Erica Weddings

Thank You!!

2012-01-19T16:04:00.001-06:00

We are so grateful for our AWESOME brides who have given us such raving reviews on WeddingWire! Thank you for putting us in the top 5% of wedding vendors across the country!

Heel Solution!

2011-09-15T16:12:00.000-05:00

I came across these wonderful inventions a while back. The perfect solution to that pesky problem of your high heels sinking into the grass or unsure footing on rocky pathways. Brides and bridesmaids need to pick these up at Sole Mates!!

Erynn + BJ

2011-08-23T17:07:00.000-05:00

I can't wait to see the pictures from Erynn & BJ's wedding but for now I've got a super cute wedding trailer made by the incredible PenWeddings!

I did Erynn's sister's wedding last August. I was thrilled, to say the least, when mom & dad decided to hire me to do their 2nd daughter's wedding. 2 daughters down...1 to go :-)

Erynn + BJ | The Silo Wedding Film Trailer from Sarah Pendergraft on Vimeo.

What an awesome family!!!! Love you guys so much for letting be a part of your wedding!

There's Your Sign!!!

2011-04-06T14:15:00.000-05:00

So, there's a new show coming out on VH1 called Mob Wives. After seeing the title of this new show pop up in various ways on television and internet over the past few weeks I just had to share this little joke paying homage to Jeff Foxworthy's "you might be a redneck" mantra...

If you see the word "mob" and you immediately see "mother of the bride", then you might work in the wedding industry.

Honest to God, Mother of the Bride is all I think of when I read the word "mob".

I hope that gave you a good laugh today!

That is all :-)

Guest Etiquette: Should you bring your children to a wedding?

2011-01-31T15:20:00.000-06:00

I'm excited to share my thoughts on this topic because it's somewhat of a touchy subject; I've had many a bride very distressed over how to handle this when they're planning their wedding! So here goes my 2 cents....

First off, it's important for guests to understand the proper way to read an invitation to determine if children are even invited. So, guests, here are some things to look for...

Proper etiquette says that when addressing an invitation to address it to the people who are actually invited which means, if they don't want to invite the children, then their names or the term "and family" will be left off. That said, you should never RSVP to a wedding for more people then the invitation was actually addressed to. For example, if the invitation is addressed to "Mr & Mrs. John Smith" then that means only 2 people are invited with that invitation. On the contrary, if the invitation is addressed to "Mr. & Mrs. John Smith and family" or "Mr. & Mrs. John Smith, Becca & David" then that means the kids are invited. Occasionally, when the bride & groom are planning a completely "child-free" wedding you might also see the phrase "adults only" on the invitation or reply card.

Now that you've figured out the first step, then the question usually becomes "I know my kids are invited but should I bring them?"

While this is a personal decision and may vary from person to person, my usual instinct is to say no. My thought is, if you can afford to hire childcare, make the wedding a day/night out without the kids. Dress up, enjoy the time together sans children, have a nice meal with some wine, dance the night away!!! If you do that, you'll enjoy the wedding much more and not feel the need to leave the reception at an early hour to get the kids home and in bed. Plus, let's be honest, just like the picture shows, weddings are not generally a fun time for kids....most kids I see at weddings are bored to tears!!!

The good news is that it is increasingly common for bride & grooms to provide childcare at their ceremony and/or reception at no cost to you! Sometimes it's not complete childcare but perhaps a kids table at the reception. If you choose not to leave your children at home with a sitter and this is made available to you, USE IT!! If you choose not to put your children in the provided childcare and keep them with you during the ceremony/reception the couple is paying for those childcare services anyway. Out of respect for the bride & groom, use the provided childcare if it is offered as an option.

Finally, if you determine, based on the first piece of advice, that your children are NOT invited don't be offended. There are many reasons that a couple might choose not to invite children to their wedding. Most of the time it's due to budget constraints. No need to get offended; embrace the possibility of a night out without the kids and enjoy it!!

I hope this helps to shed a little bit of light into this touchy subject! Does anyone have any further thoughts on this subject?

I Heart NY!

2011-01-21T15:55:00.000-06:00

I was honored to get to do a very special tablescape photo-shoot for the most recent issue of Brides of Oklahoma magazine. Ceremonial Blessings and I partnered together to create and conceptualize an awesome vision. Our theme for the photo-shoot was "I Heart NY!" so we went modern with lots of mirrors, acrylic and slanted floral. You can find all the pictures and even more detail shots in the new issue. Here's a few pictures for you to enjoy :-)

The Team:

Erica Weddings: overall coordination

Ceremonial Blessings: floral, vases, mirror pieces, acrylic pieces, chandelier & draping

Dress My Event Party Rentals: chairs, linens, flatware, glassware, chargers, chair sashes

Paper Girl: stationery (menu cards, hanging place cards on chairs, invitation-pictured in magazine)

Empire Lighting Design: uplighting

Petal Pushers: bouquet-pictured in magazine

Andrea Murphy Photography: photography

Von Wedding Films: videography (to see the behind the scenes video they made click HERE)

Sarah + Josh

2011-01-13T16:26:00.000-06:00

I'm excited to show you all some pictures from a wedding we did back in August. Sarah and Josh were so much fun to work with and I'm thrilled that I'm now working on Sarah's sister, Erynn's, wedding for this August. I really adore this family!!!

FYI: Sarah is now commonly the topic of conversation among her wedding vendors because of how much fun she is! She adores the industry and I'm pretty sure one of her vendors would benefit from hiring her - I just might beat the rest of you all to the punch. Us vendors lovingly refer to her as the "wedding blog stalker". She always knows what we're up to before we get a chance to tell her. So, here you go Sarah :-)

The Team:

Full Service Planning & Coordination: Erica Weddings

Photography: Storybook Wedding Photography

Videography: PenWeddings Videography

(be sure to check out the awesome cinematic trailer Pen made for them HERE)

Florist: The Bridal Garden by Lindi

Wedding Cake: Ann's Bakery

Ceremony Venue: St. Pius X Catholic Church

Reception Venue: The Summit Club

Guest Etiquette: Taking Pictures

2011-01-11T12:40:00.000-06:00

Whew...what a crazy end to 2010! I'm sorry I didn't post last week as promised...it's been a bit crazy around the Erica Weddings office :-) We're back in full swing this week though!

Guest Etiquette: Taking Pictures

So this topic, I'm sure, is somewhat unexpected. It's not commonly thought of as something that guests should even think about. However, having done as many weddings as we have and actually having had some local photographers share stories with me of guests who crossed the line, I feel the need to share some very useful information with guests who are taking pictures at a wedding or reception.

First and foremost, for the record, I am in no way discouraging guests from taking pictures at weddings. I just want guests to be more aware while doing so.

A professional Photographer is a bride & groom's, in alot of cases, most costly expense (behind food/beverage). Engaged couples understand the need to hire a professional to take pictures on their wedding day so that they have lasting memories from their special day. To ensure that the professional Photographer gets the best pictures possible it's important for guests to respect their presence at the wedding and reception. So, here's just a few pointers for you guests to help make sure the Photographer is working in the best environment possible.

1. If you'd like to snap your own picture of a Photographer posed shot then please be aware of your flash. My recommendation is snap your picture after the Photographer has snapped their own. If you take it simultaneously, then your flash could affect their equipment and how that picture comes out. In the same regard, respect the Photographer's space when shooting posed shots. Stand behind them and off to the side.

2. Avoid taking pictures during the ceremony. This is not necessarily out of respect for the Photographers but, rather, a means of respecting the Ceremony itself. Furthermore, most Pastors/Priests/Churches prefer guests not take pictures during this time anyway so as not to distract the couple from the real meaning of this time.

3. During the reception, remember that the Photographer's picture is the most important!! So, when the couple is sharing their first dance, cake-cutting, bouquet/garter toss, etc. be sure to give the Photographer their space and allow them the ability to get the best pictures possible. And, very similarly to #1, try your best to avoid snapping simultaneously with the Photographer.

4. Realize that by the time you arrive at the ceremony and/or reception the bride & groom have, most likely, been in front of the Photographer's camera for at least a couple of hours!! Every person reaches a point where they're just tired of having a camera pointed at them. So, if you sense the couple is tired of all the picture-taking then just lay off for a while.

Basically, my overall point is this: just remember that the Photographer's shots are the most important! Therefore, respect their space and their equipment.

Guest Etiquette: Gifting

2010-12-22T16:39:00.000-06:00

This is a very common question from guests that I hear time and time again: do I have to buy a gift for the shower AND the wedding or is it just one gift total?

Well, honestly, there's no easy answer for this. Proper etiquette would tell you that if you're invited to the Wedding that's one gift and if you then get invited to a Wedding Shower then that's another gift. However, this isn't a very strict rule of etiquette. I think most brides and grooms aren't expecting multiple gifts from people and aren't offended or even notice if you give a gift at a wedding shower and don't bring one to the wedding too. That said, I believe that this is a personal choice. I'm usually very adamant about following etiquette but this is one of my few exceptions. My advice is to do what feels right to you as a guest whether it's just 1 gift or multiple....that's your call.

Another common question is: if I can't attend the wedding do I still need to give a gift? This is another topic that is full of gray area. Technically you don't HAVE TO send a gift if you're not able to attend. But, since we're being honest :-), if you're close to the bride and/or groom they're going to be expecting a gift. In today's world of wedding registries and online ordering capabilities you can order something from their registry online and ship it directly to them in a matter of minutes. So, I say just do it...it's the polite thing to do. Remember too, most couples (especially when it's a first marriage) are starting out with very little so they really depend on gifts from their guests to get that start on their new life together in their new home.

Furthermore, let's talk about what's proper to give as a wedding gift. This can be summed up very easily: Stick To The Registry!!! One of the most enjoyable experiences of the wedding planning process is when couples get to go register...believe me, they really enjoy picking out exactly what they want for their home. So, keep it simple and stick with the registry.

We're taking a breather for the holidays! We hope you all have a Merry Christmas with your friends and family! We'll be back next week with a Real Wedding post and another Guest Etiquette tip.

Guest Etiquette: Ceremony Arrival Time

2010-12-17T12:25:00.000-06:00

Time after time, I hear bride's frustration with their guests' arrival time at their ceremony. There is proper etiquette for guests to follow in this regard. It all comes down to respecting the ceremony start time.

Rule #1: Don't arrive too early.

I can't tell you how often I see guests arriving 45+ minutes early to a ceremony. At this point the Wedding Party is possibly still taking pictures and perhaps the ceremony area isn't fully setup and ready to go. When guests are mulling about the foyer, lobby or ceremony area while setup or pictures are still taking place it's a major inconvenience to the vendors and Wedding Party. If you're arriving more than 20 minutes before the ceremony time then you are too early. Today's brides still like being hidden away from their guests while they're arriving....they want everyone to see them for the first time when they're walking down the aisle. That becomes impossible when guests are arriving insanely early :-)

Rule #2: Don't arrive too late.

It should be common knowledge to anyone that has ever attended a wedding that there will be a guestbook to sign before you enter the ceremony. That said, you should arrive accordingly so as to allow time to stand in line for the guestbook and find your seat BEFORE the ceremony time. What does that mean, you ask? That means you need to arrive to the ceremony at least 10-15 minutes early. In addition, a ceremony should never start more than 5 minutes late, when coordinated properly :-) That said, when guests are still arriving within a couple of minutes of the start time, it makes it difficult for a ceremony to begin on time.

So, this all seems pretty simple to understand...I hope :-) Let me know your thoughts on these tips!!

Check back next week for our next Guest Etiquette tip!!

Jamie + Tony

2010-12-15T14:25:00.007-06:00

I had the best time working with Jamie & Tony on planning their October wedding. This wedding was full of personal touches that made it all the more fun to be a part of. Tony is Lebanese and Maronite Catholic and Jamie is Roman Catholic....they combined traditions for a truly unique ceremony. After years of doing weddings, there is still new stuff that I see all the time - this ceremony was one of them. The bulk of the ceremony was spoken in Aramaic and the tradition of the ceremony was just beautiful.

Jamie & Tony both told me that they would have a dancing crowd and man were they right. We incorporated some Lebanese music for Tony and his family and they rocked the dance floor all night long. We even had a belly dancer for entertainment during the cocktail hour and another performance during the reception...I told you, TONS OF FUN!!!

Here's a few pics from the day taken by the always incredible John Lew...included is my new favorite Father/Bride dance picture in the middle :-)

The Team:

Planning by Erica Weddings

Photography by John Lew

Floral Design by The Bridal Garden by Lindi

Emcee/DJ by Zach Downing

Lighting by Empire Lighting Design

Cake by Ann's Bakery

Ceremony at The Church of Saint Benedict

Reception at The Renaissance Hotel

Guest Etiquette: RSVP

2010-12-13T13:45:00.005-06:00

Hey everyone! I'm sorry that we've been such horrible bloggers...I really have no excuse. In an effort to get better at it I've decided to do a "Guest Etiquette" series on the blog. Many brides have questions about etiquette relating to their wedding but I have realized that many guests are unaware that there is etiquette guidelines for them to follow as well. I have several topics in mind that I'll post about in the coming weeks so keep checking back :-)

Guest RSVPs

So every time a guest gets an invitation to a wedding there will be a little reply card enclosed with a pre-stamped return envelope. While it seems obvious that, YES, you should return that RSVP, it's all too common for people to just not return them. So, for those of you that think it's not a big deal if the couple doesn't get your 1 or 2 person reply then let me shed some light for you :-) For every person that DOES send that RSVP card back there's about 5 that DO NOT....if you do the math, that comes to ALOT of missing RSVPs.

The truth is, that RSVP card is so that the couple can get an accurate headcount for their wedding. The headcount is a very crucial element for the success of any wedding. The headcount not only is necessary for the caterer to ensure that there's plenty of food, but, it also affects the number of chairs needed which, in turn, affects the number of tables needed which, in turn, affects how many centerpieces are needed, etc.....it goes on and on. All of these elements have to do with $$$$. If you RSVP and don't attend then the couple is still paying for your seat, your meal, your plate, your flatware, your napkin, et.. On the contrary, if you don't RSVP and do attend then the couple is then billed after the event for all of the "extras" that were needed to accommodate the larger than expected guest attendance.

There will also be a due date on the RSVP card. The due date isn't just randomly chosen. Instead, that due date is directly related to when that final headcount is due to their caterer, bartender, etc. so it is important for every guest to make note and mail in the RSVP accordingly.

Now, I don't deny the fact that sometimes unexpected things come up and you might have RSVP'd to a wedding and are no longer able to make it. In that case, it's proper etiquette to inform the couple so that the head count can be adjusted. The same is true if the due date for the RSVP has passed and you realized you forgot to reply...simply inform the couple whether you will or will not be attending. Believe me, I tell all of my clients to CALL everyone who didn't RSVP by the due date so that we can ensure the most accurate head count possible. So, you see, if you don't call them they will be calling you :-)

I could go on and on but my main point is this: RSVP!!!! Furthermore, RSVP by the due date provided on the card. By doing these 2 things you will be saving both the couple and their hard-working Wedding Coordinator a heap of stress.

I hope this information is helpful....leave some feedback and let me know if there's an etiquette topic in particular you'd like me to post about. Check back later this week for "Guest Etiquette: Ceremony Arrival Time"

Going for 300!!!!

2010-03-30T09:22:00.002-05:00

Well I'm making a big push to get to 300 fans on the Erica Weddings facebook fan page so I'm enlisting everyone's help!!!

I'm offering a FREE dinner to whoever invites the 300th fan. If you live in Tulsa then I'll take you to dinner someplace really nice...your choice!! If you live out of town then I'll get you a gift certificate to someplace really nice.

So, please go to our fan page and not only become a fan but please invite your friends as well!!! I'd appreciate everyone's help....let's see how fast we can get there.

You can either click the box on the right or click here to get to the fan page!!

I'll keep everyone posted on the contest!! Keep checking back to find out who the lucky winner is!

Tulsa Bridal Studio

2010-03-16T10:26:00.004-05:00

I'm so excited to let all of you know about an awesome event coming up called The Bridal Studio. It's all happening on Saturday, April 3rd, from 10am-4pm. The event is being produced by the Tulsa Wedding Society and is hosted at the Hilton Tulsa Southern Hills at 81st & Lewis.

It's an exclusive, educational event for all of you brides to be. There will be seminars where you can hear professionals speak on topics such as "Managing Wedding Day Stress" and "Defining Your Signature Look"...plus, yours truly will be speaking on the topic of "Wedding Budgets" :-)

If you're interested in attending please let me know ASAP as admittance is extremely limited. I would love to invite you as my personal guest. With my personal invitation I can guarantee you a discounted rate of $30 per person or $50 per couple; that's half of the website registration price!!

Email me at erica@erica-weddings.com if you'd like to attend this event.

Bachelor Wedding

2010-03-11T16:11:00.004-06:00

I'm sure many of you, as did I, tuned in to the Bachelor Wedding on ABC earlier this week!

It was beautiful!!! Location was stunning, bride was gorgeous, reception was incredible. There was one tiny problem though!

WHY in the world were there not umbrellas up on stage (hidden of course) for the wedding party in case of rain?!?! I was sitting next to my husband watching this and I was seriously in utter disbelief. I have no problem with the fact that they chose to continue with the outdoor ceremony even though there was a chance of rain but come on....be prepared!! Honestly, wouldn't it have been the cutest picture opp if the Jason & Molly had given their vows under a super cute, extra large white umbrella?!?!

Anybody with me on this? I do have to give huge kudos to the bride & groom though...they didn't let the rain bother them and they just moved on and had fun with it....that's the way it should be!

Congratulations to Jason & Molly...I hope you live happily ever after!!! :-)

What are your thoughts on The Bachelor wedding of Jason & Molly?

So....what does a wedding planner do?

2010-03-03T16:09:00.003-06:00

I'm always looking for a brief yet descriptive way to explain exactly what it is that a Wedding Planner does. I was browsing the internet today and came across a blog post by Preston Bailey (OMG...I LOVE HIM!!!). Anyway, I thought that he put it best....the following is copy/pasted from his blog.

"Planning: Years ago when I first started, I tried planning myself. One day, after making 10 phone calls to organize one meeting, I realized how challenging and time consuming this job is. In my opinion, most clients do not have the slightest idea of the time, patience and detail that goes into to a planner’s job (and folks you’re not just a planner because you call yourself one–you need the experience to back up the claim). Planners do not have a specific product like flowers or dresses. What they sell is mostly their amazing organizational skills, their experience in getting the job done and wearing many, many different hats."

Preston's my boy...I think he worded it beautifully :-)

Amanda & Allen are MARRIED!!!

2010-01-13T13:07:00.006-06:00

Back in August we had the privilege of seeing Amanda & Allen's wedding come to life. We had been working with Amanda since December of 2008 and throughout the planning process we just knew we were gearing up for a stunning wedding!!!! It truly was! It was out at the Golf Club of Oklahoma. Jesse Reich did all of the awesome photography. Ceremonial Blessings did all of the beautiful decor! Enjoy the pics!

The ceremony was set for 7:30. It was brutally hot this past August so we wanted to ensure that the temperature was comfortable enough for an outside ceremony...it was absolutely perfect!!

When the ceremony ended, the dusk light in the background was at it's most beautiful...timing couldn't have been better!

To make the reception feel even more contemporary and luxe we created this lounge for guests to get away and have a drink. All of the white furniture really made it stunning! All of the event lighting was done by Zach at Empire Lighting Design...they did a FANTASTIC JOB!!!!

Of course Amanda & Allen couldn't dance on anything other than Tulsa's ONLY ALL WHITE DANCE FLOOR provided by Dress My Event Rentals.

Tulsa Wedding DJ kept the dance floor packed for the whole night!!! Everyone had a wonderful time!

Thank you Allen & Amanda for letting us be a part of your day. We enjoyed the planning process with you!! Congratulations!

Wedding Show Weekend!!!

2010-01-08T09:57:00.003-06:00

Those of you brides in town this weekend need to make plans to swing by at least one of the wedding shows going on around town. You can catch us at the following shows...

Saturday, January 9th, 10am-4pm: Tulsa Wedding Show @ The Renaissance Hotel (71st & 169). I think there is a $10 admission for this show. Visit the website.

Saturday, January 9th, 10am-4pm: Dresser Mansion Open House @ Dresser Mansion (235 W. 18th St). I think this one is free. Visit the website.

We're going to have some special offers that will ONLY be available at our booths so be sure to come and see us!!

2010-01-04T10:16:00.014-06:00

I just got these pictures from an AWESOME wedding we did back in November. It was out at Camp Loughridge and it was stunning! Chris Humphrey did an amazing job on the photography. Lindi with The Bridal Garden completely outdid herself on the flowers...I've worked with her alot and know her work is phenomenal but she even surprised me with the beauty of the reception centerpieces!! Zach with Empire Lighting Design did the awesome lighting....it just made the whole place feel transformed. All of the stationery (place cards, menu cards, etc.) were done by Paula at The Paper Girl. There were so many fantastic vendors at this wedding...here's a few pics!! I'll have a gallery on my website soon :-)

See...I told you....STUNNING!!!

Tulsa Wedding DJ kept the party rocking!!

Thank you Ashley & Jarrett for allowing us to be a part of your day. I really enjoyed this entire planning process with you guys. Congratulations!!!!!

2009-11-06T19:21:00.004-06:00

Now....this is a wedding dress!

Jackie Onassis Kennedy was a timeless bride! When purchasing your wedding gown....think "timeless" not "trendy". You want to love looking at your wedding dress in pictures 50 years from now so choose wisely. Come on, who doesn't look at Jackie's wedding pictures today and just see a classic beauty?

PROMO OFFER

2009-11-04T17:34:00.003-06:00

OK...I have no excuse! I've been a horrible blogger. I promise...I'm trying to get better. Keep the faith in me :-)

Anyway, I'm offering a promotion right now. All January, February & March 2010 Weddings will receive $150 off if booked with me by December 15th. Offer applies to our Wedding Day Management package or better.

This is a great deal!! Spread the word to your engaged girlfriends, daughters, sons, etc.

Twitter

2009-07-17T14:59:00.004-05:00

Erica Weddings has officially joined Twitter!! Follow us so that you've always got the scoop as to what's happening with the Erica Weddings crew!!

This Is The Real Deal!!

2009-06-17T15:20:00.005-05:00

So...I'm blog stalking today and I run across this post on Junebug Weddings Blog. I absolutely love this post.....this couple is awesome and everything about them just exudes love. This is just one picture I pulled but go look at the whole post for yourself and tell me that it's not the cutest story AND cutest couple ever :-)

I Have A Confession!! :-)

2009-06-03T15:07:00.007-05:00

Well...as you can tell I'm back from my 2 week vacation. I've been back for a couple of weeks now and have been catching up and getting back in the groove because our busiest time of the year is upon us and we will be busy, busy bees for the next few months!!

So, yeah, my confession....alot of my clients already know but there are some of you that don't. My little 2 week "vacation" was actually because I GOT MARRIED!!! That's right, the Wedding Planner finally tied the knot herself. So the 2 weeks was for the Wedding and the Honeymoon.

I haven't seen all of the wedding pics yet but who else would I have do my wedding photography...it had to be my good friend and AWESOME photographer, Andrea Murphy! Of course I have so many of my vendors to tell you about and I will in the days to come as I get more pics to show you! Here's just a few teasers from Andrea's blog.

Obviously these are just the Preparations pictures. I'll post more as I get them so I can tell you all about the whole day!!!

Taking A Little Vacay!!

2009-05-01T14:24:00.002-05:00

Sorry that I've been such a bad blogger. But, be prepared because it's going to get worse for the next couple of weeks :-)

I will be on vacation May 2nd-May 17th. I'll be back in the office on Monday, May 18th. In the meantime, we still welcome emails and phone calls. Our other consultant, Crystal, will be checking emails regularly while I'm gone and will accommodate anyone who might need immediate assistance. All other emails will be answered as fast as I can get to them when I return.

If you need to contact us via phone, please call Crystal at 918-408-4006.

Thanks so much and I'll talk to you all when I return.

Wonderland of Snow = Wonderful Wedding!!

2009-03-31T15:28:00.006-05:00

This past weekend we were part of Haley & Josh's incredible wedding celebration. The snow came down hard and thick for a good part of the day but by the time the wedding started there was just a beautiful white blanket of snow on the ground. The ceremony was at First Baptist Church in downtown Tulsa and the reception was at the Doubletree Downtown. Their attendance wasn't affected at all by the weather....they still had a crowd of over 400 people and the reception rocked into the wee hours of the morning :-) Andrea Murphy, as always, did an incredible job on the photography. This is the only picture I've seen so far from the wedding but you can see the style this wedding had. I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures.

Special thanks to Haley, Josh and their families for allowing Erica Weddings to be a part of your special day. We had soooooooo much fun!!

OMG.....This Weather!!!!

2009-03-27T12:32:00.003-05:00

The weather in Tulsa this weekend is going to be absolutely ridiculous....snow?...in April?...are you freakin' kidding me?

Anywho, I felt the need to post about adapting to weather because weddings don't stop....and, YES, we do have a big wedding this weekend that we are SUPER-EXCITED about! :-)

Weather is completely out of our control! So...we must adapt. It won't make your wedding any less beautiful to have snow on the ground or thunder roaring in the distance. I know how disappointing it can be to be looking at the weather forecast for your wedding day and be seeing/hearing nothing but bad things. Ultimately though, we must adapt and embrace whatever mother nature throws our way.

Don't get consumed by your frustration and disappointment about the weather....just know that whatever it looks like outside, the end result of the day will remain the same....YOU'LL BE MARRIED TO THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE and that's ALL THAT MATTERS!!!

Congratulations to Haley and Josh who will have an awesome wedding celebration this weekend!!! Mother nature can bring whatever she wants our way....nothing's gonna stop this wedding :-)

Best Wedding Toast...

2009-03-13T14:25:00.001-05:00

I found this video on YouTube and just had to share it. This is truly the most touching and unique toast I've ever seen at a wedding. I really did cry when I watched it. You can truly feel the love for this couple and the surprise on the bride's face throughout the entire thing is just priceless!! Watch the whole thing....it will totally make your day!

Another Lesson from Father of the Bride!!

2009-03-06T13:55:00.003-06:00

This is probably one of the funniest scenes in the movie...I can't get enough of it!!

I love how George gets so completely overwhelmed by everything that he just snaps - "Swans?...We're having swans!?". And, as usual, Frank is absolutely hysterical - "It's very nice....we change it all though!"

Enjoy this funny clip!

Perfect Wedding Guide = PERFECT Wedding Show

2009-02-23T22:47:00.009-06:00

I had the honor of being a part of the Perfect Wedding Guide Wedding Show this past Sunday out at the Tulsa Hilton Southern Hills. It truly was the first wedding show of it's kind in Tulsa and the Perfect Wedding Guide did an awesome job on creating an awesome show for both the vendors and the bride. There was a great turnout and we talked to some great brides-t0-be!

I had the privilege of teaching educational wedding planning classes during the show. In addition, I also designed a tablescape for viewing in the foyer of the hotel. I got a lot of fantastic feedback from the brides....they really loved it!!! It's what I call "fun elegance"....enjoy these pics!

I want to hear your thoughts....what do you think of the tablescape? Any color scheme preferences/design ideas for table scapes that you'd like to see from me at future wedding shows?

If you were a bride who attended the Perfect Wedding Guide Wedding Show then drop me an email or give me a call - I'm offering $100 off to all brides who saw us at the PWG Wedding Show. I look forward to talking with you!

That's My King!!!

2009-02-17T11:22:00.003-06:00

Ok....no wedding related post today!!

I came across this YouTube video this morning and it reminded me of just how AWESOME my God is....so, I just had to share it!

Select a Cake First????

2009-02-13T14:07:00.004-06:00

I thought I'd pull another lesson from one of my favs, "Father of the Bride"!!

I find it odd that Franck suggests choosing a cake first in the planning. As an experienced AND professionally trained Wedding Coordinator I can tell you that this isn't the proper order of events.

First things first: once the Consultant/Coordinator is hired, everyone has to agree on a budget. Not just the one large number but the overall budget (i.e. how much to spend in each category, etc.). Your consultant/coordinator will put this together for you to give you a good starting point so that you don't go out and just start to spend blindly like George, Nina and Annie do here.

Boundaries in terms of the budget are important to establish early on so that you don't dig yourself in to a hole that you can't get out of later :-) However, you have to be realistic as well...more to come on that later!!

Regardless, the clip is still funny.....ENJOY!!!

Trimming the Guest List

2009-02-10T15:19:00.004-06:00

The quickest and easiest way to save money on a wedding is to trim the guest list. Cutting from the guest list helps to save on tables, linens, centerpieces, invitations, food, favors, etc.

Father of the Bride is clearly one of my favorite movies - I love George's attempt to cut the guest list for his daughter's wedding. FYI: this is how NOT to trim your guest list.

Here's an easy rule of thumb when trying to trim your guest list...if it's not a family member AND you haven't seen or spoken to the person in more than a year then consider them gone! Now, if you have the money and you want to invite them then feel free...but if money is an issue and you're looking for a way to save a large amount of money then this is the way to go.

Katy + John = Married!!!!!

2009-01-07T14:40:00.011-06:00

A few weeks ago I posted a few teaser pics of Katy & John's awesome wedding. Well, I finally have some more and I can't wait for you to see them. Their wedding was held out at Camp Loughridge. Here's a few of my favorite pics (Photography by Matt Swaggart). I just loved Katy and her dad's walk down the aisle....you can see the pure joy and emotion in that moment. All the decor was down by the always fabulous Ceremonial Blessings!And my new favorite "grand exit" picture below!!!!!!Be sure and check out the full Katy&John Gallery on our website!

Updates...Updates!!

2008-12-28T21:38:00.004-06:00

In preparation for the new year and for the upcoming Tulsa Wedding Show I've been trying to update my website with new galleries, new pics, new testimonials, etc.

I was so excited earlier this week when I received the pictures from Stephanie & Mike's wedding that I mentioned a while back. Here's a great one of Stephanie. The photography is by Storybook Wedding Photography.

Be sure and check out our website for the newest gallery: Stephanie & Mike. We've also added some great pictures throughout the site as well as some much appreciated client testimonials.

Let me know what you think after you've checked out all the updates!

What A Holy Night!

2008-12-23T18:33:00.002-06:00

As Christmas quickly approaches I am enjoying some much needed time off. But, in this time of incessant gift giving, massive amounts of eating, lots of cider drinking and loads of "forced family fun" I can't forget, nor can I let anyone else forget, the reason why we celebrate.

I'm thankful for my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I'm thankful that God sent His only son down to earth for the forgiveness of my sins. I imagine that night in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago when Jesus was laying in that manger...looking like a baby, He was the Savior of the world!! How Awesome!!! I know I will never be able to repay Him for such a great gift. The best I can do right now is to not forget why we celebrate Christmas.

I encourage you as you spend time with your family and friends this Christmas to say "Merry Christmas", share the story of Jesus' birth, etc. If nothing else, consider the lyrics to my favorite Christmas hymn, "Oh Holy Night"...

Oh Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!!
Fall on your knees, Oh hear the Angels' voices!
Oh night divine, Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine, Oh night, Oh night divine!

Truly He taught us to love one another.
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother.
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy, in grateful chorus raise we.
Let all within us praise His holy name!
Christ is the Lord! Let ever, ever praise we!
Noel, Noel! Oh night divine!
Noel, Noel! Oh night divine!
Noel, Noel! Oh Holy Night!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!

Preggo, Preggo!!!!

2008-12-11T13:18:00.006-06:00

Well....I actually stole these pictures from Andrea Murphy's blog...with her permission of course ;-)

You may be wondering why I'm posting pictures of a pregnant woman! Well, I did Sara & Shane's wedding back in December of 2007 (See the "Sara&Shane" gallery on my website) and now they're pregnant! I'm so excited for them, plus I thought these pictures were beautiful so I had to post them.

I love the Juno "slinky" shirt!!!

I love keeping up with my clients after the wedding and I couldn't be happier for these two. Kudos to Andrea Murphy for taking these beautiful pictures.
Sara & Shane - let me be the first to say Happy Anniversary on 12/28!!!!

Katy & Johnny

2008-12-09T12:06:00.005-06:00

We had the honor of coordinating Katy & Johnny's special day this past weekend out at Camp Loughridge. We did Katy's sister's wedding back in July (see Erica Weddings website gallery: Ashley&Shawn) and I was absolutely thrilled when her parents contacted me about Katy's wedding. This family is the absolute best and I really can't say enough wonderful things about them....except that they threw 2 FANTASTIC weddings in one year!! I haven't seen all of the pics yet but the photographer, Matt Swaggart, posted these up on his blog and I just had to show them to you.

Isn't Katy just stunning??? Gosh...she's gorgeous!

I love the stylish birdcage veil!

I can't wait to show you guys all the pictures...I will post more as soon as I get them!

Melissa & Cameron

2008-12-02T15:23:00.008-06:00

We had the awesome privilege of coordinating a reception for Melissa & Cameron several weeks ago. It was held at The Mayo and was nothing short of beautiful and extraordinary. Melissa has such awesome taste and I think it shows in these pictures. About 2 weeks before the wedding, Melissa came to me and said that she wanted to arrange a confetti release over the dance floor during the last dance of the night....we made it happen and it was such a hit!!! All of the awesome photography was done by Tara Lokey out of Oklahoma City.

Thanks Melissa and Cameron for letting us be a part of your special day!

Mr. & Mrs. Mike Rodriguez

2008-11-30T23:45:00.002-06:00

I hope everyone had an awesome Thanksgiving weekend!

Despite the long weekend, Erica Weddings had a busy weekend. Stephanie & Mike got married on Saturday, November 29th, 2008 out at Camp Loughridge.

It was such an awesome night and I can't wait to share pictures with you guys. I'll post them as soon as I have them. It was an evening full of some of the best vendors in town - many of the vendors are fellow members of the Tulsa Wedding Society and they were such a breeze and fun to work with.

Stephanie & Mike - you two were such a blast to work with (as well as your families!) and I loved getting to know you over the past several months. It was truly my honor to assist you in planning your special day and I'm so happy for the both of you. May God bless you and your future lives together.

Pictures coming soon!

I Wear Many Hats!!

2008-10-28T15:52:00.002-05:00

I know it's been forever since I posted. The truth is, I've had a bit of a break these last few weeks after coming out of a crazy busy two months so I've been enjoying the relaxation before the craziness picks up again here in a couple of weeks!! ;-)

I'm often asked what Wedding Coordinators do. The real question you should ask is what do we not do? Yes, we get everyone lined up to go down the aisle, cue the music, sew on tuxedo buttons, glue earrings back together, bustle dresses, troubleshoot all aspects of the wedding day, etc. But, sometimes we do things that you'd never expect.

Case in point, I did a wedding a few weeks ago where I was actually rock climbing!! Yes...you heard me right....rock climbing! I was literally staring death in the face all for the sake of lighting some votive candles. Andrea Murphy, who was photographing the wedding, got some pictures of me doing this which I'm sure she will someday embarass me with!! Regardless of the danger involved, or the damage it did to my back (shhh...don't tell my massage therapist...he would kill me!!). I do it because I want to make my clients happy and create the most beautiful event that I can for them. I will tell you....those lit candles up on those rocks were beautiful and were completely worth it!

Someday I will post the pictures!!

This is me!!

2008-09-23T21:21:00.004-05:00

I'm taking a cue from my good friend Andrea and making this post both because she's pointed out that I haven't posted in a while and because I figure it's time people learn a little bit about ME!!

I AM … excited that I get to sleep in tomorrow!
I WANT… to travel the world.
I HAVE … all 10 seasons of "Friends" on DVD!
I KEEP … movie stubs from every movie I've ever seen with my fiance.
I WISH I COULD … play the piano.
I HATE ... that my back has been killing me for the past 2 weeks!
I FEAR … experiences with the paranormal (yeah...it's happened to me once!)
I HEAR … the sound of my bassett hound barking outside.
I DON’T THINK … I would ever get the guts to skydive.
I REGRET … that I started this little questionnaire; it's taking a long time! :-)
I LOVE … to sing & act.
I AM NOT … able to whistle or snap with my right hand.
I DANCE … when I know nobody is watching.
I SING … in the car as loud as I can.
I NEVER … eat just one oreo!
I RARELY … stay up past 11pm.
I CRY WHEN I WATCH … any show where a baby is born or an animal is abused.
I HATE THAT ... I saw "Titanic" 10 times while it was in the theatre (don't judge me...I was in 7th grade and obsessed with Leo Dicaprio)
I AM NOT ALWAYS … good about responding to text messages.
I’M CONFUSED ABOUT … a mysterious $60 charge on my credit card.
I NEED … to clean my car...desperately!!
I SHOULD … go to bed...this has been exhausting!

Classic 50's!!

2008-09-17T21:53:00.004-05:00

I found these pictures courtesty of The Bride's Cafe and I had to share them. Unfortunately, this isn't one of my clients....regardless, this wedding is worth looking at!! This bride wanted a 50's inspired vintage themed wedding and she definitely achieved it.

Check out these bridesmaids!! The purses with the attached flowers are the most unique substitutes for a bouquet that I've ever seen. Awesome touch!!

Pink, Pink and More Pink

2008-09-12T15:02:00.005-05:00

No matter the year, season, style or theme, the color pink tends to make it into most brides color palettes for their wedding. One of my favorite things to do when designing a wedding is to layer colors. Shades of pink is what inspired this inspiration board. If this is too much pink for you then throw in some tangerine and lime to make it more playful....or navy and red to add warmth and richness.
Image Credit: all photos from The Knot

Me Loves My Candy!!!

2008-09-10T16:59:00.004-05:00

The "Candy Bar" has become a very popular wedding favor for weddings. It's been around a while and I've seen MANY of them!! As a Wedding Planner, after I seen something more than 3 times, I tend to get sick of it and I want to see something new....but, these Candy Bars won't go away because guests just love them...hey, that's good enough for me :-) If you get creative, you can do something completely unique and make it something that hasn't been seen before.

Whether you're going for a rustic, playful, elegant, contemporary or chic wedding you can create a Candy Bar that fits the mood. Here's some tips to putting your Candy Bar together:

1. Plan on 1/4 to 1/2 lb. of candy per person
2. Put something sour and salty on the Bar to compliment all the sweetness (try pretzels, sour straws, popcorn, lemon drops, etc.)
3. To make your Candy Bar look more grandiose split one kind of candy into 3 smaller containers instead of 1 large container. Also, work with multiple tiers to give your Candy Bar heighth.
4. Order candy to go with your color scheme (all blue, pink & white only, etc.)
5. Dress up the Bar with color coordinating table runners, linens, flowers and pictures - whatever you can dream up will work.
6. You don't have to use glass candy jars. Depending on your theme you could use pails, flower pots, chinese take-out boxes, upside down cowboy hats, antique containers, etc.

You can Google search the term "wedding candy bar" and find a plethora of ideas!!!

I Swear....This Was My Idea!

2008-09-05T10:32:00.005-05:00

I found this picture courtesy of Style Me Pretty but the actual photography is by Parker J.

About a year ago, I went on a little vacay with my family to Asheville, North Carolina and visited the incredible Biltmore Estate. We had done the full tour of the grounds and the house and moved to tour the gardens (there's like 12 of 'em). Now, obviously, they do weddings at this estate all the time, but most times that I've seen pictures of them they're on the big lawn at the front of the house. When we visited the gardens, I remember standing in the exact spot where this photo was taken and I said to both my sister and my mom, "this would be the most beautiful spot for a wedding"...immediately, I had a complete vision for a wedding ceremony!! If only I could fulfill that dream and do a wedding in this exact spot...any takers?? :-)

Anyways - I just saw this picture and it brought back to mind that vision I had a year ago and I had to share it.

It's Raining?....No biggie!

2008-09-04T15:46:00.004-05:00

I found these pics via Grace Ormonde Wedding Style magazine (side note: this is a FANTASTIC wedding magazine...pick one up and thumb through it!!). These pictures put a huge smile on my face. This couple didn't let a little rain stand in their way of having the perfect wedding. You have to admit...even with the rain, it was absolutely beautiful!

So many brides stress over the possibility of rain on their wedding day. Trust me, rain or shine, your wedding will be beautiful!!!

Emergency Kit....OH MY!!

2008-09-02T15:30:00.002-05:00

As a Professional Wedding Coordinator, people always want to know what I have in my "Wedding Emergency Kit". Well...it's impossible to answer that question because it's constantly growing. For my first wedding, my emergency kit fit into one square shoebox size tub. 4 years later, it has since evolved into 1 laundry basket size container as well as 2 shoebox containers (1 each for the bride and the groom)...that doesn't even include my "Save The Day Kit" that I keep in my car :-)
Besides the obvious items (i.e. deodorant, kleenex, duct tape, mints, safety pins, etc.), here's some things that maybe you haven't thought of to include in your own "Wedding Emergency Kit"

1. Windex Wipes (perfect for shining men's tuxedo shoes)
2. Sewing Kit (I've sewn on tuxedo jacket buttons minutes before the ceremony begins)
3. Clear Nail Polish (stops runners in pantyhose)
4. Earring Backs (bridesmaids lose these all the time!)
5. Hot Glue/Krazy Glue/Bonding Agent (I've had to glue pearls to earrings, etc.)
6. All Size Batteries (venue coordinators/sound technicians have used my stash of batteries!)
7. Hand Held Fans (you know...for the super nervous brides!)
8. Generic Escort Cards (where you have to label/mark a certain area/seat/table, etc.)
9. Calligraphy Pen (goes with #8)
10. White Out (perfect for covering up lipstick on collars)
11. Water Spray Bottle (spritz flowers to liven them up and for overheated guests!)
12. Dryer Sheets (removes static cling)

Now...that's just a start and there's plenty more where that came from! :-)

Keep in mind - your Wedding Coordinator should have an emergency kit available to you that will include all these items and so much more. Personally - my emergency kit list (what I bring to weddings that I coordinate) is about 3 pages long!!!!

I Love All Things Preston Bailey!!

2008-08-28T19:21:00.002-05:00

Celeste & Andy....What A Blast!!

2008-08-27T13:17:00.003-05:00

I had to post this video that Zac over at Tulsa Wedding DJ put together. We worked together on a wedding a few weeks ago for Celeste & Andy out at Tarp Chapel. The Bride's family is all from the Dominican Republic so they all flew in for the wedding....let me tell you, these people knew how to dance and have a good time!! Check out the video...it was such a blast!! I also have a whole gallery dedicated to Celeste & Andy on my website so be sure and check out all the pics. Below is one of their engagement pics by Andrea Murphy Photography....I love this pic!

Here's the link to the video....

http://www.youtube.com/user/OklahomaDJ

Congratulations Celeste & Andy!!!

Oh...to wed in Capri!!

2008-08-25T14:02:00.006-05:00

It's always been a dream of mine to do a wedding in Capri, Italy...it truly is the most beautiful place on earth!! The first picture of the rocks on the water (if you're familiar at all with Capri then you've seen those rocks before) inspired the color scheme. I think it's warm and inviting with a outdoor/beachy feel. I hope you like it!!

Image Credit (first row) - Concierge.com, Ritzy Bee - Image Credit (second row) - Ritzy Bee, Brides.com, Brides.com - Image Credit (third row) - The Brides Cafe, Brides.com

Red and.....Yellow???

2008-08-22T14:21:00.007-05:00

I met with a couple last night who totally inspired this post. They said they couldn't decide between Red and Yellow as their primary wedding color....so, I said, why don't do both and they loved the idea! I love the combination and it's so different that it totally excites me. I took the Red and Pastel Yellow and placed them on opposite ends and threw in the extra colors here to make it feel rich....I think the Green brings in a playful feel and will add texture!! Hope this excites you like it did me!! :-)

** All pics found on http://www.theknot.com **

New Website Is Live

2008-08-21T11:24:00.002-05:00

I'm so excited....Our new website just went live and I'm so happy with how it turned out.

I'd love to hear your thoughts....do you like it? is there something you would change?

I look forwad to posting on this blog regularly so keep checking back for awesome wedding planning tips, ideas and pictures from some of the weddings I'm a part of!!

Make It Your Own!

2007-11-16T12:31:00.000-06:00

The new trend with weddings now is personalization. How do you make your wedding uniquely yours? How do you make it a day that your guests will always remember? The answer is simple...be yourselves!

What do you love to do? What defines you as a couple? Use those ideas to create a personal wedding. For example - maybe both of you love movies - instead of numbering the tables at your reception...name them after your favorite movies. It's different plus it's a conversation starter!

Maybe you both love the beach but you can't have a beach wedding - well...bring the beach to you! Use sand & seashells throughout your ceremony & reception decor - play music that reminds you of the beach or a tropical place - create the whole environment that a beach would provide.

There's no rule that says you have to walk down the aisle to the bridal march - walk down to whatever suits you! I have a bride that's getting married in December and is walking down the aisle to "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas!". I knew of a wedding once where the recessional music was "Bad" by Michael Jackson. Your guests will love it and if they know you well enough they'll immediately say to themselves "oh that's totally them!"

You get the idea...the possibilities are endless - be creative because anything is possible!The days of cookie-cutter, uber-traditional weddings are out the window. Be unique, be different...be yourselves!

Just have fun!!!

2007-11-01T10:43:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure to assist a friend with a wedding this past weekend. She is a wedding coordinator as well and I acted as her assistant for the day. It's so encouraging to watch someone else do the same job you do and know that you both handle things the same way - it helps me know that I'm doing things right! :-)

One thing that was confirmed to me while doing this wedding is that all that really matters is that your guests enjoy themselves! So many brides get caught up in the details and making sure that every single little thing is perfect. The truth is, your guests aren't going to notice those tiny details and all they are going to remember is whether they had fun or not.

This past weekend - no one seemed to care that it was 60 degrees outside (kind of chilly). No one seemed to care or make a big deal out of the fact that the power completely went out twice during the reception causing the music to completely stop and the lights to go out; everyone just laughed it off and waited for the power to come back - as soon as that music came back on the guests were back on the dance floor having a great time - they didn't skip a beat!! The bride's tossing bouquet wasn't right - but she didn't care because she was having so much fun and the guests never knew the difference!

The little things, in the end, don't really matter. Just show your guests a good time, have a smile on your face and you (and your guests) will have nothing but great memories of your wedding day.

Your Budget

2007-10-26T12:17:00.001-05:00

I was watching this show on TV the other night called "Wedding Central: The Wedding Planners". And something happened that was interesting to me.

These 2 Wedding Consultants were hired to help a couple with their backyard wedding and the couple had an estimated budget of $8,000 - $10,000. Now, the couple's desires were rather lavish. Trying to accomplish all their wishes to the highest standards would have cost way more than their $10,000 budget. Still - the consultants convinced this couple to spend over $40,000 instead.

What I want to point out here is that you CAN have a beautiful wedding for $10,000 - just as beautiful as this wedding was - you just have to be willing to make some compromises. Plus, there are some great wedding cost-cutters out there that can save you a TON OF $$$$! That's not to say that I haven't had brides increase their budget by $10,000 to get what they want and that is their choice - but, nonetheless, a wedding can be beautiful regardless of the budget.

As a Wedding Coordinator my job is to keep my client realistic about what she can achieve with her budget - if she is wanting name brand everything with expensive chivari chairs, imported flowers and a fireworks display then, of course, I will tell her that it can't be done. On the same hand, I will encourage her with the fact that we can still make her wedding beautiful and it won't require bumping up her budget by $30,000 or more.

I guess I just can't believe that anyone could afford a $40,000 wedding when they originally only wanted to spend $8,000-$10,000. Maybe it's the L.A. mentality that I'm not aware of here in Oklahoma! :-)

I'm so excited!!

2007-10-23T13:47:00.000-05:00

I am so excited to get this blog up and running!

After reading so many friends business blogs I knew that I had to get in on some of the action myself.

I want to use this forum to share some of my wedding planning tips, creative ideas, etc. I also want you all to post your responses - if you have any questions, thoughts or whatever just make a post and I'll give you the best answer I can.

I'm looking forward to this...please tell all your friends, family and colleagues about me and my business and encourage them to visit my website (http://www.erica-weddings.com/) and this blog.