Part 2: 2013 Year in Review: Oliveaire Design Studio

2014's Top 5 Wedding Theme Trends

From the simple and savvy, to the grand and dramatic, 2014 weddings seem to cover all realms of themes and the Brides themselves.  Newly engaged and not sure what to do? Well not to worry, we have the Top 5 Wedding Theme Trends for 2014 that might spark an idea for your dream day!

Vintage Is Here To Stay

That’s right!  The vintage theme is still going strong in 2014!  The simple, savvy and very creative Brides have kept this theme trending and are doing it better than ever!  With the elegance of the neutral tones, the simplicity of the venue, and the unique use of old furniture and props, who could blame a Bride for choosing this breathtaking theme for their very own wedding day.  Vintage Weddings bring together the old and the new, and that is something everyone can appreciate!

 Bohemian Chic

2014 Bride’s seem to be in love with the whimsical details of a Bohemian themed wedding.  From the flowing dresses and the floral headpieces, to the use of wild flowers and neutral tones, the relaxed bride and groom are grasping this theme and running with it. 

With the Bohemian Chic theme, it may be very simple to find your venue… just go exploring!  Whether it is in the middle of a forest or a large open field, Bohemian Brides are taking these spots that are not commonly used, and creating them into a beautiful and unique space.  With touches of lace, neutral tones, floral and candlelight, a blank canvas can turn into a masterpiece.

 Rustic/Country

The Brides this year are really going with neutral tones and simplicity for their wedding and that doesn’t fall short for the Rustic/Country theme that is still trending!  The old rustic barn combined with neutral tones, lighting, lace and floral really brings an element of romance that not many themes capture.  As you see below, the old rustic barn can bring a bride’s vision to life, no matter how she pictures it!    

Bright and Beautiful

With Chicago being the “frozen tundra” this year, Brides are overwhelmingly excited for their summer wedding and are doing it with very vibrant colors!  Every color in the rainbow is being used in the brightest way and it is making us desire the warm temperatures of summer!  Everything from the linen and floral, to the dresses and props, these blues, oranges, pinks, yellows and greens are being used in a spectacular way!   Trust us, with these bright combinations, this will be something you or your guests will never forget!

 

Drama, Drama, Drama

Want that WOW factor?  Well this year, Brides are making every detail something to WOW about.  And how are they doing this you ask?  Oversized floral (trees even), crystals everywhere, lighting strung from the ceiling and bold dark tones will do the trick!  Even the venue itself will awe the guests!  Grand ballrooms with high ceilings, spaces filled with oversized windows that unveil a breathtaking view, and elegant tents that are thin enough to see the stars are some dramatic venues to consider if this theme fits you!  The Dramatic Theme makes a bold statement and it entails a lot of detail, but if done right, it can turn into the dream wedding you have always envisioned.   

BBFN,

Olivia 

Part 1: 2013 A Year in Review: Oliveaire Design Studio

What to Expect from your Day of Coordination Wedding Package

If you have made the decision to hire a wedding planner to manage your Day of Wedding Coordination, congratulations, you are now a BLISS bride.   More and more brides feel the stress of the wedding day, and elect to let a professional take over to fine tune the details, and oversee the execution of those details on the day of their wedding.  Service is subjective.  What should you expect from a planner for retaining their Day of Coordination service? Here are some tips:

Define Expectation:

Remember they are being retained to oversee your day of details.  It means that you as a bride will coordinate and plan the details leading up to the wedding.  A good wedding planner will organize your details for a flawless execution.  Planners work with a plethora of forms that detail every segment of the wedding.  Have the planner show you her forms, which will be utilized in executing your event. 

Hours of service:

A day of coordination package must include at least 11 hours of service.  Typically 1 hr is reserved for rehearsal and 10 hrs are for the day of event.  Use the time wisely.  Planners are extremely important during the beginning of the day.  If your ceremony is planned for 2pm and your make-up hair, vendor set up and pictures are scheduled for 11:00a.m., retain the service from 10:30a.m. to 8:30p.m..  If you are not done with the important details by 8:30p.m. consider adding a couple of hours to the package.  An Event Assistant is typically included in the package.

How to choose the right planner:

There are some great seasoned planners, that may cost more, and then there are some planners starting out in the business that charge less.  I personally would want the best to take care of my wedding, especially when so much is invested in it.  I would want someone with experience, so that when it came time to make hard decisions they will draw from their experience and make the right one.  I would want a leadership quality so that clear directions are given to the vendors, and excellent service to my guests.  But most importantly, I would want to make sure that they have a well trained event support team, so that my event is not dependent on just one person.

Cost:

A traditional day of coordination package can cost from $2500, for an experienced planning company, to a $1200 for a novice.  If your event is a sophisticated, detail driven and vendor loaded program, I would opt for an experienced planner.  The $1300 will be well worth paying for if it means the best are orchestrating your event.  Some ethnic events, with traditions and cultural influence, may require longer hours and multiple days.  For such events expect to pay slightly more, the size of the event can impact the price.

What not to expect from a planner:

Planners are there to oversee your vendors, in making sure that they are performing as they have been contracted to do, also making sure that Aunt Mae gets her low sodium vegetarian meal and your Bridesmaid is not lost when it comes time to take pictures.  Resourceful Planners are experts in all arenas of wedding planning. However they are not florists, photographers, cake decorators, chair cover installers, butlers or bellman.  They are quick to get a team that will deliver these types of service, but cannot be expected to put together your centerpieces on the day of your wedding.  However, some planners may be able to offer such services for additional cost.  Remember you are paying at least $1200 to your planner. If you are using her to add flowers to the table, or move wedding inventory from church to reception venue, you are definitely overpaying. Let your planner manage the other vendors to most effectively accomplish these tasks.

Your wedding day is about you and your groom.  There should not be any need for a bride to micromanage her vendors, or stand by the placecard table assisting guests to find their escort cards.  If your budget allows, at a minimum hire a “Day of Coordinator.” I promise you that you will look back at your wedding day and know the second most important person on your big day was your Wedding Planner.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now)

Olivia

Follis & Scaccia Wedding Showcase: Crystal Gardens Navy Pier

Today we showcase the a wedding that takes place at the Crystal Gardens Navy Pier! The family chose to keep it elegant with silvers, whites, and more of a focus on the beautiful environment in the surrounding space. The natural beauty of the crystal gardens, with the ambient lighting truly inspired the transformation and beauty! 

My Engagement Ring, It is Perfect!!!!! Maybe…

Have you fallen in love with your engagement ring?  Or do you love it, but you’re not quite in love with it? 

It took all the Groom’s courage, and months of saving for that special ring, which will forever represent his love and devotion to you.  The ring will symbolize his commitment to happily ever after.  After the euphoria of the proposal, engagement announcement and the solicited approval from your BFF, you sit back and wonder, “Would I have picked this ring?” After all, you have to wear it everyday.  You are not the only one out there pondering this question.

Before you decide to share your feelings with your new fiancée you might consider the following:
Do you really hate it?
Is it that he just didn’t listen to your subtle hints or taking you shopping for the ring?
If it really clashes with your jewelry collection and you will constantly think of it as your “not so fabulous ring,” then tell you partner.  In a gentle way explain to him how happy you are to commit yourself to him for the rest of your life.  Tell him, even though you were ecstatic that he put so much time and effort into buying the ring, maybe you can exchange or redesign the ring.  If he gets offended by this don’t be surprised.  You just told him that he can’t pick the right ring and doesn’t understand your taste.  But these few minutes of emotional awkwardness may turn into a day of blissful ring shopping.   
I, being a Type A personality, had the same situation and hated the ring.  The funny part is that I helped pick the ring.   So I hated what I had picked, and wanted to redesign mine one month into our engagement. I felt bad, but after few glasses of wine I found the courage to tell my fiancée that I was wrong.  Confessing I was wrong was enough to make my fiancée decide to upgrade my ring. A confession I will never admit to.  But I love my ring now, and love to show it off. 

One possible catch, is the ring a family heirloom?
Has the ring been handed down generation after generation? Does the family have deep emotional ties to it? Have they told you how lucky you are to receive the ring?  It is rare in this day an age that heirlooms are passed down as engagement rings, but it does happen.  What do you do?? Many brides wish for a ring that is uniquely theirs, and chosen just for them.  Conveying this sentiment to your fiancée, and his family, might be tricky.  Express to your fiancée and the family how honored you are to receive such a ring, and to have been bestowed the caretaker of the ring as it passes from generation to generation.  Ladies, this will be a battle, you must pick and choose.  Could the heirloom ring serve as a commitment ring while you select a ring that reflects your lifestyle?
Greeks believed that the diamonds were precious splinters of stars that had fallen to the Earth. Diamonds have a unique status as the ultimate symbol of love.  If you have fallen in love with your ring, or are about to fall in love with it, do know that engagement rings have strings of your heart wrapped in your fingers.

BBFN  (Bridal Bliss For Now)
Olivia


If you are a bride that got her “Perfect” ring, would love to know how did you drop those subtle hints?