I know I'm forgetting something, but what??

Obviously with the hundreds of other things on your mind you're bound to forget a few things that might have people feeling left out or could leave you in a bind so we've compiled a little list of the top things brides tend to forget amongst all that wedding planning.

1. What are you doing right after the wedding?
Most newlyweds aren't boarding a flight directly after their reception so where do you plan on spending the night? Do you want the party with all your friends to continue at a club? Or do you just want to get a good night's rest? Make sure to plan this in advance so you aren't wasting time planning in the parking lot outside your reception venue.

2. Pack an overnight bag
If you're flying out the next day, you don't want to mess up everything in that luggage (especially if you folded everything neatly according to our ___________ blog) by digging in it for a travel outfit. Pack a separate small bag, and see if your maid of honor or a friend can drop it off at the hotel early so you don't have to worry about it being in the getaway car, etc.

3. What are you doing the day after the wedding?
Where are you going? Flying? Driving? Do you need your passport? Make sure everything you need is packed in advance, and that your bag is already at your hotel. If you're not going on a honeymoon right away, enjoy the weekend, and tackle thank-you's the next week.

4. Who's taking care of your presents, toasting flutes, extra favors, leftover food, etc.?
Have a plan set for your parents or whoever to take home the extra food and maybe have a get-together the next day to eat it up, or have someone drop it off at a local shelter or soup kitchen. And make sure whoever is taking your presents and memorabilia has a key to your place. Also, most importantly, have someone pick up your dress from the hotel, or if you changed before you left the reception have them take it home and get it cleaned and preserved, if you choose to do that. The sooner the cleaners works on any stains the better.

5. Decide where everything goes
When you meet with us, we have a detail meeting where we discuss exactly how you want the room set for your big day. We'll discuss options for the bar, your favors, your departure item (anything but sparklers), etc. so that way we both know what's happening the day of and can keep things flowing smoothly.

6. Extra decorating
We take care of the centerpieces for you, but if you want to add something extra to the cake and food tables (shells and net for a beach-themed reception?) bring it in to use early, and we can set it out for you! Our bathrooms each have a nice vase filled with silk flowers, but if you want to add some mementos (framed pictures, signature candle scent, etc.) you can.

7. Gifts for the wedding party
These people have dedicated a lot of time, energy, and money of their own to help in your special day so it's nice to honor them with small gifts of thanks. Typically the bride buys for her bridesmaids, her parents, his parents, and the groom himself. Then the groom buys for his groomsmen, his parents, her parents, and the bride. Just something small that says "I love and appreciate you" (for the girls it can be the jewelry they wear in the wedding, a clutch, a personalized picture frame--your budget, your friends, your choice).

8. Marriage certificate
Different states have different laws about how far in advance you can request a marriage license as well as when and where you can pick it up. Make sure you, or someone you trust, is in charge of picking it up and getting it to the wedding venue so you, your groom, your officiant, and your witnesses can sign it. Generally your officiant will mail this off for you, but if they won't, make sure you know where it's going and that it gets there so everything is legal.

9. Confirm everyone's timeline
One week before the wedding check with your venue, your limo company, your caterer, your baker--everyone involved. Make sure they're all on schedule and on the same page. Also check with your bridal party; make sure they know what time to arrive to the wedding venue, what time pictures start, when the ceremony begins, etc. Day-of wedding coordinators can be miracle workers; if your venue doesn't provide one consider asking/hiring one of your organized friends to perform the task. That way they're keeping everyone on schedule, and you can worry about looking beautiful.

Take a sip

Alcohol is the obvious drink of choice at wedding receptions, but how about trying something different like a soda bar or a lemonade station? These can be done on a budget and can be set up as self-serve stations so no one has to be hired to oversee it.

1. Soda bar
Buy a bunch of soda either in your wedding colors (grape and orange?) or do a multitude like in this picture. If you have more money to spend you can get personalized bottles and once the drink is gone guests can take them home as their favors. Find some cute striped straws (online you can buy in bulk and save money), and there you go!
Soda Bar

2. Custom lemonade station
Perfect for an outside summer wedding, you can use either pink or regular lemonade (or both!) then have either bottles of flavors or fresh fruit (or both!) to add to the drinks. Even better is serving them in canning jars with, again, striped straws. Super cute and super refreshing!
Lemonade Stand

3. Coffee bar
Now, this can be done a few different ways, depending on your budget. There are companies that provide a coffee bar with custom drinks (you pick how many you want on the menu), and a barista makes them on site. To do it yourself have coffee brewed and in urns then have add-ins available: cinnamon sticks, chocolate shavings, vanilla, honey, whipped cream, flavored creamers, and anything else you can think of. If you want to get really overzealous you can buy an espresso/latte machine and have milk and coffee beans out for guests to make their own lattes. Then you'll have the machine to take home and use!
Coffee Bar

4. Tea bar
Have hot water available and several options of tea flavors out. You can have spices, honey, sugar, and creamer out also for guests who want to experiment and need to sweeten their tea.
Tea Bar

As always, have fun and create something that reflects your style and your wedding's theme.

Packing for the Honeymoon

If you're planning on leaving for your honeymoon soon after the wedding, packing might be the last thing on your mind. So there you are the morning of your flight, throwing as many clothes, shoes, and necessities will fit in your suitcase, leaving you stressed and struggling to pull the zipper shut. Because we hate the thought of you stressing out more than is necessary (stress-free is our motto!), here are some great tips to make packing for your trip easier.

• Pack three tops for every bottom. It's easier to wear skirts and pants more than once, and when you change your shirt no one will really notice.
• Stick to a certain color scheme so everything can easily be mixed and matched. Have a few neutral shades and then throw in some fun darker shades. Darker colors hide stains (you might not have time to go back to the hotel to change after spilling BBQ on your shirt) and can easily be worn from day to night.
• As for shoes--don't grimace; it's not as bad you think!--you should pack three pairs: sneakers (for random hikes, all-day sightseeing, etc.), flats or sandals (are you going to Colorado or Hawaii?), and heels or wedges (wedges are more versatile and comfortable, but heels are more formal). Again, stick with neutral colors and black; they'll go with everything!
• Try to avoid bulky clothes; (obviously) they take up more room. If you're going somewhere chilly or with tempermental weather, bring clothes you can layer: tanks, tees, cardigans, thin sweaters.
• Bring versatile items. Tanks that look well with jeans and skirts so they can be worn all day (or multiple days).
• Adding fun accessories will also help change up your outfit (for those of you worried about being "outfit repeaters"). They'll draw everyone's attention away from your clothes and will make your outfit look fresh.
• Think about how each clothing item will hold up. Is this blouse going to come out of the suitcase crinkled after a five hour flight? Just in case you can always bring a travel-size Downy wrinkle-release spray.

Now we need to figure out how we're folding all this stuff. The rolling concept is awesome if you're trying to fit everything into a carry-on bag ($50 to check a bag?! That's dinner for two!).

Tops:

• lay the shirt facedown and flat
• fold each sleeve across the front so arms make an X and the shirt is now a rectangle
• fold the shirt vertically (hot dog-style, anyone?) and smooth out the wrinkles
• roll tightly from the hem to the collar

Pants:

• fold in half lengthwise so pockets are on the outside
• roll from the hem to the waistband

Skirt/dress:

• if the dress has sleeves, fold them across the front (like a shirt)
• fold garment in half lengthwise
• roll from the bottom hem up

Winter jacket:

• zip it
• roll it like a top, squeezing out all the air
• put a rubber band around it so it won't come undone while you're packing the rest
• bonus: put it in a pillow case and it makes a nice headrest on the plane

Try zipping that suitcase now. Much better!

Packing checklist you can print at home!

Going the non-traditional route

If you're tired of going to weddings that just seem to be a repeat of the wedding you went to last weekend, maybe you're more of a non-traditional bride. Whether you want to make subtle changes by walking down the aisle to a more non-traditional song or whether you want to go completely against tradition and have a themed wedding where guests where costumes and have to be in character, it's totally up to. The possibilities are endless, and at the end of the day all that matters is that the marriage license is signed and that you and your guests had fun.

Here are some other ideas for ways to step out of the traditional box (some are extreme and some are more subdued):

• Give your guests some warning as to what type of wedding you'll be having by sending out some fun invitations. Check out Off Beat Bride for ideas on wording.
• Pick a theme (something you and your groom love: superheroes, bright colors, medieval, 80's, movies, etc.) and stick with it throughout the wedding plan (themed invites, your dress and shoes, decor, food, etc.)
• Have a fun dance song played for the recessional and then ask that your bridal party dance down the aisle after your officiant pronounces you "man and wife."
• Wear a cocktail dress at the reception (and at the wedding too!).
• Instead of cake have a dessert bar that features you and your hubby's favorite desserts (even if they are Twinkies and Ho Ho's).

Whatever you decide to do on your big day remember that you want it to reflect you and your fiancé in a classy way; you don't want to show up on the next episode of "My Big Fat Redneck Wedding." Have fun and be creative!

Flower budget

The price of flowers can depend on where the flower is coming from as it may or may not be in season near you as well as how difficult it is to grow, etc. Most brides search the Internet and magazines for photos of bouquets that they love then take the pictures into a florist, unaware of what the cost might be. Here are a few tips on ways you can save on your flower budget:

• Downsize your containers. If you originally had a vase requiring 20 roses to give the right effect, consider choosing a smaller vase that needs only 5 roses. Also if you love peonies or garden roses (we love the "fluffy" look these two have), you'll definitely want a smaller container. These flowers are big and usually don't take much to give the look you want.
• A trend that has been in for the past couple of years is really cost effective: "going green." You can use ferns, ivy, eucalyptus, curly willow sticks, and many other plants that will save you money and give more of that natural look to your centerpieces.
• Try not to get hung up on a certain flower that costs $10 a head or getting attached to the idea of traditional centerpieces with 50 stems each. If your florist is good they'll be able to help you find a flower that's similiar to the one you want but for a lower cost. Daisies are great because they come in lots of colors, are inexpensive, and can be arranged in several different ways.
• Try to limit your centerpieces to have 1-3 flowers each. If your arrangements have more than that, then chances are your florist is having to order more than he or she needs which is going to cost you more. See if they can use the same flowers in your bouquets or in other arrangements used to decorate at the ceremony and/or reception site.
• If you want a variety of flowers you may want to consider using shorter vases instead of tall. They tend to have smaller openings and will require less flowers to make a pretty impression. If you love the look of tall flowers like hydrangeas or gladiolas, tall vases are great and curly willow, feathers, etc. can always be added to fill the space.

At The Hamilton Event Center we include all of your centerpieces so you don't have to worry about contacting an outside florist to bring things in. We have several different sizes of vases for you to choose from, and the flower possibilities are just as varied.

Why stress

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

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)

What we don't provide:

• 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)

We take care of most of the hastle so planning a last-minute reception is easy! Give us a call at 405.608.0342 if you want to schedule a time to come in and see or send us an email at hamiltoneventcenter@mac.com.

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:

• 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

5. Prior to the wedding show your photographer both flattering and unflattering pictures of you and your fiancé. With their professional eye they'll be able to tell which angles flatter you both. When you're posing try putting your weight on your back leg, stretch out your other leg in front of you, and face the camera. Victoria Beckham is infamous for this striking slimming pose. Ask a friend who isn't in your bridal party to hang around close by with powder and lip gloss for touch ups between pics (this will also make you feel more glamorous).

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.

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.

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!

Alcohol

Over the past decade receptions have become much grander. In the past the bride and groom had cake and punch and that was it. Now it's all about the food and alcohol, and when it comes to both you want to impress your guests, but you don't want to spend a fortune. Here are a few tips on how you can have alcohol at your reception without breaking the bank.

1. Create a specialty cocktail. While this seems like it might be more expensive, it can actually limit the amount of alcohol going in to each drink. One bottle of vodka could yield 50 servings of your drink (mix with juices, triple sec, etc.) or it could only fulfill 25 vodka tonics.
2. Get the most popular liquors like vodka and gin and don't offer scotch, rum, etc.
3. Instead of a champagne toast, have guests raise a glass of whatever they're already drinking.
4. Try having a beer cocktail as your signature drink. Beer is cheaper than liquor and when mixed with a little bit of flavored vodka and a liquer it's just as delicious.
5. Or just have a beer and wine bar, cutting out liquor all together.
6. Make your own sangria. Pick a cheap red wine and add brandy, triple sec, apples, plums, grapes, and lemons or a cheap white wine and add triple sec, green grapes, kiwi, green melon, and pears. You can also add sugar to taste. With all those extra goodies in there guests won't notice that you only spent $7 per bottle instead of $30.
7. Think about choosing a venue (like us) that allows you to bring your own alcohol and doesn't limit you to using their bartender. That way you can stock up on "wine Wednesdays" deals and look for other deals liquor stores offer.
8. Buy a few bags of 9 oz punch cups instead of renting a bunch of glassware. If you're having an open bar guests won't care what type of glass their drink comes in. If you're having a cash bar they still won't care. Alcohol is alcohol.

Wedding Trends

Here are some upcoming wedding trends we found:

With 2 Snow White-inspired movies coming out this year and the beautiful "Twilight" wedding last year, it's no wonder that this year's dresses are off the shoulder, have longer sleeves, have lots of lace, and offer alluring romance.

Bouquets are also following the Snow White trend as well as all the hype over Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit." So think ethereal, woodsy, and "fluffy": English garden roses and peonies with greenery and natural sprigs.

Pastels are making a huge comeback this spring so for invitations and table settings use watercolors especially in lavender and light pink.

Have you read the young adult not-just-for-young-adults book "The Hunger Games"? If you said no, you'd better run out and grab the entire trilogy before the movie hits theaters this March. And no, these books have nothing to do with what food to serve at your reception; instead, they have everything to do with your bachelor and bachelorette parties. Ladies are attending self-defense classes, learning to drive like a member of Nascar, and learning how to survive in the wild. Gentlemen are also learning to drive like they're in Nascar as well as playing poker.

This year it's all about flaunting your best assets, like Marilyn Monroe did with her signature red lips and tighter-than-the-norm skirts. If you love your legs, be daring and get a dress with a slit. If you love your bottom half, go for a mermaid dress. You know your body, so flaunt what you got!

As for photography, it's less about photoshop and "artist" angles and more about formal and classy. Try getting a panoramic shot of you and all of your guests!

Now this one sounds like fun! A high-class reception on a ranch! Not necessarily in a barn, but that would be a definite plus to have the food and cake set up inside and have the doors open to the seating outside. Ways to keep it classy: bring in chandeliers, beautiful flowers (roses, lilies, gardenias), and delicious food (something fancy like quail).

One of the classic love stories of all time, "When Harry Met Sally," inspires this next trend: make a video that details your own love story. You can either send snippets of the video out with e-save-the-dates and/or show the video at your reception; don't forget to film the guests while they're watching so you can save the reactions.

Brides are feeling a bit adventurous this year and are booking honeymoons that don't just take them to one destination but take them on a journey around the world. This is your first big as a married couple, and what better way to spend it than by experiencing a ton of new and exciting cultures together?

Colors schemes

Picking a color scheme can definitely be overwhelming. There are so many beautiful colors to choose from! And what if you're not the best at picking what goes best with what...? Sometimes you'll run across something in a store that inspires you, but if you're stuck try picking your favorite color and look below to see what colors might make the best complements.

GREEN                                                                            BLUE
                                                            
Pale green with silver-gray and                                         Baby blue with bright blue
dark purple                                                                        and navy blue

                                                             
Mossy green with light aqua                                              Peacock blue with white
and navy blue                                                                    and lemon yellow

                                                             
Emerald green with chartreuse                                           Navy blue with hot pink
and chocolate brown                                                          and lime green

PURPLE                                                                           PINK/RED
                                                            
Pale lavender with white                                                   Baby pink with hot pink
and raspberry red                                                              and mossy green

                                                            
Bright purple with khaki                                                   Medium pink with mustard
and mocha brown                                                             yellow and chocolate brown

                                                           
Eggplant with baby blue                                                  Strawberry with turquoise
and chambray blue                                                           and white

ORANGE                                                                       YELLOW
                                                          
Peach with raspberry and                              Pale yellow with strawberry
mocha brown                                                and velvet red

                                        
Coral with khaki and pale aqua                    Bright yellow with charcoal gray and white

                                        
Orange with pale pink and                            Mustard yellow with bright blue
hot pink                                                         and chambray blue

Here at The Hamilton Event Center when you come in to see us we'll have 10 tables set up in different color schemes so either you'll see a color you've already picked out or you'll find something that hopefully inspires you.