Event Planning, Etiquette, Favors and More

A "WOW' for your wedding day

2010-03-11T17:53:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share with all of you a new addition to our Dot The I's Events wonderful wedding packages. Yes.. we now have the opportunity to offer our clients this romantic Horse and Carriage Livery Service. We found a diamond in the ruff with this wonderful company called Loon Meadow Farm. They have been providing this fabulous service for more than 25 years. We are so excited to be able to have Loon Meadow Farm as one of our wonderful vendors. Dot The I's Events is now offering this Horse and Carriage service in our bridal packages. Take a peak at some of their lovely pictures below.

Bridal Hair Accessories

2010-03-10T20:34:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share with you some wonderful hair accessories. I came upon a wonderful website that carries gorgeous bridal hair accessories. You need to check out Hair Comes The Bride's great selection of bridal hair pins, feathers, flowers and much more. You will also find some more bridal hair updo ideas. This is a must see Dot The I's Events favorite. Everything from beach to vintage....

Great feather pieces... very romantic

whimsical.....

Love these hairbands...... an elegant touch of the bling factor.

Great hairpins.... simple, elegant, and will go with any updo

Not only do I love these hair pins below... I love this updo. How Beautiful.

What To Do For The Updo?

2010-03-08T21:00:00.001-08:00

Hair updos provide the perfect style for any occasion. Wedding updos can be elegant, sophisticated, whimsical, and most of all beautiful. It is very important for you to discuss with your stylist what will look best on you and also what will be the perfect accent with your attire. Just as with your dress you need to feel comfortable wearing your updo for your entire wedding day. Always make an appointment with your stylist for a trial updo so you have time to make changes if need be. It is never a good idea to have your wedding day be your first time wearing your updo. Keep in mind that your headpiece can certainly make your wedding updo. There is no limit to creativity when it comes to your wedding hairstyle and headpiece. Whether you are looking for a tiara, feathers, lace, hair jewelry, or just an elegant simple veil your stylist can incorporate it into your hairstyle. Call and make your appointment with your stylist for your trial updo and call Dot The I's Events to make an appointment to discuss your wedding headpiece options. Here are a few samples of some beautiful wedding updos.

Holly & Ruben Engagement Session

2010-03-07T21:28:00.000-08:00

10-10-10 A very popular date to Tie The Knot. Holly & Ruben are one of our October 10th couples. They are having a small elegant ceremony and reception at The Mill on The River in South Windsor, CT. October will be here before we know it and this wonderful couple will be happily married. Here are some of their engagement pictures not only with Holly and Ruben their children were able to take part in this special moment as well.

Alissa & Bill's Engagement Session

2010-03-04T21:18:00.000-08:00

Alissa and Bill love to go wine tasting. A few years ago they came upon a beautiful vineyard in New Preston, Connecticut called Hopkins Vineyard. This soon became one of Alissa and Bill's favorite Connecticut getaways. So when it came to choosing an engagement session location this was a no brainer, off to Hopkin's Vineyard they went. Alissa and Bill choose a wonderful and talented photographer from Dolce Photography. Christa spent the afternoon with them taking these gorgeous pictures. These photos show the true love and connection that Alissa and Bill have for each other. Their wedding is planned for July 31, 2010 at the most spectacular facility called The Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station. They are located nestled on a secluded ridge atop of the Connecticut River. Planning this wedding alongside Alissa and Bill has been such a pleasure and we are looking forward to sharing in their wedding day. It is going to be a fabulous event with a major "WOW" factor.

Charmed by Mel

2010-03-03T20:05:00.000-08:00

Charmed by Mel's distinctive collection of jewelry adorns everyone with unprecedented radiance and sparkling style. From one-of-a-kind, handcrafted pieces to striking replicas of couture designs, these affordable and enchanting creations are the perfect compliment to any style.

Charmed by Mel offers necklaces, earrings, bracelets & more that will be treasured both on your wedding day and beyond. Pieces in the collection are chosen for their craftsmanship and for their breathtaking beauty. Let your vision become a reality by having a custom piece created for you or for someone else. You are sure to find something that you can't live without. To order your jewelry today you can contact Mel at 860-666-7007 or you can view her website at www.charmedbymel.com

New Floral Pictures

2010-03-02T20:52:00.000-08:00

Here at Dot The I's Events we are so lucky to have such talented and creative florists. Our floral design team will create you bouquets and centerpieces that you dream of. What ever your vision is our team will make it a reality. Here are a few recent floral pictures. As they are created we try to post them on our blog. Hope these give you a few more creative ideas.

Maneeley's Open House

2010-03-02T20:36:00.000-08:00

We had a great evening at the Maneeley's Open House. What a beautiful facility and great food. This evening was put together with class and elegance. Brides, Grooms, and their Families had a chance to taste Maneeley's as well as walk through the facility. All the vendor tables looked great. We had a wonderful turnout of couples at our booth with lots of appointment bookings. It was a great evening and we always enjoy being able to get to know our couples and their families.

Rachel & Donny's Wedding

2010-02-21T18:28:00.000-08:00

We had the honor to plan a New England fall wedding for our wonderful clients Rachel and Donny. They were married in all its autumnal glory in the most beautiful country setting at Wood Acres Farm in Terryville Connecticut. On October 3, 2009 this was the perfect setting for our couples to say their I Do's. Our team at Dot The I's Events gave this reception a rustic feel with a very romantic twist. Surrounded by family and friends Rachel and Donny pledged their love for each other on that crisp fall day. Here is there story...

The sight of a dress and a bouquet is so romantic. In just moments all the fun will begin. These pictures capture this moment of peace.

Deep red roses were the bride's flower of choice. She wanted a bouquet with the "WOW" factor. Our floral team custom designed the most spectacular bouquet for Rachel. It was filled with the most stunning red roses,surrounded by a sprayed chocolate color brown leaves. to encase the roses and topped off with ivory pearls in the center of each rose to match her dress. Her bouquet was the final touch to complement her exquisite look.

The look of anticipation on a grooms face waiting to see his bride for the first time.....PRICELESS!

The moment everyone was waiting for. Here comes the bride. The horse drawn carriage took Rachel and her father to the ceremony site. It was an absolutely magical moment for all to see.

Love this picture Ryan. Talk about capturing a moment.

Here at Dot The I's Events we are so lucky to have our Rev. Richard Allen to help us unite our couples. He assisted Rachel and Donny in directing them with there ceremony and joining there hand together for a bond that shall be forever.

When planning the ceremony we took a spin on the traditional lighting of the unity candle but Rachel and Donny wanted something symbolic to them. So we decided to have them take part in a rose ceremony. We all know that Rachel LOVES roses. Here the bride and groom each took a red rose and placed it in a vase adorned with red rose petals symbolizing the uniting as one.

The rings and the best surprise. Get the Kleenex ready because there was not a dry eye to be seen. Rachel had no idea that Donny (an awesome musician) was going to serenade her during the middle of the ceremony. Oh how I love these surprises, but I have to tell you I was dying to spill the beans, but I didn't. My heart melted and I wasn't even the one he was signing to. The most perfect touch...You Go Donny!!!!!

Our happy couple just sealed the kiss and is ready to start their lives. Before they do we wanted to add another unique touch to their day by having them Jump The Broom. With Rachel and Donny wanting part of their ceremony to reflect their family values and spiritual beliefs this was perfect. As our bride and groom jump the broom, they physically and spiritually cross the threshold into the land of matrimony. It marks the beginning of making a home together. It symbolizes sweeping away the old and welcoming the new; the sweeping away of all negative energy making way for all the good things that are going to come into their lives. Our bride and room can now start their life together with a clean sweep!

It is official....Rachel and Donny are husband and wife. Before the start of the cocktail hour the happy couple took off on their horse and carriage ride. The light mist in the air and their champagne in hand off they went. We wanted to get creative for the place cards so we inserted the names into chocolate truffles. We also wanted to create something special that our bride and groom did not know about. So with the help of the brides mom we had pictures of the newly married couple matted and hanging from all the wall beams throughout the reception facility and surrounded by candlelight. Rachel and Donny wanted the ambiance to be romantic yet rustic. They wanted their guests feel a warm country atmosphere. Our Dot The I's Events team created centerpieces out of anything you would find in your own back yard. We created decor out of pumpkins, harvest flowers, ornamental rye grass and wheat. Centerpieces were filled with fresh cranberries and floating candles, fresh cut limes with floating spider mums, coffee beans with Rachel's deep red roses in them. The table settings were ivory linens with chocolate brown napkins to pop some color on the tables. Each napkin with a menu and a piece of ornamental rye grass for the final touch. Rachel and Donny wanted to make sure that they remembered their loved ones who were looking down on them on their special day. We created this memorial table with their pictures so they were with them in spirit.

Now we can't forget how adorable the ring bearer and Jr.Bridesmaid were. This bridal party looked amazing. They were so much fun to work with and you could see the happiness in each of their eyes as they shared in this special day with their friends. The girls satin strapless dresses that were a rich shade of red from David's Bridal. Each of them adorned with custom hand crafted jewelry designed by Melissa from Charmed by Mel. Her work is absolutely amazing. These distinguished men were a rich deep brown tux from Men's Warehouse to accent the girls. Their fall themed bouquet's and boutonniere's were designed by the floral staff at Dot The I's Events. They were the perfect finishing touch to this whole ensemble.

Rachel and Donny couldn't wait for their wedding cake. This was a topic of discussion for some time. Their guests got to enjoy every delicious moment of a mouth watering carrot cake. This was not your average carrot cake this was a little slice of heaven. Hands down to Lisa from Cakes

Unlimited in Torrington Connecticut...Great job!

What an event! This reception was a get up and dance. It was really important to our bride and groom that they have a really fun day that reflected them both as a couple. With Donny's love for music and Rachel's passion for dance this reception was a direct reflection of what their new life will bring.

The Manzanita Tree, a signature piece for Dot The I's Events. For Rachel and Donny we customized their tree with a rich chocolate colored branch adorned with fall leaves in the vase and accented with small green pears. We used this tree as a wishing tree. Each guest was able to write down their wishes for the bride and groom then place them on the tree. In the end this makes a wonderful scrapbook of wishes. As part of our Dot The I's Events team we have Nancy who will professionaly create the stationary for these projects as well as customize each scrapbook espically for you. A cherrished keepsake.

Photography by Ryan Mullen & Mark Gaier

Thank you to Rachel and Donny and their family to for allowing us to plan your wedding. We truly had a wonderful time doing so. We wish you a life filled with with love and happiness. As for our staff at Dot The I's Events, fabulous job. Ryan as always your photography speaks volumes for any couple. Joely and Melissa no wedding would be this spectacular if you girls weren't part of it. Thank you!

Candy Buffet

2010-02-19T17:02:00.000-08:00

Candy buffets are always such a welcome treat at any wedding or event. There is something about the thought of penny candy that brings out the kid in any adult. The number one thing about a candy buffet is don't skimp. Instead of getting caught up in figuring out how much your guests will eat, think about it as a decorative element. Make it visually appealing. This is where we come in. We specialize in candy buffets and color matching to your wedding. We deal in wholesale bulk candy. We have a variety of treats to select from. We will do all the set up. We rent our containers to save brides money. This way you are not stuck with tons of vases that you can't use after. We also provide you a large selection of bags, containers, boxes, and lots more!

Manzanita Trees

2010-02-18T19:25:00.001-08:00

Yes, we sell and rent our customized Manzanita Trees. This is a signature here at Dot The I's Events. We enjoy taking a brides vision and creating a lavish centerpiece out of it. The beauty of the Manzanita is that each one is so unique. The Manzanita tree will always keep its trendy appearance. I don't see this tree going anywhere anytime soon. We use the trees for gorgeous custom centerpieces, wishing trees, and unique seating charts. Since each theme and event differs, it is important to get your tree customized especially for you. You will be able to choose from many different style branches, finishes, textures, colors, and size. We also offer accents for your trees such as crystals, flowers, feathers, and many other accents and bases.

Dance Canopy & Ceiling Canopy

2010-02-18T18:56:00.000-08:00

Dance canopies & Ceiling canopies are such a wonderful touch to any event. We can customize any color, size, or decor theme. This is an inexpensive way to add that high end wow factor. Any brides budget can afford this type of decor. Fabric goes a long way when you want to make a statement. We can assist you in figuring out what type of canopy will suit your facilities layout and event theme. Our floral department can customize your flowers into the canopy as well. Make an appointment and sit down with one of our decor planners and get your canopy designed especially for you.

2010-02-18T18:11:00.000-08:00

There is so much pretty in Katie & Victor's Wedding. I am in love with this choice of color pallet. The chocolate brown and teal rich tones worked wonderful with the modern clean lines the bride was looking for. We did have a few New England weather glitches along the way. Our plan B indoor ceremony took place due to rain. The canopy that was supposed to be out in the gardens did get moved in. But either way rain or shine we were in a spectacular facility The Aqua Turf. We had a lot of decor, floral, and fabric to take care of but in the end it was beautiful. Our bride and groom looked beautiful and so in love.

Photography by Jennifer Lynn

Nick & Ginger

2010-02-18T17:42:00.000-08:00

I love the magic of a winter wedding. When fresh snow blankets the ground there is such peace in the world...that still holds true even for winter snow storm weddings. It is always such a pleasure to plan a wedding with such bling and sparkle. This was the ultimate in the "WOW" factor. Nick & Ginger were such a pleasure to work with. These wedding pictures speak volumes...Thank you Michelle!!! Not to mention it is always a blast to take part in an episode of "Who's Wedding Is It Anyway."

Is A Free Wedding Free?

2009-04-23T11:46:00.000-07:00

Is A Free Wedding Free?

Ah so glad you thought to ask! Very perceptive…. As with most things in life, little is free and that which is free may often needs to be supplemented with something which is not free, if you get my drift. I specialize exculsively in destination weddings, so I am very familiar with the concept of the “free wedding”, and honestly can say that most every time there is a free offer of a destination wedding it is a very good deal but there are some associated costs, restrictions and upgrades. Most of the resorts that offer free weddings have onsite wedding coordinators. The wedding coordinators offer their services to you so that you will book your wedding with the resort and your guests stay at the resort a good deal for the resort actually. If there are free wedding coordinators at your disposal how or why do I have a business? Planning a wedding can be a very overwhelming event for most. When coupled with the thought of a destination wedding you are really heading into uncharted water for most couples there are many elements of a destination wedding and wedding planning which are unique to getting married far from ones home. The resorts coordinators are there certainly to assist but are again working not for you independently they are there only to maximize the revenue generated for the resort and not neccessarily looking to maximixe your budget, experience and fun… we work only for you our client and your guests, we want to take your budget and help you to spend it in the right places, we find when your resources are maximized and comprimised you will enjoy your wedding experience that much more. The resorts coordinators are overwhelmed in most cases and it can be difficult to get answsers and getting them takes far longer than you think. This is our job and our business to get the answsers so you can do your work and run your business and life, while we work out the fine details involved in planning your destination wedding. We begin by talking to you and listenting to your wish list of where and how you would like to be married, evaluating your budget and other practical matters like travel time for you and your guests to the destination as well as the travel costs associated with travel to that destination. Then we are with you personally each step of the way to insure that everything is done in your best interest and treating you like you are about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. So yes, in all honesty our service is not free but what really is free?

Thank you to Janice from Destination Wedding Store this great post!!!!

Destination Weddings

2009-03-05T21:36:00.000-08:00

Dot The I's Events... Destination Weddings

Do Destination Weddings cost more than traditional weddings? Destination wedding are no longer for the rich and famous. Destination Weddings have in recent years become accessible to more and more couples looking to add an "exotic twist" to their special ceremony. If your destination wedding is properly planned, save you from breaking your budget. It can also turn your wedding day into an unforgettable "vacation" for you and your guests. Should you purchase air & hotel as a "package"? Even if you think you can negotiate on your hotel price, you will generally be able to save more money by getting it as a package. Unfortunately, brides in the past have come to us when they realize that the negotiated hotel price wasn't as great as they thought - and they realized they were unable to find affordable airfare. It is important to keep your final budget in mind when planning all your details. Who should be involved in the planning of a destination wedding? It is crucial when planning your destination wedding that you keep you guests in mind. Unfortunately, when guests are left to "fend for themselves" it is difficult to make sure everyone will be in the same area for the wedding. Without the expertise of a destination event planner, couples and their guests are often talked into accepting "group rates" when the individual rates would have been better, or stuck with individual rates when group rates may have been available. Leave those details to us. Should couples "negotiate" with hotels without a professional? Although hotels will often give some form of discount for groups of 10 or more, it is important to keep in mind that hotels, are in the business of maximizing the amount of revenue they bring in on the rooms they book. When you work with one of our destination planners you get the experience in negotiating power, we will not only generally receive a better deal for you and your guests - but you will also avoid the costly mistake of going over budget by not knowing some of the "hidden fees". Should you plan a destination wedding yourself or is it too risky? Planned right, a destination wedding is a memorable and unique way to exchange your vows and start a life together. Unfortunately, we've heard many horror stories over the years from couples who chose to plan their wedding entirely on their own. Issues varied from missed flights with no emergency number for help. Hidden clauses in hotel contracts leaving couples financially liable. Reservations being dropped by the hotel - forcing couples and their guests into a not so nice hotel Paradise. This is why Dot the I's is here to help you.

Contact your Dot The I's Events Destination Planner Today For More Details

WWW.Dottheisevents.com

Wedding Tip

2009-03-03T21:30:00.000-08:00

Here is a ceremony tip on how to include each guest in your wedding. Not only will it make your ceremony unique it will tug at the heart strings. When making your vows, give every one of your guests a small candle. Wrap each candle in a leaf or some other object so that the candle wax does not drip or spill. Then take the light from the unity candle, starting with the bridesmaids and groomsman, and pass the flame around to each of your guests, each guest lighting the candle of the person next to them. This will symbolize the connective love and spirituality of your family and friends.

Wedding Party Etiquette

2009-03-03T20:46:00.000-08:00

This is one question that we often get asked as wedding planners...What does the wedding party actually do? Let us shed some light on that question. The maid of honor is usually a close friend or family member who not only organizes and hosts a shower for the bride, but also helps her get ready on the wedding day. She is there to help and support her through out the planning process and will also help keep the bridesmaids organized. She usually wears a dress that coordinates with the bridesmaids, and she sometimes carries a slightly more elaborate bouquet than the other attendants. It is customary that she pays for her own dress. The bridesmaids are also a close friends or family, they are usually about the same age of the bride. They attend pre-wedding parties and also help out in anyway the bride requests. There dresses are coordinating dresses (usually paid for themselves) to the ceremony. Although mixing up the dresses with style and color is a nice way to have your wedding be more uniquely you. Again tradition is that the bridesmaids will pay for there own dress. The best man is often the groom's best friend or a close family member. His formal wear matches the ushers', although there may be something slightly different with his attire. Something as subtle as a different boutonnieres or his vest may be a shade different. He pays the rental fees himself. He hosts the bachelor party, holds the ring during the ceremony and leads the other men in helping out the groom. Ushers are also close in age to the groom. They too are usually friends or family and their primary function is seating guests at the wedding. They each wear and pay for matching formal wear. These guys should also be on hand to help the groom with any errands he needs throughout the day. Children between the ages of 9 and 14 are best suited junior bridesmaids or junior ushers. These attendants wear coordinating dresses or formal wear. Flower girls are usually family members, or a friend's child between the ages of three and nine, and they carry a small bouquet or basket down the aisle in the ceremony. The ring bearer is often a boy under age four. Parents pay for their children's attire when asked to be in a wedding, unless otherwise notified by the bride or groom. Keep in mind as the Bride and Groom it is customary to purchase you attendants a "Thank You" gift of appreciation for participating in your wedding. There is no monetary amount that you should spend. Just make the gift personal and something that your giving from your heart!

Put Some Spring Into Your Wedding...

2009-02-27T20:43:00.000-08:00

We are coming upon the spring wedding season. When I think of spring I think of pastel colors and delicate flowers. This is a wonderful time of year when everything is in bloom. When planning a wedding most brides first start thinking of a color palette. Spring colors can vary and there is no right or wrong. You can choose the pastels with white or you can be a little daring and think brighter. If you choose to be bold... the grassy greens with lemon yellow is stunning. For a touch of elegance go with a light mocha and a pale blue. Either way show off your unique style.

For your spring centerpieces avoid dark containers and focus on light and airy glass vases or baskets. Whatever you do, don't be stuck on just flowers in the center of your tables. Some of the most beautiful elegant centerpieces are those of fruit, candles, herbs, or berries. Also, Spring is a great time of the year for accenting your centerpieces with ribbon. And as I always say...Mix it up! Not every table has to be the same. Although, one thing to keep in mind with your centerpieces is that you want to make sure it is not a distraction to your guests when it comes to being able to see each other. Of course there is only one rule to follow... Have Fun and Get Creative.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

2009-02-24T17:40:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered where where that saying came from? Why is it that you run around on your wedding day looking to borrow something that hopefully will be blue. Is it to stress you out or give you the luck you need on your wedding day. Well let me shed some light on this tradition for you. "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe" is an Old English rhyme. Yes, this British Custom is supposed to be your good luck charm. Something old represents continuity; something new offers optimism for the future; something borrowed symbolizes borrowed happiness; something blue stands for purity, love, and fidelity; and a sixpence in your shoe is a wish for good fortune and prosperity. If you choose to partake in this custom you can look to your mom, bridal attendants, and family for some of these items. Keep in mind the "Something New" you can buy for yourself. That's right girls, one more reason to go SHOPPING!!!!

Brides Helping The Community

2009-02-24T10:15:00.001-08:00

Dot The I's Event's is CALLING ALL BRIDES!!! You heard right, we need your help. Tough economic times call for everyone to join in together to help our communities. We are asking our brides, family, friends, and neighbors to bring a nonperishable food item to our shop. We want to help out our local food pantries. These food pantries are at an all time low and really need our help. If you are looking for other ways to incorporate a donation into your wedding, let us help you. There are many invitations and favors that donate a percent of the total to a charity. Go to www.TheFavorBoutique.com and order your donation favors today. They will also price match the donation percent in your name. So you to can be In Favor For A Cure! Ask us for details on this opportunity to let your wedding make a difference. Here is an example of a breast cancer favor. The ivory-lined pink ribbon is embedded with wildflower seeds that, when planted, blossom into a glorious garden of brightly colored wildflowers your guests are sure to enjoy. You can find this item and more at The Favor Boutique. You can locate them on our links page.

Have No Fear...Color Is Here!

2009-02-23T21:57:00.000-08:00

That's right... color is back. Be bold, be daring, be you! This season you will see a wide variety on the wedding color pallet. Mix, match, and have fun. Incorporate your color in your flowers, fabrics, favors, and invitations. Here are a couple colorful ideas that will give your wedding a little WOW.