Favorite favors

I get a lot of questions from brides about what they should do for favors at their wedding. If you've been to enough weddings you know that most of them get left behind at the reception hall anyway, so practical brides feel that they put themselves at a risk for wasting money by going with something expensive. My recommendation is always to go with something simple and edible since just about everyone likes to snack on something sweet at the end of a good wedding. Food isn't the only way to go, though, and here are some neat ideas from some of my past weddings:

This was a wedding I did back in 2007 and the picture is courtesy of Emma Dodge Hanson. This couple had guests coming in from all over the country, and they wanted to give them each something to listen to on their travels back home. They put together a mixed CD with songs that meant something to them as a couple, and dressed up the CD with a cute picture of the two of them. Once they placed them all in the pink and green cases they fit perfectly with the color scheme of the event. Fun, easy to do, and personal.

These are pictures I've posted on this blog before, but I wanted to bring them back because they are two examples of couples who chose to combine their place card with their favor. It's a great idea because it saves on paper, it keeps you from having to keep track of twice as many items, and it reduces the waste left behind at the end of the night. The top picture with the blue boxes was taken by Shannon DeCelle and the bottom photo is from Niki Rossi. The boxes held candies are were displayed as traditional place cards at the entrance to the room. The bottom photo is a tree sapling that guests could take home and plant in their yards. These were placed at each place setting instead of being stacked at a front table. Two different approaches to the same great idea.

This picture was taken by Hillary Harvey at one of our weddings last fall. What's different about this wedding was that they gave their guests not one, but two favors. Although not pictured, the couple had small maple syrup containers at each place setting. But at the end of the night Katie and I put out these cute to-go containers that had maple candies and other goodies in them. By placing this display right by the exit we were making sure that everyone would see it and take the boxes home with them. The couple also added a personal touch by fixing a sticker with their monogram and wedding date on the top of each box. Cute!

This might be my favorite kind of favor - the one of charitable donation. If you think that buying little trinkets or candies if a waste, then why not make a donation in your guests' honor? This picture was taken by Jill Kaiser at a wedding last fall, and this couple chose the Lance Armstrong LIVE STRONG charity. This is a charity that is on top of it when it comes to wedding donations, because they are already equipped to send out thank you cards that couples can give to their guests that night. As you can see in the picture, the card informs the guests of the donation that was made, and it also come with the signature yellow LIVE STRONG wrist band attached to the back of each card. Perfect packaging and a perfect idea! So pick your favorite charity and put your favor money to a very practical and worthy use.

You are invited to a

Free Wedding Seminar

June 28, 2009 • Albany • 1:00 pm

Hosted by Shannon Whitney, President of Wedding Planning Plus

This Session’s Topic:

Secrets to the Perfect Wedding Day

~ Expert advice on how to give your wedding a real “wow” factor
~ Do’s and don’ts to making your day come together flawlessly
~ Tips on how to let go and truly enjoy your wedding day
~ Plus – Plenty of time to ask your questions!
~ And Free Wedding Books!

Perfect for couples in any stage of their wedding planning!

Space is very limited. Registration is required.
Call 518-269-1243 or e-mail Info@WeddingPlanningPlus.net to register.

Brought to you by USA Weddings and Wedding Planning Plus
www.USAWeddings.com

Let us help you plan the wedding of your dreams...

Mr. and Mrs. Gilchrist - May 16, 2009

This past Saturday Wedding Planning Plus coordinated two weddings in one day, which is nothing unusual for us, except that one of those weddings is what I would call a mega-wedding. This event was a no holds barred, high-end celebration for the bride, the groom, and 325 of their closest friends. This wedding had everything - a cigar roller, custom flooring, raw bar, mashed potato station, cordial station, chocolate fountain, top notch vendors, party shuttle bus - I could go on and on - you name it, it was here. This was a great couple to work with and my team and I had a blast seeing it all come together for them. We truly had the dream team working this event - the team at Saratoga National who ran the show and provided wonderful food and beverage service throughout the night, Joe and JP Elario as photographers, Al Woodard as videographer, Mike Emery and the New York Players as the music entertainment extraordinaire, Kris Ann Blanchette as the florist - this was truly a wedding dream team assembled to create the perfect event for Meghan and Chris. The Elarios just posted some of the pictures of their blog. http://www.joeelariophotography.com/. With their permission, I wanted to throw a few of those pics up on here for all of you to see. Check it out, this was one of those weddings we'll be talking about for a loooong time...

This was a fun group of girls who all loved Meghan and were so happy and proud to be a part of her big day.

Chris and his guys were in this for the party and they rocked it out all night long. Check out the hats!

Who can't resist a little father daughter moment before she walks down the aisle. Sarah and I were out of camera shot here (intentionally, and luckily) but it was super cute to see this exchange close up. Very special.

This was probably the sickest cocktail hour I've ever seen. You would NOT leave this place hungry. Food upon food, and fun activities like cigar rolling and a mashed potato bar kept the crowd very happy and very full.

Check out this tent! Meghan had one request and that was to have a black and white floor in her reception tent. Good call Meghan! This room looked awesome, and the checkered floor and matching table scape made for a very hip, chic, and fun atmosphere.

The bride and groom on their first dance as husband and wife. Always a special moment.

Meghan and Chris were a lot of fun to work with, and my team was truly honored to be a part of their special day. I had a blast planning this event, and I really will remember this as one of the greatest weddings I had the honor of being a part of. On last count I realized that there are two more daughters in this family - O'Callaghans, you know how to reach me when it's time to plan the next one!! :)

Awww... This is Danielle and Nick, my May 16th bride and groom at the Albany Country Club. They're photographer, Tracey Buyce, got me a quick copy of this picture. http://www.traceybuyce.com/. Aren't they so cute?? Love them. :)

And we're off!

Wedding season was officially kicked off this weekend for Wedding Planning Plus with not one, but TWO weddings on Saturday May 16th. The first wedding was for Danielle and Nick at the Albany Country Club. I started working with these guys in February of 2008 so this wedding was a long time in the making. I love this couple, so laid back and fun. They really let their vendors do their thing and they stayed calm enough to enjoy every minute of it. I loved working with them and although I'll miss planning their wedding with them I'm sure I'll see them around, because Nick is not only one of my grooms, but he is also my web designer! Check out his talent - http://www.weddingplanningplus.net/.

My other wedding was for Meghan and Chris at Saratoga National. I met these guys last summer and together we planned an unbelievable event for 325 guests. This wedding had everything - top vendors, elaborate food and beverage displays, a cigar roller, a chocolate fountain, a cordial station - you name it, it was there. My assistants took charge of this one (I haven't quite figured out how to be two places at once) and they rocked it! Thank you WPP planners Katie, Sarah, and Gail. I literally couldn't have done this without you!!

I'm so excited that wedding season is here. This wedding weekend is the first of MANY wedding weekends for Wedding Planning Plus. Keep checking back here to see the pictures of these events!

Happy planning,

Shannon

Green Weddings

Earth Day was just a few weeks back, and now with spring flowers and warm weather around us everyone is dusting off the winter cobwebs and heading outdoors. This time of year you appreciate what Mother Nature has to offer us, and the responsibility we all have to leave as little trace on the earth as we can. Being eco-conscious in our day-to-day lives can have a lasting effect on the environment, but it doesn't have to stop there. Have you thought about how much "stuff" goes into your wedding? What about having a Green Wedding?

Here are some ways you can be earth-friendly in your wedding planning:

Go organic - Pesticides and chemicals have a harsh effect on the environment. Support natural farmers by choosing menu items made with organic foods. There are even organic beverages available, so stock the bar with the "clean" items that taste good and are better for you. And when it comes to the attire of your bridal party, there are organic cotton options available to you, as well.

Go recycled - Any bride can tell you that a lot of paper is used in a wedding. Invitations come with multiple pieces and envelopes. There are menu cards, place cards, and table numbers to display. And don't forget all of those thank you cards! Look for stationery that is printed on recycled paper. Don't be fooled by the 10% recycled options on out; Make sure you go for the highest percentage of recycled paper possible.

Go naturally - Favors are a great way to add a very earth-friendly spin on your party. Why not give tree seedlings to your guests so they can plant a tree in their yard? Or instead give a donation to an eco-conscious organization in the guests' names? Leave that lasting impression with them that you care about them - and Mother Nature.

Go locally - Do you know what kind of an imprint transportation leaves on the environment? Shipping those flowers from South America, ordering the guest book and favors from the west coast, and bringing in wines from across the globe - transporting these items creates pollution that could be avoided if you stay local. This area has so many artist communities and eco-friendly vendors. Seek out local ingredients for your menu, locally grown flowers for your centerpieces, and locally designed items for your stationery and favors. Not only is this environmentally friendly, but it also helps the local economy by giving business to vendors in your own backyard.

Go smart - Ask your vendors questions. Learn about where the meat and vegetables for your entrees is coming from. Ask your florist what is done with all those glass vases when you're done with them. Talk to your boutique about the chemicals used on the fabric of your bridesmaids dresses. The more you talk about it the more aware you become. And, eventually, the more aware all of us become.

Planning a Green Wedding doesn't mean boring or hippie or unconventional. It just means that you are making choices that fit in line with what you want and what is best for the environment. And like everything else you put into your special day - have fun with it! :)

Happy planning,

Shannon


Last year I had a couple who planned a Green Wedding. Their favors were evergreen tree seedlings, and the combined their place card with their favor to save on paper. They made their floral arrangements themselves using peonies from a family member's garden. It was Green, personal, and beautiful.

(Photos by Niki Rossi)