The idea that guys don’t want to be involved in wedding planning is one of two things: Totally true or a complete cliche.

It all depends on the groom. If you’re one of those guys who’s willing to get involved with the wedding planning, here’s how to go about it:
- Tell her you care. If she doesn’t know wedding planning is something you’d like to be involved in, she probably won’t even consider asking for your opinion. At the beginning of the planning process, make it clear that you want input on certain things (or everything, as the case may be).

- Then show her you care. If you want to be involved with planning, you have to make sure you act like it. This means showing up on time to meetings, not grumbling when she drags you to yet another venue and browsing photographers’ online galleries with her. If you act like wedding planning is a hindrance, she’ll likely just cut you out of the planning process (and will probably get pretty mad at your before doing it.)

- Take charge or one or more aspects of the wedding. Quite often, the groom is in charge of the honeymoon, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be this. You can pick the DJ or the photographer — whatever is important to you. Perhaps you should take care of the transportation, as deciding between a limo, Rolls Royce or even a getaway motorcycle is fun and manly at the same time.

- Plan the things that directly affect the groom. This includes the groom and groomsmen’s attire, his wedding ring and the groomsmen gifts. After all, if you don’t care about what the bridesmaids wear and receive as gifts, why should she get too involved with what your guys wear?

- Plan it together. Ideally, you and your fiancee will just plan everything together. There’s no reason to split up the tasks unless you want to. Instead, why don’t you both browse wedding inspiration online and run everything past each other before making a decisions. When the wedding day actually arrives, you can truly call it “your day.”

Meet GroomsOnline in the Groom Room- a unique entertainment and browsing experience designed just for him! Only at the Arizona Bridal Affair, September 26th at the Chaparral Suites Scottsdale, register online at www.arizonabridalaffair.com for two free tickets.

P.S. While you are at it, check out our ad too!

Visit the Arizona Bridal Affair on September 26, 2010 at the Chaparral Suites Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. Register online for your free tickets at www.ArizonaBridalAffair.com

So big thanks to Curtis Whipple, the man behind WEN. Thank you also to all the great professionals showcased this time, and super big thanks to Mi Catering for not asking me to refrain from serving up thirds, fourths and let’s be honest- I probably visited that food table ten times.

The Do’s and Do Not’s of working successfully with your Wedding Vendors
by Mrs. Hancock, President/Founder, Mrs. Hancock’s, Inc.

Many of us forget the genuinely appreciated niceties that show our genuine level of caring for others. All successful relationships, love or otherwise begin with kindness and respect. So let’s take this to the next step…

As a Bride and Groom we know you have a lot on your plates. Please realize, your vendors do, as well. All wedding vendors want to do the very best job we can for you; it’s what we do and what we do depends on making you happy. If you’re not happy, any referrals you may have been willing to send will not come our way. As our time is very valuable, it may take us 40 minutes to get to you one-way, or it may be that our calendar is booked for a particular afternoon and when you cancel or reschedule at the last minute and this in some cases, can cause us great professional harm.

Here are a few suggestions that will let your vendors know that you respect their time and their expertise. Keeping these in mind will surely go a long way in cementing your relationship and will ensure you come across as kind and considerate, as well:

1). Always keep scheduled appointments. Emergencies are just that and one may pop up on either side. When you schedule an appointment be diligent about writing it down in your calendar, please. If your spouse-to-be needs to be in your meeting, put it on his calendar, too. Send a text to him the morning reminding him where he needs to be and at what time.

2). Please always return phone calls promptly from your vendors (same day if possible). Our policy at Mrs. Hancock’s is from 6am to 12 midnight (unless it’s an emergency!).

3). When requested to provide information please be thorough and organized.

Follow up:

4). Always be on time for meetings! Punctuality is a sure sign of respect and good will.

5). Graciously accept you vendor’s input and suggestions. You’re always the final decision maker; but vendor’s are trained to think outside the box, hopefully saving you time and money. No talented planner or coordinator will ever push their will on you.

6). Please budget for your down payments, due dates and final payments accordingly and pay on time. Post dated checks will allow you to do this, without having to mail or drop off a check to ensure it arrives when due.

7). Communicate openly and honestly with your Vendors. Things will always come up or change; but we can’t assist you if we don’t truly understand your needs and/or concerns.

8). Further, please don’t use the ‘I’ll call you on Tuesday or I’ll bring your deposit next week”. If you’re not interested in working with a vendor, that’s fine; we can take it. Not everyone will be a great fit and that’s what meetings and interviews are for! Please don’t string a possible vendor along.

9). Have a question? Ask, please! No question or issue is too small or too mundane for a professional coordinator. It is our job to inform and educate you.

10). At a meeting consider paying for your Vendor’s coffee!

Using these simple tactics will keep your relationships running smoothly with all your vendors and you’ll find, treating them with respect and kindness will go a long way to ensuring the planning process is as much fun as it can be.

Now, I was extremely lucky enough to have a very talented sister who just so happened to have graduated from the culinary academy in San Francisco in the specialized field of pastry before I was planning my wedding.  Of course, I wouldn’t think of having anyone else create my wedding cake because no one knew my style better.  She made exactly what I wanted without me even really knowing what I wanted.  She created a beautiful wedding cake which was simple, elegant, and delicious.  A Genoise cake (Italian sponge cake) with lemon curd and cream cheese filling, covered with light and perfectly sweetened buttercream frosting.  Atop each of the three tiers was a disc of marzipan that had been flavored with lemon oil; it gave a beautiful contrast of color, added another layer of flavor, and just made it perfectly delectable.  Decorated with delicate scrolls, candy pearls, and iridescent powder, our wedding cake was simply lovely. 

Okay, so unless you have an amazingly talented sister, you’ll probably have to put forth more effort into finding your perfect cake than I did.  That’s not a difficult task when you explore your own neighborhood and find some wonderful local treasures right in your own backyard.  Take Sugarlips Cakery for instance.  Sugarlips Cakery is a custom cakery specializing in all-occasion cake design.  We have worked with Melodie now for three years as Sugarlips has joined us at the East Valley Bridal Affair since our get go in 2007 and is always a pleasure to work with.  Check out some of the pictures I pulled from their blog below.

Extra Extra!  My twin nephews turn one!!

Yep, this cake was for my twin nephews’ first birthday, and they are certainly two of the sweetest little cupcakes around. Happy first birthday to Indy and Jase! Hopefully I will be able to post a picture of them next blog with their SMASHER cakes.

Every “1st birthday” cake ordered from Sugarlips comes with a free 4″ “SMASHER” cake, which coordinates with your main cake, and fits easily on your little one’s high chair tray. Perfect for that once-in-a-lifetime photo op, and none of your guests have to eat the slice with baby’s handprint squished into it!

And yes, if you have twins, you may have two free smashers, triplets three, and so on!

This offer is good for baby’s first birthday only!

(We operate on the honor system here!!)

I Do! Me Too!

Victoria’s wedding cake was perfect for a small intimate reception; she chose a “Vows” style cake for the top tier, and a quilted pattern for the bottom tier. Squares set askew in ivory fondant, with fresh flowers. Very pretty! 

COOOO LA-LA!

Yes, I did say coo… this was a Parisian themed baby shower cake in ivory and black. We based this one largely off a Cake Boss cake that one of our lovely customers submitted. Too cute, and a refreshing change from booties and blocks, of course!

Come meet the gang from Sugarlips Cakery and other local artisans at the 3rd annual East Valley Bridal Affair on October 4, 2009 and the Windemere Conference Center in Mesa.  Other pastry designers on hand to inspire you are Robert’s Catering, Word of Mouth Cookie Co., Vali’s Custom Cakes, and  Designer Cakes by April.  You can even win a private chartered hot air balloon ride for two from Aerogelic Ballooning by registering online or show your enthusiasm for fun by entering the first annual Bridaloke Challenge to win a $500 gift certificate toward DJ services with Starz Entertainment or a 3 day/2 resort stay!

Phoenix’s Original East Valley Bridal Showcase

Local Brides.  Local Experts.  Experience the possibilities.

Come together with industry experts who will inspire you to create a day to always remember.

Free admission, prize giveaways, fashion shows, and entertainment.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

The groom initials are hidden in the pattern, and the groom is supposed to find them on the wedding night or he has to give a gift to the bride.

Soumya’s Henna was quite elaborate and took over five hours to complete. The designs go almost to the elbow. The bride cannot move much or do any work while the henna is being applied.

The feet are also done, though not as elaborate as the hands.

After the bride, each of the bridesmaids received Henna designs on their hands and arms. While the brides took hours, each of these designs was done in 20 minutes or less.

Later that night all the ladies gathered for a traditional Sangeet, a party with lots of Indian dancing, singing, and lots of delicious Indian foods!

The bride and her mother at the Sangeet.

All the ladies wore traditional Indian sarees. They are so colorful – I love to photograph them! 

You can come meet Michael in person at the 3rd annual East Valley Bridal Affair on October 4, 2009 at the Windemere Conference Center, in Mesa, Arizona.  Join us to gather some inspiration for creating your perfect day.  Other photographers on hand at the event:  Drew Brashler Photography, Easel Photography, Endless Moments Photography, Tiramisu Studios, Roe Photographic, and Memories by Marsha.

Phoenix’s Original East Valley Bridal Showcase

Local Brides.  Local Experts.  Experience the possibilities.

Come together with industry experts who will inspire you to create a day to always remember.

Free admission, prize giveaways, fashion shows, and entertainment.

God’s Garden Treasures, one of the floral artists exhibiting at this year’s East Valley Bridal Affair can offer ideas and inspiration to help those of us that tend to get stuck – simply because we don’t know our options.  Here are a few suggestions from Karin’s blog:

So you like chocolate – the velvety, rich dark chocolate, and the milky, creamy chocolate? And you’re planning a birthday or anniversary celebration, or a wedding or event, and want to incorporate espresso, dark chocolate, latte, or mocha colors into the design?

There are chocolate flowers for you!

White Roses, Chocolate Dahlias, White Stephanotis and Schwarzwalder Calla Lilies

Chocolate Cosmos

Chocolate Calla Lilies

Other options are the new amnesia roses, the centers of black-eyed susans, echinacea/cone-flower, and sunflowers! (more pictures to come!)

Chocolates look great with pinks, or with tiffany blue, white, or the fall colors, too.

For more ideas and inspiration, join us at the 3rd annual East Valley Bridal Affair at the Windemere Conference Center in Mesa on October 4, 2009 from 11am to 4pm.  You can speak face to face with representatives of God’s Garden Treasures, Y Knot Party Rentals, and Tyler’s Custom Designs to help you plan the look and design of your floral elements which represents you the best for your special day.

Phoenix’s Original East Valley Bridal Showcase

Local Brides.  Local Experts.  Experience the possibilities.

Come together with industry experts who will inspire you to create a day to always remember.

Free admission, prize giveaways, fashion shows, and entertainment.

We are elated to have so many wonderful artists in Arizona to offer brides an amazing service for their weddings.  Just check out Drew Brashler Photography to see what I mean. A few of his images pulled from his blog are below…simply beautiful!

Jamie and Cole: MARRIED!

August 25, 2009 by brashlerphoto

We drove up to Colorado and photographed Jamie and Cole’s wedding recently. The weather and landscape was beautiful; the perfect scene for a wedding! I had the pleasure of spending the whole weekend with Jamie, Cole, their family and friends, and stayed for the rehearsal dinner, wedding, and an engagement session on Sunday morning.

Meet Drew in person at the 3rd Annual East Valley Bridal Affair on Sunday, October 4th, 2009 at the Windemere Conference Center in Mesa, Arizona where more local Arizona photography artists will be on hand to chat with guests.  You can speak with Endless Moments Photography, Desert Trends Photography, Easel Photography, Memories by Marsha, Roe Photgraphic.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Phoenix’s Original East Valley Bridal Showcase

Local Brides.  Local Experts.  Experience the possibilities.

Come together with industry experts who will inspire you to create a day to always remember.

Free admission, prize giveaways, fashion shows, and entertainment.