Write Me My Song

Christopher Todd Studios

Oh that first dance. We just couldn't come to an agreement. Being a wedding coordinator, I have heard many first song dances and being a country-lover myself, there were tons of options that I saw. But as it came time to actually choose "our song," it became much more difficult than expected.

The songs I loved were overused or just seemed to cheesy because I had seen them done dozens of times already. And then I found a song I loved. It was a country song and the lyrics were just beautiful. Beyond excited for my soon-to-be husband to hear, I texted him the YouTube link only to receive this reply in return...

"NO WAY"

Yes, he is a country fan as well, but this song was really country. Just way too twangy for him. And thinking back, it may have been a bit twangy for me as well but the reason I liked it was because it was different - I had never seen it used before. So I fell in love, and my dreams were immediately crushed.

Just kidding. I was sad for a whole five minutes and we then agreed upon a song we both loved and it turned out beautiful...even though it had already been used time and time again :)

My guess is that I am not alone. We all want our weddings to be unique, one-of-a-kind and we want them to stand out from the rest.

Well luckily, I found the most AMAZING company who will create your own first dance song. Yes, it is yours and yours alone and you are there to direct how it all goes - the lyrics, the story, the tune, and the feeling.

Sounds too good to be true right?? We it's not!

Write Me A Song can create an original first dance song, a father-daughter song, background music for your wedding video, or a new original song to walk down the aisle to...you have got to check this out!

I sure wish I had heard about this before my wedding :)

Check out the Write Me My Song website for samples, pricing, and more about this amazing company!

Comfort is Key

Written with love, by Corinna Saias

Do you think that sandals are only for garden or beach weddings? Well think again…..If you plan to be sitting all night long on your wedding day, then this article will be no concern to you. However, if you plan to have the best time of your life, mingle with your guest, be the first one on the dance floor and last the last one to leave your party, then you may want to consider purchasing a pair of stunning flat sandals.

Ask any bride and they will confirm that the beautiful, sexy high heels, they purchased for their wedding day, killed them. The truth is that brides stand hours on their feet. From the time the ceremony starts until you greet all your guests and hit the dance floor, you will definitely wish that you could switch to something more comfortable. Yes I know, I said the word “comfortable." Does that mean that they cannot look stunning and fabulous? Of course not.

Here are some ideas on how you can select flat comfortable sandals and at the same time remain stunning all night.

1) Pick a pair with rhinestones, preferably Swarovski crystals, to give the extra sparkle in your special day.

2) Make sure that the sandals complement but do not out stage your wedding dress with large and complicated designs. We suggest brides to go for a minimalistic, yet super chic wedding look.

3) If you are one of those brides that want to stand out, you can add a splash of color in the straps.

For guaranteed comfort throughout the whole wedding, make sure to follow these few tips:

- Choose the appropriate size so that the sole is a bit bigger than your foot
- Make sure that straps are adjustable to your feet (avoid elastic straps)
- Check for good arch support and a cushioned sole

And finally, we suggest purchasing an extra pair of sandals, even if you aren't sure if you will be wearing them on your wedding day. But it's better to be prepared than regret it in the end. After all, you're sure to wear your extra pair and some point, whether it is your honeymoon, pre-wedding activities, or summer vacations in the future!

So to all of the future brides out there, let the party begin and rest assured that your flats will be your best ally in order to have a magical experience.

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Corinna Saias sandals (www.corinnasaias.com) are handamde in Athens, Greece by a family owned manufacturer where attention is being paid to every single detail. Every pair of sandals is made from genuine leather and adorned (where applicable) with Swarovski crystals to guarantee the extra sparkle.

She isn't a wedding planner...even if she is

There are two things that we stress far too often...or maybe not too often, but definitely a lot! Can you guess? They are:
  
1. hiring a wedding planner
          and
2. sticking to your budget

So with those two items popping up with constant reminders any time your brain thinks the word "wedding," it is only natural to want and strive for both.

And with a limited budget and so many ideas you want to implement, the clear "quick fix" to your problem is to have your best friend or your aunt or anyone who is organized to taken on the role of wedding planner.

The Professional Planner

The next words that will come out of your mouth are, "But my best friend really is a wedding planner! She actually does it for a living and she is going to plan mine for free!"

Wow, that's great! You surely lucked out! But there is one thing wrong with your statement...

Your friend is not a wedding planner....even if she is.

This is your best friend we are talking about. The girl who you played Barbies with on the front porch every day of summer. This is the girl who secretly planned your engagement with your soon-to-be hubby. This is the girl who you want to be standing right by your side as you say your "I Dos."

Remember, a wedding is all about you, but it's not all about you. It is about the friends and family who are there to share these special moments with you. So they should enjoy themselves too!

So that friend or aunt who is truly a wedding planner (professionally), IS NOT a wedding planner on your wedding day. She should be there getting ready with you all morning long, sipping on champagne and getting pampered with you. She shouldn't be setting up the tables, chairs and decor and then have to rush to get ready in time for the ceremony. And your aunt should be enjoying a glass of wine with her husband, not keeping a close eye on her watch to ensure your timeline stays on schedule.

4 reasons to NOT hire a friend or family member

It is absolutely imperative to not hire a friend or family member to take on the role of coordinator, even is s/he is a professional, because....

    1. S/he will not enjoy themself and won't be able to celebrate your marriage with you
    2. Too much pressure and anxiety comes along with it...especially because she is your friend
    3. If something goes wrong, s/he will take the blame
    4. A timeline off-schedule or a disagreement over cake is not worth losing a friendship

So while I have reinforced it time and time again "Stick to your budget AND hire a wedding planner," I urge you to refrain from hiring a friend or a family member...even if he or she is truly a professional planner. Allow him or her to enjoy your day, just as you would like them to. Because with that kind of pressure (giving you the absolute perfect day), there is no way they are going to be able to sit back, relax, and celebrate this next step in your life with you.