Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Handmade Elegance

When we saw how well this couple created a unified theme for their wedding at Myth Creek Golf and Banquets, we knew we had to share!  Using vintage finds, crafted objects and goldenrod hues, their wedding theme was beautifully woven throughout all the elements of their day.


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The bride’s accessories had a decidedly vintage vibe, with natural elements, personal details and pops of golden yellow.
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The groom’s boutonniere coordinated with the flower worn in the bride’s hair.



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The bridal party attire and choice of photo locations were perfect for the feel of the wedding day.




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Guest seating arrangements were announced in a beautiful handmade design.




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Guests were invited to share memories of the couple.  What a fun way to include them in the wedding day!




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Burlap touches and antique printing brought a sense of nostalgia to the wedding reception decor.



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Golden cupcakes with butterflies in flight added a sense of whimsy to the occasion.





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Vintage teacups in coordinating hues and burlap table runners kept with the theme.





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The couple shared their first dance under golden lights.  Guests were invited to take a stone as part of their participation in the day.






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Even the sun and flowers seemed to know to bloom in just the right shades for this day.






Sunday, March 16, 2014

15 Date Night Ideas

Date nights can be tough when you’re on a budget, especially when you are saving for your wedding budget.  But that doesn’t mean you have to stop dating!  Check out these ideas for free and low cost dates.
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Game Night.  Invite a few couples over for a low cost game night.  Working together as a team is a great bonding experience.  Guys against gals is great for a little competition to make things interesting, just be sure not to be too competitive.
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A Different Kind of Game Night.  Is your fiance a sports fan?  Take a break from the details of wedding planning and spend time on an activity he enjoys.  Whether it’s taking in a game from the cheap seats, or hitting the links yourselves, getting involved in one of his passions, at least for a day, shows you appreciate who he is.
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Go To A Show.  Whether it’s a concert, performance or a day at the movies, matinees are great for a day out, but still budget friendly.
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Explore The City.  Most large cities are great for festivals, free concerts or great scenic walks.  Spend an afternoon exploring the city.  You can even use the day to scope out locations for your wedding day Romantic images.
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Visit Your Favorite Restaurant.  While dinner out might seem like a big splurge, using coupon sites like restaurant.com, can save you a few bucks.  And who doesn’t love a day without cooking?!
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A Day At The Beach.  Surf, sun and sand make for a perfect day without a large expense.  Most MetroParks offer an annual pass, making it affordable year round.
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Visit The Zoo.  When wedding planning is turning you into a bear, drop what you’re doing and go visit the real thing!  A day at the zoo is great for a leisurely stroll, watching the animals play and some downtime with each other.
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A Day At The Orchard.  Whether picking summer strawberries or fall apples, orchards are a great place to spend the afternoon.  As a bonus, you’re spending the day picking fruits which are perfect for your pre-wedding diet.
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A Night Under The Stars.  Grab a blanket, a bottle of wine and drive away from the city nights.  Spend the evening watching the stars and talking about your plans for the future.  Check out http://www.space.com/skywatching for stargazing highlights.
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Go Back To School.  Did you attend school together?  Spending a day on campus, reminiscing about your time there, or cheering on your alma mater for a game can provide some relief from the wedding planning process.  If you didn’t attend school together, this is a chance to show your fiance where you have been.
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Get Involved.  Look for opportunities to serve your community together.  Clean up a park, serve at your church, or work with a charity close to your heart.  Working together to make the world better will bring you closer as a couple.  To see how Mike Staff Productions gives back, click here.
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Visit Museums.  If you haven’t been to a museum since your fifth grade field trip, it’s time to go back!  Visiting the museum as an adult allows you to truly appreciate all they have to offer.  And as a bonus, on a hot day they are great for an air conditioned activity.
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Go Ice Skating.  Cold temps don’t have to force you inside.  Visit a local ice rink for some winter fun and finish the day with cocoa!

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Have A Picnic.  Pack a basket lunch and head to the park.  Swing on the swings to bring back the happy times as a kid.
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Sip, Sip, Enjoy… Go wine tasting. Check with any specialty wine stores in your area; some offer free (or really cheap) wine-tastings.  Grab your favorite bottle and head home to relax the night away.


Friday, March 14, 2014

5 Time Management Tips Every Bride Needs

MikeStaffProductions0197_100612_Smillie-AVintagePlanning a wedding is a big undertaking.  So what’s the secret to getting it all done?  Time management and prioritization!
First Things First: List Your Priorities.  It sounds simple really, but can be a challenge.  Rather than focus on each task that needs to be done, decide the priority items for your wedding day.  When you think about your wedding, what comes first?  Is it a gathering for friends and family, a celebration of you as a couple, a lavish affair?  Decide on the story you want for the day and the priority elements required to make that vision a reality.  Once you decide what’s important to you, the challenges of budget, guest lists, small details and big decisions will be dictated by the priority they are.
Manage The Details To The Goal.  Now that you have your priorities lined out, set the goals for your wedding day.  List the major items needed for each of your priorities.  These could include the wedding budget for the item, ideas that you have, who will be helping with each.  Be as specific as possible with each goal and its details, but don’t get hung up on each.  As you move through the planning process, you’ll probably get more ideas.  Once you have your goals set, decide when each should be accomplished and make a note.  (For a typical planning timeline, click here.)
Tackle That List.  Making a list is a great first step, but it’s a first step.  Once you know what you need to do, break apart the plan in manageable and achievable chunks.  Consider highly sought after things, such as your venues, DJ,photographyvideography and dress as items you should tackle early.  As you plan your task calendar, be sure not to leave too many things to the end.  You don’t want to work on seating plans at midnight the day before your wedding!
Leave Margin.  Real life continues when you are planning your wedding.  Schedule time for some wedding free relaxation.  Designate a wedding free weekend once a month so you can still take part in the things you enjoy.
Let Go Of The Small Stuff.  The great thing about your priority list is that it helps you focus on what really matters.  Sure personalized notes to each of your guests on their place cards is a great touch, but it’s pretty time consuming too.  If it isn’t a big priority for your wedding day, consider cutting three things from your list immediately.  You’ll feel less stressed over the non-essential elimination, and can get back to what really matters.