Now that your RSVP's are in, your feast has been selected, and your timeline of the days events is done; there are still many more decisions that need to be made to create the perfect wedding reception!

One of which is: Where will my guest sit? There are so many options when answering this question! Do I assign tables and exact seats? Do I just assign tables? Do I reserve a few tables for family and friends and let everyone else pick for themselves? Or do I let it be a free for all in which everyone chooses where they want to sit? Professionally speaking, taking that extra step of assigning your guest's tables is wonderful idea! It adds a level of elegance to your wedding, as well as lets your guests know that you thought about their comfort at your reception.

I know, this can get a bit tricky, but I'm here to help! You want everyone to have a wonderful time and be social, but sometimes the numbers of seats at the table don't match perfectly with the people you're trying to fit! Believe me, I have worked through MANY table arrangements in my years of planning, and I've learned some shortcuts I'd like to share! Here are a few tricks I use when assembling table assignments at my events!

1. Ask your venue for a floor plan with the correct number of tables you will be using; as well as how many people comfortably fit at each table. Table sizes and shapes vary in how many fit so it's important not to over/under fill the tables!
   
   
   
   2. Use sticky notes with each guest's name written/printed on it. I generally cut my notes into several strips so that I can get many names out of one normal size post it as possible. (Note, it's important to cut them vertically so that each strip has some sticky on it!) I also like to use the multi-colored marking tape for this project as well. (Writing the names on the tape can be tricky since they are slippery, but are worth it since they are soooo easy to use! Use a fine tip or regular Sharpie for this!)
   
   3. I often color coordinate the post its/tape markers to match the relation of the guest to my couples: ie. Groom's family, Bride's family, Bridal Party, mutual friends, work friends, etc. This really helps me visualize who all belongs together without having to know the specific person each time.
   

   
   4. Start Arranging!

   
   5. Once everyone is in place, track the table numbers into your spread sheet or document you've been using to track RSVPs that correspond with the guest. This will make it really easy to give the final numbers and table arrangements to your location and caterer.Good Luck! Try to have fun and don't stress! Everyone will have an AMAZING time because they are coming to celebrate you on your big day!
   
   Have a tip for arranging your tables? I'd love to hear from you!

It's Crunch Time!

It is getting to the time of year when your wedding day is just around the corner! You have hired all your vendors, completed all your projects, bought your favors, had your dress fitted, etc., and now you need to know how to make your wedding day run smoothly.

Many of us have been a guest at wedding where there was a lot of standing around wondering, where are the bride and groom?, or when is the next thing going to happen? I'm sure you want to avoid this for your special day. Good News! It is so easy to make sure that you, your new hubby/wife, and your guests have a great time on wedding day! All it takes is putting together a simple timeline for your vendors to follow and guide you through! You have probably considered the placement of the major events of the day: whether you want to be introduced into your reception or sneak in during cocktail hour. When the first dance will take place if your dancing at all. If you want to do a garter and bouquet toss or avoid the whole thing altogether! The list can go on and on!

Luckily, now days there is no "right or wrong way" to way to put your day together. There are just many things to consider, from ceremony start time to last call, inorder to have a smooth flow to your day.



Many of your vendors have probably tried to help you put together a time line already. (Their tools can be really helpful so please use them!) But, I recommend putting together a detailed timeline for the way YOU see your day going. You should share it with ALL your vendors, and not rely on each individual vendor's. They may all be slightly different from one another! Using the ONE you created ensures that everyone has the same overall picture of the day’s events as you want it! It also helps you make sure that you are fitting in all the major events in the time allotted in your contracts. If you only have 7 hours with your photographer, you don't want the ceremony to start at 2:30 and the toast to happen at 10:00pm. You want your photographer there to capture all of the elements you have planned in the 7 hours!

For an easy way to arrange this, I recommend using sticky notes and a large piece of paper with the start of your day on one side and end on the other! It can make for a fun game, mixing and matching the order of events on the time line to find what makes the most sense and works best! It is also a easy way to visually move the key events around to find the suitable order for the two of you! With the events in order you can start filling in the time surrounding the events and creating the time line.





No matter how you schedule your day, make sure that it's all about you two having the best time EVER, and taking special moments to slip away and enjoy being married!

Everything I Wanted & More!

I'm sure all of you, like myself, tuned in to the Royal Wedding of the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge this morning! Hopefully you all feel as complete as I do! It was everything I wanted and more! There was not 1 single element that disappointed me in this modern day fairytale wedding! It was fresh, regal, sophisticated, serene, and most of all ethereal! I hope you love the highlights as much as I do! Enjoy!

Prince William & Harry looked so dapper and handsome in their Military Uniforms! Every ounce of William looked like the Future King he is! The Royal Family did not disappoint in any way!

There definitely were a few fashion MISSES! WTF!!!

The Spring green of the trees add a fresh pop of color and clean feeling to the formal Abbey!

The world best kept secret, Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton dress Kate wore was stunning! I have never seen a more glowing, poised, and polished bride all my life! She wore this dress beautifully! She is the true meaning of elegance and grace! I'm in love with her confidence and authenticity!

Just Stunning!

A simple and understated bouquet. (Maybe the one place I would have like to see a little more!)

Oh the hats! I love the hats!

I love that he leans in to tell her how beautiful she is! He just can't contain himself!

They seem to be such a connected couple! Exchanging sweet glances and secrets!

She is so radiant! A picture of perfection!

Husband & Wife

Fairy tales do come true!

The long awaited Kiss!!!

Not just 1, but 2 Kisses!

Let The Party begin!

Pipa looks incredible in this jewel tone gown!

The 2nd dress! Just as incredible as the 1st!

A cake for a Prince & Princess!

And They Will Live Happily Ever After!!!

Once Upon a Time...To...Happily Ever After (Continued!)

There are still so many secrets and surprises in store for the billions of people who will be watching the Royal Wedding 4.29.11! With less than 48 hours to go, I like so many of you, can NOT wait! I am bursting with excitement for this DREAM wedding! It is the event of the century! Oh, I don't want to wait any longer! But since we all have to, here are my wedding dress predictions!

I may be really off, but on the long shot that I am right, I want it to be published for all to see!

HERE ARE MY WEDDING DRESS SPECULATIONS:

Almost everyone in the world is on the edge on their seats waiting to see what Catherine will be wearing on the big day! I have been having dreams about what Kate's wedding dress will look like! Crazy I know! I guess it is an occupational hazard that I happily accept! Not only is the designer important, but so is the dress' fabric, color, style, veil, etc. It is the #ONE piece in the #1 event that will influence wedding trends for the next 20+ years! Kate is already a style icon, making wonderful fashion choices, and this dress will be the most elite of them all! If you combine the photos below you will have my thoughts on what Kate will be wearing on FRIDAY 4.29.11!!

I think Catherine will be in a slim fitting lace gown similar to any of the Elie Saab dresses above! She has such an amazing slim and tall frame that this style gown will look incredible on her! The lace gives the gown such an elegance and femininity I think Kate will be drawn to. Mila Kunis dress from the 2011 Oscar's has an stunning shape, but may be too revealing for the Cathedral setting. A soft cap sleeve and more conservative neckline like the dress below will be more Kate's style!

I don't think that Kate (Catherine) will be wearing a skirt to this volume, but I do think that the regal fabric and lace cap sleeves are very likely to be seen on Catherine on Wedding day!

I'd love to hear what you think the Princess in waiting will wear on her big day! Speak now or forever hold your peace!

Once Upon A Time...to Happily Ever After

If you're anything like me you've been interested if not obsessed with the upcoming Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton! I have been enthralled with it since the engagement announcement in November! I absolutely love this couple!

Yes, like many girls of my generation I wished and dreamed of becoming Prince Williams Princess one day, but since I found the love of my life around the same time William found Kate, I no longer longed for the role or responsibility of Princess! Kate is beautiful, elegant, British, and far more suitable than I! I'm thrilled it is her that gets this coveted honor! Look how amazing and in love they look together! I just LOVE them!

I don't know if I have EVER seen a couple more in love and radiant in their engagement photos!

There are so many speculations about the details of the upcoming wedding! I'm definitely going to make mine, but so far here are the details we already know!

The Invitation

The Ring!

The Ceremony Location: Westminster Abbey

The Receptions to take place at Buckingham Palace

William will be wearing a Morning Suit similar to these!

The World will have to wait to see the wedding unfold and all the secrets revealed! Stay tuned to my blog all week long as I reveal my predictions!

The Speculated Look of Princes William & his Princess Catherine Middleton!

Exclusive No More!

The redesigned rehearsal Anna Sachse CTW Features Historically, rehearsal dinners have been an intimate restaurant affair for immediate family, wedding party members and their significant others, and the parents of any child attendants. However, in recent years, there has been a shift toward opening up these traditional celebrations to more guests, as well as branching out from the standard sit-down meal. Here, two wedding planning experts weigh in on the why and how of a more inclusive and creative pre-big day party. The Perks Weddings generally bring together many people from many different backgrounds, notes Brooke Sheldon, owner of Lilybrooke Events in Kennebunkport, Maine. “Having everyone get together at the rehearsal dinner serves as an ice-breaker – by the time the reception rolls around, everyone is already old friends.” It’s also a great way to ensure you – the bride! – actually get to spend quality time with all your nearest and dearest. “The wedding day goes by so fast, and the couple may feel pulled in many different directions,” says Wendi Hroncich, founder of Seattle-based Ethereal Events. Hosting a more inclusive rehearsal dinner decreases the big day pressure on the bride and groom, and allows for more relaxed hanging out. The Guest List If you have the inclination and the budget, go ahead and include everyone in your rehearsal festivities. But if you must draw the line somewhere, just make sure your invite list is consistent. For example, due to the time and expense involved in traveling, destination-wedding rehearsal dinners have typically involved all the guests, says Sheldon. Playing off that trend, many stateside wedding couples are now opting to include all out-of-town guests in the day-before bash. Others might prefer to host all their extended family members. The Party If the guest list is small or money is little or no object, the rehearsal dinner is a lovely way to add a playful or unconventional element to your gala. Hroncich has had couples treat guests to the famed interactive dinner show Teatro ZinZanni, or spring for dinner cruises that show off the city skyline. Sheldon coordinated a fireworks-filled July Fourth lobster bake on a river. The couple had a private, tented section of lawn for several hundred guests, but selected a space next to a public pops concert for free entertainment. Other creative options include a catered affair at a cool space like an aquarium or racetrack, or picking a unique theme like Old Hollywood or a luau. That said, by no means is it necessary to spend a fortune to have a fabulous fête. Your real focus should be having a rehearsal dinner that feels like it represents who you are as a couple, and fits in with the rest of your wedding weekend events, says Hroncich. A backyard BBQs, a picnic in the park, a pizza party on the patio or a taco truck and s’mores on the beach are all great bets. “If you have a fun location, then be casual with the meal,” says Sheldon. “The enjoyment is really about the atmosphere you create.”

Ever Wondered...Why Hire a Wedding Planner?

Mother of the Bride Testimonial

Meaningful Ways To Honor Lost Loved Ones

I was recently interviewed for an article by Anna Sachse on special ways to honor loved ones who are attending your wedding in spirit! Here it is! Enjoy!

9 meaningful ways to honor loved ones

Anna Sachse CTW Features

1. Wendi Hroncich, founder of Seattle-based Ethereal Events, recommends wearing a treasured memento from your loved one, such as your mother’s pearls or your grandmother’s brooch.

2. Consider wrapping your bouquet with lace from your mother’s wedding dress, your grandmother’s rosary or a locket containing your loved one’s photo, suggests Brooke Sheldon, owner of Lilybrooke Events in Kennebunkport, Maine.

3. Because smell is linked with memory, tuck your loved one’s favorite scented bloom into your bouquet, advises Emily Ayer, art director for Southern Weddings Magazine.

4. Remember an important loved one by leaving a single stem of his or her favorite flower on the chair where he or she would have sat during the ceremony, says Ayer.

5. Commemorate all lost loved ones with a special note in the wedding program or a brief announcement by the officiant, says Hroncich.

6. Ayer suggests including your loved one’s favorite hymn or reading in the ceremony.

7. “Ask your caterer to include a special family recipe in the reception dinner,” says Sheldon. Add a brief note to the menu that explains the background For example: “Pumpkin Spice Soup, made from a family recipe, in loving memory of Grandma Gladys.”

8. Honor a loved one with the music, says Hroncich. For example, if your father has passed away, you might play his favorite song during the cake cutting or anniversary dance.

9. Sheldon suggests setting aside a special table with framed photos of all the important couples in your lives. Make it a multi-generational tableau (best friends, siblings, parents, grandparents, etc.) that includes both those who have passed and those who will be present as you celebrate your future.

Do you have a special way you're honoring loved ones at your wedding? I'd love to hear from you!

- Wendi

More places to view article are available here, here, & here!

Photo by Tasha Owen Photography