 Hello Moms! Your son or daughter just got engaged! How fun! How crazy! How overwhelming! You are going to have a crazy couple of months ahead of you in the planning process so we decided to collect a list of roles that you will have from now until “I Do”.
Mother of the Bride You have always dreamt of this day when your little girl would find the love of her life and walk down the aisle! Be sure to remember that this is her wedding and she may have some crazy ideas, but you will have to be supportive throughout the stressful process. Here is a list of “Mother-of-the-Bride Roles” for you to keep in mind while she is planning away! - Come up with a budget you are comfortable with early on in the process - Make your guest list and keep in mind that it is not ideal for your daughter to meet anyone for the first time at her wedding! - Be supportive! Times have changed and there is a lot of added stress that comes from planning a wedding. Be her rock when she needs it! - Hire a planner! It is definitely a smart move - mostly because if you don’t have someone there the day of the wedding to help, you may be doing it all and not enjoying the day the way you should. - Be available. There are lots of meetings and decisions that have to be made and you are most likely going to need to be by her side when she makes them. Be sure that you can make yourself available for her when needed. - Get to know the next lady who's role we are going to talk about below. The more you are on the same team, the easier the planning process will go! Mother of the Groom Your son found the love of his life and now the planning begins! We have come up with a list of things for you to keep in mind throughout the planning process! - Make your guest list and keep in mind that it is not ideal for your son to meet anyone for the first time at his wedding! - Be Supportive! Let your soon-to-be daughter or son-in-law live their wedding dreams even if it was not what you would had in mind. - Find a great rehearsal dinner venue and include your son in the process. - Find a beautiful Mother of the Groom dress and be sure to ask what colors would be appropriate. - Enjoy the process. Because it is not your daughter getting married, if you have a daughter, you really need to take a bit of a back seat on this one. When they wants your help with the wedding planning process, they will ask for it, but be sure they know you are available! - Get to know the first lady that we talked about above. The more you are on the same team, the easier the planning process will go!
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I've Postponed My Wedding...Now What? 5 Tips on what to do now that your date has officially changed4/29/2020
1. Communication is key! Now it is time to officially let your guests know of the change. Here are a couple of options based on where you are in your invitation process: If your wedding invites have already been mailed: Contact your guests ASAP. Start with those that RSVPd YES and ask them to update their RSVP with you. After you have a revised headcount of the YES list, you can then extend to those that said NO to see if they can make it on the new date. We recommend emailing or texting your guests to get the word out asap. Update your website as well. You could even create a cute graphic of you and your fiancé to attach to the email and keep the JOY in this new plan! If your wedding invitations have been printed: You can work with your stationer on options for re-printing or sending a new piece to update your guests. You can also do this digitally to get the word out asap - an email works with a link to your updated wedding website or if you prefer to mail something, our friend from Els cards has some great FREE options available! If you have designed your invites, or are working on your design, but have yet to print: Ask your stationer for their recommendations for sending out invitations during this time. Seeing that your guests already received a save the date, you may want to alert them via email first and then send out your invites with the new date. Here is an example of an email that one of our clients sent to their guests: Dear Family and Friends, In light of the Coronavirus Pandemic, and with an abundance of caution, we have decided to postpone our wedding to NEW DATE. Many details are still in the process of being worked out and will be updated on our website as soon as they are available. If you have any information about hotels add it here! Needless to say we are so sad that our country is facing this horrible crisis and are praying that we all come through this as quickly as possible. So please take care of yourselves, stay safe. We love you all and can’t wait to celebrate! 2. Review Your Wedding Vision If your new wedding date is a different season, do you need to change your entire wedding vision?? We understand the urge to change with season or if you feel a new direction is what you need to “move on” from your original date. However, we believe that your wedding should still emulate you and your other half and if that means spring colors in fall, then go for it! Anything goes this year - we can’t wait to see bright colors in October! If you still feel you need to make a change, there are small ways to adjust the wedding, like considering new flowers that are in season for your new date or adding a color to your color palette that can add a new layer to your wedding design without starting from scratch! Either way, we know your wedding plans may look different but will still have the most important parts...you and your other half! 3. Revisit Important Planning Dates and Appointments During this process you may have also had some important dates on your calendar that revolve around your wedding planning, like tastings, hair and makeup trials or dress fittings. Review your calendar and see if you still have appointments that need to be updated and contact your vendors to change the date. Also, if you have scheduled any in person meetings between now and mid May, you may want to connect with that vendor to see if they would rather do a video call instead #stayhome 4. Shifting Stays If your guests have booked their accommodations and you had a room block in place, check in with your hotels about shifting your block and the current reservations to your new date. If your guests have yet to make their reservations, update your wedding website with new room block information and we recommend suggesting they secure trip insurance for peace of mind! Honeymoon plans in place? We recommend reaching out to a pro to help with your options, Susan Peavey Travel. 5. Celebrate Your Original Wedding Date
You have had your original wedding date set with a heart around it on your calendar for a long time, so why not find a way to still celebrate together! Here are some ideas we have on how you can still make this day special while you are home. #alonetogether
The month of March 2020 has reminded us the importance of our job as wedding planners. We have spent hours with our couples listening to their fears and feeling their heartbreak that their wedding plans are or may be shifting. As we have guided our couples through the postponement process, we wanted to share some helpful tips that we have found keep our couples staying positive through this unprecedented time. #alonetogether Take Care...So you just watched the news and learned that your wedding date could be affected by a travel ban or stay at home order...yea, it's natural to feel a little stuck! Uncertainty can be uncomfortable and scary. It’s okay to have these feelings and when you do, we recommend finding your way to feel those feelings and then rally! Whether it’s yoga, meditation, screaming into a pillow, dancing it out or taking a couple of days to unplug and binge watch that show on Netflix. (Tiger King... what?!) Take care of yourself and take advantage of some extra time to reconnect with your future husband or wife! Your wedding planning may look a little different but you always have a reason to celebrate! Ask for help!After you have danced it out...turn to your wedding planner for guidance on the first steps to take if you are considering postponing your wedding day. If you don’t have a wedding planner, connect with your venue or catering manager about your potential options. Chances are they have had this conversation with other couples as well. Remember, there may be couples whose wedding dates are before yours and may be first in line but you picked your vendor team for a reason and we (and they) are all hoping to continue working with you in the future. (Extra tip here: If you would like to stay in the year of 2020, consider “off” dates like Fridays, Sundays or even Mondays! You may have a better chance of moving your entire vendor team to your new wedding date.) “It was incredibly reassuring knowing that Jamie was by our side, helping us through this difficult time, so much more than a planner, but a friend and a comforter. Huddle Up! (Virtually)We are lucky enough to have so many virtual ways to connect with our loved ones today… remember when there was no internet? (You may not but, we promise there was a time!) Schedule a Facetime, Skype, Zoom, WhatsApp call with your core group and fill them in on how you are feeling and that your plans may be changing. Ask for positive vibes only and ask for extra help as you navigate the postponement process. Vendor Survey Says!Touch base with all of your vendors. (Including your attire providers and accommodations!) If you are considering a plan B, it can feel like a little daunting to reach out to all of your vendors at once. Your planner can assist here! If not, try sending an email to yourself and bcc your vendors for a quick check in about your alternate date(s) or try an online poll if you have multiple dates you are considering! (Tip: Doodle polls) Take a moment to review your contracts before you contact your vendors and have an idea of additional questions you may want to ask when they respond about your potential new date. Friendly reminder, this is an unprecedented situation for everyone but, we are #allinittogether! “Working with Cape Cod celebrations is by far one of the best decisions we’ve made while wedding planning. Stephanie has been an absolute life saver and truly a pleasure to work with. I’m SO incredibly grateful for all of her help, expertise and guidance. Last but not least!From bridal showers & engagement parties to rehearsal dinners & brunches...There are many events that are part of your wedding planning. Here’s your opportunity to lean on your community for sure! Whether you can re-schedule or need to find a new venue for a future date... throw a virtual party on the original date of your event. We all need reasons to celebrate right now! FInal Thoughts...Reframing your hopes and expectations of your wedding day is likely the last thing you thought you would be doing. We are with you there!! But we take heart in the amazing ways our couples and all of the couples out there have found ways to move forward with love, with humor, with light and with joy! Wedding days will return and we can’t wait to celebrate!
Looking for more tips for staying sane and on task with your wedding plans while at home? Pop over to our most recent blog post and check out our tips, with other wedding vendors, on Loverly. Happy New Year and New Decade! We love to take a minute after the holidays and festivities settle, to reflect on all the wonderful things we accomplished in 2019. It was such an amazing year for us here at Cape Cod Celebrations and once again we cannot express how grateful we are for the support and love we receive from friends, family and vendors in the industry. Here is a look back at some of the fabulous things that happened in 2019!
Back in 2017 we started a "Cape Cod Couples Tell All" series with Scott and Leonora and continued it last year with Annie and Brian. This year we are kicking it back in to gear with Courtney & Caleb who were married April 18, 2015 at Chatham Bars Inn - 4 years ago! Cape Cod 1. What made you choose Cape Cod for your wedding? Beautiful setting and a special connection to the venue, itself. 2. Why would you tell future brides and grooms to get married on Cape Cod? Cape Cod is absolutely gorgeous and serene at any time of year. Even in the heart of winter, you cannot beat the breathtaking views of the ocean and the cool crisp air. We were married in early spring to avoid the summer crowds and the weather on our wedding day was absolutely perfect, 60 degrees and sunny with the bluest sky. We couldn’t have asked for more.
Your Wedding! 1. In three words, how would you describe your wedding? Whimsical, entertaining, intimate. 2. Was your wedding exactly what you had envisioned? Perfect! Exceeded our expectations. 3. What was your biggest concern in planning your wedding? Trying to keep the day true to our identities. 4. What was your favorite part of the planning process? What was the most difficult part?The food tasting! And getting to know all of our vendors well. Really can’t think of any difficulties. A true testament to how easy Jamie made the process for us! She did most of the hard work! 5. What was your favorite part of the wedding? The ceremony, the food, the ambiance, the food, the reception, the food. Did I mention the food? Honestly, everything from start to finish. Being able to relax on our wedding day knowing Jamie was handling everything behind the scenes. We were able to truly enjoy the day with nothing on our minds but each other. 6. Looking back, would you change anything about your wedding? If so, what and why? Not a thing! 7. Who was your favorite vendor? CBI! They executed the most amazing menu for the day. 8. What do you think your guests would say their favorite part of your wedding was? Overall, how unique it was. Specifically, the food, the photo booth, and all the dancing at the reception. 9. How would you title your wedding? (e.g. The wedding with the best food and dancing!) Best wedding ever!
Wedding Planner 1. Why did you decide to hire a wedding planner? To make the process easier and less time-consuming and to get guidance on local vendors. 2. How did having a planner contribute to the success of your wedding? It contributed immensely! We needed Jamie’s firsthand knowledge of the venue and her experience with all of the vendors. She was able to guide us in the right direction based on our personal style and vision. Also, just offering the simple tip of how to stand with each other during our ceremony was so helpful! 3. For upcoming brides, why do you think it is important for them to consider hiring a planner? It’ll save so much time during the process as you’ll have to devote less energy to researching venues and vendors. 4. What was it like working with a planner? What was your overall experience like? Wonderful! We had the best time working with Jamie! She truly respected our vision for the day and guided us in the right direction to make sure our wedding felt unique and personal. She “got” us. 5. Why would you recommend Cape Cod Celebrations over other companies? You’ll get such an individualized experience, Jamie will truly make you feel like you’re her only client.  Wedding Advice 1. What advice would you give other brides about planning a wedding? Get as much help as you can, otherwise it can be so overwhelming. Just remember the day is ultimately about you and your partner and as long as you are staying true to yourselves, your wedding will be perfect! 2. What was most helpful to you in the planning process? Jamie’s knowledge and attentiveness. 3. What do you wish you would have known before planning your wedding? How easy it could be with help!
The Future 1. What do you think will be the next big trend for weddings? What do you think weddings will be like 20 years from now? I think weddings will become more personalized over time. You’ll see more weddings reflecting what couples want to do and less what they feel like they have to do. There won’t be as much of a wedding “script” and couples will feel more free to design their day based on their own personal identities. 2. How’s married life!? It is amazing! We’ve had such a blissful 4-years of marriage and have been back to the Cape for 2 anniversaries/baby moons since our wedding and really got to relive the magical moments of our wedding day on both occasions. We feel so lucky to have had such a special and personalized wedding and owe so much to Jamie for making it all happen!  Vendors
Wedding Planner - Jamie at Cape Cod Celebrations Photographer - Organic Photography Florist - Lilacs Venue - Chatham Bars Inn Beach House Grill Hair & Makeup - Lisa George Band - Murray Hill Talent Rentals - Be Our Guest (now Peak Event Services) Stationery - Lucky Luxe We were recently asked to share our thoughts on the "unplugged ceremony" for a recent blog post from our friend Christine of Salty Broad Studios. Talking about social media and the wedding ceremony and getting ready for the first weddings of the season in a couple of months got us thinking it's no better time to talk about social media on the wedding day. Here are tips for maneuvering the "etiquette of digital" when you are a guest at your friend or family member's wedding. 1. Pick Up THE CUES:
2. Remember FOMO IS REAL:Consider guests who may not be able to attend the wedding due to any number of reasons. Some couples are up against room maximums or budget constraints and may not be able to invite everyone they would like to their wedding day. Keeping details like venue and time under wraps, is a good way to help your friends out and be sensitive to those who may not be able to attend. 3. Wedding Planning has it covered:Keep in mind the wedding couple have most likely been planning for a long time. Many couples put a lot of thought into who will be their photographer and videographer for the day of. The professionals do their best to capture all of the moments the couple wants on the day of as beautifully as possible. Look out for the professional vendors especially during the wedding ceremony, it's sometimes hard to work around your cellular device in the ceremony aisle or grand exit!  Photo: Price Burr Phtography 4. SAVE SOME FOR LATER:Love live streaming every moment of your day? Maybe take a minute and step away from the device and take in all of the details the wedding couple has created for your guest experience. Also, your friends may want to be the first ones to share live moments of the wedding day or pick and choose which moments from the wedding they want to share. #latergram is a thing and we're all about it! 5. Make it nice:The lighting is off, the picture is blurry? Keep those images for yourself. Be just as selective as you would be on your wedding day when choosing images to share, the wedding couple will thank you for it! Still not sure?
Your cocktail hour at your wedding is the kick off to your celebration, so we want to take some time today to discuss this hour of fun and how you can best use the time and the space during these 60 (or 90) minutes. how long should it be?Most cocktail hours are an hour, obviously, but from time to time, if the time line allows, we recommend extended cocktail hours with a max of an hour and a half. Extended cocktail hours work best when you plan to take all of your photos after your ceremony and when your cocktail hour is immediately following. This allows for more time for photos and almost guarantees that you and your wedding party can join the tail end of cocktail hour. Last year we also had cocktail hours that took place before the ceremony (gasp!) where the couple mingled with the guests before saying "I Do".
DEcor & SignageEnhancing your cocktail hour with fun signage, furniture and decor is always a great idea! Here is a short list of items that you could incorporate in to your cocktail hour:
Photos - Do we Have to Miss Cocktail Hour?If you are dead set on getting to your cocktail hour, we recommend one of two options for your time line. Either plan to do a first look and take all of your photos before the ceremony, or plan to allow for a 1.5 hour cocktail "hour". With the first look, you not only get the chance to see your fiancé privately before the day gets crazy, but you also get to have all of your photos done before the ceremony, which means more cocktail hour for you! If you want to keep the surprise factor until you walk down the aisle, then plan to have an hour and a half cocktail hour so that you can take photos for the first hour and join the last 30 minutes of cocktails. On the fence about a first look, check our our blog post about "First Look VS Down the Aisle" to help you decide.
Earlier this month we explored exciting surprises to add to your wedding plans and leave your guests saying, “wow.” If you missed it, check out the blog here! In wedding planning we focus on the guest experience but, some of our favorite surprises are the personal surprises between bride & groom. We love when the couple takes a little extra time to find an extra special way to say I love you on the wedding day. Here are some ideas that might inspire you to surprise your other half! Something that "Blings"
Something Edible
Something SentimentalThere are so many directions a couple can follow to add a sentimental surprise to their wedding day. Pass heartfelt letters to each other, take a moment alone during the wedding. We loved the story of the groom who flew in his bride’s childhood friend who wouldn’t have been able to make the wedding. One groom who travels often for work monogrammed their favorite quote into a keepsake for his bride to have whenever he was away.
Something Fun!Hire a skywriter over your cocktail hour. Perform his or her favorite song at the wedding. Bring in your college mascots. Or pimp out your room for the evening of the wedding with all of your favorite drinks and snacks. Show off your personality. A little extra effort will mean so much to your soon to be wife or husband!  Channing Johnson Photography Everyone is looking for ways to wow their guests at their wedding, so we have come up with a few fun ideas that may add an element of fun and surprise to your day! Have a special surprise you are planning? Share it with us! Fireworks Who doesn't like fireworks?!? Fireworks are a great way to end a very special day and it is always a great element of surprise. The tricky thing about fireworks on Cape Cod is the time of year and location, not to mention the cost. We typically work with Atlas, based in NH, and they can set off displays from barges or the beach depending on the requirements of the town. Food Everyone also loves delicious and fun food! Why not surprise your guests with a sneaky treat during the wedding? We have seen ice cream trucks drive up at the end of the wedding while guests are leaving - Choco Taco anyone? - and Ben and Jerry's come with an ice cream sundae bar. Yum! Want to keep the fun during the wedding? Rent a cotton candy machine or snow cone maker for your guests to enjoy - just check with your caterer or venue first to make sure they can man it for you! Late night snacks for the dance floor are always a hit - but have fun with it! Change it up with donuts, mini milk shakes and cookies, mini ice cream cones or go savory with cones of fries, tater tots or mini lobster rolls! Your guests will thank you! Drink Beverages are also a fun way to add an element of surprise to your day! At cocktail hour, consider a specialty bar where guests can make their own version of your favorite alcohol - think prosecco bar, gin bar or whiskey bar. If you love beer, feature a beer bar of local favorites - we have so many great breweries on Cape Cod! Or after dinner, open up a coffee bar where guests can add in their favorite liquor. Other Ideas! Once the dance floor opens there are great ways to surprise your guests with more fun! If you or your groom love cigars, consider hiring a cigar roller to come to the event and roll fresh cigars for everyone to enjoy or take home. After kicking off the next big step in your future, think about a twist and feature a tarot card reader for your guests to see what their future may have in store! For your after party, think of fun ways to surprise your guests with pops of WOW like a light up dance floor, gambling tables or karaoke! Think of ways to make your after party a totally different feel than the wedding so walking into the space will be like they just entered a whole new party. There are so many other new and fun ideas of ways to surprise your guests, just think outside the box and bring in elements that you may not have even considered for your wedding day!  One of the best things about planning a wedding is putting together an event that really reflects you and your soon-to-be other half! A tented wedding can be the perfect way to show off your style and tailor the details of your big day to you and your beau. You may have your childhood home, the place you first met, or the place you used to summer vacation that stays with you both and you cannot think of another place that would have all the pieces you love and mean so much to you both...so, let’s have a tented wedding!! We have put together a few tips to making sure that tent in the backyard is really the way to go.  1. Space-
Creating a venue for your guests can be a lot of fun and comfort is key. The bigger your guest list, the more space you will need. Don’t stop at just square footage but also consider the geography of your space. Is it flat? What’s underground? A tenting company can come to your site and give you an idea of what can be safely be done at your location. 2. Power- Lights, band or DJ, cooking, restrooms, all of these items require a power source. If there is not power near your venue, generators are available through most tent companies but keep your budget in mind. Many weddings can be done on the power from a home or structure on property but, if it’s an older home or you have a 10 piece band, it may not be sufficient. 3. Restrooms- Your wedding is a 5 or 6 hour event with the bar open and drinks flowing. If there is a house on site, it may be equipped for your event. Many times, you will have to bring facilities in. We usually recommend portable bathrooms for parties over 50 people. Anyone remember, Meet the Parents? 4. Police- Many towns and villages (on Cape Cod especially) have strict sound ordinances. Give your local police station a call and inquire about their sounds rules. Better to know that to get a visit on your wedding day! If you are near the water, you may also want to consider the town across the water from you. Sounds travels! 5. Neighbors- No matter the time of day, those who live near you can also bring a halt to your event. Before you get too far into your wedding plans, check in with your neighbor. They’ll appreciate that you considered them! 6. Parking- Some of the most beautiful locations are down tight roads or on highly populated streets. Whether you shuttle from a nearby location, or provide a valet, keep in mind roads should remain clear. 7. Weather- Whether you are having all of the parts of your wedding in the same location or just cocktail & reception, weather is a factor. Have a Plan B & sometimes even a Plan C for where your guests will go if it’s raining or windy. And rain isn’t the only things to consider, the heat and sun can affect your guests as well. 8. General Impact- If you are using your neighbor’s or even a rental home’s manicured lawn, keep in mind there are tables, chairs, dance floor & tent being built on those beautiful grounds. They can have an impact. Always make sure the owners of your site understand the scope of your event. 9. Budget- Tented weddings can allow for incredible freedom in your wedding planning. You can get creative and really customize your wedding to your vision. While there may be ways to save by purchasing your own alcohol and creating your decor, etc., remember you are creating your venue from scratch. The cost can add up quickly if you haven’t created a budget for yourself. 10. Insurance- A private, tented location can be very intimate and comfortable. You and your guests create some amazing memories in this relaxed, outdoor atmosphere. Lots of pieces go into making a great tented wedding, make sure you're covered for the unforeseen. Peace of mind is worth it! -written by our Senior Planner Stephanie |
Plan. Relax. Enjoy.At Cape Cod Celebrations, your vision is our brand. Learn more about how we can help you pull together your beautiful Cape Cod Wedding. Archives
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