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So you want to get married on a special day, but want to avoid the typical Valentine’s Day, Fourth of July or Christmas weddings…well then a New Year’s Eve Wedding is a great option for you! Most people want to go out and celebrate New Years with their special loved ones, so why not invite everyone together to celebrate your wedding as well?

Brides.com mapped out several great tips that one would need to successfully pull off a New Year’s Eve wedding, and Devoted to Your Event is going to share them with you.

1. BOOK IN ADVANCE: New Year’s Eve is a super popular night for parties and events. If you want your dream wedding location then you need to secure your venue as early as possible. Along with the venue, you need to secure your vendors as well, such as your wedding planner (consider www.devotedtoyourevent.com!!!), your florists, caterers, DJ, and more.

2. Notify your guests earlier than normal: Most people will be thinking of their own New Year’s Eve plans.  If you want to ensure than no one makes plans on your big day, send out your invites early so everyone can plan to be there!

3. Provide transportation options: New Year’s Eve is a very popular time on the road, especially at night. You want to make sure that no one is stuck in traffic trying to get to your event, so consider providing a meet-up location and shuttle busses, cabs, etc. for guests to ride to and from your wedding/reception.

4. Be prepared for extra expenses: This day is considered a holiday to some, so that means that prices may be a little higher for things. Being prepared for this is a smart idea.

5. Confirm your vendors’ holiday plans: Your vendors are people and they have families that they want to be with for the holidays as well. Make sure you are aware of when they are working and when they are not, so that you don’t get upset if you cannot reach them on a certain day.

6. Time your wedding and reception so that you are still partying when the clock strikes midnight: Most people opt to have evening ceremonies when getting married on New Year’s Eve, so that they can start their reception around 9 and still be energized for a New Year’s Eve toast at midnight. Providing late night snacks in addition to your food is a great way to keep people energized the entire time.

7. Make midnight a memorable moment: Drop confetti, pass out champagne, do a big countdown, have a big screen where everyone can watch the ball drop in NYC, etc!

All in all, choosing to have a wedding on this day will be special no matter what! Just keep these tips in mind and really go all out to make this day memorable for you and your guests. If you want to read more check out Brides.com.

Happy Wedding Planning! And Happy New Year everyone!

Sincerely,

Devoted to Your Event LLC.

Written by Amber Bentley

Selecting your wedding menu can take a little time. Do you go with your favorite foods? Three course meal or five course? What about food allergies and special diets? All of these things, and more, should be considered during your selection process. However, to make things even more fun, we are going to share 9 wedding menu treats that can be created in addition to your main course!

Popsicle cocktails: Pair two things together that everyone loves, cocktails and popsicles, for a nice fruity treat. All you have to do is pour a half glass of your favorite champagne and stick a popsicle in the glass.

Cookies and milk: Serving cookies and milk during your cocktail hour is something that is not often done, but when it is, it’s a hit! Select your favorite cookie dough, whether it be chocolate milk, oatmeal raisin, sugar, etc., and sit it on the rim of a small shot glass filled with milk.  

Mini grilled cheese and tomato soup: This is another great idea for a snack with substance. Take your grilled cheese sandwich and cut it into 4-6 pieces and put each on top of a shooter glass filled with tomato soup.

Personal pizzas: You cannot go wrong serving pizza at any occasion. Having little bite sized versions will definitely be a snack that goes away quickly, especially if you have children at your wedding.

Mini chicken and waffles:  Serve mini fried chicken bites on top of a mini waffle and for added bonus you can pre-drizzle some syrup on some of them. These definitely work best with toothpicks or stick in them for easier serving.

Fried mac and cheese pops: Just reading this makes our mouths water! For this snack you will need breadcrumbs, the usual mac and cheese ingredients, and an ice cream scooper for easier serving.

Shrimp and grits: Most shrimp meals are a hit at events. Creating a mini shrimp and grits snack, in a bowl, fillo shell, or another edible item will be a hit.

Mini Tacos: You can really get creative with this whether you have beef, chicken, shrimp, etc! Add some lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, or the sauce of your choice

Strawberry shortcake in a jar:  Perfect dessert on the go! You can grab one of these and enjoy on the dance floor, or even take one on your way out.

The selection above is just some of DTYE’s favorites, but there are so many more options for you to choose from! Check out these links from TheKnot.com and Huffington Post:

https://www.theknot.com/content/creative-new-catering-trends

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/07/awesome-yummy-wedding-food-ideas_n_7740200.html

Amber Bentley
Social Media Manager/Event Assistant,
Devoted to Your Event

As you may already know, there are many different types of weddings and receptions that one can have. It is no longer all about having your ceremony at the church and your reception at a nice hotel or venue. The standard ideas are few and far between and many more casual, unique and fun traditions are becoming more like the norm. One trend in particular is swiftly growing, and that is the Cocktail Wedding Reception. This type of receptions is a lot more affordable and simple. Does this sound like something you are interested in? If so, then keep reading as we bring you the top tips you need to consider before planning your very own!

1. First up, it is important that you inform your guests. Letting them know in advance is very helpful because most people come to wedding receptions expecting a full course meal.

2. Incorporate appetizer stations. Since you wont be having full meals for your guests, you definitely want to make sure you have some food to snack on…especially if drinks are involved.

3. Presentation is key. To really embrace the “cocktail party” vibe, you should incorporate high top tables for standing, in addition to regular tables and chairs. Also with this type of party, having comfy lounge areas in the room is a good idea, especially for the elders.

4. Don’t have your reception during lunch or dinner time. If you have your reception in between those times, it will allow for your guests to eat before they come and also leave them time to still have dinner before calling it a night.

5. Make sure that YOU get to eat as well. If all you are serving is finger foods and appetizers, you have to be prepared for them to go quickly. Make sure your wedding planner or a family member is assigned to put aside two plates for you an your spouse.

6. Be generous with the alcohol. Make sure that you have a nice variety available for your guests, i.e. liquor, wine and beers. Don’t forget about your mixers as well.

7. Don’t forget your schedule. Whether you are having a traditional reception or a cocktail wedding reception, you still want to have a schedule made to ensure that you partake in all of the special moments, i.e. the first dance, cake cutting, tossing the bouquet, and more.

A cocktail wedding is no less than a normal wedding; it is all about preference! If a cocktail wedding is more your style, then take these tips with you as you plan your very own. And if you need a little more assistance, feel free to contact Devoted to Your Event,  where we assist you to “Host without the Hassle!”

Amber Bentley
Social Media Manager/Event Assistant,
Devoted to Your Event

Your wedding day is arguably one of the happiest days that one can go through. With so many working parts, it is easy for things to get overwhelming so Devoted To Your Event is bringing you 7 tips today that you should keep in mind that will help you have a stress free wedding day!

1. First and foremost hire a wedding planner. A lot of couples think that they can do everything on their own, which is possible…however having a professional on board will make it much more easier!

2. Create a checklist. This is a simple task that you can begin creating well in advance and by the time your big day is here you will have a list that includes everything you need.

3. Keep your schedule clear. This is a biggie! On your big day you don’t want to schedule any big brunches, manis and pedis, etc. Handle all errands before hand and only stick to the necessities such as hair and makeup on your wedding day.

4. On your wedding day you need to be focused on YOU. So, instead of worrying about how your venue and reception hall will turn out, designate someone close to you to be your eyes and ears…along with the wedding planner.

5. Have along time with your spouse…DURING the reception. With all that is going on on your big day, you will probably feel like you are being pulled from left to right. However, it is crucial to take time to actually spend time with your spouse, i.e. be lovey dovey at the table, go off to another area and talk about the ceremony, share several dances together, etc!

6. Arrange for you and your spouses meal to be prepared. There is nothing worse than having a buffet area for the food and the couple not getting any. Ensure that there are special plates made first, OR saved in the back for the couple to eat once they are finished greeting everyone.

7. Our last tip is to remember what is important. On your wedding day it will be easy to get overwhelmed, stressed out, etc. but you must remember that YOU are the one who drives the mood. If you are stressed, everyone else will be too. Keep in mind that it is okay for things to go wrong, just don’t loose sight in what the purpose is…the uniting of you and your spouse on this very special day! If what you are stressing over won’t matter in 1 day, then it is not worth stressing over!

Amber Bentley
Social Media Manager/Event Assistant,
Devoted to Your Event

So, we all know that there is an endless list to work off of when planning for a wedding. When it comes wedding purchases, there are some things that you can and SHOULD splurge on, and there are other things that you should save on. There is no right or wrong decisions, however we have some great insight for you that will help you decide what is worth it!

Splurge:

1. Wedding Dress: Of course this is number one! As a bride, you need to feel AMAZING on your wedding dress so splurging a little to achieve that is perfectly acceptable.

2. Entrees and Appetizers: These two are definitely things you should splurge on! You definitely want your guests to be eating, especially if there is alcohol is involved. Take the time to plan out your menu and ensure that you have enough food for all of your guests.

3. Cake Flavor(s): There is nothing worse than a wedding cake that tastes like a cake from the grocery store. Spend the time cake tasting to ensure that you find the perfect cake and the perfect decorator to make your vision come to life!

4. Wedding/Reception Music: This can make or break your big day! It is imperative that you select the best band, DJ, songs etc. because the music dictates everyone, and I mean EVERYONE’s mood!

5. Lighting:  A chandelier can make a room go from basic to extravagant, up lighting can make a room go from classic to chic, spotlights can really center in on the dance floor and have everyone feeling important, and there are so many other types of lights that one can have. Selecting your lighting should come after you have set a theme, but this is definitely something you may want to put some extra money on.

6. Photography/videography: What is a wedding day without photos and video footage? The answer to that is a mere memory that will loose its vivid details as the years go on. Splurging on an individual or a company is wise because they will provide you with the lasting memories from this special day that will have you feeling just as magical as you felt in person whenever you watch it.

Save:

1. Veil: No need to splurge on a veil when you just did for your dress. Simplicity is key when it comes to veils, so you can stick with a classic or less embellished one and still look just as fabulous. DIY veils are popular as well.

2.  Wedding Flowers: While a hit at a wedding, your flowers do not have to be expensive at all. Look up some sites online and you will fine some awesome ways to have inexpensive flowers for the bride, bridal party, flower girl, centerpieces, and much more.

3. Cake Tiers: Now a days, the trend is to get fake cake tiers to save money. Couples will have a 5-layer cake with only the top layer being real cake! How cool is that? One can save so much money with this and simply have a sheet cake in the back for serving.

4. Wedding Invitations: The process of purchasing your invites, personalizing them and mailing out can easily add up when it comes to costs. Consider DIY invites; consider sending out an electronic version, etc. All of these are great alternatives to creating a grand elaborate wedding invite. At the end of the day, all you really want is your guests to have all of the central information needed for the big day!

5. Wedding Favors: When it comes to thanking your guests for attending your wedding, this is important yet easily taken out of hand. It is not necessary to splurge on wedding favors as these are meant to be little keepsakes of the special day.

Up for Debate:

1. Shoes: Now, this topic is up for debate because if you are a die-hard shoe lover then we definitely say that you can drop a few extra bucks on your shoes for this special day! However, if your shoes wont be showing during the night, then you may benefit from a cute cheaper pair to save you

2. Jewelry: This is a tricky one because it depends on your dress. If you are wearing a classic and simple dress, they we say yes to splurging a tad to make your look pops. However, if your dress is already very detailed and busy, then we say do not splurge on your jewelry.

3. Centerpieces: These are the focal points of your reception room so you have to put some time into the design of these! Deciding on whether you want to spend more or less money on these depends entirely on the rest of your reception décor. Some couples like to have extravagant centerpieces with simple décor and others like to have extravagant décor with more classic centerpieces.

4. The Bar: This depends completely on the couple. Some want an open bar and others opt to choose for only a select amount of wine, beer, or cocktails.

All in all, the items that you decide to splurge on should be the things that will make this big day unforgettable TO YOU. Weigh your options and be sure that it all falls within budget, and you will be just fine! Remember this is your big day so you deserve to go all out in some aspects, just keep in mind that you don’t HAVE to do so for all of it!

If you need further help finding deals on the items you want to save on, you are in the right place! Contact Devoted to Your Event today and let us take care of you. We can get you the best deals and not to mention help create some amazing DIY projects for you that will save you tons!

Source: https://www.theknot.com/content/how-to-save-and-splurge-on-the-wedding

Amber Bentley
Social Media Manager/Event Assistant,
Devoted to Your Event

Planning for your wedding involves a countless number of tasks. Often times a bride can get caught up in her to-do list and completely forget about her own personal wedding preparation. Between her hair, her body, her face, etc., there are many different guidelines created that explain how you can plan to look your best on your wedding day. Keep reading if you want to find out what the standard wedding beauty timeline is so you can add these things to your to-do lists. We hope that this post will serve as a great reference for all future brides!

  1 Year Before: This timeframe gives you enough time to develop new routines and have plenty of time to achieve any longtime goals.

• Begin any new skin care regimens that you have wanted to try; you can afford to spend a few months figuring out what works and what doesn’t.

• If you want to drop a few pounds or if you want to gain some curves, this is the time to develop and begin your workout/diet routines.

6 Months Before: Here is where you begin to look into specific things that you know you want for your wedding. Doing these things this far in advance gives you the time to experiment and if for some reason you are not happy with something that you try, you have plenty of time for it to be fixed.

• Find the perfect place/person to do your eyebrows and lashes, if you already have somewhere or someone that you trust and love then you are good to go! Determine if you want your brows waxed or threaded, and also decide if you want to try strip lashes or individual lashes.

• Give facial waxing or threading a try if you are considering having airbrushed makeup. Some brides go the extra mile to get their face, upper lip, etc. waxed so they can appear super smooth on their big day.

• Experiment with hair color or a haircut if you have wanted it. If you don’t like the color, 6 months is a good amount of time for it to be fixed, and if you cut your hair and don’t like the cut, you will also have plenty of time for it to grow out some before the wedding.

• Exercise proper caution in the sun and be sure that you apply proper sunscreen to avoid any burns/unwanted tan lines.

3 Months Before: Now, you are getting closer to your big day and it is time to get serious and prepared.

• Schedule your hair and makeup trials. Go in with photos and be very clear about what you want. And once you decide on what you want, schedule your appointment for your wedding.

• If you are into tanning then you should begin trying out airbrush and spray tanning at least 3 months before your wedding.

1 Month Before: The real countdown has begun. Time to get beautiful!

• Don’t change your skin care routine at this point, you don’t want to do anything new this close to your big day.
• Now that you have already went in for trial beauty appointments, this is the time to schedule everything else that needs to get done, like your lashes, eyebrows, tans (if needed), manicure and pedicure, etc.

Use this wedding beauty timeline as a template for your own wedding; add to it and swap things out as you please!

Source: Nancy Caroline Bridal Styling

Amber Bentley
Social Media Manager/Event Assistant,
Devoted to Your Event

Wedding décor can make or break your big day. Some brides want simple décor and others want more bold and extravagant items. It is not uncommon for brides to go a little overboard when in “wedding planning mode.” Budgets may increase, guest counts may go up, new desserts or cake ideas may arise, etc., however the ONE thing you don’t want to get out of hand is your wedding décor. There is a thin line between what is cute and what is tacky.

First thing you have to know when shopping for your décor is that just because many things are cute, that does not mean that they will all look great together! For instance, if your favorite colors are red, blue, and pink, all of which are bold colors, it may not be the best idea to go and grab everything in those colors just to have to “find” a place for it in your wedding/reception hall. Plan out the color theme, consider dark and light variations of colors to have the best mix, etc.

Consult with a professional or trusted individual. It is perfectly fine to be the creative bride who does not want a wedding planner, but along this long journey it is very important that you have a support system that you can bounce ideas off of. It will be great to get their opinions on different aspects of the wedding décor to ensure that it all flows well.

Along with talking to someone, do some research on your own, there are tons of wedding sites, magazines and events that you can attend that are meant to help you during this process, and more specifically this can help you see what looks good together and what may not.

The last and most important thing is to do a mock set up to see if the vision you have in your head can be executed properly and actually looks good. For example, the last thing you want to do is to order all of these wonderful items for your wedding centerpieces and then the day before the wedding you see everything assembled together and you hate it!

Less is always more when it comes to decorations! Don’t feel like you need a lot for a stunning wedding/reception because that could be the farthest from the truth! Devoted to Your Event is the perfect company to begin your wedding décor search with, we can help bring your vision to life in the most classy way possible!

Amber Bentley
Social Media Manager/Event Assistant,
Devoted to Your Event

When in a relationship there is one word that always comes up, and that word is

“compromise.” There are going to be many situations and topics that couples will

have to come to an agreement on, but at the very same time there are some things

that each individual believes in, stands on, wants and don’t want that are “non-

negotiable.” This month’s blog post is all about those topics that you need to wrap

your head around before getting into a relationship, or before saying “I do.”

1. Political Views

Whether you are seriously into politics or not, it is important to understand where

you stand and where your partner stands. Would you be okay if he or she did not

share the same political views as you? Along with the party sides, other things that

fall under this category are same-sex marriage, abortion, the justice system, etc. It

would be ideal if you and your spouse agreed on all of this.

2. Religious Beliefs

Finding out what one’s religion is, is something that is vital prior to getting seriously

involved with someone. If you are religious, do you need your partner to have the

same beliefs as you? Is there room for differences in belief? Religion is something

that can guide one’s life, be sure this is an early topic of discussion.

3. Marriage

What is the ideal age that you want to get married? Are you the type who even

wants to get married or do you prefer to keep it title free? Marriage is a big step in

one’s life; you should never have to compromise on this topic, so find someone who

agrees with your views as well.

4. Sex

This topic is one that you should have ironed out in your mind before dating and

getting into a relationship. You do not want someone making this decision for you.

Decide what you are and are not willing to do, if anything at all, and make sure that

your partner is okay with that and respects it. Along with sex, you should discuss

sexual history, boundaries, and much more.

5. Children

Most people do not have this conversation until they are sure that their

relationships could be headed somewhere, however early on there is no harm in

getting an idea of how many kids if any that your partner might want. Decisions like

these along with the ideal age to start a family could often change in one’s mind but

having that basic conversation can cause no harm.

6. R-E- S-P- E-C- T

A relationship cannot progress if there isn’t respect. Be conscious of ones words,

actions and behaviors early on because that will give you insight into how they will

treat you in the long run and how they will handle situations.

7. Gender Roles

Being seen as equal in a relationship is a must. Once that is established you have to

discuss where you and your partner stand on roles such as household tasks. Some

people feel strongly about not doing certain things, or what their expectations are

Amber Bentley
Social Media Manager/Event Assistant
Devoted to Your Event