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Ideas for Glamorous, Bling Weddings – San Antonio Wedding Consultant

July 22, 2015

I must say, that I like many kinds of styles of weddings but I think I am most drawn to the glamorous, sophisticated style that is sparkly and glitzy. This means using simple colors like cream/white with silver or gold accents, in my opinion. It looks so celebrity-like, right? I recently coordinated a wedding (for day of) and the bride really had this style for her vision. I think it turned out pretty good, what do you think?

The first tip, is to make sure you are in a venue that really has the glamour already there. The St. Anthony Hotel in downtown San Antonio was built in 1909 and recently went through a renovation where they restored the hotel to the look and feel that it was of the 1920’s. It is an exquisite hotel and every detail has been carefully thought of. Since the ballroom was mostly white with grey tones it only made sense to have the colors also be white with silver accents for her wedding. The historic Sunset Station is another great venue in downtown San Antonio with an exquisite look. It was the original train depot of San Antonio from 1902. The Depot, also known as, “The Building of 1,000 Lights” and “The Crown Jewel”, is adorned with ornate vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows and a grand staircase.

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Picture provided by Ara Photography

Next, the flowers. You need to create a statement with height. Especially, if the room has high ceilings. Look how gorgeous the head table looks with the tall vases and small lighted blinged vases too. Hydrangeas were the main flower which is great for price because it gives you a lot of fullness without having to spend a fortune on the flowers. Simple but elegant!

The sequined table clothes also gave the space a glamorous feel. They are a little more than your poly or satin linens but look how great it looks! It is worth it if your décor is very important to you. She saved money by only putting the sequined linens downstairs and leaving the hotel white linens on the upstair tables. Bisli did a magnificent job with the flowers and décor.

Your sign in table, picture table, place card table or candy bar can look glamorous too with sparkly picture frames, tall vases and beautiful linens as well. Here are examples of various tables from past weddings I coordinated.

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How about the gold look. Ok! Here’s a wedding I coordinated where she used a lot of gold with champagne color for her linens. I think champagne is my favorite color for a sophisticated, elegant wedding. What do you think? She used gold vases to hold the bridal bouquets for her bridesmaids and guess what…they were plastic, super cheap! You can’t even tell.

wedding reception table mcnay

Other décor that can really add to the ambiance is the cake stand. A large cake stand or blinged one can add to the look you are going for. Think about using small blinged frames for the table numbers. A fully set table also adds to the upscale look. Use china and glass, no plastic or paper!!! Use linen napkins and fold them a unique way or go simple with the waterfall which hangs down the side of the table, I love that one!

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placesetting

Photo provided by Daniel W. Torres Photography

Consider other rentals such as uplighting, gobo, chandeliers, candlesticks, chargers and more to really add to the glamour! If you are the crafty bride, you can even buy bling in bulk and cut it and wrap around vases, make a cake stand glitzy, create napkin rings, etc. Don’t forget to glitz up your invitations and your bridesmaids dresses too!

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Photo provided by Daniel W. Torres Photography

the kiss

I hope these tips give you inspiration to create the wedding of your dreams! Please contact me, Trudy Scott, if you need help planning your glamorous wedding. 210-595-9263, RoyaltyEventsPlanning.com

Table Decor Do’s & Don’ts At Your Wedding – San Antonio Wedding Coordinator

July 2, 2015

As a wedding coordinator, I have seen it all in terms of décor. Each couple has their own budget and style which determines what the entire feel and look will be of their wedding. I do try and make suggestions for adding elegance and a little more pizazz to the table but it is up the couple if they will follow that advice or not.

Don’ts For Table Decor

Let’s talk about the Don’ts of what to do for your table décor. This list is what I have actually seen at weddings and I have frowned upon. However, there is really nothing I can do when everything has been ordered or purchased and this is what I have to work with when setting it all up.

1. Don’t rent or purchase shorter linens than the table. It doesn’t look classy to have the legs popping out at the bottom! Guests do notice. If you aren’t sure about the length call a rental/linen company that can tell you exactly the size you need. Do you know what a 108, 120 or 132 is? You need an expert to tell you.

2. Don’t have clashing linen textures on different tables. Stick to one type, i.e. satin, polyester, crinkle, etc., and make sure all the tables are using this same type. This includes the cake, gift and sign in tables too.

3. Don’t have just a small centerpiece in the middle of the table with nothing else on the table. This looks so blah. Don’t you want the wow factor when guests walk into the venue and see the reception? I’ll give you ideas under the “Do’s List”.

4. Don’t do some crazy origami fold for the napkin. Guests will wonder why a swan is on the table. You don’t need that!

5. The white linen with the colored overlay. This look is so old fashion. You don’t need the overlay!

6. Using the same centerpiece for all the tables. This will make the room seem very uniformed and uninteresting.

Do’s For Table Decor

My favorite part of a wedding is setting it up. I love to get creative and make each and every area look the best it can. If I know I’ll be setting up a specialty table like a candy bar, cigar bar, dessert table, etc., I usually will bring extra décor that I own with me to jazz up the table even more (the couples don’t even know I do this). It’s just something I love to do! Here is a list of Do’s for your table décor at your wedding.

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vintage pearls picture wedding reception table

1. Do personalize the table with menu cards, unique table #’s (or places you’ve traveled, favorite things to do together, favorites of each other, etc.), pictures of each other, small trinkets of something important to the both of you, décor that goes with the theme (ex. antique décor or maracas – I have had couples do both of these).

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2. Fold the napkin in simple ways such as the rectangle traditional fold or the waterfall fold where it hangs over the edge of the table. For a touch of elegance you could put the napkin in the water glass but this gets tricky when the caterer is trying to fill the water glasses.

3. If you have to choose between white or ivory linens go with the ivory. It is a more elegant color and looks better with additional colors. White linens reminds me too much of a sweet sixteen party.

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4. Stick with just FLOOR LENGTH linen and no table overlay. You don’t need it! Color can be added in the flowers and napkins. There are beautiful linens nowadays (the champagne color is one of my favorites) and that’s all you need!

5. If you have more than 15 tables then you need to have 3 types of centerpieces to really give the room a nice look. I recommend a tall, medium and low (or switch out the low for a candlescape with elegant candle holders). Just be sure on the medium size that guests can see each other still from across the table. Use different styled vases too so the tables have their own look. Get creative! If you are using white or ivory table cloths then use some color in your centerpieces to spice up the room.

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6. Add even more to the table with these ideas: chargers, party favor, dinnerware and glasses. When you add your personalized items that I mentioned from above, your table is complete and will look beautiful!

7. I did want to mention the chair…Chiavari chairs are my first preference but can be a little pricey if you’re on a budget. The next option is the bistro chair and then the folding chair. I would recommend one of these options before covering the chairs. It is completely my opinion, but I feel the room looks classier without the chair covers. Again, it looks so uniformed and like a sweet sixteen party with them on.

If you need help with your décor and how you should design the look and feel of your wedding reception please contact me. I have seen a lot of weddings and can tell you what I have found looks fantastic! I’m here for you!! Trudy Scott, Royalty Events Planning, 210-595-9263, http://www.RoyaltyEventsPlanning.com.

Wedding Ceremony Location Checklist – San Antonio Wedding Coordinator

June 18, 2015

In San Antonio, there are beautiful churches, cathedrals and missions plus beautiful outdoor locations at venues, the Riverwalk and even hotels and resorts. So many options! With that comes rules and guidelines, classes, and fees that you have to consider when choosing your location. As a coordinator, I want to be there to help with the ceremony set up, pinning of boutonnieres, passing out flowers, helping the bridal party and family, lining up and queuing. However, some churches are more strict than others and do not allow coordinators there. San Fernando Cathedral is one of those locations. It was founded in 1731 and is the oldest, continuously functioning religious community in the State of Texas. They have a lot of guidelines to follow in order to be married there. This is something you need to consider when choosing your ceremony location.

Lets talk about having an indoor vs outdoor wedding ceremony. The two can be very different so you need to consider each differently. Here are some questions to ask the venue or the church event coordinator before booking.

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Photo by Ara Photography

Inside Ceremonies

What time is the wedding party allowed to enter the church/venue prior to the ceremony?
Is there a bridal room for the bride and bridal party to get ready in?
Is there a room for the men to go to?
Does the bridal room have a mirror and access to a bathroom?
What are the policies for floral décor?
For churches, do we have to leave the altar flowers or can we take them after the ceremony?
What are the rules for hanging pew markers?
Are we allowed to use an aisle runner and if so, how can we tack it down?
Where will the musicians be located and will they be able to see the aisle well?
For churches, do we have to use your musicians or can we bring in our own? What kind of music do you allow and not? Is there an additional fee for your musicians?
Does the venue/church allow for photography and videography? What are the rules they must follow (flash, standing, etc.)?
Are guests permitted to take pictures?
In the church, are there places that the ushers should not sit anyone?
Where will the wedding party line up and enter from?
Are there policies that need to be listed in the program for guests to be aware of (e.g. no photography, dress attire, etc.)?
Is a rehearsal included? Will the pastor be there for it or the event coordinator?
For churches, what paperwork is required? Any classes?
Are flower petals allowed? What can be thrown afterwards outside?
What is the fees and deposit amounts?
Are outside wedding coordinators allowed?

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Outdoor Ceremonies

(Lets assume that all outdoor ceremonies will be at a venue/hotel/resort)

What time will the venue be available prior to the ceremony?
Is there a separate holding area for both the bride and groom and the wedding party?
Does the bridal room have a mirror and access to a bathroom?
What are your rules for decorating the aisle and ceremony location? Petals allowed?
How is the seating normally arranged?
Do you provide chairs? Arch? Anything else?
Think about your guest’s and which direction the sun will be facing at that time of day. Is there shade? Water station allowed? Will it be hot or cold?
Do we need a microphone and speakers to project the officiant, bride and groom and readers? Is there power nearby for this?
Do you need a podium for readers or officiant?
Do you need a table for the unity candle or other items?
Where will the musicians be located at and will they be able to see the aisle?
Where will the wedding party line up and enter from?
What is the Plan B for rain?
Is a rehearsal included or extra fee or can’t do at all?
What are the fees?
Can we bring in our own wedding coordinator?

On the day of the wedding, if you haven’t hired a wedding coordinator (which is what I recommend), put a special friend or family member in charge of making sure the programs, reserved signs and accessories such as the unity candle make it to the church or venue on time. Be sure the readers have copies of their readings with them and that a copy of the readings is also given to the officiant. You’ll need to instruct the ushers what their duties are, pin on boutonnieres and pass out corsages and bouquets, and check on the bride to make sure she doesn’t need anything. As a San Antonio coordinator, I bring a wedding day emergency kit that has a little bit of everything for needs that might come up.

If I can assist with your ceremony or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am a professional wedding consultant in San Antonio, Texas. 210-595-9263, Trudy@RoyaltyEventsPlanning.com. Please go to my website to learn more about my services. I not only have coordination services but invitation and honeymoon as well.

The Wedding Party- Who to choose and what to wear? – San Antonio Wedding Coordinator

June 8, 2015

bridal_party_laughing Photo provided by Mint Photography

One of the first things you’ll probably think of after getting engaged is who you’re going to ask to be a bridesmaid and groomsmen, right? It can be hard to narrow down your selection. You don’t want to hurt feelings. You think about who can afford to be in my wedding. Who is the closest to me? These were all questions I thought of because I had been in several friend’s weddings prior to my own wedding but knew that I wouldn’t be able to have them in mine just for the fact of I felt like I had too many already for the size of my wedding & the cost of it. If I had it my way I would have had 10-11 girls but kept it at 7. I couldn’t even narrow down a maid or matron of honor so I ended up with one of each!

What if there are more guys or girls on one side? That is perfectly fine! As a coordinator in San Antonio, I have seen this happen time and again. The simple way of making it work is having 2 groomsmen walking with 1 girl for the recessional, for example. That’s all! No harm.

Before asking any of your wedding party you need to first sit down with your fiancé and decide on how large you want the wedding party to be. If you want a small intimate wedding then having 7-8 each would be too many. Also, it is important that you pick a church/ceremony location that will be large enough for your wedding party to either stand at the altar or sit down in the front row. I’ve done some ceremonies where we had to have 2 rows on either side because their were 10+ each.

Get creative with the way in which you ask. Wouldn’t it be fun to hand deliver a small gift with an invitation inviting them to partake in your wedding. How fun! If you had an engagement party you could ask them while there and/or announce to everyone who they were.

Your Responsibility

Even though you are not responsible for paying for the wedding party attire you still need to keep in mind other expenses that are involved.

Their Bouquet/Boutonnierre
Their dinner at the rehearsal and reception and possibly for their guest
Their wedding party gift
Transportation Expenses to the reception

Some couples, as a nice gesture, might even pay a portion of the attire cost or provide the shoes or piece of jewelry for it.

The Attire

This brings us to the attire. You will want to research styles of current trends both online and in stores. I recommend looking online first and if you see a dress you really like (and the bridesmaids like) then call around to different stores in your area and see if they carry it or something very similar. That will save a lot of time. Please limit how many girls go with you to look at dresses. Everyone has different ideas as to what looks best on them. You will never get all the girls to agree on 1 dress. If your maid of honor likes it and a couple of others that go with you….note that dress as a good possibility. It will be your final decision to make, not theirs.

The maid/matron of honor doesn’t have to wear the same dress or color as the others. I see this a lot. What about having all the girls in a different shade of pastels or have a few dress options in the same color? How about everyone picking our their own black dress, you decide on length, for an evening wedding? In a past wedding I was in she did that and it worked out great! That way all body types will look good in something. I currently have a bride that really wanted a floral design on her dresses but couldn’t find anything so she is having a seamstress make her dress. I’ve been in weddings in the past where this happened. I remember even renting my dress at a wedding I was in. This would be a great affordable way for the girls. You know how the saying goes, you wear it once and never wear it again…it is true! I’ve been in 7 weddings and never wore my dress again.

For the groomsmen, decide on how formal you are wanting to go. I’ve seen a lot of styles with the guys too. Everything from pants with white shirts and suspenders to the tux. Suits are a very common choice right now and a lot of couples are choosing this option for the men. Bow ties are coming back and at my most recent wedding the groom looked so cute with his bow tie on! Have fun with the attire!! Make a statement!

Bella Bridesmaids and Debi’s Bridal, both of San Antonio, are great places for getting bridesmaid’s dresses. If you need some guidance on how to choose your wedding party or have any other questions about coordinating please contact me. I would love to help you! Trudy Scott, Royalty Events Planning, 210-595-9263 or Trudy@RoyaltyEventsPlanning.com.

Should I use videography for my wedding? – San Antonio Wedding Coordinator

May 29, 2015

I just received a beautifully done highlights video from Christian Ellis Images and decided to use this blog to talk about your videography for your wedding this week. This video is of a couple I helped coordinate their wedding for at Spinelli’s in Comfort, Texas. Lets watch the video first and then talk more about this important topic for your wedding. Click on the picture to be taken to their highlights video.

Click on photo for highlights video

How important is videography for you? As a coordinator, I see it vary from couple to couple. Some MUST have it while others just don’t care. I think that it should be an important part of your wedding. What is nice is that the videographer can create a 4-7 minute highlight video so you don’t have to fast forward through all the raw footage. You can then share this short video to all your friends and family. What a great way of remembering your wedding with these videos!

I have to tell you a funny story about my own wedding (years before I was a coordinator). I just didn’t have it in my budget to hire a professional videographer so we had “Uncle xyz” film it with his camera. I don’t even know where to begin. The camera moved constantly, he would zoom in and out all the time, you couldn’t hear anything and he videoed so much pre-stuff that his camera went dead after the ceremony!!! I got 30 seconds of my reception. I was a little upset about this. Plus what he got isn’t good at all, sorry Uncle xyz (I changed the name to protect his identity, lol).

There are different styles of videographers in San Antonio that each have there own unique look and feel to their videos. There are the crisp, modern feel, the romantic & dramatic ones (like above), and the movie-like ones as in the one above plus the following. Crissman Videography is a videographer that my couples have used numerous times and his work is spectacular. He is always trying to improve himself and is currently working on ariel shots through a drone he just purchased. That is pretty cool! Here is a highlights video he did at a wedding I coordinated at the La Orilla Ballroom.

During the interview process be sure to ask the videographer these important questions:

What do your packages consist of?
Do I need you before the ceremony? (if you want a little of the both of you getting ready then, “yes”.)
Do you have some videos I can see? (be sure to watch some of these before signing a contract)
Do you do any special effects in your highlights video?
What sets you apart from other videographers?
What is your deposit? When is payment due?
Will you have more than 1 camera person?
What do you wear? (some are more casual than others so you’ll want to be aware of this especially if it is a formal event).
How long will it take to get the video back?
Will I have the rights to send it to whoever I like?
What if I decide the day of that I want you to stay longer than originally agreed upon?
Can I choose the song for the highlights video?
Will I get all the raw footage that you shoot?
Will you use mics for the ceremony?
Can we have guests come up to you and say something to us for the video?

It is important to ask the potential videographer all these questions because each one has their own rules, packages and timeframes for doing everything. I encourage you to try and budget for a videographer so you will always have the special moments of your wedding you can reflect on in the years to come. As a coordinator, my job is to…

Create Memories For a Lifetime

Creating Fun

I am in the San Antonio area if you need help planning your wedding. Please contact me! Trudy Scott, Royalty Events Planning, 210-595-9263 or Trudy@RoyaltyEventsPlanning.com

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