Wednesday

Tis the (engagement) season: The Budget

Ah, the budget. The most dreaded and in my opinion, underused, word in the wedding language. The truth is, we all have one. Whether it is $1k or $100k, there is still a fixed dollar amount that you as a couple agree that you are comfortable spending. If you do not have the budget conversation in the beginning phase of planning, trust and believe it will become an overwhelming topic towards the end.

I've decided to pull my favorite budget conversation from the POSH archives, The Truth about weddings and cash, for today.

No worries, if you happen to be in the fortunate category of the non-existent budget, here is one for you:Live like a celebrity...on a budget

Happy (financially responsible) planning!

Tuesday

POSH welcomes...Jordan

Our "Tis the (engagement) season" series was briefly interrupted yesterday by an extra special early delivery from Santa!




Jordan Byrd entered the world at 3:24 yesterday December 14th. At 6lbs, 9 oz and 19", he is certainly a healthy/happy little baby Byrd (love that name).

We had the honor of coordinating the Byrd wedding in October 2006. The Byrds were one of those families...the kind where you just know from the very first moment, the relationship is going to outlast the wedding day itself. Mama Byrd and I our initial meeting at their home and after the hour concluded, we found ourselves chatting like old friends from grade school. That meeting ended at 1:00am and was the beginning of an amazing friendship.

I often say that I am fortunate to have the opportunity to love my work. Not many people are able to play such an integral part in the lives of others. When you see the manifestation of a family from a relationship that you witnessed bound by law, it can be really overwhelming. I thank God for the opportunity.

Happy Wednesday!

Sunday

Tis the (engagement) season:The "who" part of the equation

You said "yes", that was the easy part. The next part of the process is determining "who else".

I'm sure my industry peers are looking in shock that I did not start with the budget, but let's be honest, a budget with no guest list is just as meaningless as no budget. Knowing you will have $20k and not knowing if you are at 20 guests or 500, doesn't mean much. Money is a little easier to determine, you have or you don't, guess however, that is a number that may fluctuate, so try to get started with that first.

You and your fiance need to sit down and have a very serious discussion about what your ideal wedding consists of. If you are not sure where to start, start with the thought of whether your dream day will be intimate vs large. These two words alone, conjure different emotions and a different vision and will (hopefully) help to get you somewhat on the same page.

Take a moment to jot down the numbers you've discussed. Start with family and work from there. For your friends, will you invite any other than the bridal party? Will there be children invited? Co-workers? Neighbors?

Once you have jotted down the names of the people that you can think of off the top of your head, take a look. How close are you to where you ideally need to be? Does this mock list already consists of 200+? If so, you are far from "intimate" considering there is a very good chance that your parents will be contributing a "list" of their own.

If you find yourself needing to cut back, the next step in determining your guest list size is to set some boundaries. Perhaps for the single (for wedding purposes "single" means NOT engaged or otherwise married) people be invited with a guests? Are children considered those of a certain age? Is there a cut-off for friends you will invite (aka you must have known each other for 5+ years), have you seen your family members within the last 4 years. Setting steadfast rules will be a very easy way to eliminate some people right off the bat, without feeling guilty about doing so.

This should bring you closer to the ultimate goal: determining the one number you DO NOT want to exceed. If you still find yourself struggling, ask yourself a very honest question, would you on any other given day, be comfortable with taking this person to a $125 dinner and paying, if not, draw a big line between there name. because that is what your wedding expense for this one individual would be.

Once you've done that, whether it is three hundred or twenty, your next duty is to notify your parents of the amount of guests they are welcome to invite. A quick rule of thumb is that each set of parents receives 1/4 of the list and you and your intended receive half.

I'd love to end this post here but want to just give a disclaimer. I know that guest lists are not easy. Especially when you have so many people saying that other people just HAVE to come. There was an episode of the Cosby Show where Theo graduated and the father, Dr. Huxtable, invited everyone and brought lawn chairs for those who the stadium could not accommodate. THIS IS MY FAMILY! I do understand. Your wedding however, is not a free for all so a definite count is necessary to proceed with budgeting your expenses-tomorrow's topic.

So Internet, anyone else find they were extremely challenged with their invites? If so, how did you overcome?

Saturday

Industry Buzz...

Forgive me internet. I have committed the ultimate cyber sin and went on a short hiatus from the blog. Not without good reason though. The POSH family has expanded and in the last few months we've welcome many new couples to our home. I'm excited to introduce them to you over the stages of planning thier big events.

We will also be introducing a 12 day series entiteld "Tis the (engagement) season " which is my little homage to the 12 days of Christmas. This series will feature daily post from now until Christmas day (I promise to post on my birthday as well) to help all the newly engaged and ladies in "waiting" to prepare themselves for the ride which awaits them.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled (blog) program...

The wedding industry is one of the few that has cyclical trends. This season,vintage, rustic, tea length and smilebooths last season lemon, damask, king arthur and tiffany. As a bride, it is quite easy to get pulled into the trend cycle and find yourself up to your ears in all the things you just knew you'd avoid.

Well ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to what I believe to be the next crazed buzz word for the 2010 season...Cinematography.

I'll be honest, this is one I'm excited to see grow. In a world where "videographers" are born by the minute and everyone with a camera believes they qualify, I'm excited to see the new brand of filmmakers that are taking wedding films to an entirely new level.

One of the studios in the forefront of this movement is Still Motion Photo and Cinema. Let me just tell you, if you have never viewed their work, prepare to be amazed. The videos they create are far from your parent's home video. They've mastered the art of telling a story through a motion-picture, artistic eye and the end result is certainly art in motion. The best part, this is all done through what appears to be a camera based recorder, small and unobtrusive, with built in light

My adorable bride Bethany first introduced me to this style as she has an incredible appreciation for the artform. If you find yourself drawn to this type of film, you will be happy to know that locally there are companies who offer a similar style including First Floor Films and CinemaCake Films(formally DVideography)and Illumimoto. If you are a lover of the 8mm "vintage feel" than Well Spun (whose work I adore) would also be a strong contender to capture your day.

How are you capturing your wedding memories?

Friday

Arielle marries Kevin

I first posted about Arielle & Kevin when we announced our new series "Sneak Peak" on the blog. I'm so happy to share the details of their phenomenal day.

The ingredients:

Incredible ceremony and reception venue Rockleigh Country Club
Event Designer and fabulous individuals of Amaryllis Floral & Party Decorators
Three fab photographers from Mario Michele Studios
Entertainment by Sumar Orchestras & Entertainment
Transportation by TBT Limousine Service

The result...one of the most unforgettable weddings that I have had the privelege to assist with.

Arielle & Kevin were married in an intimate ceremony at Rockleigh Country Club in Rockleigh, NJ. Guests were greeted to the sounds of a guitarist as they sat in anticipation of the marriage of two people who were undeniably "head over heels" in love. Though the weather put a bit of a damper on the outdoor ceremony, the amazing decorators at Amaryllis were able to construct the flower-filled chupah indoors and create the feel of the most beautiful indoor garden I'd ever seen.

After the ceremony, guests were treated to a lavish cocktail hour and then welcome into the party to the sounds of Sumar Entertainment. Between the toasts, the awesome music, the Hora that literally caused all of us to gasp and the Viennese feast (table just doesn't do it any justice), there wasn't a dull moment throughout the night.

Our fab friends at Mario Michele shared photos with us which documented Arielle & Kevin's awesome day. Enjoy!







I am always so excited when I get to work with such a great group of industry peers. Arielle & Kevin, it was a pleasure helping you execute the day of your dreams and I'm so happy for the friendship that has formed as a result.

Toni marries Rodney

I remember the first time we spoke.

Toni was not like other Brides. She was calm and collected and the "brief" initial conversation quickly evolved into a two hour chat similar to that you would have with a long lost girlfriend. Shortly thereafter, she contracted us for our "Deluxe" planning services. Meetings were held over meals, since the wedding took place in Northern New Jersey, and there was never a dull moment during the planning process.

Every "i" was dotted and "t" crossed for this chic and modern wedding and on the morning of, not even the Hurricane which came through the area, could damper the spirit of the day. It's why I do what I do.

It is now almost a year later and not only are we preparing to celebrate the anniversary of another POSH couple, I'm celebrating the friendship of (as she affectionally refers to herself) my "crazy bride" Toni.

Images of the fabulous Stone House at Stirling Ridge courtesy of our friends at Mario Michele Studios. Enjoy!

I love this shot! This image was played during the slideshow recap of the day at the reception and wedding guests literally gasped. DIVA!

Aisles adorned by flower blooms

Aisle runner designed by the Bride

Ballroom

Beautiful view of the cake from the sweetheart table

The gorgeous bridal party

Monday

Wedding Guest Gripes

Forgive me blog. I know I've been tardy. Twitter, my latest social media obsession, is partially to blame.

While parusing my daily tweets, a friend and colleague, Andria Lewis of Andria Lewis Events, posted an awesome article from MSN Lifestyle, Wedding Guests Secret Gripes. The article speaks to complaints that wedding guests have about attending your wedding. While normally I explain to couples that regardless of how you try, guests will NEVER be satisfied, I think the article highlights areas you should atleast make an attempt to consider. I've posted the article below:

You may think your wedding is all about you and your groom (or maybe just you) but, hello, you're hosting a party! If your guests are miserable, your wedding will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. So we talked to dozens of frequent wedding guests — from always-a-bridesmaids to recent brides to guys in their 20s and 30s — to find out what they hated about the events they've attended. We've kept the guests' names secret just in case they're coming to your wedding!

Your Timing Stinks
Huge time gaps between the ceremony and the reception — the ones where the ceremony starts at noon, but the party isn't until 7 p.m. — are annoying because you're often leaving us in the middle of nowhere with absolutely nothing to do. We don't want to kill time at a restaurant because we're hoping you'll feed us well at your reception. And there's only so much lingering we can do at a coffee shop or a bookstore ... in our dressy clothes! We'd much rather head straight to the party after the "I dos."

You Picked a Bad Day
We've had weddings on every holiday, from Mother's Day to Super Bowl Sunday (yes, that counts as a holiday). You must realize that we'd rather be with our moms or watching the game instead of going to your wedding on those days. And please don't ruin our holiday weekends. We get it; you can save a bundle if you get hitched on the Sunday before Memorial Day, but maybe we'd like to take our vacations then. If nothing else, please don't get married on some random Tuesday night. That means we have to take off two days from work just to go! Let us use our vacation days for vacations.

You're Boring Us
The ceremony may be the most important part of the day to you, but the reception is what we're really looking forward to. When it takes forever to get dinner served, each speech is 25 minutes long, and you play a string of songs that are all inside jokes with the same group of friends, there isn't much time for getting our groove on. Uh, and if the band's so bad that no one's dancing — including you and your groom — we just think, Why are we even here? Showing us a really good time is the least that you can do to thank us for giving up our free day, traveling, and getting you an expensive gift.

The Food Isn't Great
Why would you bother spending thousands on your flowers if your food is going to taste terrible? We want a delicious meal way more than we want pretty centerpieces. You don't know this, but we actually think of that $200 gift as a contribution to a great meal. If it's not as good as something we'd have at a restaurant, we're going to be disappointed. Even if the food is tasty, don't make us go hungry. We don't need an eight-course meal, but we don't want to have to push through other guests just to get to the tiny hors d'oeuvres you're calling dinner.

You Make Us Pay?!
Treat your guests like guests; don't make us bring our wallets whenever we want a drink! When you have more than 300 guests and a cash bar, we wish that you would've just cut the list and paid for our drinks instead. How exactly are we supposed to feel when we paid for flights, a rental car, a hotel room, and a gift, and then you make us pay at the bar? So not cool.

You Sat Us Here
We want to have fun at your wedding, believe us, but it's pretty tricky when you seat us right in front of giant speakers. We won't be able to talk to anyone at our tables or enjoy our dinner if you're blowing out our eardrums. Before you book your venue, make sure there's enough space for tables without having to make us sit in the DJ's lap. And don't make us suffer in the heat. If you're having a summer wedding, do it somewhere with air conditioning!

Also, if you want to be outdoors, don't make us rough it: Walking around in the mud, swatting bugs, or using porta-potties is even less fun in formal attire. And please give us plenty of places to sit. Cocktail hours are great, but it's pretty tough to balance our plates, drinks, and purses while standing — in heels no less!

You Don't Invite a Plus-One
Nothing reminds us of our dating status like a wedding. No need to rub it in our faces with even more reminders. The garter and bouquet tosses are like saying, "Hey, look at them. They're single!" Could you blame us if we hide in the bathroom as soon as the DJ announces it? And, come on, even if they did honestly predict we'd be the next to marry, do we really want some cheesy guy slipping garters up our legs? Of course, we'd prefer to be invited with a date, but we get why you may not be able to give us that, especially if we'll know lots of other people there. But if everyone we know is making out with their significant other all night, we're going to be pissed that you couldn't include one extra person to make us feel a little more comfortable.

You Put Us to Work
We know we'll have to help out with some tasks when we agree to be in the bridal party, but it's insulting when you consider a task like manning the guest book table an honor. We'd rather just be a regular guest at the wedding than have some silly duty like that. At the very least, give us a heads up if you'll need our help. Don't spring flower girl babysitting duties on us minutes before the reception.

You Don't Say Thank You
It's frustrating when we fly all the way to your wedding and you don't take the time to thank us for making the trip. Even if we haven't come a long way, make an effort to thank us for coming anyway. We know it's hard to talk to every guest at the wedding, but that's why, at the very least, we better get a thank-you card from you when you get back from your honeymoon!"

I really hope you found this article to be beneficial and that it gives you just a little something to take into consideration as your planning your special day. Couples always try to go out of thier way to accodomate thier guests and this goes to show that sometimes, it's the little (and not so little things) that matter. While I don't necessarily agree with all the points (I think the Sunday before a major holiday is an awesome time for your wedding, if your family is general in town and you can save $5-10k), I do find some to be valid.

What do you think internet?

Weddings & Coordinators: The Recap

Everyday I feel bombarded with the notion of the recession and the economy. The tabloids will have you believe that the wedding industry is recession proof, however, I for one have had many Clients delay their weddings, to allow for the securing of additional finances. I also notice that many couples are trying to "save a buck" by taking the cheaper route and hiring an inexperienced planner or paying a family friend.

I'm always saddened by this. Not because I believe that weddings can not be planned without the assistance of a Coordinator, but because I believe that with your wedding, moreso than any other time, if you're going to do something, do it right.

I can't reiterate it enough.

So, in honor of Monday and the start of a nerw week, I went into the archives and pulled out two of my absolute favorite posts. True Life: I am a Wedding Coordinator and Not Looking to Pay for Advice . If you are newly engaged and consdering hiring a Planner or a newbie to the industry, I hope these articles provide some insight into the life of a Professional Coordinator verses a "weekend warrior" (as some may call it) and illustrate that the dollars invested will be well worth it in the end.

Happy reading!

Saturday

Happy Independence Day

From our family to yours, we wish you had a wonderful, happy and safe Independence Day!




We also wish a happy 1st anniversary to our couple Mark & Johann. We wish you many, many, many more happy years to come.

~Isis

Wednesday

Pose for the camera

During the planning process, I always advise my clients to set aside a few hours in any given day and schedule an engagement session with their photographer. Unlike the wedding day,where there is a ton of "hustle and bustle", the engagement session gives the couple the opportunity to truly relish in each other's love and have it documented...not to mention you can feel like a true superstar and have an excuse to shop. Who doesn't love that?

Engagement session photos can be utilized for ceremony or reception decor, incorporated into your wedding stationary, or simply retained as your own keepsake. What I love the most about the sessions is that typically, my Clients say that they experienced a much needed "break" from the planning process and really enjoyed themselves. The session also gives the photographer a little room to be more creative.

This is one of my absolute FAVORITE engagement session photos of my gorgeous October bride Tiffany. How fabulous is this shot?


(Photo courtesy of black eye soup photography)

So, did you elect to have engagement photos taken? If so, what was your experience. If you are newly engaged, are you considering? We'd love to know!

Friday

The Groom's Perspective

I will be honest. It's not the easiest conversation to have with a newly engaged couple that the fee for our services can be between a $1500-$7,000 expense. Though I truly believe that in this day and time, many couples recognize the benefit of a Planner, I highly doubt most are prepared for the cost.

As the couple and I sit in our office and we entertain the concept of what a fantasy wedding means to the Bride, I'm always amazed at the eager, yet silent spirit exuded by the Groom. Is he excited? Of course. Opinionated? Of course. But somehow, we live in a society where the "groom's perspective" is often overlooked and everything defaults to the common notion of "It's all about the Bride, whatever she likes".

My outlook on planning is a little different in that it is very important for me to include the Groom in the planning process. After all, what good is an equation with only half of the formula?

I received a recent review on weddingwire and I must say, not only was I honored, I was humbled by what my recent Groom Colby had to say:



Jennifer and I found Isis through a co-worker. We went to Philly around the middle of November to interview Isis along with a few other planners. The first thing that I noticed about Isis was eye contact. To explain, other planners that Jennifer and I had interviewed had about 85% eye contact with the Bride, as if I the groom did not exist. To me, that is a sign that the planner will not consult the groom or interact with the groom about wedding decisions. With Isis, she gave both Jennifer and myself equal eye contact when interviewing. She was confident in answering questions, and she appeared to be a sensible and reasonable person. Jennifer and I knew that Isis would be our pick before we even left Philly that night. During the wedding planning process, Isis was persistant, motivated, and attentive to all of our needs. She even went over and beyond to make sure we were satisfied. What I liked the most about Isis is that if she happened to miss our call, she gave us a call right back. Email was the same as well. It is not uncommon for her to email back in the same minute you sent her a message. She is always accessible and even though she is also planning other weddings, you would never know it. We always felt like she was our own personal planner. We sort of got jealous when we saw other wedding pictures. We were like, what is our Isis doing planning their wedding!!!! LOL. From the interview to the big day, Isis stayed on top of all of our milestones, deadlines, and insured that we did everything we were supposed to do when we were supposed to do it.

This was our first wedding and neither one of us had a clue as to what we were doing. We were blessed to have someone like Isis that helped us put the pieces together to create a wedding that my family is still talking about almost a month after. If you have been contiplating whether you should get a wedding planner, take it from me, when you are about 2 months from your big day, you will see why spending the extra money on a planner is worth it; especially if it is Isis. There are so many loose ends to tie 2 months out that it is almost impossible to enjoy your big day if you are worried about everything going right. Isis will tie all the ends and put all the pieces together to insure that on the days leading to the wedding and on the big day, you will not have to worry about a thing. Just tellem to "Call Isis"!!!! LOL

Isis is passionate about what she does and loves to plan weddings. This is not just a job for her, this is what she lives for. If you are the type of person who believes that paying attention to detail is important, good quality of service is fundamental to excellent customer support, and addressing small issues may solve big problems, then you will be more than satisfied with Isis. Believe me, when it is your big day, you want someone who has all angles covered and is prepared for anything.

I loved Isis so much that I am actually considering getting married again!!!!!!

Just kidding... LOL



Thank you Colby and Jennifer. For allowing me to be a part of your big day!

Sneak Peak-Jennifer and Colby

It's raining here in Philadelphia today and I'm a bit under the weather. If never before, I definitely needed a reason to smile.

Introducing Colby & Jennifer.



I can't wait to share more details from this extraordinary wedding in the upcoming weeks but for now, witness what true love looks like. This is why we do what we do.

Happy Friday!
Isis

Wednesday

Cheers!

In honor of Wednesday, I thought I'd share...



Center City Philadelphia's bars and restaurants are hosting the summer's happiest hour every Wednesday, from today June 3 through August 26, 5-7 pm.

Enjoy $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beers and half-priced appetizers. You may see a listing of participating bars and restaurants at the Center City Sips website.

What better excuse for a much needed bridal party night out and quality time with the hubby to be?

Enjoy! You can thank me later.

Thursday

The POSH Team

If you've ever attended a POSH event, you'll notice myself and my team of women in black. You'll also notice the stilettos in which many of them work, which still amazes me to this day! You know the saying...you're only as good as your weakest link? I'm fortunate in that I do not have that problem!!!! I've been able to build this business with the help of some ultra-fabulous ladies who work harder than anyone I know. The ladies are truly gems. We laugh together, lug together and at the end of almost every event, you may catch a glimpse of us dancing (discreetly of course) to "Last Dance" or some other song as a sure sign that we've helped another couple live the night of their dreams. I love these gals!

We were fortunate enough to spend the day a few weeks ago with the phenomenal Rob Medina of Medina Photography, who willingly accepted the challenge of photographing the lovely ladies so we can update the POSH website. So, without further ado, I introduce you to my team (aka my miracle workers):

First up is Nila. Nila was first introduced to the blog when she began her internship and we are happy to say she has since graduated from Rowan University. She is a total "joy" and has a laugh that is contagious. Nila's personality is always so upbeat that she can get the entire team through the day.



The next addition to the team is Jenelle. Jenelle is the newest Associate of the POSH team. She joins us with years of planning experience in the fashion industry. Jenelle has a smile that can brighten a room and a no-nonsense down to business way about her.




Then there is Tammy. Tammy and I have known each other almost our entire lives and I was thrilled when she agreed to join the team two few years ago. Tammy's background is in psychology and sales and she certainly knows how to use those dimples to get her way.



Last but not least is Malakeia. Malakeia is my right-hand at almost every event and has been a part of the team the longest. If you've read our reviews on weddingwire or on the website, you'll most likely see some attempt of a spelling of her name, as our Clients just love her. She is a seamstress by trade, a stickler for detail and one of the most patient people I know!




Well, there you have it, the ladies that help me make it all look so easy. I hope that you'll get to know them a little better as they make themselves at home on the blog.


Wednesday

Sneak Peak

It's been quite a busy start to the wedding season this year. Lot's to post and catch up on and boy how I've missed the blog.

To keep you readers up to date on what's going on in the "POSH" world, I've decided to start a new series entitled "Sneak Peak".

Sneak peak will be a glimpse into our events from planning to execution, followed by a recap after the event actually takes place. We all know planning happens in phases. Here's your chance to have a "look back" and see exactly what it took to get to the big day.

Hope you enjoy!

First up, "Sneak Peak-Arielle & Kevin"

Monday

Welcome Ryann

I adore my couples. Seriously, I do.

Even more than adoring my couples, I love the fact that 85% of our couples stay in touch LONG after the nuptials are done. Between dinner and drinks, home purchases and bi-coastal moves, our couples keep us in the loop a good majority of the time. But my absolute FAVORITE reason to stay in touch, well...



POSH is happy to welcome our newest addition to the extended POSH family, baby Ryann Nicole. Ryann was born to Mr & Mrs. Allen, whos Lucien's Manor ceremony and reception we coordinated in May 2006. Ryann was born yesterday evening at 9:46 pm and weighed in at whopping :-) 5lbs, 5.3oz and 20 1/4" long.

We are headed to the hospital to visit our newest little bundle of joy. Is she not just the cutest? Check out the details on the hat-DIVA!

Congratulations to the Allen family! See you soon.

Saturday

Jennifer & Colby

Jennifer and Colby are our Virginia connection.

One of the best perks of being a Wedding Coordinator, and especially one located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey,is that due to our geographic location between New York and Washington DC, we have engaged couples come into the Delaware Valley region for their nuptials. This Virginia couple found Philadelphia the perfect location for their "destination" wedding.

Jennifer and Colby and I have been working together for months on thier wedding taking place next May. I remember the first time we met at the Hyatt Penn's Landing. From the very first exchange, it was obvious that this was a couple in love. Not just ordinary love either. These two truly finish each other's sentences, talk in a private language and laugh at each others jokes. They have THAT kind of love.

We don't get to see each other very often, since they are a distance planning couple for POSH, so we welcomed their last visit to the city for their engagement session with the always fabulous Rob Medina. Here are a few sneak peaks:





Friday

Make it Legal

If you are getting married in the state of NJ, there are a few steps to obtaining your marriage license. In preparation for a very busy wedding season, we felt it would only be appropriate to give a little refresher course:


Where should you apply for a New Jersey marriage license?

If the bride is a resident of New Jersey, the New Jersey marriage license must be obtained from the Registrar of Vital Statistics in the municipality where she lives.

If the bride is a non-resident of New Jersey and the groom is a resident of New Jersey, the New Jersey marriage license must be obtained from the Registrar in the municipality in which the groom resides. (For marriage license purposes, soldiers are residents of the posts at which they are stationed.) A NJ marriage license issued under either of the preceeding circumstances is good for use anywhere in New Jersey.

If both bride and groom are non-residents of New Jersey, the New Jersey marriage license must be obtained from the Registrar of the municipality where the marriage is to be performed and is only good for use in that municipality.


Who can perform a New Jersey marriage ceremony?

According to state law, judges of a Federal District Court, United States magistrates, judges of a Municipal Court, judges of the Superior Court, judges of a Tax Court, retired judges of the Superior Court or Tax Court, of judge of the Superior Court or Tax Court who has retired in good standing and any mayor/deputy mayor or chairman of any township committee, village president of New Jersey, County Clerks, and every minister of every religion may solemnize a marriage.

NEW JERSEY MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Photo identification for both you and your fiance.
2. Original birth certificates for you and your fiance.
3. A witness who is over 18 years of age.
4. Application fee of $28.00, cash, check or money order
5. There is a 72 hour waiting period after the application has been made. Therefore, if your proposed NJ wedding date is September 14th, apply on or before September 10th, to allow for the waiting period and your wedding date.
6. If either of the applicants is divorced, the divorce documents for the applicant in question must be brought in at the time of application.
7. Social Security cards.
8. The New Jersey Marriage License is valid for 30 days after you receive it. If for any reason you cannot use the New Jersey Marriage License within the 30-day period, you will have to reapply.
9. At the time of application, inquiries can be made regarding obtaining a certified copy of the NJ marriage license.
10. A New Jersey marriage license application may be obtained from your local municipal office or by going to www.state.nj.us/health/vital/marriage.htm. The NJ marriage license application is a two page document. Only the first page of the application may be completed prior to your appointment. The second page is completed in the presence of the Registrar of Vital Statistics.

***Be sure to contact the Registrar well in advance of the wedding to find out on what days and during what hours the Registrar will be in the office.***
If you have additional questions regarding Vital Statistics matters, you may contact the State at the Office of New Jersey State Registrar (609) 292-4087.

Happy Planning!

Tuesday

Get in shape girl


It never fails. Be it a Bride or any other day when you're a regular woman trying your best to lose those 5/10 extra pounds.

We've all said it.

I'm going to start this (fill in the blank) diet tomorrow. Tomorrow comes and goes and the desire to start the diet passes with the time and before you know it, it's 3 weeks before the "big day" and you just don't have the time.

Then came spanx.

Spanx has been a lifesaver to many. The problem with spanx, is that on your wedding day when you slip out of your gorgeous gown, the last thing you want your husband to see is all the "wrapping" that has your size 8 seemlesly looking like a size 4.
The problem was,they just weren't sexy...until now.

Introducing Haute Contour! Or, what I affectionally refer to as the sexy girl's solution to fabulous wedding essentials. Haute Contour allows you to look slim, with the assistance of shaping material accentuated with lace.

Looking fabulous on your wedding night AND starvation diet avoided.

Love it!

Wednesday

Nila Says...You're Invited

Detail, detail, detail! Many brides question small details and information when it comes to invitations. Questions such as what color, style or design should I use? How far in advanced should I send my invitation out to have enough time for a response? Do I need anything else in the envelope aside from the actual invitation? In the next “Nila says…” the topic of choice will be invitations! I will guide you in choosing the perfect look by giving you some hints to help guide you towards that perfect invitation!

Before you begin make sure the following steps have been taken:

Confirm with locations!
- Before you choose your invitations, make sure you have confirmed with all location sites (church, halls and reception hall) date and time! You want to make sure you have everything set to go before you send out your invitations.
RSVP
- RSVP’s are always going to be inserted with the invitation. Make sure you place the order for your RSVP when placing your order for invitations. You will most likely have this done at the same time! RSVP’s will be returned to you with the amount of guest per household. This will give you a set amount of how many guests will be attending.
Directions
- Remember not everyone is coming from local or familiar areas. You want to keep in mind that someone if not everyone will need directions to all locations. When confirming with your locations, make sure you ask for directions. Small inserts that match your invitations can be placed in the envelope to inform all your guests.
Other accommodations
- In many weddings people are coming from all different parts of the state or country. Keep in mind not everyone will have a place to stay if they are traveling from far distances. In a case such as this one, hotel accommodations are a necessity. Take the time to research hotels near or around the area your ceremony is located. Hotels are more than willing to guide you with information regarding discounts that may be available. Insert a small card in your invitation that will inform guests of such possibilities.

Now that you have what you need on an invitation and in the envelope, remember they must be sent out one- two months prior to your wedding date. This will give you plenty of time to count the amount of guest and confirm one last time with your location.

Now the big step...choosing the invitation! An invitation is something you want to keep simple and related to the style of your wedding. Choose something that is complimentary to the colors and theme of your wedding. Also, be mindful of the shape of the invitation and how best to personalize so your invitation to be a reflection of you. Remember, your invitation will set the "tone" for your guests and give them a sneak peak of what's to come. Be creative, be fun and most of all, select something you LOVE. After all, first impressions are oh so important.

Enjoy!

Tuesday

Wedding Salon-March 23, 2009

I just love the Wedding Salon. If you are a bride and have not been to one of these events, take my word for it, it is certainly a must see.

Need some incentive? Easy enough!

If you look at the very bottom of the invitation there is a code. When you call to confirm, provide that code and presto...it's free. Now tell me who doesn't like free?

(Click on the image to view in a larger view)


Enjoy!

Monday

Whirlwind Weekend

Hello bloggers. I'm BAAAAACCCKKKK!

I've missed the blog so much. I truly appreciate all the support/emails and personal phone calls I received during the last few weeks; it's definitely helped with the healing process. In the meantime, we've been working on so much at POSH, there will be lots of changes to announce over the next few weeks so certainly stay tuned for more.

This weekend I had the privelege to speak at the Designed for Success workshop hosted by Deidre Gray of Always a Positive Image. It's so funny; after years in the business, I'm always amazed to realize that you truly never stop learning. My fellow colleagues and presenters not only showed up, they "showed out" and the attendees gave the workshop rave reviews. It is truly an honor to be able to share the knowledge I've acquired from some of the industry's finest, with aspiring and established Wedding Coordinators. After 2 consecutive years of presenting, I must admit, I have a bit of an itch of my own to teach. I'm just wondering what the attendance would be from my fellow colleagues. Hmmm...

I've been promised photos of the spectacular event so I'll be sure to share. Hope everyone had a wonderful week and I look forward to making up for lost time

Wednesday

Nila Says...Favors are a favorite.

The invitations have been sent out, the dress has arrived and all the orders have been placed. Are you forgetting anything? As you try to go down the list, detail per detail, you remember that one main part of the wedding has been forgotten. The favors!! You might be asking yourself; do we really need them, how can something so small be such a significant detail to this wedding? Well believe it or not, this small little piece of the puzzle, is what places the finishing touches to such an amazing night. Favors are a simple and significant treat you hand out at the end of the night to all your guests. It is your small token of appreciation.
A wedding itself is a spectacular event that many unite to celebrate. For the most part, the food, dancing and joy of this special night is more than enough. Favors for that matter do not have to overpower the event. Something simple is all you need.


Strawberries from Ashley Cakes


When ordering party favors make sure to keep a few things in mind.
- Order amount per household. You never want to order more than the guest list.
- Party favors are for guests to have a memory of your special night. Remember to place the date of your wedding along with your name and you’re significant others name on the favor.
Remember to keep it simple:
Some ideas:
- CD with the bride and grooms favorite song
- Chocolates with packaging that contains bride and grooms name and date of wedding
- Candles
- Customized cookies with date and names
- If weddings are themed, make arrangements so that your favors go along with the theme.
o Beach Theme:
- Small seashells with name and date imprinted in them
- Cookies shaped into seashells or other beach related objects
- Small treasure boxes filled with chocolate coins

There are thousands of small creations one can put together. These are just a few ideas you might want to consider. Remember that creativity and simplicity are key factors to wedding favors!

Saturday

Be back soon

We just wanted to take a moment to say although we haven't been very active on the blog of late, we will definitely be back soon. We suffered a very personal loss over the past week and have spent time in the comfort of loved ones.

We are definitely looking forward to getting back to all things weddings with fabulous updates, great finds and more from "Nila says" this week so stay tuned, it will definitely be worth the wait.

Wednesday

Nila Says...Location, Location, Location

Every girls dream wedding begins with the thoughts of the perfect flower arrangements and the perfect dress. These are just some of the small details that are imprinted in our minds when fantasizing about our perfect night. Once our fantasy becomes a reality, we must acknowledge the more in-depth preparations. Wedding locations, for one, are the main but most tedious part of planning a wedding. Many questions such as; will all my guests fit, will the location accommodate my entire guest list or will I even be able to stay within my budget, may begin to develop in one’s mind. Well, have no worries, for the next couple of weeks I will help you answer all those questions and supply you with ideas and details on wedding venues that will make your dream wedding a reality.


First and foremost, when starting out with your location, the first thing you might want to think about is your theme. What kind of wedding are you having? - A traditional wedding where many locations can accommodate you? A beach wedding, where only chairs and a few decorations might be needed? A location can change the complete theme of your wedding. For instance, let’s focus on a beach wedding for today.

Things you might want to consider:

For the most part all we need for a beach wedding is a perfect ocean view, sand and great weather! There are thousands of beaches all around the world and many options you might want to consider.

Step 1: Choose the area where the beach you favor is located.
-There are beaches all over New Jersey. Some beaches are private and some aren’t. For the most part, you might want to reserve a location where others will not be interrupting.
-Keeping this in mind, take a walk around the local area. In areas where beaches are located you may be entitled to find a nice location for your reception.

Step 2: Budget
-Private beaches will amount to a cost. Remember to consider that you will be paying for the reservation on the beach, seating, location and site arrangements. If the price is too much, don’t be scared to continue to look around for more options. Remember the sky is the limit! Don’t settle for less!

Step 3: Reserve it
-If you have found the perfect beach, reserve it. It is important that once you have found what you want and it fits all your requirements, you reserve it immediately. Once the place is reserved, you have set the date and you can now move on to the next step in your dream wedding!

Introducing Nila

At the close of 2008, I gave you guys a sneak peek into the POSH future. With the expansion of our services to offer more design ("Touches") packages, grew the need to grow our internal staff as well.

A few months ago, I received an email from the most bubbly candidate I'd come across in a long time. Her name was Nila, and instantly I knew this girl was different. After a face to face and countless conversations, I was excited to bring her aboard.

Nila will be our new intern for the 2009 wedding season. She hails from Rowan University and...well, I will let her tell you more about herself.

Introducing Nila!

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Hello everyone! My name is Nila del Rio and I am a senior at Rowan University. I am currently majoring in Public Relations and hoping to become a wedding planner after I graduate. I am an eternal optimist, who you will always find smiling. I believe every day is a new day and with each experience we learn something new. I have always admired and appreciated the thoughtful and creative process it takes to put a wedding together. I have participated in many, ranging from the flower girl to the bride’s maid; sometimes I feel like Jane from “27 Dresses”! Each experience I’ve had has been breathtaking. In these next few months I will have the opportunity to intern and work both behind and in front of the scenes and I am excited and confident that I will gain knowledge throughout my time at Posh Events.


Nila will be starting a new weekly series on the blog entitled "Nila Says..." so please be sure to show her lots of cyber love!

Tuesday

We've been selected

It's been quite the adventure returning from the Special Event in San Diego to the east coast and the office. Imagine my surprise when I opened my mailbox this morning and was delighted to see that WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that we were selected to receive the 2009 Bride’s Choice Awards™!

2009 Bride's Choice Awards presented by WeddingWire | Wedding Cakes, Wedding Venues, Wedding Photographers & More

In its inaugural year, the Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and honors vendors from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. This year’s recipients represent the top three percent of WeddingWire’s vendor community, which includes over 100,000 wedding vendors from across the US. That means {Enter Your Business Name} is one of the very best {Enter Your Category}.

Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the company, the Bride’s Choice Awards are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds through surveys and reviews.

“We are excited to launch this annual award program to honor high-performing vendors based solely on the experiences of our WeddingWire community,” according to Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s recipients have set the bar high, exhibiting excellent service and expertise in the wedding industry.”

I'm so fortunate to work in an industry I love, with Clients I adore. Weddingwire is one of the few websites in which Brides can post their vendor reviews, real time and unscripted. As part of our growth process, we request that our Brides and grooms complete the survey upon their return from their honeymoon, because afterall, how can we strive to be the best without honest feedback? In it's initial phase, vendors listed on the website were based on the merit of the reviews received. Over time, Weddingwire has offered the opportunity to pay for advancement in the rankings, however, we have chosen to remain true to the original concept and let the viewers see for themselves the value that our past Clients have found in allowing us to be a part of such an important day.

It's such an honor to see that our couples feel the same about POSH as we feel about them!

Happy Tuesday.

Wednesday

Some work and some play

You may have noticed a slight delay in postings on the blog but I have a good reason, really I do. I am happily writing to you today from the Special Event Show in Sunny San Diego, CA. The experience has been quite moving and inspiring and my wedding wheels are actively turning.

As a professional coordinator it is so important to stay "fresh" in the industry and knowledgeable about trends across the region and the globe. The Special Event Show brings the industries finest to one central location for a week of seminars, trade show exhibiting and networking events.

I intended on blogging straight from the show during the week, however my camera had another plan so there will be lots to report when I get back. Even more excited, I have lots of company related news to share including new additions to staff, conferences and more so stay tuned!

Hope you're all staying warm...I know I am.

It's not what you know...

When you are newly engaged, it's very easy to go from calm to overly excited and in a matter of seconds. More often that not, it's been my obversation that couples literally just don't know where to start.

Beyond the obvious narrowing down your Vendor categories, when it is time to actually participate in initial meetings, it's common place for selecting of a Vendor to become quite the daunting task. Here's my advice, instead of just focusing on what you DO like, cutting out pages and pages of every flower that gets you to smile, how about you narrow it down to your top 5/10 items that you like and also select 5 that you DO NOT like.

Here's why....

As a Vendor, it's just as easy for us to help guide you down the right path to wedded bliss knowing what you do not like (i.e. bright colors, floral patterns, the outdoors, children, etc.) as it is knowing what you do like. Weddings are about personalization. You want your day to be memorable and to ensure that we can translate your vision for the day, and letting us know what you don't like is just as important.

So, if you find yourself struggling to figure out all the right things to select, how about starting from the opposite end of the spectrum, literally. You'd be surprised. Sometimes you know more than you think!

Tuesday

Honoring Obama

We will resume our Wedding related posts tomorrow but today we want to rejoice and Celebrate in the spirit of the inaguaration.

As I watch from the warmth of my bed the masses of people braving the cold in Washington, DC today to welcome in the new President, recovering from my sickness, I am honored that as a Country we have joined together to work towards change.

CNN mentioned today that the election would be the most watched television program EVER, second to the season finally of MASH (I loved that show by the way). It amazes me that millions of people come today with a similar belief, similar needs and a similar vision. Change begins.



Congratulations to the new first family.

Wednesday

A Little bit country. A little rock and roll

Ok, ok, I'm neither but I totally support life outside of the box. Truth be told, I don't even own a "box". Well...maybe a little one, but it often takes a back seat.

Saturday we were honored to participate in the Unbridaled Expo at the Crane Arts Building where we joined a number of the areas most creative event vendors for one amazing bridal industry event.

Unfortunately, my camera suffered from exhaustion and would not cooperate for photos. Luckily I was surrounded by quite a few amazing photographers who don't mind me sharing some of their work.

I present...Unbridaled...

Because, well, who needs a box anyway?

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Crane
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Erin's Booth
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The above images were taken by the amazing Erin Antognoli. Erin is my DC "connect" through a mutual Photographer friend and I can't say enough great things about her. If you follow me on facebook, last week you would have noticed my semi-stalker updates about my first time meeting with Erin. Now do you see why?

Fashion Show
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The lovely ladies of Love Me Do Photography who provided the (2)images above
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You can also check out additional photos at the event gallery at Cami's Paperie. Cami was my "neighbor" at the expo and is an amazing invitation designer in Northern Virginia. (You'll also notice her photography eye is pretty awesome too :)

Tuesday

Sheilla married Michael

In my email inbox yesterday, straight from Avignon, France, was a sweet note from my dear Bride Sheilla, which read

"...I can't wait to see you to give you a big hug!!. My family and I are thankful for all that you did. The wedding was beautiful. Everybody was pleased and said, I quote: "(This was) the best wedding I ever went too."

Thanks again. Like you said everything is going to be ok. I still remember these words. Thanks for that, it really worked for me. You are personally a great human being devoted to your clients and work. Please never forget that our relationship won't end in our wedding. We both consider you a friend and we would like to keep in touch with you as much as we can."


The email arrived on time as a special gift was sent directly from the Bride's parents all the way from Puerto Rico. Talk about a great way to start the week!

On an unseasonably warm late December day, Sheilla and Michael exchanged vows during a quaint ceremony at Saint Joan of Arc Church in Marlton, NJ. Their reception took place immediately following at Little Mill Country Club in Marlton, NJ.

Distance planning doesn't even BEGIN to describe the coordination elements of this wedding. With the Bride's parents in Puerto Rico, the Bride and Groom local but hard at work, and all other members of the Bridal party scattered throughout the region, electronic correspondence and conference calls became our best ally during the planning process.

At the end of the day, we think we hit a home run with combining the couple's traditional taste, with a modern and "warm" themed holiday wedding.

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All photos provided are courtesy of Medina Photography. Reception pictures to follow...

Special thanks to my amazing dream team of Vendors:

Ceremony-St Joan of Arc- Marlton, NJ
Reception-Little Mill Country Club- Marlton, NJ
Flowers- The Daisy Chain- Medford, NJ
Photography-Medina Photography-Cherry Hill, NJ
Entertainment- G Force Band

Sheilla and Michael were definitely one of my favorite couples (ok, ok, I say that all the time but seriously, I do like them all)and for that I will sincerely miss them both! What a great way to end the 2008 wedding season.

Monday

Speaking of Bridal Shows...

For all of you DC, Maryland Brides, my colleague Sara Bauleke of Belle Notte Events asked me to share with my readers that the DC Couture Wedding Consortium is hosting a bridal show on Saturday, January 31st at Decatur House in Washington, DC.

The event is sure to be FAB-U-LOUS and would be a great resource for all of you Maryland, DC and Northern VA brides. Best of all, the show is free for Brides and we all love free!

You just need to register in advance on the DCCWC website attend and enjoy!

Happy Planning!

Thursday

On the road...Again

Now that wedding season has officially come to a close for us, we've decided to take this show on the road. Over the next month, I will be travelling across country and am so excited to tell you about some interesting opportunities in our future.

When I started this business, it was extremely important for me to give a "voice" to the non-traditional Bride. I am honored to be the Planner to Brides who wear blue or gold down the aisle, who get married in unique venues with non-traditional bridal parties and push the boundaries of what "can" be done in a Wedding.

I'm a total believer in signature style, staying unique to the personalities of yourself and your spouse to be, and having a ceremony and reception that has guests utter "Wow" when they enter the room and "That was so xx and xx" when they depart. It's what this business and life really should be about. Always staying true to who you are.

On your wedding day, moreso than any other, when you pledge your love to your significant other be it in the Church or the comfort of loved ones, you want to do so knowing that in that "space", all things are genuine.

When I was presented with the opportunity to participate in the "Unbridaled" Expo, knowing it would be unlike any other bridal show, I couldn't refuse.


(Seriously, how can you resist an expo with a logo like this?)

So ladies and gents, if you are a local couple with some free time this Saturday, please do stop by and say hello. The Vendor lineup for the event is really amazing and last year's turnout was in excess of 400 people. Can we say-love overflow? I also have a little something special for one lucky couple (***hint-POSH will take care of the something "blue" for your big day)and an extra special token of appreciation for my readers of the blog. Details are below:

Crane Arts Building in Philadelphia, PA this Saturday Jan 10, 2009 from 10am until 4pm. Tickets are $12 each or 2 for $20 and may be purchased HERE.

For all of my planning colleagues, I'm so excited to be headed West for the Winter and attending my 2nd Special Event Conference later this month? Anyone going? If so, be sure to leave a comment so that we can meet during the trip.

Have a wonderful Thursday and I hope to see you around soon!

Tuesday

Speaking of Jen...

Oh ladies (and gents), are you going to be thrilled with me.

Jen Capone, the photographer who shot the images from the last post as well as just short of a gazillion weddings, is offering a sweet special, just in time for Valentine's Day...

Pin-Up Portraits!



Now seriously, what husband, soon to be husband or husband in pursuit, wouldn't want a professional portait of the love of his life in her lingered best?

I personally love pin-up portraits. I think every woman secretly desires to have the courage to look the camera in the eye and respond "I'm bad. Yeah I know it". Ok, so maybe it's just me.

Now is your chance to do it, and not break the bank in the process. Jen has teamed up with Carolyn Diamond to offer both makeup, clothing, the studio for the shoot, photo session and an 8x10 photo, all for $250.

If you're interested, certainly give Carolyn a ring at the contact number on the attachment, and be sure to let her know I sent you.

Happy Shooting!

Monday

Personal "Touches"

Milestone birthdays are hard. When you work in the industry, PLANNING a milestone birthday is a task like none other.

It's the curse of the double edge sword. You know the most fabulous vendors from working together over the years, you have a variety of venues in your arsenol, resources are endless.. and yet, you have to narrow down to a feasible, manageable and affordable party that will knock everyone's socks off and leave them saying WOOOOOWWW!

Brides sound familiar?

After narrowing down the Venue, The Residence Inn Center City- Penthouse Suite, I pulled together some of my best vendors and began designing the space. It's funny. Many people think that when you are an Event Planner, it's easier for personal events, but let me be the first to say, it's far from it.

For this event, I followed the same protocol as we do with our "Touches" level of service. Floor plan, design schematics, rentals and execution.

The result...Well you tell me. What do you think internet?

Introducing, La Dolce Vita or "The Sweet Life":

This is the penthouse on a daily basis...


Enter "Touches"
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Florals provided by Denise of Leigh Florist. Denise is so dedicated to her craft. I gave her a theme and let her run with it. This is what she produced. It's why you really trust the experts to do their job:
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Dessert Reception:
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The Philadelphia Skyline. The reason this venue was the perfect choice.
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Special Thanks again to all of my Vendors who consistently assist in producing one fabulous event after another.

Flowers: Leigh Florist-Audobon, NJ
Entertainment: Derek of Mobile DJs & Sounds-Philadelphia, PA
Venue-Residence Inn Center City- Philadelphia, PA
Lighting- Synergetic Sounds-Bensalem, PA
And photography by non-other than the ever so talented Jen Capone of Jen Capone Photography

and a very special merci to Deidre Gray of Always A Positive Image, LLC. Deidre is a fellow Colleague, friend and private party saving grace.


Happy Monday!