Dan and Ruth

This weekend, my family went to Louisiana to attend the wedding of Dan Nagao, a sweet fellow who works with the youth at our church. We experienced a great taste of the Louisiana culture with giant oak trees covered in Spanish moss, Jambalaya for dinner and, of course, the humidity. This was a breathtaking, simple and elegant ceremony and one of the sweetest I've ever witnessed. Ruth's dress was a beautiful vintage style, and with such an amazing scenery on a family property, little decor was used because it would have distracted from the natural background. Ruth's parents were married on this very spot of land which made the time even more intimate. And the cake was just fabulous!

Rehearsal Dinner

I've been invited to several rehearsal dinners over the years. It always warms my heart when I am asked to join in this intimate gathering of friends and family. I strive to be genuine with my clients and often, I believe, they chose me over other coordinators simply because we "click" and instantly bond. I truly care about each of my clients and tear up almost every time I watch a bride walk down the aisle. I enjoy observing the look on the groom's face as he delightfully watches HIS bride make her way toward him for them to announce to the world (or at least close friend and family) that they are now no longer two, but one flesh. What a great job I have!

Thank you, Nicole and Santos, for the privilege of coordinating

your wedding and for inviting me to the rehearsal dinner.

Yours Truly,
Erin Joyner, Wedding Planner, Bryan/College Station, TX

Together in Eternity...

"I will be yours, you will be mine... Together in eternity." Those were the opening lyrics of the song that I danced with my brand new husband for the first time 14 years ago. My sweet husband and I celebrated our life, love and marriage yesterday with a simple "date in" without children and distractions. It was a wonderful evening of good food, movies and reminiscing about our wedding and marriage. The very first memory that came to his mind was our pastor's jokes as he was speaking to our crowd of about 250 people. I remember so many aspects of our wedding as it was exactly as I always dreamed it would be, down to the very last detail. We both agreed that as wonderful as our wedding was, and as smoothly as it ran, we both love the place where our journey together has taken us. Little did we know what was ahead of us on that blissful day. No one could have ever articulated in words what our journey would look like and where it would take us. Not one person could have spoken to our hearts what the Lord knew our life together would bring. This path has taken us to the very heights of joy with our love, experiencing the birth and lives of four amazing children, friends, and experiencing just a taste of the joy that comes from knowing Jesus so intimately. This sojourn has also led us to the depths of sorrow and pain as we have experienced loss, death, and the darkness of our souls at our very lowest times. Through the highs and the lows, though, we have had our Lord in our midst, and we both consider it a privilege and a blessing to be able to experience it all together. We are so fortunate to have family and friends to cheer us on and walk with us through the good, the bad and the ugly of marriage, family and life. For that I am eternally grateful. We ended our date with prayers of Thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father who has been so faithful, good, patient and life-giving to us. Fourteen years ago, I would have never fathomed where my dreams and hopes would have taken me. However, there is no one in the world I would rather be walking this journey with than my husband.

Erin Joyner, Wedding Planner, College Station/Bryan, TX

The "Hiring a Wedding Planner" Dilemma

My husband recently talked to one of his coworkers about her wedding which took place a couple of weeks ago. He asked her how her wedding went and she replied, "It was wonderful. One aspect that I would change, however, is that I would hire a wedding planner." When he inquired as to why, she said because she spent the entire pre-wedding, post-wedding and reception answering questions. At the reception, she had to tell people where to go and what was happening next. She said her vendors were wonderful (her photographer was Kathy Norwood- she IS fabulous!) but the bride was the one who had to connect all the pieces. Each vendor played his or her part, but the woman of the hour wasn't able to fully enjoy her most special day since she, in all essence was the wedding planner. Will you save money by not hiring a coordinator? Possibly. Coordinators have great money saving tips, know all the vendors in your area and can assist you in making the very best choices for your preferences and budget. Can you plan your own wedding without the assistance of a planner? Absolutely. However, you should at least consider hiring someone for "day of" or "weekend of" services. Otherwise, you will find yourself being the coordinator, as this bride did, and the wedding of your dreams may not be as enjoyable as you would like it to be. I know, I AM a coordinator, so of course I want you to hire one. However, I've been to weddings without a coordinator; I've lived it. (see this post) It's worth it.

A true story from Bryan/College Station, TX

My Thoughts on The Royal Wedding

After all these years, I still remember watching Charles and Diana get married. My most vivid memory of that wedding was Diana's train. I was too young to understand the implications and pomp and circumstance behind the ceremony, but I definitely recall that Diana was truly beautiful and so was her train!

My first glimpse of the recent royal affair was later in the morning when the couple was out on the balcony for their first kiss as husband and wife. (sorry, I didn't wake up at 5 am to watch the celebration live!) I had several observations. First of all, Kate's dress was breathtakingly elegant. I was expecting the trendy strapless look since I was certain she would have her world class designer create something that is all the rave. However, her dress was divinely classical and simply beautiful. I absolutely loved her dress as well as her veil. When watching the ceremony later, I thoroughly enjoyed the live choir processional. The music was beautiful and the British accents were pleasing to my ear. I was especially excited, as a Christian, to hear the gospel spoken so exquisitely and the design of marriage articulated so well. The word of God was spoken boldly. Kate's brother reading from Romans 12 was wonderful and the Archbishop of Canterbury's sermon and prayer were heartfelt. The flower girls and ring bearers were charming and Kate's sister was lovely in her dress as well.

If you think I'm only going to gush over every aspect of the wedding, then you need to know that I do have a critical eye when it comes to these ceremonies. I did not care for Kate's bouquet. It was so, well, small. And, the "Thees, Thous and Willests" I could have done without. I know this is a Royal Wedding in England, but come on. Who says those words anymore in everyday language? I'm also really curious as to what Harry whispered to William as HE got to watch Kate walk down the aisle while William had to face forward. I missed getting to see the look on William's face when he first laid eyes on his bride. That is always one of my favorite aspects of a wedding. Another area of interest to me is the British royalty women's hats. I hope those styles never make it to America. They are unattractive, in my opinion, but extremely entertaining. Now I realize that the new Duchess is well known for her outlandish hats, but Kate just makes everything look adorable.

So these are my initial observations concerning the wedding. I'm sure as more pictures, posts and news is published, I'll have some more thoughts. Until then, "Cheers!"

An Easter Tidbit

On the day of Jesus' resurrection, his disciples were told by Mary Magdalene that Jesus' tomb was empty. She believed that someone had taken him out of the tomb. So, Peter and John "were running together (towards the tomb) but the other disciple (John) outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simone Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself." John 20:4-7. What is the significance of the folded linen? According to numerous scholars, during a Jewish banquet, the master would wad up his napkin and put it on the plate when he was finished with his meal. This signified to his servants that he was finished and they could take his plate. If he was leaving, but coming back, he folded the napkin which signaled to his servant that he would be returning. So, when John and Peter saw the folded linen, they realized that Jesus, their master, was letting them know that he WOULD BE returning! What does Easter have to do with weddings? When Jesus does return, all those who have believed and called on his name will be participating in a wedding feast like never before seen. It's going to be the party of all parties! Revelation 19:6-8 "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns! Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure" I pray you will enjoy the most glorious celebration in history: the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Chuck vs The Wedding Planner

My husband and I love to watch NBC's hit show Chuck. This week's episode was especially hilarious to us. Chuck and Sarah are conned by their "wedding planner" who promises the ceremony of their dreams, asks for their money ahead of time, and then disappears. Our favorite duo end up creating their own scam and decorate a reception hall for another wedding. Sarah cuts some Styrofoam into circles, stacks the pieces and decorates it with frosting and flowers to create the appearance of a beautiful and delectable cake. There are several funny hap-instances during the fake reception and all I can think about is, "What's going to happen when they cut that Styrofoam cake?" The life of a wedding coordinator never ceases....

Choosing Wedding Flowers

Spring: a word often equated with new growth. The trees are blooming, and here in Texas, we see Bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes and a wide assortment of colors from our renowned wildflowers. For me, it is the time of year that I get to plant a new garden. I have delightful memories with my children planting our beds each year. Last weekend, we went to Lowes and purchased plants with which to landscape. They were each allowed to chose a flower to plant in our garden. So, this year, we will have a bundle of purples to view. One of my sons spent his own money to purchase a hydrangea. I told him that it's my favorite flower for a wedding because it is created in such a way that it already has the same appearance as a bridal bouquet. It seems as though the Lord designed hydragneas for a bride's floral arrangements. They are so beautiful! Of course, they are not even remotely the only popular flower you will find at a wedding these days. The classic, roses, are as popular today as they were many moons ago. Gerbera Daisies are another crowd pleaser as well as orchids and tulips. If you are a person that just read this post and has no idea what is the appearance of any of these blooms, then here's a tip: SEARCH until you can't look at another flower. Tear out pages from a magazine, print pictures off of the internet. Find as many bouquets, centerpieces and boutonniers as you like and take them to your florist. If you have picked the right florist, he/she will be able to help you sort through your pictures and tailor your choices to fit your tastes and preferences. He/she might also be able to assist you in saving money by offering alternative styles of flowers that are similar to those you chose but may be easier on your budget. Either way, you are guaranteed to have as your final choice the floral combination of your dreams. How do you find the right florist? Ask your wedding coordinator for recommendations! And in the meantime, enjoy the spring and the beautiful array of flowers on display. It's an amazing time of year!

Erin Joyner, Wedding coordinator, College Station, TX

Choosing Your Wedding Cake

A few years ago, one of my clients' number one topic for her wedding was the cake. The cake was more important than the venue, photographer, music or flowers. She said she attended a friend's wedding and the cake was so delicious, that is what she remembered above everything else. She wanted her wedding to be remembered for the fabulous cake.

When I planned my wedding (over 13 years ago), wedding cake cost around $3.50 per slice and you didn't have many options. We had a small budget, and cake was not at the top of the list for items to spend our money. I was not a huge cake fan, but I had never before tasted excellent cake. So, we ordered a cake from Albertson's, which turned out delicious and beautiful. I never had another thought about it until I became a coordinator and tasted fresh, made from scratch, astounding cake. And believe me, even in this small town, there are some phenomenal bakers. Several create these confections for close the $2.00 per slice, and they are well worth their price in gold. Who are these bakers? You'll have to ask me to find out, but I guarantee, you won't be disappointed!

If I had to do it all over again, I still don't think I would put the cake as high of a priority as Ricci and Jason , but I would definitely hire one of my favorite ladies to produce my wedding cake. My only dilemma now would be which one I would choose! It makes my mouth water just imagining it!

Setting the Date for your Wedding

Selecting the perfect date for your wedding can be quite a headache! There are so many aspects to consider. The most important one is knowing if the venue you most adore is available during the time you desire to speak your nuptials. After that, you can choose your other favorite vendors and hope for the best! One way to almost guarantee that you can pick your preferred choices is to have several weekends available on your end to choose from. It may prove easier to line everyone up if there are diverse options from which to choose.

A recently engaged friend told his fiancée that they could get married any weekend in March EXCEPT the first weekend of the NCAA tournament. This may make some brides cringe, but considering your intended husbands feelings on the matter is a great beginning for your future as husband and wife. Some other sport related affairs to consider are home football games. That may sound strange to some, but we live in Aggieland, and if you try to plan your big event on a home game weekend, you will not be able to book hotel rooms for your out of town guests.

In spite of the many available options that can seem overwhelming, it is certain that you will be able to nail down a date that will work for the most important people in your life. Be open to ideas and suggestions just in case that perfect weekend isn't available at the perfect venue with the perfect photographer. Keep your eyes on the prize, which in this case, is saying, "I do" to the love of your life.

Erin Joyner Wedding Planner Bryan/College Station

Another Cake Rescue Story

When I attend a wedding that I did not coordinate, I struggle. It is difficult to sit and enjoy the ceremony without viewing it from an experienced and somewhat critical eye. Last night was one of those situations. I was looking forward to attending a wedding as a date night with my husband. It was at the Antique Rose Emporium (such a beautiful venue located between College Station and Brenham), there was going to be dancing, food and of course, my favorite; cake!

The ceremony started late, but ran fairly smoothly. The couple took pictures afterward and guests moved to the dining area for punch, cheese, fruit and crackers. Photos took a while as they often do, but eventually the bride and groom joined us. The minister prayed for our meal, and the DJ announced that the bridal party would be first in line. The first error I noticed was that the bride and groom never got in line. They were busy greeting guests and hugging everyone as the couple of the evening always do. However, one of my top priorities as a coordinator at the reception is to make sure that my bride and groom have time to sit and eat so that they can enjoy the meal they carefully selected for their guests. I don't want a fainting bride or groom!

After a long dining time (too drawn out, in my opinion) they cut the cake and immediately engaged in toasts. The toasts were emotional, extensive and touching. However, being the wedding planner that I am, my eyes and focus were on the cakes, which were NOT being carved by anyone. Once the toasts concluded, the cake table was still not being attended to, so my husband and I politely asked the maid of honor if anyone was supposed to cut the cake. She stated that there was no plan for this and the bride's mom had forgotten the cutting set. I kicked myself for not bringing my wedding emergency kit which contains a cake cutting set. But I was SUPPOSED to be a guest, right? I just couldn't help myself. I went to the caterer, got a plastic knife and serving spoon and began to cut and serve the cakes. I've become quite proficient at it; there really is a technique and skill to this age old tradition!

The rest of the reception, my husband and I danced, ate cake (of course) and enjoyed ourselves. We assisted the clean up crew which consisted of the family and close friends. For our efforts? Free cake, cheese cubes and ham. I've got four kids to feed: I'll take it!

You can read the story about my first "cake save" here: The Day I saved the cake!

Erin Joyner Wedding Coordinator Bryan/College Station

Who Toasts Whom?

Modern weddings and receptions often throw tradition out the window.However, many of my brides want to know what is conventionally done at particular parts of their ceremony. With that in mind, traditional toasts are as follows:

1) Father of the Bride greets the guests (since he traditionally is paying for this great party) and offers a toast to his daughter and new son-in-law

2) The Best Man toasts the bride and groom

3) The groom welcomes guests and thanks them for coming thus signaling that the party has begun after the feast has been partaken.

Personally, I like toasts to happen right before the cutting of the cake. Champaign glasses are often near the cake, and the cake-cutting is a big deal, so offering toasts at that time draws the attention of your guests to the confection table. Once you are there, you can kill two birds with one stone so to speak and avoid disrupting the guests' conversations more than necessary. [I have been to receptions where the DJ was on the microphone too many times and interrupted our dinner conversation.] So, I think the flow of toasting first, then cutting the cake is ideal to help your reception run smoothly.

So, what do I think of toasts which follow custom? Honestly, I desire to bring to fruition whatever the bride and groom want at their reception. So, if they want Dad, Best Man, Maid of Honor, brother, sister, etc. all to toast, then I think that's excellent. However, I will say, that too many toasts and opening up the microphone to any guest who wants to make a toast can lead to some awkward moments and long winded well wishes. In my opinion, it's better to stick with the traditional, possibly adding the Maid of Honor to the list and then move on to the cake. I prefer open-mic toasts and well wishes at a rehearsal dinner so that close friends and family of the Bride and Groom can feel free to speak from the heart and share old stories. It's simply a more intimate setting designed for speaking kind words to the guests of honor.

Life's Firsts

This post contains nothing about weddings. However, today, I experienced two firsts in my life. Premier number one: I began training for a Sprint Triathlon. I will be racing with three other girl friends and we are shooting for a race in the latter part of the summer. I am extremely excited and nervous at the same time. Today's preparation included a mile of running and also, well, walking. We completed a mile, though, which means we have two more miles until we have completed the run part of the tri. My second first: my cell phone was stolen. I struggle with feeling guilty about that aspect. How crazy is that? Someone invaded my personal belongings, and I feel partly to blame. Regardless of how I feel about it, it IS the first time I've knowingly had something stolen from me, and the first time I have started something as monumental as training for a triathlon, so I thought they were worthy blog topics. Amazingly, I just didn't have time to think about weddings today.

TOMS has Wedding Shoes!

The TOMS shoe idea is incredible. Buy a pair of shoes from them, and they will donate a pair of shoes to a child in need. Of course, it's a marketing ploy, but I'm a big fan of Capitalism and this is the free market at it's best! So, I want to put a plug in for TOMS. They have a Wedding Collection. I've not bought a pair of TOMS yet, but everyone I know who owns them says they are extremely comfortable. So, why not take the money you would use to purchase a pair of uncomfortable high heeled shoes from a department store and buy some TOMS, which you really could wear later, and help a child in need receive a free pair of shoes? The line includes shoes for brides, bridesmaids, grooms, groomsmen and kids. You could just have a TOMS shoes themed wedding. That way, everyone's feet are adorned in adorable footwear, which don't hurt at the end of the night, and a child somewhere in the world won't have to walk incredible distances without adequate protection for their feet. Here's a link to their site: http://www.toms.com/wedding?icid=us032011_10

Unique Wedding Reception Desserts

Spring Break is here, which means one of my favorite places, JJ's Snowcones, will be opening soon! So, why do I mention this in my wedding blog? One new trend I've noticed with my brides is the aspiration to have something unique in the way of desserts at their reception. Most brides desire a traditional wedding cake, but still want to have something for which their guests can clearly remember. Some examples: candy buffets, cheesecake, ice cream sundaes, chocolate fountains. My mouth is watering just thinking about all the options!
The owner of JJ's are personal friends of mine, and they recently purchased a new ice machine. The purpose of this acquisition was to take JJ's from the small hut on Villa Maria to anywhere in the city. Soon after this investment, they were hired to serve their snowcones at a wedding reception. Snowcones at your wedding reception; now THAT'S an anomalous idea! If you've never experienced the delectable, heavenly flavored ice at JJ's, give me a call. I'll set you up with some free cones and a sweet experience that will leave your taste buds screaming for more. As for your wedding guests; if you treat them to this savory indulgence, they'll fondly recall your reception as the day they were introduced to pure, dessert bliss.

Erin Joyner, Wedding Coordinator, Bryan/College Station, TX

Rumor has it...

The rumors are flying surrounding the wedding dress designer of Kate Middleton, the future Queen of England. Who has been selected for this treasured honor? We don't know for sure, but sources are saying that Alexander McQueen has been given the nod. McQueen is well know for using bold, intense color and feathers.

One of his better known designs was worn by First Lady, Michelle Obama at a recent state dinner. Feathers and color wouldn't be fitting for the Royal Wedding, but one fact is certain... Kate will look amazing in whatever model she chooses.

Erin Joyner, Wedding Planner, Bryan/College Station, TX

Comments on the Beta Centerpieces

Some of my friends commented about this post on facebook, so I wanted to share their comments with you in case you are thinking about using Beta Fish or other types of fish as part of your decor...

From Christy: "My friend Lori did those years ago and I had my beta (Lola) for years! It was great! Highly recommend!"

From Sarah: "My friends Lara and Topher did it at their wedding 3 1/2 years ago. It looked so great! They had an aquarium together while they were dating and still have it, so it was really meaningful. The cake was decorated like a coral reef, too!"

Erin Joyner, Wedding Planner, Bryan/College Station, TX

The Royal Wedding

I have enjoyed following the details of this event simply because I love weddings and I'm curious about how the rich and famous will celebrate their special days. In researching the particulars of William and Kate's wedding, I came across this website which does such a great job analyzing it, I thought I'd just reference it. About.com weddings http://weddings.about.com/od/williamandkate/a/William-And-Kates-Wedding-Details.htm

I wonder if they'll need a fabulous and professional wedding coordinator from Texas to help with this amazing affair. I think I could find the time and resources to fly over to England. I've handled numerous mothers of the bride and groom. The Queen of England should be no problem :)!

Erin Joyner, Wedding Planner, Bryan/College Station, TX

Something seems a little fishy....

Recently, my 8 year old purchased a 29 gallon fish tank and we began the journey of becoming fish owners. If any of you has ever owned a fish tank, you know that the tank has to go through a cycle to get the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates balanced so that fish can thrive. In order to do this, you are counseled to begin your tank with certain types of fish which are sturdier than others and are better able to handle the increase in ammonia that inevitably happens in the beginning. So, we began with one Molly and one Platy which have survived and thrived. One of them had babies, and six of those has survived. Because of the success from these 8 fish, we felt that we were ready to add more fish. So, we bought a guppy (who can kill a guppy?) and three neon tetras. The guppy died in a day, so we replaced him with another who also died quickly. We had our water tested: too much ammonia. Yesterday, we were changing some of the water in order to help with the water stabilization process (we have lost 2 guppies and 2 neon tetras), and I was reminded of a wedding in which I attended a couple of years ago. Our friends had discussed some of the details of their wedding with me to glean from my expertise. The bride, Amy, told me about her centerpiece idea, using male Beta fish, and I thought it sounded fun and unique. The thought was that guests could take the fish home afterward and then they would have a party favor as well. A unique idea it turned out to be indeed... They had done a fabulous job decorating and the centerpieces were lovely. When we got to the reception, our kids were extremely excited about the fish in the middle of the table. However, upon further examination, we realized our fish was dead. Oops! We decided to just stay quiet about it so that our friends wouldn't be upset. Well, as the night went on, we started hearing other people state that the fish at their table was dead. An hour into the celebration, we realized ALL of the beautiful betas had kicked the bucket. We talked to our friends about it afterwards and all had a good laugh over it. Apparently, they didn't realize that you have to stabilize the temperature of the water when putting the fish into new water, so all the fish were basically shocked to death. It's a funny story now, but also a good lesson to learn when planning your wedding. Make sure you do your research before choosing a unique decoration or any other idea you plan to implement in your wedding!

Erin Joyner, Wedding coordinator, Bryan/College Station

Wardrobe Malfunction

If you and your future husband are planning to do a choreographed dance routine for your first dance together, you might want to practice in your dress to avoid a possible wardrobe malfunction like this bride experienced...

Erin Joyner, Wedding Coordinator, Bryan/College Station