Till Death Do Us Part

Welcome back to Thoughts & Musings!

It’s the spookiest day of the year… HALLOWEEN!! And in the spirit of this holiday, today’s blog will be about how to throw the best Halloween-themed wedding.

Now, I know what you might be thinking… holiday inspired events almost always end up being tacky, or a complete bust. If I’m being honest, I’ve attended a handful myself and loved the idea and appreciated the attempt, but was a bit disappointed in the result (keep in mind that because I do what I do for a living, I also am much more critical than most when it comes to details). The upside to this, though, is that I have some firsthand experience in what NOT to do when throwing a holiday-themed event, particularly a Halloween one!

So, if it is your dream to be a zombie bride, check out the list of do’s and don’ts below to ensure a tasteful and spooky wedding day:

• DON’T feel obligated to wear an all black wedding dress. There is symbolism behind white wedding dresses, and if your heart is set on following traditional with a spooky twist, consider this…

  • DO wear a silvery grey dress instead! It has a romantic Halloween twist, while still coinciding with the “white wedding dress” tradition.

• DON’T feel obligated to have an all dark color scheme, and/or make everything black and pumpkin orange.

  • DO choose a palette that is sophisticated and a bit ominous. Maybe instead of a bright, pumpkin orange, you use a muted, burnt orange accent on a plum purple base and a splash of burgundy. If you need color inspiration, I encourage you to search “Dark Autumn Colors” on Pinterest.

• DON’T feel obligated to make all of your guest come in costume. Not everyone celebrates Halloween as enthusiastically as the next, for one reason or another.

  • DO encourage your guests to wear one if they are comfortable doing so, and for those who would rather glam up the usual way for a wedding, grant them the opportunity to join in on the festive fun by having masks and Halloween props to use while taking photos!

• DON’T feel obligated to use black and orange cellophane and streamers to decorate your tables and venue.

  • DO splurge a little to set a really gorgeous table (after all, you’re only planning to do this once)! Order linens that fall within your color palette, maybe velvet ones, or use a generic black linen and spruce it up with an overlay.

• DON’T feel obligated to have a Halloween inspired wedding cake.

  • DO offer some sort of sweet for your guests. Need another idea? 3 words: HALLOWEEN CANDY BAR!

• DON’T feel obligated to decorate the room with orange and purple string lights and/or strobe light.

  • DO bring in different lighting options to create the ambiance you’re going for. Ask your DJ about uplighting options and colors. And if you really want to “wow” your guests, dim the lights in the room as low as possible and surround the ceremony in candlelight. It’s a romantic way to say “I do” (plus, think about how uniquely wonderful your pictures will be)!

• DON’T feel obligated to have monsters and ghost and ghouls lurking in the corners of the venue.

  • DO offer your service staff and bartenders the opportunity to tie in with the wedding theme. Consider allowing them to dress up in a costume you choose for them to work your wedding. It’s a touch most people don’t think about, and your staff will enjoy working for you even more (trust me ;) ).

There is so much more that goes into wedding planning as a whole, let alone a specific holiday inspired event between the food served to the favors for your guests to the music played, but here’s a taste. To learn more tricks and treats, reach out to one of our expert planners at:

laurie@yourperfectlyplannedoccasion.com

missy@yourperfectlyplannedoccasion.com

brittney@yourperfectlyplannedoccasion.com

Until next time, stay spooky!

Love Story: Alex Lombard & Hayley Wakefield

Welcome back to Thoughts & Musings!!

We hope everyone had a very Merry and bright holiday with their families! We love the holidays for obvious reasons, but also because it means ENGAGEMENTS! Yay!

In the spirit of the holidays (and all of the brides-to-be), we decided that for the next 5 blog posts will be a series called “Love Story: (Bride & Groom Name)”. You will have the opportunity to read the love story of the couple, from the bride-to-be herself!

The first couple to be featured in this series is Alex Lombard and Hayley Wakefield. Decide for yourself, but they are a true love story in our opinion:

Alex and I met in high school and were both dating other people. We actually had mutual friends and didn’t get along with one another. As years passed and we were forced to hang around each other due to our friends, we started to grow on each other. We slowly started becoming closer friends and both went through many life changing events that shaped us for the better. We both had ended our relationships and were almost like each other’s support system for the tough times we were going through. Everyone could see how we felt about each other but we were both in denial. We both started our own businesses and journeys to become entrepreneurs when I was 19 and Alex was 21. We ended up getting the chance to live and do business in Mexico for a few months which brought us even closer. We lived in a small condo together with 2 other people and this is when we really became best friends. We started to realize how we felt about each other and how much we had in common. When we moved back from Mexico we ended up moving in together with a roommate. About a month or two into our new place we started dating. Our families were NOT surprised (no one was). 

Fast forward about 2.5 years later, we took a huge leap of faith and moved across country from Michigan to Scottsdale Arizona. A few months into living there Alex surprised me with a trip to Sedona, Arizona. When we were there he said he had another “little” surprise that ended up being a helicopter ride over the mountains in Sedona. Once the ride was over we got off and had the guide take our photo in front of the helicopter. What I thought was a photo was actually a video, Alex then got down on one knee, told me I was his best friend and asked me to marry him. This was by far the best day of my life. Alex and I get married in September of 2019 and couldn’t be more thrilled. We know we have something extremely special and we thank God for that every day. 

Once we got engaged we both knew we would want Laurie to help us plan. Laurie has been in our lives since we started as entrepreneurs and has been an amazing friend ever since. Laurie has made the entire wedding planning experience so much fun and so stress free. She goes so above and beyond in every area. She is extremely detailed and makes the whole process so easy and feel organized. We would not be able to do this without her and would recommend her to ANYONE planning any type of event or wedding. She’s a PRO at what she does. We absolutely love who she is and how hard she works to make us and everyone around her happy. 

-Hayley Wakefield

Save The Date Designs

Welcome back to Thoughts & Musings!

It’s Wednesday, and as you already know, on Wednesday’s, we talk weddings! We are ESPECIALLY excited for today’s post, as it is the first in our newest series:

CHOOSING YOUR VENDORS

If you are engaged, or have ever known someone who was, you know then just how overwhelming the wedding market can be. There is so much information, so many different companies to choose from, and SO many decisions you’ll make before THE big day arrives. But don’t worry, just breathe and know that you are not alone; we are here to help!

Let’s take it one step at a time:

1. You are engaged! YAY!!

2. You have posted your ring and video of the proposal on your socials.

3. You have been congratulated by family, friends, and maybe even a few strangers (but you don’t care that they are strangers because YOU ARE ENGAGED! YAY!)

4. You have picked the perfect venue and the day you will excitedly say “I do!” to the love of your life…

Now what? If you don’t know, don’t panic - we are going to tell you…

It’s time to share the details and date with your friends and family with Save The Date cards.

And let us tell you, there is no better company on the planet to work with for all of your wedding stationery needs than:

BASIC INVITE

Basic Invite is a COMPLETELY customizable stationery company that excels in versatility, creativity, and ease! With unlimited color combinations, instant online previews, free upgrades, custom samples, the finest card stock options, and over 30 envelopes and pocket colors, you are sure to find/design EXACTLY what your heart desires for the wedding of your dreams!

There is no doubt we live in a digital age now, and wedding websites are a huge hit among tech-saavy couples. Basic Invite offers free wedding website features, where all plans, pictures, and details can be uploaded with just a few clicks. You can even customize your wedding website to match the theme and colors of your formal invitations, too! And another bonus: all websites are mobile friendly!

As professionals in the industry, we know how popular wedding websites are now, but let us tell you… there is NO better way to set the tone for your wedding than sending your guests physical invitations through snail mail. Not only does this allow “older” guests, and we say that delicately, easier access to the information, as sometimes navigating the computer can be difficult, but it also serves as a small keepsake for the ones who love you.

Basic Invite allows you so many perfect options to capture your vision from Save The Dates, Wedding Postcards, and Save The Date Designs (for those who would prefer to choose one of the pre-made layouts).

Check out some of their featured designs:

Basic Invite also has over 900 wedding invite sets which includes all the stationery needed from the very beginning of your wedding planning to “Thank You” at the end, as well as a FREE “address collection” service in order to make this process a breeze!

As wedding planning professionals for a combined 30+ years now, let us assure you that we have worked with our fair share of companies - some great, and others not-so-great. We can honestly say that there has never been an easier company we have worked with in regard to wedding stationery than Basic Invite, and each of our brides that have ordered their products from here have been overly satisfied with the quality and the price; you are sure to be, too!

A wedding is only as perfect as the vendors hired to service it. Let us take the guessing out and the stress off of figuring it out yourself; that’s what we at Your Perfectly Planned Occasion are here for!

Give us a ring to start the conversation about your BIG AND EXCITING day!! After all, details is our love language! (248) 486-5535

Until we talk again, cheers!

Seven "Secrets" In Heaven

Welcome back to Thoughts & Musings! Happy Wednesday to you!

Would you agree with us that (the majority of) weddings are (pretty much) all about the bride? And I mean, can you blame them?! They have only been waiting for this day since they were, what, five years old? It’s a big day, for all involved, but especially for the bride!

However, that doesn’t mean the groom can’t feel special, pampered, and appreciated too! They may not care what flowers should go in the centerpieces or what the invitations look like, but they do care a great deal about one thing in particular… THE BRIDE!

On today’s episode of Thoughts & Musings, we thought we would give seven secret surprise tips that the bride can use/create to make the groom feel loved and adored on their wedding day:

1. Plan a surprise after-party - Of course, this doesn’t have to be overly extravagant, considering you probably just dropped a pretty penny on the wedding itself. Simply just invite a few of your closest family members and friends (secretly), invest in some finger foods, and maybe a DJ (or bluetooth speaker), and enjoy the rest of your evening!

2. Buy lingerie - This can be quite a fun surprise for your groom, even if you are a regular wearer. Your wedding night is the night to try out something brand new for your man; maybe add some red lace to your evening wardrobe, or something a bit softer and romantic.

3. Buy HIM some lingerie - Okay, okay… maybe not “lingerie”, but silk will do. Get him in the mood! Give him a nice new pair of silk boxers, and perhaps a blindfold too, if you know what we mean.

4. Order his and her massages - This doesn’t need to be a wedding night occasion necessarily, but the next morning or honeymoon could work! It takes a lot of prep and planning and thought to not only plan a wedding, but attend one (even as the bride and groom). Give the gift of relaxation!

5. Prepare a bubble bath - In correspondence with some R & R time after the wedding, this is another option! Line the bathroom with candles, buy a bottle of bubbly, pour some of your favorite oils and salts in the warm water, and just enjoy the sensations with your hubby!

6. Have his favorite drink ready - It almost seems as if champagne is the staple beverage for celebrations, but not all men like that best. Whatever your groom’s favorite beverage of choice is, make sure to have that prepared and waiting for him when you get back to wherever it is your are going after the festivities. This is a simple gesture, but a good one to show your man just how well you know him and how you put in the extra effort to think of him first.

7. Recreate your first time - This idea might just be the most romantic of all. Bring back the memories from where it all began by setting the stage just as it was the night you two first got to know each other, intimately. Bonus points if you still have the outfit (or panties) you wore that first time.

So, there you have it. Our seven “secrets” in Heaven! We would love to hear your thoughts, which one(s) you choose to pamper your groom with, what HE thought of your surprise, and/or any others you would add to this list!

Until next time, cheers to you and yours!

Ball Gown, Mermaid, A-Line, Oh My!

Welcome back to Thoughts & Musings!!

In last week’s blog post, we covered how to determine which body type you are and how to rock it confidently, curves and skin and bones and all! This week’s topic: saying “YES” to THE DRESS!

Other than the wedding day itself, this may be the day ladies look forward to the most. They’ve dreamt of THE dress; you know, the one that fits in a way that is tasteful, yet tight enough to show off all the right things… if you know what I mean ;)

But with so many choices and styles, how could you ever pick JUST one?! Well hopefully, after reading this post (along with last week’s, as they go hand-in-hand), you will know which is the one for you.

• The Ballgown: Ooh la la, Cinderella! This dress is the one you see from fairy tales. It is fitted from the bust to the top of the waist, and then expands out into a very full, distinguished skirt. This dress is perfect for those with a pear-shape/athletic body build, as it defines the waist, slims the hips, and enhances your curves!

• The Mermaid: Helloooo, Ariel! This dress is tight (and I mean tight, tight) from the bust, to the waist, around the hips, to just below the knee, where it then flares out. This is stunning on those blessed with an hourglass figure because, well, it’s all about the curves!

• The A-Line: A fan favorite! This dress has a narrow cut at the top, sometimes elongated in between the breasts, and extends out into what looks like the shape of an “A” (duh). A perfect dress for nearly everyone, no matter the body type/shape, due to the loose fitting skirt and the bust-enhancing characteristics!

• The Sheath: Also known as the column dress. This dress is form-fitting, however, not tight, and follows the natural curve of your body. Those with slender figures with legs for days rock this dress the best!

• The Trumpet: Similar to the mermaid, this dress is made up of a straight-lined skirt and flares subtly around the knee into (you’ve guessed it) a trumpet shape. Much like the mermaid, those with an hourglass figure accentuate this dress wonderfully. Deciding between this dress and the mermaid dress really comes down to individual preferences, as the trumpet dress has a bit more room for you to move in.

• The Dropped Waist: True to its name, this dress drops just below the waistline and hip area before it flares out. Brides with a bigger bust and wider torso region look fabulous in this style dress!

• The Empire: Leave people talking about you for ages with this gown! This dress is known for its fitted bodice and waistline, as well as the loosely fitted skirt that moves with every step you take! For those brides who are petite, both in length and width, this dress is for you.

There you have it… the most common dress styles, anyway. This is YOUR day, and it should be about YOU, so I encourage you to indulge as much as you possibly can. Don’t get too worked up, but don’t settle either. Try on every dress in the store. Go to a different store, if that’s what it takes! Eat the chocolate and drink the champagne they give you (trust me, those few calories are worth the experience). Laugh with your bridesmaids. And make a decision not off of what others say, but off of how you FEEL in the dress. Everyone knows that happy girls are the prettiest girls, regardless of what they are wearing!

Be happy, through the whole process. You only plan to do this once ;)