Category Archives: Tips from a wedding planner
Two Cents from a Georgia Peach: “Falling” in Love
Posted by johnna-patton on September 9th, 2013
With the fall season right on our doorsteps, I figured the best way to get excited for the weddings coming up is to show some awesome fall-wedding ideas. Fall has always been my favorite season. I love the leaves changing, Halloween (my favorite holiday), the weather getting a little cooler, and Starbucks’ pumpkin spice lattes are finally back again! So, if you’re considering a fall wedding, you will “fall” in love with these ideas!
One of my favorite things about fall décor, is the usage of pumpkins. There are so many things you can do with them! Paint them, carve them, leave them plain with some orange and yellow leaves and a cornucopia! Since pumpkins are pretty much the epitome of fall, using them as your centerpieces or in the aisles in your ceremony are cliche but oh-so-cute! Use them as your signs and paint something simple on them like “Weclome, Take a Seat”. Another way to use pumpkins, buy the small ones, cut small slits in the stem, and use them to hold escort cards. To get super cute and unique, cut them open, carve them out, and use them as coolers to hold drinks and ice.
Like I said before, all the different colors of leaves are one of my favorite things about fall. Use those leaves in your centerpieces and on tables around the reception—you can even run them down the sides of the aisles in the ceremony for some beautiful (and inexpensive) aisle décor!
Fall also comes with the awesome “fall-flavored” drinks. Play those up! My favorite are the pumpkin flavored ones (particularly pumpkin spice lattes). You can have apple cider, pumpkin flavored beers and hot chocolate…add a cinnamon stick and it’s super cute and fall-appropriate!
And you can’t forget the desserts!! Change it up, have gingerbread or pumpkin flavored cake or cupcakes. Maybe consider doing pies or cobblers in fall flavors to add some uniqueness to your dessert table. You could add some caramel apples along side some pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting—YUM!
With all of these fall-inspired décor ideas, you are bound to find some that will get your guests in the right spirit for your wedding!
Two Cents From A Georgia Peach: Hi, I’m Meredith
Posted by johnna-patton on August 18th, 2013
Sweet tea and Mason jars
I’m from the land of sweet tea and mason jars. The South, where we like our old southern traditions and our fried chicken, preferably homemade by our grandma’s at supper. I grew up outside of Atlanta, Georgia with heavy family lines in Charleston, South Carolina. I went to school below the Mason-Dixon line where it’s common to see cocktail dresses and bow ties at your college football game on Saturday. Speaking of football—there really isn’t any thing better now, is there?! Everywhere else in the country, you’ll find people with face paint and jerseys on. No, not in the South! Football is the occasion of the week and that tailgate is a formal party. Our highlights of the fall are Saturdays, dressing up, cheerin’ on our team from the sideline.
I moved out here to Colorado for my love of the mountains, and let’s be honest, to see some snow once in a blue moon! We have some of the Appalachian Trail that starts in Georgia, and I have had my fair share of those mountains, but it was time for something new. I made the spontaneous decision to move out West and I ended up Breckenridge with all y’all mountain peeps. There’s that sayin’, “you can take a girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl”….that pretty much summed up my moving experience. Everyone out here immediately recognized and associated me with my southern habits and remarks.
Growing up in the South was where I grew a love for weddings and made the career decision to work for all those brides. Seeing all those rustic country weddings just made my heart burst! I loved everything about the fine details down to the mason jars and burlap. So now as Johnna’s and Eb’s assistant, I am here to add my southern hospitality and charm to the bunch! I am going to be adding my southern (a.k.a opinionated) two-cents in on the blog, so be looking out for that!
Breckenridge Wedding Planner: Tips
Posted by elizabeth waldmann on July 31st, 2013
A while ago I blogged about how to keep your heals from sinking into the mountain terrain during your wedding. At the wedding I recently planned, I saw this brilliant idea! Get rid of the heals all together and wear cowgirl boots. They are perfect for the uneven mountain ground and also have a wild west feeling. Your bridesmaids will be able to dance the night away in comfort. Thank you Four Cornered Photography for this awesome photo!
Cowgirl Boots for a mountain wedding; perfection!
Tips from a Breckenridge, Colorado Wedding Planner
Posted by johnna-patton on June 16th, 2013
Choosing flowers for your perfect day!
The most important thing a bride should know about selecting her flowers: There are no right or wrong choices! Flowers are very personal.
Get A Head Start – look online, at magazines, or books for ideas and inspiration. Pinterest is an excellent way to store and organize your ideas. Bring photos that have captured your attention to meetings with potential florists. However, many florists enjoy being given a free hand….give them a color palette and budget and see what they create for you!
Determine Your Budget. Have a “must” list and a “wish” list. The florist will be able to work with you in recommending flowers to fit your needs and your budget.
Consider The Color And The Season. Use the internet or your florist to see if flowers you like are available in your color palate. Are they in season when you are getting married? It’s always a good idea to have backup flowers selected, just in case
Start With The Bride’s Bouquet. Provide a picture of the wedding dress if possible. Do you want your bouquet to be more formal or more laid back? How large do you want it to be? When selecting the bridesmaid’s bouquet consider the size versus your own. Do you want it to have the same flowers or be a little different? Swatches of fabric fro the bridesmaid’s dress can help with color selection.
The Groom and Groomsmen Are Next. Boutonnieres can be made with most flowers typically used in bouquets. Do you want larger and formal or smaller and simpler? Your florist can brainstorm ideas based on your flower selections. The same goes for corsages.
Centerpieces can be the most expensive thing in the budget when taken as a whole. If your trying to stretch your dollar have some low cost alternatives in mind. Again your florist should be able to give you some ideas.
Thank you to Neils Lunceford for these helpful tips!
Tips from a Breckenridge, Colorado Wedding Planner
Posted by johnna-patton on May 11th, 2013
So you’re getting married in the Rocky Mountains! You’ve got the guy. You’ve got the dress. You’ve got the perfect wedding planned. Now what do you pack????
Packing for a wedding in the the Rocky Mountains can be just as complicated as planning the wedding itself. The mountains come with gorgeous views but not many essential shopping spots. Be prepared!
The weather in the mountains changes quite a bit in the summer months. The days are hot and the nights are cool. Make sure you pack a cardigan, jacket, or wrap that will go with all of your evening outfits.
Pack several types of shoes–ballet flats, sneakers, flip flops, and several pairs of heels. Decide which shoes you will be wearing for the ceremony and the rehearsal if it is outside, and how you will walk if the ground is uneven or wet. Don’t forget the cowboy boot is always an option here!
Make sure that you bring the appropriate undergarments for all of your outfits. Our mountain towns have amazing boutiques but no Victoria’s Secrets.
Last but certainly not least your wedding dress. Plan to carry your wedding dress on the plane with you! Airlines consider your wedding dress to be a carry on item and therefore must be able to fit in the overhead compartment. Most airplanes do have a closet on board that is controlled by the flight attendants. Upon arrival at the airport, speak with both the ticketing agent as well as the gate agent to have your dress hung in the closet. Be prepared that you may need to put the dress overhead though, and consider purchasing a hand steamer to have shipped in advance so that you can steam out any wrinkles.
Most importantly remember that the only thing you truly need for your wedding is each other! Thank you Rocky Mountain Bride for these helpful tips.
