Your Dream Day by Renee

Your Dream Day by Renee Let me help you make YOUR DREAM DAY a reality.

We had a GREAT wedding at Quail Creek Resort in Hartselle this weekend. The venue is lovely. The weather cooperated. Vow...
12/15/2024

We had a GREAT wedding at Quail Creek Resort in Hartselle this weekend. The venue is lovely. The weather cooperated. Vows were made. Rings were exchanged.
The caterer, photographer, videographer, and DJ were great!! I'm so happy for this precious couple.
I somehow didn't get pictures of the final reception all decorated, but I was magical!!

07/27/2024

#12 - The Rehearsal and The Rehearsal Dinner

On Thursday, July 26, 2001, we had our rehearsal and dinner at the church. Our dinner was homemade spaghetti and lasagna and salad. We put out red-and-white checkered tablecloths. We bought little baskets (which are probably still in my parents' basement) for bread. It was nice. It was a celebration and a thank you to our family and friends.

1. YOU MUST have a Wedding Rehearsal. The people who say you don't are idiots 😉. Just spend a little time. If you / your wedding planner has already planned it all out, it can be knocked out in 30 minutes. I always tell my couples an hour - it spends on how big the wedding party is and how many family members are involved. But an hour gives me the right amount of time. We start at the end and work backwards. So far, so good. I once did a wedding rehearsal in the hallway at the hotel because we couldn't get into the venue yet. If you're able to do rehearsal at the venue, that is best. But just do the practice.

2. You should do some sort of dinner as a thank you and celebration. This gives you an opportunity, in a more casual setting, to spend time with these special people. Share a meal. Exchange gifts. Reminisce and tell stories. You can have pizza. You can have barbecue. You can have family and friends chip in and bring something. (Remember They may have already purchased clothes and airplane tickets etc ) Keep it simple.

07/25/2024

#11 - The Script

There are three ways to do the ceremony script.

1. The officiant has a script he's used - or some variation of - for years. Add in a few tweaks and the names of the bride and groom, and there you go. The seasoned officiant has a typed-out copy, or more than likely, an outline, which he follows.

2. The couple works with the officiant and/or wedding planner to create a script that combines a traditional ceremony script with something unique and special to the bride and groom.

3. The bride and groom and/or wedding planner write a script from scratch that really uniquely represents the couple and their story. The officiant then reads / guides the couple through the script.

The key to a great ceremony script, is to create something personal that tells the couple's story and vision for their future.

With that being said ---
I only remember a couple of things about the script at my wedding. LOL

#10 - Candids and Camera PhonesI know it isn't a popular opinion, but I think we need those candid photos of people sit...
07/20/2024

#10 - Candids and Camera Phones

I know it isn't a popular opinion, but I think we need those candid photos of people sitting around and visiting DURING THE RECEPTION. I'm not talking during the ceremony at all. You spent good money to get a good photographer to capture those 30 minutes. I mean at the reception. When I got married, disposable cameras were all the rage. My parents bought, who knows how many, disposable cameras for each table. My cousin wrote a little message about taking photos to put on all the tables. It was still kind of new, but my friends and family did exactly what was hoped for. While we were gone on our honeymoon, my parents had all the cameras developed, so when we got home we had these treasures. I know digital is so much better in so many ways, but this was fun to go down memory lane.
For today's weddings - again, not during the ceremony - encourage your guests to take those candid photos. I had a bride and groom a couple of years ago create a Google Drive where all the candids could be uploaded. What a great idea!!

Just a few of the treasures I found

07/20/2024

#9 - "It's like rain on your wedding day" -- this isn't a post about irony, or the lack thereof.

The week we were getting married, I remember talking to his guy at work about the fact that I was concerned about it raining. He told me it rained on his wedding day, and that he had just celebrated 20 years of marriage.
I felt better as Friday, July 27 approached.

It did actually rain the morning of our wedding. I remember I was at the Roundhouse overseeing setup before going to get my hair done. I had my phone (Motorola? Nikon?) clipped on my belt with my wired Bluetooth headset in my right ear. It started raining then. I don't remember it lasting too long. But I do remember it rained.

"Rain on a wedding day is often considered good luck in many cultures and belief systems, with some saying it can symbolize:
Fertility
Abundance
Cleansing
Renewal
Unity
A fresh start
A lasting marriage"

07/18/2024

#8 - Point of Contact

On the day of your wedding, there are so many moving parts. Hiring a planner, or at least a Day-of coordinator, to help handle communication with all of the vendors and make sure things show up and get set up is crucial. When a bride is getting her hair done, she doesn't want to have to answer phone calls from the venue and the caterer, etc.
If you can't hire someone, asking someone you trust who is detail-oriented and isn't involved in the wedding is a good option.

Day-of coordinator ---
I highly recommend you hire someone to do more than a day-of coordinator. There are so many things to consider - having a planner throughout helps you think through it all.

#7 - Day-of Timeline Your photographer probably will have a suggested timeline related to photos (i.e. start bridal pho...
07/16/2024

#7 - Day-of Timeline

Your photographer probably will have a suggested timeline related to photos (i.e. start bridal photos at 12:00 PM, do 1st Look at 12:30, etc.), which is wonderful. However, you need a timeline for the whole day, too. There are so many moving parts. Something (usually hair) takes longer than expected, so I try to work in some "flex" time. I always make copies of the timeline for everyone involved in the event including family in photos. I hand this out at the Rehearsal and post it in the dressing rooms. It's not meant to stress everyone out, but rather to keep everything on track.
On my wedding day, I was at the reception venue overseeing the setup before going to get my hair and makeup done. As a wedding planner, that's a part of my job so that the bride and groom and families can just enjoy the day.

#6 - Plan, plan, planThere are five phases of wedding planning. 1. Get engaged.2. Hire a planner 😉2. Pre-planning (star...
07/14/2024

#6 - Plan, plan, plan
There are five phases of wedding planning.

1. Get engaged.
2. Hire a planner 😉
2. Pre-planning (start thinking about what you want and do a little research)
3. Plan your dream day. For me, I have 20 Steps that I follow from attire to caterer to vows to venue. At 20-weeks out (if you have it) I create a Countdown Calendar with all the different elements that need to be handled.
4. Have a rehearsal. Rehearse what you've planned. Don't listen to those idiots who say you don't need a rehearsal - you definitely need a rehearsal.
5. Plan the day of with a specific timeline for everyone involved in the wedding (bridal party and families). A great plan is best for helping alleviate some of the stresses of the day.
... And plan on one thing not going quite right. I always start my weddings to start 5 minutes late - on purpose. It takes a little stress off and no one will mind.

Oh! And be as organized as possible. When I was planning my wedding, I had a little spiral notebook with pockets. I wrote all of my notes in it. I kept all of the business cards. It was my go-to. I actually found it a couple of years ago when we moved. Good memories

07/13/2024

#5 - The Scapegoat

Weddings are high-emotion, high-tension events where lots of people who aren't usually together gather for a huge event. Family drama. Friend drama. Expectations vs. Reality. Money is involved. Dreams are involved. People say things they shouldn't and don't say things they should. Sometimes people want to complain that they didn't get THAT reserved table or pew. Some people complain because this or that tradition happened or didn't happen.

When I work with my bride and groom to create their dream day, sometimes they choose to do something that might cause some drama, but it's what they want for their day.

So I tell my bride and groom that if someone wants to complain that there wasn't a toast, for example, they can blame me - I'm the scapegoat. That way there isn't bad blood amongst family and friends.

I'm not saying that couples should purposely do things to upset their guests, but this takes some pressure off.

Our photographer did that for us.

FOUR - The DressI was honored with being asked to go with a friend to shop for a wedding dress today. It was a GREAT da...
07/12/2024

FOUR - The Dress

I was honored with being asked to go with a friend to shop for a wedding dress today. It was a GREAT day! She found HER dress! Our experience at The Something Blue Shoppe in Hartselle was wonderful!!!

My memories and tips about the wedding dress.
When I say I tried on 100 dresses, I mean I tried on 100 dresses. I shopped for wedding dresses all over north Alabama and Central Alabama. There was no online ordering anything or Pinterest or anything to get an idea of what I wanted other than magazines. I remember carrying in my magazines with the pages earmarked. (I still remember the smell of those magazines. đŸ¤Ŗ)
I finally found MY dress, and I knew it the moment I put it on!! It is in a box in my closet. I still love it.

When picking a dress - -
1. You know it when you put it on. You must try it on. Do the best you can with the sizes and accessories, too. Try on a veil if that's what you want. Don't be talked in to one if that isn't what you want.
2. Take someone with you to try on your dresses - someone who loves you and is nice and honest.
3. BUT - set expectations with those who join you. Do you want them to just smile and nod and support you? Do you want them to be honest?
4. Your dress needs to be comfortable and easy to move in. You will likely wear this dress for 10+ hours. If you're worried that a belt might slip, don't get a belt. Look at a different style. If you are concerned with the top staying up - look for something with straps. Think through all of the different aspects. Can it be bustled? How will that look if you have a 90' train? What are other options?
4. If you go with a veil or another headpiece that you plan to change out after the ceremony - have your Maid of Honor or someone you trust make sure your hair still looks good.
5. For some couples, the attire is the #1 most important part of the wedding (other than the "I Do," of course). When you first begin planning, set up that budget. For many of my clients, I'll work out a budget for them to serve as a guide as they move through the planning. If you're okay spending $5000 on the dress because that is the most important - then do it. It's your day (and your money). But keep in mind your budget and make adjustments as needed.
6. From personal experience - as you can see in the photos - stand in front of a mirror and practice holding your skirt with your bouquet (a toss bouquet or a rolled-up towel works, too) to make sure that your slips, netting, shoes, etc. aren't showing. 🙁I look like I am running down that aisle. 😁
7. You have picked your dress because you like the things that make that dress special - the sleeves, the neckline, the trim on the veil, the overlay on the train, etc. Be sure to let your photographer know. I am sure your photographer will get it all - but just mention it. And make sure that your MOH helps display the beautiful train once you're in place.
8. The last photo is me walking up the aisle after the "I Do" without my bouquet. I LOVED my bouquet. (It too was taken by my florist - true story.) I always tell my brides and MOH to be sure the bride gets the bouquet back for the exit. There are still lots of photos to be taken.

Enjoy these 23-year-old photos.

THREECake!Our wedding cake was one-of-a- kind and exactly what we wanted. What made our cake so special is that my husba...
07/11/2024

THREE

Cake!

Our wedding cake was one-of-a- kind and exactly what we wanted. What made our cake so special is that my husband's grandmother made it.
She made the 3 tiers and 4 satellite cakes in Indiana and brought them to Alabama where she iced and assembled them for our special day. The tiers were white cake with raspberry filling. One satellite was carrot cake. One was rainbow chip. (I can't remember the other two. LOL)
People talked about our yummy cake for years. 😁

1. When picking a cake for your wedding, finding the right baker who can make your dream cake come to life AND have it taste good is crucial.
Do a taste -testing. Find a picture of what you want and have a specific conversation with the baker.

2. Your wedding is about you and your fiance creating an event that represents you. I did a wedding a couple of years ago. The couple wanted their dogs to be a part of the wedding. So the dogs were there for pictures and all the fun. PLUS, the couple added figurines to one cake. Another cake was the shape of one of their puppies. So, so cute! So very personal. And so yummy. Batter Up Cakes did an amazing job.

3. There has been a trend lately to do a smaller tiered cake for the photo-op and such and then a sheet cake of a different flavor. I had a couple order a short tiered cake from Publix AND a red velvet sheet cake. Best of both worlds.

4. You don't have to have cake. Pies. Cookies. Doughnuts. Cupcakes. Make that about your dream, too.

5. When putting together your wedding-day timeline, at the reception you want to make sure that there are events spaced out through the evening so that your guests continue to have something to do, and they stay until the send-off. HOWEVER - Make sure the cake happens close to the dinner wrapping up; otherwise, people will be too busy dancing to come back for cake, and you'll miss some photo-ops. PLUS, you'll have a ton of cake left!

Don't forget the Ziploc bags or containers for the leftovers. Hopefully your florist won't steal your leftover cake (true story đŸ˜Ģ).

07/10/2024

TWO

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of hiring the right photographer for your wedding. I don't just mean a "good" photographer -- the RIGHT photographer for you and your wedding. The photography business has drastically changed since 2001 in terms of the cameras, editing, styles, etc.; however, one part of hiring a photographer for your wedding (or any event, really) that will never change is hiring someone who is reliable, easy to work with, and has a quality portfolio.

We hired this guy to be our photographer (let's call him Bob) and it seemed like a good deal with a photographer who used to work in NYC photographing models. Well... That's not at all how it turned out. To make a really long and dramatic story shorter (like not including the part where Bob threatened to burn down the house of the BBB employee), we were out $1000 and no photographer two weeks before our wedding!!! 😱😱😱 We found a great photographer who happened to be available since we were getting married on a Friday. In the end, it all worked out. Our photographer we used was great and nice and easy to work with and very skilled.

Picking a photographer requires checking references. Most quality photographers will happily share references. Plus, do the research online - check for reviews, look at the portfolio. I have a 20-point checklist I use to help clients pick a photographer. Those questions include the style and turn-around time. As a wedding planner, when I'm looking for a photographer for my clients, I dig through all the available photos and information to find one that fits their needs before presenting 3 options to my clients. Picking the right photographer is also about personality. The photographer spends so much time with the bridal party. When I'm looking for a photographer for a client, I keep in mind who the bride and groom are and what they are looking for in their dream day.

A good photographer is organized, skilled, and prepared. Your photographer isn't the florist, the decorator, the coordinator, nor the errand-runner. Thankfully there are lots of resources to find the right photographer.

07/09/2024

My 23rd Wedding Anniversary is 19 days away. I have found myself reflecting on the planning of my wedding and the other weddings I've been honored to help plan.

I truly love planning weddings, and though this is a side-gig, I want to be more active online and such. Plus, it's fun to go down Memory Lane.

To that end -
Memories from my wedding do's and don't's.

ONE
Not finding someone you trust and is skilled to do your hair for the big day can cost more than just not getting what you want. Check references. Do the practice. Make sure you are both on the same page. I ended up with my hair in a slicked-back pony tail for my bridal portraits. ☚ī¸đŸ˜ąđŸ˜­

I love this new trend with floral columns. No worrying about floral arrangements "growing" out of someone's head. 😁😂
06/21/2024

I love this new trend with floral columns. No worrying about floral arrangements "growing" out of someone's head. 😁😂

We had a great Customer Appreciation Event last week for Runergy. It was a great day from the balloon arch by MJCreative...
04/29/2024

We had a great Customer Appreciation Event last week for Runergy. It was a great day from the balloon arch by MJCreative to the cake from Sam's to the reception at the Westin. This was my first event at The Westin - such a great experience.

What a fun way to celebrate Valentine's Day!!! 😀
02/13/2024

What a fun way to celebrate Valentine's Day!!! 😀

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