We've emphasised several times how stressful brides become while planning their wedding, but why is that? As young girls, we're told how magical and wonderful it will be when our prince comes along on his white steed and sweeps us off our feet, taking us away to his magical castle. Then we grow older and realize that prince charming doesn't really exist and if he does he isn't riding a horse, he's driving a Toyota. Life is messy and complicated, but we want our wedding day to be different. We want something wonderful and magical that describes how it should feel to be in love. We want a big party with our family and friends, celebrating the union we've made. We want an elegant and formal dinner to impress and shower our loved ones with thanks for helping us make this day possible. We want the fairytale.
In the movies fairytales don't come without a fight. The prince has to overcome a dragon or push the evil queen over a cliff, but in the end the man always gets his girl. Then the movie ends. We don't see how Cinderella planned her wedding; we just see her in this beautiful, puffy white dress. No one tells us how hard it is to pick the right caterer, the perfect cake flavors, the most amazing centerpieces, the most memorable favors. It's just one day, but we've made it up to be one of the most important days of our lives, and every detail has to be perfect.
Of course not every bride is like this. Some have a more go-with-the-flow attitude and are more than willing to delegate tasks to us at The Hamilton Event Center or to friends and family. That's why we strive to make our packages include as many things as possible so you only have to figure out a few small details. We're flexible enough that we let you choose the decor, but you don't have to worry about the set up or clean because we've got that covered. We'll help you in any way we can so that you don't have to stress over this special day. Let us make your wedding day memorable. We'll take on as much of the stress as you'll allow us so that you can relax and enjoy yourself.
Remember, if you're a last minute bride wanting a reception this summer we're offering 15% off all Reception Packages booked during the months of June, July, or August. Give us a call or email us today! 405.608.0342 hamiltoneventcenter@mac.com
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Last minute summer bride?
If you're recently engaged and wanting to get married this summer come to The Hamilton Event Center! We're offering a summer special: If you book your reception with us for the months of June, July, or August we'll give you 15% off! That can add up to a huge amount of savings! Here is a list of everything we include with our reception packages:
- Tables & Chairs (60" round tables and mahoghany Chiavari chairs)
- Floor-length Tabledrapes with Organza Toppers (you choose the colors to match your color scheme)
- Plates, Glasses, & Flatware (glass plates and real glasses, the silverware will be rolled into a white linen napkin for you and your guests' convenience)
- Draped Food & Cake Tables
- Ornate Silver Cake Stands (1 round and 1 square that will accommodate nearly every size and shape of cake)
- Toasting Flutes (you're welcome to bring in your own)
- Tea, Coffee, & Water (unlimited refills for you and your guests)
- Signature Punch served in our Silver Punch Bowl
- Swan Ice Sculpture (situated in the center of the buffet in a large tray of ice that you can put shrimp, fruits, or veggies on instead of on a tray)
- Fresh Floral & Candle Centerpieces (completely customized to your style)
- Multiple Glass Candy Containers (if you're doing a candy bar, we don't want you to have to purchase or a rent any extra containers)
- Multiple Servers (they take care of refilling the food on the buffet table as well as clearing away dirty plates and glasses and cutting and serving your cakes)
- Room Hostess (she makes sure that things flow smoothly the entire night)
- Microphone & Sound System (for any announcements, speeches, etc. that need to be made; our sound system includes mp3 player and laptop hookup and a Blue Ray DVD player)
- Setup and Cleanup (we will have everything setup and ready for you and your guests upon arrival, and we will clean up everything once you and your guests have left)
- Food (this can come from any caterer, restaurant, cook it yourselves, premade trays--whatever type of food you want)
- Cakes (again, these can come from any vendor, but remember, we have the cake stands here)
- Photographer
- DJ (we have mp3 player and laptop hookup if you want to save on the cost of a dj and just bring in your own music to play through our speakers)
- Alcohol (bring in whatever wine or beer you want, the size of cup you want it poured into, and we will have a table set up for everything to be out on so guests can serve themselves; or hire an ABLE-licensed bartender to serve mixed drinks and manage a cash bar)
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Mornings shouldn't be rushed
Feeling rushed in the mornings? Here are some easy tips to save you some time and to start your day off with less stress.
1. Wrap your wet hair in a towel (you can get a super-absorbent one at Sephora) and let it dry as naturally as possible for as long as possible while you get dressed and eat some breakfast. This also gives your bathroom time to let all that hot air out so when you return to dry your hair it won't feel like a sauna.
2. When prepping for your make up think about skipping the toner and eye cream. You can use those at night when your skin has more time to repair, but it's not necessary in the morning.
3. Try using makeup that does two things at once: concealer and foundation, cheek and lip tint, and give mascara a little wiggle at the at the base of your lashes to give a subtle line instead of using eyeliner.
4. If you didn't eat breakfast in Step 1 here's a quick and easy meal idea: on Sunday buy 5 containers of Greek yogurt then scoop 1/3 cup of a high in fiber, low fat cereal into 5 snack-size plastic. Then on each morning of the work week toss a yogurt and a cereal bag into your purse to enjoy at your desk at work.
5. Studies now show that you don't need to stretch before working out; just do some light cardio before your weight training. Do 15 repetitions and 3 sets of the following: crunches, push-ups, tricep dips (use a stable chair), squats, and lunges. Make sure all movements are slow and controlled.
1. Wrap your wet hair in a towel (you can get a super-absorbent one at Sephora) and let it dry as naturally as possible for as long as possible while you get dressed and eat some breakfast. This also gives your bathroom time to let all that hot air out so when you return to dry your hair it won't feel like a sauna.
2. When prepping for your make up think about skipping the toner and eye cream. You can use those at night when your skin has more time to repair, but it's not necessary in the morning.
3. Try using makeup that does two things at once: concealer and foundation, cheek and lip tint, and give mascara a little wiggle at the at the base of your lashes to give a subtle line instead of using eyeliner.
4. If you didn't eat breakfast in Step 1 here's a quick and easy meal idea: on Sunday buy 5 containers of Greek yogurt then scoop 1/3 cup of a high in fiber, low fat cereal into 5 snack-size plastic. Then on each morning of the work week toss a yogurt and a cereal bag into your purse to enjoy at your desk at work.
5. Studies now show that you don't need to stretch before working out; just do some light cardio before your weight training. Do 15 repetitions and 3 sets of the following: crunches, push-ups, tricep dips (use a stable chair), squats, and lunges. Make sure all movements are slow and controlled.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Is your bra doing its job?
So many women suffer from wearing the wrong kind of bra. Whether it wrinkles in the cups, the underwire pokes your side, the band rides up, or you're spilling out the cups, it's an issue that is easily fixed. At home in a non-padded bra or braless, measure directly under the bust (or around the bottom of the band if you're in a bra). Make sure the tape measure is level and snug. Round to the nearest whole number. If the number is even, add 4 inches. If it's odd, add 5 inches. This is your band size.
Now wrap the measuring tape loosely around the fullest part of your chest (at the nipple). Round to the nearest whole number, and this is your bust measurement.
Finally to calculate your cup size subtract your band size from your bust measurement then refer to the chart below. Example 37 inches bust -- 34 inches band = 3 inches which is a 34C.
Now wrap the measuring tape loosely around the fullest part of your chest (at the nipple). Round to the nearest whole number, and this is your bust measurement.
Finally to calculate your cup size subtract your band size from your bust measurement then refer to the chart below. Example 37 inches bust -- 34 inches band = 3 inches which is a 34C.
The difference in inches: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Your cup size is: AA A B C D DD DDD,F G
Here are the types of bras you should be wearing based on your cup size.
If you have an A cup:
A bra that molds to what you have or a soft-cup style with or without underwire for a more natural look. For a believable and not over enhanced push-up, choose pads that sit at the base of the cups and not the sides.
If you have a B or C cup:
Make sure your bra is made of sturdy material. Avoid anything flimsy or stretch otherwise you won't get the right support. If you want more shaping choose a bra with a vertical seam that goes down the center of the cup.
If you have a D cup or larger:
Choose bras with cups that have 3-part construction with vertical and horizontal seams so you can get more lift and shaping. For a smoother look under clothing choose a molded T-shirt bra with boning on each side of the band or reinforced panels inside the cups to get your breasts front and center.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Say cheese!
Who you pick to photograph your wedding is important. You'll be showing off that wedding album for years to come (Facebook, new friends, kids, grandkids). So we have some tips on how to pick the right photographer as well as making sure the photos turn out beautiful!
1. When you're meeting with potential photographers ask to see photos from 5 or 6 weddings, including photos from the last wedding they did. Photographers typically only show off their best work.
2. The rule is typically 1 photographer per 100 guests. If you're going with just 1 see if they have an assistant (different from a second photographer) who can help set up shots and handle equipment.
3. Picking out the right wedding package can be overwhelming. Try to pick out the one that has the most of what you want (do you really want 100 wallet-sized photos?). You can always order more. Most photographers these days give you a CD so if you want to order more from Walmart you can.
4. Things to include in your contract:
6. Weddings can be chaotic and 50 things are going on at the same time. The photographer might miss an amazing moment you and your friends had. If it's important to you to catch that moment on film, ask everyone involved to recreate it so the photographer can catch it.
7. Think about renting a photobooth. The picture quality is good, and this will keep your guests entertained as well as giving them something memorable to take home. You can still have a photographer for the wedding and for capturing special moments like cutting the cake and dancing with your dad.
8. You can definitely ask your photographer to dress appropriately for your wedding, but be aware that they need to be comfortable so no tuxedos or ballgowns. Most wear either all black or black pants with a white shirt so they don't stand out.
1. When you're meeting with potential photographers ask to see photos from 5 or 6 weddings, including photos from the last wedding they did. Photographers typically only show off their best work.
2. The rule is typically 1 photographer per 100 guests. If you're going with just 1 see if they have an assistant (different from a second photographer) who can help set up shots and handle equipment.
3. Picking out the right wedding package can be overwhelming. Try to pick out the one that has the most of what you want (do you really want 100 wallet-sized photos?). You can always order more. Most photographers these days give you a CD so if you want to order more from Walmart you can.
4. Things to include in your contract:
- Everyone's contact information
- Dates, times, and addresses of all wedding locations
- Name of and contact information for a backup photographer
- Package details
- Date the proofs will be available
- Photographer's copyright policy (do they care if you take the CD to Walmart for more prints?)
- When and how you will receive your album, prints, or CDs
- Total cost (itemized)
- Reordering prices
- Deposit amount
- Payment due dates
- Cancellation and refund policy
6. Weddings can be chaotic and 50 things are going on at the same time. The photographer might miss an amazing moment you and your friends had. If it's important to you to catch that moment on film, ask everyone involved to recreate it so the photographer can catch it.
7. Think about renting a photobooth. The picture quality is good, and this will keep your guests entertained as well as giving them something memorable to take home. You can still have a photographer for the wedding and for capturing special moments like cutting the cake and dancing with your dad.
8. You can definitely ask your photographer to dress appropriately for your wedding, but be aware that they need to be comfortable so no tuxedos or ballgowns. Most wear either all black or black pants with a white shirt so they don't stand out.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
To have and to hold.... What's my line?
Of the many details that go in to planning a wedding, one of the most overlooked is the writing of the vows. Couples tend to wait until the last minute which usually results in telling the officiant to just use some traditional vows. Your vows should reflect the two of you and your relationship. Using the traditional vows off the Internet is fine, but what you say to one another should be more than just words. Think about sitting down with your officiant and talking about what matters most to the two of you. Faith, love, commitment, trust--all important and personal to each couple. If you don't have an officiant yet, take time as a couple to discuss how you want your vows to relfect the two of you then pick an officiant who will best honor your wishes.
Also you can consider incorporating your parents or even all the guests in to your vows. Have your officiant ask if your parents will support and encourage you. Face your guests and position your officiant with his back to them so they can see your faces. You might even consider having the groom wear a wireless mic that will pick up everything the two of you say.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Food
Last week we talked about having alcohol at your reception so it's only right that we now talk about the food. There are a few things you need to think about before you decide what to serve at your reception such as which dining option is right for you. You'll need to decide when and where you are getting married. Think about what food will be in season and easy to access. Such as having a wedding in Oklahoma in January and wanting king-crab legs. Think about having food from farmers markets, and Oklahoma is known for having several good wineries that would be happy to cater to your reception to show off their product.
Once that is decided you can figure out which dining option works best for you: sit-down dinner, buffet, cocktail party, or a casual barbeque. Each comes with its own pros and cons, and each fits a certain couple. If you're quiet and reserved and want to relax at your reception, a sit-down dinner is often best. If you're wanting to keep things small and casual, think about having an outdoor barbeque.
Also you'll need to consider how much each guest is going to cost you. If you're wanting a four course meal but can only spend $10 per person, you may need to reevaluate. Think about doing cocktails and hors d'oeuvres for a larger reception. This is ideal for couples who are wanting more dancing and mingling and less eating.
Don't forget that this is your reception. That means the buffet or dinner should have foods that you like. This isn't the time to worry about your diet or your waistline. But, just a warning, if you're both in to Thai food but have guests or family members who only eat burgers and steaks you may want to have a mix of Thai and a few American foods to appease those guests. Last but not least, have fun with the food options. If you think mini hamburgers are adorable, go for it!
Once that is decided you can figure out which dining option works best for you: sit-down dinner, buffet, cocktail party, or a casual barbeque. Each comes with its own pros and cons, and each fits a certain couple. If you're quiet and reserved and want to relax at your reception, a sit-down dinner is often best. If you're wanting to keep things small and casual, think about having an outdoor barbeque.
Also you'll need to consider how much each guest is going to cost you. If you're wanting a four course meal but can only spend $10 per person, you may need to reevaluate. Think about doing cocktails and hors d'oeuvres for a larger reception. This is ideal for couples who are wanting more dancing and mingling and less eating.
Don't forget that this is your reception. That means the buffet or dinner should have foods that you like. This isn't the time to worry about your diet or your waistline. But, just a warning, if you're both in to Thai food but have guests or family members who only eat burgers and steaks you may want to have a mix of Thai and a few American foods to appease those guests. Last but not least, have fun with the food options. If you think mini hamburgers are adorable, go for it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)