Weddings911-Should you Have a Holiday Weekend Wedding?

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It sounds like a great idea; your family will all be together anyway right? And, most of them have to travel to the gathering spot regardless.

So, why not? Well, as with most things there are pros and cons. I think once you know what they are; you will be able to make a good decision as to whether a holiday wedding will work for you.

Let's look at the pros first. Decorating for a holiday wedding can be relatively easy and inexpensive, especially if your venue is already lavishly decorated. Just go with the colors and theme and you are set. You might need to coordinate with the florist working at the venue to get on the same page, but this is fairly easy.

Since your friends and family love getting together during the holidays — it's the perfect time for a wedding-based family reunion. You might have a family member plan for activities or meals that are not wedding related. This can give everyone time to connect before or after the wedding with a holiday brunch, spa day, beach bonfire, or even Movie Night.

Since many holidays fall on weekdays you might be able to save more $$ by having your wedding on a Friday or Monday. Many venues will offer a discount for choosing a low volume day.

This sounds promising so far, but we still have the list of cons to talk through.

If you have a lot of invited guests that will need to fly, this can be a major setback. Holiday travel is always more expensive and if you are thinking of a winter wedding, air travel can have serious weather delays and cancellations.

Your last-minute wedding preparations might end up taking a backseat to your friends' and family's holiday parties and planning.

For the rest of your life, you'll face scheduling conflicts on every anniversary, such as holiday parties, kids' activities, work related events and so on.

A wedding on a major holiday may make your guests have to choose between your wedding and celebrating the holidays with other family members. Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas are non-negotiable in many families.

Another problem with a December wedding is that you are choosing a time of year when people are already spending lots of cash; they may be hesitant to spend more for a wedding gift or pay for travel expenses.

With a summer holiday wedding: Memorial Day, 4th of July, or Labor Day, the roads and airports are busy. Resorts are crowded, restaurants have long waits, and generally things are busier than normal.

Depending on which month you get married, you may have to cut short or postpone your honeymoon in order to not miss a special holiday with your family.

This is by no means a complete list, but will give you some food for thought. Just keep in mind that the location can make or break the event just as much as the date can. Choosing a beach wedding on 4th of July could be a disaster. But, a 4th of July wedding in a secluded mountain resort could be amazing.

The best advice to is plan well, and anticipate the pros and cons of each holiday and location, as nothing is worse than a wedding gone wrong.

HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Huntsville bridal fair this weekend is sponsored by Modern Brides boutique, features 103 vendors

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The Celebrations Bridal Event has 103 booths of wedding professionals so that brides and grooms could plan their entire wedding in one day(File)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – January kicks off wedding-planning season in earnest. This weekend, local brides-to-be have an opportunity to browse more than 100 vendors at the Celebrations Bridal Event.

The bridal fair will be Jan. 5 in the North Hall of the Von Braun Center, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“The Celebrations Bridal Event has 103 booths of wedding professionals so that brides and grooms could plan their entire wedding in one day,” said Pat Morgan of Modern Brides, a Huntsville bridal boutique. 

“We have every category covered, from venues, cakes, catering, photographers, video, lighting, rentals, vintage rentals, gowns, tuxes, makeup artist, hairstylist, musicians, invitations, honeymoons and gift registries.”

A continuous fashion show begins at 1 p.m., sponsored by Modern Brides of Huntsville. Hundreds of door prizes will be given away by vendors. Admission is $5 at the door.

More information is available on the Celebrations Bridal Event Facebook page or from Modern Brides at www.modernbridesinc.com.

'Honey, I blew up the wedding venue' and other stupid excuses men make to avoid women (Column by Kelly Kazek)

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Hold on to your super-hero underpants before you start calling me a man hater ... again. Would you marry a man after he was arrested for calling police on your big day to report there was a bomb in the wedding hall?

That’s a decision Liverpool bride Amy Williams is mulling after she arrived at St. George’s Hall in her gown, all set to unite with her honey in wedded bliss, only to find police and emergency crews on hand searching for a bomb, according to The Daily Mail. Turns out, her sweetie, Neil McArdle, didn’t do it because he was afraid of commitment. No, he was afraid of his bride-to-be’s reaction when she learned he had forgotten to book the hall for their ceremony, probably the only item on his wedding to-do list other than “show up.”

Now, McArdle faces jail time and, six months later, Williams still hasn’t decided if she wants to share a ball-and-chain with him. But McArdle isn’t the only man in the news this month for doing something exceptionally stupid to avoid a woman’s wrath.

I have to tread lightly with this column topic after I hurt some male readers’ feelings with a statement I made in a recent column. I quite innocently tossed out the comment “Men are pigs” in reference to guys who peruse airbrushed hotties in nudie magazines and set off a flurry of responses from some delicate male egos.

One commenter, I suppose by way of awkward apples-to-Brussels-sprouts-type comparison, asked if I would be offended if he called women (bleeps) or (bleeps) or even (bleeeeeeeps).

Nah. Even though anyone could tell by the (bleeps) the words are offensive – whereas the word “pigs” does not even require italics, much less parentheses – I know they don’t apply to me, so I don’t take them personally.

But today I’m going to discuss some men who are – there’s no other way to put it – nimrods.

Hold on to your super-hero underpants before you start calling me a man hater … again. I happen to like people of the male persuasion, one in particular. Besides, I’m not saying there isn’t a reason these men acted like nimrods, and the reason just might be their women.

See? How’s that for fair and balanced reporting?

Any-hoo, it turns out this was a second strike for McArdle, who had apparently also failed at planning a wedding for Williams the previous year. According to The Daily Mail, he’s unemployed. What was he doing all day that prevented him from calling the venue and ordering up a simple wedding ceremony?

But here’s where I place some of the blame on the bride. Any woman knows not to let a man “help” with the wedding. If she does, she might end up with Seussian wedding vows like these by Marty Blase on About.com:

Yes, I'll love her when we're fit,

And when we're hurt, and when we're sick,

And I will love her when we're rich

And I will love her in a ditch

And I will love through good and bad,

And I will love when glad or sad,

And I will have, and I will hold

Ten years from now a thousandfold,

Yes, I will love for my whole life

This lovely woman as my wife!

Read Blase’s rhyming vows in their entirety here.

But the award for Stupid Man Trick of the Month So Far goes to Rogelio Andaverde of Texas, whose motives were pure – he wanted to go out for a few beers with friends – but his execution was arrest-worthy.

Afraid of his wife’s reaction – notice a theme here? – rather than tell her what he was up to, Andaverde faked his own kidnapping. Yes, according to a report on MySanAntonio.com, two masked men with guns “forced” Andaverde into a car as his wife watched at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1.

He returned home Thursday afternoon after having his fun – and after a helicopter and a slew of deputies spent hours searching for him. After his arrest, Andaverde was released on $5,000 bond, but I’m guessing not before he begged to be kept in jail … and out of reach of his wife.

Because if she would be mad about a few beers, just think how she’ll feel now that the neighbors, and the rest of the world, know the lengths he’ll go to get out of the house.

I bet masked men with guns are looking pretty good right about now.

I’m just sayin.’

Kelly Kazek's humor columns appear regularly on al.com and in The Huntsville Times, The Birmingham News and The Press-Register in Mobile. Call her at 256-701-0576 or find her on Facebook.

Weddings911-on to 2014

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Welcome 2014! As the wedding season is winding down and we are faced with the coming of a new year, I usually like to think back to where I have been and where I want to go.

In thinking about the brides I have worked with this year, I feel very blessed to have met such wonderful women. These are women that are intelligent, beautiful, caring, and loving. Each has a story to tell; some sad, some happy, even heartbreaking, and some that are pure joy. But they all have the same thread running through them, they have found love!

The business of weddings is all about love. Finding it, sharing it, and treasuring it. I believe that we are made for this. That love is the one thing that we can't always define, but we know when we feel it. And, once we have it, we want to share it. It bubbles out of our very being.

Working with a couple that is truly in love is such a joy. I can see it in their eyes, their body language, their tenderness, and care towards each other. All year I am working towards the fulfillment of the dream: Love discovered, realized, and consecrated. This is what makes my job so special!

Those of us in the wedding industry know what I am talking about, we are dream makers; we get to witness that pure love transformed from a sweet dream into the reality of a new family. This is sacred ground, and we get to share in it week after week.

This is not always an easy task I will admit. It is easy for all of us to forget this is about love and commitment, and get lost in the details. There are layouts, and timelines to be made, food, linens, vendors, and music to be chosen. Not to mention all the logistics and etiquette that must be dealt with as well.

So now, before we begin another year of new love, engagements, and weddings, lets refocus on what is true, pure and right. I want to encourage all those who work alongside of me to keep in mind the reason for all of this.

It is our job, not only to provide excellent service and the highest degree of professionalism, but also to do so knowing that we are becoming a part of a family's most precious memory. It is our honor as well as our duty to do our job to the utmost of our ability.

And what a job we have! We have had many near disasters, weather issues, put out fires, (literally and figuratively), resolved family crises, and had to think out of the box many, many times to resolve the un-resolvable. Through it all, our bride's have had celebrations of love that are incredibly beautiful, meaningful and memorable, never knowing the sacrifices made behind the scenes that went far beyond the call of duty on your part.

And to our darling brides, thank you for sharing so much love, excitement, joy and beauty with your team. I'm wishing Logan, Rachel, Ansley, Amy, Sarah, Rebecca, Stephanie, Lindsay, Nicole, Brandi, Jennifer, Michelle O, Michelle A, Laci, Robin, Virginia, and Liora a 2014 that is filled with every blessing!

HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Weddings911-Just engaged? Help is on the Way!

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I know that many of you have been waiting for this day to come. Now that it is here, you can't wait to show off that bling! There is nothing like an engagement ring to make you feel like a princess, but once you settle down a bit, you might start to panic about actually planning this wedding.

Even though you have been dreaming about your wedding since you were, say about 5, now you have to figure out how to bring it all to life. Today I am going to tell you how to get started; so cut this out, save it, and keep it close by.

First things first; the budget is the most important component in planning. It will determine the size, type and style of wedding you can have. The bride and groom should talk with their parents first and see what they are willing and prepared to do. Hopefully, they are able to give an actual figure to work with. Bride and groom may also contribute, as well as grandparents.

Once you have an actual figure, then you can use a wedding budget calculator, to determine how much you can actually spend for each component. Many wedding websites, such as The Knot, have calculators to help you. Keep in mind that these are geared towards the averages, and if you just have to have that designer dress or your favorite band at the reception, you can adjust the percentages to accommodate your splurge item.

As I have said before I do not advise anyone to borrow money to pay for a wedding. You should come up with a realistic budget and stick to it, or it can get out of control. Think about it like this: you want to build a house. Your builder assures you that you can build a house for $200, 000.00. Once you start picking out the flooring, lighting, and cabinets, you realize that you want to upgrade here and there. Pretty soon your $200,000.00 house is now a $300,000.00 house!

When you have your budget set, lock in your date, as well as your ceremony and reception sites. When looking for the right venue, there are several things to think about. Is it big enough to hold all expected guests?   If you are looking at an outdoor space, what will you do in the event of rain? Does the venue have tables and linens included or will you have the additional expense of renting them? Check out all components and make sure you like the linens, chairs, etc. Do you have to use their photographer, baker, or caterer, and if so, do you like their work?

Before signing any contracts, be very sure that all necessary components fit within your budget. Once these basics are covered, you can then search for all the other vendors that will bring your dream day to life!

HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Weddings911-To Tip or Not to Tip?

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AppId is over the quota

While meeting with a bride last night, we spent a good hour working on her budget to make sure she would be able to have everything that is important to her. Like most brides and their families, setting up a realistic wedding budget was vital. In the middle of our discussion, she asked about how tipping fits into the budget. She was under the impression that she was to tip every wedding vendor about 20%.

This led into a pretty long conversation about who gets tipped and what they get tipped. Tipping has always been a personal expression of gratitude for service given and appreciated. After all, that's what a tip is -- acknowledgement of excellent service.

While all of her vendors would really appreciate a nice tip, it is not expected or necessary for every vendor, not to mention being a budget buster! So, how do you know who gets a tip and who doesn't? Basically, vendors that are providing personal services to the bride or groom should be tipped and those just doing contracted labor, generally are not.

Who would not be tipped? Florists, Photographers, Bakers, and Musicians are not tipped for providing their contracted services. Tipping is fairly unusual in our area for these vendors. Their contract states what they are providing, and how much they will be paid for these services.

At most hotels, country clubs, or big venues, the caterer adds a service charge to your bill. This covers all gratuities for their staff. You will need to look on your paperwork to see if it is included. This figure is usually around 20-21%. If it is included, nothing else is required.

The question has been asked, should you give a tip for receiving excellent service from the banquet manager or a member of the wait staff, even if they are already covered in the service charge?  What if your photographer spent more time than expected on your bridal portraits, or your wedding planner had unexpected challenges to overcome? If any vendor has gone above and beyond what they were contracted to do, then yes, a tip is a very thoughtful gesture.

That being said there are a few vendors that you should be prepared to tip regardless. Your limousine driver, hair stylist, and makeup artists are tipped as usual. Plan for around 15 to 20 percent, depending on the service. Your officiant will accept an honorarium, as most do not accept fees. I suggest that this "donation" be in the $100.00-250.00 range. If travel is involved, an additional amount is appreciated.

To sum it up; If you as a bride feel any of your vendors have provided you with services that went beyond their contract, or your expectations, a gift of appreciation is appropriate and very appreciated.

There are many ways to extend your appreciation, and this does not necessarily mean a monetary tip. It is all right to think out of the box here. There are many ways you could thank a vendor for their hard work. I have received monetary tips, but also been given gift certificates, flowers, and been given sweet gifts. All very appreciated.

And, do not forget that every vendor will treasure a sincere thank you note for a job well done.

HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Your Monday Inspiration: 'In sickness and in health' takes on new meaning for Mobile couple

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Daniel Seiselmyer and Mindi Waite, of Mobile, pose at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center in Spanish Fort, Ala., in May 2013. (Courtesy of Mindi Waite)

 MOBILE, Alabama – At 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, Mindi Waite was supposed to be in a white veil and gown at 5 Rivers, poised to walk the pier on her father’s arm and exchange vows with the love of her life.

Instead, she is in the Neurology ICU waiting room, praying that her fiancé, Daniel Seiselmyer, would be OK.

Two days before, a CT scan had revealed a mass on Seiselmyer’s brain after he had sought treatment for severe headaches. As serious as the results were, the doctors were willing to postpone surgery so the couple could get married that Saturday.

But as the rehearsal neared, Seiselmyer, 28, grew tired, dizzy and nauseated. A decision was made to call an ambulance to pick him up at the Hampton Inn downtown, where the wedding party was staying. What had been envisioned as a weekend of celebration was turning into an evening of worry and fear at Mobile Infirmary.

“You could not have pried me away from this hospital,” said Waite, 33. “I kind of took over the Neuro Intensive Care Unit waiting room.”

The wedding the Mobile couple had planned for a year and a half was suddenly the last thing on Waite’s mind. All the painstakingly laid plans – the dinner menu, the elegant black bridesmaids’ dresses, the flowers, the four-layer wedding cake and the groom’s Bama cake – paled in comparison. Doctors were watching him closely to see if medication would alleviate the pressure on his brain.

“I just tried to stay positive and prayed that God was not ready to take him because we had an exciting and long life we wanted to live together,” Waite said.

Donating the wedding goodies

Arrangements were made to give away most of the food for 200 people to the nearby Ronald McDonald House, which houses the families of hospitalized children. Sausage-stuffed pastries, cucumber canapés, fruit and cheese went first. Hot chicken casseroles, beef and green bean bundles went next.

Waite decided to bring most of the four-tier wedding cake to the hospital break room. “I just kind of cut it up and dispersed it around the hospital,” she said. The baker, a friend, froze the top layers of that cake and the groom’s.

The flowers were dispersed to family and to patients in oncology “to cheer them up a little bit," Waite said. Other arrangements went to USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital.

Early Sunday, the staff woke her to say that they were prepping Seiselmyer for surgery. After two hours, the doctor had good news: The surgery went very well. The only fear was whether his movement on one side would be affected.

That concern proved unfounded when Seiselmyer was able to move limbs on both sides.

Mindi Waite and Daniel Seiselmyer of Mobile pose at Mobile Infirmary in Mobile, Ala., on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013. Seiselmyer underwent brain surgery a day after the couple had to postpone their wedding. (Courtesy of Mindi Waite)

 On Wednesday, there was more good news. The tumor wasn’t malignant, and though he’d need physical therapy, the prognosis was good.

“Although I didn’t lose him, the fear of that reality was very real for me during the first few days of all of this, and the uncertainty was awful,” Waite said. “We had waited so long to finally say ‘I do’ and start our life together.”

If anything, the current trial has deepened their love and commitment, they said.

“It is hard to describe what Daniel means to me,” Waite said. “It would be simple to say ‘the whole world,’ but it is much more than that.”

Through Waite, Seiselmyer said, “Mindi means everything to me. Going through this has made us both realize how much we love each other.”

He quipped that he loves Waite despite her allegiance to Auburn and that he hopes to convert her to Alabama one day.

'A reason for every single thing'

At Day 15 of her fiance’s hospital stay, Waite said that many people had asked her how she has weathered the crisis so well. “The best answers I had were these: I couldn’t make it through any of this without my faith in God, my amazing family (Daniel’s and mine) and our unbelievable friends by my side,” she said. “God has a reason for every single thing He puts in our lives, and although it is very hard not to, I am trying my hardest not to question him.

“He must have unfathomable awesomeness in store for our life together to have us weather such trials and tests,” she said.

Waite, who works as a nanny, said she grew up worshipping at Cottage Hill Baptist Church. Seiselmyer, who works at Worthy Insurance Co. and EOG in Mobile, grew up in St. Joseph Catholic Parish, based at Spring Hill College.

“We were both raised in Christian homes, and I truly believe that God had us wrapped in His arms throughout this entire thing,” she said. “One day, we will hopefully share our story, our journey of love, with our kids and grandkids.”

Wearing a bright pink jacket embroidered with “The future Mrs. Seiselmyer,” Waite recalled how the couple met -- at a Christmas party given by mutual friends. Then they didn’t see each other for a year.

“We ran into each other and talked all night,” she said. When they began dating, she said, “I knew that he was the one I wanted to spend my life with. He is an amazing man, and I know he will be an amazing husband.”

Seiselmyer proposed during an informal meal at Butch Cassidy’s Cafe. Waite's friend screamed, and she turned to see her boyfriend down on one knee. “I was choked on a fried pickle,” she said, laughing.

The couple will plan another wedding, probably at 5 Rivers again, Waite said. The honeymoon, a trip to Jamaica, had been set for later in the year anyway.

“When we do get to have our wedding, it will be a more blessed occasion than we thought possible. Each moment will be the best we could ever imagine,” Waite said. “And the simple words ‘in sickness and in health’ will now have a meaning that far exceeds anything most people could ever understand.”

Weddings911-Bust Your Bustle?

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AppId is over the quota

With so many details to take care of while planning your wedding, most girls do not take a lot of time to think about how their dress will be bustled. It is assumed that it will be sewn in during your alterations, and that the planner, Mom, or MOH will figure it out on wedding day.

A case in point will illustrate a recent bride's experience. Bride bought her dress at a large well known bridal shop in Atlanta. They did the alterations, and put in a bustle for her. Their words to the bride were, "this is so simple to do, if someone cannot figure this out, they must be a complete idiot".

Well, I do not consider myself to be a "complete idiot", but the way the bustle was designed was not adequate for the dress or the event. We checked out the bustle before the wedding to see how it would work and saw the basic plan.

To be honest, if they had done the job well, it might have worked. But, they designed this bustle to be an over-bustle, meaning the outer layer is pulled up about half way down the back and attached by a hook and eye or a button and loop system.

It will not work with a simple hook and eye if your dress is really heavy, has a long train, or lots of long layers underneath. You will need a system of several connection points to distribute the weight.

In our bride's case, she said the dress had three buttons and three loops. Unfortunately, we (three pair of eyes) could only find two loops, even though she did have three buttons. And she had lots of long layers of netting underneath, which they did not include a bustle for.

Once we used 3 or 4 heavy duty safety pins to secure her top layer, we still had to do something to prevent the under-layers from sticking out and dragging on the floor. When that was done, she went out to enjoy the reception.

Another bride bought her dress from a designer's flagship store in New York. They did the alterations, and built in a very complex bustle on her dress. When it came time to bustle her, a small army was brought in to work as a team. The bride got so tired of waiting that she asked us to do what ever it took to finish so she could get to the reception. Again, my heavy duty safety pins finished up the job.

Note that you do not need anything so complex that it will take 20 minutes out of your evening, and you do not want anything so simple that it will tear after your first dance.

So, talk with your seamstress about your reception, and make sure she designs the right system for you. Do not assume she knows what she is doing. Ask questions and ask her to show you exactly how it works, once it is done. If it is not right, fix it then!

HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Weddings911-Mom Gets One Up On Stepmom

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AppId is over the quota

I received the story below from a local wedding vendor several years ago. I had seen it before, and after the initial chuckle, I started thinking about all the brides I have worked with, and their moms that have had some type of issue along these lines.

So, today I am posting it again for all of you; whether you are a bride, mom, step mom, or girlfriend of Dad, enjoy a good read, and the guidelines that follow.

Jennifer's wedding day was fast approaching. Nothing could dampen her excitement - not even her parent's nasty divorce. Her mother had found the PERFECT dress to wear, and would be the best-dressed mother-of-the-bride ever!

A week later, Jennifer was horrified to learn that her father's new, young wife had bought the exact same dress as her mother! Jennifer asked her father's new young wife to

exchange it, but she refused. ''Absolutely not! I look like a million bucks in this dress, and I'm wearing it,'' she replied. Jennifer told her mother who graciously said, ''Never mind sweetheart. I'll get another dress. After all, it's your special day.''

A few days later, they went shopping, and they did find another gorgeous dress for her mother. When they stopped for lunch, Jennifer asked her mother, ''Aren't you going to return the other dress? You really don't have another occasion where you could wear it." Her mother just smiled and replied, ''Of course I do, dear, I'm wearing it to the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding.''

This is a great story and unfortunately it really does reflect what some brides have to endure. If you can identify with any part of this story, read on for 3 suggestions to help you avoid this kind of drama.

 #1: This is not the day to get even, get back, or become the showstopper. Even if it is just for one weekend, everyone needs to "act" as if they are on friendly terms. I understand that there can be many hard feelings and possibly emotional pain that comes into play when there are broken families and new "replacements". Please do your best to lay all personal feelings aside, and do the right thing. 

#2: The right thing is to remember that the bride is the star. This is the day that she has dreamed of since she was a little girl. It is all about her. This is not the time to draw any attention to yourself, but do whatever you can to make the bride feel like she is the most beautiful girl in the room.

#3: The bride's mother gets to choose her dress first. She needs to find a dress to complement the style, formality, and colors of the wedding. The groom's mother can pick her dress next, hopefully complementing the bride's mother's dress, but in a different color. Next in line: step moms and then girlfriends, all following the same guidelines.

So, please do your best to lay down all personal agendas, put a smile on your face, and do whatever you have to do to, to give the bride and groom a day they can remember with happy memories!

HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Love and football: Auburn, Georgia couple tie the knot in football-themed wedding (photos, video)

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Photos of the "House United" Auburn/Georgia wedding ceremony for Todd Rowey and Donna Wood at University Station RV Resort in Auburn, Ala. on Nov. 23, 2013.

AUBURN, Alabama -- Though the skies were overcast for most of the day, nothing could dampen the spirits of Auburn fan Donna Wood and Georgia fan Todd Rowey as they tied the knot on Saturday at University Station RV Resort in Auburn.

Well, nothing except for maybe a "roll tide", of course.

The couple, who live in Boise, Idaho, but are from the south, were married in front of friends and family garbed in their team's colors during a wedding ceremony perfect for two football fanatics.

Clint Powell, the officiant, dressed in a referee shirt and made sure the service was easy to comprehend by treating it as he would a locker room pep talk.

Naturally, a coin toss was used to decide who would say their vows first during the ceremony. While Wood won the toss, she elected to defer to the second half so Rowey had the honor of speaking before her. In addition, to prove their commitment to each other, the couple was forced to say the war cry of their loved one's team.

"I think it went super fantastic," said Rowey. "It's a rivalry, but it's not a heated rivalry so it was perfect."

Wood started planning the wedding six months ago with her mother, Diane Jones, after the couple came up with the idea of a "house united" themed wedding while taking a walk around the RV resort during a visit. Overall, Jones said the wedding went off perfectly.

"The wedding went well," said Jones. "We're all just so happy. War eagle."

Want to see this football-themed wedding for yourself? Take a look at our highlight reel from the ceremony.

Auburn/Georgia Wedding ceremony Video of the "House United" Auburn/Georgia wedding ceremony for Todd Rowey and Donna Wood at University Station RV Resort in Auburn, Ala. on Nov. 23, 2013.

Weddings911-Vendor Price Discrimination?

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AppId is over the quota

The NYTIMES recently posted an article by new bride Catherine Rampell, as she writes about her experience putting together her wedding. She writes, "Wedding vendors seemed to be trying to size me up to figure out how much I'm willing to pay; consumer advocates say this is a common practice, as is charging more for a given service for a wedding than for a "family function" or "corporate event."

She also says, "I knew, of course, that weddings are notoriously expensive, but what I did not expect was the sheer difficulty of finding any price information at all. Not only will vendors not post prices online, but many will not even quote them over the phone, requiring a face-to-face meeting first."

From time to time, I have heard comments like these, but generally have dismissed them, as I personally have not experienced any type of price fixing, nor do I support these practices. But, apparently there is a lot of mis-information out there as to how wedding vendors determine their pricing.

Hopefully, you have not felt that you are being "sized up" or taken for a pot of gold, but have been treated fairly. Yes, it is true that many wedding vendors do not post pricing online or quote pricing on the phone, but there are very good reasons for this.

Most wedding vendors have known for a while that our brides do not want cookie cutter weddings. We have brides that are all over Pinterest, making design boards, and putting together teams that will bring their vision to life. As vendors, we do not offer cookie cutter packages to brides that are looking for something different.

In general, most hair and makeup artists, photographers, videographers, DJ, limo and shuttle services have set packages and online pricing. This means that their prices are the same regardless of whether you have a small simple wedding in your backyard or a ballroom fantasy wedding for 500.

Caterers, florists, and floral designers may be able to give you initial pricing, but that just gives you a basic idea of a starting point. Your wedding planner many not have package pricing either. And, like the caterer or floral designer, all pricing is based on what the bride wants. With these vendors, so much of what they do is customized.

Set pricing can be almost impossible as there are so many options. Options will always raise or lower total cost. Total cost can only be determined when a bride chooses her design plan, menu, wedding planning services, etc. A savvy bride can be pro-active and go to her potential vendors with a price in mind and ask if she is in range for their services.

Remember too, not all vendors are created equal and not every florist or caterer can deliver the same product for the same price. Wedding planners charge based on experience and the services needed. The more help a bride needs or wants will translate into labor hours, increasing the fees.

To set the record straight, you do need to be careful, and if you feel you are being "sized up" by your potential vendors, ask questions. From my experience though, pricing is not based on your checkbook, but on your wants.

HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Rush to wed on 11/12/13? 2 Alabama offices ready, just in case

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AppId is over the quota

What’s in a number? For some people, a lifetime of good luck.

Dates such as 10/10/2010 and 11/11/2011 and 12/12/2012 were popular dates for weddings.

But now that we’ve reached the 13th year of the 21st century, outnumbering the number of calendar months, special dates are in short supply. That’s why Tuesday – 11/12/13 – is expected to be a popular date for weddings. The last such day will be late next year, on 12/13/14.

After conducting a survey, the wedding store David's Bridal estimated more than 3,000 brides will marry on 11/12/13, a 722 percent increase over that day last year, which could also be because it fell on a Monday in 2012.

“Iconic dates have become a trend in the United States, reaching new heights when over 65,000 couples tied the knot on 7/7/07," said Brian Beitler, chief marketing officer for David's Bridal. “11/12/13 is a sequential pattern, and we have learned that couples love dates that have patterns. The last consecutive series of the century will occur next year, 12/13/14. It falls on a Saturday, so we predict this date could reach record breaking numbers.”

According to the annual David’s Bridal survey “What’s on a Bride’s Mind,” 40 percent of brides would consider planning their wedding on a special date, such as 11/12/13 or 12/13/14.

Officials in two Alabama probate offices said they have no weddings scheduled for Tuesday but couples often just drop in for courthouse weddings.

Charles Woodroof, who has served as probate judge of Limestone County since January, has not been in office for any of these numerological dates. “It’s my understanding from talking to marriage license clerks that on those particular days that had unique dates, like 9/9/09, 10/10/10 and 11/11/11, we had more than the average wedding licenses issued and ceremonies performed,” Woodroof said Friday.

Although he has not received any calls from couples asking questions about Tuesday, he’ll be ready just in case. “We do everything on a first-come-first-served basis and people usually just show up on a particular day,” he said.

Jamie Parton with the Madison County wedding license division said she also has not received any calls about ceremonies for Tuesday but “you just can’t ever tell.”

To comment on this story, use online comments below or call Huntsville Times/AL.com reporter Kelly Kazek at 256-701-0576, find her on Facebook, or use contacts at the top of this story.

Weddings911-New Food Trends Can Spice Up Your Reception

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AppId is over the quota

Whether it is going to be an over the top, amazing wedding reception for 500, or a small backyard family wedding, getting creative with food, will make a huge impression on your guests.

Think about it this way; you have a small budget, but want to do something different and fun. How about a morning wedding, and then serve brunch afterward? A pancake station would be awesome. Include several varieties of pancakes, 7 or 8 different toppings, fresh fruit, mimosas, and coffee.

Pancakes are not your thing? Try an afternoon wedding with a lite menu of mini-burgers and fries. Let's not think about the local fast food drive through, but a gourmet quality burger; dressed up for a party.

Burgers can be presented in a variety of ways: in custom printed paper bags, in little paper boats, or on a station. Then add in lots of fun toppings like different mustards, cheeses, grilled onions, flavored ketchups, or bacon. The list can go on and on.

And the fries! They can have their own set of flavored salts and sauces. A little research on the Internet can provide you with a very long list of options.

Another budget friendly idea for an afternoon wedding is the retro garden party. Serving champagne cocktails, tea sandwiches, and mini hors d'oeuvres as guests mix and mingle gives an elegant feel with a minimum price tag.

If you are having a large event think about themed stations! Bacon is a really hot food trend right now. If you love bacon, nothing would be better than bacon doughnuts, chocolate covered bacon, bacon cupcakes, bacon ice cream, and even bacon cheddar popcorn.

Or you could have a savory bacon bar. Serve up mini BLTs, bacon grilled cheese triangles, mini bacon burgers, bacon wrapped shrimp, etc. The options are endless.

Another fun station is to have a "comfort food station". And, whether your fav is mac and cheese, pasta, or potatoes, put it out there with fun and creative toppings.

What about those food trucks? They have been on the wedding scene for a few years now, and have really taken over just about every city. They are so much fun for cocktail hour, or even a late night snack. But again, get creative! If you do not want the traditional wedding cake, have a food truck serve up gorgeous cupcakes in your favorite flavors.

Of course, it is important to style any of the options above so it does not look like your local pancake house or all you can eat buffet. Glam it up a bit! Having cute and creative signs placed on the stations will not only inform your guests as to their options, but will complement your vision and style.

Your take away: It does not take a huge budget to make a huge impact. Just think out of the box, and do something fun and creative with your menu. Cute napkins, serving pieces, and table linens will all add to the overall look.

HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Weddings911-Is it OK to Elope?

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AppId is over the quota

Before we figure out if eloping can be a good thing, lets make sure we know exactly what "eloping" means. Traditionally, or back in the day, when a couple would elope, there was always secrecy involved, and a somewhat negative connotation. A couple might elope if there was a pregnancy, or if parents would not allow the marriage. Usually, it was a clandestine type of thing.

But today, some couples say they're "eloping", but really mean that they're getting married without any guests present, even though they have told people about it beforehand. Others sometimes use the word just to indicate a quick courthouse wedding, regardless of whether there are guests there or not. So, we can see the meaning of the word is not quite what it was, and does not have such an air of secrecy about it.

So, why would a couple want to elope? The first good reason that might cause them to elope is potential family drama. No bride wants to feel stress or be worried about what craziness might blow up. Aunt June is known to start fights with Aunt Rebecca. Bride's brother James has just gotten a divorce from his wife, who is Bride's best friend. Her mother hates Groom's mother.

There are untold numbers of scenarios that we could all think up, but I think you get the point. Honestly, I do not blame any bride for wanting to avoid trouble on her wedding day. It might be easier to just slip away and get married with a handful of friends to cheer her on. "Let's avoid the drama and get married on an island". 

Another reason to elope might be to save money. If parents cannot contribute, and bride and groom do not want to pay or cannot pay for a big wedding, the bride and groom might want to go off by themselves. Here is where it can get sticky, though.

As a mom, I would probably say it is never all right to elope, especially if it was my daughter! But, if I put myself in the bride's shoes, I have to admit; there are a few good reasons why a couple might choose this option.

So, when is not OK to elope? I really do understand that there are some situations that are so difficult to bear, that a wedding and reception would just not work for the couple. But, the balance here is that while the bride and groom want to avoid drama or pain, they need to make sure they are not causing more drama and pain.

I know of one groom that got so wrapped up in love, that he was convinced to have a spur of the moment wedding in another state. His family did not know about it until after it happened. I can tell you that his momma had a very hard time with this. It took years for that hurt to be healed.

So, think carefully before making a decision to elope, and if you as a couple, value your relationships with your family, I suggest that you at least talk over your ideas and feelings with them first.

They may not like it, but it is better to share your heart with them, than to exclude them altogether.

HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Your Monday Inspiration: Dying father didn't have to miss his proudest moment (video)

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AppId is over the quota
Fotolanthropy captured these images of Fred Evans and a few special moments with the women in his life. (Fotolanthropy) 

Fred Evans had only months to live. He was recovering from a double lung transplant when doctors gave him more bad news: He had metastatic melanoma.

But Evans and his wife, Karla, had always made the most of life, enjoying fun things like Jimmy Buffet concerts, scuba diving and underwater photography in Cozumel. They planned to savor the rest of their moments together.

Many a father has looked forward to walking his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day, and Evans was no exception. He teamed up with his wife and oldest daughter, Martha, to arrange a surprise for their younger, unmarried daughters, Kate and Gracie. The event at Watermark Community Church in Dallas involved a special surprise for Karla, too.

Fotolanthropy's Matt and Julie Norene captured these touching images of father-daughter love. (Warning: Grab a tissue before you hit play.)

Weddings911- Celebrity Wedding Looks without the Pricetag?

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AppId is over the quota

I know, you have been all over Facebook, Pinterest, and wedding blogs to check out the latest celebrity trends. I am right with you; they are stunning. Lavish florals, incredible tablescapes, and amazing locations leave us absolutely breathless. I also know it is easy to want to incorporate many of the ideas you see.

And, to be honest not many of us can afford a $5,000,000.00 wedding. But, you really can take away a lot of ideas and make them work with your budget. This does not mean you will have a "Million Dollar" look, but you can take your wedding and reception up a few notches in "wow" power. According to Preston Bailey, the widely acclaimed celebrity event planner, there are 5 things you can do to get that celebrity look you love.

Preston says that the first thing is to "Give your guests drama". He does not mean family drama, but says, "You are going to spoil your guests with every single luxury, food, music that you possibly can." He says your goal as a host should be to create an atmosphere that your guests will never want to leave.

Next, Preston says to "Wow them right away"! Capturing the guests' attention from the moment they arrive will set the right tone and create lasting memories for all that attend. Even if other aspects of the wedding are subtler, a strong first impression will set the right tone. This can be done with a huge ice sculpture, an amazing cake centered in the room, servers passing pretty signature drinks, or even a gorgeous fountain dripping with flowers.

He also makes a good point in reminding brides not to forget about the ceremony décor. He says, "You want to create an emotional environment that moves everyone to tears." How do you do that? Think candlelight, flowers, beauty, and romance. And do not forget the live music; that is a must! Music brings emotion and romance to your ceremony like nothing else.

Preston's 4th tip, "Get Creative With Your Tablescapes. When designing an event, it's important to have variety". We have all seen those boring receptions that look more like conventions; they have 30 matching tables as far as the eye can see. It is much more fun and visually beautiful to spice it up a bit. Try 3 or more different arrangements spread throughout at different heights. Having different centerpieces and linen on every table might work as well. Remember though, these ideas will only work well when they follow the same theme and vision.

Last tip from Preston, "Relax and Enjoy!" I think the greatest mistake that most brides make is that they're so tense the day of their wedding. You should be at your best on the day of your wedding," he says, "so let go, and have a great time!" I agree. Your wedding day should be fun, and not stressful. Hire the best pros you can and trust them do their magic.

Can you have the celebrity wedding of your dreams? Yes, if you have the same budget! But, if you don't, take the ideas and tips above to create your own wedding day filled with amazing beauty, romance, fun and creativity!

HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Wedding trends for 2014: Blushing bridal gowns, plunging backlines, brunch receptions and absolutely no mustaches

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AppId is over the quota
Backlines are lower and with more attention to detail. After all, that's what guests see when you'??re exchanging '??I Do's.'

In 2014, brides-to-be can expect to choose from new fabrics, new colors and new silhouettes, says one bridal expert.

Madeline Boswell is owner and proprietor of Finery {a bridal boutique}, in downtown Huntsville, which caters to brides with an eclectic, ethereal aesthetic. Finery sells wedding dresses, accessories, and offers event styling.

Boswell keeps close tabs on the wedding industry but also likes to veer off the beaten path, so we asked her for the top five bridal fashion trends she sees for 2014:

1. New fabrics: “In 2014 I think we will be seeing an exciting arrival of a wave of new fabrics: hand-painted silk, gold-flecked laces and detailing, sherbet ombre and sparkle tulle."

2. Monochrome bridal gowns

3. The Handkerchief Peplum silhouette: “ A romantic make-over to last season’s waist line,” Boswell explained. “It has a less angular positioning and sits almost more as a bustle, but without the volume. In stead of feeling like a radical, it’s soft, sweet and very sophisticated.”

4. Blushing bridal gowns: “Blush and bashful stay on trend, but with more serious rosy shades of pink.”

5. Low backs: “Backlines are lower and with more attention to detail,” said Boswell. “After all, that’s what guests see when you’re exchanging ‘I Do’s .‘”

For grooms, Boswell said she likes to push brides to look beyond the traditional tuxedo.

“Think more red carpet,” she said, “tailored dark suits with a vest, ivory dinner jackets, and the comeback of the silk bow-tie. All classic haberdashery that transitions across the board.”

So if those are 2014’s freshest trends, what’s been played out and due for retirement?

“Can we be done with mustaches and chevron print?” she asks.

For a bride who wants a shake-up of traditional wedding schedule, Boswell loves the idea of a morning wedding, followed by an intimate brunch reception.

“I love receptions that get guests moving around,” she said, “perhaps incorporating food trucks for an outside reception, cigar stations or tasting areas for beer and wine. How fun!”

When it comes to weddings, anything goes these days. Boswell offers event styling through her boutique, and said the most unusual request she’s had for a wedding was a bride who requested no real flowers anywhere at the event.

“She was allergic to most pollen,” Boswell said, “So we made paper flower bouquets.”

When brides make an appointment to shop for dresses, more isn’t always merrier. Boswell said her best advice for brides is to limit who they bring with them to a bridal appointment.

“We suggest two to three close, supportive and honest friends or family that you can be yourself with,” she said. “Too many opinions can contribute to an already overwhelming and emotional experience. Have fun, and stay true to you.”

House united: Auburn bride and Georgia groom plan football-themed wedding for Saturday (photos)

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AppId is over the quota
Photos of decorations and items for the "House United" wedding in Auburn on Nov. 23, 2013.

AUBURN, Alabama -- Like many brides, Opelika native Donna Wood has imagined what her wedding will be like down to the very last detail.

Unlike other women planning to walk down the aisle, however, Wood's vision for her wedding day involves an officiant dressed as a referee, an inflatable Aubie and the "Monday Night Football" theme song.

On Saturday, Wood will marry her fiance Todd Rowey at the University Station RV Resort in Auburn, Ala. While the couple live in Boise, Idaho, Wood said they couldn't imagine getting married anywhere but in the South. Though the decision to get married below the Mason-Dixon line might have been an easy one to agree on, that's where the harmony ended.

See, Rowey is from Warner Robbins, Ga. and is a die-hard Georgia Bulldogs fan, which put the duo at a bit of a headlock until they came up with the wedding theme "A House United," which allows both of them to sport their team colors during the big day.

"We just love to watch football and wanted to play up the rivalry," said Wood. "We really wanted to go to an Auburn vs. Georgia game, and this off weekend just fell right after so it was perfect. We went to the game on Saturday and let that kickoff the festivities."

Wood, whose father and stepfather both played for the Auburn University football team in 1964, said the couple came up with the idea to get married at the RV resort her parents stay at during the football season while walking around the grounds one day.

"A year ago, we were walking in the woods and thought 'wouldn't it be funny if we got married here?' and it all just came from that," said Wood.

Since then, Wood and her parents, Diane Jones and Ken Jones, have spent the past six months sorting out the details. In hopes of creating a tailgating atmosphere for guests to enjoy, Wood said they would be serving low country boil, taco soup, barbecue sliders and more.

In keeping with the theme, there will also be a cheerleader in place of a flower girl and a football toss as opposed to a garter. In addition, the decorations will represent both teams and the officiant would serve as the only neutral party present. Well, sorta.

"My brother-in-law is a big Alabama fan," said Wood. "He is going to be the officiant and he's going to be in a referee outfit. He's going to work in a lot of football terminology during the ceremony. We don't really know what he's got planned."

While the concept of wearing white cowboy boots with an orange-and-blue dress down the aisle might make some brides cringe, Wood, who has three children from a previous marriage, said she doesn't want the fuss of a traditional wedding. Instead, she wants the atmosphere to be fun and laid-back.

"I've already done a glitzy wedding," said Wood. "This is going to be a tailgating wedding. I just want it to be very relaxed so people have a good time. I want everyone to leave Auburn fans."

Wedding911-Crazy Wedding Superstitions

 Do you believe that if you see a lizard running across the road on your wedding day, that you will never have a child? Have you heard that if a single woman sleeps with a piece of wedding cake under her pillow, she will dream of her future husband? These are just two of many crazy wedding day superstitions that have been floating around since your grandmother was a baby.  But, no matter how silly they sound, superstitions have actually been around for centuries, and they originated at different times and in different places, when people have tried to explain mysterious events or happenings. Have you heard that breaking a mirror meant you would have seven years bad luck? There was a time when people thought their reflection held their soul and if you broke the mirror you damaged your soul. That explains a lot! Some of our wedding superstitions are truly rooted in history, but most of them we will never figure out how they started. Regardless, I am sure you will recognize a few, and maybe even believe them to be true! Have you heard these statements at a Bridal Shower? The first gift the bride opens should be the first gift she uses. The person who gives the third gift to be opened will soon have a baby. Everything the bride says as she opens her gifts will be repeated on her wedding night. The way to determine how many babies the bride will have is by counting how many ribbons she has broken while unwrapping her gifts. As to what you should or should not wear on your wedding day: Married in White, you have chosen right Married in Grey, you will go far away, Married in Black, you will wish yourself back,Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead, Married in Green, ashamed to be seen, Married in Blue, you will always be true, Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl, Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow, Married in Brown, you will live in the town, Married in Pink, your spirit will sink.Crazy scary superstitions: The wedding veil is a custom originated in Rome, when a bride would wear a veil down the aisle to disguise herself from evil spirits who were jealous of her happiness. If the groom drops the wedding band during the ceremony, the marriage is doomed. Another variation of this one is that whoever drops the ring will be the first one to die. Which is not something you want to be thinking about during your marriage ceremony, right? Superstitions are meant to be warnings as well as signs of good fortune. A few of these "good" signs are worthy of taking note: Tying a pair of shoes to the back of the getaway car brings good luck. Finding a spider in your wedding dress brings much happiness. Sure it does! And, in Old England, if you see a rainbow, have the sunshine, meet a black cat or a chimney sweep on your wedding day you are blessed. But to truly be a lucky bride you should have something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and put a lucky sixpence in your shoe. HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Wedding911-Crazy Wedding Superstitions

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AppId is over the quota

Do you believe that if you see a lizard running across the road on your wedding day, that you will never have a child? Have you heard that if a single woman sleeps with a piece of wedding cake under her pillow, she will dream of her future husband?

These are just two of many crazy wedding day superstitions that have been floating around since your grandmother was a baby. 

But, no matter how silly they sound, superstitions have actually been around for centuries, and they originated at different times and in different places, when people have tried to explain mysterious events or happenings.

Have you heard that breaking a mirror meant you would have seven years bad luck? There was a time when people thought their reflection held their soul and if you broke the mirror you damaged your soul. That explains a lot!

Some of our wedding superstitions are truly rooted in history, but most of them we will never figure out how they started. Regardless, I am sure you will recognize a few, and maybe even believe them to be true!

Have you heard these statements at a Bridal Shower? The first gift the bride opens should be the first gift she uses. The person who gives the third gift to be opened will soon have a baby. Everything the bride says as she opens her gifts will be repeated on her wedding night. The way to determine how many babies the bride will have is by counting how many ribbons she has broken while unwrapping her gifts.

As to what you should or should not wear on your wedding day:

Married in White, you have chosen right

Married in Grey, you will go far away,

Married in Black, you will wish yourself back,

Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead,

Married in Green, ashamed to be seen,

Married in Blue, you will always be true,

Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl,

Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,

Married in Brown, you will live in the town,

Married in Pink, your spirit will sink.

Crazy scary superstitions: The wedding veil is a custom originated in Rome, when a bride would wear a veil down the aisle to disguise herself from evil spirits who were jealous of her happiness. If the groom drops the wedding band during the ceremony, the marriage is doomed. Another variation of this one is that whoever drops the ring will be the first one to die. Which is not something you want to be thinking about during your marriage ceremony, right?

Superstitions are meant to be warnings as well as signs of good fortune. A few of these "good" signs are worthy of taking note: Tying a pair of shoes to the back of the getaway car brings good luck. Finding a spider in your wedding dress brings much happiness. Sure it does!

And, in Old England, if you see a rainbow, have the sunshine, meet a black cat or a chimney sweep on your wedding day you are blessed. But to truly be a lucky bride you should have something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and put a lucky sixpence in your shoe.

HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Love and football: Auburn, Georgia couple tie the knot in football-themed wedding (photos, video)

  Photos of the "House United" Auburn/Georgia wedding ceremony for Todd Rowey and Donna Wood at University Station RV Resort in Auburn, Ala. on Nov. 23, 2013. AUBURN, Alabama -- Though the skies were overcast for most of the day, nothing could dampen the spirits of Auburn fan Donna Wood and Georgia fan Todd Rowey as they tied the knot on Saturday at University Station RV Resort in Auburn.Well, nothing except for maybe a "roll tide", of course. The couple, who live in Boise, Idaho, but are from the south, were married in front of friends and family garbed in their team's colors during a wedding ceremony perfect for two football fanatics. Clint Powell, the officiant, dressed in a referee shirt and made sure the service was easy to comprehend by treating it as he would a locker room pep talk.Naturally, a coin toss was used to decide who would say their vows first during the ceremony. While Wood won the toss, she elected to defer to the second half so Rowey had the honor of speaking before her. In addition, to prove their commitment to each other, the couple was forced to say the war cry of their loved one's team."I think it went super fantastic," said Rowey. "It's a rivalry, but it's not a heated rivalry so it was perfect."Wood started planning the wedding six months ago with her mother, Diane Jones, after the couple came up with the idea of a "house united" themed wedding while taking a walk around the RV resort during a visit. Overall, Jones said the wedding went off perfectly."The wedding went well," said Jones. "We're all just so happy. War eagle."Want to see this football-themed wedding for yourself? Take a look at our highlight reel from the ceremony.Auburn/Georgia Wedding ceremony Video of the "House United" Auburn/Georgia wedding ceremony for Todd Rowey and Donna Wood at University Station RV Resort in Auburn, Ala. on Nov. 23, 2013.

Wedding 911--Budget woes?

 I have talked with several brides recently about budgeting. While I know there are many of you that do not have to worry about a wedding budget, the cruel reality is that 90% of brides for 2014 are going to have one. The question is always raised, how do I make a budget? And how do I know what is realistic. According to Weddingstats.org, "the average cost of a U.S. wedding in 2013 is between $27K-$28K (honeymoon not included). While this number varies by region, season, day of the week and style, it accurately portrays what most planning couples ultimately spend for their big day". Just to prove the point, The Knot reports that New York City (Manhattan) couples topped the rankings in 2010 as having the highest average budget ($70,730) of any other U.S. city while Utah has the lowest average spend ($13,214). Even though these stats are from 2010, I believe that a wedding will cost more in a big metropolitan area than it does in a rural town. It makes sense, right? And they add, "that nearly 50% of all couples will end up spending more on their celebration than they had originally budgeted for. Think about that for a moment.  Roughly 2.6 million weddings are performed each year in the U.S. and almost half of them will fail to stick to their intended budget. Knowing what other couples are spending is helpful in creating a realistic financial budget that can successfully be followed".To help you figure out what your wedding is going to cost you, you have several options. One is to check out the latest results from TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com. Their wedding study is the largest of it's kind, surveying more than 17,500 brides married in 2012. This study can show you the average national cost of basic items that you will probably have to include in your wedding budget. These include: your venue, photographer, florist, wedding dress, musicians, caterer, etc. Keep in mind though; these averages are about right if you are having the "average" 28,000.00 wedding. But, how to do you figure cost if you have a higher budget? The next option would be to talk with a professional in the region where your wedding will be held, and get a good idea of the costs for the type of wedding you are thinking about. Many wedding planners offer hourly rates for consultations. An experienced planner can help you with budget projections based on your style and vision. One other option is to use an online budget planner. The Knot Wedding Budgeter divides your budget into categories that are broken down into all the items that you may need, from flowers and cake to limos. There's also a payment tracker to help you stay up-to-date on items that require deposits and multiple payments.Beware though, this is a great tool for helping you stay in budget, but you may need to adjust the figures for your area.   Why? As I pointed out earlier, different regions of the country and even different cities in the same region, may vary greatly in what is "average". This is one reason why so many brides go over budget. They were not prepared with realistic figures. All this to say; do your research, gather the facts, and get help if you need it. HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Weddings911--How to Find that Perfect Location

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AppId is over the quota

Once you are engaged, one of the most important next steps is to find your ceremony and reception locations and lock in your date. This is vital to getting the planning rolling, and honestly not much else can happen if you do not have a date. Of course, you can find your dress, and choose your colors, but you cannot really do much else without that wedding date.

From what I hear, finding a venue can be an overwhelming task if you do not know what to ask, or what to look for. So, today I have ten tips for you to keep in mind as you begin your search.

1.Have a budget already worked out. You will need to know if you can afford that ritzy hotel that charges 6000.00 just to walk in the door. If you can't, knowing what you can afford will save you time and effort.

2. Think about your style. Are you a casual bride dreaming of being married in a meadow of wildflowers? Or, are you a country club girl, wanting something very luxe? Or, maybe you just want that sweet chapel wedding?

3. Research your options: There are many ways to do this: Facebook, Wedding websites, and Pinterest may provide options. Checking with friends and family may help uncover a little known spot that might be perfect. New venues are popping up all over; country barns, old homes, and farms are hot right now.

4. Take the time to actually visit the location. In the wedding business it is not always certain that a picture is worth a thousand words. Many times pictures can be deceptive; and not give you the whole picture. You need to walk the property, see the lay of the land, and get a feel for how it is taken care of.   I know of one location in my city that shows gorgeous images of their property, but you have to drive through a part of town that is not so pretty to get there. You would never know, unless you made the effort to see it for yourself.

5. Make sure it is big enough to handle all your guests. If you are booking a spot that has a maximum occupancy of 150, do not assume you can squeeze in 300 guests.

6. If you are looking at an outdoor venue, is it very important to ask about backup in the event of bad weather. It is a huge mistake not to plan ahead. Ensuring a reliable back up plan that you can live with is very valuable.

7. Ask about what is included. Does the venue have tables and linens included or will you have the additional expense of renting them? Check on how many tables they have. Inspect the chairs and linens to make sure you are happy with them.

8.Check on which vendors are allowed in. Many privately owned venues ask you to use their vendors, or you may "upgrade" and pay extra fees to use your own. If you have to use theirs, check them out online first!

9.Find out how many hours are included, and add extra if necessary.

10. Before signing any contracts, be sure that all necessary components fit within your budget, and that everything promised is in writing.

HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Weddings911-Bust Your Bustle?

 With so many details to take care of while planning your wedding, most girls do not take a lot of time to think about how their dress will be bustled. It is assumed that it will be sewn in during your alterations, and that the planner, Mom, or MOH will figure it out on wedding day. A case in point will illustrate a recent bride's experience. Bride bought her dress at a large well known bridal shop in Atlanta. They did the alterations, and put in a bustle for her. Their words to the bride were, "this is so simple to do, if someone cannot figure this out, they must be a complete idiot". Well, I do not consider myself to be a "complete idiot", but the way the bustle was designed was not adequate for the dress or the event. We checked out the bustle before the wedding to see how it would work and saw the basic plan.To be honest, if they had done the job well, it might have worked. But, they designed this bustle to be an over-bustle, meaning the outer layer is pulled up about half way down the back and attached by a hook and eye or a button and loop system. It will not work with a simple hook and eye if your dress is really heavy, has a long train, or lots of long layers underneath. You will need a system of several connection points to distribute the weight. In our bride's case, she said the dress had three buttons and three loops. Unfortunately, we (three pair of eyes) could only find two loops, even though she did have three buttons. And she had lots of long layers of netting underneath, which they did not include a bustle for. Once we used 3 or 4 heavy duty safety pins to secure her top layer, we still had to do something to prevent the under-layers from sticking out and dragging on the floor. When that was done, she went out to enjoy the reception. Another bride bought her dress from a designer's flagship store in New York. They did the alterations, and built in a very complex bustle on her dress. When it came time to bustle her, a small army was brought in to work as a team. The bride got so tired of waiting that she asked us to do what ever it took to finish so she could get to the reception. Again, my heavy duty safety pins finished up the job. Note that you do not need anything so complex that it will take 20 minutes out of your evening, and you do not want anything so simple that it will tear after your first dance. So, talk with your seamstress about your reception, and make sure she designs the right system for you. Do not assume she knows what she is doing. Ask questions and ask her to show you exactly how it works, once it is done. If it is not right, fix it then! HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Weddings911--Can You Keep Everyone Happy During Wedding Planning?

   Yes, I think it is possible. Not likely though if you are a Bridezilla or a control freak. If you can avoid falling into one of the above categories you have a really good chance of being happy and those around you will be happy too. How to keep everyone happy through this process though takes some forethought. As weddings are getting bigger and more complex, that can bring more stress. More stress causes more strife. Reducing the stress, having the gorgeous event and not losing sight of the reason for it all is the goal. And, truly, this is the time to have the most fun. You have been waiting for this a long time; so read on to discover some things you can do to help keep things from getting out of controlMake a promise to yourself to avoid conflict.In my mom's day, her mom planned the wedding. All she had to do was choose her dress and show up. But, as more brides are planning their weddings without Mom, clashing interests, budgets, and goals create an environment for trouble. Moms have to realize that daughters are looking for independence; they want to do things their way. And, brides need to realize that Mom wants to bond. Give, co-operate, and share your feelings. Thirty years from now, you are going to cherish your relationship a whole lot more than you will remember whether you got the pink striped runner or not. You do not want to be remembered as the bride who got into a fistfight with the DJ, step-mom, or cussed out her maid of honor. You want everyone to have joyful, happy, and loving memories of your wedding. Etiquette:Weddings used to be planned around proper etiquette, but today most brides are not concerned with the formality of reading Emily Post. We have relaxed the rules a good bit, some for the good and sometimes not so good. One thing we can do to alleviate some stress is to have an understanding of etiquette and why it is necessary. Social rules are not just there for rule's sake, they protect other's feelings. According to Emily Post, etiquette is about making people feel comfortable with one another. That makes sense to me! If you are comfortable and stress free ... you can be happy. So, look at etiquette as a useful tool in planning. You want to be very careful that you don't offend anyone, especially someone you love.The Big Production:Weddings tend to spiral out of control and you can lose sight of what is really important. Do you think you have to invite those 500 guests, have an open bar for 4 hours, make your dress and hand bead it, or want to be your own florist? Truth be told, you don't! When you are overloaded and stressed, the details become overwhelming, and your relationships become strained. When you are cranky, everyone around you is cranky! Don't lose your perspective; keep it fun and easy! Choose to avoid conflict, make others feel they are included and loved, and don't take on a big production without the right budget and lots of help.  HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Weddings911-Is it OK to Elope?

 Before we figure out if eloping can be a good thing, lets make sure we know exactly what "eloping" means. Traditionally, or back in the day, when a couple would elope, there was always secrecy involved, and a somewhat negative connotation. A couple might elope if there was a pregnancy, or if parents would not allow the marriage. Usually, it was a clandestine type of thing. But today, some couples say they're "eloping", but really mean that they're getting married without any guests present, even though they have told people about it beforehand. Others sometimes use the word just to indicate a quick courthouse wedding, regardless of whether there are guests there or not. So, we can see the meaning of the word is not quite what it was, and does not have such an air of secrecy about it. So, why would a couple want to elope? The first good reason that might cause them to elope is potential family drama. No bride wants to feel stress or be worried about what craziness might blow up. Aunt June is known to start fights with Aunt Rebecca. Bride's brother James has just gotten a divorce from his wife, who is Bride's best friend. Her mother hates Groom's mother. There are untold numbers of scenarios that we could all think up, but I think you get the point. Honestly, I do not blame any bride for wanting to avoid trouble on her wedding day. It might be easier to just slip away and get married with a handful of friends to cheer her on. "Let's avoid the drama and get married on an island".  Another reason to elope might be to save money. If parents cannot contribute, and bride and groom do not want to pay or cannot pay for a big wedding, the bride and groom might want to go off by themselves. Here is where it can get sticky, though. As a mom, I would probably say it is never all right to elope, especially if it was my daughter! But, if I put myself in the bride's shoes, I have to admit; there are a few good reasons why a couple might choose this option. So, when is not OK to elope? I really do understand that there are some situations that are so difficult to bear, that a wedding and reception would just not work for the couple. But, the balance here is that while the bride and groom want to avoid drama or pain, they need to make sure they are not causing more drama and pain. I know of one groom that got so wrapped up in love, that he was convinced to have a spur of the moment wedding in another state. His family did not know about it until after it happened. I can tell you that his momma had a very hard time with this. It took years for that hurt to be healed. So, think carefully before making a decision to elope, and if you as a couple, value your relationships with your family, I suggest that you at least talk over your ideas and feelings with them first. They may not like it, but it is better to share your heart with them, than to exclude them altogether. HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning

Your Monday Inspiration: 'In sickness and in health' takes on new meaning for Mobile couple

 Daniel Seiselmyer and Mindi Waite, of Mobile, pose at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center in Spanish Fort, Ala., in May 2013. (Courtesy of Mindi Waite) MOBILE, Alabama – At 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, Mindi Waite was supposed to be in a white veil and gown at 5 Rivers, poised to walk the pier on her father’s arm and exchange vows with the love of her life.Instead, she is in the Neurology ICU waiting room, praying that her fiancé, Daniel Seiselmyer, would be OK.Two days before, a CT scan had revealed a mass on Seiselmyer’s brain after he had sought treatment for severe headaches. As serious as the results were, the doctors were willing to postpone surgery so the couple could get married that Saturday.But as the rehearsal neared, Seiselmyer, 28, grew tired, dizzy and nauseated. A decision was made to call an ambulance to pick him up at the Hampton Inn downtown, where the wedding party was staying. What had been envisioned as a weekend of celebration was turning into an evening of worry and fear at Mobile Infirmary.“You could not have pried me away from this hospital,” said Waite, 33. “I kind of took over the Neuro Intensive Care Unit waiting room.”The wedding the Mobile couple had planned for a year and a half was suddenly the last thing on Waite’s mind. All the painstakingly laid plans – the dinner menu, the elegant black bridesmaids’ dresses, the flowers, the four-layer wedding cake and the groom’s Bama cake – paled in comparison. Doctors were watching him closely to see if medication would alleviate the pressure on his brain.“I just tried to stay positive and prayed that God was not ready to take him because we had an exciting and long life we wanted to live together,” Waite said. Donating the wedding goodiesArrangements were made to give away most of the food for 200 people to the nearby Ronald McDonald House, which houses the families of hospitalized children. Sausage-stuffed pastries, cucumber canapés, fruit and cheese went first. Hot chicken casseroles, beef and green bean bundles went next. Waite decided to bring most of the four-tier wedding cake to the hospital break room. “I just kind of cut it up and dispersed it around the hospital,” she said. The baker, a friend, froze the top layers of that cake and the groom’s.The flowers were dispersed to family and to patients in oncology “to cheer them up a little bit," Waite said. Other arrangements went to USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital.Early Sunday, the staff woke her to say that they were prepping Seiselmyer for surgery. After two hours, the doctor had good news: The surgery went very well. The only fear was whether his movement on one side would be affected.That concern proved unfounded when Seiselmyer was able to move limbs on both sides.Mindi Waite and Daniel Seiselmyer of Mobile pose at Mobile Infirmary in Mobile, Ala., on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013. Seiselmyer underwent brain surgery a day after the couple had to postpone their wedding. (Courtesy of Mindi Waite) On Wednesday, there was more good news. The tumor wasn’t malignant, and though he’d need physical therapy, the prognosis was good.“Although I didn’t lose him, the fear of that reality was very real for me during the first few days of all of this, and the uncertainty was awful,” Waite said. “We had waited so long to finally say ‘I do’ and start our life together.”If anything, the current trial has deepened their love and commitment, they said.“It is hard to describe what Daniel means to me,” Waite said. “It would be simple to say ‘the whole world,’ but it is much more than that.”Through Waite, Seiselmyer said, “Mindi means everything to me. Going through this has made us both realize how much we love each other.”He quipped that he loves Waite despite her allegiance to Auburn and that he hopes to convert her to Alabama one day.'A reason for every single thing'At Day 15 of her fiance’s hospital stay, Waite said that many people had asked her how she has weathered the crisis so well. “The best answers I had were these: I couldn’t make it through any of this without my faith in God, my amazing family (Daniel’s and mine) and our unbelievable friends by my side,” she said. “God has a reason for every single thing He puts in our lives, and although it is very hard not to, I am trying my hardest not to question him.“He must have unfathomable awesomeness in store for our life together to have us weather such trials and tests,” she said.Waite, who works as a nanny, said she grew up worshipping at Cottage Hill Baptist Church. Seiselmyer, who works at Worthy Insurance Co. and EOG in Mobile, grew up in St. Joseph Catholic Parish, based at Spring Hill College. “We were both raised in Christian homes, and I truly believe that God had us wrapped in His arms throughout this entire thing,” she said. “One day, we will hopefully share our story, our journey of love, with our kids and grandkids.”Wearing a bright pink jacket embroidered with “The future Mrs. Seiselmyer,” Waite recalled how the couple met -- at a Christmas party given by mutual friends. Then they didn’t see each other for a year.“We ran into each other and talked all night,” she said. When they began dating, she said, “I knew that he was the one I wanted to spend my life with. He is an amazing man, and I know he will be an amazing husband.”Seiselmyer proposed during an informal meal at Butch Cassidy’s Cafe. Waite's friend screamed, and she turned to see her boyfriend down on one knee. “I was choked on a fried pickle,” she said, laughing.The couple will plan another wedding, probably at 5 Rivers again, Waite said. The honeymoon, a trip to Jamaica, had been set for later in the year anyway.“When we do get to have our wedding, it will be a more blessed occasion than we thought possible. Each moment will be the best we could ever imagine,” Waite said. “And the simple words ‘in sickness and in health’ will now have a meaning that far exceeds anything most people could ever understand.”

Weddings911-New Food Trends Can Spice Up Your Reception

 Whether it is going to be an over the top, amazing wedding reception for 500, or a small backyard family wedding, getting creative with food, will make a huge impression on your guests. Think about it this way; you have a small budget, but want to do something different and fun. How about a morning wedding, and then serve brunch afterward? A pancake station would be awesome. Include several varieties of pancakes, 7 or 8 different toppings, fresh fruit, mimosas, and coffee. Pancakes are not your thing? Try an afternoon wedding with a lite menu of mini-burgers and fries. Let's not think about the local fast food drive through, but a gourmet quality burger; dressed up for a party. Burgers can be presented in a variety of ways: in custom printed paper bags, in little paper boats, or on a station. Then add in lots of fun toppings like different mustards, cheeses, grilled onions, flavored ketchups, or bacon. The list can go on and on. And the fries! They can have their own set of flavored salts and sauces. A little research on the Internet can provide you with a very long list of options. Another budget friendly idea for an afternoon wedding is the retro garden party. Serving champagne cocktails, tea sandwiches, and mini hors d'oeuvres as guests mix and mingle gives an elegant feel with a minimum price tag. If you are having a large event think about themed stations! Bacon is a really hot food trend right now. If you love bacon, nothing would be better than bacon doughnuts, chocolate covered bacon, bacon cupcakes, bacon ice cream, and even bacon cheddar popcorn. Or you could have a savory bacon bar. Serve up mini BLTs, bacon grilled cheese triangles, mini bacon burgers, bacon wrapped shrimp, etc. The options are endless. Another fun station is to have a "comfort food station". And, whether your fav is mac and cheese, pasta, or potatoes, put it out there with fun and creative toppings.What about those food trucks? They have been on the wedding scene for a few years now, and have really taken over just about every city. They are so much fun for cocktail hour, or even a late night snack. But again, get creative! If you do not want the traditional wedding cake, have a food truck serve up gorgeous cupcakes in your favorite flavors. Of course, it is important to style any of the options above so it does not look like your local pancake house or all you can eat buffet. Glam it up a bit! Having cute and creative signs placed on the stations will not only inform your guests as to their options, but will complement your vision and style. Your take away: It does not take a huge budget to make a huge impact. Just think out of the box, and do something fun and creative with your menu. Cute napkins, serving pieces, and table linens will all add to the overall look. HAVE A WEDDING QUESTION? Send questions to weddings911@ idoidoweddingplanning.com Alene Gamel is a Master Bridal Consultant and owns Alabama-based I Do, I Do! Wedding Planning