A large part of my job as a wedding  planner is educating my brides and grooms on how to make their wedding a success.  I do this on a regular basis when meeting with clients but have yet to do this on my blog!

So please allow me to  introduce to you It’s all in the Details…I Do {How To’s}.  Starting today we will be posting one educational piece a week.  These posts will include a variety of aspects of the wedding planning process geared towards brides who are going to plan their own wedding  a.k.a.” THE DIY BRIDE” and then hire a wedding coordinator,  like myself, to tie all the loose ends together.  Bottom line we want our brides to be prepared.   There are so many details that go into planning a successful wedding and we hope our new educational series will assist you in being fully prepared for your big day.

Be on the look out…Monday we will reveal the first I Do {How To’s}!!!

One of my favorite memories of the day was when David Esquire with Esquire Photography showed up on the scene.  Kate and Don are such a kind soft spoken couple so I was not sure what they would be like in front of the camera. They both lit up and were total naturals! I was feeling a little like Tyra Banks on America’s Next Top Model.

Kate and Don, Thank you for allowing me to be part of such a special day in your life! It was such an honor!



Ceremony and Reception The Harborside Grand Ballroom Wedding Coordinator LVL Weddings & Events   Photographer Esquire Photography Florist The Blooming Branch DJ and Lighting Elevated Pulse Cake Tomgirl Baking Company

“Be an eco-fab wedding guest: If you’re going to attend one of the more than two million weddings happening this year in the U.S., you may find the event is surprisingly eco-friendly. Wedding magazines and blogs are abuzz with ideas to help brides and grooms who want to take impact on the planet into consideration when planning their big day.

But whether a wedding is “green” or conventional, it’s easy to be an eco-conscious guest. No need to show up in a dress made from last year’s magazines. (While a fun idea, it would certainly grab attention from the bride, a definite no-no whether the wedding is eco-friendly or not!) Instead, simply consider each aspect of the wedding in which you’ll participate and think about how you can make greener decisions.

Giving green: Start with the gift. If the couple signs up with an eco-friendly shop registry or asks for donations to a cause they support in lieu of “stuff,” you’ve got it made.

If not, check for eco-friendlier items on their registry. For instance, they may have chosen a set of bamboo bowls or wool blankets. Look for items that are locally produced instead of made and shipped from overseas. These may not have been selected because they’re eco-friendly, but who cares? If they are greener choices, you’ll feel great picking them and the bride and groom will be happy as well!

When giving a tangible gift, avoid conventional wrapping paper. The Carnegie Mellon Green Practices initiative says that “If every American family wrapped just three presents in reused materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.”

Why buy paper from virgin trees when there are so many great alternatives–fabric made just for wrapping, silk scarves, a map from the honeymoon destination, tree-free or recycled papers, and seed embedded wrapping that can be planted once the gift is opened, to name a few.

And when it comes to ribbon, embellishments and cards, alternative choices can make your gift beautiful and guilt-free.

In many circles, it used to be considered crass to give cash for weddings, but these days, money really is green. Just be sure to offer bills or a check and not gift cards which, for the most part, are made of plastic, ultimately are tossed and never degrade. (Even if the plastic is made from PLA–theoretically compostable plastic–the card’s magnetic strip will stay around a lot longer than many marriages!)

Getting there the greenest way: One of the most impactful decisions you can make is whether to attend the wedding or not. Flying across the country for a day is not the most eco-friendly move you can make. But if you decide to go, you may want to purchase carbon offsets.

If you live close to the wedding venue, walk or carpool if possible. Even if you drive alone, you can volunteer to have other guests travel with you between the ceremony and reception.

Eco-chic wearables: When it comes to choosing what to wear, avoid buying new. if the event calls for more formal wear than you own, consider borrowing, renting or buying pre-owned. The web makes it easy to find designer labels in pristine condition. Like this fabulous Marc Jacobs dress! And if you simply must have something off the rack, search for outfits by eco-friendly designers made from sustainable materials. Whether you’re seeking clothing, shoes or a handbag, stunning greener choices are available.

Aim for low-waste: Food and wedding receptions go together and generally etiquette will trump green when guests are offered only paper napkins and plastic stemware. But just because paper napkins are available doesn’t mean you have to grab a handful. Choose to reuse plastic items like plates, glasses and utensils, rather than grabbing new ones each time you return to the buffet. And when you’re finished, be sure to ask where the recycling or composting bins are located and use them.

A lot of waste is generated from wedding leftovers. Volunteer to take remaining food to donate to a food bank or local nursing home (having called in advance to find out whether they will accept the donation), or to compost flowers, paper and food that cannot be given away.”

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net

{Photos} Potted Herbs from Intimate Weddings, Ribbon from Nashville Wraps, Dress from Vicki’s Secret.

As a graphic designer, Amy has a good eye for the adding in the special touches like the the idea of using translucent paper to hand-stitch the pockets for the invite. And we must say those pockets do add a special touch to the look of the origami hearts. Amy was kind enough to post a template for all those that want to create their own origami invites. Get ready to brush up on your folding skills and enjoy!

Our favorite idea is a DIY favor to hand out to your wedding guests. Not only is it cost effective, but how cute would these be when tucked in tiny little to-go boxes, wrapped in ribbon matching your wedding colors? A sticker of your monogram would easily seal the boxes and add your own personal and homemade touch. And to practice your fudge making skills, you can start whipping up a batch for all your loved ones just in time for a Valentine’s Day treat.

Special thanks to Martha Stewart for always sharing her great ideas and recipes.

Creamy Fudge Hearts

1. Lightly oil a 9-inch-square pan. (A smaller pan will make the fudge thicker and more difficult to cut). Place milk in a heavy 12-quart saucepan. Stir in sugar; add butter. Over medium heat, stir constantly, until sugar dissolves and butter melts. Increase heat to medium high, bring to a boil, and cover with lid. Let boil for 2 minutes, and uncover. Do not stir; clip a candy thermometer on side of pan, and let mixture boil, over medium-low heat, until it reaches 240 degrees (the soft-ball stage), 15 to 25 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare an ice water bath.
2. Immediately remove pan from heat, and dip the base of the pan in the ice water for 5 seconds. Let the fudge sit at room temperature without stirring, with the thermometer attached, until the thermometer reads 122 degrees and mixture is lukewarm, about 40 minutes. If using food coloring, add 1 drop. Stir the fudge with a wooden spoon until it changes from glossy to opaque and is thick and creamy, 2 to 5 minutes. Quickly pour into prepared pan. Use piece of plastic wrap to smooth fudge into the pan, creating an even surface. Let cool completely, 2 to 3 hours, and cut with 1/2- to 1 1/2-inch heart cookie cutters. (Oil the cutters with the canola oil inside and out before using.) Fudge will keep, well wrapped in plastic or in an airtight container, up to 1 week.

Martha’s Tip: When making fudge, follow the instructions to the letter and make sure your candy thermometer works correctly. To check it, put it in a pan of boiling water; it should read exactly 212 degrees. Timing can vary greatly in candy making, depending on the weather and your equipment, so follow your candy thermometer readings, using the times given in the recipe guidelines.