2021 Pantone Color of the Year

Every year Pantone chooses a color for the ear. It’s typically the “it” color for weddings, celebrations, and design. This year, 2021’s color is Ultimate Grey. You may ask, why? You should look at grey as a neutral color, like beige or white. Grey works with almost every other color on the color wheel. It’s also very popular right now in room designs and furniture. My own office is painted grey (surprise it’s the 2021 color of the year).

In planning your wedding, 2020 was a difficult year. Many weddings were canceled due to the pandemic or were down sized to micro weddings. However I’m convinced 2021 will be a much better year for brides and grooms. Grey decor and brides maid dresses will pop up for sure this wedding season. Use a pink sash or belt (or any color from your wedding color scheme) and you’ve transformed a simple grey gown into something special. But how else do use this color and what colors compliment this color?

When planning your wedding decor, using grey in your color scheme is fairly easy. Grey compliments pinks, greens, purples and even reds. It compliments most of the colors on the color wheel. You’ll find grey in table linens and runners/sashes for your guests tables and chairs. You can bring it in to your floral centerpieces with lambs ear filler and additional decor with pops of grey. Grey makes for a wonderful foundation to build your color scheme while making your wedding feel like you and your personality. Be creative. You may be surprised at the outcome and very, very happy you did.

Happy planning!

Fairy Tale Weddings by Mary

http://www.fairytaleweddingsbymary.com

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Spring is in the Air

Brides are planning their weddings for this Spring and Summer.  I thought this would be the perfect time to provide you with our top 10 ideas for your big day.  A Spring wedding is the perfect time to start new, whether it’s in starting to plan your wedding day or you’re already prepared for your big day in the next few months.

1. A tea length wedding dress is fresh and is perfect for any rustic or back yard style wedding this Spring.
2. Bow ties have made a huge comeback.  They now come in a large variety of colors and patterns and can provide the groom with that something extra he’s looking for.
3. Groomsmen can overheat on a very warm day, so consider a lightweight, light colored suit for them.  They’ll thank you for it.
4. Glam up any wedding ceremony or reception with chandeliers.  They come in all sizes and can typically be easily installed, even for outside locations (gardens, trellis, and any backyard).
5. Spring florals are fresh, bright and beautiful.  Lillies and Gerber Daises are perfect and they come in a multiple number of colors. Pick a color, it’s your day!
6. Are you looking for that special getaway after the ceremony? Try a two seated bicycle or mo-ped.  Non-traditional for sure, but very memorable and unexpected for you and your guests.
7. Lighting is pretty special and changes the whole aviance in your reception.  Up lighting is everywhere, so why not try something a little more Spring like, like colorful lanterns or use crystal chandeliers everywhere! It will make a powerful impact on your lighting and the tone set for your room.
8. Spring is in the air, so check into an ice cream truck as your dessert or part of your dessert.  We all have great memories of the ice cream truck coming down the street when we were kids and running to get it.  This will bring back memories for everyone and is fun and unexpected.
9. Don’t’ forget your “must have” photos. Something special for the two of you. Try a photo with you wedding party that’s different and new.  You’re photographer will have a list of ideas for you and if you have something special in mind, share the idea with him.  These are your pictures and you want them to last a life time.
10. Favors are always fun to give to their guests.  It’s Spring so give your guests pretty packets of garden seeds or bulbs, mini trees or even mini florals.   The seeds will grow as your love grows for one another.

Wishing you much happiness as you enjoy the colors, the smells and everything Spring!

Happy planning!

Mary Homer

Fairy Tale Weddings and Events

www.fairytaleweddingsandeventsbymary.com

 

Lights, Camera. Action

When you’re a bride, so much planning goes into your big day.  You want every detail to be perfect.  You’ve been planning your wedding since you were a little girl watching Cinderella.  After all, you found your Prince Charming and now it’s your big day.

Are you personalizing your wedding with things that are important to you?  Is it the names of your important dates as table names (your first date at Lugiu’s Pizza Shop or your first trip to Maine), vs. table numbers? or is your favor that “favorite” thing you love as a couple (honey from your local bee keeper, jam from grandma)?

What’s the latest personal touch for weddings? Try lighting…yes lighting.  But this isn’t your typical lighting.  Everyone has seen street lights, string lights and colorful up lighting.  Trending is “Your Love  Story”, your favorite phrase that you use or your pet names for each other, or even a design that represents you as a couple, light it up in lights.  Be creative and use lighting.  This is your day so make it special and make it personal.  A cookie cutter wedding is easy, but you aren’t a cookie cutter  bride. You’re a beautiful, inspired and inspirational woman who has creativity to make this big day your own! Reach for the stars!

Happy Planning!

Mary Homer, Fairy Tale Weddings & Events

http://www.fairytaleweddingsandeventsbymary.com

5 Tips To Being A Fabulous Maid of Honor

Your best friend or sister is getting married and you were asked to be the Maid of Honor. You may be asking yourself what does that mean? That means you’re someone very special to the bride and she’s honored you with this special position. But what do you do?  Here’s my five top tips on being a Fabulous Maid of Honor:

1) Offer to do “it”, again and again and again.  Whether your bride is looking for a custom cake or topper, a florist for those special ordered flowers or looking for that perfect favor for her guests, help her from the start and run with it.  You don’t want the bride worrying about anything.  You need to be one step ahead of her and get things done.

2) Don’t be afraid to delegate the numerous things that will go on.  Have grandma, her godmother or a favorite family member help with the details of her bridal shower.  And don’t be afraid to let others share in the expense of these gatherings and items.  You certainly aren’t independently wealthy and everyone should contribute a little something toward the big day, whether it’s grandma, her godmother or favorite family members.

3) Say nice things about the groom or partner.  She is currently on cloud nine and is so happy. Tell her what a great choice she’s made and let her smile.  After all, you’re the Maid of Honor and your opinion counts.

4) ….and if you don’t care for the groom…..don’t share it. Hopefully before things have gotten so far as you being the Maid of Honor, you’ve shared your concerns.  The bride knows your concerns and doesn’t need to hear it over and over again.  Be supportive, have a listening ear and know when to just let it go.

5) Don’t forget to have some “me” time.  Pamper yourself prior to the wedding and unwind.  This is a job for all practical purposes and  you may not have alot of time for yourself. So make time to go to the salon, have a mani/pedicure or a massage and relax.  On the big day you’ll be busy, but be sure to enjoy yourself….after all you’re the Maid of Honor for a reason.

Happy planning!

Mary Homer-Fairy Tale Weddings & Events

http://www.fairytaleweddingsandeventsbymary.com

 

Every Wedding Should Have These Things

Every wedding should always have things that are important to you.  Let’s see if you agree:

1) Be surrounded by the people, family and friends who love you.  They’ve seen you laugh, they’ve seen you cry, they’ve eaten a pint of ice cream with you at two in the morning.  These are the most important people to you and should be with you to celebrate your love for one another.

2) Know your officiant.  Now he doesn’t need to be your best friend or your pastor (but that’s not a bad thing if he/she is) but hopefully have someone who knows you and your spouse to be.  It will make your ceremony personable and special and he/she may give you the best advice about marriage you’ll ever receive.

3) Make your vows your own.  Be personable, be passionate, be from the heart.  You are pledging your life to this person today, so share with him/her your heart felt emotions no matter how mushy, how funny or how much it makes you both laugh.  Laughter after all is the best medicine for almost everything.

4) Have something special that speaks to you in your wedding….whether it’s the design of your wedding cake you created, the “I said yes to the dress” or that special “thank you” favor you picked out for your guests.  Enjoy it, embrace it, and smile.  This is your day!

Happy Planning!

Mary Homer, Fairy Tale Weddings & Events

http://www.fairytaleweddingsandeventsbymary.com

 

 

Is Wedding Planning More Stressful for Men?

We always hear about “Bridezillas” and how stressed they are in planning their wedding day.  They want everything just perfect, no mistakes and no screw ups. But what about the groom?  Do grooms become stressed out along the way as well?

According to recent surveys by Kalms, an herbal stress remedy company, the answer is a resounding yes.  16% of women found planning their wedding stressful, while 23% of men found it to be one of the most stressful life events. That’s one in every four  men.

What part of the planning process causes the most stress?  According to Kalms the top three stressors are the guests list, managing to stay within their established budget and making family and friends happy. This can be a huge task to achieve for any couple.

When men and women were asked what are the top stressors in their life, they included moving, having a child, getting married and securing a new job to name a few.  37% found moving to be the most stressful, which is followed closely by 34% regarding having a child.

The survey also addressed how wedding planning affects couples. While 40% indicated they were not stressed by planning their wedding, 30% were noted to be anxious, 23% lost sleep and 18% argued with each other.

So what’s a groom to do?  Finding something to help you de-stress is the key.  Play a game of basketball with your buddies, golf with family and friends, have a guys night out to help you regroup and come back to the table calm, cool and refreshed.  After all, women do this all the time, whether it’s a spa treatment, hitting the gym or simply meeting the girls for a glass of wine.  Everyone deals with stress in their own way.  At the end of the day, it’s about enjoying your big day with the love of your life. So don’t let the stress of planning that day dictate your planning style.  Take a deep breath and forge ahead. 

Wishing you happy planning!

Mary Homer

courtesy of the Huffington Post