Fire-up Your Reception!

…….with magnificent lighting ! Back when, lighting up your reception was just stringing up Christmas lights on the ceiling and candles on the table.  It was the only real choice we had.

Well, the new age is here. Today there are so many more choices.  You can go from simple and soft to extravagant and wild.  It’s like taking your pen and creating your own fantasy.  Your personality will show through the creation of lights throughout your reception venue and will bring lots of oohs’ and aahs’ as your guests walk in.   As the night draws near you’ll see how the whole mood of the room changes, then the magic really begins.

One of the popular chooses our brides choose is what’s called “up-lighting.”   Lighting is placed throughout the venue in the most special places creating a mystical gathering place.  Choose colors that best fit the colors and style of your wedding.  If your colors are blue and white, you might want to use white on your linens and then light up the room in blue as an accent color.  In our facility you can do as little as 4 uplights for the corners of the room, or as many as 20 to really take lighting to another level. And, these days lighting experts are using more and more LED lights that can actually change color throughout the event. You can start off your reception with pinks and purple hues and when the dancing gets going turn the entire space blue and green, or even just different colors throughout the rest of the party.

Pinspoting is another popular choice to highlight your cake or extravagant centerpieces. This looks great especially when you have tall centerpieces. Another favorite of our brides is the monograms floating along the floor or that perfect wall where all will see.  It’s you and your groom’s initials in lights; a perfect way to personalize your reception and enhances the glow in the room.

We also really love lighting up our patio or Boardroom when you are having a lounge area–it really brings the whole lounge concept together. Just take a look at these pictures:

As a today’s bride, you are so lucky to have these options to brighten your day.  Enjoy and create!  A few of our preferred vendors are Allustra Events (www.saweddingdj.com), Holtz Entertainment (www.holtzentertainment.com), Illuminating Celebrations (www.illuninatingcelebrations.com).

It’s almost the big day…wedding dress and shoes? Check!  Bouquet?  Check!  Hair, nails and makeup appointment?  Set!  So what might you be forgetting?

Perfection is in the details and bridal accessories are just as important for assuring that your special day is as close to perfect as you could dream.  Add a few (or all) of these must have bridal accessories to your wedding checklist:

Reception Slippers/Flip-Flops:

Unless you are used to wearing high heels for five hours or more while standing, dancing and walking, we would like to suggest a pair of bridal reception slippers to slip into while dancing and conversing!  Trust us…your feet will thank you!

Wedding Handkerchief:

There is nothing more graceful than a teary eyed bride wiping her nose and the running makeup from her eyes with her hands.  Obviously we are kidding.  Be sure to have a wedding handkerchief in your handbag, at your table, in your groom’s pocket, anywhere within hands reach for those “happy tears” moments.

Jewelry:

Probably one of the more obvious accessories is of course your jewelry.  While the amount of jewelry varies depending on personal, cultural and religious beliefs, a simple standard is to pick jewelry that only accents your dress.  Carefully selected jewelry is an easy way to add detail and elegance without distracting too much from your dress and of course, your lovely smiling face.

Bouquet Accessory

Assuming that you already have your assortment of bouquet flowers chosen; accessorize the stems with a bouquet buckle, pick, cuff, wrap or ribbon.  There are many ways to add a little elegance to your bouquet. Be sure to check with your florist or at bridal specialty shops for one that best suits the rest of your bridal accessories.

Wedding Garter:

The bouquet has been tossed, the groom’s men are in position and your new husband slowly reaches up to find…the garter is missing!  Don’t forget to pay some attention to this fun wedding accessory!  The toss of the garter is a fun wedding tradition that engages and entertains your wedding guests.  It’s also to be seen by all so be sure that like the rest of your accessories that it fits the look and feel of the rest of your gown.

Bridal Handbag:

“You may now kiss the bride!”  Eep!  Your lips are dry and cracking because your lip gloss is in your purse at home.  Or Aunt Flow has come to town early and you simply were not expecting it.  All humor aside, these are real things that you need to be prepared for on your wedding day.  A bridal handbag helps you keep only the bare essentials with you for any “just in case” moments that should arise.  Be prepared and select a handbag that beautifully compliments your bridal wear.

Hair Accessories:

To determine you perfect hair accessory, you first have to know the type of bride you are.  Are you simple and natural?  Perhaps you would prefer your hair to be lightly dressed with a few simple floral buds.  Or maybe you are a flashier bride and would love a shimmery tiara.  Whether you choose a classic veil or a unique hair piece, choosing a hair accessory is a perfect way to make a statement to the rest of your bridal wear.

Wedding Decor: Rough Luxe

Are you a trendy spring bride looking for the latest trends for your Spring 2012 wedding?  Well the Plaza Lecea has you covered. This year’s spring trends are leaning toward the “rough luxe”.  Combining the look of the “rough” and the raw with the elegance of luxury.  Natural raw woods/twigs and linen cloth paired with delicate flowers and laces. To keep the elegance subtle use soft spring hues: muted blues, greens, yellows and pinks.  Monogramming is also becoming a popular trend, custom napkins, linens, etc.

The Dress: Illusion Necklines and Vintage

Illusion necklines are becoming ever popular with our 2012 spring brides!  Delicate fabrics, sheer lace and often with an embellished layer of fabric, veils the skin that would normally be left bare above a strapless dress line.  This transforms a stark sexy look to a more elegant look. If you want to get the same elegant look without the illusion necklines try a vintage 50’s and 60’s wedding dress design or simply a bird cage veil is a great way to add this vintage look without overdoing it.

The Cake:

Think ruffles and monograms personalized to your wedding needs!  Teamed with some muted spring colors!  Still need help, come visit us at the Plaza Lecea!

For the Bridesmaids:

Your bridesmaids will love receiving something beautiful yet quite useable in their everyday life.  For instance, this thermal tote shown in painted floral cupcake (one of many styles), with their names embroidered on them.   Surprise them with them with the bag full of different types of your favorite chocolates. They won’t melt waiting for them to receive them either.

How about a cosmetic bag filled with items they may need during your wedding events, or grab them a gift card to get their make up done for the wedding day and put in their personalized pouch. We love the zipper pouch and at $12, it’s a GREAT deal!

Another option would be getting them a basic tote to carry all their belongings on the day of the event, like a Tote-Ally Awesome Tote or the Expand-A-Tote Day Extender. And you really can’t go wrong with the Retro Metro Bag.

And for the Groomsmen:

We don’t want to forget about the groomsmen.  You can give them something to keep them organized, keep the man cave clean and give them their own “thirty-One” style!   This Men’s Essentials Case is a great gift.  How about adding a little something they may need for your wedding; let’s say some aftershave lotion, cologne etc?

Now the guys are going to have their “Boys Night” too.  So, how about a thermal bag filled with their favorite drink(s), or filled with other special items on your list.

For a more formal gift, their leather Money Clip Wallet with their initials placed on the wallet with laser etching.

Most items can have either embroidery or Laser Etching for personalization.   Whether you go the “Thirty-One” style or another style, there are so many things to choose from.  For more information about “Thirty-One”, you can go to www.MyThirtyOne.com/Ginas31.

• Heavenly Gourmet Catering: www.heavenlyg.com
• Raul’s Photography: www.raulsphotography.com
• Cakes & More: www.sacakes.com
• Cupcake Photography: www.cupcakesphoto.com
• Got it Covered Events & Catering: www.gotitcoveredsa.com

Stop by our venue from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and try out some San Antonio’s finest caterers, photographers and cakes! Plus we’ll get you caught up on all the latest trends in linens and colors as well as show you around the space. RSVP here today: http://bit.ly/plazaopenhouse.

-Preregister! By going to http://www.weddingfairshow.com/orderform.asp you not only save $3 on admission, but you also save about 15-20 minutes when you get there by filling out your information online instead of waiting in line. Just remember to print out your receipt so there are no hassles or confusion on the day of the show.

-Wear comfy shoes. You’ll be thanking me afterwards. Since the show is at the JW Marriott, there is a lot of close, convenient parking; however, if you arrive when the show has already started, you may have to walk a pretty good distance. And, when you get inside you’ll be spending a good 2+ hours walking around. Give your feet a little break. On the flip side, if you wear something uncomfortable, there are some couches outside of the large room where most of the booths are if you (or fiancé or dad) need a break. And if you are super tired, check out the 5 hour energy sample booth! How awesome is that?

-Don’t eat ahead of time…unless you’ve already chosen your caterer, cake and chocolate fountain company. There is a lot of food at these shows, and you’ll get to taste and critique with your fiancé/mom/friend/insert any other person attending with you here. And seriously? Who doesn’t love a little cake or a chocolate dipped strawberry? They are hard to resist! Some of our caterers that will be on display at the show are:

• Absolutely Delicious Catering
• Catering by Celebrations
• Heavenly Gourmet
• Spice of Life Catering

And if you are super thirsty after tasting all of these delicious foods, you can stop by our booth for some water and to chat! We love to see our already booked brides just as much as the new ones.

-Make labels with your wedding info. Most vendors will ask you for your info, including us. Instead of your hand going numb from writing your wedding info over and over again, we have found that if you includes these items in a label, it will really save you a lot of time and hassle:

• Name, Fiance’s name
• Contact info: Address, email, phone
• Wedding date
• Approx. number of guests

-Bring a camera/camera phone. There will be lots of fabulous ideas and trends to check out at the show, so take some pictures to help you remember it all. And do not be afraid to go to booths and just take pictures of their set ups–we love the compliment that you like our taste and style, even if you’ll be having your event at another venue!

We really hope you have a fabulous time at the show. There are so many vendors to check out and we’d love for you to stop by our booth for more information about our facilities. There are only a few opportunities each year for wedding fairs and they really are worth the money to attend. You can knock out half of your wedding to-do list (or at least do a lot of the leg work with narrowing down your list of vendors) with your best friends while checking out some of San Antonio’s finest wedding vendors!

Til next time…happy planning!

Photo Credit: Alamo Photographic

The mother and son dance is an expression in itself.  Your mother has had that maternal bond with you since your birth.  She has cared for you and made sure you were safe, fed and clothed.  Now she is passing that torch onto your wife. The song you choose can perfectly express the bond between you and your mother, can tell the story of your relationship, and is your opportunity to honor and thank her for all she has done for you.

Sit down with mama and go over some of these songs and see if any spark her interest:

Classics:

• A Song for Mama –Boys II Men
• Blessed –Elton John
• Close to You –The Carpenters
• In My Life –The Beatles
• What a Wonderful World –Louis Armstrong
• You are the Sunshine of My Life –Stevie Wonder
• Simple Man –Lyrnyrd Skynyrd
• First Lady in My Life-Paul Todd
• Stand by Me –Ben E. King
• First Time I Saw Your Face –Roberta Flack
• Sunrise, Sunset –Steve Kirwan

Country:

• I Hope You Dance –LeAnn Womack
• Heart to Heart –Toby Keith
• The Best Day –Taylor Swift
• Angels –Randy Travis
• It’s Your Song –Garth Brooks
• I’ll Be –Reba McEntire

Modern classics:

• Hero –Mariah Carey
• Wind Beneath My Wings –Gary Morris
• Greatest Love of All –Whitney Houston

Not so mainstream:

• Dear Mama –Tupac

So many of the mother-son and father-daughter songs are interchangeable; don’t feel like you can’t do The Beatles’ In My Life with your dad just because it’s on this list. Listen to the lyrics and what speaks to you and your mother or father. And remember that you can always do a google search to help in this quest…last time we checked there was about 2 million hits about this topic, so you are sure to find something you can dance to!

Why not ask dad about some of these songs? It might get the juices flowing:

Classics:

• My Girl –Temptations
• Landslide –Fleetwood Mac
• The Way You Look Tonight –Frank Sinatra
• Butterfly Kisses –Bob Carlisle
• American Girl –Tom Petty
• Unforgettable –Natalie Cole & Nat King Cole Duet
• Through the Years –Kenny Rogers
• Isn’t She Lovely –Stevie Wonder
• She’s Leaving Home –The Beatles

Country:

• My Wish –Rascal Flatts
• I Loved Her First –Heartland
• My Little Girl –Tim McGraw
• Daddy’s Hands –Holly Dunn
• There Goes My Life –Kenny Chesney
• My Father’s Eyes –Amy Grant

Modern classics:

• Daughters –John Mayer
• You Raise Me Up –Josh Groban
• Daddy, Let’s Dance –Jamie Tate
• Daddy’s Little Girl –Michael Bolton
• Lullaby –Billy Joel

Not so mainstream:

• You’ve Got A Friend –James Taylor
• My Darling –Wilco
• Rainbow Connection –Muppets

Also, if your father has passed away, or is not in your life, consider dancing with your mom, grandfather or even a favorite uncle for this dance. You can still have a special moment with this person who has meant so much to you.

There are so many traditional elements to a wedding that make up the day. From the first kiss to the first dance, we love them all! But today we are here to focus on first dance songs. Your first dance is one of the moments in your lifetime that defines you as a couple. It can show off your quirkiness or even your deeply romantic side. Whether you are classic, contemporary, a bit off beat or a country couple, choosing the genre and the song that means the most to you guys is super important. Think about the one song that has great meaning between for the two of you.  It may be the song that was playing when you first met, one that you always played while being together, or one that just tells your story.

Here are some ideas to get the ball rolling:

Classics:

• Unforgettable-Nat King Cole
• Can’t Help Falling in Love with You-Elvis Presley
• The Way You Look Tonight-Frank Sinatra
• It Had to Be You-Harry Connick, Jr.
• At Last-Etta James

Country:

• You Just Get Better All the Time-Tim McGraw
• Bless the Broken Road-Rascal Flatts
• I Cross My Heart-George Straight
• I Swear-John Michael Montgomery
• Making Memories of Us-Keith Urban
• It’s Your Love-Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
• Amazed-Lonestar
• From This Moment-Shania Twain

Modern classics:

• (There is) No Greater Love-Amy Winehouse
• You and I-Michael Buble
• For Once in My Life-Michael Buble
• Love Song-311 (The Cure)
• She-Elvis Costello
• Fade Into You-Mazzy Star
• I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing-Aerosmith

Not so mainstream:

• First Day of My Life-Bright Eyes
• I’m the Man Who Loves You-Wilco
• I Wanna Grow Old With You-Adam Sandler
• I’m Sticking With You-The Velvet Underground

For more resources, there are hundreds of pages on google when you search for wedding songs, but we love The Knot’s lists:  http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-music-ideas/articles/wedding-song-ideas-real-brides-must-play-lists.aspx

Or for a more unique selection, check out the Offbeat Bride’s blog here:  http://offbeatbride.com/2010/03/unique-first-dance-songs

And, always, always, always, consult with your DJ or Band. This is their whole world! They know the most songs and are able to steer you in the right direction!

You’re not in the clear Mister!

While we all know that the bride-to-be has probably dreamt of her wedding day from as early as childhood, and more than likely has the colors picked, the dream location, and a long list of wedding musts.  That being said, it definitely does not mean the groom does not play a role in the planning process of the big day!  There are many things, besides being a supportive shoulder for his soon to be wife, that a groom can do that will help make the process a little less strenuous!  Here is a general list to help be sure that as a groom you have your basics covered!

Stage 1:
- Select a wedding date.

- Set a total wedding budget.
- Pick out your location. Keep in mind that venues book quickly, some book out a few years in advance, especially for the summer months and Saturdays, so make your reservation as quickly as possible.

- Go over caterer options that your venue accepts and find out the pricing for each plate.
- Choose your Best Man, Groomsmen and Ushers.  (For balance, many like to keep this number even with the number of bridesmaids).
- Start working on the guest list, keeping in mind your total budget.
- Meet with a Priest, Rabbi or Justice of the Peace, the choice is yours.
- Choose the music: Some choose to do a band or DJ.  (Meet personally, be sure they will make announcements and are well qualified and personable).

Stage 2: 6 months prior.
- Plan for your honeymoon and apply for a passport if needed.
- Shop for wedding rings.  (This is separate from the engagement ring and most jewelers will help you better understand your options).
- Finish up the guest list and mail out your save the dates.
- Check state requirements for blood tests and the marriage license.
- Secure transportation to the ceremony and reception.

Stage 3: 3 months prior.
- Order tuxes for or notify your Grooms, Best Man and Groomsmen to order their tuxes.
- Book your honeymoon.
- Order the wedding bands (rings).

Stage 4:  2 months prior.
- Meet with the person performing the ceremony to finalize details.
- Rehearsal Dinner: Plan it with your parents.

Stage 5:  1 month prior.
- Buy your bride a wedding gift.

- Schedule final fittings for tuxedos, and make sure all wedding attire has been ordered.
- Purchase gifts for Best Man, Groomsmen and Ushers.
- Take care of business and legal affairs. Add Bride’s name to insurance policies, medical plans and financial accounts.

Stage 6:  2 weeks prior.
- File for your marriage license with your bride-to-be.
- Attend your bachelor party and don’t forget to give them gifts as a thank you token.  Consider also mailing thank you cards.

Stage 7:  1 week to go!
- Pick up the tux
- Make sure Best Man and Ushers get their wedding attire
- Reconfirm all honeymoon reservations. If flying, make sure you have the plane tickets.
- Make sure your attendants are at the rehearsal and know their duties.
- Make sure your Ushers are aware of special seating arrangements.
- Bring your wedding license to the official at rehearsal. Be sure it is filled out properly so it can be signed and returned to you after your wedding.

- Make sure you know how to pin on the boutonniere and tie a tie!

Stage 8:  Typically day before…

- Attend your Rehearsal Dinner. Try getting there early to greet your family and bridal party.

- Go home and RELAX!!

The Wedding Day. Congratulations!
- Eat a good breakfast with carbs and protein to keep hunger at bay.  Avoid anything that might amplify a nervous and upset stomach!
- Make sure your luggage is in the trunk of your car or in the hotel room where you’ll stay on your wedding night.
- Get dressed. Start at least one hour before the ceremony.
- Give the Best Man the bride’s wedding ring.
- Prepare the official’s fee or gift in an envelope, and hand it to the best man so he can present it after the ceremony.

Keep in mind that here at Plaza Lecea, we are here to make your day as fun and memorable as possible.  With your booking, not only do we provide security, tables, chairs and linens, we also provide an event coordinator for your rehearsal and your wedding day to make sure your wedding goes according to YOUR plan!!