Essence of Events, LLC

For most people the idea of looking your best for summer or on your wedding day means hitting the gym, for others it means being yelled at by an exercise drill sergeant, but we believe that in order to look your absolute best you first have to feel your best. That means finding something you works for YOU. Looking your best doesn’t necessarily mean working out. There are many SMALL and EASY changes you can make to your daily routine to help you feel you’re very best.

If you are someone who craves to FEEL THE BURN, but doesn’t crave the price of a gym membership there are very simple home work outs that you can do. Most of which don’t require you use any equipment. Looking up yoga moves, or watching online tutorials can help you create a CUSTOM WORKOUT. For those of you who are really busy and don’t have a lot of free time try doing a short quick workout. Most take about 5-7 minutes and cover the basics like abs, legs, arms and a little cardio. Others can be more specific and help you with any trouble areas you might want to work on.

We like this quick morning workout

Exercising isn’t the only way you can make yourself feel your best. Just making simple changes to your everyday routine can boost your energy and help you stay healthier. Packing your lunch not only helps you save money but can also help you stay healthier and avoid eating fast food. Look for easy quick healthy recipes, like yogurt chips, or substitutions that can be made to your favorite baked goods. You can still even have a drink and be healthier! Try replacing dark alcohol for lighter, instead of drinking sugary soda try and drink sparkling water with fruit. Or ask if they have any fresh squeezed juice. Try greek yogurt as a substitution for sour cream, cream, and milk products for half the calories and twice the protein!

Don’t try and cut out all your bad habits, feel free to treat yourself every now and then and no that doesn’t mean a whole carton of BEN AND JERRIES. For your everyday cravings try to substute for a healtier alternative. Having a craving may also be a way for your body to tell you it is missing out on a very important element.

Some of your everyday household kitchen ingredients can turn into a homemade FACIAL. All natural and cheaper than going to a spa!

Just remember not every workout or recipe is meant for you. Do what works for you and stay consistent in your routine. Find what motivates you, whether it be doing them with your fiancé or a friend. Looking at a picture of your bikini or wedding gown you want to fit in, or posting motivational workout quotes to your Pinterest board. Have fun with it and stay strong. YOU GOT THIS!!

Back in the day, cake toppers consisted of a bride and groom atop a cake, looking stagnant with she in her standard white gown, and he in the classic black suit. For a little while there, the decoration all but disappeared, but now this garnish has made a wonderfully artistic and delightful comeback.

Gone are the days are standard one-size-fits-all toppers, these additions to your cakes will add flare and panache to your confection. Quirky, unique, and often custom to you as a couple; Essence of Events absolutely as a few of our favorites. Take a peek at what we’re oodle-ing at today and see what inspires you and what could add to your already delectable cake!

A take on the classic banner; why not try a candy necklace for a DIY and fun approach?

These cute birds are a fun way to add humor to your cake.

Keep these critters long after you slice the cake as a keepsake. Have your cake designer make the toppers in your favorite animals and try “his and hers” favorites for an even more personal touch.

Though not technically a topper, an oversized flower adorning your cake adds fun to an otherwise plain cake.

Sayings, quotes, and idioms topping your layers are great DIY projects too if you just want to cut out card, dip in glitter, and attach to poles.

Try adding your initials to your cake.

Banners are wonderful and on-trend right now.

This topper made from twigs has a rustic-chic vibe.

Hand-stitched hearts add a quirky element to a cake.

Bent metal is popular for toppers, as well as in other areas of wedding décor too.

Though not a cake, the topper is adorable, with bespoke characters, including the couple’s dog.

For recommendations of vendors who can help you create the perfect cake and topper, as well as complete wedding and event planning, advice, and help, be sure to contact Essence of Events today.

To set up your free, initial consultation call 253.292.1482 or email us at contact@essenceofevents.com

Written by Samantha Macrae

The etiquette and rules of weddings are always ever changing, but it’s always good to be

well versed in proper manners. Essence of Events, LLC has taken some of the most pressing

concerns when it comes to your wedding needs and questions and compiled them into this

easy cheat-sheet. Consider us your Emily Post of wedding conundrums.

Paying for out-of-towners

If you’re hosting a wedding that will be out of town for guests and you don’t live there, it’s

considered a destination wedding. There is no hard rule here, but you are not expected to

pay the accommodation or travel expenses. You are obliged to pay only for the wedding

ceremony and reception.

A gracious couple will host a Friday night welcome dinner and a Sunday

farewell brunch. Instead of every one staying at the same hotel, you can also offer a few

less expensive hotel options.

If your heart is set on someone being part of your wedding

party and they don’t have the means to get there, consider covering a portion of their

expenses as your bridesmaid or groomsman gift, or offer to let them use some of your

frequent flyer miles.

 

Saying no to children

This is your wedding and if it is formal, you are not obligated to have children in attendance.

The invitation should be addressed to Mr. and Mrs., not Mr. and Mrs. and Family. If your

friend inquires, let her know that as much as you love her children, this is an adult affair.

Besides, your friend will have a whole lot more fun without having to deal with her kids.

Another idea is have the kids come to the ceremony and then get a room and a babysitter

with some movies and games to entertain the children while the adults have fun at the

reception.

 

 

How far is too far?

How far does a guest need to travel to be considered an out of-of-towner, and do they

receive a special gift? If the guest will not sleeping in their own bed, they are an out of town guest.

A gift is not mandatory, but is a lovely gesture welcoming them to your

wedding and thanking them for travelling to be a part of your celebration.

 

 

Returning gifts

If you decide to return a gift, send a gracious note thanking the giver and letting them know

you've exchanged it for something you really love.

For example: “Thank you so much for the lovely waffle iron. You know how much we always

enjoy making Sunday brunch at home. To our surprise, we received two of them, so we

fortunately managed to exchange your thoughtful gift for a juicer, which we expect to use

frequently. Can't wait to have you over to enjoy brunch with us soon.”

However, it is impolite to ask a person who has sent you a gift where they bought the item

because you want to return it. If you are not able to return the gift on your own, it's better

to write a courteous thank you note, tuck the gift away for later, and use it when the friends

who sent it to you come to your home.

 

 

 

 

Who is invited to the rehearsal dinner?

The general rule of thumb is that the groom's family hosts the rehearsal dinner, not only for

the wedding party but for all the out of town guests. These people have traveled from far

and wide, are paying for hotel accommodation, etc., so it would be a gracious gesture on

your behalf to welcome them. There are a few options if you are budget conscious and there are a lot

of out of town guests. The first is to have a casual buffet or cocktail reception instead of a seated

dinner. Or another option is, host the dinner for the wedding party and invite the rest of the guests to join

after for dessert and cocktails.

 

 

Bridesmaid dresses

Tradition says that the bride or her family covers these expenses. It's still a wonderful

gesture if you can afford to buy these items, particularly if your friends are already planning

to splurge on travel expenses to attend your wedding.

However, if your budget doesn't allow you to purchase the bridesmaids' dresses, it is

acceptable to ask them to pay for their own attire so long as you keep the cost within a

reasonable budget (theirs, not yours).

If you expect them to pay, it's also crucial that you choose something the women can wear

again, perhaps a simple, classic cocktail dress (let's be honest, nobody is going to wear that

frilly, peach prom dress style anywhere but a costume party). Another option is to offer to

split the cost with your friends or to buy the accessories such as shoes and/or jewelry.

 

 

Tossing the bouquet

You want to preserve your bouquet as a keepsake, not toss it and have it trashed by

screaming single ladies, so ask your florist to create a smaller “tossing bouquet” that

resembles your bridal bouquet. The tossing bouquet should be placed on the cake table to

enable you to find it easily. It can resemble the style of your bouquet, only slightly smaller.

For more wedding advice, tips and tricks, and to get all your questions answered, make

sure to contact Essence of Events to set up your free, initial consultation today. Call

253.292.1482 or email us at contact@essenceofevents.com

 

 

Written by Samantha Macrae

The leap into marriage is a game-changer, but should it also be a

name-changer? It's a question that may be harder than ever for a bride to answer. Essence

of Events, LLC is breaking down the Pros and Cons for you to try to make this tough

decision a little easier for you.

The Pros

When you change your name, it will symbolize a new family identity. If you chose to have

children, then they will take your husband’s name (unless you choose to hyphenate). But

representing a family unit in this way will create a sense of harmony.

It's easier in the long run. Whether it is a hotel concierge or your great-aunt, over the

years, people will be calling you by your husband's surname anyway.

If you’re not attached to your maiden name and you feel no special connection to your birth

name, your marriage allows you the opportunity to start afresh with a new nomenclature of

sorts.

The Cons

You want to maintain your professional identity. After years of hard work to make a name

for yourself in your chosen field, a lot of women find it daunting to give it up, even

symbolically, on their wedding day.

The paperwork is a nightmare. Officially changing your name requires filling out a plethora

of forms. Plus, the process varies from state to state. While there are online sites like

www.missnowmrs.com and www.namechangeexpress.com that will do the paperwork for

you for a small fee, there are still lots of other items (like your business cards, magazine

subscriptions, or personal email address) that may bear your maiden name and need

switching.

His last name sounds awful with your first. You couldn't help falling in love with someone

whose last name rhymes terribly with your first. But you can stop others from repeating

that tongue-twister, by retaining your maiden name.

For more wedding and event related advice, to get all your questions answered, and to find

out more about us, contact us today.

For more information on subjects like this and more from Essence of Events,  call 253.292.1482 or

email us at contact@essenceofevents.com and schedule your free consultation.

Written by Samantha Macrae

Photography by TIe It With Us