A Little Help from Your Friends

Note:  Bernadette first wrote this for SoYoureEnGAYged.com

Your friends are guests at your wedding. Guests! They should be treated like guests! They will probably be giving you a gift. They’ll probably be giving you emotional support through your stressful months of planning! No matter how bridezilla or groomzilla you get, no matter how crafty and Do It Yourself you are, and no matter how low your budget, your friends should not be working at your wedding.

That means: no moving of chairs, no post-wedding clean up or breakdown, no food or bar service, no pseudo-professional photography, no gathering of groups for formal photos and no DJing.

You do have my permission, however, to use your friends in the following ways, and with some exceptions:

• Officiate your wedding ceremony
• Sing or perform music in your wedding ceremony
• Make announcements (as long as there aren’t too many announcements, and as long as only one friend is in charge)
• Make your wedding cake (prior to the wedding day)
• Drop off setup and décor materials
• Some setup assistance (only if you don’t have a wedding planner, and only if those friends are not in the wedding party) Videography (only if you have a friend who really enjoys being behind the camera – we all have one of those)

Remember, in most cases, your friends aren’t professionals. If the video or the cake, for example, doesn’t come out perfect, you can’t resent them for it. If they are in charge of wedding setup and oversleep, have a family emergency or a flat tire, you can’t blame them – you’re not paying them.

Are you planning to use your friends’ help on your wedding day?

Bernadette Smith of 14 Stories is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding your online wedding resource guide geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.

It’s Memorial Day!   So why are you on the computer looking through wedding blogs on this holiday weekend?  Ok, if you are looking around for some inspiring wedding details, here are a collection of things red and blue (to be cliche).

image by:  Chad Michael Peters

images by:  emilie inc. photography | Hair the Moves (photo by Kristen Conklin Photography)

images by: Jubilee Events | Griffin-vites Stationery (photo by Geneve Hoffman Photography)

images by: Maine Seasons Events (photo by Cunningham Photography) | Wild Orchid Baking Company

images by: Gus & Ruby Letterpress (photo by emilie inc. photography) | Parrott Design Studio

images by:  Richard Esposito | Audra Bayette Photography

image by:  Holly Heider Chapple Flowers (photo by Steve Canning) | Eventually by Molly

image by:  Relive Photography

All of the vendors above are members of my Kate Parker Wedding your online wedding resource guide geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.

When talking about flowers with soon-to-wed couples, often times, couples ask for flowers that just aren’t in season for their wedding date.  Trust me, if I could have peonies all year round, I’d be a very happy girl!  Rhode Island floral designer, Stoneblossom Florals, wrote a great post on spring blossoms.  These gorgeous spring flowers are colorful, fragrant and so beautiful.  It can be difficult while planning your wedding to choose flowers that will be in season and looking fresh in your arrangements, but the flowers below are a perfect addition to any floral arrangement during the spring time.

Dreamy Spring Blooms

Our absolute favorite season! And this year doesn’t disappoint! Here are some drool worthy shots of the freshest blooms that literally just came into our studio. I simply had to share! Can’t wait to put them to good use in an upcoming wedding! To all your spring brides out there – you’ve chosen your season well.

Above: Ranunculus and Sweet Pea

Above: Muscari and Coral Peony

Above: Hyacinth and Tulips

Above: Lily of the Valley and Cheddar Pom Pom Peony

Above: Sara Berdheart Peony and Parrot Tulip

Rhode Island wedding floral designer, Stoneblossom Florals is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding your online wedding resource guide geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.

Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire rental tent and event company, Sperry Tents Seacoast fills us in on expert advice for planning the perfect outdoor wedding. Sperry Tents Seacoast provides wood flooring, canvas sail tents, and outdoor lighting to create the ambiance you desire.

Sperry Tents’ three tips are:

Customer Service. You are doing much more than renting a tent and amenities for your event.  You are contracting a service.  You should receive highly professional, individualized service for your event.  From the initial phone call, the outfit you selected should be with you throughout the entire planning process.  During the event, a seasoned on-site attendant should be made available to ensure satisfaction, and help with any questions.

Efficiency. There will be a lot of activity leading up to the event date.  Planners, florists, caterers, photographers, and other event vendors will be sharing space with the selected tent company.  Efficiency is extremely important.  An ideal tent company will arrive on time, set up the tent and custom flooring and lighting quickly and efficiently, and leave the venue as clean or cleaner than before their arrival.

Quality. Your outdoor event should be unique and special.  A tented event, dressed with elegant lighting and décor can create a refined outdoor ambiance.  Beyond a high-quality tent, it is important to have premium lighting and flooring options.  Flooring can convert an outdoor venue into an elegant ballroom dining setting.  Creating a magical glow for an evening event, lighting can dress the tent’s interior with elegant ambiance and décor.

Read more about Sperry Tents Seacoast on my Kate Parker Wedding!

Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire rental tent and event company, Sperry Tents Seacoast is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding, your online wedding resource guide geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.