After "YES," Before "I DO" and Everything In Between

From time to time, brides and grooms book what I call "Jekyll and Hyde vendors."  These are photographers, florists, videographers, DJs and banquet-hall managers who are sweet and accommodating prior to contract signing, but mean and self-serving after they've been given a deposit and booked.  We tend to run into "Jekyll and Hyde vendors" when we're booked for Wedding-Day-Direction, since in that instance usually service providers have been selected independent of us.  And we're usually able to pick them out even before seeing them in action as one of their distinct traits is a disdain for working with wedding planners.  Why might you ask are they afraid/resistant to working with a wedding planner?  Because it's the wedding planner's job to make sure they do their job and unfortunately providing exceptional service is not in the plans of a "Jekyll and Hyde vendor." Without naming any names (although they don't deserve my discret...

Today's Weekly Wedding Eye-Candy features a Valentine's Day vow renewal that took place in Dallas, Texas. These amazing photos were taken by a friend of the "bride & groom," the ultra talented Kelly Moore Clark .  It's clear Kelly is an outside-of-the-box artist.  These photos are breathtaking! Without further ado, feast your eyes ... Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, The Bridal Party

The Bridal Party's Springtide Soirée Bride was happily married yesterday, TWICE! First at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church in Princeton, New Jersey and then again at Cairnwood , inside the private estate of 19th Century industrialist John Pitcairn, located in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania. This festive celebration featured a great many multi-cultural details that honored both families' traditions and customs in addition to a gorgeously adorned mandap, signature drinks I affectionately named "Love Potion 425" (because of the occasion and the date, 4/25), specially named tables, personalized good-bye candies and a surprise golf-themed cake for the groom.  The guests were dazzled and treated to multiple surprises throughout the day and evening, plus a donation was made on behalf of each guest to the American Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in honor of the bride's beloved late grandmother, also her namesake.  The couple was lots of fun to work with and all involv...

Last weekend, my "Garden Of Eden" bride and groom made their engagement official at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Studio in New York City. This lovely couple has already begun their wedding plans with us, but the groom-to-be wanted to ensure he presented his bride-to-be with her engagement ring in an extraordinary way. Here's his account of the surprise proposal: I took Doreen to a ball room dance class at the Alvin Ailey Dance Studio in NYC. After our class we went downstairs to change clothes for dinner. While she was in the restroom I made sure everything was in place upstairs. Once she was ready we walked back upstairs. A staff person asked if we had a few moments to watch some teenagers in a modern dance class do a piece they have been practicing. We kindly agreed. She said they are dancing to our song "Overjoyed!" When we walked in the room there were poster boards on the floor faced down. The dancers took their places and began to do this incredibl...

Today's Weekly Wedding Eye-Candy features an awesome San Diego wedding photographed by Jennifer Dery Photography . The event took place at The Immaculata Parish on the campus of the University of San Diego and The Westin Gaslamp Quarter - San Diego. In a word, it was DAZZLING! My favorite detail...the use of texture and color. Feast your eyes ... Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, The Bridal Party

Today's Weekly Wedding Eye-Candy features a January 2009 wedding designed by Southern California event planner Carrie Geoff , beautifully shot by Jason Tran .  The details successfully brought everything together and were stunningly gorgeous.  My favorite detail...the Chinese dragon!  Talk about WOW factor. Feast your eyes ... Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, The Bridal Party