TriniWeddings Blogs

Dear followers,

I invite you to visit my website  http://www.triniweddings.com/Blog.aspx  where you can follow my blogs.

I will no longer be posting here.

Handling Your Destination Wedding

 

These days more and more couples are choosing to combine weddings and vacation celebrations, and it brings more issues to handle than is realized.

 For couples thinking of this option, the following advice refers:

·         Decide on your guest list which will likely be small.

·         Research your chosen destination to see if it will work for you.

·         Ask about length of residency required before you can marry there.

·         If at all possible, visit the location before you make your decision.

·         Once decided, book as early as possible and hire a local wedding planner to handle the legwork for you.  Your TriniWeddings  Planner is certified and can provide invaluable assisstance to  brides in coordinating their weddings anywhere in the Caribbean. Your TriniWeddings Planner will be your eyes, ears and spokesperson as you create plans via long distance.

·         Be aware that other cultures may not always reply as promptly as you might expect.

·         Be aware that other cultures may not always have written contracts.

·         Learn about any restrictions or requirements that may exist for ceremonies and receptions.

·         Be aware of any dress requirements for the wedding couple and/or their attendants.

·         Be prepared to pay extra to bring your wedding dress and the groom’s wear on board your flight.

Once you have made your decision, resolve to be flexible and relaxed about the outcome.  TriniWeddings will make sure that it will all work out!

For more advice and information about your destination wedding, call TriniWeddings at 868 628 (WEDD) or email  info@triniweddings.com

Wedding Favor Suggestions

One small way to make sure that guests remember your special wedding day, is to make sure that you give your guests special gifts to take home with them.   I encourage my clients to give meaningful favors that will last beyond the week of your wedding. There are so many favors that are discarded when guests arrive home. In some cases they are eaten at the reception and the receptacles left right there. With today’s interest in personalized weddings, make sure that whatever mementos you select carry your names and wedding date. These are just a few suggestions for consideration.

You can personalize packets of flower seeds in glassine envelopes with a message from you both that talks about growth and love.

Ordinary mints, sugared almonds or chocolates can be transformed when placed in small personalized collectable boxes or bags. They can also be placed in wine glasses. If you place them in wine glasses, wrap them first in tulle and tie with ribbons matching your color scheme. You should attach a message of thanks to each one.  They can be bunched together in baskets for the guests to take home with them as they leave the reception or they can be placed on the dinner table as part of the reception décor.

More and more couples are creating CDs of their favorite music and providing them for guests to take as they leave the reception.

If you are planning a photo booth at the reception, provide a small frame for each guest to use to take their photo home.

If you are hosting an outdoor wedding, a handheld personalized fan is a fitting option for the heat. A novel idea might be a small potted plant and if it is a beach wedding an opener in the shape of a sea shell works well. If yours is a destination wedding, an appropriate favor might be a luggage tag. 

Some couples prefer a dessert station to a formal wedding cake and instead provide each guest with a tiny individual cake in a personalized box  for each of them to take home.

Whatever you choose, make sure that you take this opportunity to share your joy and thanks with those friends and relatives who have come together to help you celebrate your new life together.

Visit www.triniweddings.com and click on the Beaucoup  link for lovely wedding favors.

Some ideas for a successful wedding

·         It sounds like a no brainer, but one of the most important elements of your day is the timeline.  You don’t want to end up paying your vendors overtime charges  or keep your guests waiting because  some element of your wedding  ran late.  Staying as close to the timeline as possible is the key to throwing a successful event.

 

·         Instead of decking your space out in crazy centerpieces and crystals, focus your energy and money on things like creative entertainment elements.  One couple we worked with brought in an artist to paint the party scene.  Another hired a caricaturist and guests took home custom portraits at the end of the night. Yet another had a photo booth where guests were  provided with two pictures. One was a keepsake and the guests were able to paste the other picture in the guest book and write their greeting underneath.  Then again there is the Ad Lib where guests are guided to write fun things about the couple. These kinds of activities really make the experience special for everyone.  They also minimize the waiting time while photographs are taken.

 

 

·         While edible and charitable favors are popular, every now and then we see a very specific favor that works great with a fun story or background.  For instance, there was a couple who met on an airplane and gave luggage tags as favors.  If they’re relevant, small keepsakes can be charming favors.

 

·         As your most photographed accessory, your bouquet should harmonize with your gown.  Different dress styles and fabrics set the tone for wedding flowers.  Think:  delicate florals like peonies or lisianthus for a soft lace gown, and architectural blooms like calla lilies or orchids for a modern dress.

 

·         Choose arrangements that look like they belong in your venue.  Small loose clusters of colorful wild flowers would look out of place in a formal ballroom, while glamorous groupings of all white orchids with crystals would not seem right in a rustic setting.

For more ideas feel free to  arrange a Conultation  with TriniWeddings . Call us at 868 628-9333 or email mwilt@triniweddings.com

U.S. Wedding Planning Certification Courses Are Now Being Offered in the Caribbean

NEWS RELEASE

                                                               



March 31, 2014 - Weddings Beautiful Worldwide, a US based leader in training and certification for wedding planners since 1968, announced today that they have granted Marilyn Duncan-Wiltshire of Trini Weddings an exclusive licensee to teach the Certified Wedding Specialist course and the Accredited Wedding Planner course in the Caribbean under the name Weddings Beautiful Caribbean. 

Gary Wright, CEO of Weddings Beautiful Worldwide shares, “I am extremely pleased to be bringing our courses to the Caribbean, and I am confident Marilyn, who received her CWS certification from us in 2008, will be eager to share her own experiences from taking the course and starting her own successful wedding planning business.” 

Weddings Beautiful Caribbean will be offering two types of courses, which include the Accredited Wedding Planner (AWP) course and the world famous Certified Wedding Specialist (CWS) course.  The AWP course consists of 10 assignments focusing mainly on coordinating weddings, and is perfect for someone interested in assisting a wedding planner or working as a wedding coordinator in the hotel and resort industry.  The CWS course contains more information on starting your own business.  It consists of 18 assignments and a final exam, and has earned the seal “standard of excellence” in wedding planning.  It will provide novice and aspiring wedding planners with the entrepreneurial and wedding planning skills to run a successful business.   

 

Media Contacts:

Weddings Beautiful Caribbean

Marilyn Duncan-Wiltshire, CWS

868-628-9333

marilyn@triniweddings.com

www.triniweddings.com

 

Weddings Beautiful Worldwide (USA)

Gary R. Wright, CEO

804-342-5880

gwright@weddingsbeautiful.com

www.weddingsbeautiful.com

 

Wedding Trends for the 21st Century

 Emilypost.com lists the following trends as increasing in importance for  weddings which are currently being planned.

• Personalized weddings are increasing.  Brides may follow traditional guidelines for the ceremony and reception, but they also want their day to have elements that are unique for the couple and which make the event memorable.  Creating a monogram that is used throughout the process or adopting a signature color or theme are ways to put an  individual stamp on the event.  Invitations may be the first indicator of a couple’s intention to individualize their wedding.
   
• Cost sharing is common.  At one time the bride’s family funded the event, but with couples being older and both employed, wedding costs can be shared or even funded solely by the bride and groom.  What has not changed is the need to have clarity around who is paying for what.
   
   
• High Tech influence is clear.  The internet plays a growing role in registries, vendor research and selection and information sharing related to the wedding.  Maps, instructions and even invitation design are possible with the help of electronics.
   
• Color is appearing in more and more bridal gowns.  Color themes are increasing in popularity and are influencing all aspects of the wedding –flowers, invitations, attendants  attire, reception décor and even food, beverage and cake display.
• Grooms are more actively involved in wedding planning and choices.  Couples often take mutual responsibility for all aspects of wedding decision making – guest list, financing and even writing thank you notes.
  Call us at 868 628-WEDD or email us @mwilt@triniweddings.com to help you incorporate your ideas for a flawless wedding.

Creative ways to personalize your wedding

The urge to be unique is increasingly important to modern brides, so I am sharing some creative ideas.

• If yours is a smaller wedding, consider including a personal note with the invitation.
• If you live in the U.S. the US Postal Service can help you can create your own stamp.
• Stats have shown that social invitations are opened more frequently on Saturdays.  Time your invitation mailings to arrive on Saturday if possible.  You’ll receive more RSVP responses.
• Pick a monogram and use it throughout the planning process.
• Choose a unique start time for the ceremony.  For example use the date you met (5:23) or the date you got engaged (7:04) or other key dates in your lives.
• Take lots of photos during your engagement and pre wedding planning period and use them as table decorations at the reception.
• Create an entrance at the wedding – something that says WOW and let’s guests know they have arrived.
• Include your parents by having their wedding photos on display at the reception.  Include grandparent photos too if they are available.
• To keep everything moving, plan a “surprise” for guests at the reception every 30 minutes.
• If you are planning a Dessert Station at your reception, ask family cooks to bring a dozen or two of their favorite treats.  These will add variety to the selection and invest family in the reception.

For answers to your questions, call (868) 620- 6816 or email mwilt@triniweddings.com

“Outside of the Box” Reception Ideas

 

How about adding a kissing ball to your reception fun? Cover a large foam ball with flowers, slip a 72” ribbon through it and refrigerate it until the reception. Hang the ball in a convenient spot at the reception. Anytime the couple or guests walk beneath it, a kiss is a must.


Instead of having guests tapping their glasses to compel the couple to kiss, place a set of ceramic bells at each table or give them to members of the wedding party. Attach a note to each bell that reads, “When the bell chimes, it’s kissing time”. This effect is much softer and nicer than the clanging of knives against glassware.

Be sure to have instant cameras at each table for fun-filled moments that might not be captured otherwise.

You may want to select the couple who has been married longest and present this “bride” with your bridal bouquet or a special arrangement. This can be done in lieu of “tossing” your bouquet.

While flowers and or candles are the usual table centerpiece choices at the reception, consider the impact of a room full of balloons. They are relatively inexpensive and provide a festive party atmosphere. Keep the color scheme to a maximum of three colors and either scatter the helium- filled balloons throughout the room or cluster them in smaller bunches as table centerpieces. Just remember to make their strings long enough so that they don’t block the views at the tables.



Photographs in varying sizes and in a variety of frames make wonderful centerpieces. Photos of the couple, members of the wedding party and family members, at different stages of life make conversation starters and are a thoughtful way to make everyone a part of the occasion.



For more “out of the box” reception ideas email mwilt@triniweddings.com or call 868 624 4015.

Aisle Style

Here are some tips for defining the aisle that you are walking down at your wedding.

If you are marrying in a church and putting down an aisle runner, be sure that the fabric you’ve chosen is sturdy  and has weights to hold it down at both ends.  Do not use a paper runner.  Paper runners are difficult to walk on – especially in heels and they make noise.  It is better to have a bare aisle than to use paper.  Many florists now have colored aisle runners so you can follow a color plan although white or crème are still the favorite choices.

If you are utilizing ushers to position the aisle cloth, it should be done as part of the ceremony setting.  The behavior and demeanor of the ushers while rolling out and securing the cloth, is a significant part of the pre ceremony activities. It should to be done with dignity and care.

If your ceremony is taking place at a location that does not have an aisle, it is possible to create one.  Lanterns, potted plants, torches, flags or pennants, columns and stanchions with velvet ropes can add dramatic impact while defining your passageway.

Usually, tall decorative elements create a formal look while shorter items are appropriate for a more informal wedding.

Whatever aisle style you have fashioned, you should walk it with dignity.  This is not a 20 yard dash!  Take your escort’s arm, stand up straight, hold your head high and walk toward the most important moment in your life.

For more reception ideas, call 868 624-4015 or email mwilt@triniweddings.com.

Ways of Honoring Deceased Family Members

Ways of Honoring Deceased Family Members

It is not proper to honor a deceased family member by including the person’s name on the wedding invitation. While the intention is good, there are other more appropriate ways to honor the deceased.

The deceased can be honored by having an usher, groomsman or other specially assigned person place a white rose on the pew at the moment the deceased would have been seated. 

During the ceremony, a special song or hymn can be dedicated.

An additional candle can be lit during the candle ceremony in their honor.

Rosemary is the symbol of remembrance, so a sprig of rosemary could be included in the bridal or attendants’ bouquets. 

Bouquets could also contain the favorite flower of the family member.

A contribution to the deceased’s favorite charity in their name is another nice way of honoring someone you love. 

Whatever you choose to do should be duly noted on your printed programme.

Consult with TriniWeddings at 624-4015 for more ideas

The All White Wedding

We know that white is a powerful color when it stands alone.  There is truly nothing more beautiful than an all white wedding.

Once the symbol of purity and the virgin bride, white has expanded to be the symbol of happiness as well and is often worn by second or third time brides.

When a bride chooses to have an all white wedding, the theme can be carried out in every aspect of the event.  In addition to wearing apparel, all flowers, ribbons, and candles can be in white as can the chair and table covers and pew decorations.

Wispy sheer white fabrics with minimal trim create an illusion of cool comfort. An all white wedding cake decorated with snowflakes in the winter, white doves or seashells in the summer, perfectly symbolize a lifetime of magic.

The groom and his attendants have a full range of choices in all white formalwear available from most of the major designers.

Both mothers can also elect to wear white ensembles with color coordinating accents. 

We can take you from concept to reality and leave your guests with a sense of drama generated by an all white event.

For more reception ideas, call TriniWeddings at 868 624 4015 or email mwilt@triniweddings.com

How to have an elegant wedding on a budget

Even if your wedding budget is smaller than you would like, there are ways to create an elegant event.

Our expertise is helping brides have the wedding of their dreams so that we  work with a bride to really understand the impact and image that a bride dreams of for her wedding.  We help the couple establish a realistic budget based on what they can afford to spend and we remain within that budget as the wedding is planned. 

 Our advice and guidance encourages brides to:

·        Tap personal resources.  Are any friends photographers?  Does the couple have unused frequent flyer miles?  Do you have friends who are caterers?  Do any of your friends own large homes with a yard that can host a wedding event?

·        Think outside the box.  Plan a wedding for an unusual time.  Don’t select prime time for your wedding. Some venues may give you for a cheaper price on a day when the venue is not usually in use. Plan an afternoon cocktail reception instead of a sit down dinner. Get married in the morning and plan a buffet brunch for the reception.  Look at unusual places, times and options that can save money but still offer an elegant environment.

·        Remember that it’s your wedding, not an entry in the social calendar.  If you are visualizing your wedding as a way to impress people, you are sure to overspend.  Instead, think of your wedding as a way to celebrate your new life with someone.  Keep it personal not fodder for the evening news.

·        Reconsider décor items.  Repurpose bridal and bridesmaids bouquets as table centerpieces, skip the aisle runner, keep your invitation simple, choose in season flowers, fill spaces with rental greens and choose a signature cocktail instead of an open bar.

·        Consider the impact of texture.  It tends to imply luxury more than a glossy or flat finish.  Incorporate texture in the invitation paper, in table cloths, in napkins, menus, place cards, programs.

For ideas, contact  TriniWeddings at 624-4015 or email us at mwilt@triniweddings.com

Wedding Favors

There are many special people who help make your wedding day a success.  It is a nice to give a favor or token to say thank you for their help or their presence.  Brides come to us for advice on what to give to members of the bridal party, to families and to guests.  We have plenty of ideas that we are happy to share with our brides.  Here are some of our guest gift favorites.

·         Some of the most popular wedding favors are edibles.  Wrapped chocolates or truffles in an attractive box that is imprinted with the couple’s names and date are a big favorite.  Also popular are chocolate covered pretzels, nuts, fruits as well as chocolate hearts.  In many areas, couples choose to give cookies frosted in wedding colors and packaged in tulle or color matched gift boxes.  Some brides have chosen to give small wine or other liquor bottles with personalized labels  that bear the wedding date and/or names of the couple.

·         Couples are also giving living items that bloom and grow like your marriage.  Weddings with garden motifs, environmentally themed weddings and ceremonies in outdoor or rustic settings choose favors like potted plants, seedlings, flower seed packets and miniature bamboo shoot plants.

·         Other brides prefer a permanent keepsake that is both useful and attractive.  Some of the favorites are picture frames, candles and candleholders, glass bowls filled with colored sand or rocks, small books or albums, CDs with favorite songs, ornaments for Christmas weddings, coffee mugs with coffee or hot chocolate packets tucked inside.

·         Some couples are choosing to make a donation to a favorite charity rather than provide a gift item.   In that case, a printed card is included in each place setting which informs the guest of the donation.

·         Be sure that each item has a thank you note attached.  They are likely to be pre printed although handwritten notes are lovely as well.

·         The placement of favors depends on space available.  Some brides have the favors arranged on a separate table near the exit for guests to make their own selections. Some incorporate them with the table settings and others ask a friend or friends to help with the distribution as guests leave the party.

·         Grouping the favors in the center of the table in an attractive basket or on a mirror does double duty.  It insures a centerpiece without incurring the cost of flowers, and thanks the guests for sharing in your special day.

Work with TriniWeddings for more ideas on ways to thank wedding guests and special friends.

Themed Weddings?

While it is useful to get ideas from themes which have been used before, it is important that the bride and groom have a wedding which is true to their taste and vision.  The theme that is selected should have some personal relevance and meaning to them as a couple.  Themes provide a sense of continuity for all the wedding elements - from the gowns to the flowers to the decor and the menu.

Decisions are much easier once the theme has been established.  Whether it is a color or a location or a time period or event, there is the focus to ensure that this  life changing celebration is memorable for participants and guests alike.

Here are some examples:-

·        History lovers can choose a “Roaring Twenties” theme.  Art Deco can be the design focus.  Jazz was king at the time and short gowns were worn.  Bling was everywhere. Most of the candy popular today, hit the markets in the 1920’s.   This can be a perfect reason to set up a sweets table for the likes of Milk Duds and Baby Ruth bars.

·        World travelers – or dreamers – will find a wonderful theme in exotic locations.  Tropical isles, far Eastern spots or The Scottish highlands all provide a structure for food, décor, dress and paper products.

·        Bright colors against neutral backgrounds can be very effective.  Instead of carrying out a color theme in the bridesmaid dresses, have the maids in a basic shade like platinum and carry out the color theme in the flowers and reception décor.

·        The ceremony and/or reception location can provide the theme for a wedding.  If a museum is chosen as the venue, art and sculpture become the theme.  If a garden or beach or ranch is chosen as the site, the theme becomes clear.

·        Medieval accents combined with fairy tale touches work well in historic buildings or even modern renovations which retain the original stone walls and structures.

If you are confused about how to execute a themed wedding or want to avoid overdoing it, call Triniweddings at 868 624 4015 or email mwilt@triniweddings.com . Make an appointment for a consultation.We have years of experience in helping brides create the wedding of their dreams.

Wedding Flowers

Choosing the flowers for your wedding can be a big decision.  Picking the style, color and budget allocations can be daunting.  But if you spend some time thinking about what you want, the selections of these important wedding accessories can give you the WOW factor you want for your wedding.

Selecting a florist is an important first step.  Ask for suggestions from friends, your wedding planner, or other bridal professionals.  Visit florists whose work you like.   Ask to see photos from actual weddings they have done.

As you establish your wedding budget, think about the role you expect  flowers to play.  Wedding planners generally suggest a three part budget allocation.  If you want to use  flowers for your reception decor then it is an important consideration since this is where guests will see flowers first hand.  Many planners suggest the largest allocation here.

Secondly, consider the flowers for the wedding party and immediate family.  Remember that bridal party bouquets are the most heavily photographed so don’t cut too many corners there.  Having bridesmaids carry a single rose for example, can be economical, but remember that single buds tend to look strange in photographs with stems sticking out in several directions.  Bridesmaids tend to carry them awkwardly.

Thirdly and finally, consider ceremony flowers.  The church or venue will likely give you guidelines as to what is allowed.  It makes sense to combine forces and dollars with other brides and choose ceremony flowers that will stay in place if you are getting married on one of the weekend days.   If the space is huge, consider filling it with rental greenery. 

For other  ideas on how to make the most of your floral budget, stop in a see one of our experienced TriniWeddings consultants.