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Top 10 Must See Wedding Movies

Published on November 24, 2016November 24, 2016 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

Nothing beats a romantic-comedy about a wedding, a wedding disaster you name it. We’ve listed our top 10 wedding movies of all time. See how many you’ve yet to see and have the girls over and break out the wine!

My Best Friend’s Wedding

As children, Julianne and Michael made a vow to marry one another if they were still single at 28. Four days before her birthday, Michael announces he’s getting married to 20 year old Kimberly. Suddenly realizing she’s in love with Michael, Julianne vows to halt the wedding no matter the cost- that is until she’s asked to be Maid of Honor…awkward much?

The Best Man

Committed bachelor Harper, just wrote a soon to be best selling novel that is for the most part based on the lives and loves of his group of tight-knit friends. With his entire crew to be present, Harper is to be the best man in his friend Lance’s wedding. To his dismay, an advance copy of the book ends up in the hands of an ex flame and he struggles to keep it under wraps- til he can’t.

Runaway Bride

Maggie Carpenter is no stranger to a wedding day since she’s left 3 men at the altar thus far. Ike Graham a reporter from the big city branded her “the runaway bride” and after his facts are questioned, he heads to her hometown to report on her upcoming fourth wedding- and to save his rep; til he falls for her.

The Wedding Planner

The wedding of Internet tycoon Fran Donelly is the biggest and most ostentatious of Mary’s wedding planning career. After being rescued from a near-fatal collision with a runaway dumpster by Steve Edison and spending the most enchanting evening of their lives together, Mary thinks she’s finally found a reason to believe in love. Until she realizes that cupid and her career are about to collide head-on.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

The entire Portokalos family worries about Toula who’s still unmarried at 30 years old. she works at the Greek family restaurant Dancing Zorba’s, owned by her parents, Gus and Maria. After taking a job at her aunt’s travel agency, she falls in love with Ian Miller, a handsome teacher who is tall, and definitely not Greek. Toula isn’t sure which will be more upsetting to her father, that Ian is a foreigner or that he’s a vegetarian.

Wedding Crashers

Jeremy and John are divorce mediators who spend their free time crashing wedding receptions. So when Secretary of the Treasury William Cleary announces the wedding of his eldest daughter, they make it their mission to crash the high-profile event. But their game hits a bump in the road when John locks eyes with bridesmaid Claire taking them on a hilarious journey with a family that’s less than functional.

Monster In Law

Charlotte meets and falls for Dr. Kevin Fields, it’s a whirlwind romance. When Kevin pops the question so soon after they start dating, Charlotte happily accepts. She soon realizes that Kevin’s mom, Viola is anything but thrilled to have a new family member. Viola, a newscaster, has just lost her job and is feeling rather possessive of Kevin, so Charlotte is sheer competition.

27 Dresses

Forever bridesmaid Jane is the go-to gal whenever someone needs help with wedding plans since she can’t say no. So when Jane’s younger sister Tess hooks the man Jane is secretly in love with, Jane finds herself questioning her role as a wedding junkie for the first time. Meanwhile, a handsome reporter is on Jane’s unusual story.

Bride Wars

As little girls, best friends Liv and Emma started planning every detail of their future weddings, including choosing the same venue: New York’s famed Plaza Hotel. But when a clerical error causes a dilemma in wedding dates, a war begins that reveals and unravels Liv and Kate discover their inner demons which may end their lifelong friendship.

Bridesmaids

Annie is a single woman whose life is a hot mess, but when her lifelong best friend, Lillian, gets engaged, she has no choice but to serve as the maid of honor. Though loveless and almost broke, Annie, nevertheless, fights her way through the awkward and expensive rituals associated with her job as the bride’s go-to gal. That is, until things start to unravel and Annie takes everyone down with her.

10 awful mistakes brides make

Published on September 1, 2016May 3, 2018 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

No wedding day is completely perfect (unless it is) and there are bound to be some flubs or forgotten details. Here are 10 common mistakes brides make leading up to and on their wedding day:

Don’t carve out enough time for hair and makeup

It is imperative that you consider how large your bridal party is, this should include your mother and mother in law and any flower girls you may have. If you have more than 4 ladies to do hair and makeup for, you should consider hiring two makeup artists and two hair stylists. Make sure they have both met, have pictures of the makeup and hair looks so they can get everyone done on time!

Drink the night before

Try to refrain from excessive drinking the night before the wedding. Alcohol can make you puffy the next day, if you are sensitive you may even get a mild headache. Trade in a cocktail or glass of wine with some sparkling water and lemon, you’ll thank us.

Rule out a wedding planner

Even if you have managed to plan everything yourself, the week before your wedding is the most stressful. If you had hired a planner for the week of you could have been spending time with your family and friends. Instead, you are left running around keeping track of final payments to vendors, confirming floral deliveries, giving directions…need I continue? Hire a planner.

Don’t account for hidden costs

This is a big one that gets overlooked far too often. Tipping your vendors is a must unless it’s already included in their contract. Also ensuring they are fed at dinner time if they are present is also important. Marriage license is another hidden cost, postage for “Thank you” cards, meals on wedding day and then there is the “other” category. This is for when the power goes out and you have to buy 200 candles, or the groom forgets to pack his shoes and needs to hail a cab!

Take time with parents

The day of your wedding you are the center of attention and everyone wants to say a word or give a hug. Don’t forget to take a few quiet moments with your parents outside of pictures. It will be a welcome break from the hustle and bustle and it will give you some one on one time with them, they will appreciate it.

6. You forget to eat

Yes, we know you need to fit into your wedding dress as snug as a bug the day of, however, we don’t need a dramatic Scarlett O’Hara fainting moment because you didn’t eat anything. A light breakfast with a few carbs for energy is suffice, lots of water and some snacks while getting ready and during pictures.

Sunless tanning

Have some practice sessions please! I can’t stress this enough. Sunless tanning can work if you find the right place to go. Be sure to go for a shade that isn’t so far off your natural skin tone, aim for a pre- wedding glow. If you overdo it or go too dark…you will be in your bathroom 2 days before your wedding with half a cup of lemon juice, a quarter cup of sugar…and a loofah sponge.

Don’t feed vendors

Your vendors work hard and rightly so; this is what they do! However, if you have hired a band to entertain your guests, a planner running around behind the scenes, a photographer or videographer- they need to eat. This is customary and likely in the contract you signed when you hired them. Perhaps not what the guests are eating but feed them with something!

Skimp on bridal party gifts

Take into consideration your bridal party (guys too) have spend a ton of money over the past year or so helping you plan your wedding. From wedding gifts, bachelor/bachelorette parties, outfits, dinners, to helping you solve problems, they’ve done so much. Be sure to budget a decent amount (consider how large your bridal party is) so they can feel the love and appreciation you have for all they have done.

Mistreat Single friends

I’ve been one of the single gals at a table, where I don’t know anyone and most of the people I am sitting with are couples. Thankfully I have an outgoing personality and I can talk to anyone but not all your guests are going to find this situation ideal. To ease the pressure or even nerves, try to put them with at least one person at the same table that they know. Please, please have mercy!

Festive Fall Cocktails for your wedding (part 2)

Published on October 27, 2015October 27, 2015 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

As promised, we are back with the part 2 of the savory fall drinks that we love from Martha Stewart Weddings and The Knot!

Vanilla Pear Cocktail– The Knot

Photography by Sarah Love Photography

Ingredients:

Pear-flavored vodka (we like Absolut Pears)
Pear juice
Vanilla bean
Ice
La Croix Peach-Pear flavored sparkling water

Directions:

To make one drink, pour a single shot of the vodka into a shaker, and mix it with a half cup of pear juice.
Place the vanilla bean on a hard surface like a cutting board, and using a paring knife, slice the vanilla bean lengthwise. Then, using the knife (or even a spoon), scrape the seeds out of the inside of the vanilla bean and into the juice mixture. Shake everything to combine.
Pour over ice into a highball glass. Top everything off by adding a splash of the flavored sparkling water to your cocktail. Now just add a straw and enjoy!

Pumpkin White Russian- The Knot

Photo by Sarah Love Photography

Pumpkin-flavored vodka (try Crop Organic Spiced Pumpkin)
Kahlua
Pumpkin pie spice
Ice
Heavy cream

Directions:

Add 4 ounces of the pumpkin-flavored vodka to a tumbler along with 2 ounces of Kahlua and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice. Shake to combine.
Add a handful of ice to a lowball glass and pour in the drink mixture, filling the glass halfway. Finish the cocktail by filling the rest of the glass with heavy cream. Now just stir and serve!

Hot Apple Cider with sugared cranberries- Martha Stewart Weddings (MSW Fall 2012)

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups apple cider
2 whole allspice berries
3 ounces bourbon or dark rum
Sugared Cranberries

Directions

Bring cider and allspice to a boil in a saucepan.
Remove from heat and cover. Let stand 10 minutes.
Skim foam and strain, discarding the allspice.
Ladle 1/2 cup hot cider into each mug, and add 3/4 ounce bourbon or dark rum.
Garnish each glass with two sugared cranberries skewered on a stir stick.

Cider Sangria- Martha Stewart Weddings

Photography: Seth Smoot

Ingredients

6 cups green seedless grapes
4 kiwis, peeled and thinly sliced into rounds
8 small apples, such as lady apples or crab apples, thinly sliced, stems and seeds removed
1 bottle (750 ml) dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
1 quart apple cider
1 cup apple brandy, such as Calvados

Directions

Freeze half of the grapes on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Place remaining grapes in a large pitcher with kiwis and apples. Stir in wine, cider, and brandy.
Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours. Partially fill drinking glasses with frozen grapes and fill with sangria.

Do these 5 things and you will survive your wedding day!

Published on July 30, 2015August 29, 2015 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

Getting your hair done at 7am, makeup at 9:30am, nails at 10:45am…wait did you drink your coffee yet? Can’t forget to call the best man and make sure all the guys are up and ready; did someone pick up the bouquets yet? In fact, where is your phone, someone find your cell phone stat! As if you don’t have a wedding to get ready for!? Well during all of the chaos there are 5 things that you or your maid of honor need to make sure you do today…besides get married.

Now I’m not saying stuff your face full of carbs, end up bloated and not able to fit into your wedding dress, nor do I mean to devour a bunch of salty snacks to make you retain water. But since you are center of attention and will be hearing your name all day, it will be very easy to forget to eat. Now if you have an afternoon wedding, have some fruits, veggies and maybe some nuts after all of your appointments. These foods will sustain you, give you energy but won’t make you “over the top” full. Also be sure to have a water bottle kicking around. It might also be a good idea to ask your planner to have a food tray of some sort set up in the bridal suite so that after the ceremony and pictures you can all nibble here and there. It’s a long wait to dinner and we don’t need the bride or bridal party members fainting Scarlett O’Hara style.

Breathe

So many things are about to happen all at once, 5 people talking all at once, 3 cell phones going off, crying ring bearer and someone shut that dog up! Weddings are exciting for everyone but keep in mind there will be moments of pandemonium. You need to take a step back, or step outside your hotel room, lock yourself in the bathroom for a few minutes- and breathe. Slow deep breaths from your belly (the diaphragm) will ensure oxygen goes to every part of your body. When you breathe, your tummy should expand outward (like when you practiced your fake pregnant belly in front of the mirror- we know you did). Keeping calm will prevent dizzy spells, hot flashes and sweating…this is a good day!

Have a quiet moment with your parent(s)

Let’s face it, Dad walks you down the aisle, mom gives her tear jerker Oscar-winning speech, father daughter dance and that is pretty much all you will see of your parents. If you have a lot of guests, you and your partner will be working the room all night. It will be hard to steal a few minutes away with your parents since you will be in high demand. A good time for this might be 15 minutes before the ceremony, ask you MOH to clear the room so your parents can come in and impart their words of wisdom in private. This way they will be happy and not feel hurt that they didn’t get as much time with you on your big day as they had hoped.

Minimize checking your social media

If you can help it… Yes you want everyone who couldn’t make it or who lived out of country to be updated on who fought over the bouquet toss but this is your day…live it fully. To be constantly checking your phone or social media will be annoying to those who want your attention and distasteful to those who know nothing about social media i.e. your grandparents! Post everything the next day if it’s that important but if you have friends or family who have traveled far to come for your big day, that merits appreciation.

Bring extra shoes

This should be common sense but it can be something forgotten in all the hoopla and wedding day prep. The ceremony and perfect poising are now over which means the 4 inch heels you’ve had your feet jammed into all day and have been complimented on- are coming off! Not that we think a cute pair of running shoes will prompt you to runaway Julia Roberts style but if you truly want to enjoy your reception, fist pump to Rihanna, then flats are a must!

Brides: Do not DIY these 4 areas

Published on June 10, 2015June 10, 2015 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

If you decide to embark on the adventure of planning your own wedding (and as a planner…of course I’m going to tell you not too!) it’s not impossible. With Pinterest brides, planning and getting inspiration can be fun and exciting with all the DIY ideas there. However there are four instances that you do not want to DIY under any circumstances!

Plan…everything

I know said it’s not impossible and it’s not but planning everything means sacrificing a lot of time away from other aspects of life. Leaving work early for consultations during business hours, late night emailing and outsourcing, less time with family and engaging in leisure activities and more stress. So you can plan but prepare yourself…a Wedding Planner has a career out of planning for a reason!

Flowers

Unless you are only wanting your own bouquet and want to do it yourself with some flowers the day of the wedding on top of stressing about the day in its entirety…don’t do your own flowers. There are a million reasons why but one of the first is that it is incredibly time consuming. Another reason, you can only do it the day of unless you want to spend all your time trying to keep them fresh and alive? Didn’t think so…

Food

Sort of along the same lines as flowers, extremely time consuming and unless it’s desserts, it must be done the day of the wedding. I don’t think you were planning to make 150 guests a four course meal in a lovely white dress and skip out walking down the aisle right? It cannot be done, so please don’t try it will be bad for everyone.

Photography

It is a possibility that you could end up with one of those “selfie sticks” as a wedding gift and maybe then you could take some pictures but you need to be in all the photos. This is one of the most important days of your life; skimping out on the photography would be highly regrettable. Hire an expert; it’s worth it since they will be beautiful lasting memories for you and your family and friends. Everything else has the potential to be accomplished DIY, give it your best shot. Our best advice here? Stay away from these four areas and attempting to do them solo, otherwise the biggest day of your life will go up in flames!