Having a Jersey Shore Wedding After Hurricane Sandy

Hi Lovies!

With shore season starting this weekend, I can't help but think about all the weddings that will happen down the shore this summer.

Source: www.eliteentertainment.com

It's been almost seven months since Hurricane Sandy hit. One of my brides is getting married down the shore this summer so I decided to make a site visit with her a couple of weeks ago. Her venue was just putting the finishing touches on the clean-up efforts and they were going to be ready for their first wedding right on time! But as I looked around, the realities of the storm's aftermath were still visible - neighboring buildings had boarded up windows, lots were filled with construction debris, and boardwalks were gone. Considering the amount of damage in some areas, I was astonished by and proud of the repair efforts so far. Even so, I got to thinking, how can I best prepare my brides for their weddings down the shore post Hurricane Sandy?

Visit your venue. In my opinion, if your venue was booked prior to Sandy, it's necessary to make another visit. Call ahead and tell them you'd like to see the venue again. It's easy to get on the phone and ask about the repairs, but making an actual visit and seeing the site in person will give you piece of mind as far as what you will be seeing on your wedding day.

Communicate with your photographer. If you planned on boardwalk shots, be aware that the boardwalk might not be there anymore or is under renovation. However, if you really want those kinds of shots, look into other nearby boardwalks and allow time in your day to get to that alternate location. Finally, keep an open dialog with your photographer about what you do and don't want in the background of your shots. Photographers often try to get the character of your location along with detail shots about the day in your album, but if you don't want to see pictures that show remnants of the storm, speak up.

Source: www.dinofa.com

Investigate area attractions. One of the reasons brides love having weddings down the shore is the amount of entertainment available for wedding guests. Call around to the local attractions and businesses and find out if they'll be up and running this summer. Post your findings on your wedding website or send out an email so your guests aren't wondering.

Be realistic about your expectations. Rebuilding efforts have been going on for months, but the damage in some places was severe. The area will not be the same as you remember it. But while the physical location will be different, the reason you're there is not. You're getting married! Even if boardwalks and sand dunes are gone, your love and commitment to each other isn't and THAT is what's more important.

xoxo,
TJ

P.S.  Here's a link to a list of the beaches and boardwalks along the shore and their repair status:  http://www.app.com/article/20130429/NJNEWS10/304290017/Will-your-town-ready-Towns-race-shape-up-beaches?gcheck=1

Arleen & Stu's Wedding On Wedding Channel!

Hi Lovies!

I got great news over the weekend that Arleen and Stu's wedding has been featured on Wedding Channel (part of The Knot family)!!

Their wedding was on September 8, 2012 and Arleen hired me to be their Day of Coordinator.  Not only was Arleen worried about having a point person to manage everyone she hired, but she needed someone to set up all the details she worked tirelessly on to really customize her wedding.  I love all the thought she put into the details and it looks like the wedding world does too because this is the second time her wedding has been featured!

See the full feature here!  

Photography:  Dear Stacey Photography

Florist:  Bride & Blossom

Venue:  Oceanbleu Westhampton Bath & Tennis Hotel

Cake:  Cottage Cakery

Day of Coordination:  Blush Events

Videography:  Capture The Moment

DJ:  Eclipse Entertainment

xoxo,
TJ

Looking For A Venue

Hi Lovies!

I know there are a bunch of new brides out there (born during the holidays!) that are starting their wedding planning...so I wanted to give my thoughts on what's important and what's not when looking for your perfect venue.

When you head to your appointments you know exactly what you're looking for.  Obviously the venues you're going to look at in person have already passed the capacity and price requirements you have.  So when you're walking into your appointments, you basically want to have that euphoric feeling that it's "the one".  You know right away that this is where you're supposed to be on the most important day of your life.  It feels right and you think that it was made for you - basically the feeling I'm looking for when I find the perfect pair of nude pumps...that AREN'T patent leather.

Christian Louboutin's - All patent leather

With such high hopes, you're bound to be disappointed when something isn't just right.  And it's very likely the things that will disappoint you are the carpet and/or wall colors.  Let me tell you something:  those things DON'T matter.  Are you wondering how I can say such a thing, especially when I offer design as one of my services?  That's exactly how!  

First off, during your reception the lights will be dimmed.  You won't have that bright Saturday afternoon sunshine glaring in.  You and your guests will barely be able to tell the color of the walls or carpet with that alone.  Add in your design choices:  table linens, centerpieces, uplighting (makes a HUGE difference), chair sashes, etc and the concern is a non-issue.  If you make the right design choices and make sure everything has a cohesive look, your wedding colors will stand out and the other colors in the room may as well be clear.  

Check out these before and after pictures for inspiration: 

Elliott Events:  An event production company based in Tennessee

Elliott Events:  An event production company based in Tennessee

Colin Cowie:  A horse stable transformed to a wedding ceremony location

Colin Cowie:  Before and after

xoxo,
TJ

2013 Wedding Trend - 1920's Glam

Hi Lovies!

Since we're so new into the year, I figured it's a good time to talk about 2013's biggest forecasted wedding trend:  1920's glam!  Not 1920's vintage, 1920's glam.  There's a big difference!

With the anticipated release of "The Great Gatsby" (coming out May 10th...I can't wait!) and the popularity of the hit show "Downton Abbey", we'll see a slow return to formality and elegance in all areas of our lives.  It affects the furniture and decor we pick for our homes, the drinks that are offered at our favorite bar, and our next go-to hairstyle - check out Amanda Seyfried's hairstyle from the SAG Awards last night.  Deep side part...loose waves...perfectly elegant and demure.  It's amazing how much pop culture affects our day-to-day lives, isn't it?

Photo courtesy of:  www.huffingtonpost.com

But then it goes past the day-to-day and starts influencing what I love most:  weddings!  This will be a slow influence, because let's face it, if you're getting married this summer you already know your colors and theme.  So I think it will be even bigger in 2014 - just my opinion.  But anyway, gold will be everywhere and even coupled with crystals and glitter.  Low-back dresses and amazing headpieces will adorn brides.  And as much as I still love the vintage look, grooms and groomsmen will ditch the suspenders and return to the classic black tux (with a bow tie).

Need to be inspired?  Here are some of my favorites on how to bring this look to today's world:

Gold Place Setting and Table Linens
Photo courtesy of:  www.esthersunphoto.com

Black and Gold Invitation Suite
Photo courtesy of:  www.edosbornphoto.com

Low Back Dress
Anne Bowen Fall 2013, Casey Fatchett Photography

AMAZING Hair Fascinator
By Johanna Johnson

Need more inspiration?  Check out my "Glitz & Glam" board on Pinterest!

xoxo,
TJ                                                            

                    

Time To Start a Blog!

Hi Lovies!  

One of my New Year's resolutions was to finally start a blog for my beloved, Blush Events (www.blushevents.net).  Day 18 and I'm writing my first post - not too shabby.

Centering around weddings, this is where I'll write about trends, inspiration, DIY how-to's, issues, and what I think about it all.  

Happy reading!

xoxo,
TJ