Ahhhh… the Honeymoon.  What more could you look forward to after vows have been said, toasts have been given and presents all packed?  Your honeymoon is your first official vacation together as husband and wife, better make it a good one!

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when planning your vacation of a lifetime:

Type of Honeymoon & Destination: Not all vacations are alike.  Some couples prefer to relax on secluded white sand beach while others prefer the adventure of exploring an ancient city.  Make sure you do your research on the destination before you book!

Weather: As a Floridian we often take our warm, sunny weather for granted.  If your visiting Europe or a country in the Southern hemisphere make sure you look into weather patterns as seasons can be opposite from where we are here in the states.  Check the Farmer’s Almanac and the expected weather in advance and you should be fine!  If you’re really worried, travel insurance may be a great option for you.

Budget: It can be difficult when  funds get tied up on all the pre-wedding activities.  Make sure you plan ahead and save ahead for your honeymoon.  Just because your planning a romantic getaway doesn’t mean you have to travel far either.  Central Florida has some fabulous options for a local vacations!  The Omni Championsgate is perfect for the couple that loves to play golf while the Don Cesar is a beautiful hotel right on St. Pete Beach.

I would love to hear about your Honeymoon plans or Honeymoon stories… leave your comments for me here!  Also, as of this Weekend (8/20- 8/22) I will be a Certified Sandals Specialist!  Feel free to email me if you have any questions or would like planning your dream vacation!

Bride to be? For more creative insight and professional planning assistance, please contact Heather M. Stewart with Stylish Traditions Wedding & Event Design at Heather@stylishtraditions.com.

It can often be difficult to plan an upscale, elegant affair when your flower girls and ring bearers take over the dance floor.  These days brides are more in tune when thinking about entertainment for the little guests.  With options such as movie night with a sitter or coloring books and decorating your own cupcake, the kids at your wedding are sure to have just as much fun as the grown ups!

A table specifically for all the children can provide new friends, while offering favors such as activity books can keep them occupied. Don’t forget to mention to your caterer the amount of children that will be in attendance as this will typically affect the food and price.  More than likely they will be happy to serve “kids meals” such as mac n’ cheese or chicken tenders that your little guests will love!

Not about possible fingers in the cake?  Try booking a small meeting space at your venue and turning it into a play space for all the kids.  You can hire a trusted nanny for the evening to ensure everyone plays fair and is safe.  Just don’t forget to bring in a few slices of cake once it’s served… or even better, have your cake baker make plain cupcakes and provide frosting with some decorations to let the kids create their own!

Bride to be? For more creative insight and professional planning assistance, please contact Heather M. Stewart with Stylish Traditions Wedding & Event Design at Heather@stylishtraditions.com.

The vendors are hired and you found your dress… let the countdown to the big day begin!  This is the time when having a wedding coordinator will save you time and stress.  In those few short months before you walk down the aisle there are still important tasks to be done.  Someone has to confirm the arrival and set up times with your vendors, someone has to create a time line to make sure everyone in on the same page, and someone has to put it all together on the big day.  Here are a few tips on finding a day of coordinator that’s right for you:

1.) It’s in the Details: Details matter… especially when planning a wedding!  You want to hire someone that has a very close attention to detail so that everything is accounted for and nothing is forgotten about.

2.) Open & Honest:  You and your wedding coordinator should always be open and honest with each other.  There may be times when your coordinator becomes your voice and will need to make decisions on behalf of you.  It’s important to trust them and know they will make decisions in your best interest at all times… after all, you’re their boss!

3.) A Real Go-Getter:  Organization is a give in when choosing a coordinator.  You should look for someone who is a real go-getter and will do what it takes to get the job done.  Things can go wrong and vendors can make mistakes… you have a coordinator to take care of these problems before they get to you!

A Day of Coordinator is always a great idea.  You, your family or any of your guests should not be troubleshooting on your big day.  You can hire a Day of Coordinator just weeks before your wedding to pull everything together.  Also, keep in mind that if you book a venue that includes a “coordinator,” they work for the venue, not for you.  Brides can often get confused when they are told they have a “day of coordinator” as they won’t be able to preform all the tasks an outside planner can.  This is the day you have been waiting for, so don’t forget to enjoy it!

Bride to be? For more creative insight and professional planning assistance, please contact Heather M. Stewart with Stylish Traditions Wedding & Event Design at Heather@stylishtraditions.com.

Having a Southern, summer wedding in Florida can be rough… especially if your big day is a black tie affair.  Why not turn it down a notch and embrace Florida’s original coastal gathering, the Lowcountry Boil.

This traditional feast is a great idea for the reception at a beach wedding.  With tasty ingredients such as shrimp, corn and potatoes it’s the Southern twist to the popular New England Clam Bake.

Can’t live without your one big formal night?  Host a lowcountry boil as your rehearsal dinner!  It’s fun, informal and a true Southern treat for your out of town guests.

Bride to be? For more creative insight and professional planning assistance, please contact Heather M. Stewart with Stylish Traditions Wedding & Event Design at Heather@stylishtraditions.com.

Seating arrangements can make a bride want to reconsider the whole wedding!  I’m just joking, but they can be the longest and most tedious detail of planning your wedding.  The alternative?  Free seating!  Yes, call me crazy but this CAN work at your wedding… especially if you have a coordinator.

The idea is to only assign tables to immediate family members and the bridal party while your other guests are free to sit wherever they please.  Creating “Reserved” signs on select tables gives your family and closest friends preferred seating with the option to choose their table.  This works best if your reception is cocktail or station style, as your guests are already encouraged to get up and mingle.

If the thought of guests wandering around aimlessly trying to find “their seat” gives you anxiety don’t panic.  Your wedding coordinator will help you create seating arrangements that will put your 3^rd grade teacher to shame.  In the meantime, WeddingWire has a super cool template that will put your nerves as ease.  Plan on!

Bride to be? For more creative insight and professional planning assistance, please contact Heather M. Stewart with Stylish Traditions Wedding & Event Design at Heather@stylishtraditions.com.

I always advise my brides to meet with vendors before booking their services.  It’s important to get to know the vendors you will be spending the most time with throughout the planning process and on the day of the wedding.  Photographers, florists, videographers and Officiants are the vendors who you will see the most and often provide the most important details.  Here are some helpful tips on planning your dates with your wedding destiny:

Saturdays are tough!  When scheduling appointments try to remember that Saturday is the busiest day for wedding professionals.  You wouldn’t want your photographer showing up late because he was meeting with another bride on the day of your wedding would you?  Try to schedule appointments Tuesday-Friday during your lunch hour or immediately following your work hours.  We have families to get home to as well!

Choose a day and stick to it.  We all know unexpected events come up but try your best to stick to the day and time decided upon.  If you know your plans might change try giving your vendor several dates and times to meet.

Be sure the decision makers are present.  If your future mother-in-law has decided to foot the bill for your floral arrangements but wants a say in the design make sure she is at the meeting!  Not having the final decision makers (parents, Fiancée, you) at the meetings can be a waste of time if you need final approval to move ahead.

Bride to be? For more creative insight and professional planning assistance, please contact Heather M. Stewart with Stylish Traditions Wedding & Event Design at Heather@stylishtraditions.com.

Your wedding stationary isn’t something to choose blindly.  Beginning with your Save the Dates, your stationary will set the tone for the entire event.  Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when choosing what design and font fits your wedding best.

- Formality:  Intimate garden wedding or black tie affair?  Be sure to choose something that coincides with the formality of the event.

- Follow through:  Your design doesn’t have to end with your invitations.  Follow through with coordinating your place cards, menu cards and thank you notes.  If you’re seriously in love with your invitations talk to your baker about mimicking the design on your cake!

- Your personal style:  Your wedding is a reflection of YOU!  Never choose a style that doesn’t express you and your fiancé.  There are plenty of talented graphic designers that specialize in wedding and event stationary.  Creating custom invitations are their specialty!

Want to add a special touch to your custom invitations?  Try modern calligraphy!  Artists can do much more than address envelopes… like create custom maps of your ceremony and reception locations.

Bride to be? For more creative insight and professional planning assistance, please contact Heather M. Stewart with Stylish Traditions Wedding & Event Design at Heather@stylishtraditions.com.