Merry Christmas from For Your Memories
There’s Something Charming about Elum…
Something I’ve always been particular about is stationery. I think the cards, invitations and paper one writes on and gives, makes a statement. It thrills me to no end when I receive a beautiful card; in fact, it’s a well-known fact in my circle that I’m a card connoisseur. Perhaps I look into this slightly more than others; however I think something as simple as a card or invitation indicates if an individual takes pleasure in the little things and gives tremendous insight into their personal style. And though some may think a card or invitation may be easily overlooked, people do take notice and I believe they truly appreciate a hand-written note of gratitude or a beautiful invitation that makes them feel honored not only be invited, but honored to be a recipient of a beautifully designed, well-crafted invite. Elum is the epitome of this.
After perusing literally hundreds of holiday cards I decided on these two letter-pressed Elum designs~ The red and tan card for my more ‘grown-up,’ traditional friends and the pink and brown for my younger, more trendy friends. I loved giving them because I knew they were beautiful, but I loved even more receiving so many rave reviews, hearing the comments and watching friends run their fingers over the paper and take in the striking design. There’s gratification in knowing my carefully-chosen card is one my neighbor or best friend won’t likely receive twice.
This concept of careful-choosing is of the utmost importance when selecting wedding invitations, announcements and thank you cards. Luckily, Elum carries a beautiful line of wedding invitations, save-the-dates, announcements and personalized stationery. They also have boxed stationery sets, calendars and journals that are perfect gifts for bridesmaids (and they’re affordable!) What’s even better, they have wrapping paper too, so not only will the gift wow, the presentation will impress as well.
Visit www.elumdesigns.com to find a design that suits you or visit local stationer Tysh Mefferd at Papercraze (www.papercraze.com) to view her coveted Elum collection and get instant gratification… no waiting for delivery! What will your stationery say about you?
Lindsey Smith
Photography by Design
I bought a flip today and used it for the first time at Wayne’s studio. He had no idea what I was doing when I got there…
I had an opportunity today to go over and see the new studio of Wayne Sandlin with Photography by Design. He moved just one block over and even though the move itself didn’t sound like any fun, he is in a bright new space that is large enough to accommodate the fullest of wedding gowns and the largest of families. He has images from weddings past on his walls along with pictures of service men and women, dogs, expectant mothers, and families. (Most of the later are past brides who stay loyal to Wayne for all of their photographic needs). Wayne has a larger than life personality that makes you feel right at ease during a consultation. He will tell stories from weddings when you are thumbing through the albums or seeing them on the TV screen and you will never meet with anyone other than Wayne. He will be with you for your engagement pictures, bridal session, and on the day of your wedding or more he wants to know his clients and feel comfortable with them as much as a client wants to feel comfortable with him. He walks you through his process from arranging session times and places to the equipment he uses to showing you how you will proof your pictures for albums, you go on a brief tour of the studio, and then you sit for a q&a session. Wayne is not a born salesman so don’t expect him to act like a used car pusher…he won’t. You will leave with a packet of information on Wayne, his pricing, and his preferred vendor list (see wedding planner!) and if you don’t sign with him before leaving his studio…what am I saying…you will! Truly, Wayne has a big heart, is innately talented, and loves weddings. Few things found in photographers these days. Happy picture taking in your new studio Wayne!
Summer Colgin
www.foryourmemories.com
American Table Service is Dead.
I really wish that I had what it takes to tell wait staff what they are doing wrong! This may sound harsh and I am not referring to the guy that served me at Chili’s the other night although he could use a few pointers. I am talking about fine dining; a place reserved for special occasions (for most of us). Is it too much to ask to be served from the right and have my plate cleared from the left? This is not rocket science and if my silverware is properly displaying the “I am finished with my plate” universal sign then please come and take my plate! And, when you do take my plate, make sure to secure the silverware so the sharp steak knife pointing now at my head does not make its way off of the plate. Smile! For Pete’s sake smile when you are at the table, look me in the eye, and don’t make me track you down for more tea… Okay, I am done, but thank you Perry’s for making me realize that I should single handedly take on the service industry. Well, maybe some day.
Summer For Your Memories
www.foryourmemories.com
Brides – Choose the cupcake, not the cake!
Everyone’s heard of replacing the traditional bride’s cake with cupcakes, a trend that’s unpretentious, avoided the cake-cutting fee and proven the couple to be noticeably unconventional. However, I’m not taking that expected route with my cupcake commentary.
Let’s just say cupcakes are a great way to exercise portion-control… a concept that I repeatedly fail at. I am willing to pay more at the store for convenience, willing to spend more money for food that comes packaged in proper portions as opposed to, God-forbid, possessing some self-control and not devouring nearly an entire box of reduced-fat wheat thins (which when you eat that much, defeats the benefit of consuming a reduced-fat food… moving on…)
So, I thought that while I’m not a bride, this is something a bride can absolutely relate to… a need for portion control, especially during those vital months preceding the wedding, when discipline may be slipping. Think of girl’s night, dining out, movie night, holidays, birthdays or any celebratory event – food and desserts are a major component, a component that can easily get out of hand. Trust me, as a kind get-well gesture a few of us decided to give a friend a cookie cake… later that night it was gone SO as opposed to eating 1/3 of a cookie cake I could have easily been satisfied with one cupcake. At a recent holiday shindig a few sugar cookies, chocolates and a piece of cake later I vowed (once again) that I would not eat a thing for at least two days. The guilt and calories could have easily been alleviated by simply switching to a single, satisfying cupcake. Discipline-impaired brides make the right decision, save calories, avoid the guilt-trips and save money not having to purchase additional fabric for your gown – opt for a cupcake rather than a cake.
Check out a few of my favorites~ The Va-Va Vanilla cupcake at Sugar Baby’s Cupcake Boutique on South Shepherd (www.ilovesugarbabys.com – also a sweet spot for a pre-wedding girl’s get-together) and the Coconut cupcake at Crave Cupcakes in Uptown Park (www.cravecupcakes.com)
Lindsey Smith
Traditions
Just like the holidays, weddings have their own set of traditions and cultural requirements that change based on your culture, your religion, your family. Just like my family knows we will have a fully loaded Douglas Fir the week after Thanksgiving, bride’s families know that once the engagement is announced their will be long standing traditions to plan and family heirlooms to dust off which means hours of reminiscing on those gone before. This has to be one of my favorite parts when planning a wedding…discovering the things that will truly make this wedding different. Hearing the stories about the kneeler that has been used in every family wedding from east coast to west since it was made in the early 40’s, the veil that was passed down from bride to bride for generations, or the cake topper that has sat on top of more cakes than anyone can recall. Of course these are traditions passed from family to family, but there are time held rituals that play an even broader role in cultures & religions. These too can add an element of distinction in a wedding and they give meaning that stretches far beyond the wedding day. When my husband and I got married in Mexico we decided to incorporate the Arras (coins) and the lasso (or lazo) to symbolize the groom’s promise (and ability) to support his family and eternal union respectively. Since we didn’t really have family traditions or cultural rituals to rely on we just said “when in Rome…” You can do the same with a little research or just start your own!
Summer Colgin
Marrying a Sports Fanatic?
Planning your wedding date around football, basketball, or baseball season? Here are dates to consider if your soon-to-be-husband is a sports fanatic!
Houston Texan’s 2008 Schedule Sundays from September 7th – December 28th 2008
–The 2009 schedule will be available in April 2009
– Super Bowl – Feb 1st 2009
– World Series – Oct. 28th 2009 (plan for this event through Nov. 5th for safety)
Houston Rocket’s 2008-2009 Schedule
–NBA Finals 2009 – sometime in mid-June; the 2009 date has not been set at this point
He more of a collegiate sports fan?
Big 12 Football: Click Here
–The Big 12 League Championship to determine who will play in the BCS is Dec. 6th 2008
Big 12 Baseball: Click Here
–Big 12 Baseball Championship May 20th – 24th 2009
Big 12 Basketball: Click Here
–Big 12 Basketball Championship March 11th – 14th 2009
–NCAA Championships – March 17th 2009 – April 6th 2009
Summer Hutchens-Colgin
For Your Memories
TODAY’S WEDDINGS — Introduction
All through recorded history there has been uniting of couples in some form of ceremony whether it was religious, cultural or traditional. In our society today weddings are personalized to the extent that they may combine all of these former ceremony aspects, stirring in a little fun here and there in the mixture. The “I do’s” become more meaningful, but at the same time they involve a lot more details and decisions.
There are two important life experiences for a woman when every other woman she comes in contact with is an “expert” and will tell her exactly “what she needs to know”. These two times are when she is getting married and when she is going to have a baby. (Of course, we are discussing the former here.) When making detail decisions you can certainly listen to or read what well-meaning “been there/done that” advisers tell you, but basically there are really just three things you need to keep in mind. First, there are professionals who can guide you in the right direction – wedding consultants with the knowledge and experience to keep you from making costly mistakes or embarrassing blunders. Second, if you choose to plan and organize without the help of a professional, there are etiquette and planning books that you should constantly study and reference. Finally, try to keep things in perspective, remembering that all this planning is just for a one day event. Granted, it is an important, memorable event, but the real focus should be on the marriage itself which is for a lifetime.
For this reason, when planning, be sensitive to and considerate of the important relationships that you are starting and those that you hope to be enhancing.
Karen Brown
For Your Memories
Complicated can be fun…
I know this notion seems like a paradox, but hear me out… I’ve heard from various sources, bride’s mothers, grandmothers, aunts and my own mother how planning a wedding has evolved into something so complicated it’s hardly reminiscent of their wedding planning experience back in the day. The invitations, menu, gown, cake… the possibilities are nearly endless. There are more resources today than ever before – more bridal magazines, books and vendors to choose from – some might argue this is a saturated market and brides are overexposed to options thus creating a stressful and complicated wedding planning experience… BUT with knowledge comes responsibility. If one has knowledge of all the wonderful opportunities to make a more personal and fabulous wedding, one then has the responsibility to uphold and honor that knowledge.
Not often do you find brides handing all the plans over to mom or aunt, and then showing up to one of the most important days of her life unaware of who was invited or if the cake’s icing is fondant or butter cream. My mother didn’t have much to do with her own wedding, as family members immediately took the reigns after the announcement of the engagement…. I’m sure it was simply a nice gesture, and family will always be involved, but not being able to choose your invitations? Colors? Location? Thank you, but no thank you! Bring on the complications… give me a list of bands not only from other cities, but other states. Let me browse dozens of stationery books, or better yet, create a custom, unlike any other, invitation. Give me the option to import exotic flowers no one has ever heard of and dozens of shades of white to choose from… As long as the planning is mostly enjoyable and the precise vision is coming to fruition, bring on the headache of overwhelm! According to the words of Mr. Mellencamp… “It hurts so good!”
Lindsey Smith
For Your Memories
Planning a wedding during hurricane season?
Hurricane season for Houston is at its peak in September, but be warned late August and early October can produce some not-so-welcome weather on your wedding day. And even though it has been said to be good luck if it rains on your wedding day, if it is rained out I have a feeling you will not feel so fortunate! First things first, read your contracts! Make sure there is a clear explanation outlining procedures the location will take and what your rights are if the location is damaged due to an “Act of God.” So what are your options? There is the matter of location, selecting a ceremony & reception site away from low lying coastal areas is optimal. Locations that are more inland tend to take less of a beating and have less chance of flooding. If your heart is set on a beachside wedding, be prepared to move your wedding location or cancel all together. No one wants to think about these things when selecting a wedding date but having wedding insurance in case of a natural disaster such as Hurricane Ike will not make the move any easier, but it will protect you against losing the deposits and payments you have mode to your vendors to secure your date. Especially if the weather cancels your wedding within a week of your event since you will have paid your vendors in full. If you are able to move your wedding to a location that is still available on your upcoming date, be sure to let all of your vendors know the new location and get confirmation from them of the change. Be reasonable when selecting your wedding dates and locations and understand that Mother Nature doesn’t need an invitation!
Summer Hutchens-Colgin
For Your Memories
www.foryourmemories.com