Washington State Weddings W/ Wedding Planner & Officiant Gina Newberry

Wedding Guest Book Alternatives

2011-01-22T00:33:00.000-08:00

I adore unique wedding ideas. Especially when it makes the budget stretch a little bit further by re-purposing items after the wedding.

There are SO many clever alternatives to the old wedding guest book these days.

I am in love with this thumbprint wreath. (There are also trees, which are gorgeous too!)

this one is from Bleu De Toi on ETSY

I just think this is beautiful and it becomes a treasured piece of art for your home after the wedding.

The downside is that some people may not want to get their finger inky. But if you use washable ink, and keep handi-wipes at the station, you may get a better response. This is a great idea for showers too if you don't think it will go over well at your wedding. You could also put a spin on this idea by having a tree or wreath painted with the leaves or flowers already on it, and your guests can just sign one.

Here are some other fun alternatives to the boring old guest book that never gets looked at again....

Have your guests write a message on a rock, then the rocks can be placed in a nice vase for your home:

Photo Credit to Blue Flair Photography

Instead of using a guest book, you could use a meaningful book that guests could write it. It could be something with a catchy title or something beautiful for the coffee table. Or perhaps something meaningful to the couple...

You could also have a photo book made up with your own pictures using iPhoto, Shutterfly or Tiny Prints and then put it out for your guests to sign.

Some other fun alternatives:

A video message guestbook
A wish tree with willow branches. Guests can write wishes for the couple on tags and tie on with ribbons.
A picture frame with engraver pen for guests to sign
Put out squares of card-stock for guests to write wishes on which can be scrap-booked later
Have guests sign a quilt square, then make a quilt out of it later
Use a decorative plate or vase for guests to sign.

And don't forget about the Photo Booth. LOVE. IT.

Whatever you choose, make it personal, fun and something you will really enjoy having for years to come.

Honor

2011-01-21T00:05:00.000-08:00

Honor is my word for the year. Just one little word.

It has so many wonderful meanings and definitions. I will be exploring this word throughout the year and I anticipate that I will learn so much more about this word and also... about myself.

But for now, the first thing it says in my dictionary next to the word "honor" is high respect, esteem.

I hope that this word will find a place in your wedding.

I hope you honor yourself and your fiance.

Take time to breathe and enjoy every moment of this beautiful time in your life.

Remember that your wedding should truly honor your love story.

Honor each other throughout the planning process and learn to compromise.

I hope you honor your friends and family.

Take into consideration things that will make them feel welcome and included in your wedding.

Honor their time, by keeping on schedule.

Remember to stay grateful and honor everyone with your appreciation.

I hope you honor your vendors.

Honor your word and do what you say you're going to do.

Be kind towards everyone and be honorable in your communication.

Again, words of gratitude and appreciation as well as gratuity will honor your vendors.

I hope you will look for ways to apply honor to the most honorable

tradition between a man and woman.

If you do this trust me,

you will feel overwhelmed with honor yourself.

What you give away, you too will also receive.

Yay for pink... {or Honeysuckle}

2011-01-19T22:33:00.000-08:00

Have you seen the Pantone color for 2011? It's Honeysuckle. I love it! I love all things pink. This is pink to me.

This would be a beautiful color for a spring wedding. It would be great whether it is mixed with all white, or another color like seen here with this blue.

What do you think about using the color of the year? Do you like to go with the "in" colors or set your own pace with one of your own?

Are You Branding Your Wedding?

2011-01-17T22:38:00.000-08:00

I have always loved brands. Brands have the ability to stir up images, memories and emotions. Whether it makes you thirsty for a Diet Coke, sentimental over your childhood Barbie or desperate to own a Louis Vuitton bag, brands can entice you.

I LOVE brands. I love my iPhone, my MAC eyeshadow, my Juicy Couture perfume and my Starbucks coffee.

Those brands seem to stand apart from so many others.

I have a photographic memory and I have always been able to recognize company logos. I could visualize the branding of companies that I wasn't even familiar with, just from seeing an ad or commercial at some point.

Branding your special day is a good idea because it connects visual elements with your wedding. It will help you to look for creative ways to incorporate your brand into your wedding while achieving a consistent look.

Here are some fun branding ideas:

Start with choosing your style, theme, colors and an appropriate logo for your style (casual, contemporary, etc....)

this is a logo by marrymonograms.com

Aside from using the logo as a whole, there are several elements in this monogram that could be broken up and used separately...

1) The "B"

2) The font used in Renee & Dillon

3) The font used in the date

(note: stick with only these 2 fonts)

These elements can be used in any combination on:

Save The Date
Invitations
Favors
Gifts
Centerpieces
Candles
In the candy buffet
Banners
Ice Sculptures
Monogram lighting
Thank You cards
Wedding blogs & sites

Branding your wedding is really a lot of fun and it can help pull a wedding together no matter what your budget is.

Til You Walk In My Shoes...

2011-01-16T01:43:00.001-08:00

I love this picture...

so much that you see it in my header. It's by Aric Becker Photography and he was gracious enough to let me use it. Something about this shot sparks some creativity in me.

Love Is Not A Fight- 365

2011-01-15T17:51:00.000-08:00

Love is not a fight by Warren Barfield is a great theme song for marriage. It was featured in the movie Fireproof. LOVE. This.

One Little Word- 365

2011-01-15T17:50:00.002-08:00

Ali Edwards started "One Little Word" as a way of focusing on one word for the year rather than New Year's Resolutions. I decided to see how one little word could really change my little world.

My word for the year is HONOR.

I love that word. It's a great word for marriage too.

Hebrews 13:4

Let marriage be held in honor among all.

There are many different definitions of the word honor and I look forward to exploring them all this year.

What would be your one little word?

Wedding Seating

2011-01-15T17:50:00.001-08:00

When seating your family for your wedding it is very traditional to seat the bride's family on her side and the groom's family on his side. But did you know that when you do that, everyone is looking at your back?

If you switch sides and have the groom's guests sit behind the bride and the bride's guests on the other side, then your guests will have a much better chance of seeing your face.

Just a little tip for free.

Would You Please Vote For Me?

2010-09-10T19:06:00.000-07:00

I am SO sorry I have to beg you, My dear readers for a favor... Please forgive me but....

I could really use your help... I need your vote. My business A Time Like This Weddings has been nominated for Best Wedding Officiant (that's me) in the King 5 Evening Magazine Best Of Western Washington. Which I am SO honored.
This is important to me because the recession has hurt my business. This boost in advertising could really help.

Photo credit to www.modeweddings.com (WHO I totally LOVE to work with!!!) And a warm hello to Lindsay & Jason, a beautiful couple who invited me to be a part of their special day.

It's only 1 vote per person, so to be competitive I need a lot of votes. In all fairness, you do have to register to vote... but... it's just a couple questions, and then a click to confirm in your email.
That's it. Once you vote... You will have the opportunity to post it to Twitter and/or Facebook. I would really appreciate anything you can do to help me out. And of course, if you do... please leave a comment and let me know so I can thank you! And also, so I can watch to make sure I support you too.

Top 10 Tips For A Wedding Without Stress... And Getting To The Altar On Time

2010-09-06T04:35:00.000-07:00

I originally wrote this as a guest post for The Very Best Housewife, but I want to share it with you:

As a wedding planner/ officiant I have had the privilege of participating in dozens of weddings. Every wedding I am a part of is deeply personal to me. I am ~~cursed~~ blessed with a combination of deep compassion, sentimentality and a strong sense of justice. If anything goes wrong on a wedding day, I am deeply disturbed. I ache for the bride who has dreamt of this day her whole life. One thing I have learned is that with careful planning, many catastrophes can be avoided.
I am going to share with you some tips for an absolutely flawless wedding day.

1) I appeal to you: have a rehearsal. I know that it costs more and many officiants don't want to do them because they could be doing a wedding during that time, but I assure you that with everything that goes into making that day amazing, it's worth the few extra bucks. It buys you peace of mind knowing exactly how everything will go. When a couple opts not to have a rehearsal, it almost always shows. Invest in a good officiant, your entire ceremony lies in his/her hands.

2) If anything can go wrong... it's often the music. Please make sure your directions are clear. Music is such a vital part of the wedding it's best to use a professional DJ. Rehearse with him/music whenever possible. I don't have a problem with people opting to use their iPods but you need to have someone who knows how to run it. And PLEASE have them fade the music out not just shut if off.

3) If you can hire a wedding coordinator even just for the day, it will be worth every penny. If not, at least delegate everything you can to family & friends. Try not to give yourself ANYTHING to do on the wedding day... other than get gorgeous and meet your man at the altar.

4) Backwards plan. My husband is so good at getting us to every place on time and it's because he is a pro at backwards planning. If your wedding is scheduled to start at 3:00 then you start from there. You literally begin your planning from the, "I Do"s and go backwards. For example:
3:00 wedding
2:00 Arrive at church
means we need to leave by 1:30 (include time to get loaded in the car, etc. It always takes forever
to just get out the door)
12:30 Be Ready and take photographs
12:00 get into dress & accessorize
11:00 Makeup
10:00 Hair
9:30 Arrive at hotel.
Planning this way will make sure that you are on a schedule. That should keep you on time and stress free knowing exactly how much time you have for everything. Build in extra time if you can.
It's always better to have more time needed than less. Please don't be late. Your wedding guests will probably arrive early and it's very important not to keep them waiting not to mention all your vendors.

5) Take care of mundane tasks early. If you can sign your marriage certificate before the wedding (maybe even at your rehearsal) do it and get it out of the way. Things will get busy, you will be anxious to celebrate and it will seem like a bother to have to worry about details later. But signing your paperwork is big deal... you're not married without it.

6) Don't try to memorize anything. If you wrote your own vows, have the officiant hand them to you on a piece of paper so you can read them. If you have a special toast, write it down and give it to someone you can trust to give it to you at the proper time. That's what I mean by delegate: your friends and family will be happy to help with anything, let them.

7) Pack early and be organized. If you are not an organized person by nature, get help. Make lists and get started early. Believe it or not I have seen brides forget their wedding dress. How does that happen? You should have a checklist of everything you need. Pack everything you possibly can early and have it ready to go. Make sure you include an emergency kit: sewing kit, toupee tape, scissors, hemming tape, chalk, Tide-to go sticks, dental floss, clear nail polish, antacids, pain reliever, bandages, breath mints, etc. You can buy a great kit that is already to go here: The Wedding Depot

8) Eat and Drink. The day will be busy. Nerves and excitement may be more than you can even anticipate... you need to be at your best. That means taking good care of yourself. You have to eat and drink plenty of water. You just won't feel well of you don't.

9) Remember what's important: you are marrying the man you want to share your life with. All you really need is him and the officiant. Everything else is just a bonus. If something goes wrong, keep it in perspective, you will still be married at the end of the day. Please keep a good sense of humor. Some little things that go wrong make for charming stories later on. Nothing has to ruin your most special day if you don't let it.

10) Be in the moment! In the blink of an eye it will all be over. Don't just spend time entertaining everyone else but spend time with your new husband. Listen to your ceremony and vows. Eat the food. Drink the wine. Hear the music. Take a moment just to stop and breathe and take it all in.

One final note: the wedding is one momentous day in your life. I hope it is everything you ever dreamed it could be. But once it's all over, the real work begins. I am even more passionate about marriage than I am about weddings... but that's another blog post altogether. Just remember the take responsibility for making your marriage work and when the grass seems greener on the other side (and at some point it probably will) just water your own lawn.

Gina is owner of A Time Like This Weddings in Washington State
Photo credit to Heather Lynn Photographie and TraLa Studios

I love weddings at Indian Summer Golf & Country Club!

2009-06-29T15:40:00.000-07:00

It truly is a beautiful setting and Susan (who comes with your wedding at Indian Summer ;-)

is really knowledgeable and helpful. It is such a relaxed atmosphere and Susan takes good care of every one. I just love doing weddings there. www.indiansummergolf.com

Music De-Lite: A truly professional DJ

2009-06-28T15:24:00.000-07:00

I really do enjoy working with professional wedding vendors. I have had the privilege of working with Robert from Music De-Lite on several occasions and he is great! Believe me, if anything can go wrong during your wedding ceremony it is often the music. It's such a heartbreaking thing to have happen. I LOVE it when I get to work with someone that I know I don't have to worry about. Robert Bonham is just that kind of DJ. If you are looking for someone you can trust your special day to... He is your man.
Call him up at (360)456-1578 or email him at musicdelite@comcast.net

C.Pelland Photography

2009-06-25T15:10:00.000-07:00

I have done a couple of weddings with Christy Pelland and she is truly an outstanding photographer. I have not really had the opportunity to get to know her but I feel like I do, through her blog and her incredible photography. She has written some very kind things about me on her blog and I wanted to return the favor. If you check out her blog at christypelland.blogspot.com I am SURE you will be impressed, and to top it off... it sure looks like she is having FUN! Enjoy....

Amber & Michael

One BIG piece of advice for your wedding.

2009-06-03T07:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, one of my clients scratched their local wedding plans and opted for a Hawaiian wedding. They are totally excited about this, and what's not to be? Except losing deposits to your wedding vendors you already booked. This reminded me that one of the best tidbits of advice I could give you is to get wedding insurance. Most people don't even know there is such a thing. It is a small investment that could save you BIG! Now... I must say that wedding insurance is designed to protect you against circumstances that are out of your control... So cold feet or just a change of heart... probably doesn't count depending on your individual policy. But, you just never know when a family illness, an unreliable vendor, theft or fire may cause delays or cancellations on your most special day. Depending on your coverage, the price can range... but you can get it for a couple hundred dollars. Totally worth it for peace of mind. Here are a couple of companies that offer it:

WedSafe and Travelers Wedding Plan

It's easy and you can sign up online. Check it out, You'll be glad you did.

Follow me on Twitter...

2009-05-30T01:10:00.000-07:00

Click Here To See What I'm Up To

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2009-03-17T22:27:00.000-07:00

I am inspired by green today... So I put together an inspiration board of some beautiful ways to put some green (other than your dollars) into your wedding. Just click on to view larger. Have Fun.

Let's Talk About Wedding Rehearsals...

2009-03-16T23:35:00.000-07:00

I am often asked, "Do I need a rehearsal?" The answer to this question varies greatly depending on who you ask... but I say, "Yes." OK, well I guess there are even variables to how I feel about this issue:

You do not need a rehearsal if you are eloping and/or you have no bridal party.

But after all the weddings I have done, I see so much value in having a rehearsal WITH your officiant and even DJ if possible. I know that you have to pay extra for having a rehearsal...

extra fees for the venue, the officiant, the DJ and it is more time for your bridal party and family.

But it is worth it. It is buying peace of mind. Your wedding day will be full of emotion and the last thing you want is to be worried about are the small details of the ceremony like, "who is taking my bouquet and when?" "When does dad go sit down?" "When do we walk back up the aisle?"

If you have a rehearsal and a walk through of your ceremony in advance all these questions and more will be answered. Everyone will know exactly what to do and as a result you will have a more polished ceremony.

If you are on a budget here are a few money saving tips:

Your rehearsal doesn't have to be at your venue. It's great if you can walk through everything at your venue, but if you can't pay for the extra time there, consider having your rehearsal at a friend or family member's house. You could have a rehearsal at a park. If you find a restaurant for your rehearsal dinner that has a separate room for your dining, you could even have your rehearsal there just before dinner.
Try having your rehearsal during the week. You pay top dollar for weekend time. If you have your rehearsal during the week you will most likely pay less for everything from venue to officiant time.
Be flexible about the time of day. Sometimes you can get morning time for less money also.

The bottom line is to have fun and enjoy every moment. Look at the rehearsal as one more opportunity to get together with your bridal party and celebrate your upcoming wedding. At the same time, you are making an investment to be stress and worry free on your special day. I have never heard anyone regret having a rehearsal, but I have heard brides and grooms who say that they wished they did have a rehearsal.

A Logo For Your Wedding...

2009-03-15T10:59:00.000-07:00

I am a graphic designer at heart. I am drawn to fun fonts, designs, and color. I really LOVE the idea of creating a unique brand for your wedding. You can achieve this through a logo used for save the date cards, invitations, programs, menus, table cards, and even used in favors and decor.

If you are crafty consider designing a logo for your wedding as a really personal touch. But even if you don't have a lick of creativity, you can get a really GREAT logo at an affordable price. At Besty White Stationary Boutique you can purchase a wedding logo for $50-$75. There are many to choose from and you can get it in black & white or color. Another idea for the DIYer... get someone with great handwriting or a calligrapher (I am one... ;-) to hand write many of the elements for your wedding.

Happy Anniversary!!

2009-03-14T23:22:00.000-07:00

Today is my wedding anniversary. My sweet husband, Jack, isn't home. He is working today... on our special day... But he has done everything possible to make this a memorable day. He is truly wonderful and I am such a lucky woman. I thought I would share a few of my favorite wedding photos of ours. And at the same time I want you all to know that I am thinking of you. To all my brides and grooms who have invited me to share in your special day... many are celebrating anniversaries this summer. Happy Anniversary! And to those of you about to get married... may you celebrate MANY MANY years of anniversaries of your own. You have really blessed me.

DIY ideas For Country CUTE weddings or events...

2009-03-14T23:01:00.000-07:00

How are your summer wedding plans coming along? Do you need a great favor idea for a BBQ or country wedding? Check out Besty White. This is such a CUTE idea and at Bestywhite.com they even offer a free download to make these labels yourself. Fill these bags with candy or other homemade treats, or use these fun bags to gift wrap your favor. There are also LOTS of adorable ideas for invitations, decor, flowers, etc. for a backyard event... check out their website for some inspiration.

Great Website For Brides...

2009-03-11T23:02:00.000-07:00

I have been so bad at blogging! But I have a lot to say so, I am determined to get better.

I found an awesome website... I just LOVE it!

It's called The Bride's Cafe and you can get a WEALTH of information on that website.

Check it out and bookmark it!

www.thebridescafe.com

Kevin & Allyn Schmidlkofer

2008-08-27T10:20:00.000-07:00

I have had the privilege of officiating so many absolutely beautiful weddings this summer. I would love to write about each one and post photos. Unfortunately, I don't always get to see the pictures from the weddings I do. But I was able to get these photos from a recent Hawaiian wedding for a gorgeous couple named Kevin and Allyn. They are so sweet together and you can see the love in these photos. This couple has built their relationship on a strong foundation of commitment, friendship and love... and they have what it takes to make their marriage work. It truly was such an honor to be a part of this event.
Isn't the bride stunning?
Photography by Bill Cawley.

Meet My New Friend & A Fabulous Photographer... Leticia Wilson

2008-08-22T23:23:00.000-07:00

I found Leticia Wilson on the internet while looking for a photographer for a wedding that I was planning for some of my clients... Les and June. A sweet couple who were coming from Hawaii to get married at Mt. Rainier. I loved her website and her photography, and as I read a bit about her, I instantly liked her. I found out later that she and I have so much in common!
I have had the privilege of doing two weddingss with her... we did the Mt. Rainier wedding for Les and June which was precious... and a lovely elopement out at Ocean Shores for a gorgeous young couple, Karl and Julie. (The photos turned out spectacular, by the way!) I have to say that Leticia puts herself, her heart and her soul into her work. She and her husband Adam are such a fun couple to be around and work well together. (He shoots too, capturing another angle and never missing a shot!) Leticia has a way of putting people at ease, bringing out the best in them and recording it through her lens.
She is sweet and kind and when you meet her you feel like you have made a friend for life.
If you are looking for a wedding photographer, check out Leticia Wilson at Leticiawilsonphotography.com
and if you want to get to know her a little better, check out her blog at blog.leticiawilson.com
I hope to work with her on many more weddings.

Matt & Candis Another Wedding w/ Christy Pelland

2008-07-30T16:05:00.000-07:00

"as candis and matt held each other's hands, the officiant explained the significance of them - that 'these are the hands that will comfort you when you are in need, these are the hands that will hold your newborn child, etc.' it was one of the most beautiful representations of the commitment of marriage i have ever had the pleasure of witnessing." Quote from Christy's blog

Thank you, Christy!

Matt & Candis July 26, 2008

Fireproof Your Marriage! (Get it Now on DVD!)

2008-07-14T22:26:00.000-07:00

I don't remember EVER looking so forward to a movie premiere.

This movie is going to be a blessing for so many people.

If you need any resources for your marriage, Please

visit www.fireproofmymarriage.com

See You September 26th!

Photobooths and Scrapbooks... BETTER than a guest book.

2008-06-28T00:18:00.000-07:00

OK... So, if you are a modern couple, I am sure you know that the traditional guest book has been replaced. There are so many different options now. There are many reasons why the old-fashioned guest book has become obsolete and the main one being, it's not very personal to just get the signature of someone you already know was at your wedding. Today couples are opting for the picture matte, a framed canvas, a ceramic platter, individual cards for blessings or advice, pillows, and even aprons. All very cute, but here is a NEW and FUN idea instead. This can actually be your place cards, favors, and guest book all in one. Rent a photo booth for your reception! I found pretty good prices at rentphotobooths.com. Many of these new photobooths are now digital so your photos can be reprinted and viewed later. You can even print 4 x 6s or 8 x 10s. In the picture above right, it shows acrylic frames from rentphotobooths.com and they are only $1.50. You can use them as your place card holder, and then your guests can put one copy of their photos in the frame to take home. Great, huh?

Most of these companies come with a tech that will set up and break down the booth, but NOW you can even have a professional there at your wedding to help put all the photos from your wedding into a scrapbook like this one in he upper left photo from photoboothscrapbooks.com

They will work with your guests to make scrapbook pages for you. Some of them bring props like tiaras and feather boas. If you find this is too expensive, try creating your own photo booth and use your photographer to take digital photos of all your guests. Or you could use a polaroid and a crafty friend at a scrapbook station to help your guests turn their photos into works of art. This is great entertainment, memory keeping, wedding favors, personalized thank-yous and something that your guests will talk about for years to come. I LOVE IT!

Choosing Your Wedding Date

2008-06-23T19:52:00.000-07:00

It really breaks my heart to have to turn down a couple because my calendar is full. I am sure you have heard it many times but it is so important to carefully choose your wedding date. Summer weddings are the most popular and my calendar starts filling up for the summer in December. If you are planning a summer wedding in June you will have a hard time finding available vendors and you may pay more. If you have any flexibility you will have better luck. Try planning a weekday wedding. Many vendors welcome a weekday wedding and some even offer better prices.

You could really go a lot farther with your budget if you have the ability to be flexible with your dates. If Monday through Thursday isn't really an option for you consider a Sunday. Although Sundays are still technically considered a weekend, these dates don't fill up as fast and your guests are still likely to be able to attend. That wedding vendor that you really want to book who seems to have no availability is probably wide open during the week.

Once you set your date, you should find your venue and then book your officiant.

Officiants can often be in high demand and you can't get married without one.

If you are a summer bride and groom trying to plan your wedding late in the game...

double check and see if you can schedule your wedding during the week... it will be less stress and easier on the pocketbook without compromising your desire for a summer wedding.

Gratitude...

2008-06-20T00:26:00.000-07:00

I decided that the subject for my very first post on my blog should be "Gratitude". I have found that I have so much to be thankful for and that I experience miracles in my everyday life when I stay in a place of thankfulness. I have such a wonderful husband and such talented and special children. I have great friends and family and a church that feeds my spirit. But also...

I am always so blessed to share a wedding day with a couple. I think it is so amazing to look into the faces of love and hope and share in a part of the most important even in their lives.

Brother David Steindl-Rast said, "Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy--because we will always want to have something more."

This is a quality that I have been trying to instill in my children... "be thankful."

To All My Brides and Grooms, I would just say to you... that sometimes things don't go exactly how they are planned, but if you focus on that, you won't be free to notice all the beauty that is there. You have found a great love, and that alone is such a blessing and a gift. Stay in a place of gratitude and you will experience joys, large and small... and miracles, large and small every single day.