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Proposals: Tips From a Raleigh Wedding Planner

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Featured photo by Jocelyn & Ryan Photography. Knots ‘N Such is a Raleigh wedding planner and florist.

 

It’s the most important question that needs to be answered during the wedding planning process: “Will you marry me?” More and more people are proposing in grandiose ways! Here are a few of our favorite love stories that we’re hoping you can draw inspiration from!

 

Carrie & John

Being in politics, Carrie was distracted by the busy election season. So, John was easily able to plan a special evening for her that she would never forget. Under the guise of a combined birthday and anniversary dinner, John planned a romantic event. John took Carrie to dinner at The Fearrington house in Chapel Hill, where he insisted they explore the grounds before going into the restaurant. Carrie was confused since it was raining and they were already late for their reservation! But very quickly it made sense, the moment came, and John took her by the hands, got down on one knee, and asked “Will you be my wife?” After dinner, John recommended that they head into Raleigh to see his twin brother, who was hosting a fraternity reunion. Carrie happily obliged, and after arriving at the Capital Club, John led Carrie to a back room where all of their closest friends and family had gathered to celebrate the engagement. A lot of tears and hugs followed and truly made the night a special one for all involved.

 

PBD shares a picture of Ring Photo on Gold Geometric Decorations

Photo by Thirteenth Moon Photography

 

Colin & Marianne

Talented musicians and vocalist, Colin and Marianne, took a walk in Central Park one evening. Out of the blue, they turned a corner, and a huge group of their best friends were standing in a circle and started singing “Let’s Stay Together” in a-cappella harmony. Colin sang the solo, of course, and went down on one knee and showed Marianne the ring. It was magical! He had an engagement party planned for that evening with all the friends who had come into town for the engagement!

 

Photo by Krista Joy Photography

 

Amy & Taylor

On the way back from visiting their families on Christmas night, Taylor confessed he was having trouble finding the perfect vintage engagement ring. When they got home, he told her to wait in the car while he ran upstairs to their apartment. When she got inside, he was on one knee surrounded by sticky notes (an inside joke) in the shape of a heart on the floor. Each little note included a handwritten message telling her how much he loved her. The next day, they went shopping together to pick out a ring.

 

Raleigh Wedding Planner & Florist

Photo by Ginny Corbett

 

With so many perfect love stories out there, it can be easy to be intimidated about how to pop the question! Just remember to make your engagement as unique as your love and the answer is sure to be “yes”!

 

XO,

Ivana

PBD Coordinator

 

Winter Wedding Trends: Tips From a Raleigh Wedding Planner

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Feature photo by Krista Joy Photography. Knots ‘N Such is a Raleigh wedding planner & florist.

 

There is finally a chill in the air, and winter is quickly approaching! These 2017 trends are sure to win any winter wedding!

 

  • Leather Jackets: edgier brides will enjoy the leather look this season, being both sensible and statement making!
  • Velvet: this material has been making a big comeback lately, but it’s especially popular with colder days ahead!
  • Two Groom Looks: this winter is the groom’s time to shine, with his own flashy wardrobe change from ceremony to reception!

 

Groom wearing boutonniere

Photo by JB Haygood Photography

 

  • Faux Fur: adorn your bridal party in fancy faux fur, or even offer guests their own blanket as a gift!
  • Neon Signs: this is always a cool statement piece, but especially for the trendy 2017 bride who wants a unique way to showcase her wedding hashtag or new name!
  • Dark Florals: bridesmaids have their own winter trend! Darker floral patterns on gowns is huge right now, especially in colors such as burgundy, purple and navy!

 

Other Floral Services

Photo by Jocelyn & Ryan Photography

 

  • Metallics: a clean look like this can pair with most other decor, making it a versatile choice!
  • Jewels: gems can be used in so many ways! Try bedazzling your bridesmaids’ arms or hair, or the handle of your bouquets!
Raleigh Wedding Planner & Florist

Photo by Cachet Weddings

 

Winter weddings are always beautiful, but these hot trends are sure to make for a cool wedding this season!

 

XO,

Ivana

PBD Coordinator

What Your Bouquet Says About You–Tips from a Raleigh Wedding Planner

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Poppy Belle Design is a Raleigh wedding planner & florist. Feature photo by Lauren V. Allen Photography.

Raleigh Wedding Planner & Florist

You didn’t realize there was so much to flowers, did you?

Got the color, picked out the variety, and the florist pops one more question: What shape would you like your bouquet? Oh, and how about those bridesmaids?

Cue the crickets.

Little did you know that there are no fewer than eight shapes (read more about those here) to the classic wedding bouquet, each with its perks and personality.

So let’s look into that last one a little, shall we? What does your wedding bouquet say about you?

 

Nosegay

A tight cluster of flowers cut to the same length and wrapped snuggly with some sort of tie.

You’re a carefully organized bride, always dotting your Is and crossing your Ts. You like things done a certain way, but that doesn’t mean you don’t want a little frill here and there. It may take a bit to break down those walls, but once through your warmth brightens any room.

Raleigh Wedding Planner & Florist

Pompander

A ball covered with blooms and tied with a looped ribbon as handle

You’re a bit eclectic, marching to the beat of your own drum. You’ve got a touch of prim and proper in you with a love for “Pride and Prejudice” and a flare for the romance of yesteryear. You tend to float from room to room and absolutely swoon at the tall, dark and handsome.

 

Posy and round

Round: A more put-together version of the hand-tied bouquet wrapped down the stem with a ribbon. Posy: A small round bouquet.

You’re quiet and gentle with a zest for the little things in life. Soft spoken and maybe a little shy, you’re not prone to drama. You’re laid back, yet you like having a bit of structure in your life.

Raleigh Wedding Planner & Florist

Erica Serrano Photography

Hand tied

A thick cluster of flowers loosely tied together.

You’re a bit of a free spirit—in fact, you may walk down the aisle barefoot touting your gorgeous bouquet, as if you got here via a field of flowers and just happened to pick these on your way. A self-proclaimed flower child, you’re apt to wander lust, or just to wander. You have a laid-back demeanor, smile easily and let most things roll off your back.

 

Composite

A masterpiece of different petals strung together on one stem using wire.

Artsy is your middle name. Eclectic to a fault, you’ve got a bit of a girly streak but in a rebellious sort of way. You’re quick to laugh and live with your emotions on your sleeve—which means you’re quick to boil over, as well. But what can you do? All that passion has to go somewhere!

Raleigh Wedding Planner & Florist

Erica Serrano Photography

Cascade

Like a waterfall, the flowers spill down from the stems.

Caught up in the whimsy of the world, you’ve embrace all things bohemian. You, too, might be floating down the aisle barefoot to Indi tunes played by a flute. You’re imaginative, though you sometimes have your head in the clouds, and laugh your way through life.

 

Pageant

Like the cascade but not quite as free-flowing or long.

You are all about the glam. Outgoing and gregarious, you love to laugh and have a flare for the dramatic. You thrive as the life of the party but also have a romantic streak. An aisle littered in rosebuds may be in your future!

Krista Joy Photography

Krista Joy Photography

When it comes to bouquets, there’s something for everyone! Not sure what you want, or have your mind set but looking for the right florist? Give us a call at Knots ‘N Such! We’d love to help you plan your flower needs—or even design it for you!

2016 Wedding Trends–Tips from a Raleigh Wedding Planner

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Poppy Belle Design is a Raleigh wedding planner & florist. Feature photo by Erica Serrano Photography.

Krista Joy Photography

Krista Joy Photography

We’re well into 2016, and this year’s wedding season is in full swing! I’m already in the midst of that oh-so-lovely frenzied excitement only a wedding a weekend can bring!

I’ve seen a mix of these so far in the Raleigh area, but here are some things the experts say we’ll see this coming year:

Raleigh Wedding Planner & Florist

Knots ‘N Such

Overall feel and decor

 

It seems in general couples have begun to move away from copying every post they’ve ever seen on Pinterest. Many may still use the popular website for inspiration, but more and more brides and grooms will do things their own way.

While rustic weddings will remain popular, they will take on more glamour than in years past and transition to wide open spaces rather than a barn. Even so, they will take a back seat to the emerging woodland-themed events, using dense greenery, sticks and wood to create something of a fairytale vibe. Natural elements such as wood, stone and cork work as accents

No matter the theme, 2016 weddings will use simple yet striking decor.

Couples have also gravitated towards non-traditional and unique events, hoping to plan a fun experience for their guests. A more casual atmosphere coupled with a peaceful and romantic ambiance, weddings of today focus more and more on the enjoyment of those in attendance, becoming more relaxed than black tie.

For color pallets, a few trends have emerged. Rose gold seems to be extremely popular as an accent, whether in the wedding bands or reception decor. Metallics accent many schemes, using glitter on invitations or around centerpieces. Tone on tone has also dominated the decor scene, as have printed fabrics, especially florals, rather than single-color tablecloths or napkins.

Linking with the romantic atmosphere, lighting has become an increasingly important piece to overall wedding decor—and the options have become more dramatic. Pendant lights, chandeliers and candelabras have replaced or begun to accompany the popular market lights of past years.

Krista Joy Photography

Krista Joy Photography

Flowers

 

Flower arrangements also have taken on a more simple and stylish appearance. Brides have begun choosing in-season and local blooms, often opting for a just-picked look. Spiky flowers or fruiting vines act as accents. No matter the style, however, color seems to be a constant theme—getting those centerpieces to pop.

Speaking of centerpieces, the cookie cutter method is out and a mix of different yet similar arrangements for each table has become more the norm.

Invitations this year use more varied and eclectic fonts than in the past, and monograms still seem to make a frequent appearance.

Raleigh Wedding Planner

Caroline of Neil Boyd Photography

Food and drink

 

With generally smaller guest lists, couples seem to be trending toward a more intimate reception. Sit-down dinners have begun to supersede the formerly popular buffet or food stations, though couples still offer choices, and some have even returned to family style. Passed hors d’oevres and desserts have also become more common. Comfort food—such as grilled cheese bites or hamburger sliders—as well as sustainable food that is organic and locally sourced continue to remain high priorities.

Many are opting for long rectangular tables rather than the dozens of small, round tables for their reception lay out.

Behind the bar, his and hers cocktails remain a fun and lighthearted personal touch, and rose wine has increasingly found its way onto the menu. Craft beers continue to dominate the drinking list, as well.

Dessert has strayed from the traditional wedding cake to a whole host of other options—all reflecting the couple’s personality—though butter cream or unfrosted are in high demand for those who do go the cake route. Fun nighttime treats such as popsicles and donuts remain popular, especially when they hail from a local artisan.

Raleigh Wedding Planner & Florist

Erica Serrano Photography

Attire

 

The boho bride continues to increase in popularity, with off-the-shoulder, crochet and lace dresses all the rage. Brides are also looking to more cream and blush-colored gowns as opposed to the traditional white. Open backs are also dominating the fashion scene.

For bridesmaids, mismatched dresses remain popular, though brides are moving away from just one color palette to a whole array of complimenting shades. Also popular this year are separates: shirts and skirts rather than a full dress.

 

We can’t wait to see what all the 2016 wedding season has to bring! Need help coordinating all these different aspects of your big day? Give us a call at Knots ‘ N Such to get your planning underway.

Give your families a break—Tips from a Raleigh Wedding Planner

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Poppy Belle Design is a Raleigh wedding planner & florist. Feature photo by Krista Joy Photography.

Raleigh Wedding Planner & Florist

Tara Parker Photography

The cost of a wedding today is no joke. According to The Knot, the average couple last year spent $32,641 on their big day, up from $31,213 in 2014. Cost of Wedding has the Chapel Hill average at between $19,900 and $33,200 and Raleigh’s between $20,000 and $35,000.

 

And with a whole litany of things to nail down—from food to music to clothes—it’s a natural instinct to seek out ways to cut corners. There are oh so many ways to do that, dozens of things to do on your own, or combine or cut out completely.

 

But one shortcut you shouldn’t take is the one that puts a burden on your family.

This could take many forms, from set up to craft projects to logistics. It doesn’t really matter what version you’re tempted with—don’t do it!

Raleigh Wedding Planner & Florist

Tara Parker Photography

I don’t mean not to ask your families to help; they’re a valuable resource and are probably more than willing to lend a hand. The key word here is BURDEN. Remember, while this is your day, it’s still special and important to those closest to you. For people who are really excited for you and proud of you, who really love you, this day means a lot to them.

 

So while you want to get these people involved—and they want to be involved—it’s important to respect their right to enjoy the wedding and the days leading up to it. You want to wrap up all of your preparations and planning a week or so before the big day; let your parents, siblings, best friends to do that, too!

 

Want hand-embroidered napkins for all 350 guests? Fantastic—don’t ask your mom to do that all by herself one month before the day you do. Have a florist with three drop-off times at different locations and a host of needs at each place, requiring someone on your end to coordinate? Manageable—but don’t assign that to your maid of honor. Instead, talk with your mom about the napkins at the beginning of your engagement so she has a few months to plan and get things done. Hire a wedding coordinator to help with the florist so your best friend can chill with you, the girls and a tray of mimosas.

Raleigh Wedding Planner

Caroline of Neil Boyd Photography

On the day of the wedding, don’t expect your parents, close family and intimate friends to do a ton of work. Allow them to just kind of sit back and enjoy the fact that their son, daughter, brother, sister or BFF is making one of the biggest decisions of his or her life. Trust me, they will be so much happier for it—as will you to have them by your side.

There are many, many ways to make this possible. One of those is a wedding planner—and enter us! Give us a call at Knots ‘N Such to help with your wedding coordination, taking the pressure off those that matter on the big day. We want you and yours to enjoy this event you’ve spent so much time and money to make possible!