Trotter Wedding

For this wedding, we handled all of the decor (no pics yet), linens, cake, and fresh florals. Love the color combo!! Congrats Lauren and Tre!

Taylor Wedding

This is the September 26th cake. Ivory buttercream icing with freehand scrolls, plum ribbon, and burnt orange/deep red lilies and hydrangea. This was taken with a cell phone, so it is not that great. I will post better photos by this weekend! It was so gorgeous! This was such an amazing wedding that we got to be a part of! We also provided day-of coordinating, event staff (decor and catering assistance), emceeing, and hair/make-up! Congrats Jason & Jewel!

This Week's Coupon

I love you, I DO Crew!

I just want to say THANK YOU to my whole team! You guys are SO great and I Do Weddings would not be the same without all of you! Thanks so much for all of your hard work and commitment!

Stones River Bridal Expo, Sunday - September 20th

We had a great time at the Stones River Bridal Expo here in Murfreesboro this weekend! All of these photos were taken w/a cell phone, so please excuse the quality! :)

Marriage Preparation Class

Marriage Preparation Class
* Spiritual Principles
* Marriage Workbook
* Online Couple Inventory
* Couple Personality Profile
* Five Love Languages
* Communication Skills
* Conflict Resolution
* Financial Planning
* Physical Intimacy
* $60 Discount on TN License

2009 Middle Tennessee Marriage Preparation Class Schedule
Nov 14, 9:00 - 3:00 Integrity House, Murfreesboro, Registration $125, After 10/28/09 $145

2010 Middle Tennessee Marriage Preparation Class Schedule

Jan 23
Mar 20
May 15
July 17
Sept 18
Nov 13

Class Registration Contact:
Janice Sasser, Licensed Professional Counselor
Email- jpgfs@comcast.net
Phone- 615-830-7924

6 DIY Don'ts

Your Cake: Whether it’s a missed teaspoon of sugar or a tilted tier, a wedding cake disaster is hard to fix. Yes, it would be much less expensive to buy a few boxes of cake mix and do it yourself, but the quality in the end could be lacking. Decorating and transporting a wedding cake is quite difficult and best left to someone with the knowledge of how to handle your confection without damaging it.

Your Photos: Your photographs are one of the few tangible things you’ll have to remember your wedding. All of your loved ones may promise to capture every moment, but what happens if they get distracted or have a camera malfunction? If it’s important for you to have high-quality images and hundreds of great shots, hire a pro. You’ll be glad you did when you see your picture-perfect album.

Coordinating it Yourself: You’ve organized every minute detail so far, so why shouldn’t you be in charge on the wedding day? Because you won’t be able to relax. Hiring a coordinator for the day can be a lifesaver. While you’re getting pampered, they’ll be setting up and averting any crisis that may occur. When everything isn’t going perfectly, you’ll be none the wiser. Trust us -- peace of mind is worth the extra expense.

Your Centerpieces: A beautiful centerpiece sets the mood of the reception. From sophisticated to fun, you can create a setup that will wow your guests -- with a florist’s help, of course! Flowers can cost upward of $3,000, depending on your taste and the season. Although it’s a larger part of the budget, it’s worth every penny. Your florist will ensure that you get exquisite displays filled with the freshest blooms.

Your Catering: Catering a large-scale party is a huge undertaking, even for a culinary whiz. You’ll be hard-pressed to get enough food together for a hundred people and keep it hot -- even if you make the best dish in town. And, once you get it made, you’ll need a reliable staff to serve it. Caterers are trained to make it happen; they have the support staff to serve you and your guests in a timely manner.

Your Music: It’s tempting to rock out to your favorite tunes, and you might think it’s easy to do so with an iPod. Not quite. You’ll be limited to the music that you love as a couple, not necessarily what everyone else will like, and you’ll be stuck with the premade playlist. Music pros are trained to read the dance floor. They can speed it up or slow it down so that your guests are footloose into the wee hours.

- Tia Albright (theknot.com)

DIY: Break-Away Toss Bouquet

Instead of doing a regular toss bouquet, try a fortune bouquet! It is the size of a traditional toss bouquet, but it breaks away in to 9 mini-bouquets once thrown.

What to do:

Buy nine charms, attach them to ribbon, and then make 9 mini-bouquets with three or four flowers each. After the bouquets are made, tie one ribbon with a charm of these to each bouquet. When you hold it, it will look like one large bouquet, but when you toss it up the hope is that the nine different bouquets will separate and fly on their own!

So, each bouquet's charm has its own meaning (each charm based from the countless myths and folklore). The charms are actually a nineteenth century American custom.

Sample Charm Meanings:

• Ring - Next to Marry
• Horseshoe - Lucky in Life
• Baby Rattle - Blessed with Children
• Sunflower - Blossoming Relationship
• Airplane - Fantastic Journeys Ahead
• Heart - Will Soon Find Love
• Shoes - May You Always Find the Ones that Fit!
• Believe - Your Wishes Will Come True
• Crown - You Will Live a Life of Leisure

Sources: WeddingBee.com (jsfuturewife) and Unique Wedding Ideas

DIY: Wedding Day Survival Kit

Instead of paying $25+ for an official Wedding Day Survival Kit... DIY! Hit up the dollar store for most of these items and then grab a cute tote, and VIOLA! You are finished! This is much cuter and you can even take the leftovers with you on your honeymoon!! How useful!!

What to include:

Brush, Mirror, Nail File, Hair Spray, Visine, Tums, Aspirin, Pepto-Bismol, Band-Aids, Deodorant (a few travel ones), Moist towelettes, Always Wipes to Go, Tampons, Q Tips, Cotton Swabs, Bobby Pins, Shout Wipes, Kleenex, Wash towel/Hand Towel, Duct tape (for quick repairs), 2 sided tape, Straws, Chalk, Static Cling Spray, Downy Wrinkle Reducer Spray, Corsage pins, Lint Brush, Sewing Kit, Lotion, Safety pins, Snacks, Bottled water, Umbrella, Notebook, and Pens

Stephanie Simpson Photography on I Do Weddings

Stephanie Simpson Photography

"I love working with I Do Weddings! I know the bride and groom will have a beautiful and relaxed day. They always know the coolest new trends, and are very talented at pulling it all together."

View Stepanie's work here.

This Week's Coupon

Advice for your Honeymoon Registry

Create your Honeymoon Gift Registry by clicking here!

"What advice would you have for other couples about using a honeymoon registry or on honeymoons in general?

Sign up for everything possible! It seemed to us that people liked to purchase something that was memorable rather than just give a "trip contribution." We loved that we could discreetly ask for money to go toward our honeymoon, offering our friends and family choices other than dishes or photo albums.

- Barry and Roxanne Nations

Use it, as it's a wonderful way to offset the costs for a honeymoon that you deserve! Our tip would be to do a good mix of relaxing items and excursions...don't stress.

- Drew Aija

The registry gave us some great ideas, and the people that bought from it were very excited to make our honeymoon fun. Our tip is to find out how much specific trips are so you ask for the right amount. If your not sure, ask for a little more than you might think. Its better to have extra.

- Adria McLaughlin - Halseth

We went to an All Inclusive Resort and we were surprised that so many of our guests were happy to give us a part of that All Inclusive package. We got so many gifts it allowed us to extend our trip by 2 days!

- Corey and Michelle Peridot

We loved this idea! We already had 2 households, and so we just really wanted to go on our honeymoon, this was a great way to help us make sure we did get to go on one. Make sure you put a lot of things up for your guests to choose from.

- Tara and Jon Kaut

Try to put things that are trip specific, even if you are not sure you will use the item. We put down scooter rental and they were quickly purchased. This is a great site, great customer service, we had a great response. The registry was easy to use, most of our guests had no problems, and it was fun getting the e-cards!

- Kathy Padilla

My tip is use the registry and stay as long as possible! The registry allowed us the freedom to use the money as we see fit, but made it attractive to our guests. Do it - it's great!

- Loren Fields

Our tip is to make sure and tell people where you are registered. Our guests appreciated knowing exactly what we wanted and not having to guess (then have us end up with something we didn't want!). Along with the cards, we made sure our Best Man, Matron of Honor, and parents knew what to tell everyone.

- Courtney and Jess Martinez

Use the "Create Your Own" section. Its really easy and allows you to make your registry list even that much more personal.

- Deborah Waterman

Be creative on your registry and get your guests involved. It's fun and easy!

- Amanda Hayes

Create your Honeymoon Gift Registry by clicking here!

Tips to make your Honeymoon getaway seamless...

While you spend so much time planning every last detail of your wedding ceremony - the cake, the linen, the flowers, even what chairs to seat your guests in - the details of the most important trip of your life could get overlooked. Take some time off from planning the ceremony and fantasize and talk about your honeymoon ideas. After your wedding, when all guests are gone, where do you want to start your new life together? What kind of trip do you both want? A completely romantic and relaxing honeymoon vacation? Or one with some activities and adventure? Below are a few fun and practical tips to help ensure that your honeymoon is everything you anticipate.

Discuss your honeymoon ideas early, start planning and make sure you're both involved.

Set aside some time during the honeymoon trip so each of you can plan at least one surprise romantic evening for each other. You spend so much time planning every minute detail of the wedding, make planning your honeymoon easy and fun!

Take advantage of honeymoon packages that include your air, accommodations and rental car.

Honeymoon packages can offer great savings and convenience. You will find that most honeymoon packages have exclusive benefits too like champagne or spa treatments.

Pre-book tours, activities and shows to reserve the seats you want - that way you will not be disappointed once you get there.

Mentioning prior to your arrival that you are on your honeymoon allows them time to prepare a special experience for you. There are better ways to spend your honeymoon than searching for the things you want to do.

Be sure to use your maiden name making honeymoon travel arrangements.

While you are anxious to use your married name, leaving on your honeymoon trip immediately after the ceremony means you won't have time to change your legal documents, which can make traveling troublesome.

Avoid exhaustion by foregoing early departures when traveling.

This is especially important on your wedding night when you may not be getting much sleep!

Start the honeymoon trip with a complete day of "de-stressing".

For your first day of your honeymoon vacation, instead of tours and a night out on the town, maybe plan a couple's massage and a dinner show. The next day you will feel rested and revived.

Be Specific About the Room.

Find out what rooms are more romantic than others at your honeymoon resort. If you like to keep the windows or drapes open, make sure to reserve a room on the third floor or higher.

Pack for Passion.

Make sure to pack all the essentials for a romantic honeymoon such as honeymoon lingerie, candles, massage oil, bubble bath, and chocolates.

Set the Scene.

Try putting a drop of scented oil on the sheets and pillows, or run a foamy bubble bath and put flowers from outside your room in it. Find out if your honeymoon resort has a CD player or bring your own with some of your favorite music.

You have spent months worrying about everything from ordering the flowers to deciding which forks the guests will use; so, while traveling, stay flexible and forget the absolute perfection you strived for at the ceremony.

If the plane is late or the weather is not cooperating, remember that this is your special time together. Patience and a great sense of humor will carry through into your marriage

Don't be afraid to tell the world you're on your honeymoon!

Let everyone know you are celebrating the beginning of your life to together and should be treated special. Cheerfully welcome any complimentary offers and upgrades that come your way - after all, you deserve it!

-http://www.idoweddingstn.honeymoonwishes.com/couples/tips-honeymoon

Honeymoon Gift Registry

If you’re like many other couple getting married, you’re planning on taking a Honeymoon. However, after the wedding expenses are paid, it may seem that there is not enough money left over for the Honeymoon you have dreamed of. Maybe, in order to save money, you are taking a shorter vacation than you would like. The good news is that you can have your wedding cake and eat it, too... You can have the wedding of your dreams and still travel on a Honeymoon with your new spouse by creating a Honeymoon Registry.

A Honeymoon Registry is a web site created by you or your travel agent and is
free for the bride and groom. Our Honeymoon Registry site is with Honeymoon Wishes. Here, couples can find local travel experts, information on honeymoon destinations, view
available travel specials and packages, and create a registry for their guests.
You don't have to book before you create your registry and there is no limit to the items you can register for; some examples include: one nightʼs stay at your resort, a massage at the spa, champagne delivered to your room, etc. You can even register your flight and other transportation! You may choose to register your accommodations. Instead of registering for 7 nights at your resort for $2500, the amount of nights can broken up into smaller quantities (ex: 25 gifts of $100) to make the gifts more affordable for your guests.
This is also a great way for guests to give the couple money without
feeling impersonal. Your aunt and uncle aren’t giving you $200, they’re buying you a
couples massage on the beach. It’s also a great way for guests to give you something
creative. Click HERE to check out the site and register your honeymoon!

Honeymoon Gift Registry Q&A

Q: What does it cost me to sign up?

A: Nothing! It’s totally free for you to sign up.

Q: What does cost my guests?/How do you make money?

A: There is a 7 % service fee; you can choose whether to take it out of the money you get or add it to the purchase price that the guest pays. But remember, they don’t have to pay sales tax, shipping or gift wrapping, or spend their valuable time going to the store.

Q: Do I have to book my trip with you?

A: Its not a requirement for the registry, but for this special occasion we highly recommend that use one of our honeymoon specialists.

Q: How do I let people know about where we are registered?

A: We have announcement cards you can download from the site, we have some fun bridal shower game cards that you can also download, and when you register, you can input your email list and we will email announcements to your guests for you.

Q: Can I ask them to help with paying for the trip itself?

A: Yes, you can post your airfare, hotel stay, etc. and you decide what denominations you would like to break it down into.

Q: How do I get the money?

A: You can set up a free pay pal account, (like the kind you use for ebay) and it gets transferred electronically, or, we can just mail you a check.

Q: Some of my guests don’t have a computer, can they still use this registry?

A: Yes, they can call customer service and we will help them over the phone.

Q: Does I Do Weddings actually book the things we pick on our registry?

A: We give you all the contact information and you book/make the reservations according to you own schedule.

Q: How does this work if I am going to an all-inclusive resort?

A: You can post up portions of trip itself, extras that are not included, a limousine ride to the airport, resort clothing for the trip, luggage for the trip, we have an all inclusive section that reminds you of how much you need before you get there!

Q: What if I am going on a cruise?

A: On a cruise your drinks are not usually included, you may want spa treatments, a romantic private dinner, or shore excursions, we have a special section on cruises to show you all the extras you may want for your trip.

Dearly Beloveds Wedding Inventory Yard Sale

Dearly Beloveds Chapel in Nashville has cleaned out the storage unit! Brides, this is a great resource for some of those wedding items that you have been in search of!

Friday/Saturday (September 11th/12th); 8:00 - 3:00

638 Kingsway Drive
Old Hickory, Tennessee

(this will also be a multi-family yard sale)

Available Items: Wedding Décor, Candelabras, Silk Florals, Bows, Ribbons, wreaths, tulle, stands, vases, table name card holders, confetti and TONS more!!!

Your Honeymoon Style by Becca

The wedding plans are underway and you are so inundated with details that you feel like if you see another piece of hot pink tulle you will scream. The light at the end of the tunnel is near, you will be saying those vows soon and will start a lifetime of marital bliss. Just beyond that light and those I Do’s lies a week of peace and paradise, the honeymoon. The honeymoon can be anything from a 4-day trip to the mountains for hiking and rafting to a 14-day cruise to the Caribbean with plenty of pampering and relaxation time. Cater these precious first days as a married couple to your budget and your style and they will be days you and your new hubby will always cherish.

There are many places, both domestic and international, where each and every couple can spend a few well-earned days to themselves.

For the outdoorsy adventurous couple:

Asheville, North Carolina/ Nantahala National Forest

Contact: Jeff Greiner @ 828-713-3475

www.fallingwatersresort.com

www.wildwaterrafting.com

Lying out by the ocean sipping on something fruity not really your thing? You guys are more the rugged throw on a backpack and hike until you find the perfect picnic spot kind of couple. Asheville has a good mix of romance, outdoor adventure and quaint local dining. Known as an art city, you are sure to find a plethora of local galleries or coffee shops to fill your afternoons. The Biltmore, with its lush gardens , restaurants with locally grown food and winery would be the perfect romantic day. For a little thrill you could drive about 60 miles to the Nantahala National Forest, the largest national forest in North Carolina. One of the most exciting things to do here is raft the Nantahala River. It is a great river for the casual or experienced rafter. The rapids are exciting without being too topsy turvy. Many of them are Class II with a thrilling Class III as the grand finale. There are many trails for hiking including a portion of the Appalachian trail. You can hike up to Wayah Bald. When you reach the top of the mountain you will come upon an old fire tower observation deck. This vantage point of 5,200 feet puts you at eye level with the birds. The views from the tops of the mountain are breathtaking and are sure to give you plenty of intimate moment s. For the water lover, you can also hike to one of the many water falls in the area. Rainbow Falls has a moderate hike to a serene setting, the sound of the falls crashing into the water is very relaxing and is the perfect spot enjoy the splendor of nature around you.

For the all-in-one-place couple:

Cruise to Costa Maya and Cozumel Mexico

Not really a plan it yourself kind of couple? If you don’t really want to research the best restaurants and beach hot spots a cruise is for you! There are activities from the moment you step on the boat until the morning it is time to depart. Depending on the length of your cruise you will have a couple days at sea in which you will spend on the boat and a couple days at port. Your days at sea can be full with viewing art, visiting the casino, relaxing at the spa, shopping in the duty free shops, reading in the library, or hitting up one of the many different buffets. You can also relax by the pool and possibly catch a calypso band.

The fun continues as you reach your ports. The first thing you will notice as you dock in Costa Maya is the beautiful crystal clear blue water and white sandy beaches. You will feel like a sailor landing in a new world, paradise. The port area in Costa Maya is somewhat small but the shopping is abundant! The main strip is full of stands with hand-made jewelry, clothing and much more. You can lie in the beach chairs outside the many restaurants and enjoy authentic Mexican food and a margarita! If activity is what you want you can go on one of the many excursions such as scuba diving snorkeling, kayaking or visiting Mayan Ruins. The Port at Cozumel is a hub of excitement and you are greeted with the same beautiful blue water. Here you can browse the many shops or stop by a restaurant and have some local fare. Scuba diving and snorkeling excursions are also offered here. The water is clear and you have a great chance of seeing many coral formations, exotic fish and marine life. Among many other excursions you can go deep sea fishing, swim with dolphins or visit the ancient Mayan kingdom of Tulum. Back on the ship your evenings will not be dull! Each night you will have a first rate dinner with entrees like Chateau Briand and lobster. After dinner you can catch a different show each evening from Broadway style theatre to comedy. If this isn’t enough you can request a song in the piano bar, catch a band, sing your own tune in the karaoke lounge or dance the night away in the disco. There is truly never a dull moment.

For the international traveling couple:

Venice, Italy

Ah, the city of love. When you think of romance this city comes to mind. You’ll notice as you exit the train station that there is not a car in sight. The streets are narrow and each building has its own distinct architecture and is rich with history. The streets allows for plenty of meandering and discovery. A great place to start is the Rialto Bridge. Here you can find many vendors selling art, clothing, carnival masks and plenty of gelato, Italian ice cream. As you stand on the bridge you can see awnings jutting out from the many restaurants waiting to tempt you with true Italian food. There are boats and gondolas all along the waterway. Take a stroll around the bridge and be sure to try the gelato which comes in flavors such as almond, apples, apricot, crème brule and hazelnut. Carnival is an annual celebration that takes place in Italy for two weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday. You can visit one of the many shops with handmade Carnival masks and take a small piece of the celebration home with you. Some are very elaborate with feathers and many colors and jewels while others are simples being only a white mask to cover your eyes. From the bridge you can jump on the water taxi to take you to a Piazza or city square. The Piazza San Marco is an amazing sight with its recognizable St. Marks Basilica and its many venetian pigeons. You can stroll in the piazza with the pigeons or grab a table and sip some wine and watch tourists. Possibly the most romantic thing to do in Venice is take a gondola ride. You won’t be able to miss the gondoliers, clad in dark striped shirts and toting long oars, parked all over the city. Be sure to negotiate before you hop in, but then settle in for a leisurely romantic view of the city from its many back alley waterways. If you are truly lucky your gondolier will serenade his newlywed passengers. Be sure to give in to temptation to one of the many restaurants hidden within the city. Treat yourself to a glass of true Italian Chianti followed by mouth watering pasta and finish with a delicious piece of tiramisu. You won’t be able to miss the romance in the air in this historical floating city.

For the big city kind of couple:

New York, New York

You’re already singing it, New York, New York! For the big city lover there isn’t a better city in the US. Manhattan has been romanticized in every media outlet and for the honeymooner this rings true. At any time, day or night, there will not be a shortage of activity. The top of the Empire State Building might be the perfect first romantic place to hit. The building itself, with its recognizable spire is a beautiful tribute to the city. Take the swift elevator up 86 flights to the observatory for breathtaking views. From the top you can see as far as 80 miles. The next stop might be a horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park. No matter the weather, this will be the perfect opportunity to cozy up to one another. You can also stroll through the park and happen upon its many hot spots such as the Zoo, Strawberry Fields or the Belvedere Castle. Take the time to walk hand-in-hand through the Metropolitan Museum of Art and enjoy everything from their ancient Roman artifacts to the modern art collection. If it is winter, you won’t want to miss the chance to twirl on the ice in Rockefeller Center. Times Square will light up the darkest of days and Ellis Island is a must for the Statue of Liberty and those coveted skyline photos. In the evening, enjoy a candlelit dinner at one of New York’s countless restaurants and then stroll over to Broadway for a little theatre. For dessert, head to the Roxy or Carnegie Deil to share a slice of delectable cheesecake. Get dressed up and stop by Carnegie Hall to see the Symphony or New York City Ballet. What trip to NY would be complete without a stop at Tiffany’s? Even if you don’t leave with something in a little blue box it is exciting to grace the doors of the famous jeweler

There are hundreds of honeymoon destinations, pick the one that is right for you and relish every moment of your first week as a married couple. No matter where you go remember, this week is not all about what you do and see but about spending time together and savoring every moment of the beginning of a long beautiful journey.

-Becca George, I Do Weddings