Dec 30, 2021

When planning a wedding, it's sometimes the smallest detail that makes the biggest impact on your guests. At the end of the day, the majority of your focus (and budget!) doesn't need to revolve around spending on lavish flowers or fancy food-it's more important to ensure that your friends and family are comfortable and content. Here, celebrity wedding planner Stefanie Cove shares a few easy décor additions that will impress your guests, without fail.

Unique Flatware

Swap out traditional silver or pewter utensils for unique metal cutlery that no one will see coming. "It's a small touch that guests will notice," explains Cove. "I love the look of gold flatware, and another favorite of mine is black matte."

Candles

Chunky candles, taper candles, black candles, heaps of candles-the more the better. Try using richly-colored candles in dark tones (like eggplant!) to mix things up a bit, adds Cove.

Pops of Color

"Pops of color within a mostly neutral palette can make a huge difference," says Cove, who recommends jazzing up a greenery-focused floral palette with bursts of bright jewel tones.

Balloons

Consider large metallic balloon letters in silver, gold, or copper, suggests Cove. They instantly transform any space into a celebration-which makes them perfect adds to the bridal suite on the morning of the wedding.

Fresh Place Settings

Adding something as simple as a sprig of rosemary to each guests' place setting is another detail that will make a splash, explains Cove. For more of a splurge, try dinner plate dahlias or even a baby fern. Planning a cold-weather party? Consider winter motifs, like pinecones or tiny pine branches, instead.

Fruit

For a more organic and natural setting, add fruit into the mix-this is especially effective in centerpieces, advises Cove: "Experiment with citrus if you're going for a Tuscan vibe, or cherries for a more playful summer afternoon." For autumnal fêtes, "place handpicked figs down the center of a long dining table mixed with florals and votives."

Guest Flower Crowns

These fresh headpieces aren't just for the wedding party. "It's a fun surprise for the guests, too!" she says. "They can wear them throughout the evening-plus, they make for a great photo opp!" Place the crowns at each attendees' place setting or enlist a helper to pass them 'round post-ceremony.

String Lights

If you're planning on partying under the stars, you'll want to set the mood (and light the way!) in that outdoor space. According to Cove, that's where string lights come in. "They're not expensive and add a touch of romance to the event," she says. "If you want to go a step further, try Edison bulbs." Pro tip: Consider dimmable bulbs, so you can adjust the lighting and ambience throughout the evening.

Juxtaposition

Adding something where it doesn't seem to belong is a surefire way to create a moment of visual intrigue. "One of my favorite elements from a past wedding was adding a black piano in the middle of a green field, which was covered in weeping willows. The stark contrast of the structured piano in the lush field was a show-stopper!" adds Cove.

Handwritten Notes

The wedding details that have the most impact are almost always the personal ones-which is why penning a handwritten note to each guest is sure to hit home, she explains. "Even if it's short and simple, this elegant touch on beautiful paper is sure to be noticed."

Original post: https://www.marthastewart.com/7854861/unique-wedding-decor-ideas

Dec 30, 2021

A wedding photographer in Arkansas who makes viral videos about her job says there are three common mistakes engaged couples make when planning their big day.  

Shayla Herrington, who began making TikTok videos about her job in May, regularly shares her tips and tricks for wedding planning with her 267,900 followers on the platform.

Herrington, 22, told Insider she booked her first solo wedding shoot in 2019. Since then, the photographer has learned a lot about what makes a wedding run smoothly both on the job — and from getting married herself this July.

One mistake is not having a wedding coordinator

Herrington said that not having a day-of coordinator is at the top of her list of mistakes, and recommends that couples hire someone or delegate the task to an organized friend or family member, "even if it's just an aunt or cousin." 

"I had my sister-in-law coordinate my wedding," Herrington said, adding that she oversaw who walked down the aisle, made sure the food was ready to go, and that everyone was on time.

Having a coordinator doesn't mean you won't get to be involved in the planning. You can still "own that process and plan your own wedding to save money," Herrington said, adding that not having a coordinator leaves room for things to go wrong and become stressful. 

Couples who don't spend enough time together at their weddings are making a faux pas

Herrington says that often couples don't factor in enough time to enjoy the day with their new spouse and only spend time with each other during their photo shoot.

"That's sad. It's your wedding day, it's about you two," she said, noting that couples can get too caught up in making sure the day is perfect.

"I always tell my brides and grooms, try to find 15 or 30 minutes to yourselves," she said. "Otherwise you're going to look back and realize that the day was more about entertaining other people and it wasn't about you two." 

Inviting too many people is another easy mistake

Herrington thinks couples tend to invite too many people to their weddings — such as people who they've only met once or twice — due to pressure from their friends and family.

"So many people get caught up in the guest list and then chances are, you're not even going to talk to everyone at your wedding," she said.

Herrington said she had 60 people at her wedding, and that even with a smaller guest list she didn't get to talk to everyone. "I remember I didn't even talk to one of my uncles and his entire family," she said.

She thinks couples shouldn't feel guilty about having a more intimate guest list, and that they should brush off any backlash from those you aren't able to invite.

"If you think someone's going to make a big deal [...] because they weren't invited, then they're not a good supporter of you," she said. "Someone who supports you is going to support your decision no matter what, even if you decide to elope or just have a hundred guests." 

Original post: https://www.insider.com/a-photographer-reveals-the-mistakes-couples-make-when-wedding-planning-2021-12

Dec 30, 2021

A wedding band was lost, then found at a Lauderdale-by-the-Sea restaurant, and thanks to the power of social media, the piece of jewelry made its way back to its owner in time for Christmas.

An inscription on the ring helped guide it home to Bob and Katy Mann this weekend.

“It says, ‘Love, Katy.’ K-A-T-Y,” said Katy.

The couple said they were eating at one of their favorite restaurants, Aruba Beach Cafe in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, a few days ago, when Bob dropped his wedding ring without even realizing it.

It’s at this point where Michelle Heiser entered the picture.

“I’m walking, and all of a sudden, I looked down, and I see a gold ring, and I said to my husband, I go, ‘That looks like someone’s wedding band,’” she said.

Heiser, who was at the restaurant with her husband, said she immediately knew what she had to do.

“All I thought to myself when I saw the ring was, ‘Oh, my God, what if it was my ring or his ring,’” she said. “I would want someone to find a way to get it back to me.”

Heiser posted a photo of the ring on social media with the caption, “Just found this man’s wedding ring in the street. It is inscribed. If you’re Katy and can tell me what else the ring says, message me, and I will get it back to you.”

“Within hours, someone that knows them, that lives in New Jersey, got back to me and private messaged, and he said, ‘I think I know who it is,” said Heiser.

That person in New Jersey called the Manns and asked whether or not the band was theirs.

“I asked [Bob] if he had lost a ring, and he said, no, he said, ‘Oh, wait a minute. I don’t have my ring on,’” said Katy. “He thought it was in the bathroom, and he couldn’t find it.”

The couple got in touch with Heiser and told her the rest of the inscription: the wedding date.

She delivered it on Christmas.

“It could have been run over or stepped on or stolen,” said Katy. “Anything could have happened, so we were just really lucky. “

It was the best Christmas present for the Manns, who have been married for 56 years.

“It was just great that they would follow through like that,” said Katy.

“I think they were more enthused than we were,” said Bob.

Now Heiser has plans for her husband’s wedding band.

“We also realized, we better inscribe his ring, because it’s not inscribed, and if we lost it, we’re in trouble,” she said.

Big trouble, but not for the Manns.

“A happy ending, a very happy ending,” said Katy.

It’s a good thing they got that ring back in time. The couple will celebrate their wedding anniversary on Wednesday.

Original post: https://abc17news.com/cnn-regional/2021/12/28/fl-restaurant-diner-finds-couples-lost-wedding-ring-returns-it-on-christmas/