Wedding Planner Here for YOU

[Lilly]

Hi everyone, incase you haven't noticed by my other posts, I am a wedding planner, my name is Mara. I would love to help all of you with your questions, or theme ideas, decorating advice, or anything you'd like to talk about. YOu can visit my site - http://www.marasevents.com
all of my contact information is on there, and I would love to be of assistance to you. Ask me anything you like, I'm here for you.

[moni_california]

I'm having a Pirate (loosely) Themed wedding. :rolleyes: I have ideas for favors, cake, I have my dress and maids' dresses and the mens attire planned out already. What I need help with is decor ideas for the reception hall. It is going to be a "blank slate" so to speak as the entire interior is white. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. :D

[Lilly]

When you think of pirates, you usually see them in the carribean, on the ocean. It depends on what your budget is, but this is what I see.
round or oval tables, with crushed jewel colored cloths, ruby red, emerald green, silver
Beautiful palm trees on the outskirts of the reception hall, lighted perhaps, dark lanterns, and antique candle holders with ****r candles.
A chest of sorts for your cards
I will think more on this
you can e-mail me at mara@marasevents.com

[Kelly1Mickey]

Hi Mara! I am sure you are very busy, but since you are a pro...would you mind looking at the website for my ceremony and reception and see if it inspires any theme ideas. The place is beautiful, and I want to accent it. A Garden theme seems obvious, but I am not sure where to go with that. The ceremony will be in the chapel and the reception will be in the Tavern. Thanks for any ideas! The website is www. tavernandchapel.com

[kristineg]

Mara,

I am not getting married until May of 2006, but am starting to get into the mode of planning. I have 3 of my young nieces set as flower girls. I do not as yet have a ring bearer. I do have a young nephew but his father is not talking to the family, and I don't see this changing.

Now to the question: would it be weird to have all 3 girls walk down the aisle with pomanders, following each other, with the 3rd one (who will be about 12 I think) carrying the rings tied to ribbons on the pomander? Her extra duty would be when the JP askes for the rings she can bring the whole thing up, and before he puts mine on he unties it, then I untie his? I kind of like this idea, but traditionalists might freak out. I know she can handle the responsibility.

Thanks!!

[Lilly]

Hi Mara! I am sure you are very busy, but since you are a pro...would you mind looking at the website for my ceremony and reception and see if it inspires any theme ideas. The place is beautiful, and I want to accent it. A Garden theme seems obvious, but I am not sure where to go with that. The ceremony will be in the chapel and the reception will be in the Tavern. Thanks for any ideas! The website is www. tavernandchapel.com
Kelly, I looked over the site, and a beautiful location. I love the garden pictures, but you don't have to go with a garden theme just because that is the location. If you plan on getting married in the chapel there, that is great, but I actually see a gorgeous victorian ceremony in the gardens. Not cinderella, but actual victorian. Lots of lace, tulle, hand tied cascading arm bouquets, and tea lights. I am not sure of the area, but if there are a lot of rocks around in the gardens (not where anything is going to catch fire) I would just get tea lights, ones with the clear surrounding and place them all over, the light will be soft and subtle but very romantic.
I see men in long coats, with the big old fashion ties, girls in either period dresses rented from a costume store, or a fuller A-line skirt and off the shoulder.
If this doesn't strike your fancy, let me know and I will think about what else you could do. That is the first thing that ***e to my mind.

Mara

[Lilly]

Mara,

I am not getting married until May of 2006, but am starting to get into the mode of planning. I have 3 of my young nieces set as flower girls. I do not as yet have a ring bearer. I do have a young nephew but his father is not talking to the family, and I don't see this changing.

Now to the question: would it be weird to have all 3 girls walk down the aisle with pomanders, following each other, with the 3rd one (who will be about 12 I think) carrying the rings tied to ribbons on the pomander? Her extra duty would be when the JP askes for the rings she can bring the whole thing up, and before he puts mine on he unties it, then I untie his? I kind of like this idea, but traditionalists might freak out. I know she can handle the responsibility.

Thanks!!

I think that it's perfectly find for the young girl to be responsible for the rings. Often times, the ring bearer is very young and most couples don't want to entrust their wedding rings to the pillow her carries in the first place, so they are fakes anyway. I would be careful however if you are tying them to the pomador, don't let that ribbon dangle, be sure to tell the girl to hold it up a little more. YOu don't want them falling off.
Tradition is as always tradition, but with weddings that is being broken more and more, and new themes and ideas are becoming seen as tradition.
Mara

[Kelly1Mickey]

Mara,
I think that would beautiful, but I don't think it fits my fiancee and I. I was kind of thinking something a little more simple. I am thinking about white, silver and light blue (like 'Tiffany' blue) for my colors. My family is very laid back and fun, so I want to keep the wedding kind of with that feel. The Victorian idea would really be pretty, just a little too formal. I still want elegant though. I am considering moving the wedding outside, but I am concerned about the weather. Also, I live in Florida and I think it would be too warm to do the Victorian theme. thank you for you suggestion.
Kelly

[foreverinlove]

My FH and i are debating on the beach or outside fopr the ceremony part of our wedding. It will be Nov. 15 of 2005. I already know that I want an arch decorated with fall colors for the reception set up somewhere, and im thinking like tents for the tables to be under when we have the reception. Do u have any ideas on how i can decorate the archs?

[Lilly]

My FH and i are debating on the beach or outside fopr the ceremony part of our wedding. It will be Nov. 15 of 2005. I already know that I want an arch decorated with fall colors for the reception set up somewhere, and im thinking like tents for the tables to be under when we have the reception. Do u have any ideas on how i can decorate the archs?

It depends on how much money you want to spend. All fresh flowers make gorgeous arches, but very expensive, you're looking at, in the very least $500 or more per arch. Beach weddings are wonderful, and often don't need a lot of extra decor, since the beach and ocean is your background. If you decide on the beach, I would do simple yet elegant white flowers. Lillies, some roses, stock. Although if you are wanting fall colors, those are very bold, and I would recommend keeping them away from the beach. If it's simply going to be outside and not at the beach, I would choose wild flowers. Sun flowers, gerbera dasies, ferns, etc.

If you really want an arch at the beach, I would use a soft tulle either white or ivory which ever color you choose for your dress. Get a tall stock like flower, something similar to gladiolas, maybe some bamboo, tie them together up the archway, making a colorful, yet soft statement. I have pictures somewhere of an arch like this. Let me look around and I can e-mail it to you.
Mara
www.marasevents.com

[nle5]

Lilly,

I have been looking through some websites with wedding ceremonies on them and have found everything that I need except for one thing. I want to include in the ceremony, after the unity candle lighting, a part where my FH makes a commitment to my girls. During this part of the ceremony he will then give each girl a necklace. Do you know any wording that I can use for this or where I can find some wording?

[Lilly]

Lilly,

I have been looking through some websites with wedding ceremonies on them and have found everything that I need except for one thing. I want to include in the ceremony, after the unity candle lighting, a part where my FH makes a commitment to my girls. During this part of the ceremony he will then give each girl a necklace. Do you know any wording that I can use for this or where I can find some wording?
I've never seen a site that has something like this in it. It's not often done, but I think it's a beautiful idea and gesture. May I ask how old your girls are? In this case, it probably best if you and your FH sit down and right something from the heart. It doesn't have to be perfect, just heartfelt. Don't make it too much like the vows that you are saying to each other, but keep it on the same line. That he promises to take care of them, provide for them, love them like his own children, etc.
I will think more on this, and if I come up with something I will post it for you.
I hope this at least gives you a start.
When is your wedding?
www.marasevents.com

[reecey]

Lilly,

I have been looking through some websites with wedding ceremonies on them and have found everything that I need except for one thing. I want to include in the ceremony, after the unity candle lighting, a part where my FH makes a commitment to my girls. During this part of the ceremony he will then give each girl a necklace. Do you know any wording that I can use for this or where I can find some wording?


when my brother got married, he was not only getting a wife, but also a teenage son. During the ceremony, after the "I do"'s, the pastor called my nephew up and he and my brother and my brother's new wife all had to take "family vows". That they agreed to love, honor and respect eachother as a family. It was really neat. It actually was a surprise to everyone - no one knew he was doing it. The pastor has known my brother since he was 7, so he knew he wouldn't be overstepping his bounds. They got married in the clover field out behind our farm. The ceremony was right under a huge oak tree - it was actually 3 trees that had grown together into one huge tree, which is why they picked that spot - it represented their family.

[Kelly1Mickey]

Reecey- That is really beautiful. I got goosebumps when I imagined the wedding under that tree. What a perfect location for them!

[nle5]

I've never seen a site that has something like this in it. It's not often done, but I think it's a beautiful idea and gesture. May I ask how old your girls are? In this case, it probably best if you and your FH sit down and right something from the heart. It doesn't have to be perfect, just heartfelt. Don't make it too much like the vows that you are saying to each other, but keep it on the same line. That he promises to take care of them, provide for them, love them like his own children, etc.
I will think more on this, and if I come up with something I will post it for you.
I hope this at least gives you a start.
When is your wedding?
www.marasevents.com

My girls are 6 and 10 now ... at the time of the wedding they will be 7 and 11. The wedding is going to be March 11, 2006. I also plan on putting them on the invitation as to helping invite the people. I found some wording that I really like for that and showed it to my FH last night and he liked it as well. I am going to have my youngest be the flower girl and the oldest will be a junior bridesmaid. I want to include them in all aspects of the wedding that I can. My FH really loves the girls and the girls really love him as well. Which is quite a switch from my first marriage where their dad beat me all the time and tried to kill me several times.

[Lilly]

I'm very sorry to hear of your first experience. That is awful, and it sounds like you have a wonderful man on you hands now, that can't wait to make your family his own. I hope all goes well, Congratulations, and if you need anything else, let me know. I will try to help in any way I can.

Sincerely
Mara
mara@marasevents.com

[Lizzerd217]

Mara or Lily, which one do you prefer?
Anyway, I'm from New Jersey and I'm getting married in either the end of June or early July in 2006 and planning on having a sunflower theme. Do you have any ideas for bouquets, centerpieces, favors, bridesmaid dress colors, etc.
Thank You, Liz
Wedding@marketacquire.com