Choosing a color palette for your wedding doesn't have to be a mystery or a mind-numbing task.  Here are some simple rules of thumb for selecting hues to help you design a beautiful wedding:

1. Start with your color of choice. Maybe it's a bright Kelly green, lemon yellow, or a deep pink.  The colors shown here are Pantone's trend forecast for Spring 2009.  I love all of these colors, but don't be afraid to ditch their list and be your own trendsetter.

2. Think back to your art classes in elementary school.  Remember the color wheel?  Once you've selected your color, find the colors opposite of it on the color wheel.  These will be your complementary colors.  Mixed together, these hues create a cohesive design and aren't competing for attention. Who knew those color wheel lessons would come in handy years later in wedding planning?

3. If you want a monochromatic feel, vary shades of the same color.  If you choose a blue, have a range of shades in order to give your tables some depth.

4. This handy online color scheme generator can help you find complementary colors (select the contrast setting) or a range of shades (opt for the mono setting).  Fair warning: it's addicting.  Don't say we didn't tell you.

5. Not a fan of online tools?  No problem.  Take a trip to your local Home Depot or Lowe's and peruse the paint section.  Those strips of paint color options have been expertly created by interior designers to pair the best colors together.

What colors are you using or did you use for your wedding?



{Color palette image courtesy Pantone}

Your invitations set the tone for your wedding.  They are the first thing your guests see and help them know the formality of your event, which helps them know what to pack and what to wear.  Whether you order an invitation from a pre-designed suite in an album or have a custom invitation designer create stationery pieces for you, there are certain questions you should ask before flashing your American Express Plum Card:

What is your fee for sample invitations?
If you are ordering your invitations online or from a custom designer, a sample can be beneficial in knowing the actual quality of the paper and printing process being used.  Samples are costly to produce however, so be prepared to pay if you want to receive some.  Another factor is the need for the artists to protect proprietary information, and many custom invitation designers will charge a significant fee for samples and then apply it to your order later should you decide to use them.  This protects them from people stealing their ideas (most people who won't think up their own designs also won't pay a sample fee) and still allows you to have something tactile as you make your decision. 

Will I get to see a proof? Will it be printed or digital?
Before your stationery sets go to print, you should have the option to see a proof, which is a mockup of the wording and layout of your wedding invitations.  Some companies will charge for a proof and some build the cost into the invitation's price.  You may receive a hard copy in the mail (usually for a higher fee) or as a PDF file.  I recommend going green and opting for the PDF file.  It will save you time and your invitations can go to print more quickly. 

How many revisions are included?
Each invitation company has a different policy for the number of revisions they allow before incurring an extra charge, so be sure to find out up front so that you can include this in your wedding stationery budget.

What is the turnaround time?
The turnaround time for your invitations is dependent on your design, the printing process you select as well as the number of revisions and proofs requested.  Find out how long the design process is and then ask how long it will be until you receive your invitations after the final proof is approved.

{Custom Save the Date Cards by Laura Hooper}

Last year I wrote some guest articles for the ladies at Elizabeth Anne Designs on the subject of tipping your wedding vendors, and you can read those here:

Gratuity Etiquette

Gratuity Etiquette Part II

Not every vendor should receive a gratuity, but just as you need to calculate the tip when you are determining whether or not a restaurant is in your price range, you should also take this into consideration as you're planning your wedding budget. Doing this up front will help keep your budget under control and save you from financial headaches later on.

This past Wednesday was the Winter 2009 Blogging Bootcamp for wedding professionals that I taught. It sold out at 23 attendees, and was the perfect size for fostering conversation and interaction.

The workshop was an all-day, six hour event and while I was preparing for it, I was worried I was going to run out of content. The opposite turned out to be true, and I had to speed through some things to ensure that some of the attendees could catch their flights back home in time.


I was so excited that Jody Taylor-Smith from Good Taste Events in Seattle flew in for the workshop. I met Jody at Engage!08 last June and she is classy, fun and hilarious. We clicked instantly and it was such a treat to see her again:


Pictured here is Heather Tansill from Good Taste Events in Seattle, Dana Dunphy from Once a Bride in Colorado (with a brand new project in the works!), Keri Chantler from Twirl Boutique in Scottsdale and Jennifer Thinnes from Outstanding Occasions in Phoenix: 


Melissa Jill Hester from Melissa Jill Photography:


Cicely Rocha-Miller from Life Design Event Planning, me, and Kelly Ashworth of Kelly Ashworth Design (who, incidently, was our guest expert last week here on The Smart Planner):


Loren Petrowski of I Do Monday Morning in San Diego, Mary Driscoll King from My Wedding Film (the person responsible for pushing me to really get this workshop off the ground) in the back row, and then Jody Taylor-Smith and Heather Tansill from Good Taste Events in the front:


Keri Chantler of Twirl Boutique - a shop that focuses specifically on bridesmaids. Keri and her business partner, Jenni Hailer, have created Boutique in a Box, an innovative concept that allows other women to license their own Twirl Boutique. If you're interested in the retail side of weddings, and want to be involved with an amazing company that services a niche market, you can get more information on their program here.


Kimberly Jarman of Kimberly Jarman Photography hosted us in her beautiful studio and totally saved me by working some Powerpoint magic when my computer wouldn't mesh with hers:


Stuart Thurlkill of Eyes 2 See Photography generously offered to be my "official workshop photographer" (I just made that title up - sounds important, doesn't it?) and I am so glad because it means that there are actually photos to share! Here is another group photo that Melissa Jill took so that Stuart could be in one of them - I'll let you pick him out of the crowd:


From left to right, back row: Melanie Little from Paper Mango, Darby Simon from My Wedding Film and Darby Elizabeth Photography, Heather Tansill from Good Taste Events, Kelly Ashworth from Kelly Ashworth Design, Cindy Wagner from Wagner Photographics, Dana Dunphy from Once a Bride, Jody Taylor-Smith from Good Taste Events. Middle row: Loren Petrowski from I Do Monday Morning, Debbie Orwat from Save the Date Events, Wendy Robinson from Sacred Moment Weddings, Jeanne Birmingham from White Poppy Floral, Cicely Rocha-Miller from Life Design Event Planning, me, Tammie Billey from Largo Photography, Keri Chantler from Twirl Boutique, Kim McDowell from The Event Essentials, Julie Gambrell from Classic Creations. First row: Kimberly Jarman from Kimberly Jarman Photography, Stuart Thurlkill from Eyes 2 See Photography, Carolyn Wells from Carolyn Wells Photography, Emily Edwards from Your Heart's Desire Weddings, Jennifer Thinnes from Outstanding Occasions, Heather Crabtree from Outstanding Occasions, and Mary Driscoll King from My Wedding Film. 

Thanks to everyone who came! I am totally flattered and humbled that you took an entire day out of your busy schedules to hear what I had to say.




{Photos by Eyes 2 See and Melissa Jill}

If you're a wedding professional, Engage!09 is a wedding business conference coming up that you won't want to miss! I am honored to be invited back to speak again this year along with some AMAZING people.

I was at both Engage!08 conferences last year and can safely say this is some of the best money you will ever spend on your business. In addition to the informative and educational sessions, the opportunity to be in a non-competitive setting surrounded by wedding professionals who "get it" and aren't afraid to think big and strategically about their companies is so refreshing and inspiring.

Rebecca and Kathryn are generously gifting one scholarship to a deserving wedding professional, and you can read more about that opportunity and how to apply here. The deadline for scholarship applications is next Friday, January 23rd, so don't put this off!

To read more about Engage!09, visit their website and blog.  Registration will open on February 2nd and is limited to 125 attendees.  This event will sell out quickly, so mark your calendars so that you don't miss your chance to register.

Hope to see you there!

Vané from Brooklyn Bride launched her new site this week, and it captures her style and the essence of what her blog is about perfectly.  If you're new to the wedding scene, this is a blog that should be on your reading list.  As an interior designer by trade, Vané brings her impeccable style to Brooklyn Bride.  What began as a way to feature modern finds and Vané's thoughts during her own wedding planning, Brooklyn Bride has evolved into a great resource for any couple planning a modern wedding (no tulle or lace doilies here!). 

BklynPillow is also the brainchild of Vané and features handmade ring bearer pillows for the modern wedding.  The pillows are also made from fabrics exclusive to the design trade. To check out the different styles available and to order one for your modern wedding, check out the BklynPillow Shop.

Also, I have to point out Vané's new logo that showcases the calligraphy of Betsy Dunlap.  Betsy is based here in Arizona and is an amazing artist.  For those of you who want hand-calligraphed stationery pieces for your wedding, but don't want some of the more traditional scripts, Betsy is the gal to call.

For those of you in the Washington DC area, be sure to mark your calendars for the Couture 2009 Bridal Show on January 31st. This intimate show is hosted by the DC Couture Wedding Consortium.

Here is their official invitation to you:

You are cordially invited to attend the DCCWC Couture 2009 Bridal Show at the Stephen Decatur House Museum on January 31, 2009 from 12-5pm. Exclusive dresses from Promise for the Savvy Bride will be shown featuring Claire Pettibone, Elizabeth Fillmore, L’ezu Atelier, Lea-Ann Belter gowns. 

A free goody bag to the first 100 brides to include exclusive bridal show discounts to DCCWC member services and products along with other fun surprises!

Registration is free, but limited due to space limitations.

While you're there, be sure to meet up with our friend Sara Bauleke of Bella Notte. In addition to having an elegant style that is sure to help you bring your wedding vision to life, Sara is a spitfire and hilarious and will have you enjoying the planning process as well.

You can register for the event here.

The Bride's Cafe has undergone a remodel and we love it! Editor Janie Medley (who is also a fab wedding florist in the Washington DC area - seriously, DC brides, hire her already!) has spent months working with her web designers to create a cozy, inviting place for brides on the web.  The new site features everything you've grown to love about The Bride's Cafe over the past year - the inspirational photos, stories, and Janie's sweet personality - as well as some new features.

One of the new features is a vendor resource directory called Creme de la Creme.  Janie has chosen some of the best wedding professionals in the industry to be included, and we are delighted to be among them. 

In the name of transparency, I should note that we do pay to be included in this directory and as such you will not see us include the logo on our press page or promote it in a way that might lead you to believe we have won some type of award by being included.  Almost all of the major wedding blog and website vendor directories you may be familiar with are paid listings.  I have exchanged numerous emails and had several long phone chats with Janie and am more than happy to support The Bride's Cafe by advertising with them.

Janie's floral work can be seen in the pages of the current Bride and Bloom magazine in a feature she did with wedding planner Maria Cooke of Ritzy Bee.  You can also get a behind the scenes peek of that photo shoot and see more of Janie's vivacious and loveable personality in this video.

The wedding day timeline is one of the most important pieces of paper on your big day (aside from your marriage license, naturally). It will tell you, your bridal party and your vendors where to be and when. If you've hired a wedding planner or a day of coordinator (commonly referred to as a DOC), their services should include creating a timeline for you and you won't have to worry about it. If, for whatever reason, you choose to forgo hiring a day of coordinator, here are some must-have events to include on your wedding day timeline:

*The time the church and/or reception hall, ballroom, or event space opens. Your set-up team and any vendors making deliveries will need to know what time they are allowed to start decorating or drop off rental items.

*The time the linens will be placed on tables and chairs. While the chair covers have a little more leeway (and if you are using them, plan for installation to take longer than you expect!), the rest of the table cannot be set until the linens are in place. Make sure that the linens are being delivered early enough in the day so that everything can get set correctly and on time.

*Floral delivery time. Centerpieces generally need to be set prior to your tableware. Also make sure that you arrange for your flowers to be delivered before your photos begin so that you have your personal bouquets, corsages and bouts for your pictures.

*The time the reception tables will be set.

*Hair and makeup times for you and your attendants. Be sure to include the location of the salon and stylists if being done off-site.

*When photos and video begin. Many photographers and videographers now offer packages which range from 5-10 hours of event coverage. If you have opted for fewer hours, choose which end of your wedding you want more memories of and adjust their arrival times accordingly. For example, you may decide you want them to arrive earlier to capture more getting ready shots and leave the crazy dance photos for your friends' point and shoots, or you may want to skip the prep photos and have your photographer snapping shots of you and your groom making your grand exit instead.

*Time you leave for the ceremony from the location you are getting ready in. Pro planning tip: do not make your timeline driving estimates based on how long it takes you personally to drive from one location to the other. Look it up on Google maps and pad the time it says by at least another 5-10 minutes. Yes, you may arrive earlier, as many do with online map times, but it is better to be early on your wedding day than to have your entire wedding party stuck in unexpected traffic.

*The time the prelude music begins.

*The time guests will begin to arrive. Plan for the first guest to arrive about 30 minutes early, sometimes more. Some people are prompt, and it is better to have everything ready before then.

*The time the ceremony begins.

*The time the ceremony ends.

*Cocktail hour start time.

*The time the doors for the reception open, if in a different location than the cocktail hour.

*The reception grand entrance and introductions.

*The times the formal dances will take place.

*The times the toasts will take place. I prefer to schedule the toasts earlier in the reception as opposed to later on because it allows your best man, maid of honor and whomever else may be speaking to relax sooner. During the salad course or between the salad and main course can be a great time because it doesn't keep your guests waiting on being fed (something that turn a wedding reception into a sour experience really fast!) and it doesn't reduce the flow of the evening into choppy segments.

*The time meal service will begin. This ensures that food is served hot - again, one area that can make or break a reception.

*The time of the cake cutting.

*The time you and your fiance make your grand exit.

*Last dance and the time your guests must leave.

*And finally the time that all vendors must be packed up and have left in order to avoid any overtime charges from the venue.

These are some major points to include, and with these on the timeline, the other events will be able to fall into place more naturally.

Sarah Darcy, author of the Classic Bride blog, and previously featured in our Meet the Readers series, has launched a calligraphy company called SD Calligraphy. If you're in need of hand-lettering for your wedding stationery, be sure to check out her styles.

Congrats, Sarah! Launching a new company is always an exciting and nail-biting adventure, and we're excited for what this journey has in store for you!



(ps - if you're having trouble accessing Sarah's site, check it again in a little bit. Sometimes new sites are finicky as they adjust to traffic levels.)

As a professional wedding planner, I can safely say that one of the biggest sources of wedding planning stress for engaged couples comes from the wedding budget. Wedding budgets are personal and vary with each couple. Sure, you may be spending the same dollar amount as another bride, but your specific priorities as to how that money is allocated is unique to you and your fiance.

If you're newly engaged, you've probably already learned in these first couple weeks of bling bliss that your budget is not going to cover every piece of inspiration you've pulled from the bridal magazines and wedding blogs. Over the coming months, the topic of money as it relates to your wedding will cause stress. Realizing that fact now, at the beginning of the process, and taking steps to keep a realistic outlook will help you tremendously in dealing with this stress.

I recently read this quote by Ben Stein in a piece he wrote for The New York Times, addressing the financial events of 2008, and I wanted to share it here:

"We are more than our investments. We are more than the year-to-year or day-by-day changes in our net worth. We are what we do for charity. We are how we treat our family and friends. We are how we treat our dogs and cats. We are what we do for our community and our nation. If you had $100 million or $100,000 a year ago and now you have a lot less, you are still the same person. You are not a balance sheet, at least not one denominated in money, as was explained to me recently.

Losing and making money are not moral issues so long as you are being honest. You may have a lot less money as this year ends than you did two years ago. But you are just as good or bad a person as you were then. It is a myth that money determines who you are, and if you have gotten over that myth by now, then 2008 will have been a very good year. " (emphasis mine)

I am going to take the liberty of adding a wedding-related twist to Stein's wisdom: It is a myth that your wedding budget determines who you are.

When you get wedding envy because another bride on another blog has something you'd love but just can't swing, repeat the newfound mantra above.

Whether your wedding budget is $10,000 or $100,000, when all is said and done, you will have married the person you can't imagine spending life without.  And that is what it is really all about anyway.

If you're a wedding planner in the Midwest, listen up, this post is for you!

I will be speaking at Eventology 2009 in Indianapolis in April and I would love to meet you!  Here is the skinny about the conference, which is being produced by Katasha from K Sherrie + Co:



K Sherrie + Co is proud to present Eventology 2009, an intimate, collaborative and intensive business conference designed especially for wedding planners. Eventology 2009 will bring you real-life, applicable marketing and business information to use to enhance your wedding planning business.