Winter Wedding Inspiration

Winter is enchanting and romantic, it’s absolutely magical. Why not use the most magical season of them all as your special season of love? A time when the end of one year and the beginning of another meet. A time for love, cheer, gratitude and togetherness. Depending on where in the world you might plan to get married, the weather can be cold but, you can make your wedding feel warm, cozy and filled with love! Keep the main events indoors, offer warm drinks and comfort foods, cozy blankets or faux furs for outdoor adventures, warm fireplaces or heaters and lots of candlelight. Winter can open the door to so many possibilities and I want to give you some inspiration on some adorable ideas I have seen and love.

Fun ways to warm up your guests

Having a Winter wedding means you can pull out all the coziness! Warmth is very much appreciated in the cold, and believe it or not also creates a sense of togetherness. It can remind people of special traditions and with your wedding taking place right in the midst of a cheerful season, it really puts people in the Holiday mood. Holidays bring so much JOY and what better way to celebrate love than surrounded by lots of joy!

Warm Ideas:

• Hot Chocolate/Coffee Cart or Bar

• Soft Blankets, Scarves or Shawls for Outside

• Fire Pits, Fire Places or Heaters/Heat Lamps

• S’mores Station

Winter Wedding Party Attire

Winter is a great time to break out lots of beautiful fabrics, textures, patterns and accessories! We’re talking satin and velvet dresses, long sleeves, wool and tweed suits, lots of lace, plaid patterns, elbow length gloves, faux furs, cashmere shawls, etc. Pick attire that will keep your wedding party warm and comfortable for outdoor photos and have fun with it!

Winter Decor Ideas

When you think of Winter, what comes to your mind? I think of a Winter Wonderland and all the magical things that come with it like snow covered trees, sparkling icicles, soft falling snowflakes, ice covered ponds and horse drawn carriages. When it comes to decor the sky is the limit. You can never have enough twinkle lights, and candles. The more, the marrier! Metallic accents in gold, silver, rose gold, copper or bronze really help to punch up a Winter tablescape. Adding in touches of pine branches, pinecones and holly berries can create more of a festive feel. Velvet accents like comfy lounges by fireplaces and velvet tablecloths can add an air of coziness and elegance. You can even include a sparkler send off to the end of your night or have your guests toss biodegradable snow confetti as you make your way back up the aisle as a newly married couple to add a cherry on top of it all!

Added benefits for Winter Weddings

I truly think that Winter weddings are underrated. Winter tends not to be a popular season to get married in but there are so many benefits to choosing a Winter month. Winter is not considered “peak wedding season” so pricing for venues and some vendors can be much less than in the warmer months, meaning you get a better deal. Getting a good deal on a venue might mean you have more room in your budget to upgrade your florals, food and beverage options, band or lighting and add some fun and unique twists and excitement to your day. Plus, your wedding can give you and your guests something to look forward to and be excited about in those colder and often gloomier months. Don’t be afraid to be bold and put your own spin on it! It’s your special day after all!

If you are interested in reading some more about some fun Winter Wedding Trends. Check out another one of my blogs, here! And, as always,

Happy Planning!

<3 Naticia

Organizing, Coordinating, and Managing a Wedding Day Takes More Than Just "Day-Of Coordination."

When it comes to planning a wedding, you may hear the term “Day-Of Coordination” thrown around a lot. This can be very confusing and sometimes people think this means they will have help planning their wedding through their venue and therefore, won’t need a Wedding Planner.

Everything that goes into your perfect wedding day takes months of planning and orchestration. Often times Wedding Planners and Day-Of Coordinators get lumped into the same category however, we have very different roles to play. There is a big difference between the two and I want to lay out the differences between the two types of service.

Day-of coordinatation:

Most venues offer what is referred to as a venue coordinator or event manager. This person's role is to help protect the venue and ensure that all venue rules are being followed. They are employed by the venue and work on behalf of the venue. This person is there to help you with venue questions and sometimes they will take on more of a role with some details, depending on the venue. I have seen some venues offer a helping hand and make sure that all the vendors are in the proper locations. Some of the coordinators will make sure the venue is set up correctly if they offer to use their tables and chairs, they will make sure they are set up to the layout you agreed upon.

Wedding Planner:

A Wedding Planner is hired by and works directly for you. I think this is the most important thing to understanding the difference between the two roles. Your Wedding Planner is more involved with the planning process and all the little details along the way like, assisting you with booking the right vendors, creating a cohesive design for your wedding day, helping you manage your budget and so much more. A Wedding Planner has your best interest at heart, always, and is focused on bringing your dream wedding to life. They have built relationships with vendors and have so much knowledge in the industry to bring to the table and help guide you through each step of the wedding planning process seamlessly. The whole point of hiring a Wedding Planner is to take the stress off you and your partner so you can focus on the most exciting time of your lives. This means they will help you plan out all the details, everything that will help you lead up to “I do.”

there is so much more that goes into the lead-up to your wedding day Than Just the “Day-of coordination.”

When organizing all the vendors, decorations, and the timeline of the day it takes months of planning and prepping and making sure that every little moment has been thought through and planned out with meticulous detail. Having peace of mind that all of these things are in order and are being handled by a trusted professional can make all the difference in the wedding planning process. My hope is that this helps you better understand the different roles that a Coordinator and a Planner can play. There is so much that goes into all the planning, management, organization and coordinating of your wedding day and you want to make sure it all runs smoothly so that you can just be present and live in the moments of your special day!

Happy Planning <3

Naticia

Wedding Day Photo Shot Guide

As you are preparing for your wedding day, there are lots of little details to think about and plan for including, a very important part of your day, the photos.

I have created a guide for you, below, to help you start planning and thinking about all the important moments you would like to have photographed on your big day. Use this guide to help you start planning out your photo list and even include names of all your important people so that your photographer and wedding planner can use this list to help rangle all those important guests when it’s time for their moment in front of the camera. This not only takes all of it off your plate on the wedding day but makes it a great and easy way for your wedding planner and your photographer to communicate and be prepared for the best group photo experience possible.

Save this photo guide for future reference. 🖤

Now, your photographer will likely provide you with a portal, link or form that they will request you to fill out about 1-3 months before your wedding with this specific information on it. But, you can save yourself some stress and time closer to the wedding by starting this list early, when you have some time to sit down together and talk as a couple. Make a date night out of it and jot down your thoughts and notes about who you want to include in those photos and which ones are most important to you. That way, you will be pre-prepared when it comes time to fill out this information for your photographer. ;)

Here are some additional blogs I have written up that will also help you on your wedding planning journey.

Happy Planning <3

Naticia

Wedding Day Signage Ideas

If you have been to a wedding in recent years or even just clicked around on Pinterest for a bit you are no stranger to the ever-so-popular custom signs at weddings. Today I wanted to go over some fun ways to incorporate signage throughout your wedding day.

Not only do signs help guests out by telling them what’s what, but also they can add to the décor for your big day. I think it adds something extra special and unique. You can choose from so many different types of signs to match the esthetics and theme of your wedding. Some ideas include mirrors, chalkboards, old wooden signs, cloth, specialty paper, etc.

A really unique idea I have seen is having a wooden cheeseboard customized for your welcome sign with your names and wedding date on it. This is not only a neat sign to add to the décor but is reusable forever! I mean who doesn’t love an excellent charcuterie board, especially a custom one?!

You can use signs to welcome people to the ceremony space, or point them in the right direction. This can be super helpful for your guests to guide them to the right location. You can also place them at the bar as a beautiful drink menu to explain your specialty cocktails or other libations.

Seating Charts are also a great way to add in signage into your wedding décor and fill the space. This will be one of the first things your guests see when they walk in, and it can really set the stage for the whole look and feel of your wedding. You can hire a calligraphy artist or have the lettering vinyl cut on a home Cricut or similar machine.

Don’t forget to include signs like “Gits & Cards” and “Please Sign Our Guestbook” to remind guests to leave their mark on your event. You can even add in signs to ask guests to turn off their phones to be present for your “unplugged” Ceremony or add some fun quotes, poems or song lyrics on signage to add to the décor and bring in some unique and personal touches.

There are so many fun ways to incorporate signage throughout your wedding and it's just those extra touches that really make a big difference. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box, even when it comes to what you are using as the sign, the more unique the better. And, pick pieces that you might be able to use around your house or hang on a wall for years to come. Just remember to have fun with it!

Happy Planning,

Naticia

Why Are Save The Dates Important?

Why are Save The Dates so important? Well, believe it or not, most people plan out their year calendar and vacations well in advance, and the sooner you can get the official date out to them, the better. This helps ensure that all the people you want there on your big day, show up.

As soon as you have a booked venue and date set, one of the first things to do is send out the Save The Dates to all the guests you plan on inviting. Such a simple and easy task to complete, it gets you started on your guest list and compiling all the addresses you will need for your formal invitations, bridal showers, bachelor/bachelorette parties, etc. Mentally you are preparing guests for the date and if they need to start saving/planning for their travels you are giving ample notice. Save the Dates can be very helpful in the planning process for both you and your guests.

With the overflow of weddings in recent times due to the pandemic, I would say Save The Dates have become even more important. As if planning a wedding isn’t stressful enough, then add the inconstancy of the last two years and now, we have a wedding boom. I would be willing to bet that you have a few dates already marked off on your calendar for weddings coming up in the next year. Weddings are coming back and it’s a boom we are very happy to see! This just gives even more reason not to wait on your Save The Dates and get them out ASAP!

Make it fun! There are so many cute ideas these days on Pinterest. I wanted to share some of my favs with you.

Magnets - make it a magnet that they can hang on their fridge, such a great way not to lose it and also a constant reminder.

Pencil us in- send a save the date card with an engraved pencil attached. The pencil becomes a keepsake and a great remembrance of your big day.

Digital - You can now even send out digital save the dates! This option can be better for your budget but still gets the job done. It’s a fun, informal and environmentally friendly way to get your wedding date out to your loved ones.

So, are you ready to start creating your Save The Dates? Here are a few of my favorite places to create and order your Save The Dates to get you started:

Minted.com - Use my code: WEDPLCALLALILYEVENT to save up to 35% off your order.

BasicInvite.com - Use my code: CLWED to save up to 30% off your order.

Julia Kay Design

Have fun with it! Make it a date night and plan and create your Save The Dates together! Enjoy the process of planning your wedding, together!

Happy Planning,

Naticia

Personal Vows Vs Traditional Vows

Photo by Morgan Taylor Artistry

There was a time when wedding ceremonies seemed fairly predictable. Today's weddings however, are changing things up a bit from a more traditional setting to what best fits the couple and their personalities. In today’s modern age we are now seeing a lot of couples not only switching up their receptions with unique décor, playing around with types of food and how it is served, creative layouts and so much more, we are also seeing a change in the ceremony elements as well.

In this blog post I want to go over the differences between more traditional vow vs writing your own vows, the more modern way we have been witnessing ceremonies lately. This can be a big and impactful decision for a lot of couples so it can also be difficult sometimes to decide what is best for your wedding. For some couples, writing your own vows can be exciting and fun and for others it can feel very overwhelming and intimidating. I will go over the pros and cons of each to help ease your decision-making process so you can decide what option will be best for you and your partner.

Photo by Brian James Photo Studio

Traditional Vows

Traditional Vows tend to look something like this:

“I, _____, take you, _____, to be my spouse, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death does us part.”

This is one of the most commonly used traditional vows. Most of the time these vows have their own twist on them, depending on who may be officiating your ceremony. If you want to see some unique outlines of traditional vows I recommend looking on Pinterest, there are a ton of options with templates and guidelines for more traditional vows.

Pro

Traditional vows have a more classic feel and make it easier on you to just listen to the prompts your Officiant/Celebrant says and then repeat what they say. It can be a very emotional moment so not having to read your feelings and thoughts out loud in front of everyone might be helpful in this case, especially if you tend to be a bit of a crier, like me.

Con

Some traditional vows can tend to be very long, depending on your Officiant/Celebrant and the traditions you choose to share during your ceremony. If that is what you want then go for it, but there is a way to do a traditional take and keep your ceremony to 30 mins. Just make sure you plan that out with your Officiant/Celebrant.

Photo by Carly Landolt Photography

Personal Vows

Personal Vows are becoming more popular over the years and personally, I think they are so sweet because they come from your heart. It’s a way for you as a couple to express your feelings, thoughts and love for one another. This is a very special moment in your lives and sharing your own unique words with each other can really add to the love and joy in the room. Plus, it gives your guests a little insider look into your story and the love between you two.

Pro

It’s unique and special to the two of you. No one else has your love story or your journey. Only the two of you have shared your unique journey and love and sharing that with your friends and family can make for a very sweet, intimate and love focused ceremony.

Con

You have to get vulnerable and it can get very emotional. Reading your feelings and thoughts out load and in front of other people can be difficult for some couples. This can make you feel like you are on the spot which can be very uncomfortable for a lot of people. It’s also super emotional to read your personal feelings and thoughts out load. Some people have difficulty reading their own vows at the altar because they are afraid of getting too emotional on the spot and not being able to finish their vows. If that might be something you are worried about, then traditional vows at the ceremony might be the way to go. You can always do a private vow reading during your First Look or while you are getting ready the morning of the wedding to incorporate a little of both.

Photo by Brian James Photo Studio

When it comes to planning your ceremony, the easiest way to decide between the two styles is to have a conversation together about what each one might look like for your wedding and decide what makes you both happy and comfortable.

Whether you choose traditional or personal vows, your day will be beautiful either way, because you will be marrying your best friend and that is what your friends and family are all there to help you celebrate.

Happy Planning,

Naticia

The Wedding Comparison Struggle Is Unfortunately Real

Have you ever skimmed wedding magazines, Instagram or Pinterest and compared your wedding or wedding plans to everyone else’s? I’d be willing to bet, you’ve done it at least once. Don’t worry, there is no shame in that. In fact, it is a very common and a very human thing to do. Trust me, we’ve all done it in some way. We are always comparing ourselves to other people so wedding planning is really no different.

Don’t Copy & Paste

With social media at the forefront of everything we do these days, it's hard to not be "influenced" one way or another. I mean, I may or may not be wearing the latest #shacket trend while writing this blog. But in all seriousness, it can take an unhealthy turn and leave you feeling that your wedding isn't good enough. It is very important to keep this in mind while pinning on Pinterest and saving your favorite ideas. While getting ideas is great, copy and pasting someone else's entire wedding isn't. Your wedding day is a chance for you to share your true selves and your love story. It’s about the two of you as individuals and as a couple and should reflect the people and personalities that you are. Not mimic someone else. Of course, there are some traditions and classic styles that a lot of couples still tend to gravitate to. That is absolutely ok! But, it’s also ok to put your own spin on things.

Your Love Story

Don't get me wrong social media can be a great tool to help in your planning process. It can give you ideas and inspiration to creating a jumping off point. If you have a Planner, let your Planner help you take those ideas and inspiration from Pinterest and social media and help you add your own personal touch to them to create a vision that is uniquely your own. Trying to keep up with what other people are doing on social media can be very damaging to your emotional and mental wellbeing. Especially when planning your wedding. Wedding planning tends to put couples in an emotional and stressful state already and it can be very easy to get caught up in all the wedding hype.

The best advice I can give in today's digital world is to keep in mind that your wedding day is about the love between you two and is not about anyone else. Your wedding and your marriage is about the two of you. At the end of the day, this is your chance to share your love story the way you want to share it so, don’t lose sight of what this day is all about. It’s about your love story, and your commitment; and that can’t be compared to anyone else.

Happy Planning!

Love,

Naticia

What To Consider When Choosing Your Venue

One of the first steps you will make in the wedding planning process will be choosing your venue. After selecting your Wedding Planner, of course. ;) So, what should you consider when choosing your wedding venue?

Before you begin your wedding venue search, there are a few things you should definitely talk over with your fiance. 

1. Budget - Make sure that you discuss the budget. How much are you looking to spend, overall, on your wedding day? Expect to spend about 50% of your budget on your venue. So, definitely keep your budget in mind when you start searching for that perfect location.

2. Guest Count - Put together your guest list and decide whether you would like a large extravagant wedding with everyone you know in attendance; a small intimate wedding with only your closest family and friends or, somewhere in between. Your guest count will play a very large role in your venue selection. A wedding for 300 guests will look very different then a wedding for 75 guests and, your venue will too.

3. Wedding Date - Start thinking about your wedding date. Do you already have a set date in mind? Maybe you are considering a date that holds special meaning to you and your fiance.  Maybe you are considering the day you met; your first date; your parents anniversary date; the day you got engaged; etc. If you are definitely set on your wedding date, you will want to make sure that you check on date availability with the venues you are considering via phone before scheduling a tour. If you aren't set on a specific date (and want to leave this open to the venues availability), definitely consider the time of year/season you are wanting to get married in. For example, if you plan to get married in the Winter or early Spring, you will want to consider indoor venues versus outdoor venues. Each venue will have a different look and feel to them depending on the season so you may want to look up some images of your venue options in the seasons you are considering. This will give you a better idea of what to look for aesthetically. 

When picking a wedding venue, you will want to think about whether you would prefer an all-inclusive package or an A La Carte option. What is the difference between these two options?

All-Inclusive packages, are often provided with Hotels; Country Clubs; and catering hall type venues.  Typically they include your catering services; furniture, linen and tableware rentals; separate locations for your ceremony, cocktail hour and recption; and sometimes even your cake and reception centerpieces. These items are then calculated into a specific "per person" price. These types of venues usually do require a guest count minimum or a "by room/space" minimum. For example, the venue may require that you have at least 150 confirmed guests or may have a minimum of $20,000 to $40,000 to book their main ballroom. But, these types of venues do often allow upgrades to you catering and alcohol selections to fill in any unexpected gaps. All-Inclusive packages tend to be the less stressful and more cost effective option out of the two. 

Photo by Jess Palatucci Photography of Hotel Du Village in New Hope, PA

A La Carte options, on the other hand, my only provide you with the space and maybe tables and chairs, depending on the venue. This means that you would need to bring in and source all your own vendors and materials. This would include your catering services; any additional tableware and linen rental;, as well as all your décor and centerpieces. Venues that would typically have an A La Carte style package would be barn venues, local parks and private properties, museums and art galleries, theaters and sometimes some historical venues as well. These types of options do allow for more customization and creativity, which of course, can be a lot more fun. However, an A La Carte option does tend to add more work to your wedding planning "plate" and the extra expenses can very easily get out of hand. So if you go this route, definitely consider a Wedding Planner as we can help you keep the spending in line with what your budget allows, without missing anything necessary. 

Photo by Jose Almeida Photography of Kennedy Grove Park in Waymart, PA

Another thing to consider when you are looking for wedding venues is, guest experience. You may want to consider things like, Is it handicap accessible?; Is there adequate heating and cooling for the space?; Does the venue provide comfortable restroom facilities?; Is there adequate lodging near by for out of town guests? and; Is there sufficient parking for all your guests? Your guests want to feel comfortable so, keeping their needs in mind will definitely allow them to relax and enjoy your wedding. 

Make sure you consider the style of your wedding and your "couple style" as well, when looking at venue options. You want your venue to represent the look and feel you are trying to create for your wedding. So, if you are planning a rustic chic wedding with lots of greenery, you may want to consider a barn or park venue over a Country Club. The more aspects of your wedding that reflect your wedding style, the more cohesive your overall design will feel.

Photo by Brian and Jessica Photography of Historic Stonebrook Farm

If you hired or, are considering hiring a Wedding Planner, this is where they can really come in handy. Wedding Planners work with many different venues and understand the logistics of doing events in different types of spaces. Your Wedding Planner should be able to help provide you with multiple venue options to consider that will fit your budget, needs and wedding style. This can cut out a lot of unnecessary research and headache for you. Wedding Planners can also join you on your site visits to help access the space, ask questions you may not have considered, and make sure that nothing gets overlooked. Once you decide on a venue, your Wedding Planner will then work with the Venue Coordinator to help organize an appropriate layout for your event to make the best use of the space. 

Let's do a quick recap. When you are ready to start looking into wedding venues, here are the important things to consider:

1. Talk To Your Wedding Planner First

2. Budget

3. Guest Count

4. Wedding Date

5. Wedding Style/"Couple Style"

6. Guest Experience

Now you should be all set to get out there and start your wedding venue search. Wedding Planning is a process but, remember to have fun with it! Each little step in this process brings you closer to your special day. Good luck! 

Thank you for stopping by!

Love, 

Naticia