Lauren + JP from Matt Odom on Vimeo.

Our jaw dropped when we first saw this amazing wedding video! It’s more like a music video than a wedding keepsake, which just makes it one of the most awesome things we’ve ever seen. Bridal couples are going all out these days in every step of their wedding planning: save the dates, invitations and now amazing wedding videos like this one are popping up everywhere. We’ll admit that we’ll always have a soft spot for amateur-style movies filled with Uncle Frank getting down on the dance floor and tipsy friends giving maybe-not-so-appropriate advice to the new couple. That doesn’t mean, however, that a couple can’t also have something amazing like this video to remember their special day. It’s easy to see how this video is a very personal representation of the couple. We encourage all of LWPI’s certified wedding and event coordinators to help their couples come up with creative ways to make their day special. With a video like this they’ll be easily reminded of “their style” and, of course, how cute they and their friends looked on the big day!

Photo courtesy of Real Simple.

We previously talked about the first steps to take when choosing a wedding cake, namely doing your research. Once you’ve set a budget, discussed the style, and met with both the bride and the groom you’re ready to move on to the more specific details. So what are the next few things to consider?

For one, you’ll want to begin gathering possible vendors to meet with, with your bride and groom. As a certified wedding and event coordinator we know that you’ve got a list of your favorite bakeries to work with. Keep in mind, however, that a bride may already have another vendor in mind who is new to you. If you find yourself visiting a new bakery prepare to ask a few questions, such as:

Can they supply references?
Do they have a portfolio to flip through?
Do they offer cake tastings?
Are cake stands and toppers included in the price?
Are they able to cater to certain allergies?
How far in advance do they prepare the cake?
Can you see a list of the typical ingredients they use? (Brand name butters, etc.)
Who supplies fresh flowers, if they’re used?
Are there extra charges for delivery and set up?

Covering all the bases will help insure that the product is the best it can be and the bride is as happy as possible with her cake. Don’t be afraid to meet with new vendors; they might end up being a valuable tool in your wedding-planning belt! Some of you might be saying, “I don’t have a list of trusted bakeries yet. How do I build one?” First, don’t get overwhelmed! A quick Google search of your area or a flip through the phone book may lead you to wonder how you’ll ever weed out the bad bakeries.

* It’s possible to narrow bakeries down by specialty. Which ones don’t even offer wedding cakes? They’re quick to mark off your list.
* Price can vary significantly from bakery to bakery. Try organizing them from least to most expensive so you’ll know exactly which ones to match with each bride.
* Make an appointment and meet with them. Letting them know that you’re coming will help them prepare to offer you their best information, including photos, prices and maybe even a tasting of your own. Brides will appreciate your opinion of the product before they consider calling a certain bakery.
* Find out the specifics of each bakeries’ contract. How much do they charge for changes or cancellations? How far will they travel? Do they often any satisfaction guarantees? How much deposit do they require, and how far in advance do they expect orders and payment?
* Find out who does the work. If you’re looking at the portfolio of the owner or head baker make sure they’re the ones making the cakes - not assistants. If assistants are doing the work they should be able to offer you a portfolio, too.
* And finally are they willing to recommend you to their customers since you’re recommending them to yours?

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. Wedding and event coordinators are often only as good as the vendors they work with. You need to have relationships with vendors whom you trust, which means you have to do quite a bit of leg work before you even bring a bride through their doors. If you can answer a bride’s questions about a bakery’s previous work, pricing and contracts you’ve already completed half the battle. The rest - design, flavor and frosting - are, as they say, a piece of cake!

Courtesy of Piece A Cake of North Carolina

“Jackson wants a groom’s cake in the shape of a giant armadillo. He’s got an aunt who makes them.”
“It’s got gray icing! I can’t even begin to think how you’d make gray icing.”
“People are going to be hacking into the poor animal that looks like it’s bleeding to death.”

Or something to that effect. (Forgive us if we get a few words out of order!)

You’ve seen the play or popular movie, Steel Magnolias, right? When Shelby marries Jackson, Jackson’s aunt makes him a gray armadillo groom’s cake (that they put in the garage during the reception, which makes the whole situation even funnier.) Yes, a groom’s cake. We’ve never considered the wedding cake to be made specifically for the bride, but we can see where some people would get that idea. We also know that not every groom is interested in planning their wedding so a groom’s cake is a nice tribute to him and his hobbies, whatever they may be.

Courtesy of Edible Artistry of North Carolina

The history of the groom’s cake is varied, but here are a couple of legends tied to it:
* Some historians say it dates to the 17th century and was for a long time a lost tradition that has seen a resurgence in the last several years.
*Other historians say that the groom’s cake is modern tradition, which likely originated in the Southeastern U.S. in the early 19th Century.
* It has been said that at one time the groom’s cake was actually the top layer of the wedding cake, but it was removed, soaked in brandy and preserved for the couple’s first wedding anniversary.
* Perhaps you’ve heard the old wive’s tale that if the single lady guests take a slice of the groom’s cake home and put it under their pillow they will dream of their future husband.

We think that a groom’s cake is a great way to incorporate some fun into the reception or perhaps even the rehearsal dinner, where it may be better enjoyed. The popularity of dessert and candy buffets, alongside the traditional wedding cake, make having a groom’s cake at the reception a kind of sugar overkill. Serving it at the rehearsal dinner, however, is a great way to include a special dessert in the festivities, and many brides may want to keep it a surprise for their husbands.

Courtesy of Lively Caking of Texas

When you’re a wedding planner and you have a bride who wants to either incorporate traditional customs into her planning or offer something special to her groom, a groom’s cake is a nice touch. Today’s bakeries and sugar artists can make almost anything, consider: sports logos, stadiums or gear; video-game covers or consoles; briefcases, outdoor equipment or even a stack of books. Anything is possible, and it’s easy to find a cake that represents the groom. The most important thing is to make sure the bride has fun choosing the cake! We’re sure that the rehearsal or wedding guests will be excited to see the bride’s (and your) creativity!

* Anyone who has ever been to a wedding knows that there has been at least one guest who has arrived dressed inappropriately. In white! (gasp) In a revealing dress! Or in a jean skirt when the event is obviously a black-tie affair. OK - maybe that last one is a leeetle bit extreme, but it still seems that many guests need clothing guidelines for weddings. Glamour has put together just such a list, with all the common mistakes included.

The Spring Street Dress - Photo courtesy of etsy and Carol Hannah Whitfield, designer

* We have a feeling that a lot of you, much like us at the Lovegevity Wedding Planning Institute, are big fans of Project Runway. And considering she was the fan favorite we bet a lot of you are also big fans of Carol Hannah Whitfield from Season 6. Did you know that she’s now designing wedding attire? It’s true! And it’s accessible because it’s all for sale in her etsy shop. We love a girl who doesn’t forget where she comes from. And we really love adorable, fashionable wedding attire. Visit Carol Hannah’s wedding etsy shop (she has one for everyday clothes, too), and check out her website and blog.

* Chinese lanterns have been around the wedding industry for awhile now, and it’s not hard to see why. They’re beautiful, elegant and are the perfect backdrop for evening weddings. But a lot of people say they’re dangerous to wildlife, fire risks, and are basically nothing but litter. There is a call for a ban on the ever-popular lanterns in Britain, and we won’t be surprised if the same happens soon in the States. Have you ever had a bridal couple request Chinese lanterns as part of their decor? Did you go along with it or talk them out of it?

* It’s the greatest fear of every woman who loves her engagement ring: losing it. Losing the ring, that is. However, we’re sure that we’d also lose our sanity if we dropped our brand-new, Tiffany engagement ring in a muddy lake. Yes. A muddy lake. That’s what happened to Sara Stocco on the Fourth of July during a boat outing on Lake Minnetonka. Her friends immediately jumped in to help find the sparkler, but they were unable to and possibly made things worse by churning up the lake’s murky bottom. But word of the missing diamond spread to nearby boats, including one holding the son of an area scuba diver. It took awhile, but all’s well that ends well, especially when it ends with the diamond back on the fiancee who lost the ring. It’s a great story, but it’s also a lesson. Going swimming in a lake? Leave that shiny bauble at home!

As always: Tell us your favorite wedding stories of the week, or share the links with us! You never know what you’re going to run across in this industry.

According to research and statistics from WE tv Networks Wedding Report, the average cost of a wedding increased 21.9 percent in the first half of 2010, from $19,581 (in late 2009) to $23,867. That’s a good-size increase for the industry, and it should put a smile on the face of wedding planners everywhere. Despite the slow-to-churn economy, the wedding industry is growing, which means there are opportunities for success at every turn - if you know where to look. While not every service sector saw growth, most of them did. Let’s break down the increase (with more thanks to WE for these numbers):

* Planner/consultant a la carte services were up 84.2% at an average of $1,171.
* Gifts for the bride were up 53.1% at an average of $253.
* Hiring a consultant for initial planning was up 50.4% at an average of $920 - the sector with the biggest gain in spending.
* Other jewelry was down 61.7% at an average of $304.
* Reception accessories was down 55.3% at an average of $200.
* Ceremony accessories was down 49.7% at an average of $207 - the sector with the biggest decline in spending.

Demand went up in the first half of 2010 for products and services. Those with the biggest increases were travel and transportation and musicians, while demand went down the most for facials, manicures and pedicures and teeth whitening.

We don’t think there is a lot of surprise hidden in these numbers. It makes sense that brides are putting their money where it matters most and not with the frivolities often associated with weddings. Hiring a wedding planner to put together a budget at the very beginning makes perfect sense to us, and we’re not surprised to see an increase in that sector of the industry. What does this mean to LWPI’s certified wedding and event consultants? It shows you exactly how to market yourself in this down economy. Showing brides how to get the most bang for their buck is exactly what they’re looking for, and these numbers prove it. It’s easy to get down about business right now if you don’t look for the smaller opportunities. Offering smaller planning packages is a great way to get your foot in the door, and from there you can easily prove to a bride that she can’t live without you.

The Lovegevity Wedding Planning Institute always encourages its certified wedding and event coordinators to give back to the community whenever they’re able. When we hear of an opportunity tailored to our industry we try to pass it along, and the upcoming Blissful Wishes Ball, coordinated by Wish Upon a Wedding, is just what we keep an eye out for. The ball is actually a set of galas across the country, scheduled for November 12. At the same time, the foundation will be running an online auction, Bid Your Wish for Wedding Bliss. The purpose of both events is to raise money for Wish Upon a Wedding, which is “the world’s first nonprofit wedding wish granting organization, providing weddings for terminally ill individuals, regardless of sexual orientation. The official wedding wish granting organization & partner of the Association of Bridal Consultants.” Directions to take part in the galas and auction follow, directly from the foundation:

“Couples planning to be married can bid for wedding-related auction items online starting in October or at a Blissful Wishes Balls Nationwide in November, with all proceeds benefiting Wish Upon a Wedding.This new organization is the world’s first nonprofit that provides weddings for individuals facing life-threatening illness. Wish Upon a Wedding is currently seeking donated products or services in 46 cities, ranging from wedding gowns to tuxedos, invitations to cakes, and limousine services to honeymoons. It only takes a moment to register and make a difference in someone’s life at https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?auctionId=115386483. Be sure to add your item to the correct category (city), and don’t forget to include your company logo and URL. What a great advertising opportunity ~ and you’ll be making a positive difference in someone’s life who truly deserves it!”

Plus, “By donating an item or service, you’ll be helping to make wedding wishes come true for terminally ill individuals, and you’ll receive great exposure for your business in return. You’ll get a mention on our site that can link back to your own web page, as well as a spot to advertise your logo and photos from your company! It’s a great way to pay it forward, and gain business in return.”

Be sure to visit the websites linked above and see how you can help!

* Could it be true? According to a new Slim Fast study, one in three British brides admitted to choosing overweight friends as bridesmaids so that they would look thinner. We don’t know of anyone who has done something like this, but then again who would admit to it? We’d like to call B.S. on this one, but we all know that true Bridezillas walk among us….

Photo courtesy of Anthropologie

* First it was J. Crew. Then Urban Outfitters got in on the fun. And now it’s Anthropologie’s turn. We have to admit that these gowns are sure to be a hit - just like everything else the Anthropologie brand has debuted. The new bridal collection will be available in Spring 2011, and brides will be able to schedule fittings at local Anthropologie stores. The gowns will retail from $750 to $5000, which means there will be something for most bridal budgets. If you have a bridal client with her heart set on a natural, rustic, ethereal wedding this may be the place for her to find that perfect gown.

* Do you Tweet forever? Sounds strange, but every day there are more couples incorporating technology into their wedding ceremonies. One couple recently incorporated Twitter and Facebook into their wedding, and in fact they used an iPad to help officiate. The groom immediately took out his phone to tweet that he “just got married!” It went on Facebook, too. We have a feeling this is only the beginning…

* This next one isn’t exactly a new trend, but it appears to be gaining momentum. More grooms (and bridal couples overall) are taking dancing lessons ahead of their big day. “I think a lot of it’s due to the shows that you see on television that promote couple dancing,” said Traci LeBlanc, a ballroom dance instructor who offers wedding dance lessons through The Dance Center in Traverse City. Dance lessons are a great way for a stressed-out, engaged couple to spend some time together and unwind. Plus, we all know that dancing is great exercise. This is one trend we’re definitely excited to see grow!

* And finally we know that you guys are just as excited as us to read a true love story. This couple got their happy ending - even though at one point they thought it was never going to happen for them. Ryan Price, an Airborne Ranger in the U.S. Army, lost both of his legs in 2008 after driving over an IED in Afghanistan. It’s a miracle that he survived, doctors say. At first their relationship wasn’t meant to be because who wants to start something with a man leaving for another part of the world? But then Leslie Terry heard that Ryan died, and … well just read it for yourself. What a great story!

So, as always: Tell us your favorite wedding stories of the week, or share the links with us! You never know what you’re going to run across in this industry.

Summer Flowers Courtesy of Martha Stewart

There is a good chance that some of LWPI’s certified wedding and event planners are broiling in the heat this week. That’s because the East Coast is living under a severe heat wave! But the show (er, wedding) must go on, and we know that a lot of brides have their hearts set on a steamy, summery, August ceremony. What can you suggest to help keep the bridal couple - and their guests - cool on a hot summer day? We spent a little time gathering some of our favorite summer-wedding ideas to share with you. Fashion? Check. Food? Check. Decor? Check. While it may seem like there is no relief in sight when you’re in the middle of August there are a few things you can do to trick the senses. (Be sure to click on the source links in each paragraph to visit these great sites see if these fabulous vendors are available in your area! We love their work.)

1 and 2: Nothing quite says summer like a beach wedding. There’s a reason they’re so popular! Beach weddings are the perfect excuse for the bridal party - and guests - to dress simply and kick off their shoes to stay cool. A few photos in the water are the cherry on top! (1-modernbridal.com and 2-brides.com.)

3. While taking it outdoors may seem like a risky prospect when the temperature is hovering near 100 degrees there is a way to keep cool: Hold the ceremony at night. When the sun goes down it’s time to party in August. Setting the mood with candlelight and lanterns is a gorgeous rustic touch, too. 15 - Another option? Hold the ceremony by the pool! Some guests may not be able to resist jumping in to cool off, but as the wedding planner try to keep them on dry land at least until the reception! (3-Jessica Verma Photography and 15-Singapore Brides.)

4 and 5. Especially in the South will you see these next two tricks: hand fans for the guests and 5 - parasols for the bride and her maids. It goes without saying that the fans are a cute favor, but they can also double as programs for the ceremony. And the parasols make some of the cutest photos we’ve ever seen! Forget the flowers; parasols are a lot more fun to carry! 14 - But don’t forget the guests! A tin bucket filled with parasols for all the ladies would be a cute gesture for an outdoor, day-time wedding. (4-Opulent Favors, 5- Southern Accents and 14-Richelle Dante Photography.)

6. You don’t want your bride melting under a long, heavy gown in the summer. It may seem trendy to wear a tea-length gown, but it certainly harkens to the 1950s, too. With the perfect shoes and perhaps a cage veil this is the perfect summer look. (6-Posh Girl Vintage.)

7. Let’s talk food. If there is one thing that screams summer refreshment it’s watermelon! They’re best in the summer, when they’re local and fresh. And there are so many ways to serve it. Consider: Watermelon granita (Country Living); 8 - Watermelon kebabs (National Watermelon Promotion Board); 16 - Spiked watermelon pops instead of cocktails, perhaps (Food Network); and 18 - Watermelon mint coolers (Real Simple.)

9. And if watermelon doesn’t do the trick? Ice cream is sure to. An ice-cream cake decorated with scoops of colorful ice cream is the perfect summer treat. (The Knot) 10 - Or if your bride wants to be a bit more original perhaps a stack of ice-cream sandwiches. Vanilla ice cream can be tinted to any color to match the wedding! (Skinny Cow) 11 - A more old-fashioned treat would be a simple cookies-n-cream ice-cream cake. You simply can’t go wrong with black and white, or chocolate and vanilla. (Real Simple) 12 - Sundae bars are popular at birthday parties right now, but we see no reason you can’t bring them in on the wedding fun! (Katie Moos Photography)

Finally if you’re trying to inject a little color with your coolness try these two obvious, and obviously adorable, ideas. 11 - Sno-Cones are sure to bring out the kid in everybody (and make them forget the heat for a moment!) Plus they’re easily tailored to match the wedding colors. Cocktail hour is fun, but wouldn’t Sno-Cone hour be cute, too? (Daisy I Do) 13 - And of course every guest needs something to wet their whistle, which is where colorful, gourmet sodas come in. Some couples may choose to bottle their own liquid refreshment - pink lemonade comes to mind. It’s a great personal touch to any wedding! (Dexknows Weddings)

We hope these ideas give you some cute ways to beat the heat at your summer weddings. Do you have any cute ideas to add? What have your brides and grooms suggested to help keep guests cool this summer? (Remember to click on the source links in each paragraph to visit these great sites and see if these fabulous vendors are available in your area!)

This weekend marks Independence Day in America, and while we’ll be chowing down on burgers and watching fireworks light up the night sky we know that there are a few brides walking down the aisle, too. Lots of couples decide to tie the knot on holiday weekends. Halloween weddings are tons of fun to plan and attend, and Christmas decorations make it easy for brides to find inspiration. What about a Fourth of July celebration? We think a rehearsal dinner and reception would be tons of fun, with everything all decked out in red, white and blue. But it’s possible to bring Independence Day into the ceremony, too, without making the décor look too hokey. There are a few things to remember when you’re planning a wedding around a holiday theme. (Find all source links at the end of this post. These amazing vendors may be available in your area!)

1) Keep it simple. Crisp, white linens and plates are the perfect backdrop for a patriotic wedding. You don’t want to go overboard with the red and blue. Plus, food always looks best on bright white plates. Shiny silver utensils are the perfect accompaniment to the white dishes. If you want to add red and blue to the tables, consider using white linen napkins, with navy or bright red trim. (Polka-dot ribbon would be adorable used this way.) Consider using red flowers in the centerpieces, mixed with greenery, but we wouldn’t suggest mixing in blue and white flowers. Small boxes of blue M&Ms would be cute favors, sitting on each plate. Another favor option would be a jar of strawberry jam, covered and tied with gingham fabric and ribbon.

2. Classic bunting is a gorgeous piece of decor when used right. At a church? No. At a barn reception in July? Definitely. Make sure to use it, along with a large, rustic American flag, in some of the photos. But don’t go overboard! A bit of red, white and blue goes a loooong way.

3. Brides who plan their weddings around Independence Day are bound to be fun-lovers. If you want to incoporate some whimsy into the wedding, consider these options. Have the ring bearer wear a top hat! Let the flower girl ride in a classic Red Flyer wagon. Serve red, white and blue cocktails during the cocktail hour. Give out packs of sparklers as favors, with a personalized matchbox. Guests will love playing with them; the photographs will be amazing; and they make a great sendoff for the bride and groom!

4. For entertainment consider finding a bluegrass band to play classic American songs. A jazz band playing classic Ella Fitzgerald and Louie Armstrong would be perfection, too. Use a fiddler during the ceremony - its music is both fun and classic Americana.

5. As for the food? Go picnic-style with fried chicken and potato salad. Grill out fancy steaks and spicy corn on the cob. An ice-cream sundae bar would be a thing to remember if it’s a hot July day. Just go classic whatever you do! And while a red, white and blue cake may sound garish it doesn’t have to be. Just edit the details, but use the classic American colors. And if cake isn’t their thing? You can never go wrong with apple pie and vanilla ice cream!

6. And we think it goes without saying that a patriotic wedding has to go out with a bang - literally! Fireworks are the piece de resistance for a Fourth of July wedding. (Make sure you hire someone with the right permits to carry out the fun, though. Check with your local fire department before making any plans.) The photos of a bride and groom standing beneath a dark sky lit up with red, white and blue will be a memory they’ll carry with them forever!

If in 2011 you find yourself the certified wedding coordinator of a Fourth of July bride you’ll have tons of ideas to share with them! The sky is the limit when it comes to holiday weddings, but it’s always a good idea to go classy at the same time. Have fun with it! Make it a wedding the bride will always remember.

For more on the photos above, or to see if these vendors are available in your area, visit the following photo sources: 1 - color table settings; 2 - a simple lds wedding; 3 - life love lipstick; 4 - the vegas wedding planner; 5 - the knot; 6 - shoot style; 7 - life love lipstick; 8 - pretty bride; 9 - whipped bakeshop on flickr; 10 - about the cake inc.; 11 - jacque’s fine european pastries; 12 - taylor’d cakes.

Wedding planners have one major thing in common with brides: One size doesn’t always fit all. Just as there are brides with big and small budgets, there are wedding planners who do a little and wedding planners who do a lot. Now that you’re on your way to becoming a certified wedding and event planner (or maybe you’re already an LWPI graduate!) it’s time to think about what services you will offer. You may be interested in working with brides who only want a full-service coordinator, and we can understand that desire. Afterall, that’s where the money is! But there are many brides out there who don’t have the budget to hire you full time, but they do have the budget to hire you, perhaps, part-time. Here is a quick rundown of the typical services that wedding planners offer.

Full-Service Planners. This type of planner is for the bride with too little time for her professional life, much less the time needed to plan her wedding. She wants you to plan every little detail, and she’s willing to pay you for it. While there will be times you’ll want the bride’s input she expects you to make the decisions and plan a fabulous event, all the while putting “her” signature touches into the details! If you go this route be careful of a few things. First, don’t take on more weddings than you can handle in a month! Second, planning a wedding takes time, and time is money so don’t undercharge. And third, make sure the client is someone you can work with because you’re going to be communicating with her a lot.

Partial-Service Planners. A partial-service planner is there for the bride who wants to do most of the planning herself but may need a little guidance along the way. She may hire you to take care of the food and schedule of events at the reception. Or she may want your advice when it comes to choosing the right vendors for her money. Again, time is money so be upfront with how much time the bride wants you to work and charge her accordingly. (You may want to set a minimum, too, to make it worth your while.) You’ve worked hard and pounded the pavement to fill your head with All Things Wedding, and it’s important that you market yourself accordingly.

Week-Of and Day Planners. Let’s be honest: The week leading up to and the day of the wedding are the craziest times for brides, regardless of whether they have a planner or not. However, the brides who are smart enough to hire week-of and day-of planners can be nervous without letting it get the best of them! In our opinion, a day-of planner is especially worth his or her weight in gold. A good planner will take control of any situation that arises without letting the bride even know that there is a situation. A day-of planner should ideally be in communication with the bride at least a few weeks before the big day to make sure the details are taken care of. After that all the responsibility falls on your shoulders! A flat fee for week-of or day-of services would be a good idea. That way all parties know what’s involved and what is to be expected. The only caveat? Being a week-of or day-of planner puts a lot of trust in the bride. If she didn’t cross every T and dot every I it could be you, her wedding planner, who’s left holding the bag. Tread carefully in this type of business relationship and choose your brides carefully. You may even want to consider a face-to-face meeting before you accept this job, where you can ask all the questions pertinent to making a bride’s wedding day something you’d be proud to be a part of.

Whatever services you offer remember one thing: You’re worth the price, whatever it is. You’ve been well-trained (hint, hint) and you know your stuff. So strut it! Be the best coordinator in your area, and you’ll be taking on only full-service brides before you know it! Word-of-mouth marketing is the best kind there is!