Category Archives: Tips from a wedding planner
Destination Wedding Planner: Tips for including your dog in your big day
Posted by johnna-patton on January 3rd, 2018
Your wedding day, it’s one of the most special days of your life. Of course you want to be surrounded by ALL of your loved ones! As a wedding planner in the Colorado Rocky Mountains my favorite trend over the past few years is couples involving their four legged friends in their wedding. Including your furry friend in your big day will absolutely make the day more memorable, but it also requires some thought. Here are a few things to consider:
- Make sure that your venue allows dogs Some venues have strict no pets policies.
- Designate a dog handler for the day Assign one person to be responsible for your fur baby for the time he or she is at the wedding. This frees up the bride and groom and also lets Fido be included in the big day.
- Take a trip to the Groomers Make sure your dog looks and smells delicious for the wedding.
- Don’t forget the Photos Make sure you hire a dog friendly photographer and include your pup in your shot list.
- Practice, practice, practice Spend some time training your dog–whether it is walking down the aisle or wearing a bow tie.
- Have an exit plan If your dog can’t sit through the ceremony or things don’t go as expected.
Thank you Lindsey Boluyt for the fun photo!
Colorado Wedding Planner: Bridal Emergency Kit Must-Haves
Posted by johnna-patton on June 9th, 2016
Summer wedding season is upon us! When it comes to your wedding day you have all the details covered and everything planned out to the minute. You’ve double checked everything and yet you never know if there could be one last hiccup in your day. That’s where your emergency bridal kit comes in. Save yourself from any OMG moments that may occur during your wedding day with these must-have necessities.
First Aid Necessities
- Painkillers: For that headache from the extra glass of wine at your rehearsal dinner.
- Antacid: Your stomach might not understand that these are happy nerves.
- Eye Drops: No one wants tired looking red eyes in their wedding photos.
- Tampons: In a room full of girls, it’s always great to have these handy.
- Band aids: Accidents happen, it’s better to be prepared!
Beauty Must-Haves
- Hair Pins: For those pesky stray hairs.
- Chapstick: Keep your kissing lips feeling great!
- Tissues: For all your happy tears.
- Tweezers: To make sure your brows are sleek.
- Nail File: You picked out the perfect bridal manicure – keep it looking great.
- Cotton Swabs: To dab away any excess makeup.
- Concealer: Keep your skin looking flawless all day long.
- Small Mirror: Because you’ll want to check and double check your lipstick.
Food & Drink
- Water Bottle: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
- Granola Bar: Fuel for the day ahead.
- Mints: Make sure your first kiss as newlyweds is fresh!
- Mini Bottle of Champagne: Because this is a celebration after all.
Just in Case
- Safety Pins: A last minute hemming tool.
- Small Sewing Kit: Perfect for any rips or tears.
- Clear Nail Polish: For runs in stockings
- Crazy Glue: Because you just never know.
As a Colorado Wedding Planner, I suggest you put together your handy dandy emergency kit (or have your Maid Of Honor do it) a week before the wedding so that you have one less thing to worry about. It will give you extra peace of mind when your wedding day finally comes. Don’t stress if you need to use it – that’s what it’s there for! Keep smiling and know that when you look back on your special day, it’s the little moments and mishaps that make it special and unique. Cherish them.
Colorado Wedding Planner: 10 Cocktails to Serve at Your Fall Wedding
Posted by johnna-patton on October 20th, 2015
As a Colorado wedding planner I understand that when you’re planning a fall wedding, every last detail counts. Everything from the on-mountain venue to the pumpkin centerpieces to the leaf-shaped place cards help create that warm and cozy feeling that makes us love the fall. But one of my absolute favorite details — and probably the most fun one to plan — is the cocktail menu! Whether you serve a signature drink that reflects who you are as a couple or one that matches the color scheme of the event, the cocktails you serve at your wedding should complement your personal style and the mood you’re hoping to set. To help you plan your fall-inspired cocktail menu, I put together a list of my top 10 favorite fall cocktail ideas that will surely dazzle your guests.
What’s more quintessentially fall than a caramel apple? Throw it in a martini, and you have the perfect cocktail for your fall, mountain, or rustic wedding. Your guests will love the taste of Bailey’s Irish cream, apple schnapps, and butterscotch schnapps all tied up into one amazing drink.
This decadent dessert cocktail will have your guests drooling! What’s more fall than cinnamon, apple cider, and vanilla ice cream? Add some apple schnapps and bourbon, and you have the perfect cocktail for your fall, rustic, or mountain wedding! Maximize the fun by serving it in a glass with a handle and straw!
8. Flaming S’mores Martini This fall cocktail gets a ten for presentation alone. Wow your guests with a flaming marshmallow (with a little help from Bacardi 151) and the delicious taste of s’mores. Easier to make then it looks, this drink combines cream de cacao, marshmallow vodka, and Irish cream. A coating of chocolate syrup and graham cracker crumbs on the rim makes the perfect finishing touch! 9. Boozy Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate Keep your guests warm with this fun twist on a fall classic. You may have tried white hot chocolate before, but this drink brings it to a whole new level. It blends the flavors of pumpkin pie and Kahlua (or Bourbon – your choice) into one decadent cocktail that is to die for. Top it off with some whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for those extra presentation points. 10. Pumpkin Spice White Russian It wouldn’t be fall without pumpkin spice. Definitely a crowd pleaser, this fall cocktail is a yummy mix of vodka, Bailey’s, half and half, and, of course, pumpkin spice. Serve it in a mason jar with orange nonpareils on the rim and a cinnamon stick garnish, and your cocktail hour will be the envy of all other fall, rustic, and mountain weddings!
Colorado Wedding Planner: How to change your last name after you’re married
Posted by johnna-patton on May 16th, 2015
If you’re not sure about the process required to change your last name after you’ve gotten married, don’t feel bad. Only those who have actually gone through the process do know, and everyone has to start somewhere. Below, we offer you the step-by-step process required for changing your last name after you’ve gotten married.
Step 1: Get a Copy of Your Marriage License
If you’ve just recently gotten married, chances are you have a copy of your marriage license on hand. You’re going to need this to show proof that you’ve gotten married in order to change your last name.
Step 2: Start with Your Social Security Card
You’re going to want to start by changing your name on your social security card, which will help you in changing your name on everything else. Visit the Social Security Administration’s website and fill out an application for a name change. You will use your marriage license in combination with the application to prove that you have gotten married.
Step 3: The Department of Motor Vehicles
Once you receive your new social security card, you can take it (along with your marriage license) to the Department of Motor Vehicles and get your name formally changed on your driver’s license or your ID.
Step 4: Financial Accounts
You’re going to want to visit your bank pretty quickly after you receive that new identification with your new name. Your name must match on your ID and your bank accounts in order to access your money, so take your new ID or driver’s license, your new social security card and your marriage license to your bank. Ask them about the process of changing your name on your accounts and get that taken care of.
Step 5: Changing Your Name Everywhere Else
Once you’ve taken care of the first 4 steps, which are the main steps, the rest is fairly easy. You will have all the new identification proof you need to change your name everywhere else. Make sure you consider changing your name to your preferred pharmacy, your doctor’s office, your school or work, your local post office, and any other institution which requires your name in order for you to do business or take care of important necessities.
It’s that easy – although the process usually takes a few weeks, you can get started on it early by filling out an application through the Social Security Administration before you leave for your honeymoon.
Breckenridge Wedding Planner: Summer Brides-Here’s Where You Should Be on Your Wedding To Do List
Posted by johnna-patton on May 13th, 2015
Whenever girl first uttered that planning a wedding was like having a second job, sister got it right. The process is exhilarating and exciting but time-consuming for sure. Wedding Checklists abound, but keeping on top of yours can be hard when you’re dealing with other stuff like, you know, having a well-rounded life that involves hanging with friends and doing things other than obsessing over floral arrangements.
To help, we’re breaking it down with the ultimate cheat sheet. Summer brides, see what you should be doing right about now.
If you’re getting married in June…
—Touch base with all your vendors to make sure you’re on the same page. Share inspiration photos or a shot list with your photographer; go over must-play songs with the band or DJ.
—Submit information for newspaper announcements.
—If you’re going to be making any crafty, DIY items, get the majority of them glued, glittered, and finished now.
If you’re getting married in July…
—Finalize your menu, the order of your ceremony, and readings you’re doing. Decide who you’d like to ask for the latter and see if they’re up to be a part of your big day.
—Send a first draft of your day-of schedule to the vendors.
—Order programs and menus. If you’ll be creating and printing them yourself, purchase the paper you need and find a local print shop that can handle the job.
—Purchase wedding bands.
—Schedule a wedding dress fitting (likely your second). Decide what sort of undergarments you want to wear and purchase them.
If you’re getting married in August…
—Decide on and book locations for a rehearsal dinner and the rehearsal.
—Start the music conversation: What would you guys like as a first-dance song? Any crowd-favorites you definitely want played? Things you do not want to hear?
—Do hair and makeup tests to find the right person for the big day.
Most importantly remember to BREATHE and enjoy the process!
