a guest’s guide to proper wedding etiquette

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Are you invited to any weddings in 2011? Wondering if it’s really ok to skip out on the ceremony, or if you should ask to bring a date? We were excited to help She Knows with their recent story and provide a guest’s guide to wedding etiquette. You can read the article here.

In the article, you’ll find out what gifts the bride and groom really want, and the standard when giving monetary gifts. We also shared dress code and registry do’s and don’ts, RSVP etiquette, and what you should never do at a wedding.

image via sheknows.com

happy national pie day

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A few months ago, we met husband and wife team Stephen and Jill of The Sweet Life Bakery at the Best of SJ Party (they were voted Best Wedding Cake in South Jersey by SJ Magazine), and yesterday we spent some time at their bakery and cafe in Vineland, NJ.

We had so much fun tasting all of their delicious treats and love the fact that they are a green business. Recently named one of the top 40 green chefs under 4o in the country by Mother Nature Network, Sweet Life composts all food waste, has energy efficient lighting and bamboo floors, serves fair trade coffee, and serves their sweets and sandwiches on adorable plates from Goodwill.

Stephen tells us pies are one of the next big food trends and we’ll be seeing mini pies instead of cupcakes at weddings. Today is National Pie Day and in honor of the occasion, they are donating a portion of the proceeds of all pies to the Boys & Girls Club Community Garden. There were so many delicious varieties to choose from and we were lucky enough to taste the banana cream, key lime and chocolate peanut butter mini pies! It’s for a good cause, how could we refuse?

Stephen and baby Berkeley Oliver (the new addition to Stephen and Jill’s family) gave us a tour. Here they are in front of the bread oven. And here are some of their delicious homemade breads.

We also love that The Sweet Life includes an anniversary cake (that is made on your anniversary) with all wedding cakes. It’s a new take on the old tradition, and a fresh cake sounds a lot better than year old freezer cake.

We had such a great time and want to thank Stephen, Jill, Kristin, Ariana, Kate, and baby Berkeley for a delicious afternoon!

bridal shower trends

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We were recently interviewed by GateHouse Media for an article about bridal shower trends. Below is a recap of the trends and tips that we shared…

Looking ahead at the 2011 wedding trends, we are going to see bridal showers straying from the traditional and old-fashioned. Showers are more relaxed, casual and fun. And just like weddings, showers are becoming more personalized and unique. Here are some of the big bridal shower trends for 2011:

Jack & Jill or Couple Showers – These days, men are more involved in the wedding planning process, which has lead to the co-ed Jack & Jill Shower. It’s important to make sure that the bride and groom feel comfortable with this trend before you start planning one. These showers are relaxed and feel more like a cocktail party, making it the perfect setting for mingling and giving guests an opportunity to get to know each other before the big day. Jack and Jill showers are about the couple, so think about some of their favorite things when planning. For example, a great locale is the couple’s favorite restaurant or the place they went on their first date.

Activity Showers – Ladies are tired of the traditional shower, where you watch the bride to be open presents for hours on end. This has lead to the new trend of activity showers. When deciding on the activity, simply think about the bride and what she likes to do. If she is a beauty maven, a day at the spa is the perfect spot for her shower. What’s more relaxing than a spa lunch with your favorite gals, followed by chair massages, manis and pedis? If she is sporty, then bowling and pizza is fun and different choice. For the more sophisticated palate, a trip to the local vineyard for wine tasting is a great activity.

Learning Showers – The learning shower is a great way to incorporate an activity into a more traditional shower. For the foodie bride, have the chef from the bride’s favorite restaurant teach a cooking class. For the wine lover, have a local sommelier give a class on wine pairing. Put on your dancing shoes and learn some new steps… perfect to show off on the big day. You can have a florist teach the ladies flower arranging. Learn to knit or crochet. The options are endless.

Two Little Bird Tips – When planning a bridal shower, just remember these simple tips:

1. Think about who will be attending and what they will like, not just what the bride would like. It will keep guests happy and enthusiastic about the day.

2. Showers don’t have to be a surprise anymore… many brides would prefer to know the date of their shower so they can look the way they want and make sure they are on time.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask the bride what she would like and how she envisions her shower!

Happy Planning!

lovesick expo recap

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Last weekend was Lovesick, a wedding expo for the cool at heart, where we had the chance to meet a lot of unique vendors and happy couples. In its first year, Lovesick was a huge success with 31 companies, over 70 vendor representatives, more than 350 attendees from 10 different states, and it raised almost $800 for charity. We were so excited to be a part of such an amazing event!

Our table was simple and vintage inspired, featuring a birdcage with photos of our work, beautiful old books from Collingswood Book Trader, antique pitchers with flowers from Michael Bruce, and adorable bird dishes for our business cards.

There is a lot of talent in this city, and we are always excited to meet new vendors who can offer amazing services for our couples including:

Tom and Jon of Hi-Society Entertainment, who are not only awesome DJs, but also the organizers of Love Sick. And we appreciate all of their hard work!

Love Me Do Photography who took all of the great shots included in this post.

Our table neighbors Wren & Field Photography, who had the most creative set up.

Glitter & Rye, event design…love their sign!

Brae Howard, another fabulous photographer.

PushmePullyou Design, aka Eleanor, an illustrator and designer who creates really fun prints and posters.

Unique and glittery headbands from Magdalina Designs.

Pineapple Farm Design who sent us home with some amazing invitation samples that we can’t wait to show our brides.

All in all, we had a wonderful time and look forward to working with all of the great people we met!

Images via Love Me Do Photography

sweet peas & anemones

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Last week I spent about two hours at the Collingswood Book Trader looking for charming books for our table at Lovesick Expo. It wasn’t that I was having a hard time finding what I wanted, it’s just something about book stores and libraries that makes it so easy to lose track of time. I started chatting with the owner and telling her about Two Little Birds. Next thing I know, she’s introduced me to the talented florist Michael Bruce, and I’m next store at his beautifully renovated movie theater turned floral studio planning for Lovesick. He graciously took the time to show me which flowers would be available from his suppliers and some images of past work for inspiration.

Fast forward to last night. The flowers had arrived and Michael invited me to stop by to take a look. He showed me the gorgeous purple sweet peas, anemones, roses…and gasp…carnations!  I’ve never been a big fan of carnations, and I know I’m not alone, but after seeing some of the beautiful colors and ways they can be used, I’d decided to keep an open mind. In fact, they are actually making a major comeback for a few reasons…they’re easy to work with, versatile,  fragrant, long lasting, and come in amazing colors.

 

 

 

 

 

And look at this beautiful purple color! Have you ever seen such a pretty carnation? Discovering these and other new hues was definitely a highlight of my trip. These gorgeous dusty pink roses are perfect for antique-inspired wedding.

 

 

 

 

 

After a lovely evening of good company and sweet blooms, it was time to say goodbye to Michael and my flowers (that’s them in the flower fridge). Check back next week to see how everything came together!

xo, J

Hello

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We are Two Little Birds Planning, Caroline Covelli and Jaclyn Fisher, wedding and event planning consultants with a passion for everything bridal. Welcome to our blog!

Here we’ll share wedding tips and trends, inspiration, and our adventures in planning perfect weddings. We love to share the moments we have created, keep you updated on the hottest trends, and share our touching, insightful, and even funny experiences we’ve had along the way. Read on for the tales of Two Little Birds…

join the team

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We currently don’t have any full time positions available, but we’re always looking for great event assistants! This is a part-time position for those interested in assisting on the wedding day.

If you’re an optimistic and organized multi-tasker, please fill out the form below and email your resume and a writing sample to jaclyn@twolittlebirdsplanning.com. Please include your first and last name in the subject.

 

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Wedding Planning Services

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Two Little Birds offers customized wedding and event planning packages based on your individual needs.

Day of Coordination
You have planned all the details of your big day and now you are ready to be a bride! Two Little Birds will oversee the final coordination, so you can rest assured that every detail you have worked so hard to plan will be handled professionally to carry out your vision. Day of Coordination services start at $2,500.

  • Perform vendor confirmations
  • Create and distribute detailed wedding day schedule, which includes timing of all contracted vendor services
  • Rehearsal coordination and instruction
  • Greet vendors and coordinate their setups
  • Confirm ceremony and reception details
  • Assist in organizing family photos
  • Coordinate wedding party, including flower distribution
  • Coordinate processional, recessional, and cue musicians
  • Coordinate grand entrances at reception, toasts, special dances, and cake cutting
  • Coordinate collection of gifts and personal items
  • Provide essential wedding day “emergency kit”
  • Provide overall coordination on the wedding day

Wedding Planning
The ring is on your finger and you want an expert throughout the planning process. Two Little Birds will be by your side from conceptualization to managing every detail of your big day. Personalize your Wedding Planning package by selecting from our planning services:

  • Provide monthly planning checklist
  • Budget guidance
  • Etiquette guidance
  • Provide theme, décor, and design concepts
  • Scout and research venue locations to fit style and budget
  • Attend venue site visits
  • Vendor recommendations, including pricing and availability
  • Schedule and/or attend vendor meetings
  • Negotiation and/or review of vendor contracts
  • Act as liaison between couple and vendors
  • Ceremony planning
  • Assist with selecting bridal attire and schedule fitting appointments
  • Coordinate room block for out of town guests
  • Provide concepts and/or source favors, welcome bags, bathroom baskets, and gifts
  • Guest list management
  • Assist with seating chart
  • Plan rehearsal dinner
  • Guidance on vows, music selections, and speeches
  • Collect and deliver items for ceremony and reception

two little birds