Jan 26, 2015
Once the novelty of being engaged subsides (or even if doesn’t!), you can’t ignore the growing reality that you need to begin to plan your wedding. If your life is already scheduled to the max, how do you make the time for this?
How to plan your own wedding, much less where to begin, can seem very daunting. From glossy wedding magazines to e-newsletters, from blog-sites to wedding website collectives, from social media to bridal fairs….
You get the idea, the amount of available information is staggering. Besides not knowing exactly where to start, how do you know which available information is actually useful rather than a gimmick?
Most couples begin planning their wedding with little or no experience, yet have the pressure to get it ‘right’ from the first to last important decisions. Not much else in life comes with these expectations! When planning your own wedding, you cannot afford to waste time, money or your peace of mind.
So, if you are a newly engaged bride and wondering how to plan your own wedding, your options might look something like this:
1) Depend on your best friend, second cousin or a friend of a friend from work who was just married for her experience or advice that she received from the catering manager at the hotel where she was married. Maybe the printed info is still legible since she can’t seem to find the originals on her computer. Let’s hope your plans for the weddings are identical!
2) Quit your job so you will have time to surf through the millions of posts on wedding advice online and determine which posts are the best and most useful (hopefully). Load the advice to your phone, tablet and whatever else you may have so you can have it whenever you need it (if you remember). But which blog advice post do you start with? Then don’t forget the time to interview and hire the vendors for your wedding and, finally, decide upon all the fun details of the wedding! But who has the energy or time now for these?!? Whew!
3) Or you can enroll in the Merrily Wed® Academy and be coached on how to plan your wedding! This one-of-a-kind wedding planning coaching program takes a modern approach to DIY wedding planning consisting of daily lessons, a wedding coach and useful wedding tools and strategies.
Whichever option is ultimately best for you, make sure it is one that sets you up for success from the start, is convenient for your schedule, taps into professional planning experience and can deliver the results you desire!
Happy Wedding Planning!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
xxx
xxx
xxx
xxxxxx
x
xxx
Jan 7, 2015
When Catering Magazine came calling last fall to find out what new innovative and emerging trends we are seeing in the wedding industry for their current issue, we were more than happy to divulge one of our favorites of the year at Merrily Wed®.
The wedding reception, whether a destination wedding or in your hometown, offers many opportunities to really personalize this portion of your wedding day. There are many different styles of receptions to choose from – plated, buffet, family style and action stations are the most common.
Our favorite new innovation actually solves a problem we have seen with the increasingly popular Family Style reception – where to put the food platters without disrupting the gorgeous tablescape? Read on as our wedding design solution is not only functional but stylish!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
xxx
xxx
xxx
xxxxxx
x
xxx
Dec 22, 2014
Due to numerous requests, we bring you this charming blog post again! It’s one of our personal favorites too for its sweet holiday tune – Happy Holidays from us to you!
‘Tis the season to be merry and bright… And what a better way to celebrate the holidays then with our very own rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”?!
You guessed it – The Twelve Days of Weddings! We know you know the song! We couldn’t resist embellishing this timeless tune and just had to share.
So grab your hot chocolate, cozy up to the fire and let the wedding inspiration begin.
On the twelfth day of weddings, my true love sent to me:
12 Strands of Romantic String Lights,
11 Giddy Groomsmen,
10 Mouth-Watering Menu Items,
9 Inviting Chiavari Chairs,
8 Delicate Cupcakes,
7 Flowing Floral Centerpieces,
6 Oh-So Brilliant Colors,
5 Champagne Signature Drinks,
4 Elegant Bridesmaids,
3 Candled Lanterns,
2 Young Lovers,
and a Stunning Diamond Ring…
From all of us to you and yours, we are Wishing You the Happiest of Holidays!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
xxx
xxx
xxx
xxxxxx
x
xxx
Aug 11, 2014
Skimming through the thousands and thousands of photos we have from our past Merrily Wed® Lake Tahoe weddings, it struck me the range of colors that presented itself. Why not put together a handy dandy little guide to the secret meaning behind each color?
We never know what colors our next client may fancy and the opportunity to do something new is one of my favorite aspects of my job. Even with the same basic color palette, little twists and adjustments to the primary colors make every wedding different and a true testimony to the couple.
This detailed guide below will show you what your favorite color means, what it may say about your personality and how the colors you select for your wedding color palette can influence the overall feel of your wedding day. The psychology of color is real and it impacts you daily so why not keep this in mind for one of the most important days of your life as well!
xxx
Red:
Red is the most intense color of the color wheel. Red stimulates energy as well as increases enthusiasm. Red symbolizes love, passion, courage and rage. Red also emits a sense of protection from anxiety and fears. If red is your favorite color you are passionate, maintain a busy lifestyle, desire strength and may be a risk taker.
x
Pink:
Pink is fun and exciting, some shades of pink can have almost the same energy as red. Red is passionate without being an overly aggressive hue. Pink is the color of happiness. Pink stimulates energy, encourages action and confidence. If pink is your favorite color you tend to be calm, sensitive and sympathetic. You are also compassionate towards others and dislike controversy.
xxx
Orange:
Orange, a close relative of red, radiates warmth and energy. Orange stimulates appetite, socialization, as well as activity. If your favorite color is orange you are friendly, confident and full of energy. You balance your life with business and pleasure and enjoy both!
xxxxxx
Yellow:
Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment and happiness. Yellow is mentally stimulating and encourages communication. Yellow will increase optimism, energy, as well as spark creative thoughts. If yellow is your favorite color you are creative, intelligent and happiness comes naturally to you.
xxx
Green:
Green occupies more space in the color wheel than any other color and is the second most popular favorite color. Green is a large contributor to the colors of nature. The color green is seen as tranquil and refreshing, with a balance of cool and warm hues. Most shades of green are known to be physically and mentally relaxing. If green is your favorite color you enjoy the nature that surrounds you and love spending time in the outdoors. You also enjoy calming your loved ones, as well as helping the less fortunate.
Teal:
Teal has the calming effect of both green and blue. Teal represents sophistication, generosity and creativity. Teal encourages communication as well as creativity. If your favorite color is teal you tend to be sensitive, intellectual, imaginative and charming. You also tend to be self-reliant and independent.
xxx
Blue:
The color blue is the most common favorite color in the world. Blue is seen as trustworthy, dependable and committed. It invokes rest and can cause the body to produce chemicals that are calming. Not all blues are serene, bright blues can become dramatic and cause exhilaration. Blue is the least gender specific color, it appeals equally to both genders. If your favorite color is blue, friends find you to be very trustworthy and patient. You are also conservative and love to have stability in your life.
xxx
Navy:
Navy symbolizes wisdom, self-mastery and spiritual realization. Navy, being a shade of blue, increases communication within yourself. Navy develops intuition, increases solitude and lets you focus on personal issues. If navy is your favorite color you are spiritual, intuitive and intelligent. You are also self-reliant and tend to take on responsibility.
ccc
Purple:
Purple balances red’s stimulation and blue’s calming effect. With a sense of royalty, purple is a color often well liked by very creative personalities. Purple is uplifting, calms nerves, as well as encourages creativity. If purple is your favorite color, you desire respect, power and often tend to be sentimental.
xxx
White:
White projects purity, neutrality and cleanliness. The color white encourages clarity and enables fresh beginnings. White also encourages clearing clutter and purifying thoughts and actions. If white is your favorite color, you prefer a peaceful surrounding and like to be surrounded by truth and innocence.
xxx
Grey:
Grey is the color of knowledge, wisdom and intellect. Grey is also known as the color of compromise because it is a mixture of powerful black and pure white. Grey can sometimes be unsettling because of this compromise, but can also create expectations. If grey is your favorite color you constantly look for peace and composure. You have good business abilities and tend to work hard, sometimes without reward.
Black:
Black is authoritative, powerful, formal and evokes strong emotions. The color black can create a sense of potential and possibility. If black is your favorite color you are classy and others perceive you as a powerful individual. You are very in tune with your emotions and can be spontaneous.
xxx
Brown:
Brown symbolizes stability, reliability and approachability. Brown is the color of earth and is affiliated with being natural and organic. Brown creates a feeling of wholesomeness, stability and orderliness. If your favorite color is brown you are dependable, patient and reliable. You tend not to be impulsive, because you are organized and everything is well planned.
xxx
Champagne:
Champagne represents the basics, the essentials. This color incorporates the warmth of brown with the crispness of white. It creates a feeling that is calm, relaxing and imparts a sensation of simplicity. If your favorite color is champagne, you are conservative, dependable and friendly. You also tend to be a perfectionist and like everything to be precise.
xxxxx
Colors influence and reveal more than just adding some visual interest or depth to an area or object. Keep in mind that a single description may not fit you perfectly and it may be a combination of colors that describe you best.
You may consider these meanings when selecting the color palette for your wedding to convey the feeling that you desire. More importantly though, just have fun with it! You can never go wrong with your favorites and your wedding will be a true reflection of yourself!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
xxx
xxx
xxx
xxxxxx
x
xxx
Jul 30, 2014
As the summer has sailed, surrender to the oh-so cherished tradition and let the bachelorette parties begin! Whether your bridal party wants to relax in the sun or dance all night long, we just swooned over these hottest bachelorette party destinations. And we think you will too…
1. Las Vegas Not surprised here at all! This is definitely the number one destination for your ‘maids to soak up some sun from daytime swanky pool parties to fabulous dining and outrageous entertainment.
2. Miami Think sun-soaked pool parties or white sandy beaches…a perfect place to sip a cocktail or two with your besties.
3. New York City The Big Apple offers such a variety of sightseeing to incredible cuisine and nightlife. Your luxurious ladies will definitely love this bach weekend.
4. New Orleans
Have a bit of a rowdier experience in mind? Then Bourbon Street is the place to be! Jazz music, creole cuisine, and truly a party bar scene…this place will not disappoint!
5. Napa Valley
Okay, so relaxing at world-class spas or drinking wine in style is more your idea of celebrating your upcoming nuptials, then Napa Valley it is. Gorgeous wine country views coupled with some special girl time…priceless!
6. Austin
Ahhh, the live music capital of the world, Austin is the perfect destination for the music loving ladies. Party house boating on Lake Travis is sure to heat up the day!
7. Nashville
Get your dancin’ boots on and get ready for some of the most iconic bar hopping you will ever experience. And saddle up for all things country!
8. Scottsdale
Beautiful desert weather and transcendent spas provide an ideal setting for a relaxing girls’ getaway. Lively bars and restaurants in Old Town Scottsdale make place this city on the top ten for sure.
9. Atlantic City For all our East Coast brides…bask on the beach during the day then try out your lady luck while gambling and dancing at the casino clubs.
10. Chicago
This cosmopolitan city has a fantastic restaurant and bar scene. Lots of alternative activities for your celebration including cooking and art classes, comedy and cabaret shows, burlesque classes and more.
Thanks to Glamour for the inspiration!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
xxx
xxx
xxx
xxxxxx
x
xxx
Jun 19, 2014
The West Shore and the East Shore of Lake Tahoe each have a special allure that draws visitors to their sunny beaches – some sand and some rock. They also both have a wealthy history dating back to the 18th century thanks to the aristocratic families that weaved their legacy with Tahoe lore. At Merrily Wed® we have found these shores to be memorable locations to hold your destination Lake Tahoe wedding.
George Whittel built a fabulous summer home that he named Thunderbird Lodge. It sits in isolation on the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe. This section of the lake is rugged and pristine, in contrast to much of the rest of Lake Tahoe’s shoreline. His failure to allow development on the 27 miles of shoreline that he bought more likely was a result of wanting privacy than being a nature conservationist. Regardless, it has kept this section of the lake from being developed with hotels, homes and shops.
Thunderbird Lodge – photo courtesy of Catherine Hall Studios
Visitors to Lake Tahoe often may not be aware of historical attractions such as Thunderbird Lodge and two other mansions on the western shore that tell a tale of how the fabulously wealthy spent their summers at Tahoe back in the first half of the 1900’s. All three homes are open to tours every summer and two of the three are beautiful venues to host your destination Lake Tahoe wedding.
Landscaping at the Thunderbird Lodge includes waterfalls, pools and streams connected by winding stone pathways and flourishes such as a stone shamrock and other whimsical designs. One tunnel leads to the infamous Card House where Whittel indulged his passion for late night card games and alcohol.
x
Thunderbird Lodge – photo courtesy of Catherine Hall Studios
Your wedding guests may even be able to see the Card House on a tour of the famous Thunderbird property during your wedding. A tower was added to the original lodge after Whittel’s death by investor Jack Dreyfus Jr, where today the space is now used for weddings and special events. The Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society manages the proceeds from tours and events to help maintain and restore the property and the 55-ft Thunderbird mahogany yacht.
x
Thunderbird Lodge – photo courtesy of Catherine Hall Studios
The Hellman-Ehrman Mansion on the west shore is the largest of these three mansions consisting of 11,703 square feet and three stories. Hellman and his descendants used Pine Lodge from 1903 until 1965 when Hellman’s granddaughter sold it to the state of California. It is now part of Sugar Pine State Park and commonly known as the Ehrman Mansion. Weddings are held on the lawn by the lake and receptions are commonly located on the hilltop closer to the Pine Lodge/Ehrman Mansion.
x
Ehrman Mansion – photo courtesy of Brian MacStay Photography
The third historic mansion rich in history and wealth is Vikingsholm just a little farther down the west shore from Hellman-Ehrman Mansion. This was Lora J Knight’s summer retreat whose estimated wealth at that time was $43 million, built in 1929, and sits at the head of Emerald Bay, arguably Lake Tahoe’s most scenic spot. She wanted the mansion to look Scandinavian as the bay reminded her of fjords in Norway.
x
Vikingsholm – photo courtesy of Vikingsholm.com
She also owned tiny Fannette Island which sits in the middle of Emerald Bay. A small stone teahouse that she built sits on its crest. She rarely used it because of the difficulty in accessing it. For the same reason Vikingsholm, despite its intriguing beauty, is not an ideal wedding location due to the narrow path one must hike to reach it.
Whether selecting the West Shore or the East Shore, incorporating one or more of these locations would be a great idea for visiting guests to see more of Lake Tahoe’s rich history. And if you are lucky, one historic site may be host to your wedding itself!
Tahoe Signature of Style,
xxx
xxx
xxx
xxxxxx
x
xxx
