Holiday Wedding Giveaways!!

Junebug Weddings, the fabulous wedding fashion blog is giving away amazing prizes this week! Each day December 14th to 19th they will unveil a new prize for one or two lucky winners to take home! These aren't cheesy prizes either, they are jammed packed with goodies to make your wedding day that much better!! Today they are giving away

"- A Tying The Knot gift set from Philosophy and TheKnot.com

- A $100 gift certificate toward Bella Umbrella's vintage parasol rental for your wedding day

- And an adorable garter from the "Something Blue" collection of Julianne Smith Wedding Garters! " -Junebug weddings

If you haven't already you must check it out, and FAST!! You don't want to miss out on all they have to offer. Click here to go directly to the giveaway!

Dear Wendi Wednesday...That takes the cake!

Dear Wendi,

What is the deal with the Groom's cake? Should I incorporate this into my wedding?

Thanks,

J.F. Seattle

Hi J.F.

Thank you so much for your question! I love Groom's cakes! They have been thought of in the past as an unnecessary additional cost, but currently they are becoming incredibly popular. They are a wonderful addition of the Groom's personality into the wedding reception. According to Wikipedia:

"A groom's cake is a wedding tradition typically associated with the American
South... The decoration of the cake may reflect the favorite hobby or
interest of a groom, or be used for humorous effect... The groom's cake
is often served at a separate table from the wedding cake at a wedding
reception, though it may be served as a dessert for a rehearsal dinner."

The important part of a Groom's cake is that you have fun with it and make it about him. Have it made of his favorite flavors, and shaped to represent something he loves. Below are some great examples of my past clients' wedding cakes and groom's cakes!

Jenny & Amit's Indian inspired wedding cake

Jenny & Amit's University of Washington Husky Groom's cake
Hannah & Ryan's Naranja inspired wedding cake

Hannah & Ryan's Nike shoe inspired Groom's cake

Each Groom's cake was a surprise to the Groom, as a gift from the Bride! They were thrilled and touched! The cake really showed that the bride has thought about them, and what they would have picked if given the opportunity to pick the wedding cake! It was so wonderful to witness! I highly recommend a groom's cake.

Are you having a Groom's cake? Tell me about it!

I just couldn't wait until Friday...Real Wedding

So Ellen DeGeneres is probably one of my favorite people on television. She is hilarious, while being classy and respectful. She always exudes positive energy! For me, it is nearly impossible to not have my mood lifted when watching her show. (Which sadly I don't get to do very often:()

As a wedding planner I also love weddings on all levels. I have been coordinating weddings going on 5 seasons, and I still tear up at the ceremonies and toasts. I appreciate all of the details from ceremony and reception location to the hand tied handkerchief on the bride's bouquet. It is such an incredible day full of wonderful emotions and joy. I can't express how much I love weddings! And when ELLEN and WEDDINGS unite, it makes for an incredible day for me! Here is one of the most beautiful wedding videos I have ever seen, and I've seen a lot! You can feel the tranquility and joy in them both. This video captures how a wedding should be: joyful, full of love, serene, and all about the people getting married and the love they share!

Thank you Ellen and Portia for sharing this intimate look into your lives with all of us! It is truly a honor to watch!

12.01.2009!

If you are at all like me, this year flew by at torpedo speed! In honor of this, I just wanted to be the first to wish you a very:

Happy December!!!

From all of us at Ethereal Events!

Red Wine Be GONE!

Dear Wendi,

My wedding is coming up in a few weeks! I can hardly wait! I do have a concern as the day draws closer. My fiance and I are red wine and scotch drinkers. We are serving a variety of both at the bar. I am starting to worry someone will spill red wine on my dress. Is there something you can recommend if this does happen?

Thank you,

E.R. Woodinville, WA


Hi E.R.,

I'm so glad you asked this question! Spills and stains are a huge concern with most brides. But I promise, you have little to worry about! I have a couple of secret weapons to combat a red wine stain.

1. Avoid serving or drinking red wine prior to the reception. The less possible contact the less likely you'll be spilled on.


2. If you are spilled on, immediately poor white wine on the spot. It will neutralize the acid of the red and pull the red color out. You will still be wet in that spot, but the red will vanish.


3. Lastly, I am a huge fan of a product called Wine Away. (You can find it in most grocery stores. I've had luck finding it at Albertson's and QFC. ) It works in a heart beat on all fabrics and leaves no trace behind. I have used it on silk, satin, french lace, duchess satin, you name it. I use it at weddings and at home. I absolutely love it. They don't pay me to say this. I just love how well it works! (Though, they should!)

*Every dress (wedding or not) is different, and will be effected by these products differently. To be safe, I would first try any of my suggestions on a small area (maybe near the bottom or underside) before using all over your wedding dress. I have had extremely positive results, but can't guarantee them for all.

Do you have a suggestion for getting stains out of a wedding dress? I'd love to hear them!

Happy Planning!

Oh NO! Dear Wendi Wednesday

Dear Wendi,

I've heard from my friends and brides maids that I should have an emergency kit on wedding day. What should I include in it?

- L.S. Portland, OR

Hi L.S.,

Thank you so much for your question! Your friends are right. Having an emergency kit on wedding day can be a real life saver. My kit is FULL of different goodies to get through any situation. However a bride's emergency kit can have far less. Here are some basics that I find my clients using the most:

• Stain stick - Shout wipes. Wine away. Bleach pen. Any one of them will do the trick
• Sewing kit - make sure it includes thread the color of your and your brides maid's dresses
• Tissues - small hand held packs are the best
• Hair spray - a small travel bottle will do the trick
• Comb or Brush - or both
• Scissors - even a small pair. Check and see if there is a pair in the sewing kit
• Ribbon in your wedding colors - can use it anywhere
• Fashion tape - Can help secure a dress or ribbon to flower girls dress
• Band aids - someone always needs one
• Straws - you don't want to ruin your lipstick
• Breathe Mints - insurance for an amazing first kiss!
• Blotting papers - (if you don't have these - toilet seat cover will work the same)
• Plastic cups - just in case the hotel doesn't have enough for everyone to toast
• Wine opener- a cheap one will do
• Granola Bars - hunger can strike at any moment!

There are a million other things in my kit, but this should prepare you for almost anything on your wedding day!

Have any suggestions for what should be in an emergency kit? I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Happy Planning!

I'm Hungry!

You wedding day has finally arrived! The months if not a year spent researching and hiring the right vendors, weeks of perfecting the details, days of running errands, and hour agonizing over your seating chart are behind you. It is now time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

The people you love are all around snapping photos, pouring champagne, steaming dresses, listening to music, and celebrating what lies ahead in just a few hours! With all of the things going on and excitement in the air it is all to common for this mishap to take place.

Monday Mishap: No one planned anything to eat outside of the wedding meal

The wedding day is a long day especially for the bride, groom, and their bridal party. With hair and makeup starting 5 to 6 hours prior to the ceremony. It is common that a wedding day last 10 to 12 hours if not more. So count back, if your ceremony starts at 5:00pm then that means 11:00 am or so you start hair. Then getting dressed, photos, ceremony, etc. And what time is dinner scheduled? 7:00 or 8:00 pm? That is a really long time to go without food. You are packed full of emotions and adrenaline, but that will only last so long. Eating during that time is a very important part of a successful and fun day.

If you have overlooked this ever so important detail, don't stress you are not alone. It is often overlooked by almost everyone. My advice is to sit down with your groom and talk about what each of you is going to do for breakfast and lunch on wedding day. You are obviously going to do different things, but having a plan for each of you is very important.

Since I don't know what you getting ready plans are, and won't be there to bring lunch, here is a wide variety of simple suggestions:

For the Groom:

• Meet up with grooms men for breakfast/lunch - (*make reservations if you have a large party)
• Eat at the golf course after your 9 holes (*You don't have time for 18! You just don't!)
• Arrive to the hotel early and eat in the lounge prior to getting dressed
• Order room service
• Eat breakfast and lunch at home prior to arriving at picture location (*this does mean you need to have food for both meals in your home ahead of time. Yes, a trip to the grocery store!)

For the bride:

• Order room service in your bridal suite
• Have your family or brides maids bring in muffins, fruit, yogurt, lunch meat,crackers, etc. for you all to snack on.
• Have your bridal brunch/luncheon in the morning before hair and make up
• Stock up your house with your favorite foods (nothing that can not be prepared before wedding day. No cooking or hassle on wedding day!)
• Pack a snack bag ahead of time and bring it with you to the ceremony location
• Pre-order appetizers from reception location to have ready for you as soon as you arrive
• If ceremony and reception at same location - have the appetizer prepared for all bridal party to enjoy in down time prior to ceremony

*Special Note* Once your dress is on it is important to have stain free snacks to munch on. OUT:: chocolate, mustard, red wine, cranberry sauce, anything with a colored sauce IN: pretzels, fruit, veggies (watch dips), cheese platters, nuts, etc.

If you have a suggestion for Brides I'd love to hear it! Leave me a comment. Happy planning!

Photographs: Clare Marie Photography

Real Wedding Friday! - Jenn & Thuy

The day was gloomy with a chance of rain, but that didn't darken the spirit of Jenn & Thuy on their wedding day. I don't even think they noticed! Luckily for me, the rain held of just long enough for the touching roof top ceremony at Bell Harbor to be complete. Once everyone was safely inside the sky gave way to showers, and things got heated up inside! Check out Edit 1 Media's amazing video capturing the day!

Waterfront Wedding at Bell Harbor in Seattle from Edit 1 Media on Vimeo.
Here are the kind words Jen had to say about me afterward:
"Every bride dreams of their fairytale wedding. Thankfully with Wendi's help, my day was truly a dream come true. With a caring and vibrant personality, Wendi patiently listened to all the details I wanted to incorporate and ensured everything was absolutely fabulous the day of. Wedding are often filled with stress and anxiety, Wendi's attention to detail and positive attitude was just what my wedding party and I needed the day of. Every bride should work with Wendi!"