An Event To Remember's Blog

Bride's don't sweat the small stuff on your wedding day and guess what everything is small stuff!

Brides to be if there is one message I would really like to get across to you it is, "Don't sweat the small stuff on your wedding day and for that matter during the whole planning process!"  If you have hired a true professional bridal consultant the planning process of your wedding should be so simple.  I realize that most brides who get planners are "type A" personalities and most professional planners are "type A" personalities as well.  Sometimes it is so hard for we "type A's" to let go of the control reigns; but I promise you if you do you will enjoy the planning process so much better.  You will be able to relax and let the competent professionals that you have hired do what they do best.  I recently worked with a bride and I absolutely loved when she would say to vendors in meetings, "you are the expert so I will yield those decisions to you."  I would secretly smile every time she said that, and guess what her wedding day went off without a hitch and she, her husband, and guests had a fantastic time.  Just a little fyi from me to you, vendors will do so much more for brides who respect and appreciate their expertise. 

So, I have included the link to a video put together by N'Sight photography of Temisha and Cedric Young's wedding day.  This couple was such a pleasure to work with from the beginning of the wedding planning process through returning home from their honeymoon.  As a result, they had an awesome wedding day and honeymoon.  Their wedding and reception involved a lot of details and I tell you they did not sweat one thing.  I encourage you to watch this video and check out facial expressions.  I think they show the true emotions of how everyone was feeling on this wedding day, very HAPPY!  After all, isn't that the emotional outcome every bride is going for?  Temisha and Cedric got it 110%.  From this point forward ladies, don't sweat the small stuff, hire professionals and let them do what they do best.

www.nhsfinearts.com/TC_Wedding/

Happy wedding planning

Calandra Terry
Huntsville wedding planner

An Event To Remember LLC 2009 weddings slide show!

Wow!  We have had such a fabulous wedding season.  Please enjoy this video of some of our wedding memories.

Please Hire a Wedding Planner

Here is an interesting blog entry that I came across from Inspired by This, Wedding insight by Leila Khalil

Tuesday Tips: Please Hire a Wedding Planner

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For some reason I think its common knowledge… I mean haven’t we all heard from someone, stories at some point of things that didn’t go right at a wedding.  They happen at every single wedding no matter who is in charge. I know brides are working with a budget- especially these days but everyone seems to think they can save on costs by “doing it themselves”.  I have an idea… Lets invest in a great photographer to capture the moments and the details, lets hire a floral designer to make everything look pretty, lets spend money on linens, favors, and a dessert bar but when it comes to getting a professional wedding coordinator to pull together all the details I just mentioned so all of them work in harmony.. lets skimp on that? Lets invest all of that but then on the wedding day as a bride you can worry or pawn it off on an aunt, mom, or wedding party member (which lets be quite frank-they will be way more frazzled than you). Just to be clear.. I am not saying  I am against DIY. I’m not! I like that style BUT I am a huge advocate of bringing someone on board who knows what they are doing to put things at ease no matter the scale of the wedding.
After being in the wedding industry and planning or attending as many weddings as I have, I’ve seen it first hand time and time again.  However, the experience I had several weeks ago at a friend’s wedding was so unbelievable.

I now feel it is my duty to share. She got married at private estate and decided to go with the venue coordinator/catering liaison because they ensured her they would take care of everything she needed on her wedding day. Ummm…, NO!  I’m mean I was so upset with the way this catering /venue representative  treated the bride and the extreme lack of poise, class, and knowledge that I am going to list for you some specifics of the disaster that ensued:

You may want to hire a wedding planner or else:

1. Your “day of  stand in coordinator ” could forget to place an order which then leaves it all in the hands of the bride on the day of her rehearsal so that she and her  parents are 30 minutes late.

2. Your “day of stand in coordinator” could decide to make a change on one of your vendor contracts leaving you to pay the difference for their error and then when the vendor calls you the morning of your wedding to tell you and you verify it with your “coordinator” they may say, “you are ruining their day?” Really?? Who says that to a bride?

3. Your “day of  stand in coordinator” may forget to send the shuttle to one of the hotels and leave 30 guests behind minutes before your ceremony is about to start. Then when confronted with this situation may say “ I don’t give a f***k. Tell them all to take cabs! I am not starting this ceremony late!” OMG!!!!

4. Your “day of stand in coordinator” may not really know how to run a real ceremony and forget to cue wedding party or heaven forbid the musicians to know when the bride should walk down the aisle! What a disaster that can be as the guests all wait while nothing happens but the same song plays over and over again. Oh also they may forget to remove the ribbon that blocks off the center aisle so guests don’t go through it, but when its time for the ceremony procession to start its wise of them to remove it so that a guest from the second row doesn’t have to run in her heels sinking in the grass all the way to the back of the aisle and remove the ribbon seconds before the wedding party walk through while photo and video are rolling.

5. Your “ day of stand in coordinator” who in this case is also the venue coordinator and caterer- might run out of certain types of food and wine because of poor planning AND not even offer a certain dish that is listed on the menu and just tells guests “ Oh, we don’t have that tonight- I’ll just give you a plate of mashed potatoes and veggies instead”.

Can you believe that these elements really did happen all at one wedding? And these were just the highlights? Do you have any stories of your own?

One piece of advice: You get what you pay for! SO when you don’t pay for a friend who is helping you out as your “day of stand in coordinator” OR you find one that is only a couple hundred dollars…. guess what- it may not be that good of an outcome.

I have written this as an ode to all the professional wedding and event planners out there. There is a huge difference between a venue coordinator and a legitimate wedding planner. They have their responsibilities and strengths and wedding planners that actually service brides as a business and not as a hobby are indispensable. Do  your research OR you can also check out some of these blogs who have credible vendor directories and recommendations for wedding planners in your area.

Hollar to all planners who know their stuff. You are fabulous and deserve  big props but most importantly you deserve to be paid and respected. You help facilitate one of the most memorable days in a couples’ life.
Thank You!!

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May you be Inspired,

Sandals and Beaches are great places to go for honeymoons, bridesmaid weekends, destination weddings, vow renewals, and anniversary celebrations

I just returned this past Thursday from another familiarization trip to two of the Sandals and Beaches properties.  This time I had the opportunity to visit the Sandals Royal Bahamian and Beaches Turks and Caicos.  Both properties were very nice and I think any couple would enjoy honeymooning at either.  I have put together a few recommendations for Sandals/Beachesthat I want to share today.  I keep saying or Beaches because Sandals does not have a property in Turks  and Caicos however, they have Beaches.  The Turks and Caicos Beaches blew me away it is a very large, gorgeous property with so much to offer.  I would recommend this property to any couple going on a honeymoon it is simply fabulous. 

Sandals Tips and Pointers

1. Pack a change of clothes and your bathing suits in your carry on. In case your luggage is lost or delayed it will not interfere with you starting your vacation.
2. Pack items that will help make your trip more romantic, i.e., candles, Cd's, oils, bubble bath.
3. The swimming pool is available 24 hours a day, grab your sweetheart late one night and enjoy a swim.
4. Make sure to read the daily activities itinerary that is left in your room each evening.
5. Remember the spa has some areas that are available to all guests at no cost sauna, steam room, relaxation room, and plunge pool, grab a bottle of champagne and enjoy late night.
6. If you can fit it into your budget schedule a candlelight dinner on the beach.
7. If you can fit it into your budget schedule a couple’s massage.
8. Utilize the exchange program and visit the other properties in your area. Each property has a different personality this is a good way to decide where you will go on your next vacation.
9. If you can fit it into your budget get a butler category room (you won’t regret it).
10. Go on an excursion and explore the local culture.
11. All rooms are not created equally, if you are going on a honeymoon register your trip on weddingchannel.com so that you can perhaps get into a higher category room than your budget will allow.
12. Remember you are in the Caribbean, have fun!
13. Sandals does not allow tipping. However, tipping is allowed for butlers, transfer shuttle driver to and from the airport and for the spa.
14. Take advantage of the insurance, it will be well worth it if you have a travel delay or your bags are lost.
15. Take advantage of everything the property offers (i.e., water sports, nightlife, multiple restaurants, swim up bars, etc).
16. Make sure to have plenty of space available on your digital camera card.
17. Book your next Sandals vacation before going home.
18. If getting married while at Sandals, be sure to hand deliver divorce papers and other documents.
19. Your travel documents will be mailed about two weeks before you travel.
20. Remember, Sandals is all inclusive you do not pay for 24 hour room service, items in the stocked bar, water sports, or transfers.
21. You do pay for spa services, candlelight dinner on the beach, specialty wine, excursions, PADI certification, golf cart, clubs and caddy.
22. Honeymooners be sure to check in on-line up to 4 days before you leave in order to receive the honeymoon package.

Calandra Terry
Certified Sandals Specialist

 

 
One of the benefits of a butler is that they will reserve chairs for you at the pool or beach.  How awesome is that?

 

 

Imagine you and your sweetheart enjoying this lounge sofa in the nighttime with the fire lit, some wine, and the saxophonist playing in the background.  Talk about romantic! (offered at the Royal Bahamian)

 

Did you know that the butler will draw a bath for you that is filled with bubbles and scented rose petals.  I have experienced it, it is simply delicious!

 

What a great place for you and your sweetheart to discuss the future!

 

Beaches Turks and Caicos has a lazy river.  I enjoyed floating down this river in my tube and totally relaxing.

 
This picture speaks for itself

 

 

Some of the higher concierge and butler categoried rooms have private plunge pools (only at specific properties)

 

Wouldn't this be a great spot for a couple's massage?

 

How about a romantic candle light dinner?

 

Doesn't this look like such a great place to fall asleep reading a book?

 

So, are you ready to go?  Give me a call I will be glad to help you book your vacation

Calandra Terry
Certified Sandals Specialist
256-858-3883
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

Bride's Remember that God is in control of everything on your wedding day to include the weather!

A few weekends ago I had the opportunity to see the power of prayer and just how awesome God is.  I had a wedding in Montgomery and I think the chance for rain on Saturday October 10th was 80%.  I started receiving questions from some of the vendors about the rain plan on Wednesday and my response was that we would not make a call on where the ceremony was going to take place until Saturday morning. 

I was very concerned about the weather because I really wanted this couple to be able to have the beautiful ceremony we had planned outside.  They had been such a pleasure to work with and I wanted their day to go off without a hitch.  I, along with many others I am sure, started praying about the weather on Wednesday.   Even though the forecast was looking very bleak I kept telling the bride that it was not going to rain.  On our way to Montgomery Friday afternoon, my assistant and I checked the forecast several times (what did we ever do before cellphone internet) and it still appeared that it was going to rain late Saturday afternoon which was the time of the wedding.  When we arrived at the venue on Friday, the florist who was certain it was going to rain had already set the ceremony gazebo up on the inside.  I was still believing that the sun was going to shine so we rehearsed outside in preparation for an outdoor ceremony the next day.  We did go over the rain plan just in case. 

When we woke up Saturday morning the sun was shining which was totally opposite of the forecast.  We went over to the venue and started setting up for the reception, holding off ceremony set up to the last minute.  After-all, the rain percentage had got down to 50% for the afternoon.  When Mom arrived and was asked inside or outside for the ceremony she said outside.  The florist presented the cons of moving the gazebo outside and decorating it with fabric especially since it was going to rain.  Mother of the Bride said we have prayed about the weather and I am going to trust God.  The gazebo was moved outside and decorated, chairs were set up and the custom made aisle runner was put down.  There was no turning back ceremony decor would be outside rain or shine.

Guess what, the rain never came!  It did not rain a drop!  We had the most beautiful ceremony outside and I just felt so happy for the couple.  I was so excited about seeing once again the power of God.  Ladies who are getting married in the future, remember that God is in control of every aspect of your wedding day.  Pray about your situation and leave things in his hands.  Don't sweat the small stuff and remember at the end of the day the most important thing is that you and your hubby are married.  Here are some pictures from Temisha and Cedric Youngs wedding.  To God be the glory!

 

 

 

 
 

 
 
 

Deborah and Joel Beasley's wedding

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations Deborah and Joel Beasley, July 11, 2009.  Such a wonderful couple to work with and the wedding was so beautiful.  Thank you so much for allowing me to help put this special day together.

Calandra

Huntsville wedding coordinator

Chris Anne and Heath Causey's wedding

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations Chris Anne and Heath Causey, June 20, 2009!  Thank you for allowing me the privilege of helping you plan your special day.

Calandra

Huntsville wedding coordinator

September makes me think back to the college days

I was just sitting here on the eve of Labor Day reflecting on my college days and the fun I had.  If you have read the about us page on my website you know that I have a MS degree in Speech Language Pathology.  Wow! wedding planning is far from what I spent seven years in college studying.  I have however, had the pleasure of working with three fellow SLP brides and I truly enjoyed working with each of them.  I have decided that just for fun I am going to start an SLP club.  Here are pictures of the members so far:

 

Of course me, Calandra Terry Epps, who has been married two years August 7th.

 

Christy Rainer who has been married two years this past August and is also now a Mommy.

 

Chris Anne Causey who has been married 3 months.

 

Deborah Foster Beasley who has been married 2 months.

Congratulations to each of you ladies.  It is always nice to share something in common with your brides and I wish each of you well with your careers and your marriages. 

Calandra

Huntsville wedding coordinator

Doctors Precious and Cramin Wiltz Wedding

We had the pleasure of planning the wedding of Doctor Precious Wiltz and Doctor Cramin Wiltz this past June.   I really had a great time helping this couple out as they were both completing dental school throughout the planning process of the wedding.  Precious and Cramin both received two new titles within a two week time span Doctor and wife/husband.  Precious and Cramin thank you for allowing me to be a part of such an important day in your lives and I wish you much success with your marriage and your careers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cynthia and Keith Matthews wedding

 

 

 

 

 

Keith and Cynthia had a beautiful Tiffany themed wedding.  This wedding was unique in that we planned it in a quick 5 week time span and it was on a Tuesday evening.  The wedding and reception were at one of Huntsville's newest venues The Summitt.  This was such a beautiful wedding and we had such a great time working with several vendors from the Wedding Group and helping Keith and Cynthia turn this dream into reality.  Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Matthews.