Your Ceremony: Church or Outside the Church?

So, you've got the ring... you've relaxed and basked in the glory of engagement... and now it's time to start the planning!!  In addition to having a rough estimate of your guest list (small and intimate or large and inclusive?) and an idea of what type of budget you are working with, you will need to make some very important decisions!! 

The biggest decision (in my opinion, at least) is where your actual ceremony will take place!  As much fun as it is to plan the reception and all the exciting details, you will be marrying the person of your dreams and the ceremony is super important!! 

First off, you need to sit down with your fiance and discuss your religious beliefs.  Are you both Church-going people?  If so, will you have the ceremony in a Church- his or hers?  Are only one of you Church-going/religious?  If so, is the other okay with having a Church ceremony?  Or is the Church-goer open to having a ceremony outside of the Church?  If neither of you are religious/Church-going, would you both prefer a ceremony outside of the Church?  Or would you prefer to have a ceremony in one of your Churches because of family history and tradition?

These are all important decisions.  The answer may come quickly or it may involve further discussion.  For instance, if you decide to have a Church ceremony- will it be a Full Mass?  Or just the ceremony portion?  If you decide to have a ceremony outside of the Church, will it literally be outdoors?  Or indoors at another location?  If this is a Jewish celebration, will you have a Chuppah? 

Once you decide the type of ceremony you and your fiance envision, you can immediately begin narrowing down your options!!  You will either begin by contacting the Religious Director at the Religious Institution (Church, Temple, etc) you decide on and checking their availability... or you will begin to research other locations for your ceremony (an indoor location at your reception venue?  Outside ceremony at your venue (but be sure they have a "backup" location in case of :::gasp::: bad weather!)?  On the Beach?  In a Park?)  And don't forget to contact local ministers to perform your ceremony!!  Be sure to get referrals from them and ask their former clients what they thought of their specific ceremony and the Presider.

If your mind isn't already racing with ideas and questions, don't worry- you can get started on the fun floral ideas for the ceremony, programs, ceremony layout, song and reading options and aisle runner ideas in a few months once you have all the "basics" booked!! 

NOW OFFERING: HALF OFF Birthday Party Consultations!!

We're so lucky to be with our clients on the happiest day of their life!!  That is, until the birth of their children, I'm sure! 

So many of our past clients have recently welcomed new little bundles of joy into their lives- and as a THANK YOU for their past business, Remember This Day would like to offer them (as well as any direct referrals from past clients) HALF OFF our party planning consultation packages that take place in 2012- any month!! 

These packages differ from our wedding/event packages in that they are 1) less expensive 2) involve a "story board" type of inspiration emailed directly to you with all links to vendors and pricing, etc. 3) Can involve stationary design/printing 4) Can include menu planning and budgeting 5) Can include decor assembly (hanging pom balls, favors, etc).

We will meet with you once to discuss your vision for your child's birthday party (whether it's their very FIRST birthday, or any to follow!) and then put together a package custom for you!  And if you know how hectic that party day will be, and you'd like some help running and picking up food, putting up those decorations that we recommended for you, etc- then we can put those services in your custom package, as well- all at HALF OFF the total price!!!! 

So if you're starting to think about your little one's upcoming birthday celebration (or know of someone who is!) please CONTACT US to schedule your consultation- and reference "2012 Birthdays" in the email, as well as the client who has referred you (unless you are them!)

We look forward to working with you in creating a magical and special day for your child and families.... just as fulfilling (if not more) than the one we created on your wedding day.

So, you just got engaged?!

The majority of engagement happen in the Holiday Season... and if you were one of the lucky gals to get that ring in the past few months, congratulations!!! 

We know how exciting and overwhelming the engagement and wedding planning process can be... and that's why we are going to help you get started on the right foot!

Remember This Day will be posting weekly blogs each Thursday that highlight important aspects of the planning process.  We will touch base on everything from choosing a venue, finding the perfect dress, choosing a color scheme, picking a date, budget-friendly tips and even formulating the perfect timeline for your BIG day! 

First things first- you need to take some time to relax and bask in the beauty of your future!!  So often we get caught up in the details of wedding planning, that we forget what it is all about- you and your soon to be spouse!!  Everyone is probably already asking you if you've chosen a date yet, or a venue... giving you advice and tips and it is quite overwhelming!  So give yourself a few weeks to enjoy before throwing yourself into the planning process.

Then, it's time to contact local wedding/event planners.  I know, you're probably thinking "I can plan this on my own!  I'm very organized and know what I want!" or maybe you have a friend or family member that wants to take on the role of "wedding planner."  Be careful when mixing family/friends with a professional vendor role on your wedding day.  It can be stressful throughout the process regardless of who is assisting you- and you should never be stressed about your personal relationships.  Hire a professional (certified and experienced) wedding planner/coordinator, who knows the industry and can help point you in the right direction.

CONTACT Remember This Day to schedule a *FREE* initial consultation... no strings attached- to learn more about our services (and get some free professional advice/suggestions in the process!)

Next up- speak with your fiance and determine the kind of wedding you envision.  Elegant and formal?  Rustic and beachy?  Modern or Vintage?  Inside or Outside?  Buffet or Served Meal?  Just a few thoughts to get you started on deciding the ambiance you hope to create- and thus eliminating some potential venues that don't have those characteristics.  This "vision" will help to guide you throughout the planning process and serve as a reference point if you ever feel "lost" while making any detailed decisions.  You will also need a rough estimate of your guest count... and then it's time to start the venue search!!

**NEXT THURSDAY'S BLOG- Church or Outdoor Ceremony?  Which is best for you?**

2nd Annual "Breakfast with Santa"

This past weekend Remember This Day teamed up once again with the lovely Erin Farrell for our 2nd Annual Breakfast with Santa celebration!!  We helped to plan and organize the customer appreciation VIP event, and it was a huge success! 

The breakfast with this super special guest (Santa, of course!) was held at Saint Andrew's Prep School in Middletown, Delaware.  This was our first time at this location, and let me tell you- the grounds are AH-MAZING!!  I could spend all day just walking around and admiring the beauty of both the school and its surroundings!

We created a delicious spread of bagels, pastries, cookies, fruit, yogurt and a plethora of yummy beverages!  We set out crayons and Christmas-themed coloring sheets for the little ones, as well as Holiday books for them to read (or to be read), while waiting their turn to tell Mr. Claus what they'd like for Christmas this year. 

As an extra special treat, we arranged a table display for the kiddos to make their very own "Reindeer Food" to put on their front yard (so Rudolph knows where to stop!).  Remember This Day designed and created the signage for this table, as well.

Thank you to everyone who came out and celebrated with us!!

Earn a FREE $50 Visa Check Card for YOUR referral!!!

Who says money doesn't grow on trees??  Here at Remember This Day, we value our past and current clients and take personal referrals as the highest of compliments!! 

So, as a THANK YOU for you "spreading the word" about our services (this includes consultation/designing packages), we will send YOU a $50 Visa Check Card upon signature of contract... and your friend who books us will receive 10% off any package automatically!!!

So be sure to refer any of your newly engaged friends/family members this Holiday Season♥  Free money AND your friends will have a perfectly planned special event!!

Email us at: carina@rememberthisdayevents.com

Pam & Ryan: Vintage Garden Wedding (with a modern twist!)

I met Pam well over a year ago, when she first started planning her wedding!  She hired us for extended partial planning- which included venue and vendor research- so we are VERY excited to share this unique and fun wedding with you, since we have been assisting with the event design and decor from the start!!

Dark eggplant and greenery hues were accented within the eclectic vintage garden feel at the absolutely gorgeous Greenville Country Club.  The ceremony was held outside in the garden and was presided over by none other than Altared Vows by Taya, with musical accompaniment by Mello Strings.  Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a wonderful cocktail hour on the outdoor terrace and in the living room and atrium of the Club.  Pam & Ryan had a signature cocktail and fun straws for their guests to use! 

The tables were accented in Shell Bengaline linens with dark eggplant satin napkins on the guest tables, and Shell Bengaline linens underneath our Hyde Park Lace overlay and accented with the Shell Bengaline napkins... all provided by Remember This Day!!!

The foyer and reception area of the Club was adorned with the most exquisite wildflower arrangements that I have literally ever seen!!  I was in awe of the vibrant colors and freshness that Love 'N Fresh Flowers created!  They are a private, sustainably managed floral farm in Philadelphia- and these flowers were harvest by Jennie the day before the wedding!!  She also provided the guests with  potted succulent favors to bring home with them and enjoy for a long time!!

This wedding shows how you can infuse your own personalities into your wedding day!  From the Mad Lib guestbook, vintage suitcase and rustic birdcage for cards- to Pam's purple shoes under her dress and their personalized wooden cake topper made to resemble the bride and groom (on top of a delicious cake by Liz Marden)!  One thing this wedding definitely did not lack, are details!

Bethany from Gloss Salon did the girls' hair, and it stayed in place all night while they danced to mixes provided by No Macarena DJs!!

We also had the fantastic opportunity to refer Pam and Ryan to one of our all-time FAVORITE photographers- Photography by Laurie.... it's always a blast working with her!

Congratulations, Pam & Ryan!  We were so honored to be a part of your special day!

CONTEST: Win Platinum Rings!

OneWed.com is hosting a FABULOUS contest to win a pair of platinum wedding rings!!  Just CLICK HERE TO ENTER and you very well could be the WINNER of a $3,000 prize!