Camille McLamb's Blog (15)

When planning your wedding, one of the biggest decisions a bride can make is choosing who will get the coveted Maid of Honor position. But what does the Maid of Honor actually do? There are many responsibilities that a good Maid of Honor (“MOH”) will handle. The MOH is a role that, when successfully done, can take immense pressure off the bride. So when choosing who you want for the job, consider the responsibilities she will be tackling.



Pre-Wedding…

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Maybe the Chicago River isn't the high seas, but saying "I Do" aboard a river boat, with views of famed architecture and the skyline, is definitely a fun and unique way to tie the knot. That classic Chicago ambiance carried into the evening with a downtown reception at the historic Rookery Building. Check out the stunning photos by Nakai Photography.…

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Our pets are our fuzzy family members, so it’s no surprise that many brides can’t bear to leave their fur babies behind on the Big Day. But actually having your pet walk down the aisle may not be for everyone, so there are other fun ways to include our pets in the big celebration.

Pets in the Bridal Party

Putting a pet in the bridal party can take some extra planning. If you must have your pooch by your side, you’ll first have to get clearance from your…

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When choosing the wedding party, the bride and groom tend to focus on bridesmaids and groomsmen -- the folks that will be standing at your side as you take your vows.  But, in truth, they have it easy compared to the often overlooked role of the ushers.



I believe that ushers have the hardest job of anyone in the wedding party.  You may think that they simply greet guests.  But there is so much more that goes into ushering, which brides and grooms sometimes don't realize when they…

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Q: Do I need to get an aisle runner for my wedding ceremony? Where would I get one from? What's the procedure for them?

A: Aisle runners are entirely optional.  In the olden days of unpaved roads, guests often tracked in dirt and mud from the streets.  Aisle runners were used to protect the bride's gown from the tracked in mud.  But today, this is no longer an issue. If your wedding is indoors, there is usually no need for an aisle runner…

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With outside weddings, brides can get so concerned with warding off rain that they may forget about the other weather culprit -- the heat.  Here are a few ideas that you can use to make your guests more comfortable at a hot summer wedding.

• Print your programs on paper fans.
• Provide an outside table or bar with lemonade, ice tea, water, or even fun daiquiris or pina coladas prior to the ceremony start.
• Have a few baskets stationed around the ceremony area with…

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Every bride wants her wedding day to be special. But brides today are finding ways to make the Big Day one-of-a-kind.  From theme weddings to signature cocktails, gone are the days of the cookie-cutter wedding.  So, here are my top ten ideas on how to personalize your wedding day.



1) Ceremony Vows - When putting your personal touch on the wedding, start with the ceremony.  If there's anything your guests have experienced time and time again, it's the traditional wedding vows.  So,…

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Royal Wedding Recap

Being in the wedding industry, I couldn't resist getting up at 4 a.m. to watch the Royal Wedding live.  You certainly don't need me to give you the low down on the designer of Kate's dress or the tiara that the Queen chose to lend her.  Those details are all over the web right now.  But here are some of the highlights of… Continue

Having children at your wedding?  You may be worried that the kids will get bored, restless, or hyper, which may lead to unwanted disruptions on your big day.  Well, the best way to keep the kiddies out of trouble is to keep them entertained.  If you're expecting a group of children that are close in age, you could have a kids play area at the reception with children's books, Legos, etc.  Hire a babysitter to oversee the area and play with the kids.  If that's not in your budget or the…

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Chuppahs are traditionally part of Jewish wedding ceremonies, symbolizing the openness of the couple's home.  But "chuppah" literally means canopy and can be a beautiful focal point for any type of wedding ceremony.  Creating a chuppah simply requires four poles and a cloth covering on top.  But, today, chuppahs are often elaborately decorated to provide the primary decor for the ceremony.  I came across these gorgeous, unique chuppahs that are great inspiration for designing a canopy for your… Continue

By the time wedding day rolls around, you have every detail meticulously planned out.  And while you may have chosen the perfect centerpieces to create beautiful tablescapes for the reception, you may not have thought about what you want to happen to those centerpieces after the festivities are over.



The teardown of the room after the reception happens very quickly.  The venue staff want to be on their way home, so if you haven't specified your plan for the centerpieces and…

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Got a groom who has two left feet?  Does your Dad shy away from the spotlight? You may have been looking forward to the iconic First Dance and Father/Daughter Dance at your wedding reception, but those important men in your life just aren't comfortable with the concept.  If you've got some shy guys on your hands (or maybe you're the one trying to avoid the dance), you don't have to nix the dances completely to accommodate them.....

 

For entire article, go…

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Q:  I've got the planning for the actual wedding pretty much covered, but what other wedding events do I need to plan for my wedding weekend? 

A:  The bride and groom are often surprised to discover how quickly the wedding day goes by.  You've got pictures to pose for, dinner to eat, guests to greet, cake to cut, and you still want to celebrate and boogie on the dance floor!  Often the bride and groom don't get to spend as much time with…

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Q:  My friend had a Day Of Coordinator for her wedding, and I'm trying to decide if I need one for my wedding.  What does a Day of Coordinator do? One of the venues I'm considering has a venue coordinator.  Wouldn't the venue coordinator be the same thing?

A:  As a wedding planner, Day Of Coordination is by far my most popular package.  A lot goes on behind the scenes at a wedding, and the last thing a bride wants…

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Many brides dream of having a custom wedding gown made especially for their big day.  But custom wedding gowns used to be the purview of wealthy brides willing to spend a fortune.  Wedding gown designer Liz Fields puts unique, customized dresses in the reach of the masses.



Relatively new on the scene, Fields is now offering her third collection of wedding dresses in her Spring 2011 line. "It's not a cookie cutter dress," said Dawn Wolsfelt, whose bridal shop,…

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