2011 is about to be in Full Bloom!

The new year is hours away! If you will be a beautiful bride in this coming year, congratulations!! We've been keeping our eye out for some of 2011's hottest trends and we've come to a conclusion: budding blooms are making a statement. From dresses to diamonds, flowers are going to be more than just decor in the upcoming months! Check out these photos that show some examples: Monique Lhuillier gowns, shoes with budding beauty, and even a flower inspired veil that you can purchase on Etsy!

We hope you have a great time tonight ringing in the new year and realize that 2011 is going to be nothing short of FABULOUS! We can't wait to share it with you!!

Happy New Year!

XOXO

So he POPPED the question over Christmas... Your ENGAGED now what??

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Today’s weddings can be complicated, but they don’t have to be! We have noticed lately that our clients are stressed about the budget, stressed over bridesmaids drama, stressed over the overall vision, and just plain WORRIED! Take these 4 easy steps to put the FUN back into your planning.
CELEBRATE! After you are engaged it’s time to celebrate. Don’t run out to a dress shop OR find the perfect reception location. Enjoy your time and take a moment to enjoy the engagement. If you just can’t stand it, change your status on FACEBOOK and go out and buy every bridal magazine available.
GET EVERYONE INVOLVED. Set a budget and stick to it. Once the budget has been established, now is a good time to go out and start interviewing wedding planners and searching for the perfect ceremony/reception venue. But STOP, first have all financial participants (mom, dad, groom, bride, etc.) attend those very must have meetings. Wedding Planner, Catering Venue, Photographer, Videographer: appointments are a must.
BE ORGANIZED. Once you start signing contracts take a moment and get organized. First go out and buy a 3 ring notebook (not a fancy planner) and start filing all of your contracts and other financial documents inside the binder. Carry it with you everywhere you go. Set up a separate checking account just for wedding expenses. Set up an easy to understand excel spreadsheet for everyone to use throughout the payment process.
GET CREATIVE. This is your time to shine with your creative ideas. If you’re NOT creative, find someone who is: your favorite aunt, your mom, your girlfriend, or anyone who has a Martha hand. Get them on board, and ask them to help you create those fun, fancy menu cards, favor boxes, and other fun items to make your wedding memorable. Ask your bridesmaids over for an Invitation STUFFING PARTY and buy all the junk food you can stand. Stuff yourselves silly. Get them involved too!
For more creative tips sign up for our FREE TOP 10 TIPS to Make Your Wedding Amazing!
http://www.circlecityplanners.com/

Happy Planning

Welcome To CCPink!!!!

CCPink is officially out! We are so excited to have all our current brides be our first sorority class of 2010/2011. And the exciting part is that our clients from last year get to be a part of the fun by being big sisters to our new girls! Thank you alumni, wedding professionals, friends, family, and our newest pledge class for coming to our open house last week! YOU made it such a huge success!

BIG thank you to Thomas Caterers of Distinction, everyone at Evans Audio Visual, Indy Photo Booths, and Party Time Rental. Our place has never looked so FABULOUS!

Enchanted Winter Wedding Ideas!

Ho, HO, HOOOOLY moly, you’re planning a wedding!!! What is SO fun about winter weddings is how you can completely transform a space with lighting, linens, and decor. It’s easy to have a pretty literal translation, in terms of design, of Christmas when planning a winter wedding. However, its so much more fun to take certain elements of the season but really make it FEEL like a glamorous, elegant wedding. Here are my tricks for creating the right ambiance while staying true to the winter season!

*Choose clean, neutral palettes, like whites, golds, silvers, or greens or blues.

*Think of “ice,” “snow,” and the converse, “fire,” and “warmth” as you choose decor elements.

*This is a great time of year to incorporate things like branches, crystals, snow, silver and gold balls, candles, and other elements that aren’t “just flowers.”

*Lighting is key. This the one season where it will be dark enough during your entire wedding to appreciate candlelight. People crave warmth when it’s cold outside, so create a fireplace feeling anywhere you can. Candles could line the aisle during your ceremony, centerpieces could have various sizes of pillar candles, floating candles, or even hanging votives on branches. Uplight the walls, and pinspot the centerpieces in soft amber to bring a coziness to your space.

*A cool, modern alternative to the traditional candle comes from a company called Electric Firefly (http://electricfirefly.com.au/)

*Consider things like hot cocoa stations, snow cones, warm, hearty meal choices and signature drinks and desserts that scream winter.

*Most importantly, have FUN planning!!!

- Tiffany -

Should I do a 'First Look'? Wait...What does that even mean?

The 'First Look' on a couple's wedding day is a growing trend and for some, hard to swallow. Many couples want the walk down the aisle to be the first time they see each other. However, more and more couples are opting for the 'First Look'. So what is it?

A first look moment is where the bride and groom essentially get to spend a few close minutes together before their big day. Photographers will choose the perfect spot - something secluded, beautiful, and with the perfect lighting. Once everyone is ready, the groom will be set up with his back turned towards the bride. Then photographers will make sure the bride looks absolutely gorgeous, bring her around the corner and let her walk towards her man-to-be. She will say his name and as he turns around, some of the most powerful emotions will flood over both of them. For a groom to see his bride for the first time is incredible. They can laugh, cry, and realize in that blissful moment that they will spend the rest of their lives together. Photographers use their long lenses to shoot so this can be as intimate a moment as possible. Photographers are absolutely wonderful at staging this moment capturing all of the bride and groom's wonderful emotions! And now, the couple is so excited to get to see each other at the aisle. Not to mention, having a 'First Look' before the wedding allows the bride and groom to go straight to the reception and have a great time instead of waiting an hour or two to get pictures done!

It may not be your cup of tea and that's okay, but it's an incredible moment that is always an option!

Spring Intern Search is TONIGHT!

Hello, everyone! Hope you had a great weekend and enjoyed the first snow!! Tonight is the BIG NIGHT! We are calling on everyone we know. Tell your neighbors, your family members, and your acquaintances that tonight is our Spring Intern Search with l'Evento! We are on the hunt for great talent. Circle City Planners needs an Events Intern and a Sales/Marketing Intern. Circle City Designers, our floral division is seeking a Floral Design Intern. l'Evento is searching for a Sales/Communications Intern. These spots are great ways to get to know the industry and get a foot in the door! I can speak from experience, as CCP's fall intern, that it is a great experience and I am continuing with CCP into the Spring! Everyone is so excited for tonight and seeing what great interns we can find!!!

7 p.m. hosted by l'Evento Event Resource Boutique

21 S Rangeline Road

Bring your resume and dress to impress!

Check out our Facebook Page, Circle City Planners, under the Events Tab for more details or email me with questions: joely@circlecityplanners.com

Joely

Our Interview with WIBC Radio!

On Friday, November 19th, I had the privilege of chatting with Indianapolis' very own WIBC radio, 93.1 FM about the upcoming wedding of Prince William and Kate and how it's affecting trends in the wedding industry! You can listen to the short interview by clicking the link below.

Click Here to Listen: TONYA SHADOAN WIBC INTERVIEW

Wedding Love & Hugs,

T

We just can't wait for Prince William and Kate!

The wedding of the year will SURELY be that of Prince William and Kate Middleton. We've been waiting eight years for this royal ceremony! Check out the news article below:

http://abcn.ws/ajzqsc