The $10,000 Wedding

I get a lot of emails from couples whose wedding budgets hover in the $10,000 range - and the question is always the same: Can we have a nice wedding for 10K? My answer is always "yes - but....".

I interject the word "but" simply because I know how expensive weddings can be. The national average for a nuptial celebration is in the $28 - $29,000 ballpark and seems to be climbing more each year. But as I tell people all of the time - "it is what it is", so if all you've got is $10,ooo - then that's what we work with!

How can you accomplish beautiful with modest funds? Simple - but you have to be realistic in your expectations. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that for $10k, it's possible to have 300 guests, a full bar, live entertainment, flowers everywhere and a wedding party of 40. Nope - ain't gonna happen. Instead, let me give you a few snippets of "insight" so that hopefully, you can see where I'm coming from:

1) With the money you have - having a nice wedding will have a lot to do with the priorities you set, what geographical area you are in, how many guests you want to have, what time of year, what time of day. I know that sounds kind of vague - but it really isn't.

2) If you know that you want to go the traditional route - so be it. But you will have to make your money work for you and become creative with your spending. For instance - you could decide to get married on a Saturday morning (like 9 a.m.) and have a old-fashioned country breakfast for 50 guests in the church hall afterwards. Or you could settle on doing a late evening wedding (8 p.m.) with dessert and sparkling wine to follow, it would be just a 2 hour reception, with you and your groom mingling with your guests.

3) When funds are tight - I always recommend that people clearly spell out in the beginning what is most important to them, and what is least important. That is how you'll spend the money well. If you decided to go the justice of the peace route - that's fine too. You could have just your immediate families present for the ceremony, then go to a local restaurant and have a dinner for close family and friends - probably no more than 50 people total.

There is LIFE after the wedding - when you wake up the very next day, it starts and you have to be prepared for it. Maybe it's because in my previous life - I was in the financial industry and I watched people dip into their 401-K's and other savings just to fund a wedding. Hey - it's a free country and you can do what you wish...but with some careful thought and spending, you can have a wedding with wonderful memories - not a ton of debt as you start your new life.

"Married Away - The Wedding of Alex & Synda"

So......I'm back from shooting the latest installment for Style Network's destination wedding show, "Married Away". This episode will feature the awesomely beautiful wedding of Alex and Synda, who chose to say "I Do" on gorgeous Canouan Island in the Grenadines.

Raffles Resort (http://www.rafflescanouan.com/) was the site for the event's festivities and truly - there are no words to adequately express how gorgeous this place is! The staff is hospitable and accommodating, the food is wonderful and the vistas - ah, like paradise on earth!

I had the opportunity to work with an amazing photographer, Ruth Rackley and her assistant, Jill Higgins - who both shot some incredible images of this event. Check out their respective blogs at http://homepage.mac.com/r2photo/iblog/index.html and http://www.jillhigginsphotography.blogspot.com/ to catch a few glimpses of the "happenings" on Canouan!! The show should air later this fall - I'll definitely keep you posted on an actual date!

I have to give some "shout outs" to a few folks who truly made this wedding sparkle! First - many thanks to the bride and groom, Synda & Alex Mark, for their gracious hospitality and for allowing us to be a small part of their wonderful wedding celebration. I truly enjoyed working with them and helping make their destination wedding dreams come to life!

Gotta give much love to my assistant, Izabella Lopez, for making the trip with me and being such a fantastic "right hand"!!

Next up - the production crew of "Married Away": Renee', Cara, Tom, Jay, Brian, Jorge - you guys are the best and I can't wait to see the finished product!!!

Emilio & Beau - I promised I wouldn't forget the two of you!! Great job during the ceremony - those readings were absolutely wonderful!!!

Nicole & Peter (Raffles Resort): THANK YOU for making my job so easy - I truly appreciate all of your hard work and really hope I'll have a chance to visit your lovely resort once again!!

Because of the following people - I was able to take some of that DIVA magic to The Grenadines, just wait until you see the episode!!!

Linens: BBJ Linen (http://www.bbjlinen.com/)

"Barefoot Sandals": (http://www.jewels-by-jan.com/)

Custom Stationery: Karron Minor/Diamond Minor Designs

The pictures you see here are courtesy of Izabella Lopez's trusty digital camera - I hope you enjoy them!!!!!!

Jumping The Broom

I get a lot of emails from my viewers asking about the wording I use on "Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?" when those happy brides & grooms are just about to "cross over" into their new lives. So by popular request, here it is!!

"It is believed that during the era of slavery in America, newlywed couples would use the ritual of broom jumping as a way to give some sort of legitimacy to their unions, since they were unable to wed under legal circumstances. The broom symbolizes the setting up of a new household as well as the sweeping away of negative thoughts, actions and spirits which can break the bonds of a happy marriage.

In the motherland, the "village" represents not only the actual inhabitants, but the sense of family and community. And as members of this couple's "village", we need to support and encourage their union. Love them enough to give them the benefit of your wisdom - but at the same time, know when to walk away and let them tend the fires of their marriage.

There is a saying "Make a joyful noise - so that the rocks don't cry out!". As we all celebrate this wonderful occasion, let's all get up on our feet and shout our joy to the heavens..so the world will know that this couple have become one...with each other. As (insert bride & groom's names here) "leap into da' land of matrimony", we wish the very best of love, health & happiness!!"

Now if you've watched the show - you've noticed that the audience really gets into this, and that's the point. It's about celebration and jubilation - such a wonderful thing has happened and we ALL want to revel in it. So, go ahead and clap your hands, stomp your feet, whistle and catcall..it's all good!!!!!


(Nalini & Issac Conner courtesy of Garrett Photography - Baltimore, MD.)

Bringing Sexy Back.....

To my feet- that is!!! As a girl who loves her pedicures and toe jewelry, imagine my delight when I found the coolest, hippest thing to wear for a beach wedding? Jan Baker, the brainchild behind "Jewels By Jan", a San Diego, California based entrepreneur has created an amazing "barefoot sandal" that can be worn for a wedding or any other time you want to go "bare" but keep your style going on!

Since I will be off to the Grenadines next week for a destination wedding, I thought this would be the perfect time to try out some new footwear. And - since I already own over 200 pairs of shoes (no - that's not a typo!), I figured some new, lightweight "kicks" would fit the bill!

I chose two pairs - "Antique Black" (will mesh perfectly with my beach wedding "uniform" of the little black sundress - must keep it professional while at work!) and a simply ethereal design called "Heavenly Glow", for when I'm not doing the wedding thing and I'm roaming the beach. Each of the sandals are strung by hand and are comprised of some of the most delicate, sparkling crystals to ever grace a foot!

Jan and her team also offer these works of art for men (can't leave them out - now can we?) and children. So - if you are headed off to enjoy some sand, surf and sun...consider checking out her website at http://www.jewels-by-jan.com/ and pick up a pair of your own!!

P.S. I'm planning to wear these sparkly sandals during my taping of "Married Away"...so check out my tootsies during the episode when it airs later this year!!!!!

Leaving On A Jet Plane...

So...I'm off to the fabulous playground of the Grenadine Islands next weekend to help a couple say "I Do" for Style Network's destination wedding show, "Married Away" . Synda & Alex are a wonderful duo and I think you'll like how I bring a little "DIVAStyle" to the Carribean. I'll keep you posted as to when this episode will air!!