Food Trucks - The Latest Trend in Wedding Food

Should you treat your wedding guests to hardy hors d’oeuvres or pretty crudités displays? Lots of couples are turning the tables on this question to embrace a quirky new trend in feeding the wedding day masses – gourmet food truck catering. 

Food trucks themselves are nothing new; Mobile eateries have been around since the days of the chuck wagon in 1800s and today food trucks are sidewalk-favorites from New York to LA. But now brides and grooms are parking food trucks on the bridal landscape as a quirky, low-cost way to feed their guests during their cocktail hour or even wedding after parties. Whether it’s spicy gourmet tamales, tasty cupcakes, one-of-a-kind burgers, delectable chicken and rice dishes, there’s a food truck menu for every taste!

So are mobile munchies right for you? 

Take a good look at the time of year, the tone you want to set and your guest list before you answer. Outdoor food trucks definitely won’t work for a winter wedding and it may be a little too offbeat if you’ve been dreaming of an elegant, fairytale affair. Of course, you should also consider who your guests are and what they’ll enjoy. Gourmet food trucks could be the perfect tie-in for more adventurous themes.

So are food trucks an option for you? Distinct Event Planning wants to know.

Where oh where could my wedding dress be?

So many stores -- so little time. If you’re getting married this year and you’re still scanning the racks for the perfect wedding dress, you know it’s true! Rather than spending another day trying on a dressing room full of not-quite-right dresses, take a deep breath, relax and rethink your shopping strategy.

 

If you feel like your sense of style is getting lost because you’ve tried on so many gowns, take a little time to imagine your ideal dress. Then jot down your ideas. Writing things down is great way to collect your thoughts. If you’re more visual, try sketching your ideas. If you like what you see, take it with you to your next bridal appointment and show it to your consultant. If she knows her stock, she’ll be able help you find a dress that has the elements you’re looking for.

Maybe you’ve already done that and realized the style you liked really didn’t work well for your body type. For a little renewed inspiration, pick up new bridal magazines. As you flip through the pages, pay attention to the sorts of styles, colors and fabrics that make you “ooo” and “ahhh.” Tear out those pages and look back over your choices. You’ll start to see a pattern and your new fashion direction.

Finally, if big bridal stores like David’s Bridal have given you “too many” choices, try searching online for wedding boutiques in your area. Boutiques generally have less to choose from but their stock is more tailored to brides looking for specific looks -- from high-fashion to vintage.

Rethink your shopping approach, you’ll find “The One.” Your dress is out there just waiting to be found!

Searching for the perfect wedding dress...

Planning the perfect wedding is all about the search -- the search for the perfect spot on along the shore for your dream beach ceremony; the search for the best photographer to capture those priceless candid moments; the search for the best caterer to feed your guests — the list goes on and on. But no search is greater than the hunt for the perfect wedding dress.

There’s no other piece of clothing on earth that we ask to do more. We want it to reflect our uniqueness, cinch our waists, make our skin tone glow and our smiles sparkle. And not only that, we want it to fit the setting, whether we’re getting married in a quiet garden at noon or on a downtown rooftop at sunset.

So where do you begin on your hunt for “The One”? Start with the two Bs: body type and buying power. No matter where you begin your journey, knowing your body type and how to dress it is “Dress Shopping 101.”  Discover your body type by having someone take your measurements in these three areas: 1) at the widest part of your bust; 2) the widest part of your hips; and 3) at the narrowest part of your waist. 

You have an hourglass shape if your bust and hip measurements are virtually the same and your waist measurement is considerably smaller (5 to 10 inches) than those two measurements. Brides with hourglass figures look great in mermaid, trumpet and fit-and-flare style gowns.

You have an apple shape if your waist measurement is larger than your hips. Apple shapes wear A-line gowns well, as long as they cinch in at the smallest part of the waist and gradually flow out. 

You have a pear shape if your hip measurement is considerably larger than your bust and/or shoulders.  Pear shapes also do well in A-line gowns that gradually flow out from the natural waist.

Inverted triangle shapes are larger at the shoulders but narrower at the hips. Ball gown and A-line styles help balance out broader shoulders and create more volume through the hips.

While these are just general guides, fabric type, details, & necklines have a lot to do with accentuating or downplaying your features too. So you still have plenty of decisions to make even after you’ve discovered your perfect cut. 

That brings us to our second B: buying power, aka budget. Don’t leave home without knowing your body type OR your budget. At Distinct Event Planning, we advise all brides: Know and stick to your budget. When it comes to buying a wedding gown, tell your bridal consultant your dress budget BEFORE she loads your dressing room with beautiful gowns that your budget wasn’t built to handle. 

Keep these tips and mind and enjoy the hunt!!

Happy Planning!!

Are Engagement Photos Right for You?

Most brides want every moment of their wedding day captured on film whether it’s in the form of photos or video. But what about letting a professional capture those special moments before you say “I do”?

A great way to begin thinking about whether or not engagement photos are right for you is to understand their purpose. Traditionally, couples include an engagement photo or two when they publicize their engagement in their local newspapers. Some couples also create guest sign-in books that feature some of the photos. Lots of couples also design “save the date” cards featuring their engagement photos.  To add a more personalized feel to the wedding reception, “picture happy” couples also use their photos to display them throughout their event space.

Another perk of engagement photos is the comfort factor that comes from working with your photographer before the big day.

A local photographer stated, “Having engagement photos done helps you to get to know your photographer and to get to know them if you’re still not sure of whether or not to book them. It also helps you get comfortable with getting your picture taken.” That’s especially true for men, who are often more camera shy than their brides-to-be.

All those great reasons aside, you have to know and respect your wedding budget. If you’re on a tight budget and your photographer doesn’t offer engagement photos as a part of his or her package, you may want to reconsider purchasing engagement photos and instead focus on hiring a photographer who can capture high-quality wedding day photos.

As for what to wear if you do opt to get engagement photos, matching outfits are a “don’t,” but coordinating with your honey on your style is a must. That means deciding ahead of time whether you’re going for a casual or dressier look. 

When it comes to choosing that perfect location - beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So choose a location you love.

If you’re stumped, you can also ask your photographer for ideas; they’re eyes are always scouting out great locations and they may know sites you overlooked.

No matter what you decide, the options abound!

Happy Planning!

The Proposal. The Ring. The Party?

Your ring is sparkling and the word is out. You’re engaged and everyone wants to know one thing: When is the ceremony? While you may have to get back with them on the exact date of the Big Day, there’s another special day for you and your main squeeze to consider as you make plans – the engagement party.

Not every couple decides to host one, but engagement parties are a fun option for duos looking to celebrate before saying “I do.” While it’s a fantastic way for the bride and groom’s families to meet and spend time together before the wedding, engagement gatherings are a great way to build excitement and give a sneak peak to your wedding day too.

So if you see an engagement party in your future, how will you celebrate? Do you want to party like a rock star or host an elegant, low-key dinner with friends and family? Party planning guru Jes Gordon says before you starting touring venues and scanning the shelves for the cutest invitations you have to ask yourself one question: Why do I want to do this? "Parties take time and effort – not just for you but for your guests too,” Jes wrote in her book, Party Like a Rock Star. “Good reasons for getting together will not only make it worth your time but your guests’ time as well.”

Even before asking “Why?” Distinct Event Planning advises brides and grooms to consider “How?” It’s so easy for wedding budgets to turn into runaway budgets, when couples don’t map out all of their expected expenses or when excitement pulls them away from the financial game plan they created.

If you crunch the numbers and find that your engagement party is a-go, consult with a party planner to help turn your ideas into reality and maximize your money. It’s easy to image amazing color schemes, music, and the perfect food and venue, but pulling all the pieces together and assessing your options is better left to the experts, especially if you plan to host a large or extravagant gathering. 

Work with your planner to come up with a party concept based on your style as a couple – whether it’s “red carpet fabulous,” or “backyard casual.” Then select a venue, menu, music, decorations and the other details to make your day shine.

Planning the event yourself is also always an option too. Before you begin just be sure to map out all you need to do and when it needs to be done, down to the smallest detail. Ask knowledgeable friends to review your to-do list to make sure you’re not leaving anything out. Then consider your other time commitments and who’s actually going to roll up their sleeves with you. Party planning done right is serious business so choose wisely!

No matter what you decide, an engagement party is a fabulous event to look forward to! 

  Happy Planning!

It’s Here! Engagement Season Now What?

Christmas and Valentine gifts weren’t the only things flying off the shelves this season. Between now and early spring, thousands of grooms-to-be will be scanning jewelry counters for the perfect ring. If your ring finger has a little bling headed its way, it’s time to share your ideas for an ideal engagement with your honey.

Being able to express your ideas to your mate is the cornerstone of any great relationship, right? So why not get some practice in as engagement season unfolds.

Don’t have the ring yet and unsure of what you want? Try visiting the websites of popular jewelry retailers with your fella first. Stores like Kay Jewelers, the Diamond Cellar & Zales each have hundreds of rings to view online and the sites allow you to narrow your search based on cut, metal and price. Looking online before heading into a physical store offers a pressure-free way to window shop for the perfect piece. No waiting in line at a busy jewelry counter or high-pressure sales await you when you do a little virtual viewing from home. Plus, you can carefully compare each store’s policies on returns, repairs and other services in peace. You might even discover “online-only” deals that clerks may honor in-store.

Once you have a good idea of what you want, talk openly with your honey about your wedding budget and how the ring fits into the “bottom line” of your big day. Be sensitive to what he can afford and respect the boundaries of your overall budget. Keep in mind most stores offer deals on ring upgrades. Your dream ring may not fit into the budget now but stores offer great exchange programs to customers looking to upgrade to bigger and better pieces later on.

After talking over those serious budgeting goals, head to the store for a little playtime. Nothing gives you peace of mind like trying things on before you buy. It’s best to find out firsthand, if your online pick really compliments your personality and if the design is practical for your lifestyle. Trying rings on and talking with a professional about the pros and cons of each piece lets you do that.

Find your Favorites, discuss your Finances, and see if it Fits – ring hunting never looked so easy. Happy shopping!! 

Welcome to Distinct Event Planning’s first ever blog!

To stay up to date, bookmark this page or better yet subscribe to our posts to automatically receive our latest posts. Click on the “Posts” link to the right to add us to your Posts list in a matter of seconds.

We hope you’re as excited as we are about our gorgeous new website and the debut of our new blog!

While the website introduces you to our services, and lets you explore beautiful images and rave reviews from our customers, our blog is all about your inspiration!

In our weekly posts, we’ll be sharing everything from innovative party planning ideas, to strategies on how to communicate your ideas and manage your event budget; plus plenty of multimedia to keep your creative wheels turning as you imagine your dream events.

Before we head into spring, we’ll be blogging about Engagement Season – that special time of year between Thanksgiving and early spring when thousands of grooms-to-be pop the big question and couples begin engagement and wedding planning.

Over the next few weeks, discover your engagement party style. Whether you want to party like a rock star or host a low-key dinner with friends and family, how will you celebrate your engagement? And what about engagement photos? Most couples want the big day captured on film, but do you want a professional to capture those special moments before you say “I do”? We’ll weigh the pros and cons of purchasing engagement photos, help you find a photographer, negotiate deals and find the perfect location.

Our ideas are flowing, but we need to hear from you! So post your comments and questions often. Spark someone else’s next big idea or find your connection to a vital resource. Answers are only a comment or a question away when we all join the conversation!

Thanks for visiting!

Love in planning,

Lucretia