A consortium of wedding professionals that offer you everything you need for the perfect, romantic elopement or small wedding that is beautiful and romantic for an exceptional wedding day experience at an affordable price.   FLOWERS - CAKE - MUSIC - SAND CERMONY -OFFICIANT and EXCEPTIONAL, PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY starting at just $395.00.   A Courthouse Wedding or a  Beautiful, Intimate Romantic Ceremony

All About The Courthouse Wedding Did you know that every Wednesday at the St. Louis County courthouse you can get married by a judge?     The other week I had the chance to observe brides and grooms lining the hallways waiting their turn to be called before the judge.  As many as 28 couples waited to be called to the front of the court room with their two witnesses.  In front of all these strangers they committed to loving one another forever.   Five minutes and done.  I doubt that any of those couples every thought of this ceremony as the wedding of their dreams. Sometimes couples decide that the larger, formal wedding  just doesn't work for them.  They instead decide to "elope".  (You don't have to leave town to elope.)  This decision might be precipitated by military deployment, family issues, or just because they want to forgo the expense and time consuming traditional wedding.        All About The The Perfect Elopement Wedding    Getting married is a very important step in your life and even If you are considering such an "elopement" there are better options.  Perfect Elopements, a consortium of wedding professionals, is a company that brings everything together for you to have a beautiful wedding ceremony without the huge expense and you can schedule your wedding within just a few days, or sometimes, hours notice.  Flowers, cupcakes, photographer, and an officiant starting at just $395.00.  Just because it's smaller doesn't mean that it can't be beautiful.  You show up with your rings and your license.  That's it!  There are several packages from which you can choose  - some include more extensive photography, music, and sand ceremonies.   There are lots of additional options you can add such as dove or butterfly releases.  But most importantly it's a beautiful, sentimental, ceremony that is romantic, touching and full of love in a beautiful location such as a park.  And best of all, every package include a professional photographer to capture the wonderful memories of this day. Because it's small your elopement can often be at a location that's completely free of charge, unlike a wedding that requires a rented location. Popular locations are parks or even your own home. Some locations, such as the Butterfly House in Chesterfield, charge a small fee, but it's often significantly less than what would be charged for a full blown wedding with a hundred guests.  Give us a call and we can work with you to find a location that is right for you.  We know of lots of locations that we can recommend. Packages & Prices Whether you're looking for something simple and sweet or more elaborate, we've got you covered. All packages include a wonderful ceremony, professional photography, and extra touches that make your elope.ment something special Cupcake  $395.00 Small and Sweet. Just the two of you. All the emotion of your intimate ten minute ceremony and ring exchange is captured through beautiful candid photography followed by a few special portraits and finished with two cupcakes for you to share. 10 minute ceremony Candid photography of ceremony 20 minutes of additional photography - 30 minutes total Photos on CD with print release Two cupcakes for a sweet first bite as husband and wife One attendant each Up to six guests Chocolate Truffle $595.00 Deliciously intimate with a few close friends and family. Exceptional candid photography of your ten minute ceremony is followed by 30 to 40 minutes of fun, relaxed photos for some amazing images of your wedding day. To sweeten the deal, you also receive a small bouquet and boutonnière. To finish your small but decadent nuptial you and your new spouse share some decadent chocolate truffles. Day-of coordination 10 minute ceremony Candid photography of ceremony Additional photography - one hour total Photos on CD with print release Small bouquet and boutonniere Decadent chocolate truffles One attendant each Up to 20 guests Vineyard $895.00 Memorable and elegant with lots of extra touches. You exchange vows amongst a sprinkling of flower pedals accompanied by a soft musical score in this longer 15 minute ceremony capped off with the lighting of a unity candle and a toast. A small bouquet, boutonnière, and white one-layer cake, candid photography of the ceremony and 45 minutes of fun, relaxed portraits add the finishing touches. Day-of coordination and decorating 15 minute ceremony with music and a sprinkling of flower pedals Sand ceremony or unity candle Small bottle of wine for a toast Small bouquet and boutonnière Personal sized wedding cake Candid photography of ceremony Additional photography - one hour total Photos on CD with print release One attendant each Roughly 20 to 30 guests Bubbles for guests All prices are based on a Monday through Thursday event. Weekend elopements are subject to a 20% additional charge and may only be booked up to 30 days from the date of your ceremony, based on availability. Ceremony/photography outside our usual service area may be subject to a small travel fee based on location. We work with you to find the perfect spot for your vows. Some places are completely free while some are subject to an additional charge for certain venues.

HOW TO BOOK YOUR TIME & DATE Contact either:  Carol at info@PerfectElopements.com, 636-345-1945  or Michelle at Michelle@WeddingsbyMichelle.net, 314-704-1092 Even if you don't have a date or location, we can help! We work with you to find the perfect spot and create an experience you'll cherish forever. We can't wait to make your marriage something special!

Small Weddings-BIG Memories

 

 

Small Weddings – Big Memories

I have been officiating weddings for over 3 years.  I have noticed a new trend in the "wedding business" ,,,,, smaller weddings. 

Perfect Elopements may be a new name, but it's actually an all-star team of well established and respected St. Louis/St. Charles wedding vendors who've teamed up to provide couples with an amazing wedding experience at a fantastic price. Their packages, which range from $395 to $895, are very complete and include an officiant, a high end professional photographer, and great extra touches.

You don't have to leave town to elope. An "elopement" is really just a very small wedding. You can elope to Forest Park, to Mid Rivers gazebo, Faust Park….or even the riverfront. There are a lot of beautiful places right here in town that don’t cost a dime. 

But, seriously, $395 for a wedding with an officiant and a good photographer? Yes! Naturally you're not going to get the equivalent of a $50k Saturday wedding with 250 guests, but what you do get is a beautiful ceremony, really good photography, and classy extra touches. It's so affordable because they are very short, the "guest list" is kept very small, most are done on a weekday. Often you're at a location that's completely free as well, so that can save a ton right there.

Even if your wedding is small, you just owe it to yourself to get some beautiful images of the event – after all, it’s still a very, very special day in your life. Find out more at www.PerfectElopements.com or me at 314-704-1092.

Why your venue’s “Wedding Coordinator” is NOT the same as a private Day-of Coordinator

This is a guest blog by Victoria Burrows and she owns A Brides Ally.

She can be reached at  victoria@abridesally.com or 314-560-4138

Why your venue’s “Wedding Coordinator” is NOT the same as a private Day-of Coordinator (i.e. A Bride’s Ally)

“Well, my venue has a Wedding Coordinator, so I don’t see why I would need day-of services.”

I get that a lot.

But, let me start off by saying that I’m not writing this to bash on those who work as Wedding Coordinators for venues. In fact, I love them. They make my job A LOT easier. However (and they would probably be the first ones to tell you this), they do not do the same job I do. Allow me to explain:

Venues use the term “Wedding Coordinator” very, very loosely.

The title does not mean the same thing at all venues. Sometimes the Wedding Coordinator is just the staff manager assigned to the event, sometimes it’s the catering captain, and sometimes that Wedding Coordinator you’ve been planning with this whole time doesn’t even come to your wedding because he or she is really a sales person and not part of the staff who actually works your wedding. (Close your mouth - yes, that really is the case sometimes.)

Again, none of these are bad things, it’s just the way of the wedding world. Some venues have Wedding Coordinators who really do fill the role you think of when you hear that term. However, even those Coordinators can only do so much for you, and here’s why:

Your venue’s Wedding Coordinator’s first responsibility is to the venue; my first responsibility is to you.

Aside from being your “day-of coordinator” this person is typically also in charge of the wait staff, the kitchen, the bartenders, and the maintenance crew. They (usually) have a boss to answer to and a bottom line to always keep in mind. He or she is organizing your wedding and making decisions from the perspective of what’s best for the venue.

For example, he or she can’t make sure the photographer isn’t in the bathroom when the DJ is announcing the first dance because there is a mini crisis in the kitchen. Or, they can’t be responsible for unpacking and setting up your DIY centerpieces because there won’t be enough staff there at that time to cover the extra work and they can’t pay more to come in early and help. Or, they can’t help make sure your elderly grandma gets a ride safely back to hotel because they already left for the night an hour ago. (Yes, you read that right.) Or…well, you get the idea.

If your venue does offer a Wedding Coordinator, be sure to get very detailed information on what exactly that means. Never assume they will be able to manage any and everything you throw at them. And, of course, seriously consider hiring a private Day-of Coordinator who will work alongside your venue’s Wedding Coordinator to make sure your wedding runs smoothly and is free of stress, frustration, and last-minute drama.

Guest Blog: First Look Photos by Jennifer L K. Thompson Photography

Over the past couple years my wife Jen and I have been photographing weddings in St. Louis and the surrounding area. We have seen a lot of trends come and go but one that we really like is the first look. We have noticed that it is such a great opportunity to get candid photos of our couples and for them to a quick moment together.

The tradition has been for the first time that the couple see each other is when the bride is walking down the isle. I found myself needing to coach our grooms to smile and look happy as often the nerves would take over and we got a lot of deer in the headlights looks. I know our couples were excited to see each other but the photos didn't always seem to show it. We began shooting first looks and we got those beautiful emotional shots of the couple seeing each other and having a moment to reflect on the day.

The way we do first looks may be a little different than most. Jen and I look for a beautiful well lit spot and we clear every one out. We feel its really  important for the couple to have this moment just to themselves. I stand with the groom while Jen gets our bride and then we stand back and have our groom turn around and we capture everything that happens from there. We have seen the stress of the day and nerves melt away. I can't tell you how many times I've heard our couples say " okay, now I'm ready."

The benefits of the first look beyond eliminating some of that stress. The first look can help with the flow of the day with photography. We find that it frees up time before the ceremony to have couple and wedding party photos or even the family formals. It can also eliminate the long break between the ceremony and the reception. We know that most photographers are by the hour and first looks help to get more of those important photos of the bride and groom. If your looking for a great way to get beautiful candid moments between the bride and groom a first look may be the way to go. 

 

 

Jennifer L K Thompson Photography

314-477-9218

jenniferthompsonphtoography.com

 

 

Guest Blog by: Beautiful Celebrations: Why hire a Wedding Planer

Why a Bride would want to hire a wedding planner?

You just got engaged, Congratulations! What now? Where do you begin? You’ve never planned a wedding before and you haven’t been to many weddings to begin with. There are so many details that it’s almost overwhelming! Where and when are you going to find the time to do all of your research and calls?

These questions can be easily answered when you hire a wedding planner. A wedding planner can be a god-send when you work full time or you are a full-time student. A wedding planner can be hired during any part of the wedding planning process. However, it would be a lot of less stressful to hire a wedding planner from the beginning. A wedding planner has already planned many weddings, already knows and works with the best vendors in town, and most importantly, can keep you within your wedding budget.

Once a budget is set in place, the wedding planner will start to get to know who you both are and what your likes and dislikes are. The planner can research venues and vendors for you and schedule all of your appointments. The planner is the liaison between you and the vendor. The planner will help ask questions that you might forget to ask during meetings. Don’t think of the planner as the person who will ‘take over’ your wedding. Think of the planner as merely your guide to help accompany you effortlessly through the planning process.

If you already have your wedding planned but are worried about how the day will unfold, hire a planner! ‘Day of’ wedding planners are becoming more and more popular. Don’t depend on your mother or your sister to take care of all the little details of your wedding. Let them enjoy the day and have the planner take care of the little details and ensure that the day will run smoothly.

When the big day arrives, all you have to worry about is walking down the aisle! The planner will have taken care of all of the details beforehand. Most importantly you will have the planner as your ‘right-hand’ person for anything you may need help with on the big day. Know that your planner will be the background person taking care of all the little details so that you and your family and friends can enjoy the best day ever!

How much is piece of mind worth to you on your most important day of your life?

Written by: Evonne Grabauskas, owner, Beautiful Celebrations, llc. www.beautifulcelebrations.net

Tips to make your wedding ceremony great.

Writing your own vows:

Almost every couple I talk with thinks about writing their own vows, but then gets discouraged because they think it is too much work. Writing your own vows can make your ceremony much more personalized and more relatable to your guest.

A few tips for writing your own vows:

1. Please write them down, you do not need to memorize vows, nobody does, I or your officiant will hold them for you during the ceremony.
2. Don't lose your personality in your vows. If you are a funny person, make your vows funny, if you are a passionate person, have your vows passionate.
3. Both vows have to be the same length. Not true,,, some of us are verbal communicators, others are not so don't worry about your vows being too long or too short, just write from your heart.
4. Make sure you get your vows back from the officiant for your scrapbook or memorabilia. 
   
   
   Readings at your wedding:
   
   
   When choosing family or friends to read readings, here are a few tips:
   
   
5. Please make sure you pick someone that is not afraid to do public speaking. Most people that read readings are not heard so it is frustrating for your guest.
6. Have the person sit on the end of a row, that way when they get up to do the reading, they can turn around in their seat, or come to the front quickly to do the reading.
7. You do not have to memorize the reading, please give the reader the reading a few days or weeks before the ceremony to rehearse.

 

Moment of silence, honoring moms with flower/sand

A moment of silence is a great way to remember someone that is not present at your ceremony because they just could not make it, or have passed away.

At this time, we'd like to take a moment of silence to remember those who are not here with us.

Even though they are not here physically, they are a part of the foundation that makes _____ and _____ the people they are today.

May we remember ___________________________.

Please cherish the memories of these friends and family and all others who live on in our hearts.

Some couples choose to light a candle or have a picture of loved ones that are not able to attend. Some couples also choose to set off balloons.

Honoring moms/grandmothers is a great passage to add to your wedding. I have had a few couples when they do a sand ceremony, instead of the flower or with the flower also give the moms a vile of the sand.

There are also several wine ceremonies, beer ceremonies, rose ceremonies, sand ceremonies and fingerprint ceremonies that you can incorporate in your ceremony.

I have had dogs be the ring bearers or just walk up the aisle in wedding ceremonies.

As far as music for your ceremony. Many couples now are going for not so traditional music and going with songs that mean something to them.

Maybe you have a favorite song together or the first song you danced to together, use that as the song for your exiting song.

KIDS INVOLVED IN MARRIAGE CEREMONY

Child ceremony 2

___ ,________ being parents has always been one of the most important parts of your Mom and Dad’s lives. They are so proud of you and of all your accomplishments. Today they are making a promise to one another, a promise that no matter what may happen good or bad, that they will always be there for each other. This promise they make, it is also a promise to you. They love you with all their hearts, and no matter how old you get or where life takes you, they want you to know that that’s forever. _____ will you make your family vow first?”

father repeats after me

­_______, I promise to be a good and faithful partner to you, and also a patient, loving father to _______, caring for and providing for them as my own. I promise to be
their strength and their emotional support, loving them with all my heart forever.”

mother repeats after me

_____, I promise to be a good and faithful partner to you, and also a patient, loving mother to ______, caring for and providing for them as my own. I promise
to be their strength and their emotional support, loving them with all my heart forever.”

Child Ceremony

OFTEN MARRIAGE IS VIEWED AS THE UNION OF TWO PEOPLEYET MARRIAGES NOT ONLY UNITE THE COUPLE, IT UNITESTHE FAMILIES. WITH THE CHANGING STRUCTURE OF WHATA FAMILY IS IN TODAY'S WORLD WE ARE OFFERED UNIQUEAND WONDERFUL OPPOURTUNITIES TO SIMPLY INCREASETHE NUMBER OF LOVING CARING RELATIONSHIPS WE HAVE IN OUR LIVES.

WILL _______PLEASE COME TO THE FRONT:

_______ AND ___________, DO YOU BOTH PROMISE TO

PROTECT _____? WILL YOU ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST TO

PROVIDE FOR HIM, GUIDE HIM, LISTEN TO HIM AND MOST

OF ALL LOVE HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEARTS ALL THE DAYS

OF YOUR LIVES?  WE DO

Children Committment

___AND____ TODAY YOU ARE PROMISING YOUR LOVE TO ONE ANOTHER, BUT YOU ARE ALSO PLEDGING YOUR LOVE TO YOUR CHILDREN AS WELL, COMMITTING TO THEM THAT YOU WILL CREATE A FAMILY TOGETHER. __-AND___, YOUR PARENTS WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THESE GIFTS TO YOU AS A SYMBOL OF THEIR COMMITMENT, TRUST AND LOVE.

DO YOU ___ TAKE ___AND___ AS YOUR OWN, PROMISING TO LOVE THEM AND CARE FOR THEM, PROVIDING FOR THEIR NEEDS, PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL?

____: I DO

AND NOW __AND___ DO YOU PROMISE TO LOVE AND RESPECT ___, TO SUPPORT THIS MARRIAGE AND NEW FAMILY, TO ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BEING THEIR CHILDREN AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM AND SUPPORT THEM IN YOUR NEW LIFE TOGETHER:

KIDS  I DO

 

SAND CEREMONY WITH KIDS

______ AND _____, TODAY YOU ARE MAKING A LIFE-LONG COMMITMENT TO SHARE THE REST OF YOUR LIVES WITH EACH OTHER AND HONOR YOUR CHILDREN AS WELL.

FAMILY RELATIONSHIP IS SYMBOLIZED THROUGH THE POURING OF THESE TWO INDIVIDUAL CONTAINERS OF SAND; EACH REPRESENTING ALL THAT YOU WERE, ALL THAT YOU ARE, AND ALL THAT YOU WILL EVER BE AND ANOTHER CONTAINER FOR EACH CHILD.

_____ AND _____ WILL NOW COME FORWARD TO HELP US WITH THE BLENDING OF THE SANDS. THE GATHERING OF THIS NEW FAMILY WILL HAVE A DEEP INFLUENCE UPON THEM. WE REALIZE THAT IN ORDER FOR THE HOME TO BE A HAPPY ONE, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THERE BE LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CHILDREN AND THE ADULTS BEING MARRIED.

AS YOU EACH HOLD YOUR SAND THE SEPARATE CONTAINERS OF SAND REPRESENT YOUR LIVES TO THIS MOMENT; INDIVIDUAL AND UNIQUE. AS YOU NOW COMBINE YOUR SAND TOGETHER, YOUR LIVES ALSOJOIN TOGETHER AS ONE FAMLY.