Wedding Invitations and Social Media| Winston Salem Wedding Planner| Katrina McCullum

With today’s plethora of social media sites, it could be confusing keeping your wedding information in the correct etiquette form. It is so easy to make an event page and just invite everyone. This is a NO NO. Wedding invitations should not be sent out by email or by social media sites. No matter how informal your wedding may be. A paper invitation is still called for.
Be careful of giving out too much information via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Your wedding should have a wow factor for your guess. They shouldn’t know every detail before the actual wedding. By saying “Wow” factor, I don’t mean “Going all out” Simply keeping your wedding information private until the wedding. Certain members of your family and wedding party should only have that information.

It is okay to have guest email their intent to attend or decline your event. Some find this quicker and easier than mailing back the rsvp card. However the rsvp should be included with the invitaion on a seperate card as you would with a traditional inviation.

I hope this information helps you with the ever growing world of social media. Happy Planning!

Why Did I Get Married?|

The reasons for marriage are personal. Normally it involves love, devotion, friendship, family and commitment. Everyone has there own reasons for getting married. I am hoping they are all good reasons. Only you can say why you got married. I want to discuss the importance of having a wedding ceremony and reception.

Having a wedding ceremony brings to the family together in support of the couples marriage. Your guest are witnesses of your wedding vows to one another. If you have a religious ceremony this is proclaim of your union before God with your friends and family to support your marriage

The purpose of your reception is the celebration of your union. Your familes joined. Your first dance, your first meal together. A celebration of your new life together/

Couples get overwhelmed with trying to impress and out do another couple. Brides get overwhelmed with the myth of a perfect wedding. Magazines, blogs,forums all telling you the latest trend that you must include in your wedding. Everyone forgets the sole reason for getting married.

I am a wedding planner and coordinator so I am all for pretty things and organization. But the most important thing is the union and celebration of your relationship and declaration to love one another to death do you part. I feel it is very important to have the support of the ones that will be close to you to help you honor your vows.

Venue Tour|Childress Vineyards|Lexington, NC|Katrina McCullum. Wedding Planner

Childress Vineyards

In August I had the pleasure of visiting a local vineyard, only 30 minutes from my home. I was invited to a local meetup of a group of travelers. I knew there were vineyards in my area but never really gave it much thought.

Although I was not there for any wedding related activites, I couldn’t help but think…. Oh this is such a great spot for a wedding and started seeking out the event room. 

Can you say breathtaking. Not just the room but the whole property was just amazing. So much space. So many photos opps.

I can just imagine some beautiful photographs just using this walkway.
This would be a great idea for a bridal shower or engagement party. Pair it with the wine tours and tastings and you are gold. We were able to do both and have an amazing lunch at the end. Fantastic view, fun activity, learn about wine, have some samples and enjoy the food. A perfect evening. 
So if you have a theme wedding that includes Winery, Italian, Rustic, Greek, Enchanted Garden, Tuscan, California, Outdoor, Destination or just want to have an awesome location. Childress Vineyards is the way to go. If you are not in NC and you can’t have a Destionation wedding check out your local winery or one nearby.

Schedule a tour or stop by for some lunch but you will not be disappointed by this Winery. Oh! While you are there; check out the wine slushies and have a chocolate shot. 😉

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Photo from Childress Vineyard Website.

Oh! While you are there, check out the wine slushies and have a chocolate shot. 😉

Happy Planning!

Tips to How to Survive a Bridal Show… Again|Triad Wedding Planner|Katrina McCullum

You are engaged and you are ready to go to your first (or fourth) bridal show. You may be going to find all or some of your vendors or to get some great ideas or just going for the prizes. What ever your reason, here are a few tips on how to survive any bridal show. 

1. Where comfortable shoes- There is A LOT of walking involved.
2. Don’t be the first to arrive- Many bridal shows give out the really great prizes and giveaways at the end of the show…so you are once you have visited all the vendors you are kinda just standing around waiting.
3. Print out labels- Everyone wants you to fill out a form. Print out your name, address, email address, wedding date and phone number on a address sticker, this way you can just stick it and keep it moving.
4. Create a “wedding” email- You are going to be overwhelmed with emails regarding your wedding. So not to get it mixed up with your personal or business email address; create one just for your wedding, this way you have all the information in once place.
5. Focus only on the vendors you need- If you know you , you already have your invitations there is no need to speak to this type of vendor. No need to fill out their information form and no need to make them feel as if you are interested in their services.
6. Bring your entourage- Divide and conquer is the key, especially if it is a really big show. Give everyone a sheet of labels. Instruct them to be honest of who they are and gather information so you can cover more ground in less time.
7. Enjoy your self- You are a bride, enjoy the attention. You will state your wedding date a least a million times. Don’t get upset everyone is excited for you. Eat samples, participate, and relax.
8. Keep the business cards separate from the bridal bag they give you once you arrive. There will be so much information in that bag it will be easy to loose track. So tuck it in your purse, back pocket or keep them in your hand as long as they are separated.

***Bonus Tip***

9.  Ask first, but take pictures of the vendor booths that particularly catch your interest.

Supreme Court Rules Gay Marriages legal in all States| Katrina McCullum, Wedding Planner

Did you hear? The U.S Supreme Court Rule Gay Marriage is Legal Nationwide. Singing the jingle… “Nationwide is on your side” Sorry I get distracted.

Click here to see more amazing pictures of their wedding and ceremony.

On October 21, 2012, Jennifer and Michelle had a beautiful ceremony and wedding reception at The Garden Club in Jacksonville, FL. However, as real as their love was is…FL had not yet recognized gay marriages. They got married legally a year prior in Boston, Massachusetts on October 28, 3011. One of the very few states that legalized gay marriage at the time 

Yesterday was a historical day not only for the LGBT community but for all of its supporters. Gay marriages new and old will be recognized in all states of the USA. No longer will couples have to travel to another state to get married only to return home and not be recognized. No longer will they have to Endure…”Civil Ceremonies”. They can now have a real wedding ceremony in their home state. Bravo America.  There still will be issues, prejudices and ignorance but that is for another day. For now let’s Celebrate! So enjoy one of my favorite movie quotes.

Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder today. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam… And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva…

So tweasure your wuv.

Have you the wing?

Yes we support gay marriages as we always have.

Happy Planning!

Wedding Insurance: Why You Need It| Katrina McCullum, Wedding Planner

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You have car insurance, health insurance, home insurance…why not have insurance for a big investment of your wedding? Many things can happen during and up until the wedding day. Some things are beyond your control. Depending on what region you reside you are faced with hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, floods, etc. and that is just weather related issues.

-What if your vendor doesn’t show up?

-What if you have a death in the family?

– What if you or your spouse get very sick?

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-What if your venue goes out of business before your wedding and you can’t retrieve your deposit?

-What if one of your vendors (such as  your photographer) doesn’t deliver the goods after your wedding is over

-What if  your wedding dress is damaged or the grooms tux does not arrive?

Wedding insurance covers your investments and can reimburse expenses you have incurred. You can check to see what coverage your venue and  your vendors already have, but see if it covers you as well.

Go over your coverage in detail with your insurance agent to see what it will and will not cover. For instance your engagement ring won’t be covered or if either of you get cold feet and call off the wedding. Planning your wedding is a huge investment no matter what budget, make sure you have it covered.

Happy Planning

Create A Spectacular Nostalgic Wedding|Childhood Memory Themes| Katrina McCullum, Wedding Planner

If you are like me, you are a giant kid at heart. I refuse to grow up (in theory) So what would be the best way for a kid at heart to have a ball at their wedding? Let’s take it back to when times where simple and life was fun.

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•  Name your tables after your favorite cartoons, video games, books, songs, places, etc. You get the point, your tables don’t have to just have numbers. Walk your guest down memory lane.
  

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•  Wedding Games are fun for the young and old. If you are having an outdoor reception, incorporate some lawn games that your guest can enjoy.
  

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•  Candy Buffet– Fill your candy buffet with some of your favorite candies of your childhood. Find your favorite candies on website such as www.oldtimecandy.com and www.candywarehouse.com.

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• Tandem Bikes- Well since it wouldn’t be wise to make your wedding getaway on the handle bars, tandem bikes are the next best thing and great for the environment.

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• Ice Cream Bar– Set up and Ice cream bar or contract and ice cream truck to be present, especially on a hot day or an outdoor reception. Your guest will love it.
  

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•  A wedding pinata, who didn’t like whacking a pinata. These are a step up from the typical pinatas you found at a party store. You can have them custom made to include your colors, theme and even your monogram. Fill them with favors or if your hosting an ” adult only” reception small plastic bottles of alcohol.



• Paper Fortune Telling Favors– You can not forget the fortune telling and notes. Leave them on each table setting, telling a little about yourselves or private notes to your guest if you have the time.

• Old school music– Make a list of your favorite songs from your childhood to play exclusively or mix in with modern songs. Your guest will love reminiscing along with you.

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•  Mad Libs about the wedding couple– you know how it goes fill on adverbs, nouns, verbs and adjectives and enjoy the laughs as you read the stories that include you and your spouse. ( Yep…by the time they play this game, you will be Mr. And Mrs.)

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• Puzzle pieces sign in table– Have your guest sign and write notes on puzzle pieces. Later you and your spouse could read them while putting the puzzle together. You could glue it and hand it on display or keep them as pieces and enjoy playing over and over again.
  

  Bourbon Marshmallow S’mores with Bacon. Click For Photo Source and recipe

  

  Champagne and Popsicles       Click For Photo Source

• Have some of your favorite desserts with a kick. Enjoy some your favorite desserts… with alcohol.

Whether your wedding is inside or outside, use some or all of these ideas to kick off your nostalgic wedding.

Here are some other themes to bring back childhood weddings

• Camp theme wedding- think smores, arts and crafts, canoe and badges.
• Carnival Wedding- think games, tiny stuffed animal favors, carnival finger food…can you say cotton candy cocktails.
• Circus theme wedding- think wedding entertainment, popcorn, tents, clown noses.

Each week we will touch basis on these themes and more. What is your favorite childhood memory?

Happy Planning!

April Blog Hop |One of Our Favorite Wedding Ideas| Katrina McCullum, Wedding Planner

One Of Our Favorite Wedding Ideas

Welcome to our April Blog Hop! This month we are focusing on our favorite wedding ideas to help you in the process of planning your wedding or event. Get ready for some great ideas, inspiration and how to as you move along through the blog hop. You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from ; Katherine Shorter at Creating Awesomenessity on Natalie’s Blog Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you make sure to see and learn from all of the articles featured here today.

Wildflower Linens

Linens!!! I can not tell you how much joy I get out of playing with linens while planning a wedding. The right linens can take your wedding from drap to fab and create a stunning backdrop. Even if your venue provide the linens in their packages, you can always step it up by ordering overlays and chair covers. If you feel you can not afford linens, you could order one stunning table linen for your cake table, your escort table or even your sweetheart table. They come in all styles and colors and varies in pricing. Here are a few tips to getting the perfect linens for your wedding. 1. Make sure you have the correct table size. 2. Make sure your linens do not clash with the venue curtains and carpet. 3. Mix and match if you have a linen company close by. 4. See if your planner, your venue or your florist can create mock up table, this way you can actually see how your table will look. *All pictures are from Wildflower Linens. The next stop is Liz Coopersmith at Silver Charm Events on Natalie’s Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again next month!

Blog Hop Line-up

1. Natalie Bradley at Natalie Bradley Events
2. Irene Tyndale at Irene Tyndale Events 
3. N’neka Scruggs at Images by N’neka 
4. Rachel Huntoon at Ashford Manor Bed & Breakfast
5. Chantal Benoit at Chantal Benoit Photographer
6. Shaun Cox at A D.I.Y. Affair Weddings and Events
7. Anshwa Lewis at SwaLaRue Events
8. Kelly Snyder at Southern Charm Weddings
9. Peter Merkle at Chicago Wedding DJs
10. Cindy Clearwater at Something Blue Virgin Islands
11. Katherine Shorter at Creating Awesomenessity
12. Katrina McCullum at Made of Honor Weddings
13. Liz Coopersmith at Silver Charm Events
14. Debra Meadows at Meadows Events

5 ways to Entertain Children at Your Wedding!

Sakura Photography

Every once in a while. I get a couple who doesn’t know what to do about children at their wedding or event. They feel awkward for not wanting them to attend or they truly don’t know what to do with them. Do not fret, you are not alone… after all there will be alcohol being served and you want your guest to enjoy themselves without looking out for kids. On the other hand we have those offended guest, who will not leave home without the little bundles of joy, especially if they are traveling a distance to attend your nuptials. As a wedding planner it is my job to uphold any law that my couple sees fit to implement on their wedding day… but just in case here are few suggestions to keep everyone happy.

• Have a separate space or room just for children. Ask if the venue has any additional space that may be included. This way they can run, laugh, play and be children. You could even decorate it to mock a mini reception for the kiddies.
• Hire an Event sitter~ These are trained and/or experienced individuals hire specifically to keep the children entertained and out the way. I would say 1 person per 6 children. There may be one or two children who can’t bare to be without their parents. So don’t feel offended if one roams in to find their parents. “Parents, it’s okay to leave your children, at first they will cry or fret but they will be okay.” says Hilda Alexander of Jax Couture Events.
• Bring DVD’s fit for children. Make sure your venue has a television and a DVD player you can borrow or ask if you can bring your own.
• Age appropriate activities~ Depending on the ages you want to keep the child’s attention.. coloring books,  board games, arts and crafts and children books.
• Food~ A child is not going to care if you have hand corn-fed duckling al la mode…they like chicken fingers, french fries,cheese pizza, and hamburgers.  Please make sure you follow the parents dietary needs and/or food restrictions. Make sure not to use anything that has peanuts.

(Bonus Tip) If you have a handful of children make them a gift take home as a favor. You can even customize them with their names. You may even ask the photographer or their assistant to pop in to snap some shots. Those pictures are priceless. Companies that offer event sitting: Jax Couture Events (Hilda Alexander) Jacksonville, FL www.jaxcoutureevents.com Lil Tux N’ Tiara’s Event Sitting (Simone M. Robinson-Ross) New York http://www.liltuxntiaraseventsitters.com/index.php Happy Planning!!

Your Wedding Colors|Wedding Color Schemes |Katrina McCullum, Wedding Planner

Have you been having the lingering question…How do I choose my wedding colors? It may be very simple for some, but for others it may come as a challenge. Your wedding pallet will help set the foundation for your entire wedding. You will coordinate everything from your save the dates to your thank you cards. On the blog today we are showing you some easy and fun ways to choose your wedding color combination. 1. Use your favorite colors. It is a simple as that. Do you have colors that your drawn to? Combine your favorite colors or you and your fiances favorite colors.

2. Use Inspiration around you. Color inspiration is all around in our surroundings. Check out Interior design magazines, Use paint cards. Look in your closet or the decor in your home, pay attention to all the color patterns.  3. Play with color boards on sights like…

• The Color Studio Tool by Brides
• Preston Baily Color Palette Picker 
• COLOURlovers

4. Pantone Color guide-   I love this little tool. Mix and match colors to get the right layout.

5. Time of season- Use the seasons of the year to determine your colors. Spring and Summer colors are usually ranging from pastels to bright vibrant colors. Fall and Winter colors are usually much darker and richer.

Remember in wedding planning always have fun and don’t get stressed out.

Happy Planning!