Wedding Themes and Trends: East Meets West

Inspired by our new franchisee in the Rocky Mountain area, I thought it might be fun to take a look at some of the latest wedding trends from both the Rockies and ElizaJ’s headquarters: Cape Cod.

Some trends have a universal appeal, so there is a bit of overlap (mini desserts like cake pops, for example). But eastern seaside and western mountain weddings also have their distinct differences. Check out our short list of trends here for some inspiration, no matter where the nuptials are scheduled to take place - and don’t forget to let us know if you have something new to add to the list!

Wedding Trends: By the Sea    

1. Sea candy: For very special edible wedding favors, guests might receive a box of delicious chocolate shells on a bed of magic rocks and sugar sand, or even chocolate oysters molded from an actual oyster shell!  Speaking of candy, another popular trend is the candy buffet or confection bar: guests help themselves with silver scoops and can fill their own bag for a take-home favor.

2. Foot bling: For a beach wedding, some brides are wearing “foot jewelry” instead of shoes, sandals or flip flops.

3. Circle ‘round: Couples who have smaller guest lists or share lots of friends are using non-linear aisles for the ceremony. Rather than a center aisle, the bride and groom-t-be enter from the sides and have all the chairs in a circle or in the center to symbolize coming together as one family.

4. Clam it up: Clambakes never get old on Cape Cod... and guests love the chance to enjoy a feast with local lobster! Musical chairs? By getting rid of seating cards, the reception has more of a cocktail feel, and encourages more mixing and mingling.

5. On purpose mis-match: To keep it natural and more casual, some couples are going with attire and decor that runs across a range of different styles and textures, while choosing just one color, giving a relaxed chic vibe to the day.

6. Bright by the sea: Colors are bolder -- not as rich as jewel tones, but brighter than pastel. Think celadon green or sage, antique blue, even mustard yellow...

7. Trash the dress? Some beach brides buy two gowns, including a “disposable” one that they can change into and wear while jumping into the ocean with the groom for photographs!

  Wedding Trends: In the Mountains  

1. “Green up” the reception: Ways to do this range from using compostable paper goods (if you’re using paper), to asking your caterer to bring leftovers to a local food bank.

2. Photo booth fun: Renting a photo booth with back drops and lots of props, so guests can have some fun as they contribute to your wedding photo album.

3. Off-white: Wedding dresses are not just shades of white: black and red are two of the most asked-for colors this year.

4. Big exits: according to rockymountainbride.com, confetti canons and hot air balloon sendoffs will be all the rage.

5. BE the wedding party: Some couples are doing away with the formal wedding party, and inviting only very close friends and family that are all an equally big part of their lives.

6. DIY centerpieces: Instead of glam bouquets and centerpieces, couples with a crafty side might make paper flowers, or gather and arrange twigs, pinecones and flowers for a casual look.

7. Hay there! Hay used for seating can be stylish and fun. Perfect for a rustic chic wedding.

Do you have any wedding tips or trends to share? Please leave your comments and share the love!  

Best, Liza    

What's Your (Funny/Nightmare/Strange) Special Event Story?

Happy December, everyone!

This month is filled with lots of reasons to celebrate. As we know, parties sometime have an unexpected punch... and I don't mean the champagne punch kind.

A quick Google search produces some pretty funny posts about the strange things that happen to people when they are celebrating. Here are a few of my favorites:

 

From readers of Real Simple magazine:

“The Tree Fell Over.”

My mom loves to recount the time our tree toppled onto some guests, spilling drinks on the gifts. Now we tie the tree to the window frame with fishing line.

“The Toilet Overflowed.”

Two hours before guests were to arrive for a Christmas Eve gathering, the toilet directly above the kitchen overflowed and water began flooding the bathroom and kitchen. In a rush to get everything under control, my son came zooming through the house with a sopping-wet mop over his shoulder—dripping directly over three baking days’ worth of cookies, pies, and biscotti.

From HRringleader.com:

“The Kissing Guy”
You know the guy.  He’s quiet all year at work, kind of awkward.  Pour a few scotch-on-the-rocks into him and he becomes a kissing machine.  Not pretty. Really.

“Gonna Make You Sweat”Do you remember that song by C&C Music Factory “Gonna Make You Sweat”? Well picture a full dance floor and a secretary and a male employee dirty dancing so much they were drenched.  It was like watching a train wreck.  No one could look away. 

What's your story?

Leave a comment and give your fellow readers something to smile about.

 

Best, Liza

Tales from the Unzipped, Part 1

Ok, so here's the inaugural blog post from a lady that peddles portable johns. Wait! Before you go, don't worry, I don't plan on educating my readers on the finer points of hand sanitizers, and/or how many toilet flushes per guest usage...

As a veteran of the special events biz, I come to you in peace. I've planned and have also attended countless weddings, parties, fancy-schmancy dinners, etc., and I've almost seen it all. After all these years I know one thing to be true: even if you've spent lots of time and money to get everything just right - no matter how much we hyperventilate over the details - something is bound to go awry.

Now don't get me wrong; I run around with taglines that say "Every Detail Matters, and "Ahead with Class" so it's not like I think we shouldn't care when perfection alludes us. My business might sound like a dirty job, but actually, it's a place where we REALLY make a difference on that special day, and I love that.

That being said, my experience has given me the opportunity to not only have witnessed but also to have heard of some pretty funny stuff, and in most cases, most everyone involved are able to laugh about it now...

So, if you're planning an event and want to learn more about why ElizaJ restrooms are second to none, please poke around my website: ElizaJ.com. But if you want to have a laugh, subscribe to my blog feed on the right and stay tuned for entertaining stories and thoughts from yours truly...and hopefully from you, too.

Join in and tell us what went wrong, what went right, or just what's on your mind. Life is more fun when we laugh together and learn from each other!

Best/LIZA