So we just couldn't wait to post this piece of advice from one awesome bride and groom (seriously, they are one of our all-time favorite couples!). Marking our first advice from our grooms post, Ryan and Stephenie want you to know the following when planning your wedding:

"The wedding was important to plan together because it was a union of the two of us. We wanted to make sure we both were comfortable with everything from the color choice to the food to even the wedding planners we chose! It was an event that we knew we were only going to have once so we wanted it to be perfect and we knew that we would clash on somethings and mesh on others, so it was the perfect balance to plan it together. The most important thing for Ryan was making sure the vendors chosen were reliable, especially after all the stories you hear from friends who had flaky vendors.

Stephenie was most focused on being able to plan her wedding with someone who understood her indecisive mind and constant ideas, but would also be able to incorporate their own opinion without being pushy about it. Having Nick & Aleah plan our wedding was the greatest decision we ever made together. They listened and took notes when we had things to say, were extremely dependable and easy to reach at our convenience. They recommended vendors to us which we sat down and interviewed, and soon after agreed to work with. We can't imagine our wedding without them being there. Having Nick involved was a blessing. He was so helpful for anything on Ryan's side and for questions we had relating to the male aspect. It was nice to work with an opposite sex team, but it was amazing to work with Nick & Aleah. I know that if I had to go through it all again, I'd go with them when planning my wedding. They will not just be your wedding planners, they will become a part of your family."

Thank you, Stephenie & Ryan for the kind words and the advice to other brides and grooms!

Happy Planning! Aleah + Nick
Photo: La Luz Photography

Coming Soon - From the Groom

Being the husband-and-wife planning team, we know it's important to have the bride and groom involved in the planning process. Not only can it be super fun (just ask our clients!), but it's a great way to connect before your big day. While most of our brides will take the lead on certain items like color palette, flowers, and the design aspects, dishing out fun duties to the groom is important.
Stay tuned for some bit of advice from our brides and grooms on how you can share your planning experience!
Happy Planning!
Aleah + Nick

Wow. That is all I can say! Well, other words come to mind: perfect, delightful, and whimsical! Oh, and romantic! I absolutely love this French wedding set just outside of Paris at Château de Breteuil. The bride (an interior decorator from NY) and her art-loving groom treated their 300 guests to a luscious reception fit for modern royalty. One long table sat all 300 guests for a lavish reception....ah.....perfection! (*look at those fabulous feathers!)



All photos by Mallory Samson and Veranda

So sneaky: capturing the proposal!

I love, love, love the idea of having a photographer capture your proposal. Your expression, the atmosphere, and the hug + kiss afterwards are things that most brides (and grooms) to-be don't get to see!
So sweet! This engagement was captured by NYC photographer Daniel Krieger
Check out these shots from photographer extrordinaire, Laurel McConnell in Seattle!


So all of you prepping to propose: hire a photographer!

Nick's Picks: Living Well

It's the time of year that most of us set out with a list of goals for the year to come. Many of these may also be carry-overs from past years so keeping this in mind: I say at least one of the following should top your list:

Have fun!
Spend more time this year doing new things and enjoying the ride.
Worry less and live more.
Most importantly, stick to your goals.
With this list of resolutions like this, you're sure to have a successful and fun year!
Cheers, Nick

Photo Love: Cakes + Kisses Photography

Over on our other blog we featured a fabulous, intimate, and oh-so romantic wedding captured by Holly Steen at Cakes + Kisses Photography. It was actually an elopement and boy, did the photos speak volumes!

Enjoy! Aleah

Monday Coffee: Diving In

For the many of you who were engaged over the holidays; Congratulations!
In our first Monday Coffee post of the New Year, we wanted to lend a few tips for those without a planning team to make the jump-start process a little easier. We know that getting started can be a whirlwind of tulle and chiffon, roses, and wedding cake, so take a step back and get organized, starting with the most pressing items first.

1. Pick a date. If you must have a 2010 wedding, keep in mind that many venues book up over a year out so stay flexible.

2. Create a rough guest list so you'll be able to start piecing together your budget and venue. Think about whether you want an intimate, family-style wedding or a lavish 300 guest affair. This will help you to tailor your guest list. A rule of thumb from Nick to help keep your list down: if you wouldn't treat a guest to dinner or have them to your own home, do not feel obligated to invite them.

3. Find your locale, which goes hand-in-hand with the number of guests (and of course, your date). Think about the style and ambiance you want to show off. Is it an ultra-chic loft space? A backyard wedding? A coastal soiree you envision?

4. Book it and breathe! You've accomplished a lot! Take a step back and prioritize what's next. Think about the wedding artists you'll need to book and prioritize who is most important (meaning what service/vendor you're willing to spend what on) and set up a meeting. Create a to-do list month-by-month and check in with yourself (and your fiance) to keep on track.

For those brides and grooms to-be in the thick of planning: it's a great idea for those without planners to touch base with all of your wedding vendors if there's been a break in communication due to the holiday frenzy. Send a friendly email checking in and make sure you're all still on the same page. Review your timeline and see what's next on the docket and prioritize. What needs to be done the didn't get finished in 2009? Did those save the date cards get addressed and mailed? Pick up the pieces from the pre-holiday rush and take a deep breath. Happy Planning! Aleah

Photo by Kate McElwee