Monday, January 31, 2011

Top 3 Mistakes Couples Can Make When Planning Their Wedding...



Planning a wedding is never easy and unless you've done it before, it can be a lot of "Live and Learn" lessons. Having planned more than our fair share of weddings, including our own, here is our list of the top 3 mistakes (we think) couples can easily make when planning their nuptials.

Number 3: The more DIY projects the better...
Couples often think DIY projects will save them a ton of cash and while this is true for some areas of the wedding, it can be the opposite for others. Invite Kits are a great DIY to save you money if you're not in to custom invites. But if you're not a graphic designer and don't have access to whole sale paper costs, doing your invites from scratch could be a disaster and cost you more than if you out sourced them from an Invite Company. Centerpieces are also a very sensitive area to DIY if you are having fresh florals. Florists are considered professionals for a reason... if the average person could throw together a bouquet or properly assemble an arrangement so that it lives the length of a wedding day, we'd all be in the business of flowers... but we're not! DIY on projects that are cost effective, and low on stress. Be reasonable on what you take on, and know when to leave it in the hands of a professional vendor.

Number 2: Not starting out with a realistic budget...
This next mistake sums up a number of financial mistakes such as:
- Not researching average wedding costs in your area when creating a budget
- Not finalizing a guest list early on... the more people you add, the more money you're going to spend
- Not looking at personal finances to see what you can actually afford
- And the most important, not aligning your vision to your budget.
It's really important to figure out what you should expect to pay for what you want as you assemble a wedding budget. If you want Ghost Chairs and satin linens for example, research them before you allot funds to your decor area. This way you will know if what you are seeking is realistic. You want to know early on how much you have to spend, and what you should expect to spend it on based on what you want. Budget and vision are always a compromise. It will be impossible for the average couple to afford everything they want. But with a little creativity and the right planning, there are endless ways to make your wedding a real success.

Number 1: Over Planning for your Wedding... Under Planning for your Marriage!
One the biggest mistakes couples can make is to loose site on what a wedding is really about... The marriage! So many newlywed couples have said that looking back on their engagement, they realized that they spent so much time and energy on planning the wedding, that they spent very little time planning for their transition into married life. Before you walk down the aisle, in between flower appointments and food tastings, set aside time to plan and discuss how you will adjust to married life; The things like new living arrangements, family planning, your work schedules, your own personal time/hobbies, a new financial union, family dynamics, house hold chores, independence vs. codependence etc. Weddings are amazing in every way. That's why Kelly and I love what we do so much. Just don't forget that they are just the beginning of your journey as husband and wife!

L&K
xoxo

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Sweetspot.ca & Rich Bride Poor Bride's "Sweet Prize Contest"...

Sweetspot.ca and SLICE have teamed up to help celebrate Rich Bride Poor Bride's newest season, airing Tuesdays at 8pm on SLICE with a fabulous Wedding Contest!!!

Check out www.sweetspot.ca/richbride_sweetprize and register today for your chance to win some great wedding prizes including and trip for 2 to Cancun PLUS 7 incredible weekly wedding prizes totalling over $10,000! You'll need to register each week for the weekly prize, but if you win... so worth it!

Good luck to everyone!!! Who doesn't love free wedding give-a-ways?!?!
L&K
xoxo

Thursday, January 20, 2011

2011 Pantone Colour of the Year: Honeysuckle Pink...

Pantone has just released their Top Wedding Colour of 2011... drumroll... Honeysuckle pink... This feminine yet fresh, warm tone is a perfect compliment with silvers, bronze, creams and champagnes and can just as easily pair up with the likes of oranges, purples, greens and yellows. Whether you desire a bright and vibrant spread, or a soft and romatic glow, honeysuckle could just be, your perfect match! Here is some inspiration to get your colour wheel churning!

Monday, January 17, 2011

A Real Charitable Favour...

Photo courtesy of www.scaw.org

Giving a donation to a special charity in your guest's honour in lieu of a traditional wedding favour is nothing new... but the charity "Sleeping Children Around the World" (SCAW) was definitely new to me when I saw one of our amazing couples, Vanessa and Naresh support them at their wedding last October.
In lieu of traditional gifts, Vanessa and Naresh bought a bed kit through SCAW for every guest table at their wedding... And they had close to 50 tables. Bed kits are given to needy children in over 33 countries around the world. Each kit consists of: a mat or mattress, pillow, sheet, mosquito net, clothes, school supplies, a towel and other necessities specific to their area. What made this charity stand out for me was the direct impact it made on each guest at their wedding. See what makes SCAW unique is that every child who receives a kit is photographed by volunteers with their kit, showing the donor's name, country and special occasion. Each photo is mailed back to the donor providing a direct connection between the donated funds and the child who's life you've impacted.
Every table at Vanessa and Naresh's wedding had a beautiful write up about SCAW, but most importantly the picture of a different child who directly benefited from the donation they made in their guest's honour. Paying close attention to guests is something we wedding planners do best at weddings and at Vanessa and Naresh's wedding, guests were incredibly humbled by the bride and groom's donation.
Thanks for leading by example Vanessa & Naresh; you guys are truly incredible!
To find out more about Sleeping Children Around the World, please visit www.scaw.org
L&K
xoxo

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Trend Alert: Nautical Inspired Weddings...

Courtesy of www.weddingwire.com and www.urbangraceinteriors.com

In 2011, love is taking off on the high seas. One of the hottest trends is a nautical inspired decor pallet. From navy blues, to various greens, yellows, shells and classic stripes, the nautical look is a knock out for 2011! We just love it!
L&K

Monday, January 10, 2011

Fun Wedding Shoes...


The latest trend in wedding attire for Brides and Grooms is to step outside the box literally, and divert from typical wedding shoes. More and more, couples are choosing to ditch the classic white wedding shoes and formal tux footwear for shoes that are bolder in colour, make a statement and most importantly, match their personality. Whether it's a groom sporting a pair of Converse runners, or a bride in pink pumps to match her bridesmaids, there seems to be an increasingly awsome trend to step out on your wedding day in your own unique stlye. Above is a great inspiration board I found on The Celebration Studios Blog:
http://www.thecelebrationstudio/
Laura & Kelly

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Love, Marriage...then a Baby Carriage!!


Here at Laura Kelly Wedding Design, we obviously Live and breathe WEDDINGS! But Since I'm expecting my second child (and baby is also on the brain) I thought I'd share a really neat idea for a baby shower or party.


These days, most couples want to find out what the sex of their child is....and some have willpower like none other! Finding out whether the baby is he or she is exciting no matter how you find out....but here is a new trend hitting the baby makers!!


Go to your ultrasound and ask the technician to keep the gender a secret from you. But get them to write it down on a piece of paper and seal it inside an envelope. Then ( without peeking!) head over to your favourite baker ( or one that Laura and I can recommend) and hand it over! Go home, and start planning a party for your closest friends, family and loved ones. At the party, get the cake delivered and as a couple, cut into the cake surrounded by your guests and see of the baker has put pink or blue icing in between the layers!! How fun is that!! What a moment for all to share, and you get to eat cake too!! mmmmmm....cake.......
Image courtesy of the lovely Martha Stewart...
xo Kelly


Sunday, January 2, 2011

2011 January Special...


Our Annual January Special is back:
All remaining DAY OF PACKAGE DATES for 2011 are
$100 off if you book before January 31st.

Discounts are subject to availability. Email us ASAP to inquire about your date.

Spread the word... And mention this ad to get your disount.

L&K