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Planning the perfect wedding involves many decisions, but none more crucial than choosing the right venue. Bloomington-Normal, is blessed with a variety of stunning locations that cater to different tastes and styles. I'm often asked by newly engaged couples what wedding venues I recommend. I tell them they can always rent out one of the many hotel banquet rooms we have in the area (and this is an excellent option if you want an all-inclusive package). But, if you are looking for something different, we've got the list for you; each promises a unique and unforgettable backdrop for your special day. The Castle Theatre If you're seeking a venue with character and a touch of quirkiness, look no further than The Castle Theatre in Normal, IL. This historic gem offers a unique atmosphere for your celebration, making it perfect for couples who appreciate distinctive settings and a vibrant ambiance. And, you can see your name on the big marquee sign. The Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts For couples who appreciate the arts, The Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts provides an enchanting backdrop. The venue's artistic allure, with its stunning architecture and cultural ambiance, offers a distinctive setting for a wedding that is both sophisticated and creative. Ewing Cultural Center Picture this: lush gardens, historic architecture, and a serene atmosphere—all coming together to create a magical setting for your special day. The gardens offer a picturesque backdrop for ceremonies, while the historic mansion adds a touch of elegance to the festivities. It's like stepping into a fairytale, with every corner providing a beautiful photo opportunity. Whether you're into classic charm or natural beauty, Ewing Cultural Center has a bit of everything to make your wedding day truly memorable. Epiphany Farms Estate This venue offers rustic chic for those dreaming of a rustic yet elegant wedding, Epiphany Farms Estate is a picture-perfect choice. The estate features a charming farmhouse, scenic gardens, and a rustic barn, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The farm-to-table catering adds a delightful culinary touch to your celebration. Miller Park Pavilion If you are looking for architectural style and plenty of natural light, then Miller Park Pavilion is for you. Overlooking the lake, the pavilion offers a very versatile space. With two levels, you can have your wedding on one floor and your reception on the other. They offer the flexibility to bring in your own vendors too - from Vrooman Mansion Vrooman Mansion as a wedding venue is the epitome of timeless elegance. The historic charm of the mansion sets the stage for a romantic and intimate celebration. The mansion's architectural beauty, with its classic design and rich history, adds a touch of sophistication to your special day. It's not just a venue; it's a journey back in time, creating a fairy tale ambiance for you and your guests. Vrooman Mansion captures the essence of love and tradition, making it a truly enchanting setting for a wedding. Destihl Brewery The barrel room at Destihl Brewery is a unique and vibrant choice for a wedding venue. Imagine celebrating your big day surrounded by the rustic charm of wooden barrels and the intoxicating aroma of brewing beer. The ambiance is lively, with an industrial touch that adds character to the space. It's a perfect blend of modern and traditional, making it a standout choice for couples who want a wedding that's both trendy and rooted in the craft brewing culture. The barrel room at Destihl Brewery promises a memorable and spirited atmosphere for you and your guests to enjoy the festivities. Cheers to a love-filled celebration! Bloomington-Normal, IL, boasts a diverse array of wedding venues, each offering its own unique charm and style. Whether you're drawn to timeless elegance, rustic chic, modern sophistication, or quirky charm, these wedding venues cater to every taste and preference. Your dream wedding awaits in this vibrant and picturesque community, surrounded by the love and warmth of Bloomington-Normal. #weddings #BloomingtonNormal #Blono #Blonowedding #weddingvenue #Blonoweddingvenue #BloomingonNormalWeddingvenue #BloomingtonIL #NormalIL #WeddingPlanning #eventvenue

Fall is not just a season for pumpkin spice lattes and cozy sweaters. It's also the perfect time for weddings! Fall weddings are becoming increasingly popular among couples for many reasons. From gorgeous natural backdrops to seasonal food, there are countless reasons why fall weddings can be the perfect choice for your big day. In this blog post, we will be discussing why fall weddings are so popular, and we'll give you inspiration and ideas for making your fall wedding unforgettable! The weather is perfect for an outdoor ceremony: The temperature during autumn is just perfect – it's not too hot nor too cold, and the weather is usually mild with clear blue skies. The fall weather allows for an outdoor ceremony without any worries of rain or extreme heat. Imagine exchanging vows under the falling leaves – it's every bride's dream! The vibrant colors of the fall foliage will be a breathtaking backdrop for your wedding photographs. Seasonal food and drinks: Fall is the perfect time for comfort foods and drinks, and the season provides bountiful harvests of fresh produce and fruits. Incorporating seasonal produce, such as apples, figs, pumpkins, and cranberries, into your wedding menu is a great way to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. You can set up a hot cocoa or cider station, or a s'mores bar to keep your guests warm and cozy. Fall provides endless decoration possibilities: Fall provides endless possibilities for decoration ideas. You can incorporate natural elements such as leaves, pumpkins, and branches into your centerpieces and décor. You can also make use of the fall colors such as orange, gold, and red to create a warm and inviting color palette. Add in some candles, twinkling lights, and cozy blankets to add to the ambiance. Save money: Fall weddings can be more affordable than summer or spring weddings. Venues and vendors are less expensive during the fall season as it's usually considered an off-peak time. This may free up some budget for other things like décor, photography, or entertainment. Plus, if you are a sunflower or hydrangea lover, these flowers are cheaper when 'in season'. Be careful though. October is quickly becoming the most popular month to have weddings, so the thought of this being 'off-season' no longer applies to the month of October. Fall fashion: Save the best for last! One of the most amazing things about fall weddings is that you can enjoy the beauty of the season with your wedding dress choice. You can choose from a variety of options, such as long-sleeved dresses, mermaid gowns, and even lace applique tops. Also, the fall season offers more flexibility with bridesmaid dresses. They can wear long-sleeved dresses or comfortable wrap dresses. Fall weddings are popular for a good reason - the season provides the perfect backdrop for a romantic and memorable wedding. The mild weather, seasonal food, and decoration possibilities, as well as the affordability of venues and vendors, all make it a perfect choice for brides-to-be. Whether you're planning an outdoor wedding ceremony or a cozy indoor reception, incorporating the beautiful colors and natural elements of fall will create warmth and romance that will make your special day unforgettable! Planning a fall wedding? Reach out to us today and we can assist you in choosing the right decor for your big day! We have florals, table decor, signage and linens that complement the fall color palette perfectly! #FallWedding #weddingdecor #CentralIllinoisWedding #Blonowedding #ChampaignUrbanaWedding #receptiondecor #eventrentals #eventdecorrentals

Unique Ideas for Guest Books That Will Make Your Wedding Unforgettable When it comes to planning your wedding, there are few details that are important such as the guest book. It’s the perfect way to capture memories of your special day and to remember all of the people who helped make it magical. But traditional guest books can be a bit boring, and some couples are looking for something a little more unique. If that sounds like you, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! In this blog post, we’re going to share some of our favorite ideas for unusual guest books that are sure to make your wedding one to remember. **This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. 1. Jenga Blocks - Encourage your guests to play a giant game of Jenga by using the blocks as a guest book. Provide a permanent marker, and have guests sign or write messages on random blocks. It’s a fun way to create something interactive that you can enjoy for years to come. And, if you need a sign for your Jenga block guest book, check out our Jenga guest book sign here. 2. Wish Hearts - Guests write their name on a wooden heart and make a wish for the happy couple as they drop it into a jar or shadow box. You can coordinate the wood hearts to match your wedding colors by spray painting them. You can get wooden hearts at Dollar Tree with the link below: 3. Wooden sign - why not have your guest book be a piece of art you can hang in your home following your wedding? Have your guests put their "John Hancock" on a wooden sign. Personalize it with your names and wedding date. Or even just your initials. You'll have a keepsake to keep forever. 4. Photo Album - Another great way to capture memories of your wedding day is by setting up a photo album. You can have your guests take Polaroid photos and add them to the album along with their messages. You’ll have a beautiful collection of photos and notes that you can look back on for years to come. Scan those photos in and create a photo booth thru one of the online photo sites. Here is one of my favorites: 5. Canvas Art - Provide a blank canvas (or a few!) for your guests to write their messages on. After the wedding, you’ll have a unique piece of art that you can display in your home. And, depending on their artistic abilities, you might end up with something even more beautiful than you anticipated! If you love the guest book sign pictured above, you can rent it from us. It has a matching Cards & Gifts sign. Your wedding day is a day you’ll want to remember forever, and these unique guest book ideas are a wonderful way to capture memories that you’ll cherish for years to come. Whether you choose a canvas art piece, a wooden sign, photo album, Jenga tiles or a traditional guest book, your guests will enjoy leaving their own personal touches and your special day will be truly unforgettable! And remember - Burlap and Lace Event Rentals has signs for your guest book table, regardless of what type of guest book you chose! #eventrentals #guestbook #wedding

Well, I know you have all been waiting patiently (well, some of you have...not naming any names though, Kathie) to hear the big news! We are expanding!! For those of you who have been on this journey with us, you know that we started Burlap and Lace amidst a pandemic at a time when there were no large events happening. In fact, gatherings of over 10 people were frowned upon. Crazy, right!? Well, we had a plan...and that plan is starting to come together. Burlap and Lace is a family-run business. We wanted to start out small and be intentional in our growth. We all have full-time jobs outside of running B&L, so we didn't want to overwhelm ourselves by growing too fast. Plus, in 2020 who knew what the 'new normal' post pandemic would look like? Would people continue to gather for large events or were we silly thinking event rentals was a good business to get into? The new normal following the pandemic has shown us that people are craving interactions with other people. Events that were postponed in 2020 and even in early 2021 are starting to be rescheduled and boy has the event industry taken off!! We started out with our showroom in the basement, which worked out great. We loved the flexibility it gave us. But we are literally bursting at the seams and we knew we needed to execute that next phase for our business. Check out this Facebook live I did of my showroom about a year ago. Look how much stuff we've added since our original photos. Wow! We've slowly been able to add products to our inventory - products that our clients wanted and were asking for. I 'kid you not' when I say that every square inch of our spare bedrooms is filled with this extra inventory. (Our daughter) Madison's old room was turned into my linen storage room. I have totes and totes full of tablecloths, runners, chair covers and more! (Our son) Ryne's old room was turned into my linen ironing station. I have two ironing boards set up to iron linens. Not to mention both of their rooms hold the furniture we rent out as well. So, part B of our plan is to expand beyond our basement showroom. We are so excited to announce that we are partnering with Blunier Builders Inc on the construction of a pole barn that will be the new home to Burlap and Lace Event Rentals. We are building it right here on our property, so the flexibility we have with being able to literally 'walk across the yard' to our business will not go away. It is a 30 x 48 x 12 ft structure. It has a front door with a covered porch (great for when it's raining) that will lead you right into our showroom. We will have so much more room to display the items we have available for rent, including all of our arbors and furniture. Behind the showroom will be a large workroom with large tables to allow us to pack up orders outside of the showroom space. And that large overhead door on the left will be a place to store and load/unload the trailer. It will also house our inventory of table and chairs. Yes, we now rent tables and chairs! They are stacked up in our garage right now. Here's a picture of them in the trailer after we brought them home. Where will this pole barn be built, you ask? Right at the edge of our driveway. The head of logistics, aka Mick, wanted to be able to back the trailer into the driveway and back right into the pole barn. No more making the curve around the driveway. Good thinking...I see why he is in charge of logistics! So, at this time next year, you will see a pretty, new pole barn in the spot that now holds our ugly burn pile. Stay tuned for behind the scenes photos and stories of the progress of the building. Plans are for the work to start this winter and complete in time for the busy 2024 wedding season. Stay tuned for more exciting behind the scenes action! And, who knows, we may even have a phase 3 brewing in our heads... #eventrentals #centralillinoisevents #eventdecorrentals #tablerentals #chairrentals #polebarn #partoftheplan #Iloveitwhenaplancomestogether #ChampaignUrbanaevents #weddingrentals #receptionrentals #decor #partydecor #weddingdecor

You know how David Letterman had a top 10 list? Well, this is your top 5 list of the most rented items from our event rental inventory. We have over 600 individual items in our inventory. It's hard for me to pick my favorite, but here's what our clients like most starting with #5: 5. Greenery Greenery adds such a finished touch to your tablescapes. And, it goes with any color scheme, which is why it is so popular. Our eucalyptus and lambs ear greenery is by far a fan favorite. This lamb's ear garland looks great on all tables, but especially on those long rectangular tables. Throw in some votives, candlesticks and wow! What a look! 4. Couch Ok, I lied. I said I didn't have a favorite but I must admit I am obsessed with the couch. I mean, who wouldn't be? It is so versatile. You can use 1, 2, or all 3 pieces. You can use them together or spread them out across your event space. It's a neutral color so, like greenery, it goes with anything. And, it makes a statement! I mean, who wouldn't like this at their next event? 3. Cylinder vases These vases, like greenery, are so versatile. You can put real candles in them, like Fallyn did for her wedding pictured above. You can also use floating candles or even put florals in them. There are so many uses for these simple vases. And, whether you are looking for the rustic, boho or modern look, these vases will fit right in! 2. "Welcome to our Beginning" mirror I love this mirror. It is so elegant and simple. What better way to greet your guests than with an antique mirror simply stating "Welcome to our beginning"? The best part? I found this mirror at the Restore for $20! It's like it was just waiting there for me to come pick it up. I added the black vinyl lettering to it, but otherwise it just needed a good cleaning. We can customize this mirror too by adding your names and wedding date. We also have several other sytles of mirrors. Check them out on our inventory page. 1. Linens If tables were human, then linens would be their clothing. Everything looks more formal when you put a floor length tablecloth on it. Linens are the staple of every event (unless you choose farmhouse tables - don't be covering those beauties up!). Your table decor is the jewelry, but everything has to start with that simple table linen. Some venues provide you with table linens as part of their event package. And I'm here to tell you, that if they do provide them...take them! We rent a LOT of linens and we usually rent them to people who are doing their own wedding at a family property or at an event space that doesn't offer them. If you want to learn more about tablecloths and why they are the one item that is not cheaper to rent versus buy, see my blog post here. So there you have it. The top 5 rented items for 2024. I should do this every year and see how it changes from year to year. What up and coming items do you think will be in the list next year? #rentaldecor #weddingrentals #centralIllinois #ChampaignUrbana #BloomingtonNormal

I get it! We get that engagement ring on our finger, and we immediately jump into execution mode. You DIY brides are on a mission to have the best wedding ever and all within a strict budget. But before you start scrolling through those wedding resale groups on Facebook or you tubing all the DIY centerpiece creations read below on reasons why you might want to consider renting your wedding decor. 1. Cost All brides dream of their wedding day, some when they are young girls. We all want to have the wedding we envision in our dreams...that is, until we see the price tag! Eek! Who knew all this stuff was so expensive? And, the pandemic has made the cost of venues, caterers, and yes, even florists more costly. So, while not always the case, renting your wedding decor is going to be cheaper than buying. Notice I said this is not always the case. Read my blog here on tablecloth rentals to find out why it's not always cheaper to rent, but why you should still consider renting linens anyway. Most rental vendors rent their decor at a fraction of the price they paid for the item. Why? We know we can make up the cost of that item with 3-5 rentals. In fact, we depend on that! That means, that 9 times out of 10, you are going to spend less money to rent these items versus buying them yourself. Plus, we tend to buy in bulk thereby driving the price down even further. 2. Storage Space An average wedding has 150-200 guests. That means there are around 20 tables to decorate for your reception, not including the food tables, cake/dessert tables, etc. And let's not forget the church decor. All of those items take up a large amount of space. Our average wedding rental leaves our building with no less that 6-8 totes. If you have an extra bedroom or some warehouse space to spare - great! If not, consider whether or not you have room to store all of these items both before and after your event. Don't forget transporting them too, both before and after your event. 3. Ease Not only do we clean, steam, and pack up the items for you, making it easy to get them to your venue, but we also label all of our totes with what is inside of them. That means, you know what totes will need to be unpacked first and you won't have to hunt and peck for your items. Put your maid of honor and best man in charge of setup and you and your future spouse can sit back and watch the magic unfold...well, kinda! In addition, if we are delivering your items for you, that increases the 'ease' even more. We pride ourselves in knowing how to properly pack and transport those items for maximum space utilization and minimum breakage. Just look at how nicely that trailer is packed up in the picture above! 4. Nothing to Sell afterwards How many times have you seen a post on the local Facebook wedding resale group saying, "Just want gone!" We all go into this with the best of intentions. We are going to buy the items from someone else and re-sell them and basically make our money back. And some of you die-hard DIY brides get it done. My hats off to you! But, trying to sell all of these items after your wedding is a lot of work! And honestly, because we've been looking at these items for months on end, after the event we just want them GONE! A huge benefit of renting is that you don't have to sell anything afterwards. Which may not seem like a lot early on in the wedding planning phase, but believe me, the last thing you will want to see when you get home from your honeymoon is boxes full of decor. You will be sick of looking at them by then. 5. Greater Selection If you are a DIY bride trying to make the most of your budget and scanning Facebook marketplace for the best bargains, you may have to settle for what you can find. This is especially true if you are not going with the latest 'trendy' style. Even if you are going with the latest trendy style, good luck being the first one to reply "want" to that post. The popular items tend to get snatched up really quick! Renting your decor from a rental business will allow you access to a greater selection of items. After all, we are in the business of renting decor for all different kinds of events and for all different styles and tastes. We specialize in large quantities of items. And, as our website states, we are always looking to add to our inventory. So, if we don't have your item in stock today, reach out to us. We may be able to source it for you. So, when you look at the pros and cons of renting versus buying, it really makes sense to seriously consider renting your decor. Unless of course, money is no object. If you are a DIY bride and want to see the great things that Dollar Tree has to offer for wedding, check out my affiliate link below: #weddingdecor #weddingrentals #weddingdecorrentals #eventdecorrentals #eventrentals #rentversusbuy #floralrentals #BloNo #CentralIllinois

**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Back when I got married...almost 30 years ago (I know, time flies when you're having fun, right?), engagement photos were used to announce your 'engagement' in the local newspaper. We didn't have Facebook back in the day and this was the way to let your family and friends know you were engaged! Well, things have changed and with social media news travels very fast! You can have that engagement post out there before the tears of joy have dried from your eyes. So, why should you go to the expense of having engagement photos taken? Well, first and foremost, it's the once-in-a lifetime opportunity to capture the joy you and your fiancé share at this special time of your life. Booking an engagement session is also a great way for you to work with the photographer who will be shooting your wedding, it's like getting a test run of what to expect on your big day. But what exactly can you do with all those fabulous images? Here are 8 ways you can put your engagement photos to use. 1. Save the Dates One of the most popular reasons to have engagement photos done is to use them for "save the date" cards. You can get really creative with different props to let people know when your big day is approaching. Or pick a location that is special to the two of you, like the place you met or where you got engaged. 2. Invitations You can use your engagement photos for all your invitation and stationary needs as well. There are many different components to a wedding invitation from the actual invitations, RSVP, menu cards, directions and hotel accommodations lists to the stamps, envelopes, and address labels. There are many places you can use your professional engagement pictures to give your wedding invitations a more personal touch. 3. Guest Book Creating a customized guest book is a great way to display your engagement photos. You can keep your guest book simple with just an image on the cover with blank pages for guests to sign or you can make it a little more personal. Some couples have included a few pages in the book that lets their guests know how they met, fell in love and end up saying 'I Do”. Shop the Wedding Guest Book at Artifact Uprising! (and Starting Monday, April 10th through Tuesday, April 11th, Artifact Uprising will be offering 15% Off Sitewide with code APRIL15.) 4. Photos for Your Home There is no better way to start the new life you will be sharing than decorating your new home with your photos. Having your engagement images hanging on the walls in frames around your home is the perfect way to remember the special bond you two share. Shop the Everyday Photo Canvas Prints at Artifact Uprising! (and Starting Monday, April 10th through Tuesday, April 11th, Artifact Uprising will be offering 15% Off Sitewide with code APRIL15.) 5. Display Photos at Your Wedding There are many ways you can use your engagement photos to decorate your reception venue. You can have large prints made to line the walls of your venue or have a few smaller prints framed to decorate your gift table or cake table. You could even use them as place setting/escort cards. Shop the Everyday Photo Prints at Artifact Uprising! (and Starting Monday, April 10th through Tuesday, April 11th, Artifact Uprising will be offering 15% Off Sitewide with code APRIL15.) 6. Wedding website Many couples are creating wedding websites for their guests to use when RSVPing or to find out general information about the wedding. This is a great use for your engagement photos. They will help take up some of that white space on your website and increase engagement on your page. 7. Party Favor/Gift for Guests Key chains, postcards, and even t-shirts can all be made with your image on them. You'll want your guests to take home something special to remember your wedding day by. Even if getting a caramel apple isn't something you think your guests would appreciate, you can still have little favor cards personalized with your engagement photo. 8. Social Media Images The best way to use your engagement photos is to have them as your profile or cover picture on your social media accounts. What better way to not only show off your stunning images, but to also let everyone know you two will be tying the knot! So, don't pass up getting those engagement photos taken. You will be happy you did! Follow us on: Facebook: burlapandlaceeventrentals Instagram : @burlapandlaceeventrentals Pinterest: Burlap and Lace LLC

It happened! You are engaged! What a moment! This may be quite surreal or be something that you have been waiting for, for quite some time. However the question was popped, it finally happened and the moments, days and weeks following your proposal are guaranteed to be a bit of a whirlwind! There’s lots to do, so many people to contact and much to get organized for; but don’t be overwhelmed – there’s plenty of time to plan your wedding and the rest of your lives! If you’re like many newly engaged couples, you’ll be wondering what the next stages are after your engagement and in what order you should do them. But before you start to stress, don’t worry you are in the right place and I’m here to help! From countless Pinterest boards, wedding magazines, dress shopping and venue searching…. planning a wedding is a timely process and one that’s usually hugely underestimated but you don’t need to start planning every decision the second you say “yes” to your significant other. Every couple’s timeline is different, you don’t need to race up the aisle or rush any part of the planning process. When it comes to the timings of everything, yes it can be confusing – Who do you tell? How soon should you have an engagement party? What planning tasks do you need to tackle first? These are really common questions that many engaged couples wonder; luckily I have the answers for you. Read on for what to do now that an all-important proposal has happened. Break the news One of the first steps after you’ve got engaged is to share your happy news. Take as much, or as little time as you like! Some couples want to tell everyone as soon as possible and have the Instagram announcement posted pronto while others may like to keep it a secret to be enjoyed only by a few close friends or family for a little longer. When you are ready to tell the world do make sure you’ve told immediate family and friends before posting to social media. Once your immediate family and closest friends are in on the news – you can go public and get your relationship status changed on Facebook. If you are planning on posting a ring selfie be sure to get a manicure or at least make sure your nails are cleaned and shaped – you don’t want anything to distract from that gorgeous ring! Enjoy being engaged Round up some of your best friends and family and go out for a celebratory drink or meal, or have a special date night with your partner if that’s more your style. You’re engaged, and it’s most definitely worth celebrating. Once you have shared the news of your engagement you can now take as long as you’d like to just enjoy the experience with your partner. Relax, don’t jump straight into the planning and just enjoy this new relationship status for a little while. You may decide to have a party or arrange an engagement photo shoot to mark the occasion. Of course, if you are planning on having a shorter engagement or you just want to get straight into the planning then you won’t want to delay the planning for too long – do whatever feels right for the two of you. It’s also worth mentioning that you may want to get your ring insured early on. It’s a pretty sentimental piece of jewelry after all. If you add it to your home insurance policy it’s usually pretty inexpensive. Get organized When you are ready to get down to the wedding planning – I'd suggest getting an organizer or a planner to keep everything in one place. There will be a lot to coordinate over the next few months. Get into the habit of keeping important information in a specific place – there's nothing more frustrating than trying to hunt out a contract or RSVP’s when you really need them. Start to have those discussions about what kind of wedding you both want to have. A formal gathering? A relaxed outdoor wedding? Do you want a church? If you have no ideas where to start, think about what suits your individual personalities, do you enjoy a good party or are you happier at smaller, more intimate gatherings? Once you have an idea of your overall wedding vibe other things will fall into place. The Internet is a super helpful tool when it comes to all things weddings. Pinterest and Instagram are great places to start. Create your own mood board and pin things that appeal to you, it’ll be handy when showing your suppliers exact colors, the atmosphere and mood you want to recreate for your day and ensure an overall cohesive look between every element. Next, it’s time to think about what’s important to you as a couple. You may have always wanted a hog roast at your wedding or to arrive by horse and carriage, if you have something that you have always had your heart on then you should have it – and if you have a budget, make savings elsewhere. Set aside some time to plan Popular wedding dates and venues get booked far in advance so if you are hoping to get married in the next year or two, it’s sensible to start thinking about dates early on. Find out what works for both of your families and whether there’s any dates to steer clear of. Once you have chosen a wedding date, start a list of tasks that need planning. Check out my blog post on wedding planning and download your free wedding planning checklist here: LINK. You can’t book a wedding without a venue so you’ll want to research venues and call or visit for information about available dates and pricing. You’ll want to have discussions about your wedding size and budget early on into your wedding planning. You can’t move forward with any area of your wedding plans until you’ve determined an overall budget and know who may also be contributing to parts of your wedding. Once you’ve had discussions about your budget and guest size you’ll be able to make decisions and book your wedding date and venue. I would recommend setting aside some specific days or allotted time with your significant other to go through plans regularly between now and the wedding day. Planning is best done in stages so as not to get too overwhelming. But don’t let wedding planning take over date night, as it’s still important to set time away from planning as a couple. By allotting time specifically to tackle your wedding to-dos you’ll accomplish so much more than just getting round to bits ‘here and there’ at the end of a long day. Make a list of what each of you is going to do and split the tasks so that you can both be involved. This will keep both of you involved, every step of the way. Keep communicating too so that you don’t end up contacting the caterer twice or booking two florists! Your partner may not want to be so involved in choosing the decorations for the tables and so that can go on your list and you may decide that you are happy for them to choose the evening entertainment and so that’ll go on theirs. Have some tasks that you’ll do together too and you’ll soon get into the swing of wedding planning. When the planning gets tough, take a break from it all. It will wait. Spend the time to reconnect as a couple and get excited about the day ahead. And there you have my top tips of what to do now you are engaged! Welcome to wedding planning, we know you are going to love it and remember I’m here to answer any questions you may have. Happy Planning!!

How to make your guests feel extra special! All eyes will be on you on your wedding day – from people gushing over your beautiful dress to guests talking about how amazing your cake is – this is all about you and your partner. With that being said, the people you’ve invited to your wedding are your guests, so it’s important that they enjoy your day just as much as you do. This doesn’t mean that you need to go out of your way to make your wedding day about your guests, but there are small things you can do to make the celebration even more memorable. 1. Give them a welcome bag. Wedding welcome bags are a hot trend at the moment and guests love them! Welcome bags don’t need to be over the top either. A simple gift bag with a bottle of water, some snacks, and maybe some comfy shoes for when the dance floor opens is a simple but effective way to make the day super comfortable for your guests. Personalize it with some treats from your local bakery, candy store or popcorn shop to promote your hometown! Ask your hotel if they can pass them out to your out of town guests when they check in. 2. Offer drinks before your ceremony. Guests will be hanging around for at least 30 minutes before your ceremony starts and if you are getting married during the warmer months, offering a refreshing welcome drink can get the day off to a good start. 3. Keep them warm. Getting married during autumn or winter? Place a few blankets or pashminas at the entrance of your ceremony venue to ensure guests are warm while you’re saying your vows. If your venue offers outdoor seating, a fire pit is a great option too! 4. Shield their eyes. If your ceremony will be taking place outside, make sure that your guests can see exactly what’s going on by offering them a pair of sunglasses. Buying them in bulk will cut the cost of this fun wedding extra. And, don't forget the sunscreen! 5. Cater for late-night munchies. If you know that most of your guests will be dancing and having a good time late into the night, bring a few sodas and light snacks out later in the night to keep their tummies full. Charcuterie boards are hot right now too! Why not have a late night charcuterie board for your guests to snack on? Or schedule a food truck to show up after hours for those with the late night munchies. 6. Send them home with a treat. Say thank you by sending your guests home with a delicious treat such as a cupcake. This could even double up as a late-night snack if you want to save on costs. 7. Create a charging station. Make sure that your guests can keep taking photos and recording fun videos of your day by setting up a phone charging station at your reception. Making your wedding day extra-special for your guests doesn’t need to be complicated or cost a fortune – it’s the smaller details that matter. Don't forget to have them tag their photos with your custom wedding hashtag. This will make it easier for you to find all those photos your guests took of your big day! #weddinginspo #weddingplanningideas #weddingguests #makethemfeelspecial

You’re about to celebrate and commemorate your relationship in a big way. There is so much to consider as you plan a wedding, so much so that it can easily become overwhelming and stressful. This doesn’t have to be the case though – with a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy more of your wedding planning process. That means, you'll have less stress too! 1. Delegate as Much as Possible. Avoid burnout by accepting help from people around you. Just because you want things done a certain way doesn’t mean you can’t ask for help. Friends and family are more than willing to help you out, you simply have to ask. Hand over tasks that you were planning to DIY. The extra hands will reduce stress and get things done more quickly. Your Maid of Honor is a great place to start. Part of the role of being a maid of honor is to help out the bride and to make her day as stress-free as possible. Take advantage of that built in assistant! Another idea is to make an event out of some of the planning/DIY process. For example, have all your bridesmaids over for dinner and drinks while you make your own bridal bouquets. You have fun, check items off your 'to do' list and you don't have to do it alone. That's what we call a win-win!! 2. Think About the Experience More. While it’s important to stick to a budget for your wedding, it can make the planning process more stressful. Instead of focusing on what you are able to purchase to bring your wedding day to life, focus on how you want your guests to feel. I call this the 'vibe' you want your wedding day to portray. Once you start focusing on the experience, you will find that you don’t actually need everything you thought you did. Why purchase those extra expensive flowers to spruce up your tables when you can create a custom cocktail that your guests will remember? Instead of hiring a professional singer for your ceremony, ask that friend with the beautiful voice to sing something special for you. Think really hard about what's trendy right now too and decide if that works for you and your fiancé. For example, favors. While it's great to send your guests away with a gift to remember your day, the experience you leave them with is more important. 3. Put All the Essentials in One Place. Bridal couples can spend a lot of time answering the same questions once they start inviting guests to their wedding. To bypass this and reduce wedding planning stress, create a wedding website where guests can access all the information they need for the day. You now have more time to focus on other more important tasks. Creating an online gift registry is also highly recommended. 4. Spend Enough Time on Vendor Research. Hiring experienced vendors is another way you can spend more time enjoying the months leading up to your wedding. Experienced vendors are more organized and will help you better plan your day without much effort on your part. Tip: Ask your venue who they recommend. Hiring vendors who are familiar with each other and work well together will make your day go more smoothly. 5. Find Time for Self-Care. If you don’t find time for self-care, you might wake up on your wedding day feeling exhausted and frazzled. Self-care doesn’t mean a weekly spa visit either. Simply finding time to switch off for an hour several times a week is all you need. Take a long bath, go out for a quiet dinner with your fiancé with no wedding talk, or arrange a brunch with your besties. When you’re more balanced, the wedding planning process doesn’t feel as overwhelming. If you are worried that you might turn into bridezilla, keep these tips in mind. The wedding planning process can and should be fun and memorable.

Newly engaged? Do you have a wedding, reception or honeymoon in your future? Here are the top 5 items to shop for this coming Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These are deals you don't want to miss out on! Note: some of the links I share are affiliate links. I might earn a small commission from any sales generated from these links, at no extra cost to you. #1 - Invitations Sites such as Simply to Impress are offering up to 50% off of your order of $100 or more and throwing in free shipping too (use Promo code: ALK7GX)! That's quite a deal! Did you know The Knot also offers wedding invitations? With their early Black Friday sale, which starts on 11/18. Take 60% off their save-the-dates (code MARRY60) and 30% off everything else (code MARRY30). Just to sweeten the deal, they are also offering free shipping. They have a whole shop of items too. Everything from robes, to shoes to bridesmaid gifts. Get those wedding party gifts out of the way as well! Amazon also offers a wide variety of wedding invitations in all colors and styles! Check out my affiliate link here to see some rose gold invitations I think are sooo cute! #2 - Wedding Attire Birdy Grey is offering up to 75% off site-wide now thru Cyber Monday. Talk about a deal! They have more than bridesmaid dresses too - they can help you with robes, shoes and personalized gifts. And let's not forget the men! They have groomsmen attire, shoes and gift as well. David's Bridal is also offering some amazing savings - both on bridesmaid and wedding dresses. They currently have some great deals like $125 off of regular price wedding dresses and $20 off bridesmaid and party dresses. However, these deals end on 11/23, which leads me to believe they are going to have some even better Black Friday and Cyber Monday savings for you! So, check back soon! Azazie also has great deals going on right now. They have a current promotion with last chance sales up to 85% off. All final sale dresses are ready to ship within 24-48 hours. Check back for some other Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales events. #3 - Wedding Hashtags I know what you're thinking. There are free sites out there that generate hashtags for you. And, yes there are. If these work out for you, great. But, if you are stumped on what your perfect wedding hashtag should be, then head over to Wedding Hashers and have them create a custom hashtag for you. They are offering up to 45% off with code: BFHASHTAGS. #4 - Wedding Favors If you intend to offer favors at your wedding reception, now is the time to buy! There are so many good deals out there. I'll share just a few examples below. Many couples love giving away seed packets to their guests. Amazon has a deal on these seed packets. The Knot has up to 75% off on their wedding favors too. Want custom printed napkins or coasters at your reception? Simply to Impress has some really cute designs. And again, they are offering 50% off your order of $100 or more and free shipping. #5 - Honeymoon Destinations You might not think of travel when you think of Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales. However, many cruise lines, airlines, and travel agencies offer deals during this time as well. Jet Blue Airlines is offering Black Friday deals now and it includes flights for as low as $39 one way. They do have black-out dates, so be sure to check the fine print before booking. CheapOAir, is offering $10 off select travel bookings with discount code: THANKS. Royal Carribean Cruise lines is touting that their Black Friday deals are "the best travel deals of the year'. Norwegian Cruise lines is also offering Black Friday deals of 30% off guest sailings and all 5 'free at sea' offers. What a deal! My family loves to cruise on both Royal and Norwegian. They offer great food, drinks and entertainment, but offer a casual atmosphere as well (no formal attire required for these cruises). Marriott Bonvoy will announce it's Black Friday deals on Tuesday, Nov 22nd. However, inside sources say that the sale offers members 20% savings and 15% savings for non-members at participating properties from Tue, Nov 22, 2022 – Tue, Nov 29, 2022, extending the sale through Travel Tuesday for the first time this year. Do you currently work with a travel agent? Ask them what deals they can offer you this holiday season. Some travel agents will even throw in their own 'perks' to get you to book before the end of the year. Do you need a travel agent? DM me - I got a guy. :) I hope you found this information useful. Until next time...

Years ago, my husband and I went to an auction in Leroy, IL. The kids were little at the time and they were getting tired of being there all day, so I took them home. My husband stayed at the auction until the very end. When he got home, he said "you'll never guess what I bought?" He was right, I didn't guess. But he had bought a round wooden table for $5. Cool, huh? Yeah, I thought so too and my intent was always to refinish it and make it beautiful again. I even bought a set of 4 chairs to go with it at a garage sale. But, you know, life got in the way and the $5 table just sat in our basement for years. When I started to plan out my showroom, I knew I wanted a round table to do my consultations from. The $5 auction table would be perfect! So, I proceeded to bring it back to life. Sitting in our basement (which unfortunately had been flooded at one point) was rough on this old table. Some of the veneer had started to peel away from the top, but I proceeded to glue it back in place (if it was salvageable). Here's a picture of the gluing process I went through. As for the veneer that couldn't be saved, I had to peel it off and fill it in with wood filler. Since the veneer had come off in places, I knew that I couldn't re-stain the piece. I would need to paint it and I decided to paint it a gray color. I used chalk paint. Why? Because it's easy to use, it dries fast and it looks great on furniture! I ordered my chalk paint through Amazon. Here is an affiliate link to the paint I used: https://amzn.to/3zspfmb I chose a pretty country gray color. Once all of the repairs were done on the table top and all the surfaces were sanded (it took a lot of sanding), then I could prime the piece. Why prime it? Well, since I was painting it a lighter color, sometimes the wood color can 'bleed' through a piece if you don't prime it. Trust me on this one...been there, done that! Once primed, I proceeded to paint the country gray color on. At first. I loved it, but the more I looked at it, the more I thought it was too gray and dull. Pictured below are the chunky style legs of the table. They just looked blah...right!? So, what to do now? Well, I still liked the gray color, but I wanted it to have more of an antique look. So, I pulled out my minwax and started to wax the piece. Here is an affiliate link to the wax I used: https://amzn.to/3Urbc8H I applied the wax with a round stiff brush made specifically for applying wax. Here's the brushes I used: https://amzn.to/3Fwc8Ew. No need to buy anything fancy. Any wax brush will do. I applied it in circular motions to give it an even look. I had to apply two coats of the wax to get it to look right. I even applied more wax in certain areas to give it more of an inconsistent look. That was the ticket! This was what I had pictured in my head. I loved it!! I finished the piece off with several coats of a water-based polyurethane. Since it was going to be used as a table and would have a lot of wear and tear on the top surface, I wanted to make sure it was appropriately protected. Here is an affiliate link to the polyurethane I used: https://amzn.to/3sOm2JL Make sure you use a good polyurethane. Don't go cheap on this step! And especially for tables, make sure you apply multiple coats. I am so happy with the final result! It took me a long time to get here, but I choose to believe that that old table was just hanging out in our basement until the perfect opportunity for it to shine came along. I love it - imperfections and all! It's the perfect size too! Now, to get started on those chairs...