Always and Forever Ceremonies Blog

$500 Wedding Ceremony Package Deal

Are you getting married soon?

If so, you have probably come to realize how expensive everything can be for weddings.

What would you say to a wedding ceremony package for $500????

Our wedding ceremony package includes the ceremony site, seating for 20 guests, music, a wedding officiant (minister), a photographer, a bouquet for the bride, and a small wedding cake to take with you after the ceremony.

LOCATION
Ceremonies are held at Cherry Valley Lodge in Newark, OH. You can choose between an outdoor gazebo, an outdoor river rock waterfall, or a classic library with a fireplace. (Ceremonies held on Saturdays cost a extra $200) You can learn more about Cherry Valley Lodge by visiting their website at www.cherryvalleylodge.com.

MUSIC
We will provide you with the traditional Bridal March for the walk down the aisle as well as the celebratory music that plays upon the completion of the ceremony. If you have alternate music you would prefer to use please let us know and we can try to make arrangements.

CEREMONY
You ceremony will be performed by Reverend Tonya Duncan. She is a non-denominational minister that will help you to create a personal ceremony. You are able to decide if you want to include any religious references in your ceremony. Actually all parts of the ceremony are completely based on your approval. You can learn more about the types of ceremonies Rev. Duncan performs by visiting her website at www.afceremonies.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography will be handled by A Shot 2 Remember Photography. You will receive full coverage of your ceremony as well as the traditional family/group photos after your wedding. You get 20 to 25 digital proofs. You photos will also be available online for views or ordering of prints. You can learn more about your photographer by going to www.ashot2rememberphotography.com.

BRIDAL BOUQUET
The bridal bouquet is provided by The Climbing Rose. They will create a bouquet made from seasonal flowers and will include accent colors from you wedding if you wish. You can also add to your flower package. Single roses or simple bridesmaid bouquets as well as boutonnieres can be added to your order for only $10 each!!

WEDDING CAKE
Your wedding cake will come from McClain Creations. They will provide you with a sheet cake so that you can celebrate your wedding with a traditional flair. For more information on about your baker, head on over to www.McClainCreations.com.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• All ceremonies must have 20 guests or LESS in attendance.
• You may include up to 3 attendants on either side for your wedding party.
• Ceremonies are based on availability. Your wedding date/time would have to be confirmed with all the suppliers to first to ensure they are available.
• We require payment in full to book your wedding date.

Please contact Tonya Duncan if you would like to learn more about the Wedding Ceremony Package. She will take care of coordinating all of the suppliers for you. So all you need to do is share you wedding date and time – the rest is up to us!!

Thank you and we hope to hear from you soon.

Tonya Duncan
Always and Forever Ceremonies, LLC
www.afceremonies.com
740-405-0381

I met a cool local photographer with awesome pricing options

I recently had an opportunity to meet up with Brooke Riggle from A Shot 2 Remember Photography. She and her husband have started up a new photography business. Her work is good but it is her pricing that is amazing.

A Shot 2 Remember Photography will cover your wedding for just a few hundred dollars depending on what you need. Brooke was very excited about her craft but recognized that there are couples on tight budgets who still want memories for a life time.

I liked her work. She is very creative and she can do some cool things with the images and her computer. She gives you a CD with the pictures and a few prints. You can print more pics later on if you want since she gives you permission to reproduce the images.

You can check out her website at www.ashot2rememberphotography.com

I think if you want pics but are on a tight budget you will find a good balance between price and quality with them!!

Brooke Riggle
A Shot 2 Remember Photography
www.ashot2rememberphotography.com
740-405-6347

Photographer – where is the balance between art and budget?

I have learned that there are two perspectives a photographer may take. Some look at their work as art which is to be protected and some look at their work as photographs to be shared.

I think a couple has to decide which option is right for them and more….their budget.

If you are a bride looking to add keepsake pieces/photos to your home or an album you will most likely LOVE the photographers that feel their work is art. Together you will work to make magical wedding day photos that hopefully become priceless memories for a life time. Couples in this category should plan to set aside a larger portion of their wedding budget for a photographer.

If you are a bride looking for great photos to keep but maybe you don’t plan to print them all out and display them in your home ……maybe you want to keep the images electronically on a disk for processing as you decide you want them. Then you are in luck too – there are photographers that will also work with you to take wonderful photos but they leave most of the printing up to you. This option could save you a lot of money up front and you can get your photos printed later on down the line since these photographers usually give you the ownership rights.

Now, I have found that there is a big “rivalry” between these two types of photographers.

I personally think that we need both types in the world. How else would the lucky couple with an artistic flair get the wedding pics of their dreams? Or how else would the couple head over heals in love but on a tight budget get fantastic memories of their most special day?

We need both options so all the couples win….. that is what our industry is all about…..happy couples!!!

So brides and grooms don’t be afraid to shop around and find the perfect photographer for you and your budget ———- there is room for all of us here

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