Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Wedding Advice Wednesday: Tangled Lanterns?

Calling all Brides-to-be....
Do you have a question about your upcoming event?
Curious about how to handle a sticky situation?
Need to know the best way to word your invitations?
Want tips on saving money?
Forevermore Events is here for you!


Each Wednesday we will be devoting our Wednesday Post to 
Wedding Q & A
Ask us anything! and we will post the answers right here on our BLOG



This weeks Wedding Advice Wednesday: How to Light up your Wedding




How many of our readers have seen the new Disney Movie TANGLED?  I absolutely fell in love with it. So when I opened my inbox and read a recent email from a reader asking how to implement the "lantern scene" into her wedding I was so excited to help bring her dream to reality!


What a memorable way to finish a romantic evening with family and friends than by releasing several dozen delicate paper lanterns into the night sky.








This weeks Wedding Advice Wednesday: How to Light up your Wedding 


Q- Dear Laura, My wedding is coming up this fall and shortly after I got engaged, my fiance and I took my nieces to see Tangled. We BOTH loved it! My fiance even wanted to see it a second time. We absolutely fell in love with the scene at the end when the whole city releases the paper lanterns. We are having a small reception on the beach near his home town in San Diego with his relatives, and would LOVE to implement the paper lanterns idea into our wedding. SO...my question is where do I start?? I have no idea where to get those lanterns or if there is a way we can make them? We don't have a lot of time, but are willing to  "do it ourselves " if necessary. You are always so good at these things! I hope you have some ideas for us??  

~In Love with Lanterns!~ Raylynne
Southern Utah & San Diego
 
A- My Dearest Raylynne, I've always believed that one of the beautiful purposes of weddings is putting your love out there in the world, spreading those extra good feelings to everyone else. Releasing lanterns at the end of your reception is a fabulous idea! Tangled became an instant classic in our home, we absolutely HAD to buy it the day it came out on DVD.  So fear not! I know it seems like a huge task to take on, but we have several easy solutions for you, both for purchase and DIY. 

The lanterns are commonly known as "Sky Lanterns" or "Wish Lanterns"  Sky lanterns are common in many Asian countries at festivals and events. They're quiet, beautiful and symbolize your troubles and worries floating away. Guests can also write wishes, thoughts or special messages and watch them float away to the heavens.

Why fork over hundreds or even thousands of dollars on fireworks? Sky lanterns quietly and gracefully fill the sky with light while climbing slowly and gently into the nighttime sky like mini hot air balloons.


Here are a few FAQ's we have received from a couple of our readers

Will the Sky Lanterns harm the environment?
No, not at all. Sky Lanterns are made with 100% biodegradable materials. Once the Sky Lantern wick has burned out the lantern will float back down to the ground.

Are they safe to use?
Yes, Sky Lanterns are completely safe. But they do involve the use of a naked flame so please ensure you familiarize yourself with the safety instructions prior to using them.

How do I light them?
It’s best to use two people for this, one to hold out the edges of the lantern and one to light the small cardboard square in the center of the lantern. It works best if you light each corner of the cardboard wick while the lantern is upright.

What are the best conditions to use them in?
Sky Lanterns can be used in a variety of different environments; however the conditions they perform best in are still weather, clear skies and large open spaces. They can be used in the rain if it’s only light or drizzling but it is advised not to use them in heavy downpours.

Can my children use them?
It is strongly advised that children are not left unsupervised with Sky Lanterns as flames and matches/lighters are involved. Children should not attempt to light the lanterns or launch a lantern by themselves under any circumstances.

Are Sky Lanterns known by any other names?
Sky Lanterns are also known as -wish lanterns, glo lanterns, sky candle, Chinese lanterns or Thai lanterns in different parts of the world.


HOW DO THEY WORK?
Sky lanterns are large 100% biodegradable and flame-retardant tissue paper balloons. An easy to light wax paper fuel cell at the bottom fills the sky lantern up with hot air. When filled they gracefully rise into the air, floating for as long as 20 minutes and not coming back down until they have completely burned out. Even on a perfectly clear night they will float out of sight.

While Sky lanterns can be used day or night, they are best flown at night when their light can easily be followed through the darkened sky. Light several at a time for a gorgeous evening display that will have your guests blown away.


To purchase the lanterns for your wedding check out these great links:


To Purchase Colored Sky Lanterns~ Click Here 

To Purchase White Lanterns in BULK (50-100+)~ Click Here


To Purchase White Sky Lanterns~ Click Here


DIY
If you are daring enough to take on a big DIY project I have included a link to step-by-step instructions below. A few things to keep in mind. Make sure you use the appropriate products. You will need to use flame-retardant and bio-degradable materials. Also, don't get discouraged! It may take a few tries before you get the hang of putting them together. 


For step by step instructions check out the links below:


EHow Step by Step Instructions~ Click Here


As always we would suggest hiring a wedding planner and arrange for them to have a few extra hired hands on deck to help guests with this type of undertaking. It will take several extra workers to help organize this type of event. They will need to help hand out lanterns, light wicks and announce the release of the sky lanterns.  Having hired help will make the end of the evening go smoothly and  stress-free.

We love the idea of releasing these wish lanterns into the night sky. To add a special touch to the Lantern Ceremony, have your guests right wishes or good thoughts onto the lanterns before releasing them. Or, even monogram your initials and wedding date onto the lanterns using a stencil before putting them together. That way when they are lit up the whole night sky will embrace your new life together as husband and wife.




We hope that this has helped answer your questions and give you a direction to move in. We would LOVE to help you any way we can with your event. Send us updates and pictures of your event, and we will post a follow-up right her on our Blog.
Best of luck on your upcoming celebration. Everyone here at Forevermore Events is here to help if you need it! Take Care and CONGRATULATIONS!
With all our love!
Sincerely,
Laura Stagg and the Forevermore Events Team


Thats is for todays WEDDING ADVICE WEDNESDAY!
Don't forget to contact us for all of your event planning needs!
From Full-coordination to On-site Decoration to Tents and Rentals...we have it all!


Have a question you would like to submit for Wedding Advice Wednesday?? 
We now have a NEW Page for that, Check out our EVENT ADVICE & HELP button for a quick and easy form you can fill out with any of your wedding or event questions.
Or you can email us at Laura@forevermoreevents.com
or.... if you'd rather you can leave us your question or comment on our Facebook page, 
either way we would love to hear from you!
(and we will let you know if and when your question will be featured... )



*Side Note* We love the blogging world and try very hard to give credit where credit is due, but we are also human (and sometimes post way too late at night lol) and do make mistakes... If we have missed a credit or photo source please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to make the necessary changes!  Thank you so much!!*

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Unique... One of a Kind- Wedding Invitations

Are you a Bride that "walks to the beat of her own drum?"
Do you want to WOW your guests with something unique and memorable?
Why wait until the BIG DAY... start "wow-ing" them right from the start with a one of a kind wedding invitation or save-the-date announcement. Below we have collected several -out of this world- invitation samples. I especially LOVE the Balloon Save-the-Date Announcement!!

Get ready for some major inspirational highs...ENJOY!


#1 Film roll wedding invites {by Ambient Studios}.
filmrollinvites 


#2 Printed handkerchief wedding maps {by Kelli Anderson}.
handerchiefinvite


#3 Tea towel wedding invites {by The Original Wedding Tea Towel}.




#4 Button save the date {by The Indigo Bunting}.
buttoninvite


#5 Letterpress airplane ticket save the date {by Swell Creative}.
ticketinvites


#6 Message in a bottle wedding invites {by The Original Message in a Bottle Shop}.
bottle


#7 Muslin bags & wood tags wedding invites {by Oh Hello Friend}.
muslinbaginvite


#8 Balloon wedding invites {by L’Office Optimiste}
ballooninvite


#9 Origami DIY wedding invites {by Amy Moss}.
origamiinvite


#10 Tree ring wheel DIY wedding invites {by Burning House SF}



Wedding Wheels invitation templates



*Side Note* We love the blogging world and try very hard to give credit where credit is due, but we are also human (and sometimes post way too late at night lol) and do make mistakes... If we have missed a credit or photo source please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to make the necessary changes!  Thank you so much!!*

Monday, May 16, 2011

Inspirational SPRING Wedding!

Is there anything more perfect than the season of Spring?  Cherry blossoms, tulips, the smell of fresh cut grass ...  and I know what you are thinking..... Spring in Southern Utah doesnt last very long, but when I came across this breath-taking event that was featured on STYLE UNVEILED, I couldn't stop myself from sharing it with our readers. The style and look of this event could easily be altered to fit a Summer or Fall Wedding. A few simple changes like using darker tones for the flowers, changing out the white for rich-luxe linens and possibly adding matte gold or pewter into the mix could transform it into a mid-summer-night dream. Over-all the modern lines, clean arrangements and romantic atmosphere really stood out to me as a perfect way to create an unforgettable event!








Wedding vendors involved include: Photography: Augie Chang Photography  Event Concept and StylingNicole Ha Designs   RentalsHartmann Studios  CakeJen's Cakes  Vintage Accessories: Milk Glass Vintage Rentals   Florals: Nicole Ha Designs  StationeryUnveiled Bridal  Venue: Casa Real at Ruby Hill Winery



*Side Note* We love the blogging world and try very hard to give credit where credit is due, but we are also human (and sometimes post way too late at night lol) and do make mistakes... If we have missed a credit or photo source please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to make the necessary changes!  Thank you so much!!*

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Wedding Advice Wednesday: Family Stress?

Calling all Brides-to-be....
Do you have a question about your upcoming event?
Curious about how to handle a sticky situation?
Need to know the best way to word your invitations?
Want tips on saving money?
Forevermore Events is here for you!

Each Wednesday we will be devoting our Wednesday Post to 
Wedding Q & A
Ask us anything! and we will post the answers right here on our BLOG



This weeks Wedding Advice Wednesday: Family 


When it comes to weddings dealing with the family, family-to-be, and the relatives that come along with them, it can become a tricky balancing act. Who to invite-who NOT to invite, and what to let them help with can definitely have an effect on the outcome of your event. You may feel like you are walking a tightrope most of the time- but fear not- you are not alone! It is common problem among Brides-to-be, and we have a few tips on help you survive the rocky waters. 



Q- I have a VERY big family, and they ALL want to HELP with our wedding. Even though we all grew up together our styles and tastes are worlds apart. How can I let them help without losing the control and overall look that I want for my wedding? I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings but i am nervous that it will turn into a  "too many cooks in the kitchen "  sort of situation. Please help!
                                                          
~One in a Dozen~ Avery
Southern Utah

A- Avery, First off I want to say that I feel your pain, Family stress is VERY common when planning a wedding! Don't lose hope, there are many ways to keep the loved-ones appeased, the In-laws at bay and the over-all "drama" low.

First, I would suggest hiring a wedding planner. A professional wedding planner can not ONLY help with these stressful situations, but can also keep an editing eyes on the details of the event and act as a "scape-goat" when you don't want Aunt Margaret knitting matching socks for the groomsmen... i.e...
"Sorry Aunt Margaret, the WEDDING PLANNER has already arranged for the groomsmen's head to toe attire" (catch my drift?) There are MANY reasons to hire a professional planner, but having an experienced MEDIATOR is definetly a big bonus when you need a neutral party in your corner.

If hiring a professional is not in the cards we have a few suggestions to help you plan a low stress event. When the family starts calling with exclamations of "I want to help!, and please let us do something!!"  Kindly thank them for their generosity, tell them you will get back to them soon and then make a mental note of who has asked to help. Never, agree to something on the spot.... it may save you an awkward conversation later on.

Next, look at your Event TO-DO list carefully and see if there are items that you don't mind family helping with. Perhaps you hit the jackpot and your Aunt is a professional florist, or your Uncle happens to be a world-renowned photographer. In that case it is easy to let them offer up their talents, and possible save you a bit of green in the process. For the rest of us, here are a few ideas of where and when you can let family help without losing control or the overall vision for your event.

1. Compiling and Addressing Invitations- Addressing 300+ Invitations is time consuming, but if 2 or 3 family members join in then it can be a quick and memorable experience.
2. Help Setting up for the Ceremony or Reception. 10+ tables and 100+ chairs will go a lot faster when you get the loving troops involved.
3. Signs and Graphic Design- If you have a family member that is computer savvy, enlist them to help with making signs for the reception. Getting a little help with making sign for the favor station, buffet tags, restroom signs and even a just married sign for the get-away-car can help save you time stress and money. Most professional graphic designers charge anywhere from $45-$95 dollars and hour.
4. Putting together a Music Playlist I don't know about you, but i am a firm believer in the fact that music can make-or break an event.Do you have a brother, sister, niece, nephew, cousin etc that is permanently attached to their ipod? They may be the perfect candidate to help you put together a cool and eclectic list of music to give the DJ.
5.Baking treats for the Favor Station- Having a few talented Cousins and Aunts bake several dozen of their favorite cookies can be a fun way to involve the masses. Turn it into a featured station during the event by filling various jars with the baked goodies, and attaching cute labels the bakers name to the oversized jars. Handing out copies of the recipes as part of the favor can be a great way to showcase the family members and tie the whole idea together. (here are a few images for inspiration)

Image via Project Wedding





 

Image Via Juicy Bits



The "family" element can be an interesting hurdle to jump, but with a bit of thought and careful planning, you can keep your loved-ones involved and have the much needed help and support that you will need when planning a wedding or event. Best of luck! If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us today!
Sincerely,
Laura and the Forevermore Events Team



Thats is for todays WEDDING ADVICE WEDNESDAY!
Don't forget to contact us for all of your event planning needs! From Full-coordination to On-site Decoration to Tents and Rentals...we have it all!



Have a question you would like to submit for Wedding Advice Wednesday?? 
We now have a NEW Page for that, Check out our EVENT ADVICE & HELP button for a quick and easy form you can fill out with any of your wedding or event questions.
Or you can email us at Laura@forevermoreevents.com
or....
if you'd rather you can leave us your question or comment on our Facebook page, 
either way we would love to hear from you!
(and we will let you know if and when your question will be featured... )




*Side Note* We love the blogging world and try very hard to give credit where credit is due, but we are also human (and sometimes post way too late at night lol) and do make mistakes... If we have missed a credit or photo source please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to make the necessary changes!  Thank you so much!!*


Monday, May 2, 2011

It's May...Glorious May.... and we're back!

April came and went so quickly! We have been busy with gorgeous spring brides and more fabulous events in the works then we can count.... which (unfortunately) has caused us to be a bit absent from the BLOGGING world.
 BUT.... It's May, Glorious May! Spring blooms are budding, the trees are in full bloom and we have many, many amazing posts to share with you over the next few weeks.

This month will bring with it more FEATURED EVENTS,
WEDDING & EVENT ADVICE, CREATIVE DIY PROJECTS and INSPIRATION GALORE.



Don't forget to check back often, and we would love to have our readers and guests leave us event questions and queries on our EVENT ADVICE & HELP PAGE.

Stay tuned for more fabulous posts, right here on the FOREVERMORE EVENTS BLOG