Real Wedding: Dena & Cameron 4/21/12

Dena & Cameron were the winners of our contest for free Day-of Coordination (see previous post). We were so excited when the day finally arrived and we were able to coordinate their wedding at the absolutely beautiful St. James Cathedral in Seattle. Dena looked amazing in her sleeping beauty dress and Cam so handsome in his tux.

An amazing dessert table was stocked by the wonderful Jenny's Cookies and everyone danced the night away and had a great time in the Fun Booth from Kaylee Eylander Photography.

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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...

Our Photo Shoot with Cindi + Chris Photography!

A month or so ago Wedding Wire came to Seattle for an event that we had decided to go to, for networking, and the social media seminar that they were presenting. It was packed and there were so many wedding professionals there! In the middle of the room this very nice duo introduced themselves as Cindi and Chris, and we found ourselves learning about their photography business and in turn, us telling them about our wedding planning business. We exchanged cards and enjoyed the rest of the evening, tasting appetizers, sipping wine, and talking with other professionals. The very next morning, we received a very prompt email from that wonderful photography couple; following up to our networking from the previous night, offering to take some time and have a photo shoot with us. We were so humbled by the courtesy of making sure they contacted us the next day and then by adding the photo shoot to that! We agreed and set it up for a chilly Sunday morning in November...

We met Cindi & Chris of Cindi + Chris Photography at the Hollywood School House in Woodinville. It was FREEZING! That is no understatement! But it was a beautiful day, the morning was crisp the sun was breaking in and Cindi and Chris were full of smiles and ready to snap their Cannon cameras :)

It was a total BLAST to work with them! They both do a great job working off each other. Where one is at one angle or shot, the other will quickly look at another angle all the while creating beautiful photography.  Their energy is very inviting and fun to be around, as we laughed, joked and talked shop throughout the shoot.  I could easily see a Bride, or couple who hates their picture taken, really feel at ease with these two, making it easy for her to not pay attention so much to the camera but to really have fun with these two professionals, and get amazing pictures in the end.

We made our way to Chateau Ste Michelle Winery, where we played in the leaves and really let loose! It was a lot of fun as they both inspired us to throw leaves in the air and be care free! We both felt completely comfortable in front of the camera (even though we both have non- photogenic issues. ) In the end we got to know a really genuine set of Seattle photographers, their pictures are proof of their work! We are so thrilled to have got to work with them, and we can’t wait to do a wedding and or an event together soon!

http://cindiandchrisphotography.com/

The Seattle Freeze!?

While I was eating lunch today I flipped on the TV and 'New Day Northwest' was on.  I would have changed the channel but they started talking about the Seattle dating scene and it sounded kind of interesting. A woman was on talking who I found out was dating coach Barb Morgan and she mentioned that " the most recent US Census reveals that Seattle has the second highest number of single households of any US city." Wow! That is insane! Her and the host and the other two guests who were two singles going through her program "60 Dates in 60 Days" then started talking about how maybe it was because of the Seattle culture and how it was hard to meet other singles. The male on the show mentioned he was from California and he was not used to it being so hard to meet people.

This actually blew me away because it reiterated a point my boyfriend tried to make to Christina and I the other day after he came back from a 25 day trip to Louisiana. Him and his friend said the people there were so friendly, unlike people here. That you can just go into any bar and start chatting with someone, whereas if you did that here, if a guy went up to a girl she might give you a dirty look and turn away or say something rude.

Barb Morgen recently launched the site www.60DatesIn60Days.com to encourage singles to get out and find someone already. She says that’s harder than you might think in a city where singles outnumber married folk and the term “Seattle freeze” is common.

So, what is this Seattle Freeze phenomenon or theory we have been talking about?  According to Urban Dictionary Seattle Freeze is:

A phrase that describes a local public consensus that states the city of Seattle and/ or its outlying suburbs are generally not friendly, asexual, introverted, socially aloof, cliquish or strictly divided through its social classes, thus making the city/ area difficult to make social connections on all levels.
Hmmm...really...what do you guys think. Do you find this to be an accurate portrayal of Seattleites? Also, Morgan asked this question and we are also wondering what you think-" Has this disproportionate number of singles has made it so easy to live an unmarried lifestyle that many just never get around to getting hitched?”
Let us know what you think!
-Ashley
Sources: UrbanDictionary, Seattle PI, New Day Northwest

Something Blue?

There are many customs and traditions that go along with weddings but this well known custom comes from and Old English rhyme, "Something olde, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe." Brides throughout the decades have incorporated this in their wedding attire, for tradition and superstition. It symbolizes: continuity, optimism for the future, borrowed happiness, fidelity, and good fortune.

Your "something old" could be an heirloom, a bible, jewelry, a piece of your mothers gown.
Your "something new" could be your dress, shoes, undergarments, jewelry, hair pins.
Your "something borrowed" should be borrowed from a happily married couple.
Your "something blue" can be discreet maybe ribbon laced through your garter, combined with one of your "old, new, or borrowed."
Penny in your shoe? Not many adhere to this tradition any longer but superstition is if so it is to ensure a life of fortune.

Six Money Mistakes of Newlyweds

When you get hitched not only do you join yourself together in love and spirit, but you also join together your bank accounts and take on each others debts. For many this also means buying your first home together and taking on a mortgage. Here are six great tips of solid advice from a writer for Kiplinger.com, a personal finance and business website.

Six Money Mistakes of Newlyweds

By Erin Burt
Kiplinger.com

Whether you're planning a walk down the aisle soon or you've already gotten hitched, watch out for these financial pitfalls that can strain even the strongest marriage.

Four words no one wants to hear soon after his or her wedding day: "We made a mistake."

I'm talking about financial choices - not your choice of spouse. Unfortunately, many newlyweds set themselves up for failure soon after they say "I do." If you bring bad money habits to the marriage or fail to come up with a plan to merge your financial lives, you could potentially doom your relationship to money trouble - and endless arguments. Not exactly "happily ever after."

However, nothing says "I love you" like the desire to start your marriage on the right financial foot (roses, schmoses). Here are six common pitfalls that trip up new couples. Steer clear of these, and you'll decrease the money tension and increase the harmony in your new life together.

1. Keeping money secrets

Money is one of the most common sources of arguments in a marriage, so it's best to simply avoid the subject altogether, right?

Wrong! Some of the most heated arguments stem from failing to discuss financial backgrounds, expectations and attitudes from the start. Communication is key to the survival of any relationship, and bearing your financial soul to your partner is no exception.

Ideally, you want to have this conversation before walking down the aisle. After all, there are good marital surprises ("Didn't I tell you I'm a gourmet chef?") and bad surprises ("Didn't I tell you I have $20,000 in credit card debt?"). Full disclosure is in order here - and that includes your shoe fetish or gambling habit. For tips on what to discuss, see Ten Questions to Ask Before Saying 'I Do.'

2. Not having a budget

Now that you're settling into your new life together, it's time to discuss the b word. No, not baby. Budgeting. You're merging two spending habits and two saving habits into one household. So even if you had a budget when you were single (pat on the back), you've got to make a new one with your husband or wife to include his or her income, debts and monthly expenses. That will help to ensure you have enough money left over for that other b word - Bahamas.

Use our budget worksheet to start. Your first step is to write down your fixed expenses - such as your rent, car payment, insurance premiums and student loan payments. You should also make a habit of contributing to your savings or investments as if you were paying a fixed bill each month. Then write down your flexible expenses, such as utility and phone bills, transportation costs, groceries, trips to the ATM, and miscellaneous purchases. Track your actual spending for a couple of months to see where your money really goes, then find the spending leaks and plug them. Building a budget is a great way to set common spending and saving goals, identify problems, and work together to fix them.

3. Giving one person the financial reins

The honeymoon's over, and it's time to get down to the nitty-gritty of the daily finances. Who will physically pay the bills, monitor the investments and crunch the taxes? One person may be more inclined toward these tasks, or you may decide to split the responsibility or trade off each month.

There's nothing wrong with letting one person take over the family finances, as long as both partners are okay with that decision. But that doesn't mean the other partner should be excluded. It's important for each person not only to feel involved in the big financial decisions but also to have an understanding of the day-to-day finances. You each need to know all your different account information, passwords and bill due dates in case anything were to happen to the other person. And no matter how you divide the responsibility, it's a good idea to have a regular "money date" each month or so to make sure each of you is in the loop. You should go over your budget, review your savings progress and discuss upcoming expenses together. How's that for keeping the romance alive?

Also, if you choose to combine your finances after you wed, make sure that major purchases and savings accounts are held in both of your names so that each of you has equal access and can maintain a credit rating. You don't want to find out in the event of a divorce that your name wasn't actually on the car title or savings accounts.

4. Dragging debt down the aisle

What's his is hers, and what's hers is his. Whether you decide to combine your finances or maintain a separate approach, if one of you brought debt into the marriage, it becomes a problem for both of you. You'll need to work together to come up with a plan to pay it off. However, you should never officially commingle your debt. Doing so could hurt the credit score of the other partner and make it difficult for one or both of you to get credit later. Keep existing credit-card and loan accounts in the original holder's name.

If you can help it, it's best to avoid beginning your marriage in the red. Many newlyweds make the mistake of going too far into debt to pull off the wedding of their dreams, go on an exotic honeymoon, or buy brand-new furniture and appliances for their home. Before you dig too deep, you should sit down together to determine which expenses are necessary and which are worth a splurge - and come up with a plan to pay for it all before you spend it.

5. Sweating the small stuff

Marriage is about compromises and simply letting some things slide. So she squeezes the toothpaste tube from the middle, and he doesn't pick up his socks. Big deal. You'll both soon learn to pick your battles and save your energy for issues that really matter.

That goes for picking your money battles, too. I remember my first financial argument with my husband. We had been married two weeks, and we were doing our grocery shopping together. He wanted to buy the brand-name chocolate chips, and I felt strongly that we should save 75 cents and go with the off-brand chips. After a lengthy and heated exchange, we divided up the rest of the shopping list so that we wouldn't have to look at each other for the rest of our outing. Then we drove home in a huff. Lesson learned: Never go grocery shopping when you're hungry, tired and irritable. Oh, wait. Financial lesson learned: Don't sweat the small stuff. Was the argument really worth 75 cents? No way.

Of course, if all the little stuff is adding up to a big drain on your finances and causing you to live beyond your means, bring it up at your next money date and work together to find ways you can both cut back. (Ah, there's that compromise idea again.) But take note: It's important that you build a little "mad money" into your budget for each person to spend at his or her own discretion. (Can you imagine asking your spouse for permission every time you wanted to buy a cappuccino and a muffin, or grab a drink with some friends after work?) But as far as the big stuff goes, make it a rule to consult the other on major purchases. You don't want to come home and unexpectedly find a brand-new Mercedes in the driveway, and the bill that goes with it.

By the way, I now go grocery shopping alone. We decided as a couple it's what's best for our marriage.

6. Failing to plan for an emergency

No one likes to think about bad things happening, but in all the excitement of your engagement, planning your wedding and moving in together, it's easy to overlook this important aspect of financial planning. One of the best gifts you and your spouse can give each other is financial security and protection from life's storms.

First, assess your emergency stash of cash. Every couple should have enough money available to cover from three to six months worth of living expenses. You never know when the car will break down, one of you will lose a job or you'll have an unexpected medical bill. Learn more about how to build your financial foundation and where to keep the money.

Then, you need to make sure you have adequate insurance coverage, including health, auto, renters or homeowners, and possibly life insurance. Learn more about the types of insurance everyone should have, and how to get the appropriate coverage.

Did you get married without a prenuptial agreement? It's not too late to protect the financial interests each partner brought to the marriage. Consider drafting a post-nup with your lawyers. Plus, make sure you each have written a will to divide your assets in the event of your death.

See Also: Secrets to Marital and Money Bliss, 10 Questions to Ask Before Saying 'I Do', A Primer on Prenups

Reprinted with permission. All Contents c 2010 The Kiplinger Washington Editors. www.kiplinger.com.