Tips: To Assign Seating or Not To Assign

Planning your seating chart can be one of the more stressful parts of planning your wedding (right up there with creating the guest list in the first place!). I've had many brides bypass this stress by opting for "open seating". Instead of putting together a plan and directing their guests where to sit, they give them a choice of any table in the house (except for those usually reserved for family and the bridal party). There seems to be something about summer weddings that encourages brides and grooms to go this route.

If I may make a very generalized suggestion... don't do this please! There are definitely some weddings that can get away with this, but on a whole it's worth a little more time and thought on your end to make everything run smoothly.

Why I'm Not a Fan...
- Do you remember waiting all morning in High School so you could sit with your friends at lunch? Then you got there and the table was full so you had to sit with other people you didn't know? Or even more awkward, you show up to your friends table with another friend and there's one seat left so you had to figure out who would sit there and would sit elsewhere? Open seating at a wedding can result in just that. Which is not only awkward for your guests but leads me to my next point...

-You need to rent more. When you plan out your seating arrangement you will probably make sure that every seat at every table is accounted for. With an open seating arrangement you're going to have holes at tables. A seat here, a seat there. It doesn't sound like much but with a medium-to-large wedding you're talking about a couple more tables, chairs for those tables, additional centerpieces, and additional silverware and glassware. Even if all those seats won't be used you don't want the table to look forgotten or empty.

-You're limiting your options for type of service. Most caterers won't offer a full plated dinner if you have open seating. Even if you are giving your guests a choice of meal from their seats (instead of on the response card) caterers will have to account for additional wait staff to accommodate the additional tables. 

-Lastly, the timeline. As a planner I love my timeline. We're pretty flexible with how the flow of the wedding runs once the reception starts (You're not ready to cut your cake at exactly 8:34? That's fine by me!) but it's always helpful to have it start on time. Gathering your guests to make the move from Cocktail Hour to Reception is always a little time consuming, add the uncertainty of where to sit and you're at least doubling the amount of time needed!

Why It Sometimes Works...
-If you are having a very casual, picnic-esque wedding then go for it. Even better, offer your guests a choice of picnic blankets and tables to take any pressure off from finding a seat.

-Very small and intimate weddings. I had the pleasure last year of coordinating a wedding for 35 guests at a farm. The bride and groom opted for open seating and it worked out perfectly. Most of their guests knew each other and were comfortable enough to mingle and move around through dinner.


On a final note...
-So many couples give me a blank stare when I say "Escort Card". Granted, it's not really a term that you hear frequently outside weddings. When I follow up by saying "Place Card" you can see it click, but there is a difference...
An escort card is a card (or as above, a notation on a sign) that figuratively "escorts" guests to their seat by telling them where they will be seating (typically at which table). Whereas a place card is a card that is literally put at the place where they will be sitting. This is much less common in weddings as you generally do not decide the exact seats your guest will take and the process of finding your seat among 150 others is much more confusing than even open seating!

For more assistance with etiquette and tips on how to make your wedding run smoothly please reach out to us here!

Sparkle!

Happy Independence Day (a little early)!! My best friend's family moved to Plymouth, MA when we were in high school and it opened our eyes to a new kind of Independence Day celebration: July 3rd. On their beach everyone celebrates July 3rd with gusto while July 4th is a little bit more of an afterthought. So nearly every year since they moved I have joined them down there for bonfires on the beach, fireworks set off in neighbors back yards and off course lots of grilling. We're heading down again tomorrow for the annual celebration so I wanted to share some sparkler-inspired photos with you a little early!

I love sparklers at weddings and I adore the creativity I'm now seeing with them in photos! How great would a thank you card be if you spelled out "Thanks"?

Always check with your venue first to make sure they allow sparklers. Some places may be okay with the short ones, but not be on board with the long ones (and the long ones are oh-so-fun for weddings!).

Sparklers Online via Pinterest/ Life Writing Photography

For the best effect guests need to be able to light their sparklers all around the same time. Put sand in small galvanized buckets and place 3-5 votives in each. Have your coordinator light the candles and pass out the sparklers at the end of your reception for the perfect "getaway"!

I hope you have a happy and safe July 4th and be sure to contact us if you want to know how we can make your day a bit more sparkly!

Handmade Wedding Coordinator

Can you believe that it's almost the end of June? This month always seems to go by quickly what with general excitement for summer, my birthday and my husband's birthday,  but add 3 amazing weddings to the mix and it absolutely flew!

If you're jumping into this series now you can brush up on what constitutes a handmade wedding (and why you would want to have one. and  how a planner could assist you with your plans. But what if you already have the plans (or are confident you can make them) and just need help on the day-of? Enter your Handmade Wedding Coordinator.

I would say that 75% of the handmade weddings we work on are Month-of Coordinations. Many of our couples have planned elements for beautiful and unique handmade weddings and then it hits them: "I have planned this but now I actually need to make sure it happens". The individual pieces may be manageable, but the overall picture may be daunting.

How is the day of a handmade wedding different than a traditional wedding?

Unlike a wedding that comes together using professional florists, caterers and designers; a handmade wedding typically does not have a professional staff to ensure all the details, which you worked so tirelessly on, are executed to your exact specifications. You may plan on setting everything up yourself, possibly with the assistance of generous friends and family, however it can become an extra burden and stressor on a day when you are already bound to feel stress (and joy!) like no other. Consider these scenarios and ask yourself what you would prefer:

Scenario 1: You wake up on the morning of your wedding (Oh my gosh you’re getting married today!!!) but you have to wake up three hours earlier than you normally would to rush to the venue and set up all the décor before you have to be at the salon to have your hair and makeup done. Your generous friends and family have offered to pitch in, but while they are helping you decorate it seems like they have their own ideas on how everything should look. The decorations that you worked so hard on are being set up differently than how you imagined. Not wanting to be a “bridezilla” you don’t say anything and let them do what they want, but you’re a little deflated because this wasn’t what you planned. Or perhaps you do tell them that you want them done differently and everything is redone to your standards. Either way, that’s a lot of added stress on the morning of your wedding!

Scenario 2: You wake up on the morning of your wedding (Oh my gosh you’re getting married today!!!) and you have a leisurely breakfast with your bridesmaids (mimosas anyone?) before heading over to the salon to get your hair and makeup styled with your girlfriends. You don’t have to worry about the decorations because you and your wedding coordinator discussed them in minute detail and you know that she understands your vision and will do everything as you requested.

Which scenario do you prefer? And this is just the décor. What if your photographer doesn’t show up on time or the cake arrives damaged? Hopefully none of this will happen at your wedding, but it is best to prepared and have a professional wedding coordinator, who has experience with all eventualities, in your court ready to make your day as stress-free and perfect as possible. You won’t have to worry about a thing when you know there is somebody else to be your first line of defense and handle it all for you.

Choosing a coordinator...
 
A handmade wedding takes a lot of time and energy to create. You’ve spent hours handwriting invitations, cutting tissue paper pom-poms, and collecting candies that perfectly match your wedding colors; turning all of your hard work over to somebody else to take care of and bring to life can be a difficult thing to do. It is important that you hire a wedding coordinator that you feel comfortable with, both in her personality and her experience. On the day-of, you don’t want to worry about hanging those tissue pom-poms, or that the candy bar is displayed in apothecary jars exactly as you envisioned. You want to think about putting on your wedding dress, marrying that most amazing person in your life, and then celebrating all night with people you love and who love you. Take this night off. You’ve worked so hard to build your dream wedding, let someone else take control of the reins for one night so you, your friends and your family can enjoy every minute of it.

We'd love to hear about your handmade wedding plans and see how we can assist you coordinate the final details so reach out to us today!

Trends: Fabric Invitations

Anyone that knows me knows that I love love love fabric! The colors, the patterns, the texture, and of course... what you can create with it! I've always loved including fabric in wedding decor in unexpected ways so, as you can imagine, I'm head over heels for this new trend of including fabric in invitations, specifically putting the invitation on fabric (oh be still my beating heart!).

Have I also mentioned that in a previous venture I sold screen printed textiles on Etsy? Weddings, screen printing and fabric.... This trend is the perfect storm for me!

I love these invitations on vintage handkerchiefs. Keep your text simple if you're working within a small area with an ornate border.

Green Wedding Shoes via Pinterest/ Photographer: Kate Headley

Fabric isn't only suitable for vintage weddings. Check out the modern invitations below. Using muted colors and relying more on the beautiful texture fabric makes these invitations contemporary yet still elegant.

Style Me Pretty via Pinterest/ Photographer: Sweetwater Portraits

I adore this suite below. Kraft paper, twine, and a lined envelope, all topped off with a screen printed handkerchief invitation? Swoon...

Oh So Beautiful Paper via Pinterest/ Designer: Lucky Luxe Couture Correspondence

Do these images inspire you? There are so many ways to use fabric to enhance your design. Give us a call today to discuss how you can use textiles to personalize your wedding decor!

Handmade Wedding Planner

Last week we discussed what type of wedding can be described as a handmade wedding. Today I want to talk a little more about how a wedding planner can help you with your handmade wedding plans.

Many couples think that they only need a wedding planner if they are planning an elaborate, traditional, and/or expensive wedding. However, handmade weddings, and the couples that plan them, can benefit greatly from the expertise and guidance of a wedding planning professional. Do you have time (and desire) to research and interview all vendors as well as design and screen-print all the invitations, programs, menus and escort cards? Or would you prefer to focus your efforts on the handcrafted elements and leave the nitty gritty of the planning (vendor research, timelines, and budgets) to a professional? Working with a wedding planner on a handmade wedding can free you up to focus on the handmade details that make planning a handmade wedding so much fun!

A note on planners...
 
Not all planners offer the same services or have the same specialty. As you interview different planners (and just like with every other vendor, you should speak to a few before making a decision) you will get a feel for how their services will fit into your unique planning process. If you are planning a wedding that will be heavy in handmade elements you should ask your planner if he or she has experience planning this type of wedding so the he or she can help steer you in the right direction throughout your planning.

What can a planner do for you and your handmade wedding?

Prior to interviewing planners, have a brainstorming session with your fiancee or family on what your dream handmade wedding and the planning process will look like. This can be as detailed as “I want to create my centerpieces out of tissue paper flowers” to the more general “I want a party on the beach”.  Your planner will help you define that vision but it's helpful to have a starting point.


You probably have a pretty good idea how a wedding planner can help you plan a wedding (if not, take a look at our full service wedding planning package for a list of services), but how can she help you plan a handmade wedding? We break it down into three specific services.

•  Project selection: If you have started researching handmade projects you have probably found an abundance of ideas on blogs, magazines and Pinterest. Your planner will help you sort through this wealth of information to find projects that fit your style and skill level. A Planner with experience in handmade weddings will have a good idea of what works. Wedding planning should be fun, but taking on too much can make it very stressful, so it's important to pick a few key projects that will bring your celebration to life instead of taking on every element of the day. The planning experience will help you create beautiful, personal elements, as well as give you insights into which corners just shouldn't be cut.
• Time management: An important part of choosing your handmade projects is thinking realistically about how much time you have to devote to these creations, including which you can prepare long before your wedding day and the crazy days immediately prior. Your planner can help you determine how much time projects will take to complete the projects that are most doable and important to you.
• Project consultation: So now you have decided which projects to take on, and you're sure that you have the time to complete them, but where to start? When we plan handmade weddings we are always there to help our client's source the supplies, assist with a tutorial, and help put on finishing touches if necessary.

What about on the day of the wedding?

Will the effort and time required to pull together these personal details detract from your experience on the big day? Stay tuned for a future post! 

Trends: Collage Table Runner

I have seen these collage table runners all over Pinterest lately. They are definitely statement pieces and would be a perfect (but time consuming!) handmade project.They are a great way to incorporate your interest or love story into your decor. Did you meet in your college library? Check out the book pages below. Are you avid travelers? How about vintage maps (or current maps photocopied in sepia tones)?

Style Me Pretty via Pinterest/ Photography: Millie Holloman Photography/ Design: Salt Harbor Design

With so much going on in the runner I would suggest keeping your centerpieces very simple: votives or monochromatic or single flower arrangements for example.

Green Wedding Shoes via Pinterest

Or perhaps you could only use the runner on the head table or cake table? Below is a very unique way to include photos of family and friends!

Ruffled Blog via Pinterest/ Designer: Chic Celebrations/ Photographer: Krista Mason

I hope everyone has a happy and safe Memorial Day!

What is a Handmade Wedding?

At Curry Kay Events we love all weddings from the small to the enormous, the simple to the most elaborate, the backyard picnic to the 5-course ocean-side meal, but what we really love, what really excites us, is a "handmade wedding".

In a land of DIY inspiration I have found that a lot of people question what I mean when I say "Handmade Wedding". Over the next few weeks I'm going to delve a little deeper into what is a handmade wedding, how a wedding planner or coordinator can assist you with your handmade wedding, and the ins and outs of making your wedding handmade.

 So let's start with the basics...  

What is a handmade wedding?


The simple answer: A handmade wedding is one where some, or all, of the details are handcrafted by you, your friends, your family, or others (such as Etsy). The more detailed answer: Handmade weddings fall on a spectrum. You may tackle every element from food to stationery to decor to attire (for the record I don't suggest this!) or select a couple of specific elements that reflect the two of you (such as the guest book you create from concert ticket stubs collected throughout your relationship). When you choose to take on handmade details you are choosing to craft your wedding in a way that is deeply personal and reflects you and your fiancee. The key and distinguishing feature of a handmade wedding is that you have infused your personality, interests and shared history through hands-on creativity to make a celebration that is uniquely yours.


Why do you say Handmade and not DIY?

When I begin working with my couples I frequently hear "I want to do x,y,z... but I don't want it to look like I did it, do you know what I mean?" Absolutely! Take a minute and think about this word: DIY. What words come to mind? Unrefined? Casual? Unprofessional? Now take another minute and think about these words: Handmade and handcrafted. What words are you thinking of now? Artisan? Polished? Elegant?


You (or your friends or family) may be taking on the details yourself, but it doesn't mean that these elements need to lose any sophistication. As we'll discuss later on, by carefully selecting what you want to take on, and following my other tips that I'll explain over the next couple of weeks, you will add another level of personalization and beauty to your celebration.


Why have a handmade wedding?

Couples choose to have a handmade wedding, or handmade elements, for a variety of reasons. Many of them are just plain crafty. They like graphic design or scrapbooking and want to take on invitations, they love woodwork and want to make a ceremony arbor or they simply found a great idea online and know they can bring it to life.


For some it's budget related. They don't want to spend $4+ per guest on a slice of cake and know that the cookies their friends can bring will be just as delicious. Or they love the tissue poms that are popular for tent decor right now, but would prefer to put in some man-hours themselves and save on the overall cost.


Others just want to include personal touches throughout their wedding. They want their guests to leave their wedding and think "that was precisely the kind of celebration we thought they would have." They want their wedding to reflect them as individuals, and as a couple, and for that to be apparent in every detail.  As you can imagine, I planned my own wedding and about 90% of it was handmade, but the detail I love the most is a linoleum cut of a wheat sheath that my dad carved for us. I used it on everything from the invitations to the program to the escort cards to the ketubah. It was a beautiful element that meant so much to both of us.

Lastly (and it's a term I use loosely as there are many more reasons couples would want a handmade wedding), many couples revel in the process of preparing something that they will keep forever (even if it's just in memories and photos). Whether they hand write their invitations or compose every word to their marriage ceremony, it's a special time to take a breath and really enjoy the planning process instead of focusing on checking items off the never ending to-do list.

Is a handmade wedding one specific style? 
Two years ago, I probably would have said yes. Handmade weddings typically trended towards the shabby chic and rustic farm look. These days, I would say absolutely not! Whether your wedding is classically elegant or a backyard bbq we can find ways to infuse handmade elements and that personal touch into your big day.

Okay, so I'm having a handmade wedding and doing a lot of stuff myself... why would I need a coordinator or a planner?

I thought you might ask that... stay tuned for my next post!