Manic Monday: Physical Release

Manic Monday: Alyssa Aiola

If you feel like you are alone when it comes to wedding stress we are here to tell you your not, in fact it’s expected.  Between planning, organizing and maybe even the entire aspect of getting married you have a lot to be over whelmed by. A simple easy way to channel all this pent up anxiety can be through something as simple and old school as exercise.  Exercise is proven to relieve all types of stress and there are so many different types and forms that you are bound to find something perfect for  you. Engaging in moderate exercise for as little as 30 minutes a day can improve your mood dramatically statistics show and an added bonus is you will tone up for the big day! Here are a few different forms of exercise that maybe you never even considered would help ease wedding day stress that are not only good for your body but also mental health.

• Yoga: Many people think that yoga is just stretching. But while stretching is certainly involved, yoga is really about creating balance in the body through developing both strength and flexibility. This is done through the performance of poses or postures, each of which has specific physical benefits.

• Hot Yoga: Hot yoga is a vigorous form of yoga performed in a studio that is heated to 105 F (40 C) and has a humidity of 40 percent. The formal name for hot yoga is Bikram. Bikram yoga is a 90-minute program that consists of a series of 26 postures. The postures require lengthy, forceful and well-controlled contractions of all major muscle groups. The demanding nature of the poses and the heat are designed to raise your heart rate and tire your muscles.

• Restorative Yoga: While many forms of yoga offer a relaxing element to their practice, some poses and postures may require a lot of effort to maintain or get into—not exactly something you need to stress over if you’re burned out. Instead of moving from pose to pose, you’ll hold restful positions for a longer period of time, giving your body the opportunity to truly let go and releas

• NIA: which stands for Neuromuscular Integrative Action, is a blend of martial arts, dance, and healing arts. Done barefoot, this workout features a flowing blend of movement that combines deep breathing exercises with moves like kicks and turns to keep your heart rate elevated, your mind relaxed, and your body moving.

• Tai Chi: An ancient martial arts form originally developed in China, Tai Chi is a flowing, meditative series of movements designed to connect the mind and body and foster a sense of calm and serenity. But don’t be fooled by its peaceful nature—tai chi will keep you constantly in motion, engage your entire body, and offer a great mental challenge to stay present and in the moment.

• Kick Boxing: Combines elements of boxing, martial arts, and aerobics to provide overall physical conditioning and toning. Did we mention it is probably one of the best stress relievers if you just want to punch something, and no not your photographer!!!

• Koga: This unique form of exercise takes the best of yoga and kickboxing and combines them! Koga combines the mind-body mindset of yoga with the intense isometric and plyometric movements of boxing into one workout. Proponents of Koga say it increases your flexibility as well as burns fat and tones muscles.

let us know what forms of exercise has helped you cope with your wedding stress by commenting on our blog, writing on our facebook or tweeting to us!!

Manic Monday: Keep Calm at the Kids’ Table

Manic Monday by Corine Brosseau

Though it isn’t always everyone’s cup of tea, sometimes a wedding is simply a lot more special when the treasures children in your life take part, be it your own children, a godchild, or perhaps your nieces and nephews. While this will surely result in lots of aww-worthy photos, it can be stressful for you and simply boring for the kids if you don’t provide some type of entertainment for them.

There are plenty of fun activities you can provide your younger wedding day guests to make sure that they’re having fun and not getting into mischief. One of my personal favorites is a good old scavenger hunt for the little ones. Provide a disposable camera – or an instant print Polaroid – to each kid and give them a list of things to find at the party. You may want to include things like someone doing the robot, a slice of wedding cake, or the bride’s bouquet. This will keep the kids busy for quite some time and they can all compare pictures at the end.

Of course, another easy option is to provide crayons and coloring books for the little ones. You can find personalized coloring books online that prompt the kids to decorate a picture of a wedding cake or recount a treasured memory they had with the bride and groom. At the end of the wedding, have each kid hand in their memories to include them in a guest book or wedding day photo album.

To keep the event even more stress free, keep in mind the following when making plans for littler guests:

– Have an age limit. If you don’t want to hear crying throughout the night, make sure you tell your guests to keep the infants and younger toddlers at home.

– Have some kid-friendly bites available. Let’s face it, most kids are downright picky when it comes to eating. Here’s where chicken fingers and mozzarella sticks come in handy!

– Check with your venue to see if they offer a babysitter or kid’s room for the evening so that your guests don’t have to leave them at home.

– Make sure the kids feel like part of the party. Encourage them to dance and have fun – things like the Macarena are perfect for this.

How did you include kids in your big day? Let us know on Facebook!!

Manic Monday: Choosing a Photographer

Manic Monday By Alyssa Aiola

You spend months and maybe even over a year planning your wedding and then within 6-8 hours it is all gone with nothing left to remember it by other then your wedding photographs.  We understand that your photographer could be the most important person you are spending your money on since wedding photographs are cherished keepsakes that are passed down through generations. This passed weekend we attended Bridal Rebellion (a bridal workshop full of vendors and industry related business’s)  where The Lovely Lens lent the audience an interesting point of view on photographers by stating ” Their is no such thing as a wedding photographer, their is only good and bad photography.” This statement really had us thinking and is totally true, you either know how to work with light and your camera or you don’t.  In order to find the right photographer to capture all of the you weddings finest moments we have created a list of key questions you should be asking so you avoid any type of stress or worry or even legal matters.

1. Research: Ask your friends, inquire at bridal shops and with the management of the ceremony and reception sites you have chosen. Also browse bridal websites for information and links to photographers that work in your area.(www.weddingwire.com)
2. Style : In order to receive the exact style of photos that you have in mind you must go though a photographers look book and see their work. Are you looking for more of a traditional style with posed pictures or more candid shots throughout the day, or maybe even more lighthearted and playful shots. You have to see the photographers past work to see if they can match your vision.
3. Examine the Photos: When looking through any photographers look books you must keep in mind and examine the basics of the pictures-such as color, clarity, exposure, graininess and composition. Pay attention to the photographer’s ability to capture the emotion of the day. Does it appear that he has the personality to make his subjects comfortable and happy? Or is she the type of photographer that seemingly takes pictures without much passion.
4. Professionalism: On your wedding day it is important that you feel confident in your photographer in knowing they have done this a lot in the past and have a solid background. Not only should you ask how long have they been a photographer but also how many weddings have they shot. Also ask if they have ever had a wedding at your venue, maybe they are firmiliar with the lighting and space.
5. Budget: Photographer fees, prints, albums, etc. generally come to approximately 12% of the entire wedding budget. This will allow you to quickly discard candidates which you cannot afford.
6. Contract: While you want to make sure you book your photographer for the date of your wedding immediately, make sure you read over the legal details of exactly what you will get before signing the contract. Make sure you are signing for the exact package of photos as well as service you discussed. * Make sure the amount of hours they will be at the wedding/ceremony is written in the contract*
7. Equipment: Although you may not be a professional photographer yourself, you should know what type of camera and equipment your photographer will be using during your event. You may find that you are more particular about it than you think.
8. Package: Create  a custom package with your photographer with every detail in writing. Maybe you only want your photographer to be present for 1-3 hours during the reception or you might want a package that  may include a pre-wedding engagement sessions, rehearsal dinner photographs, bridal portraits and newlywed photos.
9. Quantity of Images: This is another aspect that for liability reasons you should get in writing. Some photographers may provide you with under 100 images to remember your wedding day by. Higher-end photographers often capture thousands of images (generally from 1,000 to 3,000) for you to keep forever.

We hope this list helps you find the perfect photographer for your wedding day and look forward to hearing your feedback! Tell us about your wedding photography experience by either replying to this post, writing on our Facebook wall or tweeting us!!

Manic Monday: Budget Bliss

Manic Monday by Alyssa Aiola

Lets face it, wedding planning can be extremely fun yet overbearingly stressful. With that being said, sometimes paying for it all can weigh down the future bride and make the entire planning process unenjoyably.  Every couple is working with a budget whether it is big or small, yet all have desires for things that could be possibly out of their reach.  One of the best tips in keeping within budget and preventing any let downs is to know exactly how much money you have and only working with what you have got.  As the budget stress begins to boil up here are a few tips any bride should keep in mind!

Accept that you can’t have it all: We are all guilty of looking through bridal magazines and falling in love with items that are simply way to expensive and out of our reach. No matter what your budget is, there will most likely always be something you can not afford and can only dream of.

Prioritize: Here at Private Receptions we think that prioritizing your budget is the best way to get rid of any type of anxiety you may feel as well as stay organized. When we receive new clients in order to get a better feel of their budget and how the bride wants to spend it, we ask them to take a look at our list of compiled of all things pertaining to the wedding and then have them rate them on a number scale of 1-10 of importance.  Some brides are extremely focused on the music being phenomenal day of the wedding while other brides would rather spend more money on flowers and décor. Finding what is most important to you and planning the budget that way will help bring your wedding dreams to life and also eliminate budget stress.

Be Somewhat Flexible:  Staying on budget for anyone can be an almost impossible task, especially when planning such a huge event.  Just say you gave yourself $300.00 dollars to spend on a cake but actually ended up spending $600.00 after cake tasting, you can fix it! Since you spent twice then what you originally planned, find a way to cut $300.00 from another part of the wedding.  This may mean not sending out save the dates or finding a DJ who charges slightly less then you budgeted, but its all possible as long as you are not spending significant amounts for every vendor.

Anticipate Unforeseen Costs: When coming up with your initial budget I am sure there were tons of things you hadn’t even thought to put into consideration. Until you really begin planning, you don’t notice how many details and components go into the actual wedding planning.  Maybe you overlooked transportation for the guests or sometimes a band requires an overnight stay in a close by hotel, all things you might not even considered.  Double-check your list and try to ensure that every item you’ll need to pay for is reflected in your total sum. But be prepared to add some things down the line that you probably didn’t anticipate in your original cost breakdown.

Be Comfortable:  You are not going to be able to enjoy the big day or shake any type of stress if you are literally breaking the bank. Can’t afford a $30,000 dollar wedding? Then DON’T have one!   You need to discuss with your fiancé what your exact budget is and accept it and learn to work with it.  You can make your day personal and amazing no matter what your budget is; you just have to get crafty!

Let us know some of your key tricks to keeping yourself in line with your budget as well as preventing yourself from getting overwhelmed and anxious when spending!

Manic Monday: Compromising

Manic Monday by Alyssa Aiola

One of the most stressful aspects of wedding planning can be when you and your fiancé are on completely separate pages with wedding details and both have different ideas on what the day should be like. After discussing some of the details that you have disagreed on, the next step is learning how to find a balance and a happy medium for the both of you. Maybe you always imagined your wedding in a church while he wants to run to the courthouse or where to even have the wedding his town or yours? The surprising thing is the incredible variety of subjects over which disagreements can arise and how common this actually is. If the decisions are not handled properly it cannot only put a damper on your big day, but also on your marriage. The best way to handle disputes like this is to compromise. As long as you both understand in advance that you wont always see eye to eye on things and you both fight fair, there is no reason why any single dispute or even a long series of disagreements should rock the boat . Here are a few ground rules every couple should set in order to prevent huge blowups on tedious wedding details.

How to Compromise: Before you start overwhelming yourself with who wants what, sit down with your fiancé and start making a list of importance. As far as the ceremony and reception are concerned write down the top 3 things that are important to you. After comparing your lists of importance you will be able to start compromising. If he wants a small wedding but you want a big one, you can always hold a small ceremony with a big after party. Or, if he wants a destination wedding and you want to be home, simply have the ceremony out of town and the reception in your hometown.

World Outside of the Wedding: Now that you are engaged it seems all you can talk about with anyone is wedding details. It is important to set aside time to spend time with your fiancé and remind each other why you are doing this in the first place. Wedding planning can drive couples crazy and you need to learn when to turn the planning on and off so you don’t sabotage your engagement.

Pick One Topic to Fight On: With any type of argument whether it be big or small can have a snowball affect leading into other arguments and disputes. If you start a debate on who wants to have a 5 piece band versus a disk jockey, it is against the rules to turn the discussion into how one person is a tightwad while the other is a spendthrift. It is also not permissible to turn the conversation into how if you didn’t spend all your money on the expensive engraved invitations, you would be able to afford a 5 piece band. Focus on one problem at a time and don’t carry one problem onto the next.

You Both Still Win: Whether your final agreement comes to your groom wearing a rainbow tuxedo or your getting your food catered from the school cafeteria, your both still getting married.  At the end of the day the main goal is just to celebrate two people celebrating a new chapter of life together and regardless of the details that will be accomplished.

It is important to remember that this is the person you are planning on spending the rest of your life with and learning to compromise and communicate now will be a vital task in your relationship. With that in mind take a few deep breaths and learn to give and take, you will be able to find a solution you are both happy with!  Having problems coming to an agreement on your wedding details?! Reply to us and let us know, we will help you see eye to eye!

Manic Monday: 411 on Contracts!

Manic Monday by Alyssa Aiola

One of the most stressful aspects of wedding planning is finding the correct vendors to use and making sure they are capable of meeting all of your expectations while being reliable. Can you imagine waking up on the big day and finding out your limo is not coming or your band is not showing up? Surprisingly this happens more often then not and can all easily be avoided if a contract is signed properly. To guarantee yourself that everything will go smoothly on your wedding day and avoid any last minute meltdowns, you must read and inspect every aspect of a contract before signing it. A legally binding contract will not only protect you but also the vendor and a general guideline that should be followed. Here is a guideline that you should be checking to see if yours follows and entails the same details:

General Contract Terms:

1. The date the contract was drafted should be specified
2. The address, phone # and additional contact info for the company
3. The address, phone # and additional contact info for the client
4. Exact time(s) and date(s) services are to be rendered
5. Exact location(s) where services are to be rendered
6. The total cost for services
7. The amount and date the deposit is due, if required
8. The amount and date that the FULL PAYMENT* is due
9. Type(s) of payment accepted
10. Cancellations and refund policies of the company
11. All items and details included in the TOTAL COST
12. Any additional charges that may be incurred

• Hourly rates if the client wishes to go into overtime
• Charges for assistants and/or extra persons, if applicable
• Mileage costs and travel fees, if any
• Gratuity & Tax

When it comes to specific vendors you need to make sure your contract entails specific aspects to protect yourself. Here are some additional contract terms:

• Pay attention to the exact number of hours your photographer, videographer, DJ, or band includes in the contract.
• Pay attention to exactly how many people the vendor is providing and signing for on the day of event.
• See what vendor is willing to do in case of a natural disaster on day of event, this protects you big time!
• Make sure you understand the difference between what you are buying from a vendor and what you are renting.
• Find out specific tasks vendor is responsible for ( ex. cleaning up, setting up, etc.)
• The specific name of either the Photographer, DJ or Band you are using.

I know reading contracts can be time consuming and boring, but please don’t just sign off on anything without reading it first! If you don’t understand everything you are signing for you might be in for a rude awakening on the day of your wedding.

Do you have any contract gone wrong stories and want to share?! Leave us a reply on your experience!!

Manic Monday: App-solutely Organized!

Manic Monday by Corine Brosseau

Image courtesy of Bridal Guide

Now more than ever, technology has become a vital part of our lives.  There aren’t many moments in the day when we are not constantly connected via our phones, social networks, or computers.  Luckily, brides can make of use of this connectivity to help them get rid of wedding stress and stay super organized with their planning for the big day!

Here’s a round-up of some of the best wedding apps and sites for finding inspiration and keeping your wedding planning efforts clutter-free:

• Pinterest: This online pinboard enables brides to find all sorts of stunning inspiration for their wedding.  You can create boards and break them down by category to help get ideas for each aspect of the wedding from flowers, to dresses, to the cake and more.  In addition to the main site, there are apps for your phone or iPad available for download!
• Wedding Planning Complete: This iPhone app offers a number of cool features including a countdown to your big day, space to track your guest list and budget, and extensive vendor searches.  Best of all, it’s free!
• Brides and The Knot: Both Brides magazine and The Knot magazine offer interactive digital versions of their publications that cut down on the clutter of dog-eared magazines floating around your home!  Eliminating the mess of printed magazines can keep stress down and keep you from getting overwhelmed.  The digital versions also enable you to “pin” your favorite pictures from the mag and sometimes include videos and more photos to enhance the content of your magazine.
• WeddingHappy: This mobile app is great for those who need a little extra motivation to get their wedding tasks finished.  You simply enter tasks into your checklist with assigned due dates.  As you check them off, a pie chart tracks your progress and the completion of your planning.  It also counts down to your special day.  Along the way, you are granted all sorts of achievements that serve as little rewards for your hard work!

Manic Monday TOO Manic today!

Dear Readers,

We offer our apologies as our Manic Monday got a little too manic here at PR!  Tune in next week for a fresh new article! 

PS Diary of a Bride is back in business tomorrow

Everlasting Bouquet

Manic Mondays by Jennifer Diehl

Think about how much time you put into picking out the perfect flowers for your bridal bouquet. Then think of the amount of money you paid for them…and how most people throw it away at the end of the evening! Do you really want to throw them away after you’ve said ‘I Do!’? Try preserving your bouquet, so you can hold onto it as a keepsake or decorative piece for your home. There are three different methods to preserving your bouquet, using silica gel, pressing them, and using the freeze-dry method.

Preserving with silica gel is fairly easy and you can do it yourself! (We recommend being fairly adept at crafts and flower arranging to attempt this) All you need is a container big enough to fit your bouquet, silica gel (which can be purchased at any craft store), a can of clear acrylic spray, and a soft bristle paint brush. Then simply follow these steps!

1: Cover the bottom of an airtight container with 1” of silica gel

2: Place flowers face up so they aren’t touching

3: Make sure you completely cover the flowers with silica gel

4: Seal the container with the lid, and leave undisturbed for 5-7 days

5: Gently pour off the silica gel, and using the brush dust off any of the remaining gel

6: Spray with acrylic to help seal in the color and prevent breakage

7: Let dry

Another way to preserve your bouquet is by pressing them; this is a common method and can also be done yourself. All you need is a very heavy book, like a dictionary or a large textbook, or a flower press.

1: Place each flower individually between the pages of the book or the flower press

2: Leave them for at least two weeks to press and dry

After the flowers are pressed many people display them in a picture frame.

The last and most efficient way to preserve your bouquet is by freeze-drying them. It’s best to get this done by a professional. Professionals will spray the flowers with starch to set the colors and then “bake” the bouquet in a freeze-dryer. This method allows for open arrangements, offers the most life like results, and you can expect it to last a lifetime.

A few great places you can get your bouquet professionally freeze-dried are:

Forever Flowers

Keepsake Floral

Mountain View Freeze Dry

Whichever option you choose to preserve your bouquet it will last long after your big day!

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How To Manage RSVPs

Manic Monday by Jennifer Diehl

RSVPs are probably one of the most important parts of the wedding. The venue, caterer, rental companies and most importantly, YOU all depend on prompt RSVPs to organize and plan the wedding. This is why managing RSVPs can be extremely stressful! Here are a few answers to those burning RSVP questions.

The most common question people ask is; when do I send out my invitations, and when do I request my guests RSVP back by?

The best time to send out your invitations is about six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to mark their calendars (if you didn’t send out a Save the Date), and make travel plans (if they are out of town). A good time to request the RSVPs back by is a month before the wedding. This way you can get started on seating arrangements and leaves you plenty of time to hunt down those late RSVPs.

What if my guest doesn’t respond by the date I specified?

Sometimes an invitation may get lost in the mail, or your guest will just forget to respond. No big deal! If two weeks after the response date has passed, give them a call. We know you have a million other things going on so it’s okay to hand this job off to one of your bridesmaids, or a family member. But it’s best to get your late guest on the phone to get a direct response.

What if I sent an invitation to a guest with no plus one, and the guest responds with “2 attending”?

This is sometimes an awkward position. You can either, contact them and politely explain that you didn’t invite any of your other guests with a plus one, or that your budget simply won’t allow any extra bodies. Or you can just let it go, especially if it doesn’t mess with your budget…the more the merrier!

How do I keep track of all my responses?

If your guest forgets to include his name or even his response, never fear! An easy way to keep track of RSVPs is to use a black light pen or a number on the RSVPs before sending out the invites. Each guest gets a different code that you should include next to their name on the guest list. This way, when the rsvp comes back unmarked, you know to whom it belongs.

These are just a few of the most commonly asked questions about RSVPs. They are very crucial to your wedding, a lot relies on them; catering, seating charts, and more! We want to make sure you know how to handle them!

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