Choosing the perfect color scheme for your wedding day is imperative. It’s not always the easiest task, especially for the indecisive weds-to-be. But in terms of decor, it should be one of the first decisions made in the planning process. There are many factors to consider before saying yes to a particular color palette though, like theme and season.
Below, are a few of my favorite, timeless color palettes:
Blush Pink + Rose Gold Reason: gold sequins + pink = elegant and romantic Season: Romantic February Wedding Theme: Love, Love, Love
Planning for the big day is stressful. There is a great deal to keep up with – from the color palette to vendor contracts. In previous posts, we’ve covered online wedding tools to help prepare for tying The Knot.
In this post we have designed the perfect app for planning on-the-go. Let’s be honest, it’s not exactly easy to sit down and plan for a wedding. Nobody truly has it all together, but this app enables weds-to-be to have all of their wedding details readily accessible at the tip of their fingers.
Follow this step-by-step overview to coordinate the many details the app offers!
Vendors
2. Basic Timeline
3. Bridal Party Form
4. Design Color Palette
5. And of course, a support number to call
I hope this app meets some of the many planning needs. Leave your feedback of what else you would like to see incorporated into this app.
On April, 7th 2017 at Canyonwood Ridge, I, Paris Brianna Lynch, learned all of the many details that go into planning a wedding.
As an intern, I had gotten used to showing up to weddings the day of, following a copy the timeline, assisting in set-up, ushering, and cleaning up afterwards. I had no idea of all the many details that go into making the magic happen and marrying two people in a well-coordinated union of love.
A day of coordination is intense, especially when you are in the final stretch of your last semester of college, have a day job and are trying to maintain a social life. A lot goes into a day-of-coordination – it’s not just a celebrity appearance that planners make on a couples big day.
My boss cut the cord when she promoted me to assistant planner and suggested that I coordinate a wedding on my own.
I was excited, but nervous.
And surely, everything that could possibly go wrong on my first solo coordination…did!
Don’t get me wrong, the wedding was beautiful and the couple was happy, but the stress was REAL for ya girl.
I showed up to the venue at 9 AM and didn’t rest my feet until after the send-off at Midnight.
Little details that were overlooked by myself, the bride and the venue came back at the thirty minutes before the reception to haunt us.
I had to make decisions and call shots that I had not been used to making, like how to prioritize my time when the ceremony starts in thirty minutes, but the alcohol that the couple ordered can’t be served during cocktail hour and all of the centerpieces in the ballroom were not set.
The timeline that we had spent a ton of time making up until the day of the wedding, changed entirely due to may factors. At that point, we just went with our best judgment in what we thought would be best, and all of the vendors had to do the same. This wedding consisted in a lot of running back and forth and sending messages to and from the bride to all of the vendors.
This wedding taught me a lot about the behind-the-scenes and actual coordination that goes into planning a wedding. I learned that in work and life, you have to be flexible, expect the unexpected, and roll with the punches. Every time that something wouldn’t go as planned, I would tell myself that the show must go on.
During our dinner break, the other planners and myself enjoyed watching the sun set on the archway that we had spent 2 hours and 2 attempts perfecting for the ceremony. The stress of things not going as planned was gone in that moment of watching the sun set in the beautiful hill country.
Weddings are like snowflakes, no two weddings have been the same.
In my experience as a wedding planner, I have learned that surprises and the unexpected are to be expected in the event industry, especially in the city of Austin, Texas.
One wedding in particular that our company, AWE Events, coordinated last spring was an actual surprise. No, really, the bride and groom didn’t tell any of the guests that they were planning to get married. I’m sure you are wondering how this went down. Don’t worry, when the bride proposed the idea to our company, we wondered the same, but were absolutely thrilled to take on this wedding. Not only was the wedding a surprise, but it was at Palm Door on Sixth.
photo courtesy of Drophouse Design
The bride and groom shared the same birthday, and were notorious for their outrageous sixth street birthday parties. The couple had two children and were unsure if the traditional wedding ceremony was for them. The couple had not been engaged and knew that none of their friends would catch on to the fact they were planning to get married on their birthday.
Despite the questionable stares from guests, our planning team of little ladies in black coordinated a successful surprise, Sixth Street wedding. No big deal.
In my opinion, this wedding defined what it means to have a wedding in Austin, Texas – unique, fun, and full of surprises.
Instead of a classic cake, the bride chose to have Moojo Gourmet Cookies cater to the venue. Even though the ceremony was on Sixth Street, little details, like cookie sandwiches, made the party kid-friendly.
Another unique detail the couple chose to implement in their Austin wedding was the bride wearing a tutu in place of a traditional wedding gown.
After dinner, which was catered by East Side King (a Japanese food truck), the couple finally made their surprise entrance. The two walked to the front of the aisle and announced to the guests that they had a surprise for everyone. Our planners then gave their two children a banner to walk down the aisle that read “THIS IS HAPPENING!” The officiant walked out and BOOM! The friends and family of this awesome couple were witnessing a wedding ceremony that they had probably been waiting years to watch.
Basically, Austin is an amazing city to marry, but you are going to need planners – surprises of all sorts are inevitable. Stay tuned for more on planning shenanigans!
In previous posts, I’ve offered expert advice in planning for those just starting out or interested in the event industry. My posts have also covered a great deal about the evolution of wedding traditions and planning.
Hopefully, you all have a fair understanding of what event planning entails.
We can all agree by now that wedding planning is overwhelming. Questions arise like, ‘where should I go to find the perfect vendors?’ ‘How do I stay organized throughout the process?’ ‘What about a budget?’
Hiring a professional planning service is one option, which as a planner, I do recommend considering. But, for brides who decide the option of planning for themselves, there are several helpful online websites to choose from. From finding the perfect venue to finding the right stationary, choose from this list for the website that best suits your planning and design needs.
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The Knot is the most well-known wedding website in the nation. Husband-and-wife pair Carley Roney and David Liu’s mission as owners is designing the site as an online planning tool for weds-to-be. On the site, couples can discover their signature style, get organized with a checklist and budget, get connected with local vendors (vendors, you can also join with a membership fee), ask any questions, and create a registry to share their story with guests. Pretty awesome site, right?
Wedding Wire, like the Knot, is a popularly known online planning site. The Website has a toolbar where you can find planning tools that cover details from a guest list to a hashtag generator, venue and vendor locators, and forums for planning advice. Wedding Wire is also available digitally on the app.
While the Knot and other sites primarily focus on planning needs, Minted takes care of all things design for every occasion. Get connected with the best independent artists to bring you one-of-a-kind designs: shower and celebration invitations, day of essentials, and post-wedding thank you cards and gifts ! Similar to Wedding Wire and the Knot, Minted let’s members create their own website.
In the last post, I discussed origins of wedding traditions. This week, I decided to introduce a few non-traditional wedding ideas. In this Storify post, you can find illustrations, video clips and slideshows of modern and unique wedding trends of 2017.
Have you ever wondered why certain wedding traditions exist? Why do brides wear white wedding gowns? Why not purple? Why do brides toss their bouquet to their bridesmaids? Why do brides even have bridesmaids?
Before wedding planning, I, myself had never questioned the origins of modern wedding traditions. I’ll never forget working with this one vendor, in particular – middle school history teacher by day, wedding photographer by night – the stories he shared changed the way I look at wedding ceremonies, forever.
Warning: some traditions are very sweet, but others are quite disturbing.
Evolution of Bridesmaids Modern day bridesmaids are great for moral support, planning purposes, and throwing kick-a** bachelorette parties, right? Well, in olden days their list of duties were a bit more challenging. Traditionally, the bridesmaids dressed identical to the bride, in an effort to protect her from evil spirits. Talk about true friends.
Wedding Cakes Does there really need to be a special occasion to have cake? I think not. Thanks to Ancient Rome, eating cake at weddings is a modern day tradition. The tradition started with revelers breaking a loaf of bread over a bride’s head for fertility’s sake. Back then, eating cake was said to result in more than just a food baby.
White Wedding Gowns I’d never really given thought as to why bridal boutiques were stocked with pre-dominately white wedding gowns. Why not purple, or green? The bridesmaids get to wear colored gowns, why can’t the brides? I learned that Queen Victoria is the trend setter for white wedding gowns – in the western world, at least. Apparently, the wedding gown is symbolic of a pure heart.
Garter & Bouquet TossSomeone other than the newly announced husband tearing off the brides clothing– creepy! In 14th century England, wedding guests disregarded the white gown and ‘purity of the heart’ by stripping down the bride of her clothing for good luck. In an effort to distract guests, the strategy of tossing the bouquet and garter was implemented. 5. Wedding Ring Placement Unlike the other traditions, that I had assumed were no-brainers, I was genuinely curious about wedding ring placement. How did this designated ring finger, indicative of marriage, originate?Well, It was once thought that a vein in the fourth finger of the left hand led directly to the heart. Deep, huh?
Some still follow these traditions, others don’t. But, I’m certainly glad that these wedding traditions have modernized the way that they have.
The first wedding that I’d ever worked, my nerves were running high. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would I forget something and sabotage the entire wedding? There’s an overwhelming amount of things to keep up with. Luckily, I have a very experienced boss whose shared her wisdom of planning with me. She’s given me the opportunity to experience and problem solve for myself, as well. Many weddings later, I can confidently tell you that I still don’t have all of the answers to planning.
Advice from my boss and experience has taught me that sometimes things don’t always go as planned – this is the beauty of event planning, though. Things are chaotic at times, but you should build a team that can combine forces to problem solve. For those new to the planning industry, or just curious about planning in general, I can offer you three key pieces of advice:
1. Expect the unexpected
No matter how many weddings you’ve planned, no two are the same. Anything could happen. There’s always a chance that something could go wrong. Once, our team forgot the fuel for tiki torches and had to run to the store and buy some for the send off. Though it was stressful, we figured it out in time. Important variables to consider:
Timing: My boss always stresses the importance of having “buffer time” throughout the entire process of coordinating an event.
Budget: In the case that you confuse a vendors price, or have to run and get lighter fluid for tiki torches, it ‘s important to keep an “emergency stash of cash,” as my boss calls it.
Weather: You never know what you’re going to get living in Austin, Texas.If it’s going to rain, consider having a tent, or have extra umbrellas on-hand for guests walking from one point to the next.
2. Communication is key
Communicating with team members, the wedding party, their guests, and the vendors is the most crucial part to planning – not just during the event, but throughout the entire planning process. Everyone needs to be on the same page for the event to run smoothly. Successful communication starts with a complete and precise production timeline, including; roles, responsibilities, contact sheets, design layouts, etc. If everyone is on the same page, and has reviewed the timeline ahead of time, it’ll be much easier to adapt and handle certain situations that may arise. For a quick & easy timeline template, check out office timeline .
3. Be patient and forge meaningful connections
(Image by Shutter Stock)
I’m sure we’re all familiar with the saying “patience is a virtue,” and to survive & thrive in the event industry attainment of this virtue is crucial. Wedding season is a stressful time, but it doesn’t have to be. As planners, we must develop the innate ability to handle whatever is thrown at us in the midst of chaos – this is our job, after all. There will be times when a bride, bridal party and families get overwhelmed with the many details. As planners, it’s our job to alleviate them of this stress by taking care of all the details, and remaining patient if and when clients get overwhelmed. Killing people with kindness always work. Everyone is distracted and time starved – these things are to be expected. Being aware of these factors and remaining patient is of the upmost importance. Events can be stressful, but having fun with your team, the wedding party and other vendors make the planning process a lot easier.
My name is Paris. How’d I get this name, you ask? Great question.
No, I was not born in the capital of France, and even though we share the same birthday, I am not named after the hotel heiress Paris Hilton, either. As you can imagine, this is a commonly asked question.
After not being able to provide an explanation to this question for about 18 years, I finally decided to inquire about the meaning of my name. My mother was flattered by my curiosity and great interest in her reasoning for giving me this “unique” name. Her response was just as compelling as I had hoped.
My mother, Destini (yes, that’s spelled with an I), essentially named me when she was eleven years old, almost as if it were her destiny (pun intended) to have a child named Paris. She wrote a story about a young lady named Paris who was an adventurer, believer, dreamer, and above all else, a lover. My mother formed such a special connection to this character that she decided to name her first born child in its honor.
Needless to say, I was no longer bothered when asked about my name, considering how much meaning went into it. My mother had taught me from a very young age that to give things meaning is to give them value and purpose. Therefore, learning about the meaning of my name provided me with a newfound sense of value, purpose, and direction to my life that I so desperately needed at the time.
I’d changed my major for the fourth and final time to Public Relations. I started saving up money that I had earned from babysitting to go on short trips around the U.S. to places that I’d never seen. I began searching for internships that would stimulate my inner restlessness, and allow for a broad range of networking opportunities. Eventually, I channeled my never-ending curiosity into traveling, my many ideas into writing, and need for constant stimulation and variety into Event Planning.
AWE Events holiday party – courtesy of Anna Owens
I strive to live a life of never-ending learning, variety, connecting and communicating with the world. Today, if you were to look at any of my social media handles, it would read: PR student, Event Planner and Nanny. My dreams and ambitions match up quite nicely, all thanks to my mother.
I currently work in the event industry, and have acted as the CEO’s right hand for a little over a year. I’ve also worked as a part-time nanny throughout the entirety of my college career, and have acted as children’s third parent for roughly four years.
Yes, this is my fifth and final year of college. I’m sure many can relate to the struggle of having to balance working, a full course load, and a personal life, right? My young adult life has certainly been somewhat of a balancing act. C’est La Vie. I could not be happier with my current place in life. I remind myself everyday that “If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.” These are wise words to live by, and to take into consideration when choosing a major or career path.
(photo by Google images)
There’s just something about sharing love and connecting with others on a daily basis that keeps the blood running through my veins and heart pumping. Connecting and communicating with various types of individuals through various types of platforms is crucial to surviving in this industry, which is why I love Event Planning and am a Communications Major.
Ideally, I’d love to own an event agency in Austin, Texas – coordinating mostly destination weddings. If you’ve ever experienced Austin traffic, which I’m sure many of you have, you would agree that Austin is the city to be in! Also, who doesn’t love experiencing the world while working?
In my opinion, the world needs more love and positive communication. As a Public Relations student, Event Planner, and Nanny, it is my job to spread this love through the act of communicating. With that being said, I will be covering many aspects of Event Planning throughout my blog, including: history, clientele, design, and networking.
Well, thanks for listening to to me rant about myself. Hopefully, this blog will inspire the manifestation of each and every one of your dreams and aspirations. I look forward to sharing my visions and thoughts with you all in hopes of bringing my own dreams of event planning to fruition, via this blog, Planning by Paris. I will include personalized and local images in my posts. I also hope to connect with you all through Youtube videos and other forms of relevant media.
Whether you want to build better relationships between management and staff, celebrate an accomplishment or simply want to let loose and have a good time outside of the office – entertainment is a crucial component of any event!
Luckily for your corporation, Austin, Texas is home to endless talent and entertainment—from Aerial Performers, to Panic Rooms—there’s no reason to have a bland company gathering!
Liven up the next company soiree, by taking advantage of what this city has to offer! Capitalize on any of these entertainment options, and expose your company to the hip-happenings that make Austin, well, Austin!
Aerial Performers Keep Austin Weird, Keep Corporate Events Weird! Introduce your company to some of the unique talent that they may otherwise miss out on by being in the office and working for you. It’s the least you could do, Boss! Alleviate your employees of the monotony of spreadsheets and deadlines, such as hiring a Hula Hoop and Aerial Dancer like Corean Gonzales. Corean has received excellent reviews from corporations nationwide, as being a “Fantastic Performer” and “Hit of the Party”. Give your company the opportunity to learn about flexibility inside and outside of the office, by booking with this gifted aerialist!
Rock Star Speakers If your team is in need of a little motivation, hiring a guest speaker is an exceptional idea! Not just any speaker, of course. Hire a speaker like Robb Overholt, who has a comedic approach to motivational speaking and gifted guitar picking, which provides for life altering experiences. Talented guest speakers are guaranteed to inspire, educate, and engage. Go ahead; unleash your company’s inner rock-star!
Austin River Boat Want to treat your employees to a Mediterranean Cruise, but lack the funds? Well, rumor has it that living in Austin is sometimes like being on vacation! What better incentive is there to move your next event to the great lakes of Austin and take your company on an adventure in their own city? Book with Lone Star Riverboat Choose from three different boat selections, and enjoy the narrated sightseeing of Austin, Texas!
Brewery Tours Booze: what many would argue to be the single most important component to any social event! Though your employees’ enjoyment is imperative, so too is their safety. This is where Austin Brewery Tours comes in to take care of everything, including transportation, facility tours, and tastings. Join them for a visit to the Farmhouse Brewery at Jester King, or Belgian Beer tour at Adelbert’s!
Tepee Rentals Routine and predictably from the work place shouldn’t extend to social gatherings. So, why not surprise your employees by ditching the plain white tents, used every year at the annual parties in exchange for tepees? Pretty radical idea, huh? Mingling in a progressive and aesthetically pleasing environment makes for free-flowing conversations that could potentially birth new and innovative ideas for your company. Coined as being ‘unique, intimate, and versatile,’ Indie House Tepee Rental’s are definite conversation-starters, which can be perfect for your company’s next launch party, or savvy-chic gathering.
Austin Party Band When has live music ever been a bad idea? Probably in the history of never. Dubbed as the live music capital of the world, Austin, Texas, is the place to track musicians for your event. Austin Party Band, aka APB, is a prime example of the energy you want at your company’s next event! APB is a hybrid group of six musicians, who have performed with Grammy award-winning musicians like, Jason Mraz, and at various music festivals around the world. Keep your company’s endorphin’s up by booking with this group of multifaceted musicians.
Austin Panic Room Nothing says teamwork like being trapped in a room with nine other colleagues and having to escape in under an hour. The Austin Panic Room is a growing trend for corporations, for only $20 per person. If leadership and team building is what your company is looking for, then the panic room is a terrific fit! Escape the blizzard! Break out of prison! Hurry, reserve your company a room online.
BOLA-PIZZA It’s a universally understood fact that food has the power to unite any group of people together, especially PIZZA! Who doesn’t love a good pizza? Well, if you didn’t before, you will after having it prepared right in front of your very eyes by some of Austin’s most innovative-pizza-geniuses. Let’s be honest, complaints at a party are highly unlikely when there’s dinner AND a show. Forget about delivery – that’s far too mainstream for your company! Book with Bola Pizza Catering instead – they bring their oven to you!
Impersonators Ah, the classic Elvis impersonator! Oh, and let’s not forget about Marilyn Monroe. If you’re looking to revive some classic talent, then hiring a local Impersonator is a splendid idea! Impersonators are a refreshing option that can lift a company’s spirits entirely. Choose from politics, sports, music, or comedy to find the best fit for your company’s next event. Employees won’t be able to help falling in love with them!
iFLY Are energy levels in the office low? If so, indoor skydiving is a definite way to boost adrenaline levels in employees. iFLY of Austin, Texas is quoted by Dana Clark of Dell to be the “Best. Team. Builder. Ever”. So grab your team, and choose from one of the customizable packages that include everything from catering to transportation. Your company should leave with a newfound confidence, creativity, and sense of camaraderie!
This is my first written article on Corporate Events – published during my internship with AWE Events!
Reason: gold sequins + pink = elegant and romantic Season: Romantic February Wedding Theme: Love, Love, Love 
Reason: elegant + timeless = classic Season: Winter Theme: Audrey Hepburn
Reason: Reds + Greens = Deep and stable Season: Late fall Theme: Beauty and The Beast
Reason: Magenta + yellow = bright and fun Season: Sweet, sweet summer time Theme: Lemonade stand
5. 
(Image by Shutter Stock) 
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