Government shutdown...shutting down weddings?

With day 3 of the Government shut down in effect, it is causing more casualties then one might expect.  Effecting the wedding industry?  How, you crazy wedding planner?  Well, I received a call Tuesday morning from a panicked sister of the bride, trying the save her sister's wedding scheduled for THIS Sunday at Lake Crescent Lodge in the Olympic National Park!  The location of the wedding is in a state park, which due to the government shut down is CLOSED!  Here is part of an article portraying more ways around the country the shutdown is effecting everything, even weddings!

NANCY BENAC 11 hours ago 

NANCY BENAC 11 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Taking out a mortgage. Getting married in a park. Going for a fall foliage drive. Cashing a check.

Who knew that so many random activities of daily life could be imperiled by a shutdown of the federal government?

Americans are finding that "the government" entails a lot more than the stereotype of faceless D.C. bureaucrats cranking out red tape.

And so it is that two dozen October weddings, including nine this week, are in jeopardy because they're scheduled for monument sites on the National Mall. Ditto for a New Jersey couple planning to marry at the Grand Canyon.

Mike Cassesso and MaiLien Le's permit to get married Saturday on the lawn near the Jefferson Memorial looks to be among the casualties, giving rise to a new Twitter hashtag for their #shutdownwedding. They're looking at alternate sites, including the restaurant booked for their reception.

Show It Off! Display Worthy Guest Books!

Stuck trying to decide what kind of guest book you want? What’s the point? You’ll never look at it again anyway! Wrong!  Here are ten look at over and over, actually display year round ideas!                                                                          

1. Coffee Table Photo book: Make good use of your engagement or favorite photos of you as a couple! Use a picture of you on one side of the page and the other side blank for guest to leave you a personal message. This is a guest book you won’t want to wait until after the Honeymoon to read!

 2. Calendar: Set out a calendar, and ask your guests to find their birthday and sign their name. Now you’ll have a reminder for everyone’s birthday along with a wedding guest book.

 3. Puzzle: Ask your guests to leave a message for the happy couple on a puzzle piece. One night, you and your husband can read the messages together while putting the puzzle together. You can even add a personal touch by using a website to create a puzzle using a picture of you and your fiancée.

 4. Wishing Stones: You can purchase some stones from any hobby/craft store and display them either in a nice vase or bowl. Each guest can then write a ‘wish’ for the happy couple. The bride and groom can then display the vase or bowl of stones in their home.

 5. Postcards: Provide various post cards and ask your guests to write a message of happiness to you and your husband. Then after the wedding, ask either a good friend, or family member to send you the postcards through out your first year of marriage. It will add a special moment since you won’t know when you’ll be receiving the next postcard.

 6. Quilt: If you have a family member or friend who knows who to sew, they may be willing to help you create a quilt for your wedding day. You can set the quilt out and ask guests to sign the guilt, which you and your husband can use later. If you can’t get the quilt sewn prior to the wedding, you can just ask guests to sign the quilt squares and then sew the quilt together after the wedding.

 7. Jenga: Every marriage has building blocks; why not build blocks together? Ask guests to sign wooden pieces from the game Jenga. Then on your anniversary, you and your husband, can play the game together, sharing the advice, or well wishes on each block as you earn them throughout the game.

 8. Wood Initial: Big letters are common at arts and crafts stores. Why not purchase the initial of your new last name. You can paint the letter, and add any special embellishment you like to the letter, and then ask your guests to sign the letter. After the wedding, the initial can become wall decoration.

 9. Time Capsule: Ask guests to leave messages to the bride and groom, photos, or memories you may share with the couple in a time capsule. Then open the time capsule on your first wedding anniversary or even your fifth anniversary, and take a stroll down memory lane.

 10. Wood Chair/ Bench: Purchase a wood bench or porch chair from any home improvement store and ask your wedding guests to sign the furniture. You can then seal over the wood so the messages don’t get ruined and place the bench or chair out in the backyard or patio. Every time you sit in the chair you can read the messages and names and remember your wedding day. This is a bigger guest book, to move, but the memories are worth it.

Picture Links:
2. Bench: http://1elegantevent.blogspot.com/2012/10/alternative-guest-book-ideas.html

Keelin & Keith

I started working with Keelin in January while she was living in Scottsdale AZ, to plan help plan her July 20th Seattle bash!  A few trips to Seattle, and a move to Florida later, it was wedding day!  Talk about cramming A LOT into a short period of time!  With all of that going on, she was still the sweetest, most genuine, and gorgeous girl around.  Thank you Keelin & Keith for letting me be a part of your most important of days!

Sign, Sealed, and Delivered!

Your wedding invitation is the first impression made on your guests.  It sets the stage for your big day.  It let’s guests have a sneak peak into all you have in store for them once the wedding day arrives.  How about using a custom postage stamp on the outside of the envelope to make a big impact first thing!  You’ve put so much thought into customizing your wedding from the flowers to the favors. Don’t miss this great little detail that most people don’t think of. The website, Zazzle sells postage stamps that can be customized just for you. You can upload your own photo or use a pre-made design and use them for the Save the Dates, Invitations, and Thank You Cards. It’s a fun touch that most people won’t be expecting.

To go along with the postage stamps you can also order a Return Address stamp, it can save your hand from cramping writing the same information over and over again on all the envelopes. Etsy has different designs you can chose from for the return address and it’s something you can use long after the wedding.  Let’s be honest, you’ve been eyeing one for a long time now!  Go for it!

   

Cupcake Fever!

Everyone loves a good deal!  Especially this girl!  When I came across this in my inbox, I knew I had to share it!   15% isn't a ton, but it can really add up when the order does!  Use it to make your wedding, bridal shower, baby shower, birthday party, etc. that much sweeter!

Memory Lane!

I was feeling nostalgic today looking back on the wonderful couples I've had the pleasure of working with over the last 8yrs.  Here is Jenn & Thuy's same day edit done by the AMAZING Edit 1 Media!  You can really see and feel how magical their wedding day was!
Waterfront Wedding at Bell Harbor in Seattle from Edit 1 Media on Vimeo.

Blended! Not talking Cocktails Part II

Here is a really sweet wedding proposal that includes a Mother and her Daughter! It is a family proposal, if you will! It reminded me of our recent blended family blog post, you can find it here.  I love the thought that went into his proposal.  It is obvious how much the Groom to be put into making asking Olga & Eva to be his family!  I hope you enjoy!

Marry Me! Proposal Inspiration!

If any Men out there are getting ready to Pop the Question check this video out for inspiration. It is really sweet and well thought out!