nwweddingplace.com/.

Featured Wedding Story

2009-06-25T14:02:00.001-07:00

Hello Readers!

I'd like to tell you about an upcoming wedding's plans, so you can potentially get some ideas.

Wedding Theme - Rustic

Colors - Sailor Blue

Location - Farm, outdoors, evening

Flowers - Bride's professionally created bouquet will be deep red roses, with bridesmaid and reception tables featuring a variety of wildflowers. The wedding cake will also be adorned with flowers.

Features - Short, outdoor ceremony with reception on the same property. On-location, country-style dinner served to guests. Bride will wear a strapless, oyster-shell top gown and flip-flops. Professionally printed invitations. Rented glassware (to avoid wind-tipping outdoors) and chairs.

Hopefully this information will be helpful in your wedding planning process!

http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

Having a Recession Wedding?

2009-06-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

Yep - that's right. If you'll be getting married in 2009, according to some big-name publications & websites, you're officially having a recession wedding! In fact, if you're NOT planning on cutting your wedding budget back, some have even called that choice "impractical" during this economic downturn.

Our view here at NWweddingplace has always been to find great deals for your wedding, but to have it be exactly what you want. We won't consider you as "impractical" if you decide to buy crystal guest favors or have a 9-tier wedding cake. We also don't feel that it's cool to label people's wonderful wedding day, no matter how small or large the budget is, as a "recession wedding." Tacky! But, that's just our humble opinion :-).

Go have a great wedding, no matter what you spend! Enjoy...

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com.

Wedding Budget Tracker

2009-06-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for a way to keep track of all your wedding vendors and track wedding expenses at the same time? Look no further! NWweddingplace.com has a free, downloadable file that will be exactly what you need to keep your wedding budget on track and your contacts organized. Best of all - it's free! Yes...it's true...something for your wedding that doesn't cost you a thing!

Visit our home page, and look at the bottom of the middle column. You'll find our "Wedding Budget Tracker File" link highlighted and ready for you to click :-)

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com. "Helping Pacific Northwest Couples Plan Their Dream Weddings & Successful Marriages"

Summer Wedding Guests...What to Wear?

2009-05-26T21:41:00.000-07:00

Are you going to be a guest at a 2009 wedding? Specifically, a 2009 summer wedding? Here's what eDressMe.com has to say about that -

"It seems that everyone has a wedding to attend this summer. Whether it's a dressy evening wedding, a black tie affair, a garden wedding or an island wedding, you can find the ideal dress to wear that is appropriate for the occasion. Shop edressme's What to Wear as the Guest at a Summer Wedding."

To check out their fun & funky varieties of wedding guest dress ideas, visit their link here:

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Pacific Northwest Wedding Vendors

2009-05-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

Are you a wedding-related business owner (or representative) located in Washington, Oregon or Idaho? Did you know that NWweddingplace.com wants every Pacific Northwest wedding business to be listed in our vendor database?

YES! It's true... Every business can get a free, basic listing in their city and category. Our vendor search page is consistently in the top 5 most viewed page on our site every month. Engaged couples are looking for you!

Contact listme@nwweddingplace.com today and get listed. Although, you may want to first check the vendor search page, as you may already be listed :-).

Cheers!

Brought to you by http://www.nwweddingplace.com/. "Helping Pacific Northwest Couples Plan Their Dream Weddings & Successful Marriages"

Need Marriage Help? Pre-Marriage Advice?

2009-04-30T15:50:00.000-07:00

Here's a note about marriage from our friend, Robin Tramble:

Communication and Ping Pong
Being married for almost 29 years in June has afforded me some opportunities for "processing" in various areas of my personal and spiritual development. One area I have found to be a challenge in many marriages, relationships for that matter is the area of communication. Dr. Philip Goudeaux states..... "Marriages have failed because of a lack of communication more than anything else. Communication is where the devil fights the hardest. When communication is broken, nothing else functions. You definitely do not have sex. There is no "divisions of labor," and no one is doing his fair share. Most of us have not learned the importance of communication."

I'd like to share something I learned, and it's in relation to Ping Pong. You see many times we are so busy making points that we slam, don't pay attention or consider the value of continuing the game. The illustration was to try to keep the ball on the table. In other words instead of being quick to make points or slam, try to keep the conversation on the table. What does this involve? In short, it involves listening, paraphrasing, and giving value to what the other individual (your spouse) has to say. Now, this may be challenging to do if your husband isn't privy to what you're doing, however, if you commit to it from your perspective you will see a change in your stress level, frustration, etc. Ask for wisdom in this area.

Please visit my LINK and get my 60 minute, virtual workshop to transform your relationship - free! This workshop is called "The Empowered Wife". Whether you're engaged, been married 3 years, 15 or more years, there is a time where we realize that in order to help this great partnership thrive, we must learn new ways to enhance our relationship. If you don't do this, you may look around and you're no longer partners but merely exist.

Hurry, this recorded workshop will only be available for a limited time: http://budurl.com/88a5

brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Ingenious Wedding Guest Favors!

2009-04-27T06:31:00.000-07:00

Have you seen these? I hadn't...Until a friend of mine told me last week about Josh Hershfield's exciting new wedding business called Flipped Out Productions. They create personalized, custom photo flipbooks. But wait, there's more! He makes them right at your event! On the spot! At your wedding ceremony and reception, Flipped Out Productions can produce 30-45 flipbooks per hour. They each contain 60 business card sized pages, generated from a seven-second video. You can pre-establish custom flipbook covers that match your wedding's theme, including your wedding date, etc.

How fun is that?! Josh is looking forward to rounding out his 2009 calendar with wedding bookings. If you'd like to find out more about Flipped Out Productions services and costs, visit http://www.flippedoutproductions.com/ today! As far as I know, he can serve most of the Western WA area. Contact Josh so he can bring his special brand of fun to your celebration!

For more great wedding tips, ideas & products, visit http://www.nwweddingplace.com/!

Event & Floral Design

2009-04-16T14:42:00.000-07:00

We'd like to say a warm welcome to our latest NWweddingplace.com advertiser - UniqXpressions Event & Floral Design!

Owners, Sharris & Eric, seem to have a knack for style as well as how to please their bride & groom customers. Their philosophy in wedding planning is being "committed to optimizing your dream … 'It’s all about you.'”

Can you say AWESOME WEBSITE... check out this really neat site they have at: http://www.uniqxpressions.com/. Also, check out their ad page on our site at: www.NWweddingplace.com/uniqxpressions.htm.

If you live in the Western WA area, check them out. Sharris is a very gifted floral designer (as you can tell by that gorgeous photo of fall bouquets) and just a great lady in general.

Brought to you by http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

Wedding Clearance

2009-04-07T08:35:00.000-07:00

Special Announcement...
Pacific NW sees the sun after 4 months of overcast & rainy skies! Also, The Knot Wedding Shop has a clearance sale! One of their big sales is on mini Hershey's chocolate bars. Maybe I'm just hungry right now, but that sounds like the perfect favors to me (not to mention they'd help spruce up your reception tables)! They are even personalized chocolate bars!

Triple good: chocolate, personalized, on sale - perfect. Here is the link:

This sale ends next Tuesday, April 14th - shop fast!

www.NWweddingplace.com

2009-04-03T08:29:00.000-07:00

Hi Readers,

Did you know that NWweddingplace sells wedding products? Yes! Some of them can be ordered directly online, and others need special, custom ordering. For example, one of our most popular products is the Heart Sand Ceremony. It comes with 3 vases, the main heart and its stopper and the metal stand. Couples can even choose to have the heart and the vases personalized. Some couples who are blending families may also choose to purchase extra vases so their kids can blend their sand in too! Neat idea!

To view our shop online section, click HERE. To custom order, or ask about what we offer, send us a note HERE.

Happy Wedding! www.NWweddingplace.com

Newlyweds & Finances

2009-03-18T14:39:00.000-07:00

Our friend Dr. Taffy Wagner has this special message for brides & grooms who are planning to get married in 2009:

Spring is just around the corner. Bridal season is in full bloom. There is talk in the media about wedding budgets and what are brides doing to trim their costs.

Now is the perfect opportunity to share with your brides & grooms, the importance of investing in their marriage long-term. Money Talk Before The Commitment Walk can prevent their marriage from becoming a Divorce Statistic.

Check out Dr. Wagner's site by clicking the graphic below. She offers some excellent information that engaged couples desperately need!

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

How Many Bridesmaids??

2009-03-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

Are you getting married in 2009? Congratulations! Will your wedding ceremony include bridesmaids? Almost every wedding does...

According to a survey conducted by the Wedding Report, there are an average of 4.3 bridesmaids per wedding. They also note that the average bridesmaid will spend over $1000 on everything from their dress to travel expenses, when participating in a wedding! WOW!

Most brides choose bridesmaids who are either family members or close friends. Sisters, cousins, and even daughters and mothers are the usual family members involved. Sometimes, sisters of the groom are bridesmaids as well. The challenge comes when you have a group of close friends. Who do you choose? Everyone, and making the bridal party potentially larger than you'd like? A couple, and risk hurting the feelings of the others?

Here is our advice - family first, then friends selectively chosen. Family is with you for life, but friends may change as you move through life.

www.NWweddingplace.com

Who Pays for a Bride's Wedding Dress?

2009-03-09T14:08:00.000-07:00

Buying a wedding gown this year? Are you curious to know who pays for wedding dresses when a couple gets married?

We have some statistics! According to 'The Wedding Report',

56% of the time the bride pays for her own gown
22% of gown purchases are paid for by the groom
42% of wedding dresses are paid for by someone else, most likely the bride's parents.

The wedding industry has been hit by this recession, so chances are you should be able to find some deals this year on gowns. For other wedding money saving tips, visit our other blog at www.cheap-wedding-tips.blogspot.com and save some wedding budget money!

www.NWweddingplace.com

Wine For Wedding Receptions?

2009-03-03T16:59:00.000-08:00

Hello Wedding Friends,

Are you interested in knowing more about how you can incorporate wine into your wedding? Or maybe wine for your honeymoon? In fact... did you know you can get personalized wine bottles with personalized labels on them?! That was a neat, recent revelation for me.

We have a new advertiser on http://www.nwweddingplace.com/ who wrote a great article for us. Stacy Brazington, Independent Wine Consultant, explains everything you could ever want to know about wine at your wedding event. Read our new Wine For Weddings article.

You can also visit Stacy's ad page to get ordering information - HERE.

Cheers!

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

The Dessy Group Wedding Accessories!

2009-02-20T10:00:00.001-08:00

One of NWweddingplace.com's favorite wedding companies is The Dessy Group in New York. Their wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, men's and women's wedding accessories, etc., are great quality and are always perfectly in style. Check out their accessories! You can purchase those direct, online here:

If you want to order bridesmaid dresses, simple wedding gowns or destination wedding dresses, those are custom items. Call or e-mail NWweddingplace.com today for more information. ordering@NWweddingplace.com or 1-800-630-9771.

www.NWweddingplace.com

2009 Wedding Trends

2009-02-09T14:21:00.000-08:00

According to theweddingreport.com, the number of weddings in 2009 is estimated to grow by 1.2% over 2008. Although there is a slight increase in the number of weddings this year, it looks like spending will be down. Their market data shows a 6-8% drop in spending/wedding budgets.

I know there are many of you 2009 brides out there! Our traffic levels at http://www.nwweddingplace.com/ are showing it!

Are you wondering if you can still have a great wedding on a smaller budget? Yes you can.
Is the recession putting a crimp in all your dream wedding plans? Keep it simple and enjoy your day to the fullest.
Do you worry what guests will think if everything isn't perfect and over-the-top? It's your wedding and they aren't paying for it!

Here is some simple advice for stressed-out brides: Don't be completely consumed by planning your wedding day. Instead, be focused on your upcoming marriage. That is what will last a lifetime!

Just keeping it real :-)

http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

Puget Sound Area Wedding Expos & Shows

2009-01-29T15:18:00.000-08:00

...Attention Brides to be in Western Washington...
If you live on the Kitsap Peninsula or in the Seattle area there are upcoming wedding shows and events!

February 7th, from 9am - 5pm, you can attend the Kitsap Peninsula's only major wedding expo for just $8 ($7 with a canned food donation or $6 with military ID and seniors). It is located at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds - Kitsap Pavilion building.

Here is what the event organizer says - "The West Sound Wedding Expo is Kitsap County's one and only wedding expo. It is truly a one stop shopping experience for your wedding. Come and see our wonderful vendors all in one place. Brought to you by The Direct Approach." Since this is the 15th year in a row for this particular expo, it's sure to be a good one.

Also coming up is a very interesting bridal event. Put on by The Healthy Bride, the "Battle of the Betrothed" is set to begin on Feb. 6th, ending on Feb. 14th. This is a competition for engaged couples (already chosen) who will compete for prizes. There are 9 "challenges" that each couple must take on to win, and will be judged! Should make for some fine entertainment... :-). For more info, visit www.thehealthybride.com.

Custom Wedding Rings

2009-01-26T09:04:00.000-08:00

Looking to create a custom wedding or engagement ring? Or, maybe you've been married for a while and would like a new ring? Yes, many couples are not able to afford expensive wedding rings when they get married, but instead choose to upgrade rings on an anniversary or other special occasion at some point in the future. Thus... the wedding ring upgrade :-).

When you're shopping for engagement and wedding rings, getting a custom ring is twice-as-nice! Great, beautiful ring and exactly what you want. Perfect!

www.NWweddingplace.com

Money In Marriage

2009-01-18T16:59:00.000-08:00

Recently engaged? Recently married? Discussing finances is a must! But how? Dr. Taffy Wagner has some answers for you. She recently wrote an article specifically for NWweddingplace.com on the topic of money and marriage. Here is a snippet of the article -

"For all those couples that will become engaged during the holidays and even through February, will pre-marital counseling prepare you for financial issues you will face during marriage? Financial issues are a part of marriage and no couple is immune from these issues. Automobile repairs, student loans, wedding expenses are some of the financial topics you will have to address.
Think about it. How many couples do you know personally that have..." Read complete article...

Thank you to our guest author, Dr. Taffy Wagner of http://www.debtatthealtar.com/
To get more information, please click below:

Valuable information brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Average Wedding Costs

2009-01-13T10:02:00.000-08:00

According to theweddingreport.com, 2008 had a surprising wedding budget trend -
"Economic trouble takes its toll on the average wedding cost. The average cost of a wedding in 2008 was $21,814. This is a 24% decline over the 2007 average of $28,704."

In our opinion, this 24% decline is probably not caused by wedding vendors lowering their prices (maybe some have). We suspect that couples are getting more creative with smaller wedding budgets, relying on DIY projects, cutting out certain non-essential wedding services & products, and generally bargain hunting! If you are looking for cheap wedding deals, DIY wedding projects, or other ways to save money and have a smaller wedding budget, visit our other blog at http://www.cheap-wedding-deals.blogspot.com/! Also, check out our shop online section for a wide variety of wedding supplies, wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, wedding guest favors, cake toppers, etc. We have access to thousands of wedding products! www.NWweddingplace.com/weddingshop.htm

http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

2009 Wedding Colors

2009-01-09T13:09:00.001-08:00

You may have already heard by now that the official color of 2009 is "MIMOSA" - a bright, sunny yellow color. It will certainly make it's way into fashion (already has). Do you think that will translate into a popular wedding color? Yes, potentially. Yellows are traditionally not a popular or often chosen wedding color. Even so, mimosa is cheery, sunny and gives a generally happy sense. It would make an excellent 2009 summer wedding color!

In my search this morning, it looks like mimosa is a color available in tableware (napkins, plates, punch cups, table skirts, disposable flatware, etc.), or at least versions of mimosa. Whether or not the bridal industry's bridesmaid dress companies will follow suit with mimosa fabric selections, remains to be seen. However, the company we work with (dessy.com) is ready for the mimosa wedding explosion! To order bridesmaid dresses, visit http://www.dessy.com/ to see their selection, then contact us for ordering information.

www.NWweddingshop.com

Newlywed Financial Advice - New Article

2008-12-27T16:08:00.000-08:00

Getting married soon? Got married recently?

There is a discussion that sometimes gets skipped during all the romance of engagement and the busyness of wedding planning... A couple's financial discussion! No, it's not the most exciting or interesting topic, although it is a very crucial part of reducing relationship stress.

Check out our new financial advice article specifically for newlyweds and engaged couples. Here is an excerpt:

When getting married, one of the biggest discussion and decision topics for couples is finances. Sure, the wedding planning process brings up money issues all the time, but that time period has it's own unique circumstances. Don't wait until after the honeymoon to have the very important discussion about married life finances! Money and financial issues can be a serious source of contention for couples, so make decisions and set goals as quickly and as early as possible. In my experience, .... read entire article...

Brought to you by http://www.nwweddingplace.com/! Photo by Amy Kassler Photography

Free Shipping on Wedding Dresses!

2008-12-17T11:41:00.000-08:00

Wedding Bells in 2009? Check TJ Formal for the latest in wedding attire with free shipping. Click here now!

If you're looking for a wedding dress or bridesmaid dresses, click the link above to shop with free shipping!

http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

Groom Style Professional Advice

2008-12-10T13:10:00.000-08:00

Hello readers,
Here at NWweddingplace.com, we had the priviledge of interviewing Kyle Vucko, CEO of Indochino.com. Indochino makes custom, high-end suits and tuxedos. Would you like to read more about his professional advice for grooms and their wedding attire? Visit the full article HERE.

If you would like more information on Indochino's product lines and services, please click their graphic link below:

www.NWweddingplace.com

Winter Wedding Color Schemes

2008-12-05T10:22:00.000-08:00

Winter weddings offer the opportunity for a variety of nice color scheme options.

Rich - burgundy or purple, gold, black, ivory, greens, floral & fabric accents

Icy - ice blue, navy, silver, white, crystal & glass accents

Shimmery - silver, gold, black, glittery accents

Classic - black, white, silver or gold, pearl accents

Holiday - green, red, white, gold, silver, lights & beaded accents

Like these ideas? You're bound to find more great wedding planning tips at http://www.nwweddingplace.com/!

Holiday Wedding Time!

2008-12-01T12:35:00.000-08:00

I love holiday weddings. Seems like there are so many wedding decorating options during the holidays. People are in a cheery mood. Wedding vendors are less busy (in general). It's a great time for a tropical, sunny honeymoon... especially if you live in the Northwest! Or anywhere else cold and dark too!

One draw back about having a holiday wedding, is that your anniversary and Christmas will be forever close together. Gift-giving can get jumbled when 2 events/holidays aren't spread out. It's kind of like having a December birthday!

But having said that, they're still fun and beautiful. If you're looking for money saving tips for holiday weddings, visit our cheap-wedding-tips Blog HERE.

Brought to you by http://www.nwweddingplace.com/.

Engagement Season is Here

2008-11-25T07:36:00.000-08:00

The month of December is the busiest time for people to get engaged. The holidays set up a perfect opportunity for romantic engagement opportunities! So... what does getting engaged necessitate? A ring of course! If you're looking for high quality and great pricing (who isn't??), visit our affiliate jewelry companies here:

FIND WEDDING & ENGAGEMENT RINGS

Or, we also have wedding ring coupons that might strike your fancy :-):

WEDDING RING COUPONS

What about green weddings? Do green wedding rings exist? Yes they do! Check them out here:

GREEN WEDDING RING COMPANIES

Happy Shopping!

One Bride's Maid of Honor Experience...

2008-11-14T14:43:00.000-08:00

I am writing this blog very specific to my own wedding. My Maid of Honor was my sister, whom I love dearly. However, as the bride, there was so much that I wish she would have done for me. I found myself doing a lot of her duties even on my wedding day! My experiences at my rehearsal and on my wedding day were very stressful for me. Here are some things that I wish my sister (my maid of honor - MOH) would have done for me:

My rehearsal was a disaster. My wedding was out of town and the location was an hour away from where we stayed. At 1:00 PM, I was supposed to be at the venue to decorate and rehearse. I wanted to have the decor/supply list of everything that needed to go with us ready. I had asked my MOH to make sure that everything on the list was ready to go. I was running an hour late, and she did not help until the last minute. Once we got to the venue, my fiancé and I set nearly everything up ourselves.

On my wedding day it seemed even worse. There are basic duties of a MOH that everyone knows about and all the magazines tell you about. Have a list of detailed things that you'd like her to do during the ceremony and reception. Here are some of the little wedding day things that should be on that list, and will save the bride a lot of stress:

Make sure to tell your maid of honor to fluff your wedding dress after you arrive at the altar.
Make sure the ceremony and reception candles are lit (they could delegate that task, but just make sure it's done by someone).
Make sure the DJ knows what events are going to occur during the reception (and in what order).
Make sure that everyone who needs to be photographed are where they need to be.
Know when the toast is coming and be prepared.
Make sure that the best man has done his job with decorating the car. (We all know that the men need to be reminded :-)

As you can see, things could have gone better for me where my MOH was concerned. Take my advice and make your experience better! -Jenn Wyer, married July '08

Brought to you by http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

New Article - Newlywed Finances Advice

2008-11-06T09:11:00.000-08:00

Yes!! Finally a financial-related article for all you newlyweds... or engaged couples! So now that you're engaged or newly married, are you wondering how to handle your joint finances? Have you noticed a difference in the way each of you spends and saves money? How should you deal with and discuss these issues?

Visit our new article called "Newlywed Finances - The First Action Items!" now for great advice and action items. Don't allow financial differences become a source of strife in your marriage.

Looking for Pacific Northwest Wedding Info?

You've found it - http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

New Wedding Article - Spiritual Reception Toast Wording

2008-10-29T16:12:00.000-07:00

Looking for some wedding toast or wedding speech advice? We've got a couple of great articles for you, and one is brand new! Here they are:

Spiritual Toast Wording

So Who Toasts? Article

Here is another great resource for wedding toasting advice and samples:

Here, here!

www.NWweddingplace.com

Looking for Cheap Wedding Tips & Ideas?

2008-10-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

If so, you've come to the right place.... almost! Visit NWweddingplace.com's other Blog totally dedicated to weddings on the cheap... but not cheap-o. You CAN have a great wedding, even with a small wedding budget!

Check out our "Cheap Wedding Tips" Blog now and start saving some money!

http://www.nwweddingplace.com/ loves weddings. Visit our shop online section today! http://www.nwweddingshop.com/.

DIY Wedding Music

2008-10-15T11:24:00.000-07:00

Thinking of creating your own wedding ceremony or wedding reception music CDs? It can be done easily with some good prior planning! We have some tips for you from our DIY wedding music article from www.nwweddingplace.com.

Looking for a way to cut costs? Do you have something very specific in mind for your wedding ceremony's music? You can create music CD's yourself! It's easy!
Here's how...
You will need: Blank CD-R (music/data) CD's, a computer with a CD burner & software, internet access, music download sites and/or your own music CD's, permanent marker, CD "sleeve" or hard case.
Step 1: Make a list of the songs you'd like to have. Put them in order. Here's what we suggest... Continue Reading Full Article

Go find wedding music now by using these links below!

wedding

Our Green Weddings eBook is Here!

2008-10-07T08:27:00.000-07:00

Want to plan an eco-friendly wedding? This Go "Green" - Eco-Wedding Ideas & Tips eBook is a must have! 70, full color photos, lots of specific decor ideas, 19 pages packed full of practical ideas, solutions & more green best practices for anyone wanting to implement green wedding ideas for their event.

No matter if you use just one idea, or make your entire event "green", this eBook will get your creativity flowing! Just $9.95, and immediately available for download.

Click HERE for more info or to order!

Big Wedding Problem Solving

2008-10-06T08:16:00.000-07:00

Planning a wedding with a huge guest list? There are special challenges to consider!

Potential problems:

Parking
Adequate number of helpers to set up/clean up/serve food
Receiving Line
Guests feeling lost in the crowd
Guests not being able to hear ceremony speaking
Amount of food at reception
Lots of gifts on gift tables, with the potential for theft

Possible solutions to solve these issues:

Carefully choose venue and take parking into consideration
Hire help, or have the venue staff clean up
Skip an official receiving line or have the receiving line pass by the 'head table'
Give each guest a special guest favor to show your appreciation
Make sure microphones & a sound system are used during the ceremony
Hire an experienced caterer who can accurately plan food amounts
Keep a trusted person stationed at the gift table at all times

Hope this helps get you thinking! Visit www.NWweddingplace.com for more wedding planning help & ideas!

On Location Wedding Report

2008-10-03T08:23:00.000-07:00

Here are some wedding details from the large wedding I helped with last week:
Wedding colors were sage green & ivory, used in table decor, reception food tables, the bride's gown, candles, and ceremony decor.
The bride & groom chose to have a sand ceremony and communion time, while wedding singers sang two songs (chosen by the couple).
The bride & groom chose to say personalized vows to each other, and also have the pastor read traditional vows.
When the ceremony was done, the VIP (family & best friends) section was released first to the reception where "reserved" seating awaited them near the head table.
The reception was in a very large tent, set up on the same grounds as the ceremony location.
A jazz band was hired to play as background music for the reception.
A professional catering crew was hired to do the food, which included veggies, fruit, cupcakes, cookies, meatballs, fruit tarts, a cranberry punch, and other misc. small desserts.
Decor items included various sizes of glass containers with candles inside, tulle, fabric, live plants, fresh eucalyptus, white lilies, & clear glass rocks.
The bride & groom shared bites of their wedding cake, which was carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, and fresh flowers as a topper and accents.
The bride & groom left the reception in a limo approx. 30 min before most of the guests left.

Hope this information gives you some great ideas! http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

Wedding Mania - 750 Guests...

2008-09-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

Wow - my week has been filled with wedding, wedding, wedding! I helped plan and execute a wedding Friday night which had approx. 750 guests. Big wedding! Here are some photos of the wedding (taken by photographer Amy Kassler):

In my next post, I'll give you a more complete run-down including wedding colors, ceremony flow, catering, and much more. Stay tuned! In the meantime, visit www.NWweddingplace.com for more wedding planning tips, articles, photos, shopping, & more.

Reception Father/Daughter Dance Songs

2008-09-20T18:33:00.000-07:00

The wedding father/daughter dance... such a special moment. You want to choose a song that beautifully represents you and your dad... I've often thought about this myself, "What would be the perfect song to play when I dance with my dad?" I was randomly listening to songs one day on Yahoo, and began to hear the perfect words... "You were my first love, always there for me, you taught me how to walk and how to dream, God gave me your eyes, but it was you who showed me how to see..." It's called "Always Be Your Baby" by Natalie Grant. It's such a beautiful song, perfect for this emotional dance...

There's other songs that I've thought would be really good, especially the new one by Steven Curtis Chapman "Cinderella" . That song is sure to bring you, your dad, and all your guests to tears. :) Then there's the classic song "Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle, a sweet song I've loved for a long time. Before I decided myself on "Always Be Your Baby", I was set on "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. This song is special to me, because it reminds me of my dad. He's from Hawaii, and Israel is a famous Hawaiian singer... So when choosing your song, it doesn't have to be a traditional song, it just needs to be meaningful to you and your dad. What song would you choose?

-Ask Sarah http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

2008-09-11T09:26:00.000-07:00

It's September 11th... Light a candle in memory of those who tragically lost their lives in New York, Washington DC and on Flight 38.

Candles can also be used at weddings as memorials for family members and friends who've passed away. I've seen couples set up a special table with pictures, candles, flowers, personalized vases, or other items in memory of loved ones who could not be present for their weddings. In my opinion, that is a great way to show love and respect to those individuals who are missed, and those who were close to them who are still here.

Where can you find memorial wedding items? Shop right here... Wedding Memorial Items

http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

Bridal Hairstyles? Name Your Favorite!

2008-09-04T10:11:00.000-07:00

Hello readers!

So what's your vote on bridal hairstyles? Up-do? Wear it down? Big curls? Sides up and back down? If you're a bride planning for your upcoming wedding, you'll need to figure all this out. Or maybe you're a bridesmaid and you still need to make the same decision! Unless the bride is deciding that for you...

In my humble opinion, I love to see a good up-do on a bride for her wedding day. It's just something out of the ordinary, and it seems to work well with tiaras, veils and such. However, now that I've put my vote in... the wedding "up-do" has a massive amount of options in itself! A simple bun, a twist, pinned up with curls cascading, etc. Check out this cute up-do photo from a bride friend of mine.

If you're looking for more, visit our "Idea Gallery". We also have several wedding hair articles & tips in our wedding planning section.

Did you know you can "see" yourself with a style online? Do some experimenting here:

On Location Wedding Report

2008-09-01T19:46:00.000-07:00

Hello readers,

The 3-day Labor Day weekend was a busy one for weddings. People love to take advantage of the extra day off to extend their honeymoons and make it easy for traveling out-of-town guests to attend.

I was the matron of honor this weekend at a local wedding! Here's how it went... Saturday afternoon, all the bridal party converged on a local hotel room to get ready. The bride, all the bridesmaids, flower girls, ring bearers, photographers, and helpers were packed into a room for 2 hours getting ready. It was crazy, but fun!

The bride wore a beaded A-line gown, a long one-layer veil, a gorgeous tiara, and matching jewelry. The bridesmaids wore flame red dresses, all in different styles (all available from www.NWweddingplace.com of course :-). After we all put our wedding dresses on, touched up our makeup, grabbed our bouquets, etc., we headed out towards the wedding ceremony venue. It was at a local park approximately 6 minutes away. The park has a lovely rose garden area, which is a perfect setting for outdoor weddings... Except when it's raining :-(

As we drove down the street closer to the park, the rain started. Outdoor weddings in Washington State are always a gamble - no matter what month it is! The groom and groomsmen were already at the park and had to take shelter in one of the park's shelter areas. We ended up having the ceremony in the park shelter instead of in the garden itself, but the couple seemed unfazed by that hiccup!

The reception followed directly after the ceremony, with the bridal party entering last because of the post-ceremony photo session. The reception was at a local banquet hall, complete with buffet-style catering, a DJ, dance floor, fabric linens, 3-tiered wedding cake, no-host bar, simple red and white table decor, etc. Lovely, and fun!

Wedding Sand Ceremony vs. Unity Candles

2008-08-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

For an upcoming wedding, a bride and groom are ordering a sand ceremony set from us instead of using a traditional unity candle set. So what should people know?

Do either a sand ceremony or a unity candle, but not both.
A sand ceremony uses a larger vase or container to pour into and hold the sand. The bride & groom each have a small vase with colored sand (each a different color) that they use to pour into the main container. Children can also participate by having their own sand and adding it into the mix.
Unity candles use two, smaller taper candles which are lit first (one taper for each person). Then, the bride and groom jointly light a larger, center candle that usually is personalized or has a saying imprinted on it.
Both of these 'ceremonies' signify the blending of, or the joining of two people into one.
Both of them also make great keepsakes for years to come.

Need to buy a unity candle set or sand ceremony set?

Click on this affiliate site link to shop now

Things to remember:

Unity candles can be difficult to use during outdoor ceremonies... wind... !!
Sand ceremonies can be difficult to transport afterward, so make sure your container has a lid of some kind or is very secure in a vehicle!
Some wedding venues do not allow open flame.
Don't collect and use wet sand from a beach for your sand ceremony. It is not clean and you may end up with mold!

Enjoy! Visit www.NWweddingplace.com for more wedding planning help & info.

What is a "Yodio Wedding?"

2008-08-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

No... not rodeo wedding silly :-). Yodio! We have recently discovered a really cool web tool - excellent for weddings! It's Yodio! Yodio is a Pacific Northwest based company (which we love of course). Click this short Yodio (video) below to see an example of how you could use Yodio to display and share your wedding photos & memories: It's free!

Check out more information at www.NWweddingplace.com/yodio.htm

Thanks! Free is good...

Romantic Engagement Story Contest Has Begun!

2008-08-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

OK wedding community... here's your chance to win something! Our romantic engagement story contest has begun! You don't have to be still engaged. You can be a newlywed or an old married person for all we care!! If you have a romantic engagement story, you're "in"...
Click below to check out how cool Starologie's "Star Story" shirts are:

Now, enter our contest today! It's quick and easy. Whoever has the best engagement story wins a gorgeous Star Story shirt - FREE.

Good Luck! Last day to enter is Sunday 8/24/08.

Romantic Engagement Story Contest!

2008-08-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! We have an exciting contest starting this Sunday, August 17th. If you haven't seen one before... we are giving away a Star Story Shirt compliments of Starologie. Here's info about them:
Starologie has created a line of customized apparel featuring a snapshot of the stars in the sky at a special time and place in your life. Named the "Star Story" line, every star pattern is hand made with Swarovski crystal and is meant to symbolize the timelessness of your story.

Anyone can enter (between 8/17 and 8/24, 2008). All you'll need to do is complete our entry form, including your own personal, romantic engagement story. We will announce the contest's winner on Monday the 25th.
Good Luck!

http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

08-08-08 Wedding Frenzy

2008-08-08T19:44:00.001-07:00

Hello!

I just got back from a wedding - One of the thousands of weddings happening today - 08-08-08. Today's date is the most popular wedding date of the year! The date itself is a novelty for couples.

On location wedding report:

Tonight's wedding was an outdoor wedding, and thankfully our Pacific Northwest weather was cooperating nicely! Although, there were a couple of mishaps with trying to light the unity candle in the wind... and some of the table decorations (colored napkins with picture holders, vases & wildflowers and glass beads) were having some wind issues as well. The venue was an old, historic estate in the Olympia/Tumwater area. It is a perfect wedding location, with a mix of beautiful grounds, parking and a historic mansion interior.

The colors were purple and white, with all the bridesmaids wearing a dark plum color. The bride's gown had a black sash and she wore a slim tiara with an up-do hairstyle. The ceremony was short, but sweet with one of the most beautiful marriage prayers I've ever heard. A small group of live musicians sang a song as the bride and her father made their way outside and down the aisle. A DJ then took over afterward as guests mingled and got ready for a nice catered meal.

The wedding catering consisted of meatballs, marinated chicken, 5 types of fresh fruit, 5 types of fresh veggies, and 5 types of crackers, bread and rolls. Very tasty and simple! They also had an easy rainbow sherbet punch and an open bar with beer and wine.

The cake was made by the bride's Aunt, and was 4-tiers with fresh, purple hydrangea flowers on it. The whole feel of the wedding was very relaxed with an emphasis on the new couple's love for each other and their families. Wonderful!

Some Brides Just Want Simple & Pretty

2008-08-05T09:21:00.000-07:00

There are some of you brides out there... the thought of frilly stuff and glitz makes you gag. You want a simple gown, pretty flowers, a simple cake with or without a topper, decorations in your favorite color, and invitations that get right to the point. You can't relate to "bridezillas", and you refuse to stress out about every little detail. Hopefully you have your eye on the 'prize' - your new marriage!

Brides, does this describe you? Or maybe you can't relate to this type of bride?! Each bride is so different, carrying a unique vision of their wedding.

What is your wedding vision and your priorities? We'd love to hear from you...

http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

Short Engagement Timeframe?

2008-07-29T13:19:00.001-07:00

Here I go again...
I have my first planning meeting tomorrow night for a big - BIG - upcoming wedding. We (the planning team) have less than 2 months to plan! Thankfully, the bride already has her dress ordered, which was my very first question once I found out how soon the wedding will be.

So what are the top priorities for a wedding with a really short planning/engagement time frame?
1. Get the Bride's dress ordered ASAP. Bridal gowns are normally custom made, and require approx. 8-10 weeks for creation & delivery. You can get a 'rush' order, but you'll pay extra fees.
2. Get the bridesmaid dresses selected, sized and ordered ASAP. Same as above... it takes a while! Otherwise, choose an off-the-rack style or let your attendants choose their own styles in your chosen color.
3. Venue is always a challenge with short notice, unless you're planning a backyard or beach wedding. Some churches are easier to secure on short notice as well.
4. Secure some of your main wedding vendors quickly, such as photographer, catering, florist, DJ/musicians, & officiant. If you can't find available vendors for your chosen day, go to plan "B". Or should I say, plan "F" for friends :-).
5. Keep yourself very well organized. Use our budget tracker form available for download on this page near the bottom. Keep records of who you've talked to and when, price quotes, their contact info, etc. This will make your life much easier!

I'm all for short engagements, but they do have their potential challenges. Good luck!

http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

What Makes a Great Wedding e-Newsletter?

2008-07-24T21:40:00.001-07:00

So brides... and grooms too :-)... what do you like about a good wedding e-zine or e-newsletter?

Do you enjoy the inside scoop on what's happening with wedding trends in your area? Like to hear about special wedding product deals & sales? Are you wanting local wedding vendor information? Are you excited by wedding planning tips and advice? Or is it the simple fact that you NEED the e-newsletter... the fact that you're engaged!!

If any of these things sound good to you, sign up for NWweddingplace's free monthly newsletter. We don't bombard you with weekly e-bombs (as we like to call the over-use of e-zines), but keep you up to date monthly. Our next newsletter comes out in 3 weeks. Get ready!

Bridal Shower Pictures

2008-07-18T20:54:00.000-07:00

Have any of you hosted a bridal shower recently? If so, you know there's a lot of thought that goes into them. Last weekend, I hosted a bridal shower for my friend. Here we are (left)! I had her wear some fun luau wear as the bride-to-be (as you can see :-). Here is a picture of her and a couple of the bridesmaids (right). Even in July, you can't always count on good weather for an outdoor bridal shower, much less an entire wedding! Although, I must admit we have had nice Washington weather lately. If you have any bridal shower stories to share, please let us know!

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Bridal Shower Success Ideas!

2008-07-15T18:52:00.000-07:00

Hello!
Well, I survived my bridal shower hosting experience this past weekend. Want some bridal shower tips and ideas? Here was my plan:

Hawaiian-themed shower decorations (From Oriental Trading Co)
including real coconuts and pineapples, flower leis and hair clips, a special hula outfit for the bride-to-be, cute food pics with palm trees & monkeys, sarongs as table cloths, shell necklaces as decor, a customized banner, and balloons strung here and there. One other special thing that I did was to display the bride's wedding gown, flower girl dresses and the bridesmaid dresses. Everyone loved that, including the bride.

We played 3 shower games. 1. Team up and create a bride with toilet paper. 2. Pass around mystery items in bags and guess what's inside. 3. "Who knows the bride best" info game.

There was plenty of food - too much actually :-)! The cake was custom made in a Hawaiian theme, and brought by the bride's mother (who wanted to help out in some way).

Hope this gives you some ideas of your own! Good Luck...

Planning A Bridal Shower?

2008-07-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,
I'm throwing a bridal shower for my friend tomorrow night. Her wedding is in late August.
If you're wondering how far in advance of the wedding should a shower or bachelorette party be planned... That's up to what works best for the bride. In my case, she wanted to keep August free from additional stress so we planned her shower for July instead. Other brides may want the shower or party the weekend before! Just ask...

Need a good bridal shower theme idea? How about a luau, beach or Hawaiian theme? If the bride & groom are heading somewhere tropical for their honeymoon, this is a GREAT shower theme idea. And easy to find ideas & decor as well! Check back in the next few days for a great list of food ideas for a beach themed shower and pictures of our party!

Surviving a HOT Summer Wedding!

2008-07-02T14:27:00.000-07:00

So you have a summer wedding planned... depending on where you are in the Pacific Northwest, you may get lucky and have a mild, overcast day. If not, you'll either get rain or heat!

Do you have any strategies for beating the heat at your wedding ceremony and reception? Here are a few ideas:

Choose a light-weight fabric for your gown.
Have the groom and groomsmen NOT wear a vest under their tuxes.
Set up your outdoor reception tables in a shady area if possible.
Select T-length bridesmaid dresses with flip-flops.
Serve fresh fruit at the reception and plenty of ice water available to hydrate guests.
Rent a tent or canopy, which is great for any weather issues.
Have an up-do bridal hairstyle.
Insist that your bridal party drink lots of water before the ceremony so no one faints at the altar!

Got any of your own tips that you'd like to share? Please, do tell!

Sign up now for our monthly e-newsletter, with great Northwest wedding tips, advice, vendor information, DIY project ideas, and more!

Finding a Local NW Wedding Business

2008-06-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

Do you live in Washington, Oregon or Idaho? Are you planning a wedding? NWweddingplace.com is just where you need to spend some planning time on the web. We have vendor listings in 20 major wedding categories (from venues to formalwear, photography, pre-marriage counselors & more) for all cities in those 3 Pacific Northwest states.

Here's how it works: go to our "Locate Vendors" page. Select your state, enter your city name (or a nearby city), select a category from the drop-down box, and press "Search!". Your search results will post automatically, giving you your vendor options in that city and category.

If you are a NW wedding-related business owner, search for your listing. Please contact us if you do not find yourself! We'd love to add you. Your assistance helps us bring comprehensive NW wedding information to our community.

It's Wedding Time in the Pacific Northwest

2008-06-19T09:17:00.000-07:00

It's official... wedding season has begun! Traditionally, June through Sept are the 4 busiest wedding months across the country, and especially in the Pacific Northwest. Here, we count on some warmer temps and less rain during that 4 month span. However, for all those hopeful brides and grooms wanting a June outdoor wedding in the Pacific NW, our weather has not been cooperating yet! I guess it could be worse. The rain hasn't been excessive, just cold temperatures for this time of year. In fact, the coldest June on record since 1917...

Honestly, that's how outdoor weddings go though in the NW. No month is completely "safe"! Thinking about which month to have your NW wedding in? We offer an extensive article on our main site called "Choosing Your Wedding Month in the Northwest". Each month has it's quirks, benefits and things to consider.

Do you have any outdoor wedding backup plans you'd like to share with our community? What are your creative "Plan B's"? Let us know!

Need a Cheap Wedding Dress?

2008-06-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Wedding Planning!

OK, so cheap wedding dress isn't entirely accurate... but...
Are you looking for an inexpensive wedding dress? Do you want a wedding gown that's great quality, yet you're planning a wedding on a budget? Maybe you have destination wedding plans? A warm weather, summer wedding? Simple, yet elegant style?

If you answered yes to any (or all) of these questions, NWweddingshop may have just what you're looking for. We have a dozen, high-quality, low cost, custom fit wedding dress options available - most are right around $300! Please visit our shop online section at http://www.nwweddingshop.com/ now for details and more photos.

If you don't find exactly what you need there, call us at 360-951-6400 and let's chat!

Who Cares About an Eco-Friendly Wedding?

2008-06-06T19:37:00.000-07:00

Hi brides and grooms...
We're collecting information about "green" weddings and eco-friendly wedding plans. Are you implementing anything earth friendly for your upcoming wedding? Would you like to but aren't sure how? Did you recently get married and have a green wedding? We'd love to hear from you. I can just imagine all the excellent ideas that people have!

At NWweddingplace.com, we have several articles to help you get "green" wedding ideas now. First, check out "15 Easiest Reception Table Decor Ideas Ever", and "Green Wedding Tips" for great ideas and suggestions.

Share this Blog with your friends :-)

Destination Wedding On-Location Report!

2008-06-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

Posted by Sarah - "Ask Sarah"

I had the awesome pleasure of attending a destination wedding in Maui. What a romantic setting for your special day... Warm weather, sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, gorgeous flowers, all perfect ingredients for a wedding day.

The setting was at a gorgeous resort/hotel. When we walked in, the first thing you notice is the paradise within the hotel. In the middle of the hotel is an "outside that's inside." So let me explain a little further, it has a beautiful coy fish pond, a waterfall, huge, beautiful trees, and flowers, in the middle of the hotel. So you could walk outside your hotel room and overlook into this beautiful mini-paradise. Not only that, but the hotel had a beautiful backyard view of the beach! So you could imagine, their pictures will be amazing.

Back to the wedding... It was on Sunday evening at 5pm. The wedding took place on one of the hotel lawns that onlooked the private beach. The setting was gorgeous. The bride's colors were light pink and light yellow. So as you walked up the lawn, the grassy aisle way was laden with pink and yellow rose petals. The groomsmen were already in place at the front in light, beige suits with nice ties to match. A bit more casual for the Hawaii destination wedding. While we all waited for the bridesmaid to start in, there was a soloist at the front with a guitar. He was a Hawaiian local serenading us with soft, love songs. Then the first bridesmaid started walking down. The dresses were gorgeous! Each bridesmaid alternated in pink or yellow, flowing, above the knee length dresses. Apparently the maid of honor is a fashion designer in Australia and actually made a few of the bridesmaid dresses, they really were fabulous. The bridesmaid bouquets were very full and beautiful with light pink and yellow roses, and a darker pink as well. The maid of honor walked down in a darker beige/brown dress she made, so she got to stand out a bit. Then the adorable flower girls and ring bearers... The girls were in these beautiful white dresses, and the chiffon bottom parts of their dresses had fabric roses attached all over.

The bride... she was gorgeous! Her hair was up and pulled a bit to the side. She had two beautiful roses adorned in her hair as well, for beautiful extra detail. Her dress was an ivory, chiffon. It was a strapless dress, with a bit of fabric that overlapped in the front, just an inch or so, to add a small ruffle along the top of the dress. The dress was fitted, and then towards the bottom cascaded out a bit, to be beautiful and flowy. The back dipped a little bit below her shoulders, and at the bottom of her back, there was a fabric rose of the same fabric as the dress, and from their extra fabric cascaded down to add to the drama and beauty of its intended subtle simplicity, but certainly class and elegance.

The ceremony began with the Hawaiian pastor opening up and greeting the "paparazzi" (that was us, he referred to us as, the guests - lol!) He was great, very well spoken, almost a performer with his long, extra enunciated, lingering words, which gave a great affect for the ceremony. After the vows were said, and he pronounced them husband and wife, we were serenaded some more by the soloist.

The bride and groom took photos after the ceremony and then they also had a videographer that captured the whole ceremony. The reception was in the hotel, next to the coy fish pond I mentioned earlier. It was technically outside, but it was under a covered area. The reception tables had white linens, and the center pieces were rectangular vases with gorgeous rose bouquets and greenery. Each seat had a name card, which I actually thought was a nice added detail. Normally I'm not in favor of place cards, but then can actually make for less awkwardness if done very thoughtfully.

They had hors d'oeuvres waiting for us (lamb chops, curry chicken kabobs), and a full open bar. I think hors d'oeuvres are a nice touch, especially when you and your groom take photos after the wedding. You don't want your crowd to get hungry. :-) Once the bride and groom arrived we began with a salad, had the choice of prawns, fillet mignon, or fish for our main course, and finished with a yummy custard, pie dessert. I had the prawns, and they were so yummy!

Time to cut the cake. The wedding cake was smaller as a result of us already having dessert, but totally cute! Two round tiers, with frosting dots as details placed intently all around the cake. The bride got her new hubby good with the "bite" of cake all over his face. ;o)

The toasts were great from the best man and maid of honor. Then came the bouquet and garter toss. My boyfriend was the lucky garter catcher - lol!

One of my favorite details was the DJ playing soft jazz songs as background music. I have to say that was great for the atmosphere, and a detail I may want to add at my own future wedding.

There was a short amount of dancing, father/daughter, mother/son dance, and then of course the encouragement to get the rest of the guests out on the dance floor. The wedding ended fairly early after that. The entire ordeal was fascinating, certainly an elegant evening, and full of wonderful things to see.

Considering a Holiday Wedding?

2008-05-27T14:52:00.000-07:00

Are you planning a wedding? Have you considered a date that's on or near a major holiday or 3-day weekend? There are some benefits, and also potential drawbacks to having a holiday wedding. Holidays and 3-day weekends can effect honeymoons, guest availability, wedding business/vendor schedules, and other less thought about aspects in either positive or negative ways.

Here are some basic things to consider:

You'll need to give guests more advanced notice for holiday weddings
Some vendors are busier near holidays, depending on the holiday and the vendor type. For example, florists are VERY busy around Memorial Day. Caterers and bakeries are swamped during Thanksgiving. DJ's are booked for New Year's Eve. Venues are rented for 4th of July celebrations, etc.
Honeymoons, lodging and flights can potentially be more expensive during holiday weeks.
Every year your anniversary will fall on or near a holiday (could be a + or --, depending on the holiday!)
For traveling guests and honeymoon purposes, holidays give you extra days off from work
Holidays offer fun wedding themes automatically, if desired
Traffic can either be better or worse on holidays (depending on the holiday)
Verify with vendors that they are indeed working that day if it's a major holiday, i.e. Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.
Holidays and holiday weekends are just fun!

Does anyone have comments about their upcoming holiday wedding plans? Or comments from those who've had a wedding on or near a holiday? We'd love to hear from you...

Brides - Is Planning Your Wedding Making You Crazy?

2008-05-15T21:10:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows that planning a wedding takes lots of time and money, but not everyone realizes the toll it also takes on sanity! So many brides that I know hardly have time to sit back and enjoy the process. Even up to the very moment they're walking down the aisle, they're still coordinating something. For my own wedding, I can remember the feeling of frustration while decorating. No one was doing it 'right', although I hadn't clearly told anyone what 'right' was...

Are you apprehensive about trusting someone else with tasks? Sure, that means a loss of "control" over that particular aspect, but it may just be worth it. Do you have to care about every miniscule detail? Maybe you do. Are you becoming 'bridezilla'? Maybe you are. Do you want your wedding to be great? Of course you do. Are you wondering how to make it all happen without developing an ulcer? Here are just a couple thoughts:

Hire a wedding planner/wedding consultant
Delegate tasks to trustworthy friends, family and bridal party members
Get a planning and budget checklist to keep yourself on track (budget checklist available on our home page, bottom right corner: www.NWweddingplace.com)
Take extra time off work before your wedding if you can
Keep things as simple as possible
Purposefully plan to enjoy the process and especially your wedding day

If you're a bride-to-be, a newly wed or have thoughts you'd like to share, we'd love to hear your comments on this topic! For more great wedding tips, love & marriage advice, Pacific Northwest information, and more, visit www.NWweddingplace.com today!
Be blessed...

Eco-Friendly "Green" Wedding Reception Centerpieces

2008-05-06T19:37:00.000-07:00

Greetings readers! We in the Northwest tend to be fairly eco-conscious. Why not bring that "green" spirit to your wedding too! When going 'green', one of the main things to consider is not wasting or throwing excessive amounts of things away afterward.
If you've been looking for some green wedding reception centerpiece ideas, here are several ideas that we've come up with:

Use organic fruit in bowls or on tiered platters. Beautiful and dual-purpose! Decor & snacks!
Grow your own flowers - cut them and fill vases.
Float tealights & flower heads in large bowls partially filled with water and river rock. Always recycle metal tealight cups.
Use tiered deserts on platters as decor. Once again, they'd be dual purpose.
Use the glassware, wine or sparkling juice bottles, colored napkins, and simple tealight candles. Candle light and glassware can be quite elegant. Recycle empty bottles.
Have baskets full of your guest favors as your centerpieces.
Decorate your tables with potted plants, and then also use them as guest favors.
Use shells, sand, driftwood, and other 'found' items, then return them to nature afterward.
Use homemade or locally made candles with flower petals.

For more "green" wedding tips and information, please visit our "Green Wedding Tips" article at our main site - www.NWweddingplace.com/green-wedding-tips-article.htm

I'm sure some of you brides & grooms have some other great "green" ideas too. Please share!

Spring Weddings in the Pacific Northwest!

2008-04-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome readers,
Today is a typical Spring day in the Northwest - rain, sun, windy gusts every now and then, and about 55 degrees. It's a rare Spring wedding in the Pacific Northwest that can survive rain-free outdoors! Our outdoor wedding season is typically June - Sept, but you still can not count the possibility of rain out. Even the weather reports can be unreliable here! Despite all that... the Pacific Northwest is still a great place to live and a great place to have a wedding.
So are you having a Spring wedding? Indoor or outdoor? Are you planning a summer wedding? Indoor or outdoor?
Give us your feedback, and join in our community discussions. This blog will be used for our community of brides and grooms to share ideas and respond to our posts. Thanks! We look forward to hearing from you :-)

Pacific Northwest Wedding Scene - Here We Are!

2008-04-21T20:14:00.000-07:00

Greetings Readers!
Welcome to NWweddingplace.com's official BLOG. Since this is our first post, we'd like to explain a bit about NWweddingplace. As you can see above, we serve brides and grooms in Washington, Oregon and Idaho with our advice, articles, local vendor search service, DIY project ideas, free engagement & wedding announcement pages, shop online section, wedding photo Idea Gallery, free e-newsletter, gift ideas and links, event schedule, and more! Not only do we comprehensively offer help to plan weddings, but we feel that also planning for marriage is vitally important (and often missed). Our Love & Marriage Advice section gives excellent tips and relationship thoughts to keep you moving in the right direction.
To view more about our purpose and mission, location and more, please visit our "About Us" page.

Come back often to check out our BLOG! Please feel free to comment and offer feedback about our topics and ideas. We will be using our BLOG as a place for community collaboration and idea sharing. Thanks for reading! We look forward to serving our community of brides and local wedding businesses.
Krista Dunk, Founder & CEO