Recessionista Brides Start A Trend

This week the New York Times published an article discussing the latest bridal attire trend.  Can you guess what it is?  Savvy brides are spending less on wedding gowns and instead are now focusing on the accessories.  As the article points out, there are so many options for gowns, most of which are focusing on the recessionista bride.  Vera Wang's White Collection for David's Bridal, Anthropologie's BHLDN line and J. Crew's bridal collection, just to name a few. 

As a recessionista extraordinaire, I'm all for buying accessories that can be worn again and again... and again.  I would even suggest to go a step futher by focusing only on buying the accessories that you need.  I love the freedom today's brides have to make their own rules as the days of buying everything new for your wedding are over.  Brides are realizing that they may already have the perfect shoes, necklace, wrap, etc. which can save hundreds of dollars.  Or if you do want to splurge on wedding shoes, at least you can wear them again.  Some brides are excited to change into a reception dress, so buy a second dress that is more of a party dress that you can get a lot of mileage out of at future events.  And by the way, let's not leave the men out.  With most grooms choosing to wear a gray, tan or black suit in lieu of a tuxedo, I think it is worth the extra money to buy a tailored suit that you will be able to wear for a lifetime.

Lastly, the biggest way to cut costs may seem obvious- do not mention the "w" word- wedding.  Aside from an actual wedding gown appointment, don't mention the accessories you are shopping for are for your wedding.  I hope this gives couples some inspiration to get the most out of their attire, not only on their big day but for future events.  Since my Felicity C Weddings clients are always ahead of their time, I've picked a few client photos for ideas. Enjoy!

 CHERISH your dress, LOVE your accessories.

Credit: Clair Pruett

 

Embellish with a jeweled sash & hairpiece that you can wear again.

Credit: Procopio Photography

Rock a 2nd wedding dress that you can wear to many future events.

Credit: Jacqueline Schlossman/ ReadyLuck

FCW Behind The Scenes

I have been wanting to do this post for a long time.  I know there are still people who are not sure what I do on the actual wedding day.  In my opinion, if guests don't really pay attention to me that is the best sign- that means the couple is the center of attention & everything is flowing smoothly. 

In actuality, over the course of the day I really am floating around constantly, trying my best to be in multiple places at once.  Here are a few never before seen photos of me working client weddings.  Whether I am lining up the bridal party, fluffing up the bride's dress for the processional or just keeping track of the timeline, I love what I do and being behind the scenes.  Every time I do spot myself in the background when I look over the professional photos, I can't help but smile since I never look camera ready and mainly since it is my job to stay OUT of the professional photos but sometimes it just happens.  Enjoy!

 Credit: Clair Pruett Photography

 Credit: Lindsay McDonald Hite, Readyluck

Credit: Sparkle Photography

Credit: Procopio Photography

Credit: Procopio Photography

Thank You, 2010

This is the time of year that most people to reflect on the past year of their life.  After the amazing ride that 2010 gave Felicity C Weddings, I couldn't help but reflect on the first full year of my event & wedding planning company. Here are my reflections.

High's: I love, love, love that I was able to be a part of 8 weddings this year!  Eight couples that vowed to love, honor and cherish each other forever and they allowed me to plan one of the biggest days of their life!  I love that I found clients through wedding blogs, Facebook, friends, and advertising.  I love that every wedding I planned (day of coordination, partial planning or full planning) was different and I learned so much each time.  I met and worked with a lot of vendors and gained a deep appreciation for the ones that stood out as amazing vendors.  Among the planning that stands out, I planned a wedding for a couple living in Guam (a 14 hour time difference!) and the bride only visited the states one time in the 16 month planning period.  Also, I planned a September wedding in 8 weeks.  Over the year, I was able to get over my intimidation of blogging and began to post regularly (average 12 times/month) and even more amazing, when I posted the blogs to the Felicity C Weddings Facebook page, people actually read my posts!!  Speaking of the FCW page, as of today it is at 278 'fans' and growing which blows.my.mind. 

Low's: Unfortunately, with all the great high's of the year, there were a few lows.  Starting my own business from scratch has been a great learning process to say the least.  Trying to balance my personal time with my company has been a pendulum swinging in both directions but I think I do have a better hold on balance as 2010 came to a close.  I think the biggest low of 2010 was working with vendors who did not have my clients' best interests in mind.  I really learned this year that what vendors are really offering clients (myself included) is 50% actual service and 50% customer service.  Overall, every little obstacle that I came across taught me something new and I feel very ready to bring on a new year of weddings & events.

My goals for 2011 is to keep researching, blogging, expanding, and of course to continue planning- in short to keep learning.  Once again, thank you so much to all the family, friends, clients, vendors, and 'fans' that support Felicity C Weddings.  You have truly made my dreams come true.  I haven't gotten all the professional photos back yet but here are some of my fantastic 2010 clients.  I am posting ceremony pictures only because that is why I do what I do- love.  Enjoy!      

 

Diamond Wedding 5.22.10

Photo credit: Lindsay MacDonald Weddings

 

Fehnel Wedding 6.26.10

Photo credit: Clair Pruett Photography

Introducing Felicity C Weddings Planning Workshops!!!

As a wedding planner, I tend to get a lot of questions about the wedding planning process. So many people don't realize how many details are involved until it is your turn. Felicity C Weddings has been fortunate enough to have a fantastic first year and I know that serving as a resource through all the details for my brides allowed them to focus on the fun aspects of planning. Recently I got to thinking about how many brides-to-be who don't have room in their budget for a wedding planner but would LOVE to get professional advice on the planning process. From that, an idea was born.

Felicity C Weddings is SO excited to announce the start of FCW Planning Workshops! I will be holding workshops on different planning topics such as budgeting, vendor relationships, and wedding organization just to name a few. While there are so many great bridal resources out there, this is your chance to ask specific questions as well as get the feedback that magazines and blogs don't provide. The first session will focus on budgeting and will be held on January 29th at the Sheraton in Columbia, MD from 1pm- 4pm. The cost is $75 per person for this session.  As a thank you for all the current "fans" of the Felicity C Weddings Facebook page, the cost is $65 for you*!  Each participant will be receiving a budget worksheet and here are some topics that will be covered:

• How to determine your wedding budget AND determine which vendors fit in your budget
• The 4 MOST important factors in how much a wedding costs
• The importance of having a budget and sticking to it
• Discuss typical packages and what you should be getting for your money
• The most common budgeting mistakes couples make
• Top 10 fees to avoid
• "Green" ways to trim your budget

This would make for a great gift to a bride from her bridesmaids, from a mother to her newly engaged daughter or even from a thoughtful fiancé to his future wife! The payment deadline is January 20th and if you want to purchase a spot for a Christmas gift, let me know and I will send you an invite to give to the recipient. Space is limited so please email me (please use the subject: FCW budgeting workshop) to let me know if you or anyone you know is interested! Hope to see you there!

Want to relax on your big day like this FCW bride? Start by staying on

top of your budget from the start so you can dance the night away!

Credit: Clair Pruett Photography

*to be eligible for the $65 pricing, you must be fan of Felicity C Weddings Facebook page as of Monday, December 13, 2010.  I typed up each fan's name into a document to make sure you get your discount!

Hitched!!! Fehnel Wedding 6.26.10

I'm THRILLED to bring you the professional pictures of the Fehnel wedding from June 26, 2010.  I've known Jess for about a year and half and her beautiful summer wedding was so perfect for her and Brian.  The ceremony and reception took place at the Delaware Center for Horticulture in Wilmington, DE and the couple added so many amazing personal details.  All of which were captured by Clair Pruett Photography's photographer Dan who was a pleasure to work with and definitely had a passion for his work.  Now, back to those amazing details.

Jess & Brian are a sweet, laid back couple who enjoy their life in Wilmington with their adorable dog Cleo, working on their house, and hanging out with friends.  The DCH is a perfect setting for this "green" couple with a gorgeous backdrop of the center's gardens.  (I wouldn't expect anything else from Jess, who was voted one of the best recyclers in Delaware last year!)  The ceremony was held under the pavilion behind the DCH.  Although it was a hot, HOT day, the guests stayed cool inside the DCH lobby until ceremony time and the thoughtful couple had iced bottles of water in buckets waiting for the guests outside of the pavilion.

The reception was held inside the DCH's main room and guests were free to wander around the whole facility; the gardens, the reception room, the lobby, the art gallery, and the front patio of the DCH which is encased by a high brick wall giving events privacy without boxing anyone in.  The lobby had the bar as well as two  favor stations; a table of hand-made limoncello bottles from the groom's aunt and potted plants grown by the groom himself along with gift bags to carry everything.   Jess & Brian also had boxes ready for their delicious SAS Cupcakes cupcake tower which guests could choose to take away as a 3rd favor.  The dinner buffet was set up in the art gallery and the food & service from Wilmington's Gallagher & Gallagher Catering was phenomenal.  DJ Noj of Anson Audio kept the guests happy and on their feet all night long as evidenced by the pictures below (hello conga line!).  The whole day and night were full of love, family, and friends.  I saw Jess & Brian a few weeks ago, and marriage definitely looks good on them!  Congrats again Mr. &Mrs. Fehnel!

Sneak Peek- Fehnel Wedding 6.26.10

So here are a few photos from the Fehnel wedding which took place in Wilmington, DE on Saturday, June 26, 2010.  The Delaware Center for Horticulture was the perfect site for this couple- "green", beautiful, and non-fussy.  Although the temperature was climbing as the ceremony time approached, the guests stayed cool in the DCH lobby and later were greeted with ice cold water bottles when they made it down to the outside pavilion for the ceremony.  I'll save the rest of the wedding details for when I post the professional photos.  I've been in touch with the great gals at Clair Pruett Photography and I should have the photos soon!  I can't wait!  But for now, enjoy these guest pictures! 

Source: My lovely & amazing friend Ashley