Posts from — December 2007

In preparation for our first dance and reception, the husband and I have been taking dance lessons at the fabulous Chicago Dance studio.  I highly recommend that all of our brides and grooms learn social dancing, especially foxtrot and swing, as these are the most common music choices for weddings and other events.

In case you don’t watch Dancing With The Stars, I’ve put together a listing of the common types of ballroom and latin dances, and some of the first dance or reception songs that lend itself to each style.

Image courtesy of the Fred Astaire encyclopedia

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Anne thought it would be fun to give everyone a little bit of background into EAD and how we started. So here is our story…

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Chitown Bride’s post today (she found her string trio - yay for her!) has gotten me thinking of musicians.  I know that I want an accoustic guitarist for the ceremony {inspired by Anne’s guitarist at her beautiful wedding - you seriously must have live music, there’s nothing like it}, obviously a DJ or good cover band for the reception, and I’m definitely booking Nicole Chillemi, the jazz singer that my planner recommended for the cocktail hour.  I believe she’s coming with a pianist… But there has to be other things I’m missing, doesn’t there?

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Next in our honeymoon series, we take you to the magical city of Rome, where gladiators reigned and gelato is king. 

Rome is an amazing place to spend a honeymoon - grooms love the culture and history of the ruins and brides adore the shopping, food, museums, and cultural opportunities found nowhere else in the world.

Images courtesy of: Monastery Stays, Free Foto, Hotel Forte, DK Guides

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Oh I am SO in love with my photographer.  I knew Jessica would be amazing from her blog, so it was no real surprise when the first few pictures she posted of our getting to know you session turned out to be absolutely gorgeous!

I’ll treat to you the whole set from her blog!

I love how natural this pic is (especially the coffee, my husband is addicted to coffee):

This one just may be my favorite - the light is perfect and I actually look skinny!

I am IN LOVE with this picture - it’s absolutely the kind of pic I was looking for and it really showcases how Jessica sees potential in things so many people wouldn’t:

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Hi all - I have SUCH exciting news to share!  I have signed the contract for my photographer and the choice is…….

Jessica Claire!

You might be a bit confused, as I live in Chicago and the event is in Atlanta.  Yes, the wonderful planner and I searched high and low in Atlanta for photographers.  I’m not ashamed to admit that, at first, I had *absolutely* no idea what I wanted, although I knew that photography was perhaps the most important element of the event to me.  We started searching 20 months before the event, in the hopes that no one I fell in love with would be booked.

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The husband and I will be out of town for a week without internet access.  E will still be posting on a regular basis.  Have a happy new year!

Rebekah Anne

When scoping out your budget, don’t forget about one of the most important elements of decor… lighting.  Most event spaces are lit with lovely fluorescent bulbs - not the most flattering for you and very difficult for your photographer to use.  Solve this problem by investing in a lighting designer - trust me, a few less roses and some gorgeous lighting, your guests will never know you cut down on the floral!

To see what I mean, here are some before and after shots courtesy of The Lighting Guy:

The picture at the bottom gives the best illustration - the linens and florals are already on the tables, but just look at the difference after the lighting effects are applied - it transforms the room into something truly magical.

Don’t forget to discuss your lighting options with your photographer - what might look amazing may be very difficult for their work.  Also, make sure that your lighting designer works with your venue to insure the power outlets and allocations are sufficient for their needs.  And be sure you use what you have in the venue - I love how the bottom set of pictures incorporated the chandeliers already present in the space into their lighting scheme. 

Happy planning!

E.

This year I made use of some leftover items from DIY projects past and made ornaments for my Christmas cards.  They were SO easy to make!

Here are pics and instructions:

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A little beauty courtesy of Bride and Bloom….