Creative Inspirations {Unique Desserts}

Many brides and grooms think they just have to have a wedding cake because it's expected of them, because it's tradition, or even just because mom wants them to cut something. But anything goes in weddings these days and often an unexpected dessert experience can bring an element of fun and surprise to your event! Everything from individual pastries, cupcakes and wedding ding dongs to sorbet, ice cream sundaes and candy bars can be served in lieu of cake - the sky's the limit. Just think of what your favorite sweet is and make that the ending to your wonderful wedding meal!

Why Simply Wed?

I've had people ask me why by business name is Simply Wed. Aside from it just sounding great rolling off the tongue, and the fact that my family held court with me to figure out the best way to convey my idea, it does stand for something that I find very important. And, no, it is not the 80s band "Simply Red." (yes, I've seriously been asked that multiple times). It is so easy to get wrapped up in all the information overload available out there today that it isn't long before couples get overwhelmed and just kind of shut down. But planning a wedding should be fun, with as little stress as possible (let's be real, there's always gonna be a little bit!). Simply Wed's philosophy is that there is a way to be wed...simply. I keep my packages simple. I keep my documents simple. I keep my processes simple. I tend to keep my decor ideas simple. I just feel like, why complicate things more than they inherently are? So hopefully when people decide to work with me they get that feeling - that it's really not that hard to plan their wedding after all with a little Simply Wed guidance!

We do it for the LOVE!

Well, I just completed my first 2-week wedding planning bonanza! I have to admit, there were a lot of details to be done and very little time, but the challenge of it all kept me going to make this wedding the best it could be. Jaime and Aaron are friends of friends, and they had some really fun and quirky ideas, so I just really wanted to do a good job for them and make all these ideas a reality. And you know what? It was quite possibly the hardest I've ever worked on a wedding day - but at the end of the night I was in good spirits and smiling. Because I got the greatest compliment possible - the bride and groom telling me it was the best wedding ever, everything was perfect, and that they couldn't have done it without me. And the cutest thank you note on a piece of coloring book paper - appropriately quirky just like they are. How could one not smile at that love! And their love for each other was so apparent, it just makes you want to keep on packing and cleaning up into the night. Because it's so worth it. I think us wedding planners...well, we do it for the LOVE! Stay tuned for pictures of this fabulously fun affair.

Inspiration from the Best in the Biz!

You ever wonder what sets the top wedding professionals apart from the rest? I think I know the key - it's to admit that you NEVER stop learning! I just returned from a rapid-fire, 2-day Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) conference that left me amazed, refreshed, humbled...the list goes on. But most of all it inspired me to keep working to be the best. I think that every vendor or person that you hire to touch your wedding should continue to learn via professional organizations and training, no matter how long they've been in the business. Nobody ever knows it all, so what better way to keep improving than to network with and learn from your colleagues. I loved the fact that the speakers also sat in on other classes, learning along with the rest of the attendees. So make sure to consider this when hiring anybody - because I'm convinced that this is going to make a difference in your wedding experience! Happy planning!

Seattle Wedding Mood Board {Natural Spring Wedding}

This is one of my favorite weddings of the past year, due in part to the awesome couple! I worked with Kim & Dave to take a raw venue - Golden Gardens Beach House - and do it up with an eclectic chartreuse and chocolate color palate that they selected. This is a perfect example of working with a venue rather than against it. The raw brick walls and natural wood beams were complimented with touches such as a paper lantern chandelier above the bar and a variety of plants were used in lieu of floral centerpieces. Moss, greens and the fern curl were used throughout for continuity. Just look how natural and gorgeous it all turned out (again, due in part to Kim & Dave)! You can see more in the current issue of Seattle Bride Magazine under the title of Team Spirit. http://www.seattlebridemag.com/

Creative Inspirations {Reception Art}

Trying to come up with a way to spice up your reception with art? How about having your first "real" piece of art for your new home together painted of the biggest celebration of your life! You can now hire wonderful artists to come and compose a scene of your reception while it's going on. The bonus is that the painter becomes a wonderful "performance artist" of sorts for your guests to watch throughout the evening. Here I hired local artist Kelly Lyles to do just this with beautiful results. Check out her art here http://www.kellyspot.com

Seattle Wedding Trends {Modern Crafty}

Simply Wed designed a table for the 2009 Washington ABC and ISES Table Top Competition, which took place on January 12th at the Columbia Tower Club. Our table was called Modern Crafty and Simply Wed took home one of the big awards of the night - Best Verbal Trend / Theme Presentation.


The DIY (Do-It-Yourself) trend is hot right now, and this table focuses on how to keep those crafty wedding ideas modern and fabulous! More and more brides are exploring the DIY trend to create a wedding that is uniquely theirs and cost-effective at the same time. This look is perfected with a mix of patterns, textures and colors that creates a lush and captivating tablescape. With a combination of professional ideas and elements that you can make yourself - from the printed goods to the favors to the centerpiece - unique crafty items make a lovely and eclectic table that is sure to charm your wedding guests.

Thank you to Jack Young for professionally photographing all of the wonderful crafty details!
http://www.jackzyoung.com

Seattle Wedding Awards {Best Wedding Under $30K}

I am so proud to announce another award of recognition for Simply Wed! I won the Washington Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) "Best Wedding Under $30K" for the 2nd year in a row. It is so thrilling, as I know how each year it becomes harder and harder to do a fabulous wedding in this price range in Seattle. Check out the Story Board I made for the winning wedding of lovely couple Brittany & Brian.

Simply Wed Features in Current Mags

Check out some of Simply Wed's recent 2008 weddings in the latest issues of Seattle Bride Magazine (Team Spirit, pg. 62) and Seattle Metropolitan Bride & Groom (Real Weddings: Morris & Schmidt, pg. 58). Enjoy!