Ways to save on your wedding

We are still in the heart of engagement season (that's right, Valentine's Day is coming up). Which means many new couples will begin their wedding planning early this year. With wedding costs on the rise (the average wedding is now between $20-30k depending on the area) it is good to know some ways to cut costs in general. Here are a few tips we think are noteworthy: 1. Cut down. Have 100 guests instead of 150. Have a buffet instead of a 5 course meal. Have 3 bridesmaids instead of 7.

2. Loosen up. The less formal the affair, the more affordable. Instead of a sit down hotel dinner, go for a casual brunch or appetizer only event.

3. Pick and choose. Go for a designer dress but skip the expensive shoes and accessories, serve cake but skip the candy/dessert bar. Have an amazing photographer but settle on having cousin Doug in film school videotaping the event.

4. Hire a wedding planner! Wedding planners are professionals and know even more ways to save and cut costs, they even get discounts with many of the wedding vendors who would normally charge you full price. (Hey, I think I know a planner...)

Stay tuned for more tips on getting started with planning your wedding!

IYD Wedding: Gillian & Mitchell July 21st, 2012

July 21st, 2012! It was a gorgeous day for a wedding on the Kirkland waterfront, at the always lovely Woodmark! We arrived to Woodmark to find the Marina Room filled with Gillian's flowers- they smelled amazing. Her flowers were very romantic and lush; garden roses, lilies, and in her color pallet of coral, white, green with navy blue vases;  crisp and nautical. She was getting ready in her suite, surrounded by all her bridesmaids and moms as the men were getting ready down the way! Gillian looked so beautiful in her lace dress, with an elegant pale grey silk ribbon around her waist. She was a vision! Mitch and his boys looked equally handsome! Courtney Bowlden of Courtney Bowlden Photography was busy snapping up shots of this great couple! Here is a peek into their day!

I loves this last one! It looks as though they are celebrities, making a get away!

Vendors

Venue/Catering -Woodmark, Kirkland WA

Planner/Day of Coordinator- It's Your Day Events & Expressions

Cake- Sweet Cakes

Photography- Courtney Bowlden

Flowers- Fena Flowers, Kirkland, WA

Stationary- Custom Design, Minted.

DJ/Band- The Action Slacks

Thanks Gillian & Mitch, for letting us help out on such a big day!

Real Wedding: Taryn & Reilly

Friday the 10th of February was a day to remember for these two love birds! What an amazing, amazing wedding. So much love and laughter, and did we mention the cakes? There were 5 total, plus cake pops and mini tarts! All equally delicious. We absolutely loved being a part of their big day, and helping friends and family make their wedding one to remember! Sample of their big day below...

2012 Color of the Year: Tangerine Tango!

Pantone (an X-Rite company, and the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries) has announced the 2012 color of the year, Tangerine Tango! The 2011 color of the year, PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle, encouraged us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy."

Over the past several years, orange has grown in popularity and acceptance among designers and consumers alike. A provocative attention-getter, Tangerine Tango is especially appealing in men’s and women’s fashion. Pantone also adds that  the color is also a winner in cosmetics because of its versatility, Tangerine Tango is a bit exotic, but in a very friendly, non-threatening way. Add a sultry flair to lips, cheeks and nails with Tangerine Tango. An unexpected eye shadow color, the color is a complementary opposite that flatters blue or green eyes. When paired with brown eyes, it brings out an amber cast.

This hot, vibrant color will make a bold statement with any wedding palette. It would be great paired with a yellow or even a cockatoo ( robin egg blue)  or keep it popping  with other hot vibrant colors to accompany it. (See the palette below for some great choices).

Soon you will be able to find the color in your nearest Sephora store as Pantone has partnered with Sephora as SEPHORA + PANTONE UNIVERSE proudly presents the first Color of the Year beauty collection.Hot colors for Spring 2012:

Courtesy of The Picky Palette.

For the full scoop on this years hottest color, Tangerine Tango, go to: Pantone.

NW Wedding Show!

We had such a great time at the NW Wedding show this past weekend!Despite the snow that held us up on Sunday! There were so many great vendors there like Mojo Photobooth, Bugsie Productions , and Simply Seasoned! Plus many many more! We absolutely loved mingling and networking with all those great vendors! Flowers by Tiffany had a beautiful booth! We also were able to have some photo booth fun at Mojo Photobooth! Our booth consisted of a very fun theme, burlap favors with chocolate, we had wood slabs;  decorated by wild flowers that were held in burlap and lace mason jars! We wanted to thank all those who stopped by our booth and put their information down, we are in the midst of getting all that data in our system and we will be contacting you shortly. We wanted to welcome Tara and Josh to the It's Your Day family who had booked us at the show! We do look forward to speaking and meeting with you all! Also, we wanted to let any other brides, grooms and or parents looking for planning or wedding day coordination know that we are running our special from the show until February 29th! 15% off any package!

Invitations and Save the Dates by It's Your Day Studio

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Wedding Shows

So you are engaged! Or maybe one of your good friends are? Well congratulations! It's that time of year, where a huge surge in wedding shows is upon us. There are tons of shows in January and several on weekends even weekday nights throughout the remainder of the year. Some are large, some are more intimate. It can be really confusing to sort out and get the best vendors among whose-who especially at the larger shows such as The Seattle Wedding Show, The NW Bridal Expo, and the Seattle or Tacoma Wedding Expo's (from Brides Club).

Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your experience when visiting wedding shows:

1. Look for vendors who look like they are actually happy to be there and are engaging. Some people can be too pushy however. Don't let anyone push you in to anything you don't want. Interact with the vendors and get to know them a little. These are people who will be servicing you on one of the biggest days of your life. If you do not like them as a person why would you hire them?

2. Once you do get to know the vendors and there is someone you do like or someone you don't like, how are you going to remember them out of the hundreds of booths you are visiting that day? Do one of two things: Either bring a little note pad and make notes of names of companies you really did like or bring  a few colors of sticky notes and stick them on the brochures, flyers and cards given out by companies. You can use for example green for places you loved, yellow for places that were so-so and red/pink for places that were a huge no way! (Get the metaphor relation to a traffic light there?) Since they are sticky notes you can also make notes on them if you have the chance.

3. Look for vendors who are having sales specifically for the show or a short period of time. Many vendors offer special rates at the bridal shows, while others do not. Look for the ones who are offering a quality product but yet a special rate for you to take advantage of. Lots of places will give out free favors too! Loot score! (Make sure you get the free tote bag at the entrance).

4. If you haven't picked out a wedding cake (or if you are hungry even), make sure to stop by all the delicious cake booths offering samples. It is a great way to try out many bakeries all in one stop without having to travel all around the Sound to find that perfect cake or cupcakes or desert!

5. Lots of times you might see a great idea at a show as well. You might see a dress at a bridal booth you love or a flower centerpiece or a table display from a wedding planner or rental company that you just must have. That is why its always a great idea to have a camera. Sure you can write your ideas in your notepad but your camera will help you remember your idea even better, plus you and your MOH or fiance can document your fun experience. A picture is worth a thousand words, right?

6.  At shows, nearly every vendor/booth is offering some sort of drawing. Save your hand some pain and strain and print your self out some pre-addressed labels. Make sure they include your phone # and/or email so they can contact you if and when you do win!

Upcoming Wedding Shows:

Seattle Wedding Show                                                                              January 7 & 8          Washington Convention & Trade Center

NW Bridal Expo                                                                                          January 14 &15        Tulalip Casino Ballroom (It's Your Day will be in booth #110)

Seattle Wedding Expo                                                                              January 14 & 15       Seattle Center

Space Needle Wine & Wedding Experience                                    January 19                 Space Needle

Tacoma Wedding Expo                                                                           January 21 & 22       Tacoma Dome

Lynnwood-Everett Wedding Expo                                                   January 28 & 29       Comcast Arena

Wine & Wedding Experience -Hollywood Schoolhouse          February 2                  The Hollywood Schoolhouse, Woodinville

Snohomish Wedding Tour                                                                    May 20, 2012           Venues around Snohomish