By Perfect Wedding Guide ‘National Wedding Expert’, Susan Southerland

The choice of what colors to use for your wedding can sometimes be a challenge: do you choose colors based on the time of year, on how the bridesmaids’ dresses will look on your attendants, or maybe just because the colors have special meaning to you and your future spouse? (note: a big trend I am seeing now is to base your color scheme on your shoes!) So much to consider! So…once that decision is made, how can you creatively bring your colors out using wedding accessories?

Today’s real wedding features a couple who did an amazing job displaying their chosen wedding colors. The bride, the bride’s sister and even the groom contributed to the splashes of color through print products and accessories. They were truly and hands-on group and absolutely delightful! Thank you to Bill Peck Photography (www.billpeckphotography.com) for sharing these beautiful images with us and to Vangie from Blossoms-Arrangements of Distinction www.blossomsfl.com for the beautiful floral designs.

Susan: How did you and your spouse meet?
Joley: We met on eHarmony (I was his first match/date…I was not so lucky and had to weed through some frogs before finding my prince).

Susan: Tell us about the proposal.
Joley: It was Thanksgiving and both families were gathered at my mother’s house. I was totally unaware that this was going to happen! I had been in the kitchen all day cooking. After dinner, my sister gathered everyone on the patio for “dessert”. I was wondering why everyone was standing around staring at me…then I figured it out when Manny dropped to one knee!

Susan: Why did you choose your particular wedding location?
Joley: I had vacationed at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress as a child and always remembered how beautiful it was. We had looked at several other places, but nothing could compare to the Hyatt.

Susan: What was it like for you on the morning of your wedding?
Joley: I was alone in my hotel room. I got brief visits from my mother and a family friend who brought me some breakfast. It was pretty calm until the makeup artists arrived, followed by the wedding party, photographer and videographer. I kept thinking to remember every moment, but so much was happening all at once that it was difficult to see all of the details.

Susan: What were your thoughts as you walked down the aisle?
Joley: I was looking at Manny and thinking about what a great man he is! he had such a big smile on his face.

Susan: What was the most memorable part of the day for you and your spouse?
Joley: Other than walking into the reception to the cheering crowd, it was the first dance. We had worked so hard to learn an elegant waltz. I had to laugh at Manny because when I told him that we do the dance immediately after entering the reception he seemed a little surprised and said, “We do it now?!”

Susan: What was your biggest fear about the wedding day?
Joley: I have to say I was worried about messing up the first dance. (Susan’s note: It was fabulous! They choreographed it and they did a remarkable job. Everyone at the reception was cheering for them.)

Susan: What was one delightfully unexpected moment on the wedding day?
Joley: It was so cute when the Best Man and Maid of Honor had hidden light sabers to pull out to form an arch for us to walk through as we entered the reception to the “Imperial March” from Star Wars.

Susan: Were there any particular elements of your wedding day that you considered unique or personal touches?
Joley: I think the setting was unique, as was being escorted down the aisle by my mother, the post ceremony dove release, the choreographed dances and the personal preference menu.

Susan: Based off of your experience, would you share some advice for other brides and grooms who may still be planning their weddings?
Joley: Don’t be afraid to ask vendors for unique requests. Also, do your homework and have an idea of what you want so your vendors know your style and tastes. Your DJ keeps the momentum at the reception, so make a wise choice. Be sure to get an outstanding videographer and photographer, as your video and photos will be your lasting memories after all else has faded. A wedding planner is a must! We were spinning our wheels until Susan focused us!

Thank you, Joley and Manny, for sharing the details of your celebration with all of us! Do you have a real wedding story you would like to share? If so, please email me at the address below with your experience and some photos. You might be the next bride featured on our wedding blog!

If you have questions on this or any other wedding related topic, please post for me here on the wedding blog or send me an email to susan(dot)southerland(at)pwg.com. Also become a fan on Facebook (search: Susan Southerland Secret) or follow me on Twitter (@Susansoutherlan).

Your partner in perfect planning,
Susan