Wedding Blog

Today’s real wedding blog takes us to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Known as the Heart of Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish Country, Lancaster is a beautiful, slower-paced location that is ideal for romantic weddings.

Married this past September, Alison and Christopher selected the Landis Valley Museum (part of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission) for their wedding site. Thank you to the happy couple and their talented friends for these wonderful wedding photos!

Here are some more wedding details shared by the happy bride:

“Christopher and I met through a mutual friend more than nine years ago. He proposed on a hike over Easter weekend in 2008.

We went for a green yet low-cost wedding. We used mostly locally-sourced products, such as Hershey’s kisses from 30 minutes away.

A local farmer’s market did the mums, which were both centerpieces and take-home gifts for guests. We also used local wine, and extra food was donated to a local shelter.

The wedding took place at the Landis Valley Museum, so it was lower-cost and a portion of the money goes back into educational programs.

We split the cost of the wedding with my parents. Being college graduates, homeowners and professionals, we wanted to help pay for the wedding. All said and done, the wedding cost just under $10,000 with 85 guests.

As for the most memorable moment at our wedding, I would say it was hearing our ‘bests’ toasts, as they made us remember how lucky we are and what great friends and family we have.”

Thank you, Alison and Christopher, for your contributions to today’s wedding blog. We greatly enjoyed learning more about your special day, and I’m sure other brides will take several helpful tips away from your experience!

If you have questions on this or any other wedding related topic, please post for me here or send me an email to susan(dot)southerland(at)pwg.com. Also become a fan on Facebook by clicking here and follow me on Twitter by clicking here.

Your partner in perfect planning,
Susan

Some friends of mine decided to spend the holidays overseas in the United Kingdom and wrote to say what a wonderful time they are having, providing me just the inspiration I needed for today’s wedding blog. With its incredible history, proud culture and breathtaking landscapes, Scotland is an excellent destination for honeymooners.

Things to do:

1. Hit the greens. As the birthplace of golf, Scotland’s many renowned courses will awe all fans of the sport. Check out famous courses like St. Andrews, Turnberry or Gleneagles, or perhaps some lesser-known courses such as Kinross, Muirfield or Nairn. Even those honeymooners who don’t golf will surely appreciate the stunning views of these masterfully crafted venues…and perhaps the on-site spas offered at many of the clubhouses!

2. Exercise your imagination. Steeped in myth and lore, Scotland is a wonderland just waiting for avid imaginations to explore her many mysteries. From the Loch Ness Monster to haunted Glamis Castle to the ghosts of Culloden, honeymooners can enjoy some real thrills and chills in this enchanted destination.

3. Watch Nature’s light show. Due to its proximity to the Arctic Circle, Northern Scotland is an excellent location to view the gorgeous and awe-inspiring Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). With many romantic cabins and cottages in places such as Dunnett Head and the Hebrides Islands, honeymooners have many options available to view this spectacular phenomenon.

4. Enjoy a night on the town. Scotland may have many ancient and mystical places to visit, but honeymooners will also find very vibrant, cosmopolitan cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh. With extensive art collections, great shopping options, and many varied dining possibilities, honeymooners can be certain they will find something fun and entertaining in the big cities.

If you have questions on this or any other wedding related topic, please post for me here or send me an email to susan(dot)southerland(at)pwg.com. Also become a fan on Facebook by clicking here and follow me on Twitter by clicking here.

Your partner in perfect planning,
Susan

Photos courtesy of Studio Four Photography

When I am out speaking to couples about their wedding plans, one huge concern that many of them have are the wedding photos. Surprisingly, they aren’t worried about finding a high-quality photographer, they are worried about looking silly in the pictures.

I have posted many secrets for overcoming bad wedding photos in my wedding blog… Hire a good hair and makeup artist, find a photographer who makes you comfortable, but my most important fabulous photo secret is to schedule an engagement shoot.

Engagement shoots are typically in comfortable clothes in a familiar location. This makes for a low-pressure situation where you will get comfortable with your photographer, you will practice posing and your photographer will get used to your quirks (blink much?).

In addition to getting used to being in front of the camera, you will walk away with beautiful photos and a truly memorable day.

Photos courtesy of Studio Four Photography

If you have any comments or ideas about flawless wedding photography, or if you have photos you would like to share. Please post for me here on the wedding blog, or email me at susan(dot)southerland(at)pwg(dot)com. Also become a fan on Facebook by clicking here and follow me on Twitter by clicking here.

Your partner in perfect planning,

Susan

Merry Christmas everyone. I hope that you are enjoying a special day with your family and betrothed.

Today’s wedding blog is courtesy of a wonderful chef that I met while speaking at the Enviro Expo in Atlanta. I asked William Neal of Affairs to Remember in Atlanta, what he foresees as a hot wedding trend in 2010. He came up with something that certainly makes me happy… serving wedding cake and dessert! Look below the photo for some great ideas from William.

Photo courtesy of Melvin Roos & Company

A beautiful wedding cake is always a stylish focal point for a great wedding. As cake craft has developed over the years, the sky is the limit! But here is a wonderful trend that has emerged and is running at FULL speed: Accent your wedding with that extra dose of decadent dessert!

Here are some tips:

• At plated and served receptions, try serving the wedding cake slice garnished with hand made chocolate truffles or a complimenting dessert element such as fresh sorbet or ice cream. The plate can be dressed up to look much better than just the traditional “slice of cake”.

• Create a beautiful mini dessert bar to be served after the cake cutting. Nothing like a little sugar to help folks dance into the night!

• Create contrast to your exquisite cake design by serving some good ‘old fashioned home spun sounding desserts with a modern edge like banana cream pie served in small shot glasses, chocolate dipped strawberries served on a ceramic spoon or key lime crème Brule.

• However, nothing says gracious hospitality like warm chocolate chip cookies and a glass of ice cold milk!

Photo courtesy of Melvin Roos & Company

Thank you, William, for the wonderful addition to my wedding blog. I am looking forward to receiving more entries next year!

If you have questions about wedding dessert presentation or wedding cakes, please post a message for me here, or send me an email to susan(dot)southerland(at)pwg(dot)com. Also become a fan on Facebook by clicking here and follow me on Twitter by clicking here.

Your partner in perfect planning,

Susan

I hope everyone is staying warm and enjoying the anticipation of Christmas. It is finally cold here in Orlando! I am pulling out every sweater I own so I can wear them before it warms up again.

As I mentioned on Tuesday’s wedding blog, I was asked to compile what I anticipate the hot wedding trends will be in 2010. One very hot trend continues to be personalization. Brides and grooms who post to the wedding blog are always asking me for ways to make their weddings reflect their personalities. One of my favorite ways is through the groom’s cake.

My friend and colleague Priscilla from Party Flavors Custom Cakes sent me over a few of her favorite designs.

I love the everything bagel with lox and onions!

The Gator beer cooler is hilarious!

When it comes to the groom’s cake, use your imagination. Anything is fair game… hobbies, careers, travel destinations, schools, just to name a few. One of my clients had a helicopter groom’s cake with a moving rotor blade!

I would love to share photos of your creative groom’s cakes on my wedding blog. If you have any you would like posted, please send me an email at susan(dot)southerland(at)pwg(dot)com.

Also become a fan on Facebook by clicking here and follow me on Twitter by clicking here.

Your partner in perfect planning,

Susan