Creative Ways to Bid Adieu!

Are you looking for a way to make your exit fun and memorable? Are you tired of the same old rose petals, bubbles, and confetti? I have some really unique ideas you'll love!

 Glow sticks are a fun alternative and, if your reception ends when the moon is out, the glow will really light up the walkway as you and your new hubby make your way to the car. Also, they come in so many colors, you're sure to find one that matches your wedding colors. It's the perfect option for the party-goer couple and is sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Nothing represents your new union better than a monogram. For those of you considering a monogram motif throughout your wedding, don't forget to pull that through all the way to your reception exit. I found these cute flags that can be customized with your monogram (or any other theme/motif) and guests can wave them in the air as the two of you depart.

Since I'm all about getting gorgeous pictures, I love the idea of ribbons in your wedding colors tied to skewers. It's a twist on the flag idea, but the flowiness of the ribbons adds a more romantic, or even ethereal feel to the last moments you'll spend with your guests.

I saved my favorite for last: maracas! They're perfect for a Mexican-themed wedding in your home town, or a destination wedding in Mexico, and will really add bursts of color to your get-away pictures. Guests are sure to love these, as they can also double as favors.

Tara Dohrmann

Wedding Planner

Green Lily Weddings

tara@greenlilyweddings.com

Lighting Your Reception

 

If you're wondering how you can get that "Wow!" factor, then look no further than your lighting vendor.  Lighting can make the biggest impact on your reception, but it's usually the one detail that gets cut or overlooked. I would recommend cutting back on flowers before touching your lighting budget because at the end of the day, guests will remember the breath-taking lighting effects over what type of flowers you had in the centerpieces.  The special lighting you design with your vendor will also make every picture that much more "you."

From washes, to pin spots, to gobos, the possibilities to customize your event and transform the space are incredible and should be at the top of your priority list. You can customize a monogram and project it onto the dance floor. If you want to highlight your wedding date (9.10.11 or 11.11.11, for example), you could project it over the cake. Using pin spots in the bottom of tall vases will really draw guests eyes to the gorgeous flowers on top. My favorite lighting option is to use gobos to contiue the theme or motif of your wedding onto the ceiling.

Tara Dohrmann

Wedding Planner

Green Lily Weddings

tara@greenlilyweddings.com

Destination Wedding Tips

When you imagine your wedding day, where do you picture yourself? Are you on a tropical island with the sand between your toes, are you at a cozy lodge in the mountains or are you somewhere closer to home? Options for your wedding local can be endless if you expand your venue search outside of your hometown,

These days, destination weddings have become an increasingly popular choice for couples. Destination weddings can often be more cost effective and intimate than weddings at home. This is due in part to their smaller guest lists. Not only does this allow you to spend more one on one time with your guests, but it allows you create a more unique and personal experience for you and your guests to enjoy.

Here are some tips to help you get started planning your destination wedding:

1)      Check With Close Family And Friends: Make sure that those most important to you will be able to come. If a close family member won’t be able to make the journey you may want to reconsider having a destination wedding.

2)      Plan Ahead: Destination weddings require a lot of planning. You’ll want to have the venue, room blocks and major vendors booked before you invite your guests. At least one planning trip to check out the venue and meet local vendors is also a good idea. A certified wedding planner with destination wedding experience can be you best ally when securing vendors and working with your venue.

3)      Give Guests Plenty Of Notice: Guests will need time to make travel arrangements like flights, rental cars and hotel rooms. It is courteous to give them at least six months notice. If you are planning on getting married out of the country this is especially important because your guest will need to have all of their travel documents like passports and visas up to date.

4)      Know The Facts About Getting Married At Your Destination:  The embassy or tourist information bureau of the country in which you wish to get married is a great source for this information. Each country has different requirements; some require blood test and a myriad of other documents in order to get married there. Be knowledgeable and have all of your documents in order before you arrive for your wedding.

5)      Have A Back-Up Plan: Make sure you plan for that unexpected hurricane or natural disaster which can affect travel for you and your guests. Travel or wedding insurance is a great idea for destination weddings. It can cover everything from a postponed event due to weather, damaged property, and even lost luggage.

The world is filled with exotic destinations, but the perfect location for your destination wedding may be closer than you think. If you live in Houston, there are beautiful resorts and boutique hotels in the Texas Hill Country and gorgeous historic properties in New Orleans that are just a few hours drive away but will give you and your guests the same feeling of escape and relaxation as a tropical resort. 

Bon Voyage!

Megan Hardy
Wedding Planner
Green Lily Weddings

Chic Fall Color Inspiration

 

 

Are you considering a fall wedding, but worry that your wedding decor will be limited to pumpkins, fall leaves and earthy colors? Well, have no fear! Fall is the perfect time to play with color. Bridging the bright, sunny colors of summer and the darker tones of winter, there is a huge spectrum of colors that will make your fall wedding pop.

 

 Pantone's Fashion Report Fall 2010 is a great tool for finding the perfect palette for your wedding. It showcases this season’s hottest colors for fall, chosen by fashion and design experts. I love the combination of Oyster Grey and Endive with touches of Golden Glow for pop and pairing Chocolate Truffle with Living Coral is just plain fabulous.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with color! It is an easy way to showcase your personality and make your wedding unique. Be sure to check out The Knot's Wedding Color Guide for even more color inspiration.

Megan Hardy

Wedding Planner

Green Lily Weddings

Making Outdoor Weddings A Breeze!

If you’ve lived in Houston for just a little while, the thought of having an outside wedding may sound scary- frightening even. With no way to foresee weather conditions during the planning phases, it may cause you to rule out an outdoor wedding altogether. Well for Erica and Evan’s special day, the “Nature Gods” seemed to be aligned with every vision put forth for this outdoor garden inspired wedding.

The weather was beautiful- not a single strand of the bride’s stunning up-do was displaced by wind. There was no humidity, rain, or unexpected natural disasters present during this gorgeous October day. The venue, The Gardens of Bammel Lane, had so much personality and such a unique layout that allowed guests to flow freely throughout the courtyard.
A back-up plan should be in place in any situation, and an outdoor wedding is no different. If issues do arise you can always place a tent over the outdoor area or have an indoor area on stand-by, all scenarios that can be seamless if you have an exceptional wedding planner.

Outdoor weddings are romantic and can open up possibilities for unique ideas that will really “wow” your guests and make your wedding a day that they will not forget!