Big Day Song Contest- “Your Story” turned into “Your Song” for you Wedding Day

Received an e-mail today from this interesting website on creating a “Song” for your wedding day. Brian David is holding a contest and thought I would share the information with all of the loyal blog readers out there. The information is posted below for you directly from the e-mail I received from Brian David…

Good Luck!

 

Big Day Song Contest- “Your Story” turned into “Your Song” for you Wedding Day

Win a FREE Big Day Song valued at $495.00 by submitting “Your Story”.

I will be selecting the winner August 15th.  Couples need to send an email to bigdaysong@gmail.com with the answers to the following questions:
1. Where and how did you meet?
2. Where did you go on your first date?
3. Where and how did they propose?

I take your story and turn it into “Your Song” and record it with acoustic guitar and a digital orchestra and give you a special frame with “Your Lyrics” and a spot for your favorite photo together. Go to www.bigdaysong.com to hear some samples of songs I have done for couples for their Big Day.

With personal passion,
Brian David, Singer, Songwriter
Big Day Song
www.bigdaysong.com
www.briandavidband.com

Mahaffey Theater Wedding & Reception

Tuyen and Tuan were married on May 2nd, 2009 on the Lawn of the Mahaffey Theater and the reception was held in the Ballroom upstairs of the Mahaffey also.  The beginning of the day started with the Traditional Tea Ceremony and then followed later in the day with the Western Ceremony being performed on the Lawn of the Mahaffey Theater. The day gave us beautiful weather and a fabulous couple… Thanks to their photographer Van Tran, we are all able to remember that day with beautiful pictures. Thank you again Van for supplying the amazing photos below of Tuyen and Tuan’s “Special ” day.

Chandeliers in the Outdoors

One of my favorite ways to create a touch of elegance for outdoor weddings is the use of chandeliers.  You can hang them in trees for the ceremony, under a rustic overhang for cocktail hour or inside a restored barn or rustic style building  for the reception.

They add just a bit of elegance without being too stuffy, add interest to the ceiling and improve the ambiance with their soft lighting.  For couples on a budget or wanting a non-traditional feel, there are all types for all price ranges, tastes and colors!  For inexpensive ones try Ikea or Shop Wild Things.  Here are a few pictures to inspire you…

 

Party like a Rockefeller

During the depression, while the rest of the country was pinching pennies and just scraping by, the Rockefeller family was holding fabulous soirees complete with unique ideas.  One of my favorites centerpiece ideas stems from their lavish parties.  The Rockefellers would put a long, rectangular box filled with sand in the middle of the dinner table.  The mini trowels  placed in the box helps the guests unearth their party favors: emerald necklaces, diamond earrings, ruby bracelets, you name it!  Why not update this idea by choose or creating a box of your own, filling it with decorative stones, crystals or even candy, and hiding favors in it?

Draping Done Easy

When it comes to event decor, I’m a huge fan of ceiling features like draping. For those DIY hosts/brides out there who have their hearts set on indoor or outdoor draping, check out your local Ikea for an amazing, budget friendly option with these shade sails.  

The Dyning shade costs $25 and you get a great triangular shade that comes complete with hooks and cord to hang it. For an indoor wedding, pick up a few super strong magnets with a built-in hook from Northern Tool at $3 each and clip to the ceiling.  For outdoor decor, string the shade up between trees or lamp posts. It’s the perfect touch of drama and really makes the space your own…and all for less than $50!

Engagement Photos- Nikki & Nate

Nikki and Nate are getting married in October at the Don Vicente Historic Inn in Ybor city. They have chosen the always amazing Limelight Photography to photograph their wedding. Christy is the photographer that shot the amazing engagements photos. You will see after watching the photos why we can hardly wait for this amazing couple’s wedding. Kudos to Limelight for the amazing photographs!

click the link below to watch the slideshow:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikkiandnate/sets/72157619945737894/show/with/3639495853/

Thanks for sharing Nikki and Nate!

Breakfast in Bed

One of our favorite ways to make your guests feel ultra-special is to send them breakfast in bed! Instead of the typical day-after brunch, let your guests relax and sleep in by sending them breakfast in bed! Have your hotel arrange to send up a full breakfast along with a lovely card thanking them for coming. It will allow you to nurse your hangover and snuggle with your new spouse while making your guests feel like they’ve gotten the “red carpet” treatment!

Having a destination wedding? Arrange for breakfast in bed on their first day of arrival to welcome them to the destination and start their trip off on a positive note. 

Cocktail Hour: Not Just Drinking and Snacking

Traditionally, cocktail hour is reserved for an open bar and passed appetizers.  Why not change it up and offer some fun activities?  

Face painting and friendship bracelet stations would be perfect for a casual, outdoor affair.  Christmas parties could feature a make-your-own-ornament table filled with glue, pipecleaners and assorted craft materials.  A pumpkin carving station or caramel apple bar with choose-your-own toppings would be great for an autumn affair.  Unique activities during cocktail hour will be sure to have your guests excited to attend your next event!

 

Color Selection S.O.S.

For those brides/grooms, hosts and hostesses that want to make sure the colors they choose will make their guests lime-green with envy, check out www.colourlovers.com. It allows you to create your own color palette or search among thousands of palettes designed by other users. It’s a fantastic way to choose a color scheme for your event and share it with your florist, designer, linen supplier, coordinator, etc. Here are some lovely palette examples:

 

To Lounge Or Not To Lounge?

One of the latest trends we’ve been seeing is a lounge area at the reception. Loungers beware: there is one distinct effect that having a lounge will create on your reception: Far fewer people will dance.

Some couples are okay with this. Perhaps your families prefer to chat rather than tear up the dance floor. In that case, you could consider a lounge feel for the entire reception.

If you do want dancing, consider this option: Start the reception with the dancing portion and once the band is done and your grandparents have headed home, open an “after hours” lounge area. It will keep the party going all night and you can have a full dance floor and your chic lounge area.