Always and Forever Ceremonies Blog

I was invited in for a tour – The Studio at Willow Tree Spa

When I first walked through the doors of this business I was immediately impressed by how beautifully decorated the place was. I got to spend about 30 minutes with the owner of the business, Natalie Law. She was friendly, professional and very passionate about her business.

I learned that this place has several things that an engaged couple may find useful. Of course they have the traditional spa options. They do hair, nails, facials, spray tanning, and massage (couples too!!).

The unique offerings are a little surprising. Natalie added a large room with a very modern kitchen to her facility. She told me they host yoga and other exercise classes as well as cooking classes. Their chef can even help cater events in the space.

It is big enough for to hold an event for probably 40 people. They have enough tables and chairs to seat 20 but you could easily get more from Main Events Party Supplies found in east Newark.

I have posted the photos that Natalie let me take while I was there.

I decided to share this you because I think this location could possibly fit the needs of some couples for the wedding. It would be a fun rehearsal dinner location if you offered your guests the option of enjoying in a spa activity too. It would be a fantastic place for a bridal shower….we all know girls love spa days. It also could be a place to consider if you are looking for a small unique wedding location or want to find a space that couple maximize your budget. I certainly got the impression that Natalie would do her best to work within all budgets.

For me it was a fun little tour. I can’t wait to book a relaxing day for myself and I am certain that I will utilize some of her services for my bridal party!

Your Wedding Rehearsal

This is a direct copy from OurWeddingDay.com but it was so well written and I think makes so much sense that I wanted to share it with others. I hope you enjoy it. It references church wedding but is really applicable to all situations.

http://www.ourweddingday.com/planningtips/Wedding-Planning/Your-Church-Rehearsal/103.aspx
Your Church Rehearsal

Practicing and Preparing for Your Walk Down the Aisle

If you think about all the things that go wrong at weddings—flubbed vows, tardy ushers, misplaced readings—imagine what your ceremony would be like without a rehearsal. Church rehearsals are vital to weddings plans, and need be taken as seriously as all the other preparations. In many ways, they resemble a dress rehearsal for a play, as come “performance time” your nerves are going to make even the littlest things twice as difficult. Everyone in your wedding party should attend. Mothers need to know who’s taking them down the aisle and where they’ll sit, and bridesmaids and groomsmen need to have their order and partner designated. Depending on how complicated your ceremony is, plan on about two hour’s time (if kids are involved, it might take longer). Do not schedule the rehearsal early in the morning after, say, a huge bachelor or bachelorette party the night before (hung-over guests don’t take direction well!). While you don’t need to wear your wedding clothes, if there’s something you’re concerned about—for instance, that your new shoes are going to slip on the aisle—try them out now.

Performance prep.
Tell everyone to arrive early, locate all the changing rooms (and bathrooms), as well as parking spaces, and have party members practice putting on anything they won’t be dressed in when they arrive. This applies mostly to the men, who often don their tuxes or other formalwear at the church. In addition to fixing any last-minute problems, like finding out someone’s tailored pants are now an inch too short, guys need this time to learn how to properly tie their tie, put on cuff links, even figure out which way the cummerbund goes (the pockets face up; legend has it they were designed to catch falling crumbs!).

Since churches sometimes have more than one ceremony on the same day, or other events planned, find out how much time you’ll actually have to prep, as well as how long you’ll have before you need to head out. Also, this may be the one time where the wedding party puts to test those all-important maps to the church. Guests should time how long it takes them to arrive, to make sure they’re in sync with your estimate. Make sure everyone understood the directions, and if anything’s confusing, write-up last minute changes or plan for someone to personally escort Uncle Joe and Aunt Marge the day of. If you have handicapped guests coming, or anyone who requires a ramp, double check for parking spots as well as location of ramps.

Everything in check.
As for the processional and recessional order, as well as other seemingly complicated matters like where everyone stands “onstage,” relax: This is why you have an officiant. He or she will walk you through all the details, take questions, and repeat confusing steps. Do not hesitate to ask about anything you don’t understand. If your florist or wedding planner never showed you how to properly hold a bouquet, don’t leave without feeling like a flower-holding pro—at least one female will have gone through this experience more than once. If your nine-year-old nephew/ring bearer develops stage fright (the actual scene of the wedding is when it will most likely take place), either work with him so he’s comfortable or hand the duty over to someone else.

If you find the wedding rehearsal monotonous, remember your studies: When you did all that homework for the biggest test of the year, you walked in the next day feeling on top of the world!

Time to pick my venue – waivering waivering waivering

My reception location - photo from another wedding

I have reached to point in my planning where we think we are ready to officially book our ceremony/reception location.  I got engaged in August.  I think we looked at almost every regular wedding location in my area…even a few unusual spots.

So now we have to pick one.  I am lucky, on one hand, since my wedding is so far out.  I have plenty of time to think and view and waiver before I really have to make up my mind.  Those of you that are planning with less time….well I just don’t know how you do it.  I can’t help but get nervous when I picture us committing to one specific location.  Maybe I looked at too many?  I sort of feel like if I commit to this one I am going to miss something cooler that I just have not though of yet.

My fiance is so much more logical.  He has said, ” I like it, lets book it.”  No hesitation.  I think he can be in charge of all final decisions   I will do the research and narrow it down to the options I like and he can just pick one.

Is that a plan I can truely live with?  I doubt it!!!

You are Engaged – now what?

So over the holidays many, many couples get engaged.  It is a wonderful time of year

Once you are engaged the thoughts of what to do next can be daunting (well after the fun part of telling everyone you know and updating your online Facebook status).

I have two pieces of advice. 

          First – research!  It is really worth it to take an entire day and call as many wedding vendors as you can.  Speaking with someone in person is very important when selecting your wedding vendors.  You may get offered discounts that are not on their website and it leads me to number 2.

           Second – like the people you hire!!!  You really should feel comfortable with ALL you wedding vendors.  You are trusting a very important event to their care.  If they rub you the wrong way now just think of how you will feel when they bug you on your wedding day.  Not worth it….I promise.

As always, advice is just a way for me to state my opinion and we all know about opinions (opinions are like butts, we all have them and sometimes they stink!!).  So go forth and plan plan plan….I hope you have fun doing it.

Warning for all couples on their wedding day

Another note about an insider peek

I am engaged!!!! Yeah me!!

Roger is a fantastic man and I think we are very lucky to have found one another. We are planning our wedding for September 2011 (9/10/11). We are waiting for so long for a couple of reasons.

1. We need to save up the cash to cover the shindig

2. Roger is in school and will graduate (go baby) in 2011 and it will be nice to not have to worry about class schedules when we take our honeymoon.

3. We are both a little older (not too old!!) and can handle the wait – good things come to those that wait.

SOOOO…..besides my experience as a wedding officiant I will be able to share my first hand experience as I ALSO plan my wedding.

We brides have to stick together and help each other find the best vendors and deals for our budgets…right???

This is my beginning