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Budget Buster Ideas

By A Joyful Occasion | Published January 31, 2012

Looking for ways to stretch your budget to have that beautiful expensive looking wedding?

Try doing several large over-the-top statement pieces or centerpieces placed strategically in your room and fill in with simpler and less expensive centerpieces. This will give your room that "WOW" factor every bride wants and won't bust the budget.

Consider doing a single layer of wedding cake for your centerpiece. Add a cake knife to each table and after the bide and groom have cut their cake the guest can eat their cake for dessert. Different flavors can add a little spice to the event with cake swapping all over the room.

Use more greenery than flowers in your centerpieces or better yet, use items that have meaning to you and your fiancee to give your room a stylish personal touch. Picking flowers in season and sticking to one or two kinds will make a difference in your budget as well.

Lastly, don't forget the items the venue may offer. These items such as votives, hurricane vases or lanterns can help flay the cost freeing up money for other fun and fabulous items.

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Wedding Trends for 2012

By A Joyful Occasion | Published January 9, 2012

The question. What are the wedding trends for 2012?
The answer. Whatever fits YOUR personality and YOUR style!

Beside being true to yourself for your own wedding style, here are a few trends and ideas that you will see this year.

1. Branding – Making a defining statement about the couple’s personality and style. This can be done through every aspect of the wedding day such as the venue itself, colors used, attire everyone wears, invitations and favors. The branding can even be used by the couple after the wedding day to set themselves apart in other ways.

2. Fashion for Gowns – Today’s bride is a mix of romance, Victorian, classic and modern. Fairytale dresses, dresses with cap sleeves and bolero jackets are making a come back. The latest hot trend is not one gown but two, and changing the gown midway through the reception before the couple leaves.

3. The Unconventional Venue – No longer do you have to hold your wedding in a church, ballroom or country club setting. Your imagination is the limit. Weddings can be held just about anywhere. Put your personality and style into this venue, it will go a long way to scream, this is us.

4. No longer the Guestbook – Having your guest signing a book is not the norm any more. Signing picture and scrapbooks, mirrors, framed items, wishing trees, silver trays, and a mailbox with postcards. Anything and everything counts. Whatever is important to you will do.

5. Outdoor Evening Weddings – Summer heat takes a turn by having an evening ceremony and reception. Not only does this help with the heat but gives your wedding a romantic ambivalence and a festive feeling, just be sure you have plan B in place for unsuspected weather.

6. Guest Seating – Not just place cards any more. Attach them to fruit and specialty items, hang them from branches or lines, display them artfully and your guest will love it.

7. Bling and Color – Yes, these are still there and bigger than ever. Use bold colors and splash the color everywhere. Invitations, attire, flowers and even lighting. Bling on cakes, attire and centerpieces stand out and get notice. Your guest will be in awe and love it.

8. Destination Weddings – These weddings are becoming more and more popular for many reasons. Small intimate settings with only family and close friends to larger affairs as a vacation for all. Whether your dream is a castle or a dessert island it’s turning your day into a reality and making it your way.

The bottom line. Weddings are a couple’s personal affair that invites their guest to share in their moment in whatever way they chose to celebrate tying the knot. Why not start a trend yourself? What’s your personality and style?

We can help developed the look and flair you want. Give us a call 919.810.0777 today for your complimentary appointment.

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New Year, Time to Plan

By A Joyful Occasion | Published January 8, 2012

Wow, I can’t believe the new year is here already. Where did the old one go???

Traditionally, January has been the busiest month for the wedding industry since many couples become engage over the holidays. If you are one of these couples, CONGRATULATIONS! It is now your time to begin the wedding process and making plans.

Besides announcing your engagement to your family and friends it is ideally the moment to start communications about wedding dates and budgets. A professional wedding planner can also be invaluable at this time in the process. They can assist couples with wedding ideas, budget information, with venues and of course, helping with vendor selection. They can certainly make your planning easier, less stressful and more fun the way it should be. A good planner is also a joy to have on the wedding weekend. They will tend to all of your wedding details, by directing and managing your day freeing you up, your family and your friends so that can all enjoy your day together.

So, don’t forget to put the professional wedding planner on your list when you are discussing the wedding budget, she will be worth her weight in gold in making your big day a success.

Give us a call 919-810-0777, we at A Joyful Occasion would love to discuss your wedding and assist you too!

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It’s hurricane season, are you prepare???

By A Joyful Occasion | Published September 11, 2011

Once again, we come to that time of the year that is so very popular with our brides and groom, FALL.

Ah, fall, with it’s cooler and refreshing weather attracts all those couple’s who yearn to have those fabulous beautiful outside weddings. But wait, it can be beautiful and seemly lovely but this also can be the worst time of the year. It’s the dreaded hurricane season too!

Making preparations early and ahead of time can make all the difference on how your special day turns out. Unfortunately, the weather is something we can’t control so we do need to pay attention on how we plan the day’s activities. Outdoor weddings and receptions are both lovely and beautiful but can turn into a nightmare if you do not have a good backup plan in place in case the weather turns ugly. Not only is this important for you but also for the comfort of your guest. Tents and extra rooms can help solve weather issue problems but reservations must be done in advance or it could be to late to get these situations at the last minute. Don’t let the weather spoil your wedding day, it can still be spectacular as ever with planning ahead of time. No one likes to be stressed at a time when you should be enjoying your lovely day so, make those arrangements now!

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Two Smashing Weddings

By A Joyful Occasion | Published September 11, 2011

I love what I do! In the past two weeks I have had such wonderful weddings with two super couples.

First, Stephanie and Ryan were married August 27th at the Grand Marquise which is such a beautiful and elegant site in Garner. It was the hurricane weekend and we didn’t know quite what to expect. Would there be electricity? Would we be able to get the food prepare on time? Would the guest even come? As it turned out, the answer was “yes” to all of the questions. Beside the fact that hair and makeup had a rough start with on and off electricity, everything else went extremely smooth and wonderful. We even had a full house of guest that enjoyed their evening!

All in all, the day was a big success thanks to our vendors doing a professional job working together as a team that helped to make their day the very best day possible! The bride was lovely and the groom handsome. You never would of known we had terrible weather that day because inside everyone was happy and dry. Congratulations to a very special, loving couple who I will miss dearly!

The second wedding was held on Sept. 3rd and it was an Egyptian/Lebanese wedding. Their ceremony was at a Raleigh church and the reception was held at the Renaissance Raleigh Hotel at North Hills. It was an exciting day for Laura and Christopher, with many customs and cultural aspects to their wedding ceremony and reception. Everyone was excited for this outgoing couple and the atmosphere was electrifying throughout the entire afternoon and late into the evening. Laura and Chris had special dancers that perform to entertain their guest including a belly dancer, special food and a huge, stunning 7 layer cake with Egyptian/Lebanese desserts. The guest were on their feet most of the night as they danced the night away and having a fabulous time. I know Laura and Chris had the wedding of their dreams. It was a blast and very memorable day for the two of them. I wish you two all of life’s love and happiness!

Look for pictures soon.

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Ashley and David’s May Wedding

By A Joyful Occasion | Published June 17, 2011

http://imgur.com/a/EtN1X#U31Mn

Brier Creek Country Country was the setting for Ashley and David’s wedding in May. They had come home to get married after living and going to school in Savannah. Ashley had her heart set on an outside ceremony but unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. Instead, we transformed the Palmer’s Cove into a cozy spot for their ceremony and with all of their guest they became Mr. and Mrs. in an emotional ceremony. Their day turned out lovely and everyone had an awesome time! Good luck to you both and to their new lives together.

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By A Joyful Occasion | Published June 17, 2011

http://imgur.com/a/EtN1X#U31Mn

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Tracy and Michael’s beautiful wedding at Duke Chapel

By A Joyful Occasion | Published June 17, 2011

http://weddingphotographernh.net/2011/06/13/duke-chapel-durham-north-carolina-wedding-tracy-and-michael/

What a beautiful wedding we had at Duke Chapel for Tracy and Michael. Take a look at this photographer’s link for some fabulous pictures showing you how their day flowed. It was a personal day full of details with a black, red and ivory theme. It was truly lovely for a lovely couple!

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Crystal and Andy’s Wedding, a sunny outdoor wedding!

By A Joyful Occasion | Published June 17, 2011

Crystal and Andy had an outdoors wedding on a bright sunny day. They had planned for a small wedding for just their families and closest of friends at the Raleigh Country Club which suited them perfectly. The food was delicious and they danced the night away with the party continuing elsewhere after their reception! We wish you the very best in the years to come.

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My NBC Wedding Airs Mon. Feb. 14th at 11:00 a.m.

By A Joyful Occasion | Published February 14, 2011

The day is finally here!

Tomorrow, Feb. 14th, Valentine’s Day, the NBC wedding series called “Going to the Chapel” on My Carolina Today show will finally be airing Yasmin’s and Darrell’s wedding at 11:00-12:00 a.m. on channel 17. I can’t wait to see the show and I’m as anxious as everyone else to see what NBC has filmed of their wedding that took place on January 15th at The Grand Marquise.

On the morning of the wedding, Yasmin had Images by Denise a professional makeup artist assist her with her makeup. After dressing, Yasmin and her bridal party went to the church to wait for the ceremony to begin.

It was 2:00 p.m. that January day and the guest were seated as the bridal party slowly walked down the church aisle and took their places. All eyes were on Yasmin as she was escorted down the aisle by her Father looking radiated in her ivory flowing gown and long sweeping veil from Victoria Rose. With tears of joy in her eyes and full of happiness, Darrell and Yasmin finally tied the knot to become Man and Wife. Mike Bayley Photography was in charge of capturing their special moments of the day and as they left, a rose petal send-off was given to the pair as they headed to the reception in their limo.

As the guest arrived at The Grand Marquise, they were welcome with a heart shaped ice sculpture with the couple’s name and monogram etched in the ice by Ice Occasion. In the grand foyer, guest were treated with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while listening to James Brown, a jazz saxophone player and had some fun with pictures from Shutterbooth.

The ballroom was stunning with their fuchsia and chocolate brown color scheme with just a little touch of yellow for a surprise. The ambiance was warm and romantic made gorgeous with flowers and candles that filled the tables and stairs by Fresh Affairs. The dance floor was lit by their monogram for dancing and the rentals of linens along with interesting shaped dish ware were provided by Party Reflections Rental.

The food was not only delicious but a work of art from Catering Works and Sweet Memories provided the sumptuous cake that was stacked high as a center piece for all to admire. Sugarland provided a special snack with Gelato ice for all that danced the night away while listening to the tunes of the DJ and the band. A little touch of sweetness was given throughout the night with a candy bar of Yasmin’s and Darrell’s “favorite candy”.

As the night came to the end, Yasmin changed into a little white dress for the last dance and for their final good byes. It was a cold night and so their guest enjoyed their parting gift of a hot chocolate favor and watched as Yasmin and Darrell drove away tried but happy.

It was a beautiful, successful wedding story making lastly memories for Yasmin, Darrell, and their families for many years to come. I too, wish them the very best as they begin their new chapter of life together.

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