The World According to Weddlady

Attaining Wedding Bliss

Long-time readers of "The World" will recognize this post, originally from June of 2007. It's as relevant today as the day I wrote it, and I hope it will strike a chord with current couples. Enjoy!

Are you wondering how to ensure "perfection" on your wedding day?

Stop and Smell the Roses

Or daisies, calla lillies, stephanotis (stinkin' expensive little flower if you ask me) - or whatever else your florist decides to deliver on your wedding day, despite what you may have ordered.

It's an attitude thing.  Actually, wedding bliss (and maybe wedded bliss although I've not perfected that much) itself is an attitude thing.

It Looked Perfect in My Crystal Ball!

I coordinate a bunch of weddings.  On the order of 22 - 30 per year, in fact.  That's a lot of brides, a lot of grooms, a lot of vendors and yes, a lot of details.  If I could guarantee perfection, I could charge a HECK of a lot more.  The plain and simple fact is that I can't, and neither can any wedding coordinator.

Perfect is as Perfect Perceives

I don't promise perfection - I promise that given whatever circumstances we are given on the day of your wedding, I will do everything in my power to make it FEEL like a perfect day.  That may mean I give you my shoes on the way out of your ceremony when your heel breaks and walk around for the next hour barefoot in 30-degree weather. 

It may mean that I buy your 1-month old nephew, and best man's son, diapers during introductions.

It may mean that my assistant buys all new candles for your centerpieces half-way through your reception and I make jokes at each table while I try to subtly switch out the ones that burnt out WAY too early.

It may mean that rain, or transportation, or food delays or someone's bad day steps on a detail that you had truly looked forward to, and I may give you a hug and remind you that there is a gorgeous man in a tuxedo waiting at the end of the aisle for you. 

If you have the right attitude, the day can ALWAYS feel like a dream.

Happy Planning

Shayna Walker, Williamsburg Wedding Design

Super-Exciting Launch on the Life in Weddings Blog

Never fear, we are returning to "regular programming" in a day or so here on the Weddlady blog. However, I'm announcing a super-exciting tour this morning on the Life in Weddings blog, so admittedly it has a lot of my attention for the next 24 hours.

Besides, at least 2 out of every 5 of you found this blog searching for the Ultimate Fall Candy Buffet. I'm telling you, if you keep it up we're changing this to the "World of Candy Buffets According to Weddlady". I'm glad you're here, of course!

So go read what's going on at www.lifeinweddings.com - you can't miss this announcement. Then "tune in" again in a day or two and I'll be back to dispensing my opinionated commentary on planning weddings and everyone will be happy. :)

Happy planning!

Shayna Walker

Williamsburg Wedding Design

Making Things Happen 2010 & Updates

I took an (of late) uncharacteristic 6 day blogging break - and I was starting to go through withdrawals. Lest you think I'm slacking, I was actually traveling this weekend. I attended a life-changing wedding industry intensive: Making Things Happen 2010. My deepest thanks go out to Lara Casey and Jeff Holt, as well as to Jose Villa and Jasmine Star, and all of those who attended and contributed to the personal and business growth experience. I've read many posts by attendees and I think everyone agrees that we formed the kinds of bonds on Monday that make us a family - I can't wait to chart the meteoric rise to new heights of success that each attendee is about to make!

I also can't wait to share the directions I'll be taking my own career and the ways I not only plan, but expect to impact the lives of those around me.

Some quick updates while I prepare the next steps:

1. I launched a "tour" on Saturday, with the help of the absolutely incredible Wenda Evans. I'll go into more depth on the Life in Weddings blog later this week. You'll have to read the post to find out why I now own a foam "stress breast", how I managed to fly 3000 miles and accidentally encounter not one, but TWO childhood friends, and why I will need your help to plan the next 49 states and 14 months of my life!

2. A new post is up on the Life in Weddings blog today - find out why Wedding Planning is not a fall back career for math drop outs.

3. The Williamsburg Wedding Blog is also alive and well today. Read one of our last Faces of Williamsburg Weddings profiles and meet the spectacular photographer, Carol Hayes of Carol Hayes Photography.

More fun stuff coming up.

Happy planning!

Shayna Walker

Williamsburg Wedding Design

Our hearts go out to those suffering in Haiti. As we have in previous disasters, Williamsburg Wedding Design will donate 10% of all new booking fees through March 1, 2010 to the Red Cross. We are keeping the people of Haiti and the international community in our prayers.

My DIY Budget Saving Secret

I've shared this before, but it's been awhile, and I know there are those who will appreciate now. Scary simple, it does make a difference.

In most major bridal magazines (for example, in Martha Stewart Weddings) there is a coupon for Michaels craft stores. It's often something like 20 - 25% off of your entire regular price purchase. Considering the materials that a DIY bride will need, that can be an enormous dollar savings.

Forget your coupon or magazine (like I do practically every time I go)? Start at the cashier with a copy you purchase off the shelf. Then pull the coupon and go back and go shopping! (You have to go the ethical route...pay for the magazine for sure). If you're buying much it will be well worth the $6 or $7 you shell out on the magazine. I once saved over $100 making a purchase for a client.

Happy Planning!

Shayna Walker, Williamsburg Wedding Design

Seating Outside of the Box

As you begin or continue to create your wedding vision, are you giving much thought to where your guests will sit?  Do you feel bound by the traditional 8 - 10 per round table with one low, unobtrusive centerpiece convention, or, are you feeling a little bit adventurous? 

 
(Photo courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design)

Lots of options exist for seating now, from round tables, square and long banquets, even triangular tables in some markets, to chivari chairs, "Ghost Chairs" and yes, folding chairs, to large square ottomans in place of chairs and even too few chairs to accommodate all of the guests. Note that some of these options are more easily or inexpensively available in larger markets - all can be obtained here at some price.

 

My suggestion is that you think of what you are trying to accomplish.  Are you planning to throw the most formal of events with black tie, a seated dinner and few contemporary twists?  Are you hoping your guests will mingle and dance more than exchange polite dinner conversation?   How old is your crowd?  How big is your guest list?  All of these factors will affect your seating choices, and it's best to start thinking about your options early so you (and your planner) can put together different scenarios and locate the best equipment to pull off the look you decide on early in the process.

 

Photos courtesy of Brad Howe Photography (immediately above and immediately below)

 

Personally, I'm a fan of anything that twists traditional and entertains guests, as long as it is practical and comfortable for your entire party.  Always put your guests first.  Live a little (and love a lot!).

Happy planning.

Shayna Walker

Williamsburg Wedding Design

Every time someone tells me candy buffets are out of style, I have to smile and nod. This market is a little "relaxed" about trends - we'll probably see a photobooth at every wedding sometime in 2012. But those of you who came to this blog in search of Ultimate Fall Candy Buffet photos (and from tracking data, the vast majority of you this week did), rest easy. Multiple announcements today have given you a reprieve, and the candy buffet is apparently back in style. If there is a lesson here it is that "style" is somewhat subjective, and trends are great guidance, but ultimately whatever makes you and your guests happy is key to your wedding success. Happy Planning!

Heard on the radio this morning that Michael Buble is engaged - if he's looking for a planner...hey, a girl can try, right? He's "been to" so many of our weddings now (okay, he sings at practically all of them - on CD) that we should be old friends! 2010 couples are now in talented company! Congratulations!

Talented Williamsburg Florist on The Williamsburg Wedding Blog

Go over to www.thewilliamsburgweddingblog.com to read about the florist behind this photo (one I hadn't seen before of one of my full-service weddings; sigh, I still get the chills when I remember how that reception came together). I also remember assembling 200 of those boxes though...

 

Stability in Venue Management and a Successful Wedding

Here's something you might not think to ask the venue representatives you are interviewing, but that can be critical to the success of your event. When you are meeting with the Sales Manager or Event Coordinator for a facility, ask them how long they've worked there.

I'll give you a hint - if they measure it in days or weeks (or in some cases even in months) you're going to want to dig deeper.

It can be exceptionally disruptive to start planning a wedding with one venue manager then find out they left and took all of their notes with them. I've gone through this with clients, and in some cases if they hadn't had a planner who was keeping a written record of every meeting, they would have had to start over again from scratch - even incurring higher prices or reduced services.

The stability of your venue is one of the most important factors you should consider. Emergencies happen, and certainly you can't expect staff to stay in place forever. However, high turnover indicates a deeper-rooted problem, and is something that should be explored in-depth before you sign your contract.

Happy Planning!

Shayna Walker

Williamsburg Wedding Design