St. Augustine hit the nail on the head when he said: “Love is a temporary madness…” In some situations, I would add that love also creates a temporary madness in everybody else. Sweetheart, I am prepared and able to referee any madness that your love may create so you can have your perfect day.

Let’s make a quick list:

1. Bride
2. Mother of the Bride
3. Mother of the Groom
4. Maid of Honor
5. Matron of Honor
6. Bridesmaid
7. Bridesmaid
8. Bridesmaid
9. And even the Flower Girl

Face it, that is a LOT of women in the kitchen all bringing their own personal expectations to the table.

Often the best way to keep everyone happy is to have someone in the middle sincerely listening to everyone. Often the best person to do this is NOT the Bride. I have coordinated enough weddings to know that no matter how in love a Bride is, she needs time to think, time to reminisce, time to relax, she needs her surroundings to be peaceful and her own style of beautiful- she needs a friend. Having every woman around her trying to explain and plan life does not promote this ambiance.

However, there are two sides to this coin…

I was recently coordinating a wedding. In one corner the Bride, as I explained, was trying to find her happy place. In the opposite corner the various women around her were getting frustrated because she just wasn’t listening. I stepped in and began to listen to the various opinions being voiced for the Bride, and realized, what she needed to do to relax, was exactly what the other women were suggesting! Light Bulb! I implemented as many of the opinions as possible, and the result was bad turned to Bliss.

Let My Lasting Impressions come to your wedding planning sessions and be the best friend that listens to everyone’s opinions for you. Your fabulous wedding planner can get everyone working together to make the best possible event for you.

The problem with going big is if you don’t quite make it, you go home. My Lasting Impressions can make sure your big chill is as amazing as a red carpet celebrity wedding. Let’s get some inspiration:

Reese Witherspoon- Reese you have always been our favorite girl next door- on and off the screen- and now you are our hero for making Grilled Cheese and Marshmallows the stuff of celebrity style. The most amazing thing is, when you are going for flare you can do whatever you want really big. Reese set up a whole lounge with drinks and a huge fire pit for roasting marshmallows. So not to be encumbered by her formal dress- she changed into a white silk mini dress for dancing at the reception. The reception hall was lit with candles in mason jars and the glow of the bride’s eyes as she looked at her handsome hubby, Jim Toth. Way to go Reese, you make us feel special with your awesome style.

Michael Buble- The king of blues could not get married anywhere but the musical city of Buenos Aires, Argentina (and the home town of the Bride). We love this location, because it has it all- beach and city night life. This fabulous couple proved once and for all that you can have a big wedding and reception in the same location and it is still perfect. Villa Maria Paz, a beautifully huge mansion, held all 300 guests for the lush wedding and then a feast and dancing afterwards. Michael and Luisana danced into the night to Dean Martin’s “Everybody Loves Somebody.” Bravo, Bravo!

His and Her Royal Highness- Of course we all woke up at 4:00 a.m. to get a glimpse of the fabulous Royal wedding dress, but here are a few smaller items you may have missed. The Bride stayed at the fabulous Goring Hotel the night before the wedding. Girls, a comfortable bed the night before will do more for your wedding day look than you might think. Beauty Sleep is a must. My Lasting Impressions is crazy about lace in 2011. Why not use the penultimate feminine material to accent your womanly beauty on your day? While the engagement ring gave Kate’s arm a daily workout- the wedding band the Prince presented her was a simple, elegant, pure band of welsh gold- given to him by the Queen. Finally, we will make an exception on a previous rule: the getaway car can also be your “something blue” if it is an Aston Martin Volante.

Pick out the elements from Celebrity weddings that you love and let My Lasting Impressions take your breath away with a celebrity style wedding all your own!

Gimme those sweet home blues! The most important accessory for your wedding day is that blue sky that will complement the love in your eyes. My Lasting Impressions’ last question is: what kind of blue do you want?

Mountain Blues: You were floating when he asked you to marry him. You can recapture that feeling for you and your guests by holding your wedding in that clean mountain air under a canopy of forest that seems to still be “long ago and far away.” Besides, you are so close to that blue sky you can almost carry it in your bouquet.

Southern Blues: You grew up in this Savannah, Georgia country church with the old brass bell the Deacon rang every Sunday. This baby blue sky is warm and helps you feel comfortable in your light satin wedding dress. You feel the sun on your face and you know you made the right decision to come home as you begin your new life.

 Autumn Blues: You step out the door of your New England hotel and your dress feels crisp and glowing white in this blue that is as true as love. You have always wanted to hold your man in the ever deepening blues of a fall sunset. This is the perfect moment, the perfect night, the truest blue.

 Island Blues: One of the most intimate weddings I have helped out with the couple chose to have their bliss begin in a simple ceremony with the blue water of Santorini, Greece as their mood music. Their love blends so well with this blue- I couldn’t imagine it any other place. (Girl’s think carefully about the international wedding location, supplemented by the blow out party with everyone under the blue upon your return.)

So, you pick your favorite blue and let your adventurous wedding planner fit it in!

When the only church big enough to hold your guest list is U-G-L-Y- let  me tell you girl- you are going to need lots of something borrowed!

Last year I was coordinating an autumn themed wedding. All the planning was coming together beautifully, until I stepped inside the church for the first time. To say the least, I have never seen a more sterile looking auditorium. But what could we do? I rolled up my sleeves and we began to plan a transformation.

Brides: With a wedding planner on your side you can make any space doable.  Hear that: ANY. Here are some ideas My Lasting Impressions has for how to borrow things to make your perfect spot work:

We could smuggle some church pews for an outdoor wedding- amazing or what?  You can simply borrow the traditional and comfortable seating to make your wedding under the trees perfect. Or  try sneaking in some plush sofas and other chairs that actually MATCH your colors and work with your contemporary wedding.

For indoor weddings I love borrowing family monograms to make an otherwise impersonal setting all about the bride and groom.  One wedding I am currently working on is using the bride’s family crest as a signature accent in their Irish wedding reception. 

Instead of buffet tables or sit down dinners when you are trying to have an outdoor wedding, what about renting food stands? Trucks pull up at the outdoor venue, set up and open colorful windows to serve guests. Gotta love the masterful borrowing of the carnival atmosphere as well as the variety of delicious food.

The please-all solution to the Autumn wedding was to rent huge wrought iron trees that shadowed the entire isle all the way up the stage and circling the alter created a backdrop for the bride and groom. On each branch of the iron trees we hung little candles creating a magical glow and changed the entire look of the church from frumpy to an enchanted forest of iron and flame. As you can see, it was stunning.

An attentive wedding planner can work on borrowing everything you need so you can focus on being in love.

Once upon a time a young Greek named Hyakinthos found himself favored by the gods Apollo and Zephyr. As he lived, laughed, and cried with them, the three became dearest friends. Then Apollo began to demand more and more of Hyakinthos’ attention away from Zephyr. In a jealous rage Zephyr accidentally killed the young man. Where Hyakinthos’ blood fell, sprung up the flower, Hyacinth. In grief and remorse the two gods commanded the Greeks to always speak of this flower in respect to the boy’s love of play. And so to this day the flower symbolizes joyful sport and playfulness.

I love researching the unique meanings of flowers. Each one has a special story, just like the Brides that hold them. Springtime offers Brides a runway of flowers to choose from. And if you do your homework you will also be able to find flowers with surprising stories, benefits, and beauty:

My favorite flower for this year is: the Agapanthus. This light blue or purple flower closely resembles a lily. Its fragrant perfume is widely known to be a cough suppressant and anti-inflammatory. If your palms ever get a little moist like mine do, this could be a major life saver! The name “Agapanthus” comes from the Greek “agap” meaning love and “anthos” meaning flower, thus it is called the “flower of love.”

The Bird of Paradise bud was so named because it resembles a bird in flight.  Not many brides are brave enough to include one of these enormous blossoms in their bouquet. However, those that do subtlety include the tropical symbol of “constancy and availability” into their bridal party.

If you wish to include an oriental flair to your wedding, the Japanese Cherry Blossom is an incredible flower. With its light pink blush in the very center surrounded by ever lightening petals, this flower is a symbol of all feminine love has to offer. It is a very short blooming flower (only a week) but oh, so good!

Dahlia flowers are what I think of when spring comes to mind. These flowers remind me of a Spanish flamenco dancer’s skirt with all the layers upon layers. They are deeply colorful and reflect sentiments of “Forever Thine.” I like to use them as the central flower with accents of Anemone, Heather (the Scottish good luck symbol) and Agapanthus, to make a truly lovely message of eternal love.

 The Peony is often considered a very flashy flower, but with a hidden message of marriage bliss and its healing properties, it is in a class all of its own. The peony was named after Paeon the physician to the Greek gods. It was said that mischievous nymphs hid under the peony’s large petals and if they were captured they would heal all ills to be free. In science, the flower is used to cure “the jitters” which may be just what the doctor ordered for you on your walk up the aisle.

When it comes to wedding symbolism, Tulips cannot be beat. They conjure thoughts of imagination, dreaminess, perfect lover, and a declaration of love. I personally have not run into a flower that comes in more variety of colors. Whatever your wedding colors call for the Tulip can deliver. Some tulips even have a fresh and faint perfume. Beginning their bloom in early March and finishing their marathon in May, tulips do all they can to please. They stand up against the fickle temperatures of spring and still look amazing. I love you tulip. 

Let your romantic wedding planner blend your favorite colors and symbols together to make you a poetic bridal bouquet.

You want to be where I am going to be tomorrow at 8:00AM. I am one of the lucky Wedding coordinators that will be helping brides as they take home their dream dress from Filene’s Basement for only $249 smackers! (Or smooches, in this case).

From what I have heard and read, in 1947  Basement  buyers got together and decided to stock up on wedding gowns until they had reached the magic number of 1,000 dresses. Usually they bought the dresses from overstock, returns, samples etc. so many of them are brand spanking new! The buyers then bring them all to Filene’s Basement and sell them off in one clean sweep and they have been doing it every year since. Brilliant, I know.

And the cherry on the cake is: because it is a win/win situation everyone is ready to party. Girls can make this a crazy fun event by picking some friends to go with them and all wearing matching clothing, bringing a portable full length mirror, and running around like crazy through all the bargain wedding dresses- in hunt of the best one.

I am super excited about the Running of the Brides because when the bride-to-be finds her designer wedding dress for less, we can then add so much more to other aspects of her wedding to make it truly a ball. I also love how a Bride and her bridesmaids can bond during an experience like this: especially when they all can work as a team to find her dress among the other 1,000 there. I will be prepped ahead of time to be able to help you find what you are looking for ASAP.

So let’s get together in the aisles of Filene’s Basement for the Running of the Brides and let this focused wedding planner help you find your dream wedding dress- for less!

For some awesome tips check out this article by Atlanta Bridal.  (Make sure to READ the COMMENTS below the article).

You want it all. I understand.

In 2010 Brides decided they wanted something new that did not necessarily fall into either traditional or contemporary wedding styles. This transitional trend continues in 2011. I thought it would be fun to explore some of the ways your wedding planner can incorporate something new into your wedding.

In 2011 like never before you can let your vintage side sweep you away. Mingling textures as well as colors gives a one-of-a-kind theme to your wedding. For example, take a look at this picture of a My Lasting Impressions’ bride: 

Notice the details of the flexible leather and lazy lace that lend to the overall feeling of romance. It doesn’t need to be perfect but it does need to be you. I believe weaving in textures like wood, leather, iron, satin, gauze, lace, paper mache; create the feel that is right for your wedding. Are you wood and satin or barbed wire and roses?

This idea is also popular in the form of highlighting family heirlooms at the wedding. Do you have your mothers chic 50’s veil and large cream pearls? Wear them!

The something new rage is currently personified in “Catwalk Nudes” or that palette of colors that range from cream to suntan to apricot. Once viewed as inappropriate or washed out- suddenly girls realized they could easily add any accent color they wanted to the neutral base. It is hot Hot HOT.

Don’t be afraid! Step out of the ordinary- you have a fabulous wedding planner that can make your wedding look and even feel like something new. 

The something new rage is currently personified in “Catwalk Nudes” or that palette of colors that range from cream to suntan to apricot. Once viewed as inappropriate or washed out- suddenly girls realized they could easily add any accent color they wanted to the neutral base. It is hot Hot HOT.

Don’t be afraid! Step out of the ordinary- you have a fabulous wedding planner that can make your wedding look and even feel like something new.

1. Cook dinner and be sure to light a few candles for a romantic evening. (If cooking puts you in the dog house, try an upscale take-out dinner. It’s the thought that counts here.)
2. Leave her a single red rose and a simple note saying “I love you!” in her car.
3. Give her a box of chocolates.
4. Write a hand-written note and send it to her in the mail.
5. Watch a chick-flick (that she likes) together.
6. Take a walk hand in hand, no Smart phones or iPods allowed.
7. Give random hugs, just because.
8. “Kidnap” her one day for lunch and enjoy a picnic.
9. Bake a cake together.
10. Compliment her in front of others.
11. Tell her your version of how the two of you met. Be sure to include how and why you fell in love with her.
12. Do the laundry but resist the urge to brag about it.
13. Remember her birthday!
14. Say “I love you!”

The countdown is on to February 14th.  10….9….8….7…. Don’t be caught off guard this Valentine’s Day. Show your sweetheart your love in a big way by remembering that it is the small, thoughtful deeds that mean the most.

Happy Valentine’s Day from My Lasting Impressions!

I’d love to hear your Valentine’s Day stories. Sweet? Funny? Unforgettable? Tell me about it here!

San Francisco would certainly fit the bill.  San Francisco has so much to offer in and of itself for the bride and groom as well as the wedding party. 

A tour of the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park followed by your bridal luncheon at the Conservatory of Flowers would be a memorable way to start the wedding festivities for the ladies in attendance. For the men, a trip to Candlestick or the AT&T Park for a Giants game maybe the way they would like to celebrate together.

There are many historic sites that could be utilized for one of kind wedding pictures.  Imagine a sunset with the Golden Gate Bridge as backdrop for your wedding pictures, or perhaps a cable car with your entire wedding party aboard would be fun and original.There are certainly many options for wedding venues in San Francisco and an experienced wedding and event planner would be your best source for locating just the right place for you.

If the big city is not your thing, check out Yosemite National Park.

The area that is now considered Yosemite National Park was set aside by Congress in 1890to protect and preserve the land. Yosemite National Park now offers an exceptional array of wedding day options as well as pre-wedding and post-wedding activities. The Yosemite Valley Chapel is over 130 years old and the serene setting of the park is ideal for connecting with friends and family before the big day.  The wedding reception could be held in a number of great locations within the park including outdoor areas with incredible views.  The photo options are boundless in Yosemite with well-know attractions such as El Capitan, Half Dome and of course Bridalveil Fall.  You will always remember the mood and atmosphere of the venue where you take your wedding vows and the Yosemite National Park offers a multitude of romantic settings.

A destination wedding in either of these California locations provides the perfect opportunity to create a spectacular and memorable wedding day.  These are just a few ideas on incorporating the traditional “something old” in a whole new way. 

I would love to hear how you have woven tradition into a destination wedding as well. Connect with me on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter!

Special thanks to Rob Bennett for the pictures.

David and Jana, along with over 150 other couples in Savannah, were married on the gorgeous Sunday afternoon of October 10, 2010 (epic date 10/10/10). No excuses for missing the anniversary now!

Their small destination wedding was simple but very romantic.