Happy New Year!

Reflective thoughts from Katie on NYE:

            As I write this post, a couple is about to walk down the aisle at our very own War Memorial Center and say their I Do’s as the world leaves behind one year and welcomes another.  At first I thought NYE was an odd evening for a wedding, but now that I am here reflecting on the events of 2010, and anticipating what 2011 will bring, I find it absolutely appropriate.

            At the turn of a new year, many people take a look back on the experiences that helped shape the previous year, and decide to move forward with a new sense of anticipation, inspiration and motivation.  Many people make New Year’s Resolutions.  Most people look at the coming of a new year as a way to start over, make changes, do things differently, or as an opportunity to try again. 

            Many people also see a new year as an opportunity to continue on whatever path they are currently on, to be thankful for another year of health, happiness, and time with their friends and families.  As an opportunity to look back on all of the great things that brought them to where they currently stand, and dream even bigger and better about what they want to accomplish in the year to come.

            As I was thinking about these things, I had a thought about how interesting it is that the concept of a new year accompanies such reflective thoughts, that the passing of another year (or day really) brings with it a sense of renewal and opportunity to start fresh.  Why not the passing of any random day throughout the year?  What is it about the New Year?

            For two people choosing to commit their lives to each other, the day they select as their wedding day brings with it such emotions.  On that day, their lives change forever, and they are filled with anticipation, happiness, perhaps a little anxiety, and no doubt the feeling that from then on they will strive to achieve their dreams with the person they have chosen to spend their life with. 

            So, then, it makes perfect sense that on the day in which two peoples’ lives will change forever as they say their vows, so too perhaps will the lives of everyone else in the world, as we turn over a new leaf and welcome a New Year.  As they wake up to a new life, so too will the rest of us, as we start fresh in 2011. 

            Whatever the passing of another year and the entering of a new one means to you, I wish you all the happiest and safest of New Years.  Congratulations not only to our Bride and Groom, but to all of you, as you welcome a new year.  I wish you all health and happiness in 2011!

Engagement Season is here!

First off, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Love and Blessings to you and yours! I feel so blessed to be able to spend this holiday season with my wonderful family and friends and hope the same for you as well.

It isn't hard for people to become extra emotional and humbled over the Holiday seasons....in fact if I think about Christmas and it's meaning and my family..I start tearing up (although, my family and friends would say that is normal...as I cry so much they just ignore the tears now).  Anyways, because of the extra hype of love and emotion in the air, many people tend to become engaged. It is even knows as the engagement season. There is a reason why the most popular wedding fairs are held in January....it's because a lot of people were just proposed to.

Thinking about the different ways my friends and family got engaged is quite fun. I have had friends get rose petals paths to the bedroom with a nice ring on the bed, to my sister...who actually, now that I think of it..not sure how exactly it happened...I think my brother-in-law just sorda asked her...hmm...should probably get that straight. Anyways I LOVE to hear how people get engaged (and funny how I remember how everyone else did than my own sister...). I love the surprise elements and the creativity that is done. I also LOVE modern technology and how people You Tubes their engagements! Check out this one:

Pretty sure that is one of the cutest proposals ever!

I stole this from a different blog as an unusual way to propose..

In December of 2007, Oliver Thompson wanted to surprise his girlfriend with an extraordinarily impressive plea for her hand in marriage. Instead of a traditional hot air balloon ride or average billboard proposal, Oliver took his girlfriend, Emma, to the Blackpool Zoo where the two had met many years before. While many boyfriends may choose to propose during a romantic sunset near a favorite exhibit, Oliver took matters into his own hands by making an unusual request.

Prior to the zoo visit, Mr. Thompson convinced the zookeepers to allow a six-ton elephant to aid in the marriage proposal. He had purchased a beautiful engagement ring, but chose to use a simple band in case the elephant decided to swallow the ring. The couple arrived at the zoo and spent a day inside the elephant exhibit – a treat that Emma was told was for her birthday. However, she was pleasantly surprised when the large elephant came towards her with an engagement ring, after which Oliver proposed
{source}


One thing I do suggest if anyone is planning a marriage proposal  out there...is to possibly search on You Tube for failed proposal ideas....no one wants this to happen:

Again, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! Also, if you just got engaged and are in the Milwaukee area...CALL ME to set-up a tour  :-) 414-273-5533!  (what...a little self promoting never hurt anyone! )

Merry Christmas!

Birdie's Cafe

So, maybe it is the effects of the Holiday's and all of the sugar that is around the office, but I can't stop thinking about sweets.

I am more personally, someone who likes "savory" over "sweet" but definitely will enjoy a piece of chocolate or cake. Okay, let's just be honest...I just love food, not matter what it is...I now take back my above statement of liking one type of food over the other.

One of my other loves is supporting local businesses in the Milwaukee area. There are so many hidden gems and I have found another one that definitely needs recognition. 

Birdie's Cafe

4110 W. Martin Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53208 

Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30am-5:00pm, Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm.

I was first introduced to Birdies last year when a wedding decided to go sans cake and instead let their guest feast on some amazing homemade pie.
Then my mom told me about this amazing cafe that she went to that I needed to check out. This amazing cafe happened to be the same place where the amazing pie came from: Birdies.



Delicious Heart Pie

So FINALLY  I was able to check it out. Like so many things....my mind goes straight to weddings. Not only for their amazing pastries and cakes but the space itself is absolutely adorable! I love the fact that when you walk into Birdies, you get an overwhelming feeling of being home...which you should as it is located in what once was a house. The decorations and atmosphere make it a great place to have lunch (which they serve all day, along with breakfast) or to study, or to have coffee with a friend.

  Anyways, back to the wedding mindset....many bride and grooms have their wedding here in Milwaukee because it is a neutral location. Their families may or may not be from here. Therefore, with the homey and calming atmosphere that Birdie's presents, I thought it would be such a good place for a rehearsal dinner or a bridal shower. They do their own catering and have event space for up to 75 people. 

Comfortable Living Room Style Cafe

 So, while you are in the Miller Brewery area, please check out Birdie's Cafe and I hope you fall in love with it just like I did!

Life Imitating Work

Hi All, Katie Again!

A few weekens ago I had the pleasure of traveling to Raleigh, North Carolina to attend one of my dear friend’s weddings. We have known each other for several years, but life has gotten in the way of us seeing each other very often, so her wedding doubled as an opportunity for us to spend a minute of time together!! I served as one of her attendants, and therefore got to spend a little one on one time with her on her big day! I was so happy to be there and to see her; she made a beautiful bride!


I seem to be attending a lot of weddings lately, and each time I attend one, my experiences on the job creep out a little bit. I seem to always have an eye out for the person running the show, and I make sure to be very polite and thank the caterers profusely. Being a guest brings with it all of the perks, such as getting to eat the wonderful food and enjoy a glass of wine, but there is always a part of me that is thinking about the staff working hard behind the scenes.

Each wedding I have seen, either that I have worked or that I have attended, is special and unique in its own way. But there is just something about watching two people you know personally stand in front of their friends and family and say those vows that will bind them together as husband and wife forever. As I watched my friend walk down the aisle and marry her best friend, a strong sense of just how much her life is about the change washed over me, and also how our relationship as friends would change. No longer will it be just Carrie, but Carrie and Paul. Though I watch people get married and say those vows all the time, hearing them come from someone you are close to certainly gives them a more personal meaning.

Congratulations to Carrie and Paul! I wish them love and happiness as they begin their lives together! Thank you for having me be a part of your special day!

As an aside, wouldn’t you know that we traveled from Wisconsin to North Carolina, only to get stuck in a snow storm?! What are the odds?? Carrie is a lover of snow, though, so it was only appropriate!

Videographer's

Being a budget conscience person, especially for weddings, I have thought in the past that it has not always been necessary to have a videographer at your wedding. I mean, who is going to really watch the DVD? Maybe it is something that you will watch on your anniversary, but I sort of put it in the category of the guest book.

I am now a born-again-videographer promoter.

What professional vidographers do now is no less than art at it's best. With the music they put in the background and the way that they edit the video so the flow from getting ready to dancing at the reception depicts all the special memories of the day is amazingly done within a 4-7 minute time slot.

I will have to say, that Amy Johnson's blog ( from One Fine Day Productions) is what made me a believer..
 Her blog is a MUST to check out and see all of her talented work in making these spectacular wedding videos. What else that is pretty amazing is that she will even edit and design a video from your honeymoon with the video that you took. What talent!

There are many many many talented videographers here in Milwaukee, and a lot of them work with the photographers. Therefore, if you have a photographer you love, ask for recommendations on a videographer, that way they can be the same "style" as what you personally like.

Let me see that ring!

     This is Katie again, catching up from a few weeks ago!      

 A few weeks ago I wrote about proposals and the element of surprise.  This week, I want to talk about the ring (the other potential surprise!).  Normally, right after the “how did he do it?” comes the “let’s see the ring!” The diamond business in western culture is a booming industry, a large portion of which is comprised of engagement and wedding rings.  While I am not traditional about most things bridal, the rings are something I do care a lot about.  It is meant to signify to all of society that you are a taken lady (or gent!).  As far as I have noticed, the wearing of an engagement or wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand is often cross-cultural tradition.  This got me to thinking about how the giving and wearing of an engagement ring got started in the first place.

            According to ancient Egyptian mythology, the wearing of a ring on the fourth finger of the left hand began with the belief that a major vein leading directly to the heart branched out into that finger.  The idea of a ring symbolizes lifelong and everlasting commitment.  The addition of a diamond, which is the strongest gemstone on the planet, is also meant to symbolize strength in the couple as they move forward in their lives together.  “Engagement” rings were first commonly used by the Romans, but didn’t catch on in the western world until the 13^th century.  They became standard in America at the end of the 19^th century, and rings with diamonds included weren’t common until around the 1930’s.  Today, more than 80% of women (in America) will wear an engagement ring before her wedding.

            A quick look at a jewelry store website will reveal that engagement rings come in all shapes, colors, sizes and of course prices.  As the old saying goes, a guy is “supposed” to spend roughly 3 months of his salary on a ring.  In the US, the average ring purchase is $2100.  In my book, that is quite a bit of money, and because every person’s taste is uniquely different it is important to have a general idea of what your partner is looking for (especially if the engagement is a surprise).  Some girls want to pick out their own engagement ring, or don’t want to wear one at all.  Many engagement rings are being created as part of a set with a wedding band, so knowing if the ring comes as a set is important. The passing down of diamonds or engagement rings through the family, to be worn and/or reset by newly engaged family members, is also a unique tradition that is being upheld in many families. There are even some guys out there that are opting to also wear an engagement ring before their wedding!  (okay.....Amanda writing....this reminds me of my post on the MANgagement ring...check it out here, that is, after your done reading Katie's post).

            What does the receiving of or wearing of an engagement ring mean to you?  Did you/do you expect one at your proposal?  Would you like to be surprised by the design or do you have a very specific idea of what you would want to wear?

Fancy Flours!

Last year, my dear sister started a holiday tradition of having, my mom, myself and herself exchange cookie cutters. This way, wherever we live (she lives in a far off country with my ONLY two nephews....)and no matter how many miles between us all, whenever we make holiday cookies we can make the same ones. So...after the meaningful and joyful tears were shed...a tradition was started.
Now...a year later, I am searching for a great cookie cutter that I can share with the women in my family. As I am searching the world wide web, I came across a website called Fancy Flours. Of course, I went straight to the wedding section (it's a job hazard) and came across some absolutely adorable wedding ideas! Check these out!

I Love lovebirds! These cupcake holders are incredibly charming! 

Candy Origami, what a great topper to a cupcake or a cake or as favors!

 Yup..it's a LOVE cookie cutter

So, basically I could keep putting pictures up...or you can go to the website, which I HIGHLY suggest! Check it out www.fancyflours.com

Happy baking!

The Guest List

Thanks Katie for another post!


I was planning on writing my next blog post about finding a ceremony and reception site, but then it occurred to me that finding these sites generally depends on the size of your guest list! When couples come in to view our facility, we like to ask them roughly how many people they are anticipating, so we can educate them about how many people we can comfortably hold and what their options are. At our site, less than 100 people is considered small. Over 200 wedding guests is not as common. According to Google, the average guest list is 175 people. This got me to thinking about how couples decide on a guest list. Are there people that you are “required” to invite, such as family members, even if you do not see them very often? When a friend of mine got married, she had little control over the guest list because her parents were paying and they therefore wanted say in who was coming. Another friend had compiled her list before she was even engaged!! From my own experience and discussions, I get flustered about having to invite family members that I have only seen once or twice in my life over friends who are a daily part of my existence, simply because inviting family to your wedding is the norm. Is it rude not to include your whole extended family?

Budget is another issue when it comes to a guest list. The fact of the matter is, the more people you invite, the more people you have to feed! And let’s be honest, the catering can potentially be the most expensive component of a wedding! Other things to consider are where people are coming from and whether or not they need somewhere to stay. Plane tickets, hotels rooms, and cars all add up in a hurry, especially if you opt to assist your guests in paying for these things.

So back to the original point: compiling the final guest list. I have a vision in my head of a bride-to-be and her fiancé sitting down with a pen and paper writing out every person they can think of as a starting place. Start with family members, move on to friends, work your way down to co-workers, so on and so forth. How about inviting the people that you are friendly with, for example, who cuts your hair?! Where does the list end?! Is there an actual method to the madness?

A final option would be to set up a budget and work within those limits. From my experience attending weddings, I think it is also important to keep the list at a manageable number so that it will be possible to interact with your guests, in order to make them feel appreciated. In the end (in my humble opinion) it is you and your fiance’s day and you should be allowed to surround yourself with whoever you feel will support you in your new life as a married couple.



How did you decide who would attend your wedding?? How many people are you inviting/did you invite and why?

Amazing Cake!

I see a lot of cakes in my line of work, but the last two weddings have had some cakes that have stood out from the rest! It is truly amazing how these pastry chefs and bakers make such magnificent cakes! Check them out!

The detail is so lovely on this this cake. I love how simple, yet elegant it is! The gifted people from

The Cake Lady were the artist behind this cake.

This cake was made from a very talented family friend for a winter wonderland themed wedding.

(If you are interested in this cake email the artistic Mary at bakryladi@hotmail.com)

Look at the details!!!! AMAZING!

Milwaukee has so many great bakeries. If you are interested, check out these other talented cake artists that deliver their talents to the War Memorial for many weddings!

Aggies Wedding Cakes

Simmas

Sciortino's

Eat Cake

Rich's House of Cakes

These are just a few of the places that cakes seem to come from, as there are many more! Please let me know your suggestions!

Also, just for fun and comic relief, check out the blog Cake Wrecks, it's a hilarious blog about cakes gone wrong!

Picking the Date

The lovely Katie writes again...


With the holidays fast approaching, I have been working ahead to get my work schedule figured out so I know when I can travel to visit family, and of course, eat lots of delicious food. While perusing the November and December schedules, it came to my attention that there are weddings at one of our locations both the Saturday after Thanksgiving and the Sunday right after Christmas. These seem to me like days that get reserved for eating Turkey and opening presents, not usually for getting married (but what do I know). Perhaps the couples think hey! Everyone will be in town anyway, let’s plan the wedding then! Or perhaps the couple is Jewish and Christmas is just another day.

I was on the phone a while ago with a lovely girl who would like to have her wedding in Wisconsin, but is trying to plan it from the East Coast, while her fiancé studies abroad in London. She was hoping for a summer wedding outside, on a Saturday. Our Saturdays book like they are going out of style, and even Saturdays in 2012 are becoming hard to come by (in the summer). After rejecting a few of her dates because we are already booked, I asked her if a Friday or Sunday event would work. You would have thought I asked her if the sky was purple. Without skipping a beat, she said no way! She was Catholic and absolutely had to get married on a Saturday. I empathized, as I recalled being appalled a few years back when a friend of mine from high school got married on a Sunday. (Who gets married on a Sunday, I thought?!) I have obviously since then been put in my place, several times over, as Fridays and Sundays are also very popular days to book events.

As I write down the dates of new couples and contracts that come through our office, I often wonder, how did you decide on that particular day? In Wisconsin, the summer months are popular because of the weather. But there are still more than enough couples who decide they want to set the date for the middle of winter. New Year’s Eve is popular, for example. If you get really lucky, a soft snow of the large, puffy snowflakes will fall the night before, coating every surface, making your wedding look like you are in the middle of a winter wonderland. Or 12 inches of snow could fall, delaying flights and causing the city to declare a snow emergency. What then? Similarly, this summer we had a flash flooding event right in the middle of a couple’s ceremony and reception. Most of their guests (as well as the officiant!) were delayed several hours because the highways were flooded and cars could not move.

All that aside, I can’t help but wonder what motivates a date selection. Perhaps a dating anniversary can influence a wedding date. Or a specific time of year (for example, a little girl growing up always dreaming of a fall wedding). What about the availabilities of the members of the wedding parties or family members? And, of course, what about the location? My guess would be that there a two ways to look at picking a date and a location: either the date is important and the location can be worked around that, or vice versa, the location is important and the date must be flexible around that. However the date gets selected, it will go down in the couple’s history as one of the most exciting, important and happy days of their lives together. And each year, on their anniversary, on that specific date they chose during their engagement, they will celebrate their accomplishments and the successful passing of another year.

Watch Out Veils...Head Bands Are Taking Over!

To Veil or not to Veil...that is the question.

Many brides seem to struggle with this question. The traditional bride has a veil that sweeps romantically over their face and their father "unveils" the bride right before he gives her away to her future husband.

However, like many traditions...they like to get a little spiced up. Tiara's and head bands and flowers have seem to take over the veil this year, and frankly...LOVE IT!  A lot of times a bride will wear her veil for the ceremony only and than switch to a head band for the reception, this is a nice compromise if you would like to keep the tradition but add some spice or flair for the reception.

There are SO many cute head pieces out there and they can really show off your personality. Here are some headpieces I found on Etsy:

And if you are really creative...I bet these could be some fun DIY projects...you could make different color ones for your bridesmaids!

What do you prefer? Traditional veil or headpiece?

To Suprise or Not to Suprise?

Another post from Katie, events assistant!!

            It appears as though I will be entertaining you all with my insights and quarks here at Something Blue on a fairly regular basis, which is something I am very excited about and happy to do.  I am, however, a creature of habit and work better when I have a game plan.  So, as my posting here will be a weekly (or so) thing, I decided to come up with a theme.  I am new to the wedding business.  I knew very little about how weddings worked when I started working them a year ago, and had only attended four in my entire life.  As such, I thought it would be interesting to step through the entire wedding process, from the initial engagement, through the dress shopping, cake selecting, and location scouting, all the way to the gifts and the thank you cards, to get a better handle on how these traditions came to be.  I often wonder, as I’m sure many of us do, how couples make these decisions or better yet WHO makes them, and why.  What kinds of things are you curious to know more about and/or how did you tackle these steps in your planning process?  Feel free to give me a holler if there are any suggestions about what you’d like to know more about!

             So without further ado, today’s topic is going to be proposals.  “How did he do it”?  “Did you have any idea”?  These seem to be common questions directed toward a bride-to-be after making the announcement that she is engaged.  I, myself, am a planner.  I’ll admit that right now.  I like surprises as much as the next girl, but being caught off guard with a surprise proposal would probably send me right in to panic mode.  Which got me to thinking about the history of proposals.  How did this tradition get started, and was it always about the surprise?  How often in this day-and-age are engagements a surprise?  Why is it generally the guy that pops the question?  Are more and more women choosing to propose to their guys?  (I have friends who plan to ask their boyfriends instead of the other way around).  Do guys still ask fathers for their permission?  And why must guys get on one knee and present a ring?

Consulting the internet on this particular subject revealed the following.  The tradition of the marriage proposal is a relatively new idea, as it is meant to give the women a say in whether or not the relationship should move forward.  The proposal itself consists of a question “will you marry me?” and a response in the affirmative solidifies the couple’s desire to plan for their eventual marriage.  Getting down on one knee symbolizes respect, such as when knights kneel while being knighted.  Presenting an engagement ring at the time of the proposal is an outward symbol to society that the woman is engaged to be married.  It is becoming more and more common for guys to want to wear engagement rings prior to their wedding as well.  It is traditional for the guy to ask the girl for her hand.  While this norm is shifting and more and more women are deciding to propose to their partners, many guys indicate that they prefer to be the ones to “pop the question.”  Why?  In all of my research, the best answer I could find is because they want to!  Many women spend much of their lives dreaming about the perfect wedding.  For guys, the thrill of coming up with a creative and surprising proposal has become their “claim to fame” in the wedding process. 

While a ‘surprise’ proposal is exciting, a general rule of thumb these days is to discuss the prospect of marriage before popping the question.  Asking whether or not the girl wants a ring, and if she wants to pick it out, is also customary.  While asking for the bride’s parents’ blessing is not required, especially if the bride is older, it does show respect for her family and their wishes.  In the end, there is no right or wrong way to carry out a proposal.  Making it a joyful and memorable experience for the couple makes for a great story to share for years to come as the couple makes that big step to commit their lives to one another.

Do you want to/ were you surprised by your proposal?

For your viewing pleasure: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/3041930/the_best_marriage_proposal_in_world_history/

Operation Wedding Day

On September 16, 2010 a very special wedding was held at the War Memorial Center. Nick and Kristen (nee Krempely) Colgin were the recipients of an all inclusive $100,000 wedding that was held at the War Memorial Center as the winners of Operation Wedding Day.

Operation Wedding Day was a contest organized by David Liska Custom Jewelers in which a Wisconsin resident that is active military or a veteran of the Armed Forces was allowed to submit a story on why he/she should win this lavish wedding. After many essays were turned in, Nick’s essay won.

Nick is a veteran of the U.S. Army and recipient of a Bronze Star for helping save a French Soldier under fire in Afghanistan who was on active duty. Nick’s name was put on a list to receive books, magazine and snacks. Kristen found this list and sent a care package to this unknown soldier, and never realized that the package would start a relationship, and continue on to a marriage.

Over 30 area vendors, including the War Memorial Center, donated their time, equipment, food and efforts to make this an unforgettable wedding.

After personally spending time with Kristen and Nick, I must say that they are such a great couple. SO HUMBLE and honored to have been selected by the voters! I truly wish them all the best!

It was such a spectacular event and I have been waiting to blog about it until I have pictures. The AMAZING photographer was Jim from Blackdog Studios.  The talent of Jim is definitely portrayed through his pictures of the night. Check out his blog for more pictures from this wonderful event.

 Savvy Bride dontaed all the bridesmaids dress and the gorgeous wedding gown that Kristen wore. Check out their website for some awesome and unique dresses!

DIY Photobooth

A trend that has been going on for awhile that is always fun and interesting is the photo booth. There are a ton of professional photo booth specialist out there to make your wedding day a success...and they throw in some great accessories like albums and copies of pictures for everyone.
However...when you are on a budget these extras are the first things that tend to get chopped off the list. Unless...you make it a DIY project.

All you basically need to make your own photo booth is a backdrop, a tri-pod, a digital camera, and a table for props.  Props are the best, they make everything super fun!
You can get props anywhere!

I found these on Etsy for under $15!

Or check out the  Windy City Novelties and you can find an abundant amount of things for cheap! For example:

 Crazy Glasses

Not exactly sure what this is....but it could be fun!

Make sure to leave a guest book by the prop table so everyone can leave their email address for you to send pictures to!

If you are computer savvy...check out this blog on offbeat bride...here is another way to design your own DIY Photobooth

Now, as an event professional, there are many great photo booths out there and they take all the hassle out and add extra fun and excitement to the photo booths. If you are looking for some options in the Milwaukee area, check out:

Shutter box

Shutterbooth

MiPhotoBooth

Party Picturebooth

The Traveling Photo Booth

Something Borrowed, Something Blue and a Six Pence in the Shoe

Our wonderful and always very stylish events assistant has graciously lent her writing skills and wrote a blog for me today. I am sure there will be more from her in the future! Thanks Katie!!!!

“Are those blue shoes?”

I always anticipate every wedding I work to see what each couple will do to make their day stand out among the rest, mainly because I am not generally one for traditions. One tradition, however, that seems to be consistent among all brides is the “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” poem. Call me uncreative, but I always thought satisfying this list was pretty straight forward. Borrow some jewelry for the old and borrowed part, wear blue on your garter, and your dress of course would be new.

Lately, however, I have seen several brides wearing stunning blue earrings that make a statement against bright white dresses. Another bride wore a beautiful lace headpiece that was constructed out of her mother’s wedding veil. But one bride in particular blew my perception of this tradition out of the water. As she made her way carefully down the stairs toward the aisle, she revealed cerulean blue peep-toed high heels. A bold and wonderfully creative move in my opinion. I was so excited about this innovative spin on a seemingly straight-forward tradition, I turned to the internet to learn more about the story behind the tradition, and to learn more about how modern brides are keeping this tradition alive in new and interesting ways.

The full poem actually goes like this:

Something old, something new.

Something borrowed, something blue.

And a silver sixpence in her shoe.

The last line clues us in to an old English origin, as sixpences originated in England and were made from the late 1500’s through the late 1960’s. The sixpence was meant to signify wealth and financial security as the new couple began their lives together. Carrying something old was meant to represent continuity, of the Bride’s past and family, so as to not forget where she came from. These items traditionally included jewelry, photos, an old pillow for the ring bearer to carry. Carrying or wearing something new symbolized optimism and hope for the couple in their new life. New items included the flowers, the rings, and of course the dress. Something borrowed was typically from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune would then be passed on to the bride and groom on their wedding day. And finally, the Romans wore blue to symbolize love, modesty, and fidelity. Christians dressed Mary in blue to represent purity. Today, this color still carries with it meanings of love and loyalty. These items can include anything from jewelry and nail polish, to ribbons, garters, and as I learned, shoes!

Finding out WHY this tradition has stuck was a bit harder than learning WHAT the tradition actually means. Either way, the variations on this theme that I have seen in brides lately has given me inspiration. First, because the continuation of a centuries old tradition reminds us that wedding days have always been and will continue to be a very special time in the life of two people committing their lives to each other. And second, though the words of the poem remain the same, the way in which each bride chooses to carry out the tradition is as personal and unique as each of those marriages will be. Who says that a dress can’t be borrowed? Or that a diamond in a ring can’t be old? The possibilities are endless.

Did you and/or do you plan to carry on this tradition on your wedding day? And if so, how/why?

Scary Centerpieces!

Last night I went to a lovely NACE (National Association of Catering Executives) meeting at the fabulous Wisconsin Club Country Club. The food was amazing, the speaker was even better (Wayne Breitbarthis who is a LinkedIn wizard!). I love going to these meetings because it revitalizes my love for all things events!

What caught my eye and made almost all 50 of our mouths drop were the AWESOME centerpieces. I, of course, became that crazy lady and started taking pictures of them. Sort of upset that not all the pictures turned out, but check out our centerpieces!

SO CREATIVE

This was the table that I sat at...the pumpkin was staring at me the whole time.

This pumpkin may have been carved after our  Chapter President....

The chef at Wisconsin Club carved all of these! For any kind of fall/autumn event...wedding or corporate this would definitely be a centerpiece that would keep your guest talking!



Wedding Trasportation...the almighty Rickshaw!

Sometimes transportation can be one of those hard decisions when it come to wedding planning. Many times we have to debate with having a traditional limo or fancy car to get the bride and groom to their wedding reception. Other times a shuttle service is called to transport guest to and from hotels so that they do not have to drive (which is nice, especially if there is alcohol involved).


I am a firm believer in finding transportation for your guest after your event, even if it is calling a cab company and having them send a bunch of their cars over to the venue. HOWEVER if you want to do something a little unique and different, check out a rickshaw.

Because I had to look up the definition, I thought I would share this with you:

rickshaw [ˈrɪkʃɔː], ricksha [ˈrɪkʃə] n
1. Also called jinrikisha a small two-wheeled passenger vehicle drawn by one or two men, usually used in parts of Asia

2. Also called trishaw a similar vehicle with three wheels, propelled by a man pedalling as on a tricycle

 Now let's put this concept into wedding planning! And enter CREAM CITY RICKSHAW!

Cream City Rickshaw is an awesome and unique way that will be a sure way to get your guest talking and remembering your wedding. As they ride the rickshaw on their way back from your wedding to the hotel they can get a beautiful tour of Milwaukee, and also be able to have some one-on-one time with their significant other to marvel at what a great time they had that night.

Best of all...it's super affordable! Give them a call at 414-272-RIDE or email ride@creamcityrickshaw.com to get a quote!

And even better! Stay tuned to this blog to be able to possibly get some deals on renting your own rickshaws for your wedding!

Pockets

Brides out there...a great gift you can give to yourself and to your bridesmaids is to have a dress with pockets. I am convinced that pockets are fashion designers gifts to the everyday person. THEY ARE SO CONVENIENT!!!

Honestly, who has another hand to hold a purse for her lip gloss, Kleenexes, speeches, etc...when one hand is holding flowers and the other is wiping away happy tears!

Here are couple of pictures of some amazing bridesmaid dresses with those spectacular pockets, as well as wedding gown!

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Classic Party Rentals

One of the monthly joys in my life lately has been going to NACE (National Association of Catering Executives) meetings. This last one was definilty a great one! Around 50 Wisconsin Event Proffesionals got on a bus and traveled down to Classic Party Rentals in Chicago, IL. As we got off the bus and stepped into their gallery, our mouths dropped (or at least mine did)...and my A.D.D. kicked in and I could of been compared to a kid in a candy shop. SO MUCH STUFF TO LOOK AT!!!! Differnt types of flatware, china, chafers...you name it! It was like an events persons dream come true!

After my blood pressure went back down to normal we took a tour of their warehouse....holy cow batman...this place was HUGE!!! I was amazed at how organzied and how big this place was...and of course I took pictures! Enjoy!

Yes, flatware that look like twigs....love it



My new favorite napkin fold...just imagen the menu card tucked right in there! Also, love the charger plate.

This a picture in their warehouse of JUST glassware

Linen in every color your can imagine

Huge giant football prop! So many differnt props there!

Okay...couldn't resist...loved the faux deerhead with the leis on it.

So moral of the story: if you need some creative ideas for your wedding or event...go check out the Classic Party Rental Websites or any other local party rental place in Milwaukee!