The first ever “Wed-a-thon for the children” is back!!

It’s ‘wed-a-thon’ time again!! 

We are preparing for the 2010 “wed-a-thon for the children”; a fundraiser and charity event to (1) raise money for the Atlanta Children’s Shelter and (2) to provide weddings and vow renewals for couples who are suffering from a terminal illness, a medical issue or other life challenging situations.

“Wed-a-thon for the children” is the world’s first charity/fundraiser association to organize such a much needed event. Last year’s event raised thousands of dollars that helped care for 99 children and provided social services for 70 homeless families. Of the 70 families, thirty-eight moved into permanent homes and are now providing a safe, stable environment for their children. Our goal this year is to raise $15,000.

In addition to raising funds for the children’s shelter, the “wed-a-thon” also provided disadvantaged couples the opportunity to have their dream wedding. Some of last years’ couples suffered illnesses ranging from brain tumors, cancer, heart transplants, kidney transplants and other ailments. Sadly, several of our “wed-a-thon” family members have recently passed away. We are honored to have been allowed to be a part of their lives and to give them the opportunity of celebrating a joyous occasion.  

This year’s event will begin 8:00am Saturday, November 27^th, and end at 12:01am, Monday, November 29^th and will be held at:
The Loews Atlanta Hotel
1065 Peachtree Street Northeast
Atlanta, Georgia

The format will be the same as last year: 40 weddings in 40 hours with proceeds to benefit the Atlanta Children’s Shelter. The cost per couple is $80 for the bride and $80 for the groom. The fee will include venue, Officiant, flowers, cake, and all the traditional compliments for the reception.

We invite you to come out and join us on either of those days. Donations are welcomed- all proceeds go directly to the Atlanta Children’s Shelter.

For last year’s event visit: www.40-40-40.com
For this year’s event visit: www.wedathonforthechildren.com
     

What will Chelsea Clinton wear when she makes her grand entrance down the aisle?

        Although things have been pretty hush-hush about the wedding of Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky, the Chicago Times is reporting that the wedding will take place in late July near the Clinton’s home in Chappaqua, New York.  The upcoming wedding is gaining lots of speculation, but the biggest buzz is ” Chelsea’s gown choice; what should she wear“?

The Huffington Post has taken the liberty of making unsolicited suggestions for the type of gown that would look best on Chelsea’s body type. Here’s what they came up with:

  
                   Vera Wang                             Vera Wang                  Stephane Rolland

      
               Reem Acra                                Reem Acra                             Oscar de la Renta

The fashionista’s at Brides Magazine are also caught up in the buzz over Chelsea’s gown choice. They’ve chosen these six gowns based on Chelsea’s body type:

Monique Lhuillier,   Carolina Herrera,     JLM Couture

        Amsale           Oscar de la Renta      Lela Rose

The word on the street is that Chelsea will probably wear Oscar de la Renta.  De la Renta designed Laura Bush’s 2005 inauguration gown and Jenna Bush Hager’s 2008 wedding gown. More notably, de la Renta seems to be the designer of choice for Chelsea’s mom, Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. When Bill Clinton was sworn-in at his second inauguration, Hillary selected a shimmery gold long-sleeved de la Renta gown for the inaugural balls. She also sported a pink and gray embroidered de la Renta outfilt to President Barack Obama’s evening inauguration balls.  And, during Obama’s daytime swearing-in ceremony, Hillary wore a royal-blue de la Renta outfit.

So, if family ties have anything to do with wedding gown selection, I think it won’t be a surprise if Chelsea says her nuptials in an Oscar de la Renta gown.

What do you think the former First Daughter should wear?

What gift should the Groom give his Bride-to-Be?

In recent years, the tradition of gift giving between the bride and groom on their wedding day has become more and more popular.  I often get asked by grooms, “what would be a good gift to give my Bride-to-Be”?

Well, while jewelry and romantic getaways are nice, I think gifts that demonstrate a love and understanding of the recipient are more popular. Love can be expressed in a myriad of different methods, but the most timeless and most treasured will always remain the classic “love letter” or “love card”.  Elite Glass Cards (www.eliteglasscards.com) offers beautiful glass cards, engraved with a special message; a message written by you. What better way to tell your bride ”what you love about her” and “why you want to spend the rest of your life with her”?

Each Elite Glass card allows you multiple options, making the finished product your individual creation.  You would (1) choose a style from their collection, and (2) choose or add your own words. Then, their expert craftsmen will create a beautiful and elegant engraved image that will last forever; a crystal glass card that will be cherished long after her thankful embrace.

So, besides giving your future wife the obvious (a lifetime of love), I think the simplest and most wonderful gift you could give her is something that comes from the heart – a “love letter”!

 What do you think Derek Jeter will give his Bride-to-Be, Minka Kelly?

2010 Allie Awards – And the winner is….”40-40-40″ for the children!

In February, our event was nominated for the prestigious Allie Award in “Logistical and Event Planning” for 2010. The Allie Awards, sponsored by the International Special Events Society, and the National Association of Catering Executives, recognize the most outstanding examples of quality and creativity in Atlanta’s event industry. Last month, it was officially announced that “40-40-40″ for the children was the winner!

The staff at Sylvia Wayfer Events (formerly Weddings by Stephanie Marie) would like to thank those who donated and volunteered; you were the major reason the event was so successful and recognized locally and nationally.

We are also taking this opportunity to proudly announce that we have scheduled our second annual event. The ceremonies will be held the weekend of November 27th- 28th at the new Loews Hotel in downtown Atlanta. This year, we will attempt to raise $15,000 for the Atlanta Children’s Shelter.

Again, our sincerest thanks to those who supported the 2009 “40-40-40” wed-a-thon for the children.

To see last years event go to: www.40-40-40.com

We hope to see you again this year!

Sincerely,
Sylvia Wayfer-Clark

Reception timeline

Congratulations!! You’ve just been pronounced husband and wife; the new Mr. & Mrs, and now, it’s time to party!! A well-planned wedding reception will ensure that your reception will run smoothly and you’ll throw a party your guests will talk about for years to come. Here is a reception timeline, based on a traditional four-hour reception, to give you an hour-by-hour guide to the day’s post ceremonial events.

 

00:00 – Cocktail Hour
After you’ve said your “I Dos,” you and your new husband and your bridal party will take post-ceremony photographs.  At this time, your guests will head to the reception site to begin cocktail hour.  If the ceremony and the reception take place at the same venue, the cocktail hour will begin immediately after the ceremony. If there is travel involved, it might start more than half an hour later. During this time your guests will munch on appetizers and drinks, which will get people mingling and in the mood. Following cocktail, your guests are either given their table numbers or escorted to their tables. In some cases the guest can look up their own table number and seat themselves.

 

01:00 – Grand Entrance/First -Special Dances
This is the time where you and your new husband will make your grand entrance into your reception.  The facility or event coordinator will gather your guests to await your arrival.  It’s the bride and grooms decision whether or not the bridal party and both sets of parents will be introduced. If they are to be introduced, they’ll be announced first, followed by the introduction and grand entrance of the bride and groom.  Since all eyes are on you, this is the perfect occasion to step immediately into your first dance. Sometimes the father/daughter and mother/son dances can take place at this time as well – or you can choose to hold those dances after the meal.  If there was no receiving line, most couples opt to go from table to table to greet their guest before going onto the dance floor for the first dance.

 

01:20 – Speeches/Toasts 
Following your first dance and while all eyes are still on you, this is a perfect time for speeches/toasts.  The father of the bride may choose to welcome and thank your guests for gracing the occasion with their presence, followed by other members of the bridal party to speak. The first toast is proposed by the best man and may be followed by toasts from the maid of honor, other relatives, friends or the bride and/or groom. 

 

01:30 - Dinnertime
Depending on your religion or culture, now would be the time to bless the food. If your officiant is invited to the reception, you can ask him/her, or you can ask a family member or friend to say a few words. If you’re having a seated meal, the band or DJ will play light, conversation-friendly background music as the waitstaff makes the rounds. The bride and groom and their parents are typically served first or are the first in the buffet line.  If you’re having a buffet, the banquet captain or emcee will dictate how the rotation will work by calling each table when it’s time to head to the front of the buffet line.

 

02:30 – Let’s Get this Party Started!!
Your guests have probably been seated for quite some time and they are ready to ‘cut loose’. Guests usually follow the lead of the bride and groom, so once the dishes have been cleared, it’s time to hit the dance floor. You and your husband should get out on the dance floor so guests will know it’s time to start the party. 

 

03:30 – Cake Cutting
About an hour and a half, before the end of your reception, your waitstaff will begin preparing for dessert and coffee.  The cake cutting is one of my favorite traditions, as it symbolizes the first task the newlyweds execute together. It signifies the commitment for them to provide for one another. Be sure your cake cutting doesn’t happen too early. Many of your guests will start to leave after the cake cutting, so don’t be surprised if you see your party size start to dwindle down.  

  

03:45 – Bouquet toss/ garter toss/ more dancing
After the cake cutting, some brides and grooms held back out to the dance floor for the bouquet toss which is immediately followed by the garter toss. Following these activities, the band or DJ should kick right back into lively dance music for those all-night partiers who relish another turn on the dance floor. 

 

04:45 – Last Dance
The best way to top-off your wedding is by ending it on a high note and choosing a dance song that will leave a lasting impression. Try to find the perfect song that will tell your guests how appreciative you are of them being there and also is represent of you and new husband starting a new life together.  You’ll want everyone to have a chance for one last twirl, so select something fast and festive. 

 

05:00 – Grand Exit!
When it’s time to leave the reception, it is customary to have your guests participate in the send off. Usually, the guests will line the walkway or the stairs of the venue, prepared to blow bubbles, toss rose petals, or even light sparklers to wish you good luck on your merry way towards a lifetime of happiness together.

Wedding Ring Workshop…

…you can design and make your own wedding ring!!

There is one item from the wedding ceremony that most married couples have with them everyday; their wedding ring. The wedding ring embodies the continuous flow of love; a circle that symbolizes eternity where there is no beginning and no end. If you want your wedding rings to be special, to come from the heart, to be a true expression of love, how about designing and making them yourself?

If you wish to design and make your own wedding ring, you can do so by attending a wedding ring workshop and spending a day with a master jeweler. The jeweler will give you one-on-one advice and guidance on how to design and create a wedding ring. He/she will guide you through the process of designing, making, fabricating and finishing your wedding ring. The process will take about 5-6 hours and at the end, you will have a unique wedding ring, designed and crafted with your own hands! The entire process of designing and crafting your own wedding ring is photographed; something to to add to your wedding album.

 

There are a lot of websites that contain information on wedding ring workshops. If you wish to attend a wedding ring workshop, do a search on information about wedding ring workshops. There are various locations throughout the United States in such cities as: Atlanta, Chicago, Rhode Island, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC.

 

A wedding ring is a powerful symbol of union and commitment that will last a lifetime. I love the ideal of designing and making your own!

Wedding trends for 2010

Recently, I was asked to compile a list of what I anticipate to be the 10 hotttest wedding trends for 2010. Here’s my forecast…

1. Vibrant and bold colors – In 2010 you will see more vibrant and bold colours such as; Turquoises, Deep Reds, Corals, Violets, Pinks and Greens. Bright yellows, oranges and peach tones are also some of the top color trends for weddings taking place in the spring and summer.  But, for brides wanting to make a BOLD fashonstatment, red wedding gowns are also a top trend for 2010.

2. Bird cage veil - The 2010 wedding trend will have a lot of brides in bird cage veils. Todays bride wants to add dramatic glamour but at the same time, still feel like a bride. Todays modern brides are catching vintage fever and going for the old-school glam look with a modern twist. Look for this vintage style to be worn with a jewel clip or a feathered headpiece with netting that will only cover the face.

3. Bridesmaids dresses – For several years, brides have been selecting a bridesmaid dress designer and a fabric, then letting their bridesmaids choose the style that works best for their bodies. But the 2010 wedding trend takes the idea further. Brides are choosing only a color, then letting their bridesmaids find an off-the-rack dress of any designer that they like. Not only does this take some pressure off of the bride, but it also ensures that women are choosing a dress they like and that they’ll be likely to wear again. If you’re a bride who chooses to follow this trend, be sure to tell your bridesmaids how formal the dress should be – you don’t want one bridesmaid wearing a casual sundress while another has on a beaded evening gown. 

4. Personalized and detailed - Taking the time to personalize your wedding; paying special attention to all the little details – the ones that make guests feel special and the ones that will make your wedding stand out from all the other weddings – is a huge trend. Personalizing invitations, giving super fabulous favors, serving a signature cocktail or an adorable decoration is already a reality and in 2010 even more is expected!

5. Wedding cupcakes – Individual cakes and decorated cupcakes are still growing in popularity in 2010 – over the traditional wedding cake; this allows couples to introduce a unique and fun element to their wedding day and to be honest who can resist a cupcake. While traditional stacked wedding cakes are still going strong for 2010, there’s a definite trend in serving individual cakes and decorated cupcakes for guest, instead of the large, shared cake of times past.

6. Wedding Favours – Appreciation is at the top of every couple’s list, and couples today are putting a lot of thought and time into selecting the appropriate wedding favor – which is their way to express their thanks to their wedding guests. The 2010 wedding trend is using homemade favors to express that thanks, and to send guests home with a gift they’ll treasure and that will truly reflect the wedding day.

7. Wedding Flowers - In line with recent years the Calla Lily and Rose will never go out of style. However, with the vibrant colours predicted, bouquets and centrepieces will incorporate splashes of colour.  In 2010, be on the look out for exotic and vivacious flowers  to create stunning floral displays.

8. Photography and video – Todays couples are splurging on capturing the memories. Although times are tight, more couples are looking to allocate a larger part of their budget to photography and videos of their wedding day. Couples want to capture the great experience with great photos and great videos. You can’t put a price on the memories and the joy from re-visiting the special day again and again through, photos and film.

9. The First Dance - A growing trend for first dances is to have it choreographed.  As the TV sensation brings ballroom dancing to America’s living rooms, more and more couples are leading their reception off with classic, choreographed dance moves. Apparently couples are making their first dance memorable by creating entertaining and sometimes surprising dance “performances.”

10. Comfort foods - Comfort foods create a festive and relaxed mood at the reception. When you think comfort foods, think burgers, pizza, mini grilled cheese sandwiches, mini macaroni and cheese served in a small cup, or french fries served up in paper cones. Comfort food is a big trend at wedding receptions. Many guests go to a wedding expecting formal appetizers, but they are delighted when they are presented with bite sized portions of their childhood favorites. Serving comfort foods will give your reception a warm and cozy feeling that will make your guests feel right at home.