WeddingWire Announces Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011
BETHESDA, MD – January 25, 2011 – WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce the 2011 winners of its prestigious annual Bride’s Choice Awards™. With more than 200,000 wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community throughout the US and Canada, the 2011 award recipients represent the top five percent in quality and service excellence within the wedding industry.
Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Awards are distributed to winning wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and are based on the overall professional achievements throughout the previous year.
“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of our top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Over the past three years, the Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has afforded WeddingWire, and the bridal community, the opportunity to recognize those professionals for their unparalleled service and commitment to the wedding industry. We applaud the 2011 winners for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience for couples throughout the prior year.”
Posted in Uncategorized
|
Tagged Award
|
You can change your venue with just a few easy tips to make a big transform without costing a fortune.
All you have to do is think about the mood that you want and where you stand in progress. Just about every venue will need some kind of decorations and a little sprucing up to give your wedding the ambiance that you are seeking whether it a romantic feeling or fun and dazzling.
Tip #1 First, you need to add a splash of color and boldness. Add some boldness by getting some beautiful fabric and other decorations to bundle or design in your room. Long lengths of fabric can add both color and boldness to your venue giving your wedding a unique touch. It can hang from the ceiling or have it gently flow throughout the room. Use your creativity, it has no limits when it comes to adding colors and boldness but you want to avoid colors that are too bright for your occasion. If you are going for romance stick with red and pink hues; if you are going for the party look, stick with some of the brighter and bold colors. Decorations are your choice, but check to see if there are any limits at your venue before you sign on the dotted line.
Tip #2 Think about the small things, it’s little things that will be great accents. You can find wonderful items at low-priced craft places to use as accents in your venue that gives your wedding that personal look. When it comes to romance, rose petals, pearl beads and lace can set the mood. If you are on a budget, things like fake crystals, pieces of glass, stones, candles and other objects can be arranged on your tables to accent the place.
Tip #3 By adding flowers; you are able to change the room entirely. This tends to make everything seem brighter and glowing. If you want radiance, you should order some flowers to be accented here and there within your room. If you are on a tight budget, you can use flowers that have big blooms to look grander and still have a beautiful full look. Don’t leave flowers out of your budget; they will give you the “wow” factor.
Tip #4 Add some height to your room through some tall items like pillars or candleholders to get some depth and dimension going. If you have a small place, the height will give you some added depth to your room. Using some tall centerpieces on your tables will give you this effect but be sure they are secure so that they cannot be knocked over and possibly hurt a guest.
Tip #5 If your room size is creating a problem for you, change it up by your table sizes. If you change the tables in the venue, you will be able to make the room feel smaller or bigger. For rooms or venues that are smaller, add round tables in the place for a larger feeling. The round tables will give the illusion that there is more room. If you would like to make a larger room appear to be smaller add long tables into the mix, which will also add more interest to the room.
Tip #6 Lighting in a room is usually forgotten but makes the room comes alive with the mood. Put attention on special areas with pin lights or bright lightning, which will focus the guest’s eyes to that spot. For romance and passion or a party atmosphere, make the lights dim to set the mood. Lighting will make the difference in your wedding venue and in the ambiance that you are trying to achieve.
Don’t think you want to tackle the decorating yourself. Hire a professional wedding planner to assist you throughout this process to get exactly the look you want and be happy with the final results. Call Joy 919.810.0777 or email joy@ ajoyful-occasion for further information.
It’s scary, nerve wracking, tongue tying and your heart is in your throat! Well, at least that was my experience when tapping the NBC My Carolina Today show about Yasmin and Darrell wedding series as we “go with them to the chapel”. Come join us as we deal with the million of details, find quality vendors and put it all together for a beautiful and meaning wedding day celebration.
Each segment will highlight certain wedding vendors that couples will be selecting for their wedding. If you are a new bride, you won’t want to miss these segments. Where else can you hear so many different vendors and what they offer without leaving your house or workplace? This is a dream.
So…… next Mon. Oct. 11th we will continue the journey as Yasmin and Darrell tour venues to pick out the right spot for their wedding ceremony and reception.
Did you miss the show today? No problem, you can see it on the video below but stay tune so you won’t miss all the other wedding vendors yet to come. Planning a wedding too? Call A Joyful Occasion 919-810-0777 for assistance, we would love to partner with you to make your day come true.
BIG, BIG NEWS!! Is there a star among us?
I, Joy Edwards, of A Joyful Occasion was selected by NBC channel 17 to be the wedding planner and narrator for the wedding TV series taking place this fall and winter on My Carolina Today show. I’m so pleased and honored to have this opportunity to be on TV and getting to know a fabulous couple as I assist them in putting on their beautiful wedding. The couple, Yasmin and Darrell are planning to be married on January 15, 2011 with the wedding actually being aired on Valentine Day, February 14, 2011.
The My Carolina Today show, which airs every Monday through Friday of each week at 11:00 a.m,. will be following Yasmin’s and Darrell’s wedding process as they make millions of decisions planning for that memorable day . We will meet the couple and myself on Mon. Oct. 4th and then again on Mon. Oct. 11th and every other Mon. there after until the wedding.
The fun all started two weeks ago when I met the producer of the show and the couple at the studio for the first time. It was then that I learned about who they were and their vision they had in mind for their wedding. Since then, it’s been a whirl wind of activities with site and vendor visits and taping. I was nervous for my first segment of taping but Valonda, the hostess of the show was wonderful and tried to set me at ease.
I will see the show for the first time tomorrow with everyone else and I do hope it will be o.k. Tune in on NBC channel 17 tomorrow, Mon. Oct. 4th at 11:00 am and see for yourself what the wedding series will be all about. I promise, it will be entertaining and educational and you can see the wedding we planned on Valentine Day’s February 14, 2011.
I think I’m seeing stars!!!!!
This past week I was in wonderland!
To be more precise, I had the opportunity to go and tour three islands resorts and become recertified as a Sandals Resort Specialist for weddings, honeymoons and vacations. There is nothing better than a trip to the Caribbean where the air is warm, the beaches are stunning and the water so blue.
One of the beautiful wedding gazebo at Beaches Resort, Turks and Caico
Our first stop was at the new Sandals Resort, Emerald Bay on the Great Exuma. This resort offers some special things that the some of the other Sandal Resorts do not have for their guest. At Emerald Bay the rooms are all ocean front and come with a butler to service you (my type of place). They also have a 18-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course and a 17 acre marina for those that want to come by boat or just stay for the winter. Emerald Bay pampers your guest with their Red Lane Spa, 5 gourmet restaurants, 3 pools, water sports and lovely white beaches. Unfortunately for me, we were only there a short time before we were whisked off to Turks and Caicos and the Beaches Resort!
One of the many pools at beaches with swim up bars
The Beaches Resort is another whole ball game, this is the last of the true exotics. This resort is for families, friends and couples. Here you will find several different options of accommodations. You may chose to stay in the Caribbean Village, Seaside Village, French VIllage or the newest one, the Italian Village. They are all lovely and have their own atmosphere and style. I got to tour each of the villages and loved them all so it’s a good thing I didn’t have to make the choice where to stay, I was assigned to the Caribbean Village. Anyways, the resort has12 miles of gorgeous beaches, outstanding and friendly service, activities galore, Kid Camp for those with children, lots of night life with dancing, Red Lane Spa to enjoy and relax, 16 dining options (we didn’t make it to all of them but we tried), a fun water park and so much more. I got to stay here for two nights enjoying all that the resort has to offer making new friends and relaxing before we had to move on to our next destination.
The last leg of my trip home was a stop at the Sandals Royal Bahamian in the Bahamas. This resort is considered to be one of the most elegant resorts with an exotic offshore island adventure. This is two vacations in one! Beside offering 9 dining choices, Red Lane Spa, and all the other water sports, you can go shopping and casino gambling in the nearby town. This is a smaller resort, quite, and elegant with a very British feel to the property. The island off the coast of the resort gives you a different type of adventure. You can board a boat at the resort and ride over to the island where you can enjoy swimming, walking the beaches, sunbathing, strolling through the zen garden, or dine on delicious seafood and even see special events. After we arrived at the resort we discovered that nature was against us, a hurricane not far away prevent us from taking our boat trip to the island. I was very disappointment to missed this adventure so I guess this is just one more reason why I will have to return some day in the near future!!
The best news is that you can go there too and experience for yourself the wonders of the Sandals Resorts whether it’s for a once in a life time honeymoon or an exciting, never to forget vacation. We are running the best deals ever with 65% off on rooms, buy one airline ticket and get the second at half price and more. Call me, Joy at 919-810-0777 or email joy@ajoyful-occasion.com for more information. I would love to get you on your way!!
Joy with Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Resorts at the Royal Bahamian
Contracts, Contract and more contracts!
If you are planning a wedding and whether you are a DIY bride or you have the advantage of having a professional wedding planner, you will want to be sure to have a contract for every vendor and venue you are booking services with for your wedding. It is a must to avoid legal problems, cancelations or any other unforseen aspect that may arise during your wedding.
I just spent this past weekend at the State Conference of the Association of Bridal Consultants in Greensboro, NC learning about the importance of having good written contracts for every type of services you will be using for your wedding. I have been in the business for many years and I’m familiar with wedding contracts but what I learn this weekend is scary. In today world’s where people are sue crazy and things can get out of hand, you need to cover yourselves and your love ones.
Check out ALL contracts and look at the small print, ask if you don’t understand what you are reading. Definitely, know what the cancelation policies are for the given service or venue and what options you have if things are not done satisfactory. Be sure the services you are receiving are clearly stated on the contract with the pricing, dates and signatures of responsible parties. A wedding is suppose to be an lovely, enjoyable affair not something that turns into a dreaded event or even a nightmare so look closely and be aware!
The Brides Ball on Friday, 10/22/2010, is an event to help raise awareness and funds for cervical cancer research through The National Cervical Cancer Coalition. We invite you to wear your wedding dress or tuxedo again & re-live the wonderful memories of your wedding day, whether it was recent or years ago! It is at Carolina Colours, New Bern, NC.
Almost every woman wants to wear her wedding dress again. The Brides Ball offers the perfect opportunity for women and men to experience a night they’ll always remember, and support a great cause. Brides get the chance to re-live the magic & memories without the stress.
Brides To Be get to see glamorous gowns, beautiful decorations and have the experience before their big day. You can invite all your current or past bridesmaids, groomsmen, family & friends! Ladies can wear their wedding gown, or any semi-formal dress, while the men are welcome to wear a tux or suit.
Regardless of your marital status, The Brides Ball is giving men and women of all ages and marital status a fabulous reason to feel like a king and queen for an evening.
There will be door prizes, auction items, entertainment and on-site portraits! For an additional fee, you and your sweetheart can even renew your vows!
Fun for everyone!
This is for a great cause, non-profit organization. It is a subject near to my heart & there is a real need. Cervical cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women worldwide with approximately 471,000 new cases diagnosed each year and about 310,000 dying from this disease.
It might feel overwhelming, but what if we began to chip away at those statistics by helping women better understand the importance of preventative care? What if we help women find access to care so that disease could be found earlier, and treated sooner, so every woman has a fighting chance? What if, one by one, we spread this message of empowerment to every woman, everywhere?
More info about the ball here http://thebridesball.blogspot.com/
There was a time when wedding planners were an extravagance reserved only for the mega-rich and famous, and most brides (along with their mothers) accepted the reality that they would have to shoulder every task themselves.
Not so today. Hiring a coordinator is, if not commonplace, increasingly popular. Why? Women are marrying later in life, often have jobs that don’t leave them a lot of free time, and may well be trying to plan their event from hundreds or even thousands of miles away. Having a level-headed, organized professional around to take on some of the burden is still a luxury, but many brides feel that the payoff — less time focused on the little details, more time focused on the big day — is priceless. A good planner will be “worth their weight in gold”.
What will a planner do for you? He or she will suggest vendors and negotiate with them for the best price and service; take care of the responsibilities you’d prefer not to tackle; be there the day of the event to make sure everything runs smoothly; and serve occasionally as an impromptu therapist when mounting wedding stress turns you into a crazed, tulle-obsessed mess. A good planner wears the hats of many roles assisting you through out the wedding process so that you may enjoy your engagement and look forward to your wedding day as a stress free lovely occasion, just as it should be.
Call us today 919-810-0777 for your complimentary appointment to talk about your wedding plans and dreams!
Let us help you make your day A Joyful Occasion.
The wedding has been planned and everything is on go but have you gotten your marriage license??
Below are a few of the requirements that you need to know about when you and your fiancee head out the door to get that all important slip of paper. Pay attention, this you will want to get right!!!
- Requirements to obtain a marriage license vary from state to state. It is important to call ahead of time and make sure that you apply with the proper documents.
- The law usually requires you to wait one to three days after you receive your marriage license before you can get married. The license is typically only good for 60 days, so you are better off getting your license the week or two before the wedding.
- The marriage license is usually issued the same day you apply for it, but there are restrictions on when and where it can be used.
- Identification of some kind is usually required: driver’s license, birth certificate, military identification. If you were born outside of the US, you may be required to provide additional information.
- If you were married before, you should know the date and place of your divorce or annulment.
- Both the bride and groom must go to the marriage bureau or clerk’s office in person.
- Some states may require a blood test or health certificate.
- The Ultimate Internet Wedding Guide has information available for all 50 states
Once you have obtain the license put it in a save place and be sure to have one someone in charge of getting it to the rehearsal and into the hands of the officiant. I always recommend that you go ahead and pay for a second copy at the time and place that copy in a lock box after you receive it in the mail. This can save you many headaches down the road!
Outdoor weddings are just beautiful and a delight to attend in most cases but……..
One of my weddings took place underneath the oldest and largest black walnut tree in North Carolina on a beautiful fall day.
Everything was going to be gorgeous. We had the beautiful, graceful tree with shade right next to a garden of flowers in bloom, the right placement and color of the chivari chairs, had lined aisles with pots of fall flowers, had special wrought iron seats for the parents to view the wedding, special stones under the tree for the bridal party to stand on but there was two items that hadn’t even crossed my mind that I needed to deal with. How do we keep the big black walnuts from falling and hitting the bridal party and guest during the ceremony and what do we do with the huge black SNAKES that lived in this tree from scaring the guest away?
Ah, the problem solving we do! This is just one of the many reasons why you hire a planner to assist with your wedding. They can solve the problems that might arise, they can make your wedding run smoothly and stress-free, and create a beautiful affair to be enjoyed by all.
I did solve all of these problems, the wedding was on time and lovely, no snakes attended and only one walnut escaped. It was a big success and memorable too!!
I would love to use my expertise again to assist you for your wedding. Call Joy at 919-810-0777 or email joy@ajoyful-occasion.com
|
|
