When it comes to the wedding day, and the days leading up to it, the one thing you want to avoid is DRAMA.  No good has ever really come from it, but it seems like for some, it is hard to avoid it. If you know that there might be some drama brewing, the best thing to do is not tolerate it or encourage it. 

• From the start, it is a great idea to let your family know that it won't be tolerated. That there are many more important things to focus on and why "Aunt Betty" and "Aunt Linda" still hate each other isn't an issue that needs to be addressed at your wedding.  
• When it comes to your wedding party, they need to know the same thing right from the start.  That they are there to help, and not add to any of the stress. There will be plenty of things to worry about and stirring up old issues isn't going to be helpful. 

Sticking to the rule of no tolerance may be hard, and it is sad that you may always need to be the bigger person but you have to understand drama filled issues only take away from your day.   

Do you best to always:

• Take a deep breath and ask yourself if you really wanna waste time worrying about other peoples issue.
• Delegate an awesome friend or planner to handle any issues on the day.
• Remember, it is okay to ask a guest to leave if they really become a problem. 

The wonderful planners at Always and Forever Weddings said this when we asked them how to handle family drama on the big day: 

"The best way to handle drama is to remove yourself from it. Your wedding is about celebrating the start of a life-long commitment and should be a happy and stress-free time. Someone else's drama rarely has anything to do with you but has everything to do with them. Walk away, ignore it and if that doesn't diffuse the situation, send over your planner or your feisty maid of honor to handle it!" 

"Also we always like to know potential family issues that may arise during the planning phase or day-of; whether it be divorced parents cannot be in photos together or in one case we had a father if the bride who was a recovering alcoholic and everyone was both very nervous and proud of how far be had come. We helped to diffuse the situation during toasts by offering ginger ale in stead of champagne. The more your planner know the better we can assist during the drama/chaos that may arise"

always and forever weddings· bridesmaids· Ceremony· connecticut wedding planning· ct bride· Engaged Connecticut· wedding drama· wedding planning tips

Drama, Drama, Drama

  

When it comes to the wedding day, and the days leading up to it, the one thing you want to avoid is DRAMA.  No good has ever really come from it, but it seems like for some, it is hard to avoid it. If you know that there might be some drama brewing, the best thing to do is not tolerate it or encourage it. 

• From the start, it is a great idea to let your family know that it won't be tolerated. That there are many more important things to focus on and why "Aunt Betty" and "Aunt Linda" still hate each other isn't an issue that needs to be addressed at your wedding.  
• When it comes to your wedding party, they need to know the same thing right from the start.  That they are there to help, and not add to any of the stress. There will be plenty of things to worry about and stirring up old issues isn't going to be helpful. 

Sticking to the rule of no tolerance may be hard, and it is sad that you may always need to be the bigger person but you have to understand drama filled issues only take away from your day.   

Do you best to always:

• Take a deep breath and ask yourself if you really wanna waste time worrying about other peoples issue.
• Delegate an awesome friend or planner to handle any issues on the day.
• Remember, it is okay to ask a guest to leave if they really become a problem. 

The wonderful planners at Always and Forever Weddings said this when we asked them how to handle family drama on the big day: 

"The best way to handle drama is to remove yourself from it. Your wedding is about celebrating the start of a life-long commitment and should be a happy and stress-free time. Someone else's drama rarely has anything to do with you but has everything to do with them. Walk away, ignore it and if that doesn't diffuse the situation, send over your planner or your feisty maid of honor to handle it!" 

"Also we always like to know potential family issues that may arise during the planning phase or day-of; whether it be divorced parents cannot be in photos together or in one case we had a father if the bride who was a recovering alcoholic and everyone was both very nervous and proud of how far be had come. We helped to diffuse the situation during toasts by offering ginger ale in stead of champagne. The more your planner know the better we can assist during the drama/chaos that may arise"

What is the love list?  It is our list as Engaged Connecticut of vendors we love to recommend. Our hope is to share vendors that we feel may meet your needs, style and budget even if it can't be one of our members.  We aren't exclusive but we are selective, and all vendors who we place on our list have had to work with at least one of our members, be recommended and that is just the start.  Stay tuned for our growing list and if you are interested in joining the list, then please take a moment to request our application.   (Huge thank you to Tulaloo for creating our amazing Love List Logo)

#engagedct· #hashtag #facebook #socialmedia #weddings· a real love story· connecticut wedding planning· CT· ct events· CT wedding bridal shop· ct wedding invites· CT wedding make up artist· ct wedding planner

The Love List

What is the love list?  It is our list as Engaged Connecticut of vendors we love to recommend. Our hope is to share vendors that we feel may meet your needs, style and budget even if it can't be one of our members.  We aren't exclusive but we are selective, and all vendors who we place on our list have had to work with at least one of our members, be recommended and that is just the start.  Stay tuned for our growing list and if you are interested in joining the list, then please take a moment to request our application.   (Huge thank you to Tulaloo for creating our amazing Love List Logo)

Our amazing logo on the wall

Last Friday, we officially opened our new offices in West Hartford and we celebrated with so many of  you.  Thank you to everyone who came out, who sent cards, gifts, and all of the well wishes.  
We knew it was going to be a big event, and we have the photobooth photos (view if you dare) to prove it.  (Thank you Seth Kaye Photography)

At the end of February after an Engaged Connecticut member dinner meeting, we toured the building, located at 920 Farmington Ave.  We all fell in love with it, and found ourselves sitting in a empty office, on the floor, creating a plan.  In three short weeks, we pulled it off.  Thank you to all of our members, who stepped up, contributed and helped us pull off this event.

Thank you again, and we can't wait for our upcoming wedding open house, and our next Engaged CT event!!!  We have also finally finished our associate Engaged CT members application.  Email us if you are interested.

Thank you to Tulaloo for the amazing invitation and all of the signs.  Lizzie's Catering for the tasty food.  A Little Imagination Cakes for the cake!  Kerry's Sweet Berries for the chocolate covered Strawberries.  DJae Melee for the uplighting, Choice Bar Services for the wine and cocktails, Windham Gardens for the flowers and thank you to the rest of our amazing crew!!!   Epic Filmmakers, General Eclectic Rentals, ESTOccasions, The Wedding Embassy, That Girl..., and The Beauty Bar.  Plus a special thank you to Fran for  her overwhelming helpfulness.

#engagedct· connecticut· connecticut wedding planning· launch party· Weddings· west hartford

Our Launch Party

Our amazing logo on the wall

Last Friday, we officially opened our new offices in West Hartford and we celebrated with so many of  you.  Thank you to everyone who came out, who sent cards, gifts, and all of the well wishes.  
We knew it was going to be a big event, and we have the photobooth photos (view if you dare) to prove it.  (Thank you Seth Kaye Photography)

At the end of February after an Engaged Connecticut member dinner meeting, we toured the building, located at 920 Farmington Ave.  We all fell in love with it, and found ourselves sitting in a empty office, on the floor, creating a plan.  In three short weeks, we pulled it off.  Thank you to all of our members, who stepped up, contributed and helped us pull off this event.

Thank you again, and we can't wait for our upcoming wedding open house, and our next Engaged CT event!!!  We have also finally finished our associate Engaged CT members application.  Email us if you are interested.

Thank you to Tulaloo for the amazing invitation and all of the signs.  Lizzie's Catering for the tasty food.  A Little Imagination Cakes for the cake!  Kerry's Sweet Berries for the chocolate covered Strawberries.  DJae Melee for the uplighting, Choice Bar Services for the wine and cocktails, Windham Gardens for the flowers and thank you to the rest of our amazing crew!!!   Epic Filmmakers, General Eclectic Rentals, ESTOccasions, The Wedding Embassy, That Girl..., and The Beauty Bar.  Plus a special thank you to Fran for  her overwhelming helpfulness.

www.sethkaye.com
www.epicfilmmakers.com

the Reasons, the Myths and the Excuses

Cinematographer Chapter





"At the end of your wedding day all your left with is your memories. Having a cinematic wedding film produced is an investment that will last forever." - Epic Filmmakers

the Reasons

1. They will capture moments that you can never get back again.  
• You will see your father walk you down the aisle
• You will be able to hear your vows to each other.                                                   (Our all time favorite vows ever http://vimeo.com/45652480)
• A chance to see how your family and friends looked that day.
• Life can be unpredictable & what a wonderful thing to see be able to look back to see friends & family who are no longer with us, enjoying your day. 
• It is a wonderful chance to see how everyone spent the day getting ready for the big moment. 
• Speeches, Laughter, Private Moments, Tears and the Joy of the day!  All things you don't want to miss. 

Dad's Speech Photograph by Epic Filmmakers

the Myths

1. Don't worry, my friend has an Ipad and has agreed to film our ceremony and parts of the reception. 
• The truth is that an Ipad or cellphone or even a camcorder quality won't be the same. 
• A professional will make sure they pick up the right sounds, like your vows clearly and not all ambient noise.  They may even pick the moment, that your father tells you that you look beautiful while holding back tears.  
• Friends & Family are wonderful and they should spend the day celebrating and not working for you. 
• While there are great apps available to edit an Ipad or phone video isn't that easy.

the Excuses

1. I didn't know they cost this much and I can't figure out why. 
• The truth is that a great one may cost as much or more than your photographer.  They are providing a different service but just as memorable and important as a photographer.
• They spend an entire day with you and then edit down your entire day into movie, that is not only entertaining but minus all the moments that aren't meaningful.  To edit a full day into a preview or a movie takes time and skill. You can just put together 8 or more hours worth of film into 6 minutes and hope it looks good. 
• When you are realistic about the cost of certain vendors, you can budget for them more accordingly. 

There are pros and cons to all vendors.  The thing is that you as a couple need to ask yourselves is how do you want to remember one of the most important days of your lives. 

"Every EPIC love story makes it to the BIG SCREEN."

- Epic Filmmakers

cinematographer· connecticut wedding planning· ct weddings· Engaged Connecticut· epic filmmakers· filming weddings· mass weddings· videographer· wedidngs

Reasons, Myths & Excuses Cinematographer Chapter

www.sethkaye.com
www.epicfilmmakers.com

the Reasons, the Myths and the Excuses

Cinematographer Chapter





"At the end of your wedding day all your left with is your memories. Having a cinematic wedding film produced is an investment that will last forever." - Epic Filmmakers

the Reasons

1. They will capture moments that you can never get back again.  
• You will see your father walk you down the aisle
• You will be able to hear your vows to each other.                                                   (Our all time favorite vows ever http://vimeo.com/45652480)
• A chance to see how your family and friends looked that day.
• Life can be unpredictable & what a wonderful thing to see be able to look back to see friends & family who are no longer with us, enjoying your day. 
• It is a wonderful chance to see how everyone spent the day getting ready for the big moment. 
• Speeches, Laughter, Private Moments, Tears and the Joy of the day!  All things you don't want to miss. 

Dad's Speech Photograph by Epic Filmmakers

the Myths

1. Don't worry, my friend has an Ipad and has agreed to film our ceremony and parts of the reception. 
• The truth is that an Ipad or cellphone or even a camcorder quality won't be the same. 
• A professional will make sure they pick up the right sounds, like your vows clearly and not all ambient noise.  They may even pick the moment, that your father tells you that you look beautiful while holding back tears.  
• Friends & Family are wonderful and they should spend the day celebrating and not working for you. 
• While there are great apps available to edit an Ipad or phone video isn't that easy.

the Excuses

1. I didn't know they cost this much and I can't figure out why. 
• The truth is that a great one may cost as much or more than your photographer.  They are providing a different service but just as memorable and important as a photographer.
• They spend an entire day with you and then edit down your entire day into movie, that is not only entertaining but minus all the moments that aren't meaningful.  To edit a full day into a preview or a movie takes time and skill. You can just put together 8 or more hours worth of film into 6 minutes and hope it looks good. 
• When you are realistic about the cost of certain vendors, you can budget for them more accordingly. 

There are pros and cons to all vendors.  The thing is that you as a couple need to ask yourselves is how do you want to remember one of the most important days of your lives. 

"Every EPIC love story makes it to the BIG SCREEN."

- Epic Filmmakers

You all asked for it, and we answered!!! Our master bridesmaid consultant is here!! If you have questions for Robyn, let us know...She is here to help.

I've been sitting here trying to think exactly how many times I have been a bridesmaid and I have even used my fingers to count. It started when I was 6 years old as being a flower girl in a friend of the family's wedding and it snow balled from there. The next time I was in a wedding I was sixteen and I had graduated to being a bridesmaid, flash forward 20 years and I have been a bridesmaid 5 more times and a maid of honor 1 time (that was exciting). Overall in a 30 year span I have been in 8 weddings total, that I can remember anyway. Lol!
 Committing to being in a wedding can be quite costly, I suggest to anyone before agreeing to be in any wedding party you consider the cost(s) that come along with the honor and the responsibility. I have been in weddings where it cost me almost nothing more then my dress, shoes, jewelry, etc... And I have been in weddings were it cost me a great deal more. Worth it? Definitely! Depending on your role in the wedding and how close you are with the bride or the groom, your expenses will vary. Expenses include but are not limited to your dress, shoes, hair, makeup, accessories, bridal shower and bridal shower food, prep, etc, a bachelorette party and the list goes on. The most extravagant bachelorette party

I had to plan was the one where I was the Maid of Honor, thankfully the group of bridesmaids she had where a 100% committed to taking on their share of the expenses and even though it was an expensive shower and bachelorette party it was bearable. Luckily I was fortunate and didn't really come across any unexpected costs and for the most part have had success in having the other members of the bridal parties on the same page. If I had to, I would say the one and only time there was a slight more cost on my end was when I was in a bridal party where the other 2 girls were impossible to get a hold of or were not able to meet up as often as we should have and the brides mom and I had to buy the stamps and do all the invites to the bridal shower. But that was pretty minimal, just more frustrating.

I had been asked to be in another friends wedding at one point and I had to decline, not because I couldn't afford it, but I just didn't know where I was going in my life, I had been thinking about joining the military and didn't want to commit not knowing where I would be. Long story short I didn't end up going into the military and still attended the wedding, as a guest. My point is no matter your reason, its wise to inform the bride to be as soon as possible whether or not you will be able to participate in the responsibilities that go a long with being part of a bridal party. After all its an honor to be asked to be part of a bridal party, whomever it is thinks highly enough of you that they want you standing up for them at the alter sharing in their special moment. Be gracious, yet courteous and if you need to kindly decline. If your friend or family member thinks that highly about you they will understand. Maybe they could even give you a part in the wedding that won't cost you anything (singing, reading a special verse or a poem). If you do agree, its wise to get together as soon as possible with the rest of the bridal party to discuss ideas and costs so there are no future surprise expenses!

Happy Planning :-)

bridesmaid gowns· bridesmaids· connecticut wedding planning· ct bridesmaids· ct wedding planner· Engaged Connecticut· engagedct· flowergirls· robyn· straight from the bridesmaids mouth

Robyn's Bridesmaid Story

You all asked for it, and we answered!!! Our master bridesmaid consultant is here!! If you have questions for Robyn, let us know...She is here to help.

I've been sitting here trying to think exactly how many times I have been a bridesmaid and I have even used my fingers to count. It started when I was 6 years old as being a flower girl in a friend of the family's wedding and it snow balled from there. The next time I was in a wedding I was sixteen and I had graduated to being a bridesmaid, flash forward 20 years and I have been a bridesmaid 5 more times and a maid of honor 1 time (that was exciting). Overall in a 30 year span I have been in 8 weddings total, that I can remember anyway. Lol!
 Committing to being in a wedding can be quite costly, I suggest to anyone before agreeing to be in any wedding party you consider the cost(s) that come along with the honor and the responsibility. I have been in weddings where it cost me almost nothing more then my dress, shoes, jewelry, etc... And I have been in weddings were it cost me a great deal more. Worth it? Definitely! Depending on your role in the wedding and how close you are with the bride or the groom, your expenses will vary. Expenses include but are not limited to your dress, shoes, hair, makeup, accessories, bridal shower and bridal shower food, prep, etc, a bachelorette party and the list goes on. The most extravagant bachelorette party

I had to plan was the one where I was the Maid of Honor, thankfully the group of bridesmaids she had where a 100% committed to taking on their share of the expenses and even though it was an expensive shower and bachelorette party it was bearable. Luckily I was fortunate and didn't really come across any unexpected costs and for the most part have had success in having the other members of the bridal parties on the same page. If I had to, I would say the one and only time there was a slight more cost on my end was when I was in a bridal party where the other 2 girls were impossible to get a hold of or were not able to meet up as often as we should have and the brides mom and I had to buy the stamps and do all the invites to the bridal shower. But that was pretty minimal, just more frustrating.

I had been asked to be in another friends wedding at one point and I had to decline, not because I couldn't afford it, but I just didn't know where I was going in my life, I had been thinking about joining the military and didn't want to commit not knowing where I would be. Long story short I didn't end up going into the military and still attended the wedding, as a guest. My point is no matter your reason, its wise to inform the bride to be as soon as possible whether or not you will be able to participate in the responsibilities that go a long with being part of a bridal party. After all its an honor to be asked to be part of a bridal party, whomever it is thinks highly enough of you that they want you standing up for them at the alter sharing in their special moment. Be gracious, yet courteous and if you need to kindly decline. If your friend or family member thinks that highly about you they will understand. Maybe they could even give you a part in the wedding that won't cost you anything (singing, reading a special verse or a poem). If you do agree, its wise to get together as soon as possible with the rest of the bridal party to discuss ideas and costs so there are no future surprise expenses!

Happy Planning :-)