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Tips for Hosting the Perfect Summertime Wedding

June 16, 2016

Wedding Coordinator California | Host the perfect summer wedding

Temperatures are on the rise and summer weather has made its debut here in California. At Carolyn Wilson Weddings & Events, we are loving the summer sunshine, breezy style, and airy themes accompanying this season’s stunning weddings. While the summertime season easy and breezy, summer wedding planning isn’t always the same way. This season will harbor a few wedding planning roadblocks if you’re not careful! To host a flawless summer soiree, keep our top tips in mind. These will ensure guests stay happy and cool, while the bride stays relaxed and stress-free:

  • Provide plenty of water: keep water dispensers filled and ice-cold so guests can easily stay hydrated. If at a seated meal, ask servers rotate through the venue regularly refilling glasses. Be especially sure to refresh the water supply after dessert has been served, when guests are likely to get thirsty again!
  • Choose light appetizers: keep your menu feeling summery and fresh by providing light appetizers (as opposed to heavy comfort foods). Caprese skewers, fruits, and cheeses are always good options to keep the menu feeling seasonal.
  • Provide summery cocktails: Let guests sip on something sweet that tastes like summer. Look for refreshing combinations like cucumber and mint or fruity concoctions that are sweet and citrusy.
  • Include fans: Keep a breeze going with fans if necessary. For an adorable alternative, provide outdoor wedding guests with programs that double as handheld fan. Or use your wedding monogram for a simple but cohesive touch.
  • Plan for sunlight: Have you checked the outdoor lighting at your venue, at the right time of day? Make sure that gorgeous sunset you’re envisioning isn’t actually a bright light causing guests to squint through the whole ceremony. Work your wedding schedule around summer’s long days and bright sunshine.
  • Pack a bridal emergency kit: Have your maid of honor carry a bridal emergency kit for any unexpected uh-ohs. In warm summer months, you’ll be grateful for that travel-sized deodorant or bottle of baby powder. If you don’t use it, no big deal… but you’ll be glad you have it if you find yourself in need!
  • Have a seamless timeline: The best way to ensure success is a well-planned timeline for the whole day. Make sure you capture photos in summertime’s best sunlight, and avoid bright glares. Keep guests moving and entertained, so nobody is lingering and getting antsy in the warm weather. Considering the details beforehand will go a long way in relieving your stress and making the day enjoyable for guests.

Best of luck in your wedding planning process! Need help executing all the details? We hope you’ll consider planning your wedding with the best wedding coordinator California has to offer. Carolyn Wilson Weddings & Events is honored to be a part of your special day, whether in summertime or any other season!

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Mother of the Groom: What’s My Role?

May 30, 2016

San Francisco Wedding Coordination | Carolyn Wilson

San Francisco Wedding Coordination Tips: Carolyn Wilson Weddings & Events

In our last post we brought you everything you need to know about Mother of the Bride duties. However, the MOB certainly isn’t the only special lady when it comes to wedding planning. The Mother of the Groom now takes on a new role in her son’s life as she becomes mother-in-law to his lovely bride. Mothers of the Groom, what is your role leading up to and on the big day? Our San Francisco wedding coordination team has you covered with everything you need to know about your tasks for your son’s wedding.

First, keep in mind that our guidelines are just that—guidelines. By no means are they hardline rules that every couple must follow. As a Mother of the Groom, the best thing you can do is communicate with the bride about her expectations and desires for the big day. It can be tough as the Mother of the Groom to take a back seat during the planning, but traditionally the bride and her mother will be taking the lead on most of the wedding vision. Put your soon-to-be daughter-in-law’s vision first, keeping in mind that this is her special day to wed your son—the love of her life! With that in mind, take a look at our list of traditional Mother of the Groom duties:

  • Assist with the guest list: Soon after engagement, ask the bride if she has had a chance to set a guest list number. Respect her limit on guest count—especially if she and her parents are paying for the bulk of the occasion. Once she has given you a number, help your son draft a list of relatives and friends. Assist in collecting necessary contact information, and help the bride update the list as needed. As time goes on, you can also offer to assist in keeping track of RSVPs for the groom’s guests.
  • Bridal showers: The bride may include you on guest lists for various bridal showers. If it all possible, clear your schedule to make time for these occasions. It will mean a lot to her that you made the effort to join in, and these events are a perfect opportunity to meet her friends and family prior to the big day.
  • Your dress: Look to the MOB for attire. It is her duty to set the tone and contact you in regard to what she will be wearing. However, if she does not get in touch, you may reach out to her and ask if she has any ideas about her outfit yet. Be mindful of the bride’s taste, and ask if she has any parameters like preferred color or length.
  • Mother/son dance: if the couple intends to incorporate parent dances into their reception, you can expect to dance with your son. In many cases, the bride also delegates song choice to the Mother of the Groom. Pick something classic, and consider brushing up on your dance skills with lessons. You’ll enjoy the extra time with your son—and you can even make it a group activity by inviting the bride and groom to take dance lessons with you and your date.
  • Rehearsal dinner: By and large the most significant duty of the MOG, planning a rehearsal dinner is no easy feat. Start by asking the bride if she has any thoughts about the event, and tailor your planning to her vision. Then, secure a venue, draft a guest list, and select a menu. You will also need to create and send invitations for the rehearsal dinner, work with a florist for arrangements, and prepare for any toasts desired by the happy couple. If you feel overwhelmed by the thought of hosting such an affair, don’t hesitate to reach out to our San Francisco wedding coordination team. We’ve done it all, and we’d be happy to help you host an elegant affair before the big day.

Of course, the most-appreciated thing you can do is simply support the bride and groom. Wedding planning can feel overwhelming to a young couple. Your encouragement and helpful attitude will mean a lot to both of them in the long run. Our advice? Don’t get too caught up in the details; it is more important to build a relationship with your soon-to-be in-laws than it is to have your way on a tiny detail. Be your supportive, helpful self and the bride will surely be grateful for your presence.

Good luck and don’t hesitate to reach out if you find yourself in need of assistance! Our San Francisco wedding coordination team is at the ready, here at home and throughout California.

San Francisco Wedding Coordination | Carolyn Wilson

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Mother of the Bride: What’s My Role?

April 5, 2016

San Francisco Bay Area Wedding Planner
Congratulations on your daughter’s engagement! What an exciting time for the entire family. Chances are, as the Mother of the Bride (MOB) you’ll be with your daughter every step of the way during the wedding planning process. It will be a special time for the two of you to share, but sorting through all the details can be a little bit overwhelming. What exactly is expected of the Mother of the Bride? How can you help your daughter plan the dream wedding day?As a San Francisco Bay Area wedding planner, Carolyn Wilson Weddings and Events has gathered our top tips for MOBs:

  • Share in her excitement about engagement (we’re sure you’ve managed this one already!). This is likely the most exhilarating occasion in her life thus far; having her mother by her side to share in the joy will mean so much to your daughter.
  • Accompany your daughter on shopping excursions: in most cases, the MOB will assist her daughter with wedding dress shopping. Offer encouragement and support, along with your (discreet) opinion. Your daughter may also appreciate help for additional wedding accessories like veils, jewelry, or tasteful wedding night lingerie. Just remember to respect her tastes, even if they don’t match your own. Your daughter will be stunning on her wedding day as long as she is confident and happy!
  • Gather contact information: this is one practical task that makes a huge difference for the bride. Help draw up preliminary lists of wedding guests, and gather all the contact information associated with each invitee. Your daughter may not have all the connections you do, and she will appreciate having an easily accessible and well-organized list from you.
  • Find the right dress: as the MOB, etiquette dictates that you lead the way in selecting attire for parents of the happy couple. It is traditionally considered polite for you to set the tone for the Mother of the Groom’s outfit. Communicate with the Mother of the Groom to graciously let her know the color you’ve selected and the formality of your wedding day attire.
  • Family heirlooms: this may not be a formal requirement, but we think that finding family heirlooms is a special touch Mothers of the Bride can add to their daughter’s day. Consider any meaningful jewels or trinkets you’re ready to pass on to your daughter. Offer them for her wedding day (they may be her “something old”), but don’t take offense if she opts out of wearing it on the big day. She will be tremendously touched by the gesture, even if your great grandmother’s brooch isn’t her wedding day style.
  • Hire a planner: we may be biased, but trust us: this is the best gift you can give your daughter—and yourself. Avoid tension by letting the pros handle the tricky details, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. On the day of the ceremony, you’ll be so glad you get to enjoy your daughter’s love story instead of running around behind the scenes.

All that being said, every bride (and every MOB) is different. The best way to ensure smooth sailing during the wedding planning process is to simply ask your daughter what her expectations are and how you can help meet them. Don’t forget: it is her day, not yours. She will be so honored that you are a part of it, but we encourage you to let her shine in the spotlight for this special occasion.

The most important thing to remember at the end of the day is that you love your sweet daughter. Amidst any wedding stress, the best thing you can do for your beloved bride is to love her as you always have. She will be so appreciative in years to come that her mother was standing by her side on the most treasured day of her life.

San Francisco Bay Area Wedding Planner

Brides—what did your mothers do that stood out as being particularly helpful on your big day? We’d love to hear how she made it special. And MOBs—please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about how you can best help your daughter celebrate her love story. As a San Francisco Bay Area wedding planner, we are here to help!

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Love is in the air! Romantic ideas for your fiancé this Valentine’s Day

February 12, 2016

San Francisco Wedding Planner | Carolyn Wilson Events
Love is in the air this Valentine’s season! While February 14 holds significant meaning for most couples every year, there’s something special about your only Valentine’s Day as an engaged couple. Brides, make this Valentine’s Day a romantic affair for you and your fiancé—after all, most couples only get one Valentine’s Day as an engaged couple. Here are a few tips to make this February 14 particularly romantic:

  • Write a love note: take time this Valentine’s season to write a sincere love letter to your fiancé. When wedding planning gets overwhelming, he’ll love having this special treasure to remind him of your love. Even better? Write another note, dated February 14, for him to open on your wedding day! Don’t forget to seal both with a kiss.
  • Surprise him with a spontaneous getaway! Even if you only have one day to celebrate, whisk him away on a spontaneous adventure. Drive to a local bed and breakfast, or visit a park outside the city limits. Do something outside your routine to spark a romantic air of excitement for the whole day long.
  • Go all-out on décor: while it may seem like he doesn’t take interest in décor on a regular basis, he’ll be sure to take notice of wow-worthy décor this Sunday. Pull out all the stops for your Valentine’s dinner table if you’re eating at home… candles, roses, glass vases. Layer decadent textures with a tablecloth or runner topped with lush greenery and blooming buds. If you’re going out to dinner, you can still make your home a Valentine’s dream with rose petals and twinkling lights that set the mood for a romantic evening.

No matter how you celebrate, just make sure to enjoy each other’s company. This Valentine’s day is a special one, and you deserve to share a romantic day together. To continue the romance, feel free to get in touch and see what our San Francisco wedding planner service can do for you. We would love to plan a wedding that encompasses your unique love story, down to every last detail.

Best wishes to all our Carolyn Wilson Weddings and Events couples, past and present!

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