Jul 31, 2015 - Ceremony, Reception    No Comments

How to Keep Score

Was reading some posts on wedding forums recently. So many brides so disappointed in how their wedding day went. From flowers that didn’t match their vision, to rain ruining the day, guests not showing, cake not as pretty as they hoped, dress that didn’t fit great. The list of things that spoil the day for brides is endless. Everything that didn’t go as planned is noticed. And so many end up genuinely depressed over it. I have witnessed many a meltdown on the wedding day. There is too much pressure on brides to have the perfect day. And there really is no such thing.

I have a suggestion for all, not just for the wedding day but for the rest of your life. Instead of keeping score of what went wrong, change your focus to all that is going right in your life.

And don’t overlook the little things that mean so much.

As I write this, my husband is in the kitchen making breakfast. He is the cook in the family. We are having eggs and English muffins. Without me saying a word, he just noticed at some point I prefer the tops. And he noticed I often choose the same fork. (We have a collection of mismatched forks.) I already know there will be an English muffin top on my plate. And instead of putting my favorite fork in the dishwasher, he washes it every time I use it, hides it somewhere, and it is there on my plate for the next meal. If he makes pancakes, he doesn’t scrape down to bowl to use up all the batter. He knows I like to eat it raw and leaves some. These are the actions to keep score of. Little things someone does for you that really show how much they care and know you.

The whole point of your wedding day is to end it as a married couple. Perfect bouquets do not make the marriage. A great DJ does not make the marriage. A sunny day does not make the marriage. Perfect photos do not make the marriage. The wedding day does not make the marriage.

Things will go wrong on your wedding day and throughout your life. But there are things that go right as well.

Keep score of all that goes right. Really notice them. It can change your life.

Mar 19, 2015 - Uncatagorized    No Comments

A-B-C. As Easy as 1-2-3?

Not at all! At least when it comes to arranging the seating cards! There are 2 basic choices when arranging the seating cards. They can be in alphabetical order by last name (good idea!). Or they can be sorted by table number (bad idea!!!!). Why? If you walk up to the seating card table, one thing you know is your last name so you pretty much know where to find your card and you can take it quickly and find your seat. But if you walk up to a table full of seating cards arranged by table number, you have NO clue where to look for your card. After all, the whole purpose of the card is to find out what table you are assigned to. So you have to search through ALL the cards to find yours. And this takes time. LOTS of time. I actually timed it out at a wedding this past weekend. The cards were sorted by table number. It took 25 minutes for all the guests to find their cards and be seated. Time forever lost from their reception.

Jan 28, 2015 - Reception    No Comments

Reception Immediately Following? Not really…

When you book a hall for your reception, you sign a contract for a specific time.

Cocktail Hour 6-7pm. Reception 7-11pm.

Yet many invitations simply state “Reception Immediately Following”.

So—-let’s just say your service was at 3pm. After allowing time for the service and the receiving line, your guests could be on the way to the reception by 4:30. By 5pm they have arrived and are ready to hit the food and the bar. They are greeted by a staff member who tells them the room will not be ready for an hour. Your guests cannot understand why. The invitation said “Reception Immediately Following” and they expected to eat NOW!!! They are not happy.

On the other hand, your service might have been scheduled for 4:30. It is now 6:00 and the guests are still milling around outside the church chatting. It is 6:30 before they head off to the reception. They find their place cards and head to get something from the cocktail hour. And the staff is busy clearing away the food. Cocktail hour is over!?! But the invitation said “Reception Immediately Following!”!!! And they expect to eat NOW!!! They are not happy.

If your cocktail hour is from 6-7, say so on the invitation. If your reception is from 7-11, say so on the invitation. Many guests need to hire babysitters while they attend your wedding. It is really helpful if they know how long they expect to be out.

Mar 16, 2014 - Uncatagorized    No Comments

These shoes are KILLING me!( For the gals)

Dread the thought of dancing the night away in your heels? Good news! Flip flops are in! Head to Old Navy and pick up a pair of white flip flops for the bride and color coordinated flip flops for the bridesmaids and you are good to go!

Julie Conroy
In Any Event Productions
Videographers and Photographers for all the Special Events in YOUR life!
Serving NY, NJ and CT

Feb 15, 2014 - Uncatagorized    No Comments

Why haven’t I heard from anybody???

Your wedding is approaching. The DJ said he would be giving you a call. Your photographer said they would call. You haven’t heard from your videographer. Or the limo company. Stress time! Meanwhile, your wedding vendors are stressing out as well. They all called. And all got the same message. “The number you have called is no longer in service.” This really is important: The weeks leading up to your wedding is not the best time to combine phone plans and change all your phone numbers! Just in case you have no choice, always give your vendors an alternate phone number or two that is unlikely to change, such as a parent’s land line.

Some things should not be one-sided

Getting married under an arch? An arch can provide a beautiful frame above and around a couple during the wedding ceremony. And it can be the UGLIEST thing in your wedding photos and video. An arch is typically a fairly basic somewhat mangled metal frame that comes to life when it is decorated. And gee–you only need to decorate one side because that is what the crowd will see. And that, my friends, is the problem. Most people only worry about the front. But photographers and videographers love to see your face. As you stand facing the officiant for the ceremony, the best shot for the photographer and videographer is most likely from the opposite side of the arch. You know–the side that is nothing more than an ugly bare metal frame with twisted wires showing! Yuck!

Julie Conroy
In Any Event Productions
Video and Photography Services for all the Special Events in YOUR Life!
Serving NY, NJ and CT

Nov 1, 2013 - Reception    No Comments

“The” Dance (or perhaps you should have two?)

That first dance song. Sometimes it is an easy choice–the song playing when you had that first date as an example. And sometimes, well -he has the perfect song. And so does she. Soooo—use them both! The bride’s choice can be that special first dance of the evening. And the groom can pick that special last dance of the evening.
“And now, it has come down to the last dance of the evening and I would like to invite our bride and groom up to the dance floor for a special song entitled ‘___________’ . Let’s put our hands together for our bride and groom as they make their way to the dance floor! ”
(insert sound of WILD applause here for YOU!!!) If you are planning a special last dance, make sure you have your wedding photographer and videographer booked until the end if you want your very last dance ever as the bride and groom yours to watch forever!

Julie Conroy
In Any Event Productions
Video and Photography Services for all the Special Events in YOUR Life!
Serving NY, NJ and CT

Her arms went up but the gown did not…

Strapless gowns are still the most popular choice for the bride and her bridesmaids and needless to say, you really, really, REALLY want that zipper to stay closed all night long. Fortunately, there is a small hook and eye fastener at the top of the zipper to protect against such disasters. But……what if the hook and eye fails? Trust me. They do. And more often than anyone would like! Sometimes the thread holding the hook and eye to the dress is nice and secure, and sometimes it is not. To insure cellphone video or photos of you or your bridesmaids will not end up all over YouTube or Facebook with a “wardrobe malfunction”, take the time to sew the hook and eye nice and secure!

Julie Conroy
In Any Event Productions
Video and Photography Services for all the Special Events in YOUR Life!

Apr 16, 2013 - Uncatagorized    No Comments

So that’s what those holes are for!

The makers of tuxedo pants have found a way to help the guys pull their shirts nice and tight on their wedding day. There are holes inside the front pants pocket. Feel around and up high–they are there!
Best man tip: Under the circumstances, the front pants pocket might not be the best place to keep the rings! (or your keys, or your money…)

Julie Conroy
In Any Event Productions
Video and Photography Services for all the Special Events in YOUR Life!
Serving NY, NJ and CT

Apr 1, 2013 - Uncatagorized    No Comments

These shoes are KILLING me! (For the guys)

Attending a wedding as a guest and dread the thought of your uncomfortable dress shoes all day at the ceremony and reception? There is a way out! More and more guys are opting for a nice comfortable pair of solid black sneakers. What? Never saw any of the guests wearing sneakers before? Exactly. It is not something anyone really notices. But they are there!

Julie Conroy
In Any Event Productions
Video and Photography Services for all the Special Events in YOUR Life!
Serving NY, NJ and CT

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