A Burst of Sunshine!

The color yellow is popping up everywhere, just in time for spring. It's such a refreshing and happy color. Why not consider using yellow as your main color palette for your upcoming summer wedding? The meaning of the color is joy & happiness; the symbolism is the perfect addition to your big day.

Let's get some inspiration from these great swatches below all found on the Print & Pattern Blog.

I'm totally in love with yellow and grey together. It has such a fun and modern feel to it.

Keep it fresh and easy by using all shades of yellow with white as the backdrop. Clean & fresh. 

I love the retro feel of adding some brown accents to the yellow. Reminds me of my grandma's ceramic mugs!  These two colors love a touch of pale blue as well.

Let the inspiration begin!

Congrats to Wes & Christine!

Wes and Christine of Espresso Arts Catering are going to tie the knot this weekend in sunny California. From all of us at Simply Chic Weddings...Congratulations! Can't wait to hear all about it. 

Ribbons & More Ribbons.

Today's post comes via Lisa of Studio del Fiore. 

Like most creative people I love using different elements in the floral designs that I create, but it's not always about the flowers. I know there are a lot of DIY brides out there so I wanted to pass on this great website that I came across recently.

The Ribbon Jar is an online ribbon reseller, they sell a vast selection of just about every ribbon you can think of....and the best part is they sell it by the yard, so you can purchase as much as you need! I also love that they have pictures of everything so you know exactly what you are buying.



Another unique feature that they offer is what they call The Ribbon Jar special collections. Each unique collection is packaged in a new or vintage jar. The themed collections vary from general craft to wrapping. These jars make great gifts for any crafty friend and can provide inspiration for color palettes to use for your wedding day. The uses for ribbons is endless...wrapping the bridal bouquets, add a quick sash to the bridemaids gowns, wrap gifts, hang down a wall with photos attached. 

The best part? They are based in our beautiful state of Oregon! Gotta love that. 

Destination Weddings.

The blog took a bit of break while I was on vacation in beautiful Hawaii. I just returned and am slowly getting readjusted to the time change and the chilly weather. While I was there I was thinking about destination weddings and how many couples are leaning toward this option for their event.



So, where do you start? First, choose your ideal spot for the event and be sure to do so far in advance. The best properties and accommodations book up quickly. Destination can mean traveling six hours from Portland to Hawaii or only two from Portland to the Oregon Coast. Be sure to do some extra research about the weather for the location you choose. You don't want to head down to the Caribbean during hurricane season.

You'll certainly want to send out save the dates to your guests to give them plenty of time to book flights and hotel. Make it a weekend of events together for an intimate feeling. How about an informal dinner the day after everyone arrives or cocktails on the beach with appetizers.

Destination Weddings has great tips to get you started. If you find a hotel or resort you like, you can contact them directly to learn about their package options. Many will have the info listed on their websites that they offer, such as the officiant, flowers and tuxedo rental.

One thing to consider is choosing your photographer and videographer from where you live. Since these are the two things that will remind you of all the wonderful moments, you may want to fly them over to make sure everything is captured from stat to finish on your big day. The photographers that are included in the package often snap a couples shots of the ceremony and family and leave.

In the end, your event should be less stressful for you and an easy way to start the honeymoon in a beautiful location. Just remember to bring the sunblock so you don't look like a lobster in your white dress!




All images copyright Jasmine Photography 2008.

Shooting vs. Editing

by Greg James of Solstice Video Productions

Shooting the video is only half of the equation. While it's important to find someone who's experienced with proper camera angles, lighting and sound, you need to find someone who is a creative editor as well. This is where the magic happens. That is why even though I have a number of amazingly experienced videographers on my team that I have personally trained, I still edit every wedding movie (until, of course, I can truly trust someone to edit as well as myself). Creative and skilled digital editing can greatly increase the value of your wedding video, giving you memories you'll cherish forever.

Some videographers shoot weddings using a method known as "live switching,” meaning they edit as they shoot. This saves the videographer time and money as they do no editing later. It also involves running cables all over the place, creating a hazard and an eyesore for your guests. Unless your budget will absolutely not allow for it, I highly recommend choosing someone who uses a multiple camera setup on the ceremony and crafts the piece together later. You’ll notice a considerable difference in the end-product.

Speaking of a tight budget, if this is an issue for you, instead I recommend attempting to hire a skilled videographer to shoot raw footage of your day for a nominal fee and then have them provide you an option to perform an edit on a later date when you have more funding to do so. At least this way, at the minimum, you will have the assurance of knowing your once-in-a-lifetime day was captured by a professional (as opposed to say, Uncle Harry, with his new camera he just bought at Costco).

- Greg James, www.solsticevideo.com

Size Matters (know your videographer’s equipment)

by Greg James of Solstice Video Productions

While skill and talent are the most important aspects for creating a quality wedding video (machines don’t run themselves), professional equipment and the use of multiple cameras can go a long way to producing a higher quality product. Short of using Hollywood 35mm cameras (which would be way out of anyone's price range unless you're Eva Longoria and Tony Parker), the best equipment today is the use of digital 3 CCD (3-chip) high-definition cameras and non-linear editing capabilities (all digital work done on a computer). Other formats that may still be in use include Hi8, S-VHS and VHS. However, if you're talking to a videographer that still uses these methods, my advice to you is to kindly thank them and walk away. The amateur quality of these archaic tools will disappoint you and it isn't worth any price savings. In addition, make sure the videographer is prepared to utilize backup equipment in case of malfunction.

Why High-Definition?

You may ask why use high-definition (HD) equipment as opposed to a standard 3-chip (SD) camera? Although you may not have a DVD player or TV that can play HD yet, shooting in HD is still the most preferred method as you are assured your memories are being captured in the highest quality possible. In fact, I still deliver standard DVDs to many of my clients, but all footage is in HD so that the client always has the option. It is the technology we now live in after all. If your videographer is not shooting currently with HD equipment, that is indicative they may be many steps behind in the industry. Which leads you to wonder: if they can’t keep up with present technology, how are they going to be able to keep up with you?

Did You Hear That?

If you want your day captured in true documentary fashion, a professional shotgun microphone on the operator’s camera is mandatory to capture sound. If you are being recorded with only an inferior built-in camera microphone, then be prepared to flinch when hearing yourself and your guests later in the final movie.

As for capturing the sound during the ceremony, the best choice is digital sound recorders which can be placed at specific locations like the podium or in the groom's pocket. While this has to be masterfully synchronized later at the editing stage, the difference in quality over built-in or wireless microphones (due to interference and sharing air time) is unmistakable. Make sure when viewing samples of the videographer's work that you pay close attention to the sound quality, especially at moments when the vows are being said.

As we say in the real-time documentary business, “there are no do-overs.” Make sure your videographer has the equipment to get it right the first time.

- Greg James, www.solsticevideo.com

Choosing a Videographer: Look At Real Samples!

by Greg James of Solstice Video Productions

In my experience, I have had a number of brides approach me after they had their video made who were upset to find out that their wedding video did not turn out the way the company presented themselves in their demos. While the more reputable video production companies should be creating demos that best represent their work as a whole, this unfortunately is not always the case. You can get a great jumpstart with your search by looking at demos, but understand that these are carefully picked highlights of the production company's work and does not always tell the full story. To decide on the perfect videographer for your wedding day, first and foremost you'll need to see complete samples of their work. Better yet, visit them at their studio and ask to see complete weddings, so you get a good idea firsthand on how the artisan will craft a story out of your amazing day. You don't need to watch them in their entirety; skip around a bit to get a good cross-section of the type of work they do. A professionally crafted DVD should be arranged in chapters, so this should be easy to do.

In meeting the artisan at their studio, you will also get a good idea of their personality and whether you will feel comfortable having him or her following you throughout your day. I can't express how important this is. In addition to being an incredible videographer and creative editor, your perfect videographer must also have an adaptive and comforting personality. If you don't feel comfortable with your videographer in meeting them, chances are you will not feel comfortable when they are around you on your wedding day.

Also, contracts can vary, so read the fine print carefully and be aware of the payment terms. Have them read the contract over with you thoroughly before booking. Most companies will require a deposit when you book their services, so this should not come as a surprise. But other surprises may abound later if the contract is not fully examined.

- Greg James, www.solsticevideo.com

5 ideas about budget.

by Emee Pumarega, CMP at EJP Events

I am often asked, "Why are weddings so darn expensive? How can I lower the cost of my wedding? What should a wedding (or vendor) cost? Is this a good deal?" and I thought I would share some quick thoughts on the topic of budget.

1. It's not so much that things are expensive just because it's a wedding -- more often than not, it just seems so, because we're not accustomed to hosting so many people for lunch, dinner, cocktails, what have you. The single most budget-trimming thing you can do for your wedding is to limit the number of people you allow to attend.



2. If you're wondering if something is a "good deal" or not, compare the wedding item to what you would pay for a similar service in real life. For example, if you are hoping to serve a multicourse gourmet meal at your wedding reception, think of the last place you went out for a similarly splashy dinner, and see if the price per person on what you spent for food, beverage, and service compares to what your caterer will charge for something similar. Don't compare apples and oranges however -- if the caterer is including items in the quote like rented tables, chairs, and tableware, ask them to break those items out separately, so you can get a side-by-side comparison with your reality check. Conversely, if you're hoping for a barbecue buffet, check your "deal radar" by comparing the wedding caterer's price per person cost against the typical food, beverage, and service (tip/gratuity) at your favorite BBQ shack.

3. DO share your budget with your vendors and your coordinator. This will save you countless wasted hours going to meetings and poring over proposals that are out of range. If you're uncomfortable stating your budget because you're worried that vendors will just charge you the "max", then shave it down a bit, but do have some idea of a number in mind. If you have no idea where to start in creating the budget, ask a coordinator or try one of the handy downloadable worksheets such as the one found at Martha Stewart Weddings.

4. Prioritize what's important to you, then allot your budget accordingly. If having favors and gift baskets isn't a big deal to you and your fiance(e), then make sure that there isn't a huge outlay in that department. Think of the areas that will have the most impact on you and your guests' enjoyment, and try to concentrate on those areas as far as time, money, and mental resources.

5. Use trusted vendors and negotiate customized packages with them based on your needs, rather than choosing the lowest-cost vendor by default, regardless of quality. Sometimes the lowest cost is the best choice, but not always. It makes no sense to save $500 using a vendor who may or may not deliver what you want; when an experienced and creative one will have plenty of expert ideas on how to get as close as possible to your target vision within your budget, and will also do a great job!

Q & A with Embellish Designs.

Happy April 1st! Finding a wedding gown can be a long process filled with lots of tugging & cinching to get an idea of what it will really look like on you.  If going to shop after shop is not your style, why not try having your gown created for you? I sat down with Terri from Embellish Designs to find out more about the process.

Q: What are some trends you are currently seeing in gowns?

A: "Brides are having fun adding lots of color to their overall look. This can be in the form of a sash, broaches, or bright shoes. More are choosing knee length dresses as well."

Q: If I'm interested in having my gown made, how far in advance should I start the process?

A: "I recommend booking your first appointment at least 6 months before your wedding date."

Q: What are some of the different materials you offer?

A: "I offer many sustainable fabric options, which are becoming more and more popular. Hemp silk, organic linen & organic cotton are used often in creating gowns."

Q: What can I expect to pay for a custom designed gown?

A: "The cost varies depending on your choice of fabric, how many details you have and the overall design concept."

Q: What happens at my first consultation?

A: "You should bring in pictures of styles you like. We'll sit down, chat about your wedding day plans and start sketching out ideas. By the end of the meeting you'll know the cost of your gown. The initial consultation is free, please contact me to make an appointment." 

If you have more questions you'd like to ask Terri, you can contact her via her website Embellish Designs. 

Images copyright Jasmine Photography