Meet Wedology 101: Petites Bouchees*

There's no other way to put it- very simply, I'm obsessed with Petites Bouchees. More specifically, Veronica Perez and the way she is blazing a trail for good taste and wedding style here in Richmond.

Veronica first came on my radar at food festival Broad Appetite last year. Through some tweeting, social media-ing and good old fashioned networking, I had the pleasure of meeting Veronica. And know what? She's straight delightful.

If her macarons weren't heaven enough, she's now introduced her fabulous Dessert Displays. I still remember the moment I walked in on her recent photo shoot- because it took me five minutes to pick my jaw up off the floor. So when Veronica approached us about partnering with Wedology 101 and and featuring her amazing Dessert Display, I couldn't say yes fast enough.

So without further ado, here's Veronica-

Why does Petites Bouchees stand out from the rest?

Flavor. When you bite into our baked treats you taste the distinct flavor of our premium ingredients that only high-end pastry shops in bigger cities use. I grew up in a restaurant and bakeshop that never used mixes or preservatives so I apply that philosophy in everything I make and bake.

What is one of your favorite “bridal moments” over the years?

Iʼve had a couple of brides or their moms tell me that my macarons were the best thing theyʼve ever put in their mouth. Also when they taste my chocolate cupcake, they would say “Now hereʼs a chocolate cupcake that actually tastes like chocolate.” Again this goes back to flavor.

What is your biggest Wedding Day “Don’t”?

When it comes to my macarons and cupcakes, please donʼt display them under the sun.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing brides today with their wedding plans?

Budget. Thereʼs also too much information on the web and on print so brides get confused with all the choices and options.

What should a bride always have handy when planning her wedding?

All the important numbers: event planner, florist, venue, caterer etc. The inspiration items for her wedding like a swatch or some photographs from magazines that may be the basis for her theme.

If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?

Donʼt strive for perfection or you will never be happy and would end up a nervous wreck. So what if it rains during your outdoor wedding, just make sure you have a backup plan. Instead, think of details which would make your event memorable for you and your guests. It is your day, but remember the comfort of your guests is also important, after all you invited them to celebrate this special day with you.

To learn more about Petites Bouchees, please visit their web site as well as her fabulous and highly addictive Blog, Kitchen Musings. You can also find her tweeting away- quite often, with me!

You can also meet Veronica and see check out her dessert display first hand this week (!!!!) at Wedology 101 on Sunday.

Cheers,
Meghan


Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Meet Wedology 101: James Limousine*

Wedding transportation is such an interesting category because to me, it’s one of the most important yet it tends to be booked near the end of the wedding planning process. I can’t tell you how many brides have looked at me with a blank stare when I ask them how they plan on getting from the ceremony to the reception.

The good news? When you’re ready to book, look no further then Wedology 101 gurus Randy Allen and Kate Kirby of James Limousine. We were just thrilled when they decided to join our team of wedding professionals.

As you’ll see, what’s wonderful about James Limousine is that it’s so much more than the drive. Emergency Bridal Kit? Yes please!

Take it away Randy and Kate-

Why does James Limousine stand out from the rest?

James Limousine stands out because for over 18 years we have provided an impeccable service with amazing attention to detail. We go the extra several miles for our clients. Our chauffeurs are like family to some of our clients and we treat all of our clients with professionalism and respect.

What is one of your favorite “bridal moments” over the years?

Favorite Bridal moment: Steve, one of our chauffeurs was doing a wedding point to point service for a lovely and slightly klutzy bride. She was one of our brides that prefers to "stage" in the car waiting for the right moment to pop out and walk into the church. As she pops out of the car she promptly steps on the inside hem of her gorgeous gown tearing the hem and creating a hole. Steve not only caught her from falling forward to certain disaster he also broke open our Emergency Bridal Box and whipped the hole closed with needle and thread. Talk about going the extra mile!

What is your biggest Wedding Day “Don’t”?

Brides should never just assume the transportation will happen. It does take planning and payment and lots of brides make the mistake of not planning. They wait until a few weeks or a month before and they have to scramble and use the vehicles that are "leftover" from the brides that did plan.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing brides today with their wedding plans?

One of the biggest challenges facing brides is cash flow for the transportation. It seems to something that is overlooked until the last minute and so they usually don't allow enough in the budget to cover their vision for their wedding day transportation. Never fear, Kate is here and with quite a bit of creativity on my part and flexibility on the bride's part, the chariot will arrive!

What should a bride always have handy when planning her wedding?

A bride should always have a camera or picture phone handy. Best way to remember the tiny details that will have a big impact.

If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?

Brides should always have an open mind. Yes, you have always dreamed of a fleet of stretch limousines whisking yourself and your entire guest list to and from the events of the day but realistically, an elegant town car sedan is picture perfect (and budget friendly).

To learn more about James Limousine, please visit their web site as well as their Facebook page.
You can also meet Randy and Kate at Wedology 101 coming up in less than two weeks on August 15 at Wyndham Virginia Crossings.

Cheers,
Meghan


Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Meet Wedology 101: Classic Party Rentals of Virginia*

When I got engaged early last year, I was giddily making phone calls to parents, immediate family and friends. But guess who was next on my list? That’s right- Classic Party Rentals of Virginia.

I love a good linen and how it can transform a room, even with a minimal investment. I didn’t know much about what I wanted for my own wedding but I did know I wanted those chocolate brown pintuck linens *sigh*.

Nina and Angela with Classic Party Rentals of Virginia was one of our first calls when putting together Wedology 101. After all, these ladies are the party rental experts, and I couldn’t have imagined doing the event without them.

Take it away Classic Party-

Why does Classic Party Rentals stand out from the rest?

Our name stands out due to our impeccable service and simply put, the caring for our brides. Ask any of our brides and they will tell you that we genuinely care about them and their weddings, which sets us apart from the rest. Our Director of Bridal Services will schedule a "play-date" with the brides to go over everything for their wedding - linens, china, glassware, tents - and she will spend as much time as it takes until the bride is comfortable with her decision and loves her choices. She will also assist you with referrals of other wedding professionals that you are in need of. We want the brides to know that we care about them and their guests, all the more making their wedding day just as important to us as it is to them.

What is one of your favorite “bridal moments” over the years?

It is very difficult to nail down only one favorite bridal moment when you have worked with so many wonderful brides. We love when a bride brings her mother to our showroom and they get to make the choices together and once they come across the perfect tablescape, you see the two of them looking at each other with tears in their eyes because they have just had the vision of their reception come true.

We also really appreciate and enjoy immensely when a bride comes by or calls us after the return of her honeymoon to personally thank us for making their day so special. I recently had a bride stop in to give me a beautiful thank you note, a bottle of wine with fresh rosemary and a couple of photos from her wedding showing how happy they both were and even showing off some of our rentals. She is a bride I will now forever call my friend, as well as a return customer for any future events she may have.

What is your biggest Wedding Day “Don’t”?

Our biggest wedding day "don't" is PLEASE DO NOT COORDINATE YOUR LINENS WITH YOUR WEDDING DRESS OR YOUR BRIDESMAID'S DRESSES.....you do not want to become "one" with your tables!!! Also, no cans or kegs at your reception.....bottles or glasses please.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing brides today with their wedding plans?

Spending too much of their budget in the beginning stages without thinking of reception decor. Guests are more interested in where the reception is, how the room will look, what food they will be eating, what they will drink and how much fun they will have! Guests do not care how much money you spent on your dress! Brides tend to skimp in these areas because their budget is shot. You would be surprised at what we can do for you on a small budget.

What should a bride always have handy when planning her wedding?

A bride should always have a book of ideas with pictures. Even if you only use a notebook, cut out your fave flowers, cakes, dresses, tablecloths, etc and glue them on your pages. We also HIGHLY recommend a wedding planner.....they are worth every penny!!!

If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?

Our advice to the brides is to consider your guests at your reception BEFORE you buy the $10,000 dress......brides can wear a $500 dress and still look just as beautiful. Focus on the reception decor, catering and entertainment and of course, the photographer/videographer to capture all of it!

To learn more about Classic Party Rentals, please visit their web site as well as their Facebook Fan Page. You can also find Nina and Angela tweeting away at @cprofva

You can also meet Nina and Angela at Wedology 101 coming up in two short weeks on August 15 at Wyndham Virginia Crossings.

Cheers,
Meghan

Photo credit: Meghan McSweeney Photography

Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Meet Wedology 101: Bill Gilliam and Choice Entertainment*

To me, Choice Entertainment has always been synonymous with Richmond Weddings. I still contend that one of my favorite moments during each wedding is when I was waiting for the new Mr. and Mrs. arrive at the reception, and my Choice DJ would come out in a tux and say, “Ladies, it’s Saturday night.”

Today, we’re chatting with Wedology 101 teamster Bill Gilliam, owner of Choice Entertainment. Bill and his group of seasoned consultants blow the lid off of the old DJ stereotypes of yore. Ever the professional and ever the team player, Choice Entertainment was one of the first calls I made when I got engaged last year.

So enough about why I love Choice Entertainment- here’s Bill--

Why does Choice Entertainment stand out from the rest?

How much is REALLY good advice worth? When you speak with a Choice Entertainment Consultant about a wedding, you are talking to someone who has guided literally thousands of couples to the right DJ or band for their weddings...even better yet, all of the Consultants at Choice are also among the most respected entertainment directors in the wedding business...performing at dozens of local weddings every year. The advantage to Choice clients is advice from someone who knows every venue in town, understands how wedding receptions REALLY work, and has the experience to offer creative ideas and suggestions that are based on the latest trends in wedding entertainment. Choice consultants make the process of finding a great DJ or band easy and fun.

What is one of your favorite “bridal moments” over the years?

As wedding entertainers, we often sit around swapping stories about specific receptions we have performed for, and one type of "bridal moment" comes up over and over again.
When a really skilled entertainer connects with a really fun, happy, energetic crowd, something happens as you move this group through and evening of fun and dancing...and as you come down to that last hour or so, and the party literally takes on a life of its own, we call that the "magic time". This is where we are literally hanging on with this audience as we take them on a dancing, partying "rollercoaster" ride. It is the most fun you can have as an entertainer and the most satisfying too! If you do your job well, you leave them exhilarated, but tired and wanting just "ONE MORE SONG!!"

What is your biggest Wedding Day “Don’t”?

Don't get too caught up in having a wedding reception timeline that is timed down to the minute. Hire an experienced wedding planner, and an experienced wedding entertainer to keep things running smoothly...even if it's a few minutes different from what you planned.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing brides today with their wedding plans?

The biggest challenge we see in wedding planning is all of the poor advice, on-line and in magazines, from sources who have never really "worked" at a wedding reception. Often this advice is a thinly disguised ploy to sell a product or service, or advice from a well-intentioned writer who has done some research, but has never really "worked" at a wedding. The best advice comes from wedding veterans with hundreds of successful weddings to their credit.

What should a bride always have handy when planning her wedding?

When planning her wedding, every bride should always have a number of trusted friends handy (available by phone or in person) to render very honest and frank opinions on any buying decisions. Take them with you on appointments, to wedding shows etc

If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?

My ONE piece of advice for brides... the internet is a great place to begin your research, but nothing replaces face-to-face meetings with professionals who you will hire. If they will be providing a service you value highly, beware of anyone unwilling to meet. Insist on meeting in a professional office to see if they are as professional as they present themselves on-line!

To learn more about Choice Entertainment, please visit their web site. You can also meet Bill at Wedology 101 coming up in two short weeks on August 15 at Wyndham Virginia Crossings.

16 days and counting- who’s excited?!

Cheers,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Meet Wedology 101: First Things First of Greater Richmond

When Jenn and I first sat down to iron out the Wedology 101 details, plenty of vendor categories came to mind- music, rentals, flowers and so on and so forth. What’s great about working with Jenn though, is that we both agree that at the end of the Big Day, there is now a marriage, the most important thing of all.

Very quickly, we decided that Bob Ruthazer with First Things First of Greater Richmond, simply had to be a part of Wedology 101. Yes, it’s important to know how to survive planning your Big Day- but even more important are the skills for enjoying a lasting marriage.

Bob stopped by today, to give us a sneak peek into First Things First of Greater Richmond--

Why does First Things First of Greater Richmond stand out from the rest?

Before you tie the knot, Let us show you the ropes! First Things First is all about strengthening families for a better community and we believe that the most important way to do that is to help couples have strong, lasting marriages. Our dream is every child growing up in a home with a mother and father who love each other and love their children. I think that’s a dream that most couples have when they think about getting married—a relationship that will endure even as children transform the nature of that relationship. We believe that the best way to ensure those happily ever-afters is to help couples prepare for a life together through mentoring and counseling and to reinvigorate their relationships through a variety of great dates, seminars and getaways. Our proven marriage skills programs can be found at http://www.firstthingsrichmond.org/

What is one of your favorite “bridal moments” over the years?

Actually there have been many, but what comes to mind is a recent ceremony where almost two dozen couples renewed their vows. Some had been married just a few years, some had been married 40 years or more. The room was filled with much of the same joy and delight that I’ve seen at weddings. What was surprising was the number of couples who had experienced great challenges in their marriages, had overcome them, and are now living out the life that many envisioned on their wedding day

What is your biggest Wedding Day “Don’t”?

Don’t forget to stop, look around and inhale the moments that make the day so special but remember: a wedding is a day but marriages is forever. Brides and grooms invest so much in the planning and execution of the wedding and reception, and get so caught up in meeting and greeting that they sometimes forget that this is their moment. They have to look at videos and photos to see what happened. I’d suggest that they have their wedding planner make a point of pulling them out of a crowd, to get them quiet on the edge of the reception and just observe the people who are invested in their happiness. They should observe the setting—the tables, the flowers, the food—all of it. A minute focused on their friends and another on each other will help a couple embed indelible memories of their wedding day.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing brides today with their wedding plans?

The biggest challenge is balancing plans for the wedding day with plans for a lifetime. Since most of their lives will be spent after the wedding, we encourage couples to spend a few hours getting ready for after the honeymoon. For many years First Things First has been offering courses like It Takes Two: Keys to a Rewarding Relationship. We have also trained more than 100 mentor couples who volunteer to meet with engaged couples (and some that are thinking about getting engaged) to help them prepare for the transition from singleness to marriage. They utilize a very effective inventory called Prepare-Enrich. This inventory uses a series of questions to gather and compare data that reveals strengths and growth areas for each couple who sign up for the mentoring sessions. The mentors are seasoned married couples, not counselors, who share what they have learned in their marriages that will benefit newlyweds. Some of our volunteers work primarily with blended families and those who were previously married. Others work with those who are marrying for the first time. Mentors can be found in churches throughout the metropolitan area or can be located by contacting info@firstthingsrichmond.org.

What should a bride always have handy when planning her wedding?

She should have a calendar that not only includes all the important activities that lead up to the wedding, but also includes some planned dates with her husband during their first year of marriage. The bride and her fiancé should set dates three, six and nine months out to talk about what’s working and what isn’t and to draw up plans to keep the relationship fresh. Those dates will help ensure that the first anniversary celebration will be great. One of those post wedding dates should be a marriage seminar, like the Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage event that will be here in Richmond August 20th and 21st. Getting together with other couples, learning more about the differences between men and women, laughing together—these activities will enliven a marriage and get couples talking about why they got married in the first place. And the planned dates provide a forum for addressing little problems before they become major ones.

If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?

Treat your wedding like the beginning it is, not as an ending. Save enough energy to really enjoy your honeymoon and come back refreshed so your first weeks of marriage are as delightful, vibrant and romantic as your wedding and honeymoon.

Remember you family will always be YOUR family… if there is a family challenge, have blood deal with blood… do not ask your fiancé to deal with YOUR family issues.

To learn more about First Things First, please visit their web site.

You can also meet Bob at Wedology 101 coming up in three short weeks on August 15 at Wyndham Virginia Crossings.

Cheers,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Meeting Wedology 101: A Cake to Remember*

Today is a particular fun introduction for me, because I’m a long time client of this Wedology 101er. Kara Buntin with A Cake to Remember here in Richmond is not only fabulous at what she does- but she’s a straight shooter and doesn’t (warning- pun ahead!) sugar coat things for you. If you have an outdoor wedding in July, she’ll tell you why buttercream is a no go, and I respect that about her.

She and I always got along well because I’d come to her with the most outlandish of ideas (case in point: Death Star wedding cake), and she’d make them into a reality. More importantly, she’d be just as excited as you were when all was said and done.

So you can imagine I did a little happy dance when Kara signed on to Wedology 101- I just know the brides are going to love her!
So enough about my cakes, let’s give the floor to Kara--

Why does A Cake to Remember stand out from the rest?

A Cake To Remember was never meant to be a cake assembly line. I give a lot of attention to every cake that I make, which includes baking them from scratch and not using mixes, and doing a limited number of cakes per week. It’s more of a boutique cake business, as opposed to a bakery that does a lot of production and bakes cakes using mixes and freezes them. I design cakes individually with each client, and I do everything custom so that each cake is unique to the couple and the event.

What is one of your favorite “bridal moments” over the years?

Without a doubt, I love the moments when a couple comes to a cake design meeting and starts by saying “This is going to sound kind of weird.” That’s the moment that I know they have an idea for a cake that’s going to be really crazy. A wedding cake that’s different is a conversation piece at the reception, and usually ends up being much more fun to make than a “standard” white wedding cake.

What is your biggest Wedding Day “Don’t”?

Please, don’t smash the cake in each other’s faces. It’s just a bad idea.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing brides today with their wedding plans?

I’d say that budget is always number one on the list, as well as just having so many choices. There are so many sources of information, pictures and ideas in magazines and online, people start to get confused about what they really want. It’s good to have options, but you get to a point where it can be overwhelming and you get paralyzed. Hiring a good wedding planner and other professionals who can help you narrow down the options is a good way to deal with wedding overload.

What should a bride always have handy when planning her wedding?

“The Binder” with all of the lists…I’m a list-maker, and when I see brides who have “the binder” I know that I’ll be able to get all of the questions that I have answered. I’ve filled out entire information sheets with “to be decided” because the bride doesn’t have any information with her yet. It just reduces the amount of follow-up on everyone’s parts if you can get the information that you need without having to hunt the bride down later.

If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?

Don’t believe everything that you read in wedding magazines. They exist as a way to sell wedding dress advertising, and a lot of the articles on other subjects are thrown together by people with no experience in those areas. Ask questions to the professionals who you hire and don’t assume that just because something is in print somewhere that it’s right. Also, ask around for referrals to professionals to hire. If you hear the same names over and over that’s a good indication that they’ll do a good job for you. But that’s two pieces of advice…

To learn more about A Cake to Remember, please visit her web site as well as her Blog. You can also find Kara tweeting away at @acaketoremember

You can also meet Kara at Wedology 101 coming up in four short weeks on August 15 at Wyndham Virginia Crossings.

Cheers,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Meet Wedology 101: Meghan McSweeney Photography*

Today at Wedology 101, we sat down with Meghan McSweeney with Meghan McSweeney Photography, a gal whose heart is as big as her talent. Her swoon worthy style always puts an extra bounce in my step.

For those who may not know, Meghan has received quite a bit of attention for her work as of late, as she’s been recently featured in Style Me Pretty, Snippet and Ink and Grey Likes Weddings. She was also handpicked to be a part of Lara Casey’s coveted It List. Plus, she’s just plain fun to be around.

You can then imagine how thrilled we were when Meghan decided to join the Wedology 101 team.

So without further ado, here’s Meghan--

Why does Meghan McSweeney Photography stand out from the rest?

I feel like I try as a photographer to really relate to my clientele. I get them to fill out extensive questionnaires so that I get to know their story as well as what is important to them as a couple. I love knowing how they met, more about their group of friends, their style as a couple, places they have been together, the parts of the wedding that are important to them. I feel like it sets me apart that I really take the time to get to know them during the whole process from their engagement sessions to their bridals and then to the actual day of the wedding and beyond. I am really lucky that a lot of my clients end up being very easygoing and lovely people to work with. I feel like it is reflected in how I shoot them and how we work together. I work very hard to make sure that they are comfortable with me and that they trust me when it comes to the wedding day.

What is one of your favorite “bridal moments” over the years?

I have certain times of the day that are my favorite throughout a wedding. When the bride and groom write their own vows and really make an effort to step out of their comfort zone pronouncing their love of each other. As for photographic moments throughout the day, I love taking pictures of the grooms face as the bride turns the corner and walks down the aisle. I also love when they have just been married and they turn and come down the aisle. There is typically so much joy in their faces and it is my ABSOLUTE favorite when they look at each other when they are traipsing down the aisle. Other than that, I really just love to capture the emotion of the couple throughout the day. It really is a special thing to be able to capture for them the love and joy that they are feeling throughout that day. It makes me feel good that they will always have that to come back to throughout their marriage.

What is your biggest Wedding Day “Don’t”?

My biggest wedding don't is when a bride is so stressed out from planning her day that she really isn't able to enjoy herself. It is one of the many, many reasons why I recommend hiring a wedding planner!

What are some of the biggest challenges facing brides today with their wedding plans?

I really think that the biggest challenge with planning a wedding is that bride and grooms have so many options at their disposal. If they aren't in the industry or completely obsessed with their wedding, it's really hard to know all of those options like where the best place to go for a unique linen or if they want a tent that is different or a band that isn't completely mainstream. I think it is really easy to get bombarded and overwhelmed by the choices that are available hence some of the other reasons that I think it is a really important thing to hire vendors whom you trust.

What should a bride always have handy when planning her wedding?

A planner or at least a really good an efficient type-a person helping them out.

If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?

My biggest piece of advice to brides is to remember to enjoy themselves. It's a day that only happens once and it's really important to be able to let go of all of the nitpicky details once you get to a certain point so that you can enjoy each other and your day. I think it is really important to be able to sit for a second and enjoy each other's company. I find it really sad when bride and groom's are running around like crazy during the reception talking to all of the guests and they aren't able to just be together for a little while. While I think it is important that you recognize your guests and that people made a big effort to get to your wedding for you both, I think it is also important to be able to take a minute to soak it all in and appreciate the love between each other and your community that gathered for you.

To learn more about Meghan McSweeney Photography, please visit her web site as well as her Blog. You can also find Meghan tweeting away at @McSweeneyphoto

You can also meet Meghan at Wedology 101 coming up in four short weeks on August 15 at Wyndham Virginia Crossings.

Cheers,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Meet Wedology 101: Elizabeth Howard and The Cordial Cricket*

Today, we’re starting a series of Blog posts featuring our Wedology 101 team. While you will have the opportunity to meet them in person on August 15, Jenn and I wanted to do a little pre-event bragging, because we simply can’t help ourselves.

Elizabeth Howard was an easy choice, as I’ve had an industry crush on The Cordial Cricket since we met last summer. Not only do they carry only the most swoon worthy of items, but you know from the moment you walk in the door, that you’re in great hands. In addition to invitations, The Cordial Cricket can handle your programs, thank you notes, table numbers- they sky really is the limit.

And do keep in mind that I’m not only a bragger, but also a client. I thought I’d throw a bridal shower in the mix of what’s shaping up to be a busy summer. My wonderful friend, and co-hostess with the mostess, decided to take the lead on the invitations and I sent her running to The Cordial Cricket just days ago. Elizabeth accommodated our tight turnaround time with ease and has assisted us in ensuring this little soiree is

So enjoy your little sit down with Elizabeth below--

Why does The Cordial Cricket stand out from the rest?

The Cordial Cricket stands out from the rest for a couple of reasons. One being the close relationships we work to form with our brides. We are fortunate to have been able to foster very close relationships with the brides whom we've worked with over the years. We meet with them one-on-one to consult with them on all aspects of their wedding stationery from Save the Dates to invitations, programs, thank you notes, table cards, rehearsal dinner invites, ceremony accessories, you name it. We find out all about their wedding, which vendors they are using, which items they still need vendor recommendations for and even guide them with proper wedding etiquette advice. We become so much more than the store they purchased their wedding invitations. Using this consultative approach we have found that the brides trust us and reach out to us for advice throughout their entire wedding planning process. The second reason that we stand out from the rest is due to the etiquette expertise we are able to offer our brides. Elizabeth Howard, owner of The Cordial Cricket, will soon complete her etiquette consultant certification through The American School of Protocol. Most stores don't take things to this level. We offer the ability to work with certified etiquette professionals free of charge. We receive phone calls and questions from people daily on etiquette related matters, related not only to weddings, but entertaining, children's etiquette and much more. We consider it an extra value for all of our customers including our brides that they have us as this valuable resource. To top it all off, we carry many custom wedding invitation and stationery vendors that are not sold anywhere else in Virginia and work incredibly hard to keep our selection unique and not just offer items from mainstream manufacturers.

What is one of your favorite “bridal moments” over the years?

This is a very hard question, to pick just one moment! Since we are not with our brides at their actual weddings, our moments with them take place well before their events occur. We relish the moment with every bride we work when they see their final wedding invitation for the very first time. Another of our special bridal moments is that we have actually been invited to and attended the weddings of some of our brides, only after getting to know them while working with them in our store. We have been so touched by their desire to have us join them on their special day!

What is your biggest Wedding Day “Don’t”?

Our biggest wedding day don't is not to leave anything to the day of that has to be assembled, put together, etc. Brides are doing more DIY projects than ever before, both for budget reasons and simply because they are very creative ladies. We have sometimes heard horror stories about leaving projects until the day of or the night before and how stressful it becomes on not only the bride, but her wedding party family and friends.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing brides today with their wedding plans?

One of the biggest challenges facing brides today is the overwhelming amount of selection, options and information that they are presented with. We are certainly living in the information age more than ever before and brides are presented with so many choices and options to choose from whether at bridal shows, magazines, wedding blogs, their "been there, done that friends" who've gone before them, reality wedding TV shows and so much more. I think that brides can get so quickly overwhelmed with determining what they really want for their big day and lose some of their unique identity. Although the endless selection of options related to all things wedding is wonderful to have, brides should not feel obligated to review everything that is presented to them. Keeping it simple and keeping it their taste is most important.


What should a bride always have handy when planning her wedding?

A bride should always have handy her guest list in two formats. One with guests listed individually, which is most often the only list they have, and one version with their list by couple, invited group/household. You would be surprised how often they need to know other versions of the number of invited guests rather than just the total number of individuals. This is specifically important to us regarding ordering things like save the dates, wedding invitations and thank you notes.

If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?

The one piece of advice that we would share with brides is not to "over do it". With everything from invitations to favors to decor, it is very easy to "over do". One example being how more thoughtful favors like a donation to a favorite charity turn out making the biggest impact on your guests. Simple style is stunning and elegant, often understated touches go a very long way and do not require elaborate amounts of effort and cost.

To learn more about Elizabeth and The Cordial Cricket, please visit their web site as well as their great Blog. You can also find Elizabeth tweeting away at @cordialcricket

You can also meet Elizabeth at Wedology 101 coming up in four short weeks on August 15 at Wyndham Virginia Crossings.

Cheers,
Meghan


Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Been There, Done That Bride: Heather LaMont

John Lennon once wrote- Life is what is happening when you're busy making other plans. Well I'd like to revise that a bit today- Life is what keeps happening while you're busy planning your wedding!

This story particularly holds true for today's Been There, Done That bride. I've enjoyed getting to know Heather over the last few years through mutual friends. Heather is fresh off her Big Day, and is here to share with us how she managed to stay calm while balancing plans as well as taking on a new career.

Take it away Heather--

Why are you a “Been There, Done That” Bride?
I consider myself a “Been There, Done That” Bride because of the big year I had. Not just in planning my wedding, but because I just started a new job as the company’s trainer for an industry I’d never worked in. There were so many new people to meet and a whole industry to master. Usually after a stressful day at work, a girl can come home, prop her feet up, and have a glass of wine. Not me! I came home and picked up right where I left off in my wedding planning. Vendor appointments, phone meetings, and planning were in order!

What surprised you most about your wedding planning?
How stressful it really can be. I can’t imagine doing it on your own. Or in a short amount of time. My fiancee and I were engaged 18 months, so we had plenty of time to choose our vendors carefully. I don’t know what I would have done if I felt pressed for time with my decision-making.

What caused you the most stress during your wedding planning? How was it handled?
I am originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I’ve lived in the Richmond area only a couple of years. It was difficult for me to plan everything for the biggest day of my life in a city that I knew so little about. I was able to trust in a few close friends for guidance in choosing vendors, locations, and even little details. I just wanted everything to be perfect, of course. Once I had all of my vendors in place, the stress level went down significantly. Well, that is, until the last few weeks before the big day!

What could you have absolutely not lived without during the planning?
MY MOM! Without a doubt. It just so happened, for my dad’s job, my parents moved to Richmond 6 months before my wedding. My mom worked day and night making phone calls, sending emails, and taking care of all the little details and last minute issues for the wedding while I was at work. I was so lucky to have her! Oh yeah, another thing I couldn’t have lived without: notebook tablets. I made lists of my lists… haha!

What would you have done differently?
That’s a tough one. Honestly, everything went so well! Like most brides, I would say just to enjoy every waking moment of the day. From the second you get up, to getting your hair done, getting ready in the bridal room, to the actual wedding and reception. I took this advice from many and it made all the difference. The day goes by so fast!!

If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?
If you want something so badly, GET IT! In my case, I thought a unique and interesting detail for the wedding would be the use of a Photobooth at our reception. My mom thought it was too much money, but I convinced her to see my side (with just a little begging!) It ended up being one of the highlights of the reception. Our guests LOVED it. We had unlimited use of the Photobooth and so many of my favorite, silly, and crude pictures from the evening were from the Photobooth. If you really want something, trust in your instincts! I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend that money.

Heather teaches us that sometimes giving yourself a little extra planning time during one's engagement really can make all of this difference. Plus- if you want something bad enough, try your best to make it happen.

Interested in being featured? Simply email me at meghan {at} ofdconsulting {dot} com. Have friends trying to plan their Big Day? Then join us August 15 at Wedology 101!

Cheers,
Meghan

Photo credit: dm foto

Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Been There, Done That Bride Part Two: Melissa Montoya

Why Part Two you may ask? Well if you haven't read Amanda's story yet, I'd suggest you hop on over to yesterday's accompanying post first.

This week, it's my sincere pleasure to tell the story of Amanda and Melissa. Not only are these ladies near and dear to my heart, but they also have quite the story. Imagine getting engaged on the same day as your sister, and then hosting your weddings only seven weeks apart!

In addition to her sister's challenge of playing bride and Matron of Honor, Melissa was also a bridesmaid in her best friend's wedding within the seven week time frame as well. The good news is that she lived to tell the tale and happily shares her story with us.

Without further ado, here's Melissa-

Why are you a “Been There, Done That” Bride?
I consider myself a “Been There, Done That” Bride because I survived a year of many weddings. In July 2009, I was overjoyed when my now husband proposed to me. Later that night, I was overjoyed AGAIN when my sister’s boyfriend proposed to her as well. To add to the mix, my best friend was engaged just two weeks earlier! So not only am I a Been There, Done That Bride, I am a Been There, Done That Maid of Honor and a Been There, Done That Bridesmaid.

What surprised you most about your wedding planning?
How expensive everything was. I tell every new bride I talk to, “whatever you think something is going to cost, multiply it by three.” At the beginning of planning our wedding (the day after we were engaged), we started a wedding website and used their handy budget planner. After it divided our money into all the major categories, off I went to start my research. No sooner than my first stop, I realized there was no way I would be able to create my vision with the lesser amount that the budget recommended. But in the end you make it work, you realize what you absolutely can’t live without, what you can make on your own and what you can sacrifice, which in my case were the beautiful gold chivari chairs that my father would absolutely not budge on.

What caused you the most stress during your wedding planning? How was it handled?
Time and originality. Being involved in three weddings within seven weeks created quite the challenge. Being the maid of honor in my sister’s wedding and a bridesmaid in my best friend’s wedding meant three bridal showers, three dress fittings, three bachelorette parties, three dresses… need I say more. I really had to take a couple of weeks and focus on one wedding at a time and then switch gears, color schemes and themes in order to keep my sanity. Trying to make sure that each wedding was special and unique was enjoyable but definitely took a lot of creativity. My sister and I squabbled over the Father of the Bride song (my sister won since she says my dad sang it to her longer) and my best friend and I did go back and forth a couple of times on who would have the tall twigs in vases for centerpieces, but in the end all three weddings were completely different. We all created our own atmosphere, our own special touches and our own amazing memories.

What could you have absolutely not lived without during the planning?
My mother, my sister, the glue gun and many, many checklists….There was no way I could have achieved everything I did for my wedding without the support of my mother and sister. They were there for me every step of the way and for every project, whether it was creating wedding programs, pew cones, collecting acorns and pine cones, constructing a homemade trellis or just being a sounding board for my many wedding ideas. They both carried a glue gun with them at all times as pretty much every aspect of my wedding had some arts and craft project involved much to their dismay. Also a big believer in checklists, I had a checklist for everything. I may have taken it a little too far at my sister’s bridal shower reporting if we were over or under on our time period for each event, but what can I say, I wanted to keep everything running smoothly.

What would you have done differently?
I really would not have done anything differently for my wedding since it far exceeded any of my expectations, but if I had to pick one thing, I would say to not stress out so much about the cost of the photographer. That was the one expense that I really had a hard time committing to, but now looking at the beautiful pictures we have, I am so thankful I spent the extra money as these will always remind us of our amazing day. Still today when I view my wedding album, I feel as if I’m transported right back to that special day. We look forward to sharing these memories with our children someday.

If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?
My one piece of advice, which I’m sure is the same with every “Been There, Done That” Bride, is to just enjoy the whole process. All the planning, stressful decisions and late night craft sessions lead up to the most amazing day of your life. It is so rewarding on your wedding day to sit back and look around and realize that you created this moment. The day of your wedding, you have done everything you can do, it is now your time to get pampered, marry your soul mate and then dance the night away!!

Melissa wore three very different hats during the planning process but found that with checklists and multiple glue guns really saved the day. She also knew that sometimes you have to make tough decisions and decide what are the "must haves" in the planning process. What's also great is that while Melissa took on many projects herself, she also realized the importance of having a professional capture her Big Day.

Interested in being featured? Simply email me at meghan {at} ofdconsulting {dot} com. Have friends trying to plan their Big Day? Then join us August 15 at Wedology 101!

Cheers,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Been There, Done That Bride Part One: Amanda Tauro

I know I've said this before, but this week, I'm really, really excited about our Been There, Done That Bride for two reasons: 1) they are dear friends of mine and 2) there are TWO of them.

I can't remember a day in my life when I didn't know these two so it brings me great joy to share their Big Day with you.

What makes their story so unique? Well it all happened one sunny July day when BOTH ladies become engaged on the same day. Fast forward a bit and suddenly they are getting married seven weeks apart and are each other's Matrons of Honor.

I don't want to give away too much, so I'll let Been There, Done That Bride #1 take it away-

Why are you a “Been There, Done That” Bride?
I consider myself to be a “Been There, Done That” Bride because I not only successfully planned our wonderful August wedding but helped in the planning process of my sister’s wedding as well. Everything began on a hot and muggy July day that will never be forgotten because not only did my sister get engaged that morning but Eric had also planned on proposing to me that night in front of all of our closest friends and family. By the days end my sister and I were both newly engaged and we knew that the planning that was ahead of us would be one of the most memorable times in our lives. The most interesting part of this was that our weddings were only 7 short weeks apart from each other. My sister and I were about to embark on a new journey of our lives and we were able to celebrate and enjoy every little detail and decision that came along with it.

What surprised you most about your wedding planning?
I think the thing that surprised me the most about the wedding process was the fact that there really are so many more details and decisions that are made behind the scenes of weddings that aren’t known of. Before planning my own wedding I don’t think I really understood what went into the whole planning process but now that I have been both a bride and a Matron-of-Honor myself, I am able to take in every small detail from the centerpieces to the color of the seating cards. Weddings truly are wonderful and are the perfect way to remember your big day. I have such an appreciation for future brides and their families!

What caused you the most stress during your wedding planning? How was it handled?
I really think that the wedding planning process wasn’t as stressful as it may have been for some other people. We got all of the big things done in the very beginning of the planning, that way there wasn’t as much that needed to be done in the end. I will say however that the last three months were more stressful than the beginning and I think that was because the planning was coming to an end. We were now trying to tie up all the lose ends and get the last minute details all taken care of. I made list upon list and then reorganized those lists which only lead to me getting more overwhelmed which is where my husband stepped in. He would go through the list and write something after each and every task listed, whether it was helpful or not. He knew just how to calm me down and I am so thankful for this!

What could you have absolutely not lived without during the planning?
The things that I wouldn’t have been able to live without during the wedding planning would have to be my husband, family and Post-Its!!! I can’t even begin to explain how supportive and easy going my husband was throughout the whole process and whenever I got nervous or stressed about anything he knew just how to calm me down and let me know that it really was going to be ok. Furthermore, my mother and sister were also a saving grace to me; knowing that I always had them to bounce ideas off of was amazing, they were my perfect sounding board! My last savior had to be Post-Its, and although I had to replenish my supply multiple times I couldn’t have imagined being able to keep all of the details straight without my many lists.

What would you have done differently?
I think the one thing that my husband I would have wanted to do differently would have been to have a Videographer. In the beginning of the planning process Eric and I thought that it wasn’t completely necessary to have a Videographer but one of our friends had it done and there really were so many more special moments that were captured. If there is something that you really feel like you can’t go without, then do it! Your wedding will be that much more memorable with a memento that will last you throughout your many years of wedded bliss.

If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?
My one piece of advice to all of the other Brides out there would be to truly enjoy the whole process. Although it may get stressful at times and you may not think you will be able to get through it all, remember “Don’t sweat the small stuff!” Your guests aren’t going to notice that the table linens don’t perfectly match the color of the bridesmaids dresses or that the chairs for the ceremony aren’t perfectly even on each side. Remember to enjoy all of the little moments and the precious memories for you will only do this once and you may as well do it with a bang! The day is all about you and your soon to be husband and nothing else matters!

Amanda is proof that with enough support and a great attitude, you can enjoy planning your wedding AND being a Matron of Honor all at the same time. A steady supply of Post Its doesn't hurt either. :)

What about the other sister? Well stay tuned for tomorrow, as we feature Melissa.

Interested in being featured? Simply email me at meghan {at} ofdconsulting {dot} com. Have friends trying to plan their Big Day? Then join us August 15 at Wedology 101!

Cheers,
Meghan


Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Been There, Done That Bride: Casey Bunn

I'll admit it- I get a little giddy when a new Been There, Done That bride comes across my desk. This week, I'm especially delighted to share the story of my friend, and Richmond Twitter Celebster Casey Bunn with RSVPHere.com.

Think that planning a wedding is tough when trying to work at the same time? You haven't heard anything yet.

Take it away Casey...

Why are you a “Been There, Done That” Bride?
I planned my entire wedding while holding down a job and running a company RSVPhere.com in my spare time! We were our own first customers! I was investing all of my money in my business, so opted out of a wedding planner, but boy do I see why brides use them! I planned a destination wedding in Hatteras, North Carolina where family and friends would spend a week together and the wedding would take place on Saturday. Planning a wedding on a budget in another city outside of a job and company is TOUGH! I loved getting married though-it was the best day ever. We got married in the backyard of our house on the water. Our chairs were set up in a circle around our alter so everyone had a good view. We danced our first song to Jack Johnson and broke out into Michael Jackson! Colin threw the garter on a football and we ended the night by jumping into the pool.

What surprised you most about your wedding planning?
Detail detail detail. Who knew there could be so much detail? Any finding which details you handle in Richmond, and which ones to handle in Hatteras was really tough. And then there are things like, what happens when a storm comes the night before and knocks down your bamboo alter? Good thing we had a washer, a grandma, and an uncle who was a builder handy. Many hands make light work. I found that managing the details become a little easier through delegation :).

What caused you the most stress during your wedding planning? How was it handled?
Hmm, probably budget. Where do you splurge and where do you skimp? What matters most to you and what will make your day special? What can you live without, and what must you have? We found ways to save money so we could use it in other places-like having a stock the bar engagement party (where our guests brought top shelf!) so we could have a great bar at little cost to us as well as we hired a friend bartender and paid for his room. We also made our favors wine/martini glasses with homemade wine charms made out of earring hoops so that we doubled up on glasses for the party and favors. But overall, making all of those decisions was the most stressful part.

What could you have absolutely not lived without during the planning?
My mom, my girlfriends and Gregory-my stunt partner from college. They helped make everything that we made handmade- invitations, wine charms, programs, music selection etc- they also helped collect vases that people wanted to get rid of to use- they offered to do my flowers and even came through decorating my cake with fresh flowers the day of the wedding. They were lifesavers.

What would you have done differently?
I would have ordered my flowers from Costco to be delivered a little sooner. They came in on Thursday and were so fresh that the Lilies did not open but for a few by our wedding on Saturday.

If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?
The day only happens once. Soak it in, each minute and say to yourself ok, now I'm doing this, and now I'm doing this in your head etc- take it in one piece at a time so you can remember everything. You can't please everyone or spend a ton of time with every single person at your wedding, so do what makes you happy so that your day it the most special to you and your husband.

Balancing wedding plans with full time work and simply having a life is tough enough, but to combine it with starting your own company? Casey is proof that with the right support system, you too can enjoy planning your Big Day, even if you probably won't get any sleep. :)

Non-sponsored overshare! I heart Casey's web site and recently made the switch over so now all of my Bridal Association meetings run through it. Thanks for giving me back a good three hours of time each month Mrs. Bunn!

Interested in being featured? Simply email me at meghan {at} ofdconsulting {dot} com. Have friends trying to plan their Big Day? Then join us August 15 at Wedology 101!

Cheers,

Meghan

Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Surviving a Wedding Pro Break Up

It's an undeniable feeling. You're hearing "It's not you, it's me" but want you're really hearing is blah blah blah you're wedding is ruined.

Suddenly, your stomach falls into your butt and you need to sit down. Preferably with a big glass of wine.

If it hasn't happened to you, then it's happened to one of your friends. You have your wedding pros all lined up, contracts and all, in your bursting-at-the-seams binder. You then get the fateful phone call- suddenly, your reception venue has changed personnel (Disclaimer! This could happen with many wedding categories but based on my own experience, I'm sticking to what I know).

Suddenly you are in crisis mode. You find yourself shaking your fist in anger and kicking things. After all, didn't they see how much you had already bonded with Suzie Reception Planner? Didn't your forty-five minute chat about bengaline linens mean anything to her?

Now unless you're a particularly good crier or briber, there isn't much you can do to prevent this. The good news, however, is that there is quite a bit you can do to prepare yourself so if this challenge does come your way, you can face it head on. Take a few tid bits from this wedding pro who has, unfortunately, had to have broken up with a few brides in her hey day.

1) Fall in love with the location, not the person. Yes, it's imperative to get along with the on site coordinator BUT you must be honest with yourself and ask this question- Am I okay with losing this person and still being booked at this fabulous location? If the answer is no, then it's time to move on.

2) Discuss the scenario early on and be up front. Personally, I always called each and every wedding contact personally to tell them that I was leaving and how we were moving forward from a staffing standpoint. Unfortunately, this wasn't always the case with other venues. Have the discussion and have it early. Don't be afraid to ask for a guarantee that states that should the contact change, you will be informed in a timely manner.

3) Surround yourself with good people. The venue itself is a rather large piece to the reception puzzle. If you lose your venue contact and are left with your friend who takes photographs on the side, your cousin who is going to play an Ipod and be the DJ and your aunt who bakes cakes, then frankly, you're in trouble. If you experience a staff change but have taken the time to book true wedding professionals, then you are going to be far better off than the gal with the Ipod and homemade cake.

Life happens and you're going to learn that at one point or another during the planning process. The true test is how you react to it once the challenge has been thrown your way.

It also does hurt to have an emergency bottle of red wine in the cupboard.

Cheers,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Fondant vs Buttercream

Hey ladies!

If you haven't done so already, head over to Wedology 101 teamster Kara with A Cake to Remember's Blog as she goes into the nitty gritty of dealing with cakes in this retched heat. As many discover far too late, oftentimes, fondant is simply a must for outdoor weddings this time of year.

Take it away Kara- http://acaketorememberva.blogspot.com/2010/06/wedding-cakes-sometimes-fondant-is.html


Cheers,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.

Been There, Done That Bride: Heather Walrath

I've had such a blast working with our Been There, Done That Brides thus far, so you can imagine how thrilled I was when a DC Bridal Blogger Heather Walrath, of Bicoastal Bride fame, reached out to us.

Brides can get handed all sorts of interesting challenges so you can only begin to imagine what it would be like to plan your wedding from across the country. Not only did Heather do it, but she did it with style. And without further ado, here's Heather:

Why are you a “Been There, Done That” Bride?
I call my wedding-planning blog Bicoastal Bride because that’s exactly what I was! Following our engagement in April 2009, my fiancee and I spent over a year planning our wedding in my hometown of Thousand Oaks, Calif., while juggling our busy lives here in Washington, D.C. Stressful? Sometimes. But by working together, staying organized, and relying on the amazing help of our families and friends, we were able to create a fabulous day that was fun and memorable for everyone.

What surprised you most about your wedding planning?
Going in, I knew that planning our wedding would be exciting, but I never dreamed it would become the most enjoyable time of my life. Through blogging and sharing my experience with other brides, I discovered so many great ideas to enhance our day and make the experience even more incredible than it already was. The support and positive energy I found in the wedding community were huge sources of inspiration throughout the entire process, and I’ve just loved sharing my own ideas and advice, as well.

What caused you the most stress during your wedding planning? How was it handled?
Though the seating chart is definitely in the running, I’d say the biggest stressor came about a week before the wedding, when we had to lug my gown through a total of three airports on our way out to California. Flight cancellations, delays, gate changes, and tiny storage spaces only added to the frustration throughout that long day. I would have been lost without my selfless fiancee, who lovingly carried the heavy gown from one terminal to another without so much as a single complaint. And when he saw me on our wedding day, he was the first to tell me that it had all been worth it!

What could you have absolutely not lived without during the planning?
Exercise! Though I used to be a complete couch potato, I took up running and strength training while planning the wedding. It made a huge difference, both mentally and physically. I found myself less frazzled and so much more energetic. Plus, I felt fit and beautiful on my wedding day. What could be better than that?

What would you have done differently?
This is a tough question, because even when things went wrong or didn’t work out quite as expected, I always learned from the situation, or at the very least came out of it with some funny and memorable stories!

If I had to change something, though, I might have built in a little more time for our “first look” before the ceremony to spend alone with my fiancé, just trying to relax and take it all in. Though I felt very calm throughout the morning, the fun but frantic pace had me feeling a little nervous by the afternoon. Seeing Stephen and sharing that special moment really did wonders for me, and having been able to stretch it out a few minutes longer would have made it even better.

If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?
Planning a wedding can be stressful, but it can also be tons of fun, if you choose to focus on that aspect, instead of letting the little things get to you. No matter how much you prepare or plan, I guarantee that something will go wrong on your wedding day. But as with so many other areas in life, it’s how you choose to handle it that makes all the difference. You can get worked up and let it ruin your day, or you can instead just focus on how happy you feel and how much this day means to you and your partner. Stress and mishaps will happen no matter what, so you might as well just roll with them.

Heather took what could have been a very stressful situation, and turned it into the wedding of her dreams. You rock on with your bad self, Bicoastal Bride. :)

Interested in being featured? Simply email me at meghan {at} ofdconsulting {dot} com. Have friends trying to plan their Big Day? Then join us August 15 at Wedology 101!

Cheers,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.