All About Branding!

When you think about weddings, do you also think of the word "branding"? Probably not. It's not like you're selling a service or running a business, right? Why would a wedding need to be branded?

It's pretty simple, really. Arguably the single most important aspect of planning any event is ensuring that there is a strong sense of cohesion from beginning to end. This cohesiveness is what makes your wedding flow together in harmony, creating a picturesque event that is uniquely YOURS--- it's your brand!

Typically we associate brands with logos, but that's not always the case for a wedding. While some couples do choose to use their monogram as a type of logo for their wedding, (which is super cute, might we add), there are also many other ways to execute a well branded wedding. These ideas include employing a consistent color theme from start to finish, using the same fonts on all printed materials, or using a design theme such as nautical or whimsical for all wedding elements to reference.

With the help of our team at Shenanigans, we can create a perfectly branded wedding that is unique to you. After all, it's our job to make your dreams come true!

Enjoy these beautiful photos from one of our well branded weddings to inspire your own branding ideas! (This particular wedding was branded by the color purple with accents of yellow. Additionally, there were references to the bride and groom's alma matter, Texas Christian University, throughout the wedding in various ways.)

Let's Hear it for the Girls!

Last week we talked about how equally important and difficult it can be to purchase thank you gifts for the groomsmen or males in your wedding party... but we can't forget about the lovely ladies! The ladies who have spent the entire time leading up to the wedding listening to all of your ideas, thoughts, frustrations, excitement, hopes, and fears deserve a very special "Thank You"!

There are so many ways to demonstrate your gratitude through gift giving, which is why it is vitally important to choose a gift that is personal and significant to the recipient. Additionally, we recommend avoiding the use of stereotypical gifts that have been over-exposed by the wedding industry. Don't get us wrong, flip-flops for the reception or jewelry to wear with their bridesmaid dress does get the job done... but these gifts pale in comparison to a unique gift that is thoughtfully selected.

That's where we come in! We love to help our brides put their thoughts into action by suggesting beautiful and thoughtful gifts ideas for the wedding party that will truly communicate how much each individual is appreciated.

Here are a few fabulous gifts ideas that our brides have used... all of which were such a hit with their friends!

If you're going to give jewelry, make it something personal, beautiful, and something they will cherish for years! This monogram cuff bracelet is the perfect combination of class and fashion... a gift that your friends really will wear and appreciate for years to come!

Adding a monogram to any gift shows that you went the extra mile to make it personal. This beautiful spa towel and slipper set is something that any of your friends would love to receive. This gift is timeless, functional, thoughtful-- and completely adorable! Function is a key consideration with your gift selection. Every time your girlfriend uses this cozy set, she will think of how much fun she had when she stood by you on your wedding day!

Personalized, hand painted wine glasses! We all love a wine night with our girlfriends, right!? This gift has it all... function, style, creativity, and class! And what great pictures you will have if your bridesmaids all use the glamorous glasses at your reception!

Celebrate your friendship with a personalized bottle of champagne! You can customize each bottle for every bridesmaid by writing individual messages that are etched into the glass, creating the most priceless keepsake long after the bottle is popped! What a heartfelt and fabulously fun way to say "Thank You!"

We hope you enjoy these ideas... but there are many more where these came from!

Allow us to help find the fabulous gifts that your bridal party deserves!

Great Groomsman Gifts!

Sometimes the greatest challenge that any bride and groom will face as they near the end of their wedding planning adventure is what kind of gift they will give their wedding party. They need to find the perfect gift that says, "Thank you for supporting me and standing by me on the most important day of my life... a day that I have video and photographical evidence of, and that I will commemorate with my spouse every single year of our lives"... no big deal, right? WRONG! This gift is sincerely important to many couples, and they want to make sure the gesture is thoughtful, enjoyable, and demonstrates a proper amount of gratitude.

As if this task isn't challenging enough, it gets even more complicated when selecting a gift for the males in the wedding party. Finding an appropriate gift that will be truly enjoyed by the guys, as well as one that WON'T break the bank can really be a problem!

This is where we come in! We have an endless list of ideas for groomsman gifts that we share with our brides and grooms to make this part of the process as easy and enjoyable as possible, while still maintaining the thoughtfulness and importance of the gesture!

Here are just a couple of our favorite ideas…

*Enjoy!*

Guys typically enjoy one of two concepts for gifts: funny/entertaining or functional. These mustache glasses are both! Our groomsmen enjoyed posing for silly pictures with these hilarious glasses as much as they enjoyed the beverage poured inside! These are memorable and make for amazing photos. They're also an item that your groomsman will keep and use again, which really adds value to the gift. A true win-win!

Channeling his inner Charlie Chaplin!

What professional male would not enjoy the functionality of a stainless steel USB drive key-chain? There are endless uses for these little devices, and adding a personal touch by engraving the cap with the groomsman's monogram shows that the gift was not randomly selected. This gift is functional, thoughtful, and will most definitely be used long after the wedding festivities have concluded.

Do you have a few sports fanatics in your wedding party? In that case, there would be few better gifts than a cooler in the color of their favorite team that is personalized with their name or monogram! Not only is this gift functional and thoughtful, but it's something that a guy would probably not purchase for themselves. Most of them probably tailgate with an old plastic cooler, but they will appreciate and enjoy having something personal and nice looking! You can even add some adult beverages inside the cooler for an extra surprise! SO cool!

For more ideas, contact us! ...We're here to help! :)

Sensational Send-Offs!

First impressions are important, but last impressions are a MUST!

How you choose to make your exit should truly be the icing on your magnificent, wedding-cake-filled day! Sure, bird seed, bubbles, and flower petals are timeless classics that will always be used as a way to celebrate the send-off of the bride and groom... but let's turn up the volume! Why not get creative by employing the elements of surprise and delight with new and exciting ideas that will *WOW* your guests and make for priceless photos?

Here are some sensational {{Shenanigans approved}} send-off suggestions (say that 5 times fast!) that will leave your guests mesmerized by the all-around fabulous-ness of your event... from beautiful beginning to extraordinary end!

Ribbon wands create just the right amount of whimsy on your perfect day! Not to mention, the beautiful color-coordinated streamers look stunning in photos!

Sparklers are jut simply beautiful! They make for some of the very best exit photos and they're a hit with guests of all ages. What's even more exciting, there are special types of sparklers that are slow burning, allowing for enough time to make your exit, as well as colored sparklers that coordinate with your wedding colors!

Dance your way into the night with a musical exit! Using instruments such as a trombone, trumpet, guitar, or many others to lead the way creates a fun and exciting element of surprise!This kind of exit is sure to keep the energy alive right up to the very last minute!

When it's time to GO, it's time to GLOW!!

Glow sticks are such a fun and unique way to make your exit. They can be ordered in huge quantities of any color, they're relatively inexpensive, and guests love them!

Fireworks! Need we say more? Nothing has quite the same WOW-factor as an illuminated sky full of brilliant, sparkly colors. This is not only entertaining, but also sets the scene for the most stunning photos!

Photo courtesy of Google Images.

Light the way with these stunning driveway flares! Your guests will stare in awe as your get-away car whisks you and your new husband away into the night and disappears into the glow of these sparkling flares! How incredibly romantic... and let's be honest, it's picture perfect!
Photo courtesy of Google Images.

Fabulous Flower Girls!

Any little girl would be overjoyed to be a part of your big day, wear a princess dress, and have her moment in the spotlight as she walks down the aisle just before the bride. But why not make the experience even more exciting by adding something unusual and, well... fabulous!

Several of our beloved brides have searched for exactly that-- something to make their flower girl stand out from the norm and add the element of surprise and delight to their special day! With the help of our team at Shenanigans, dreaming up these ideas and making them a reality is a cinch!

Check out some of the fabulous flower girls and flower girl accessories from the weddings of our dear brides...

These lovely little ladies had a great time with this super fun sign! Not to mention, it made for a very grand and memorable entrance for the bride!

Another shot of the precious sign...

Flower girl baskets made of real flowers! The girls LOVED them and had fun showing the guests their unique totes all night!

This Pomander Ball is a very beautiful accessory for a flower girl, and it's a nice change from the traditional basket of flowers! In addition to looking beautifully chic, these are very easy for the little ones to hold on to!

What flower girl wouldn't love her own Flower Wand? This accessory adds just the right amount of whimsy to your wedding, and serves as a prized possession of any flower girl!

Radiant Gradient

Have you been stressed about your color selection for your event or wedding because it's so difficult to find everything you're looking for in just the right shade? Of course that can add stress! Not everything is made in the perfect shade of Lemon Citrine or Roseberry Pink. That's why we're happy to share with you a major trend that we have been noticing lately...
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{Shades of Color!}
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Instead of sticking to one specific shade of each color, why not employ a beautiful gradient of one or two colors? It's a very easy way to give your wedding a well branded, cohesive look without stressing about how you're going to find two hundred napkin rings in "Relax Blue" or eight bow ties in "Fresh Green".

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Look at these stunning options for a gradient themed wedding using the color pink... with several shades of the same color, your choices and possibilities are endless!

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*Photo courtesy of Google Image Search
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*Photo courtesy of Google Image Search

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*Photo courtesy of Google Image Search
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*Photo courtesy of The Knot.com
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Allow us to help you select a beautiful gradient of colors to relieve stress and add beauty to your wedding day!

D Magazine "Bridal Buzz" Feature!

Exciting News!

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One of our lovely couples was recently featured in the very exclusive "Bridal Buzz" section of the D Magazine website. The story includes beautiful pictures of the wedding day and all of the gorgeous details. This was a very fun wedding to be involved with because the bride and groom were both very passionate TCU fans, so we were able to incorporate a lot of purple pride in the details to make it all their own!

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We love that every wedding is different, and they each say so much about the bride and groom. Perfecting the details to personalize your event is something we take seriously! We will discuss your ideas, passions, hobbies, and interests, then collaborate them all together to produce an event that is 100% YOU.

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Here are some great pictures from the feature & see below for the link to the full article...

Allow us to help with the details of your special day so it can be uniquely and fabulously *yours*.

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Click here to see the feature of our lovely bride and groom!

A Grand Exit!

There is nothing more exciting than the grand entrance of the bride when she takes her first step down the aisle. The energy of the whole room is shifted, first at the bride to see how glowingly beautiful she looks on the most cherished day of her life to date, then to the groom to get a glimpse at his reaction, then back at the bride for the rest of her trek down the aisle. It's a moment of awe for all guests, and can completely set the tone of the wedding. So, naturally, everyone tends to prepare for this magical moment with careful song selection, ample photographers positioned in strategic locations, and perfect timing of all elements to ensure a flawless departure for the bride as she walks down the aisle in her last moments before becoming a Mrs.
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...But what about the departure of the bride and groom after the day concludes? Now, this is something that tends to be an afterthought.... but WHY? A grand exit is just as memorable, if not more, than the grand entrance. This is the last memory that your guests will have of your wedding day and, if executed properly, it can make for some incredible photos that you will adore forever!

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Sure, you're thinking... all I need to do is buy a couple hundred sparklers, bird seed, bubbles, or rose petals and the guests will know what to do from there... how hard can it really be to coordinate an exit?!

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{This where things start to unravel.}

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You would think that your guests will know what to do when they are handed these objects, but if they do not receive direction, timing, and a proper position, the end result will be a very sub par use of your props for an incredibly anticlimactic ending to your magical night. Coordinating 100+ people to do a specific action at a specific time can end up in chaos if it is not handled with the right amount of authority and organization (especially when the guests have enjoyed the open bar all evening, and they want nothing more than to play with the sparklers or bubbles as soon as possible)!

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If this grand exit is a miss, then you will also be missing out on one of the most beautifully candid moments of your entire wedding day.

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Your exit is a one-shot kind of moment...

So let us coordinate your grand exit so you can have the pictures that you'll cherish for a lifetime.

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Take a look at some of the beautiful photos that have been captured as a result of a perfectly executed exit for our beloved bride and grooms...

{Enjoy!}

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Please {don't} sign on the line!

Remember when the only option for a guestbook was the 5x7 book with pages full of lines? Your guests were forced to sign on the line with their name and maybe their address... {if you're lucky}. Don't get us wrong, going with a classic is always a safe and reliable option, and it certainly gets the job done! However, we'd like for you to consider some of the new and exciting ways that we have altered the traditional guestbook... making it a fun, memorable, and personal statement, tailored to your wedding! This also gives guests the opportunity to write freely to the bride and groom... and what a wonderful keepsake it will make after the wedding!

These are just two of the creative ways that we have added a little excitement to guestbook signing...

We would LOVE to help you bring this kind of creativity to your guestbook table... after all, it is one of the first things your guests will see! Allow us to take over the first impressions at your wedding... you'll be glad you did :)

We love Pizzazzerie!

We are VERY excited and honored to announce that Shenanigans Weddings and Events is featured on Pizzazzerie!

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For those of you who may be unaware, Pizzazzerie is a very high-trafficked website and blog that features the very best in event and design ideas. In the blog portion of the website, the writers offer ideas for parties, showcase new products, feature fabulous events from all over the nation, and so much more!

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The wedding of one of our lovely brides (and her dashing groom) was chosen to be featured on the site, and we could not be more proud! We had a wonderful time working with Lauren and Chris to ensure that all of their ideas and visions were realized on their big day! The incredible and beautiful details were spectacular and really added the "WOW" factor to this wedding.

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Naturally, every bride wants all of her dreams to come true on her wedding day... but sometimes getting all of the details nailed just right, in addition to all of the other tasks that wedding planning demands, can seem impossible. This is where our team of professionals steps in... your wish is our command! If you can dream it, we can do it. You will look at pictures of your wedding for the rest of your life, so it needs to be perfect!

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CLICK HERE to see the beautiful feature, and be sure to scroll to the bottom to check out all of the wonderful vendors that helped to make this wedding as incredible as possible!

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Congratulations to Lauren & Chris!!

We are honored to have been a part of your big day!!

Weddings Gone Platinum!

When looking for inspiration around what wedding theme or color you will choose, why not turn to the classic elegance and simplicity of a diamond? Shades of gray, silver, ivory, smoky purples, and charcoal are all-the-rage for Weddings in 2011! Taking a traditional concept, such as a man's tuxedo, and adding a splash of Platinum to the color palette makes it unique, chic, and unforgettable. Just take a look at how fashion-forward this classic Calvin Klein tuxedo looks when shown in Platinum gray...

...Or how about this lovely Priscilla of Boston designer bridesmaid dress? It's effortless, versatile, and the message is clear: this is the wedding of a bride who knows a thing or two about the trends!
We love mixing classic concepts with cutting edge fashion, and we cannot wait to help implement your ideas and style into your perfect wedding day!

Contact Shenanigans Weddings and Events today to get started on your event!

The Special Event Wedding Lunch 2011

It's so important, when choosing a planner for your wedding or event, to choose someone that stays on the cutting edge with trends and ideas within the special events industry!

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Shenanigans Weddings and Events stays current in a multitude of ways, one of which was to attend The Wedding Lunch by The Special Event on January 26, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona.

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The Special Event (TSE) is the world's largest tradeshow and conference for event professionals. Attendees of TSE can meet and connect with thousands of industry notables and colleagues, while benefiting from an educational experience provided by conference sessions and training workshops taught by hand-selected speakers. The tips and techniques gathered from attending TSE are priceless, and we know our brides will agree!
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The Wedding Lunch 2011 by TSE featured celebrity wedding and event planner, Sasha Souza! Sasha put together a presentation full of her favorite things for weddings-- including the very best ideas in design, floral, food, entertainment, and much more!

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We had a fabulous time at this event, and we brought back so many fun and fabulous ideas that our brides will love! We are always going above and beyond to make all of your dreams come true on your special day!

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Here are some photos and a link to a video recap from the event...
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{enjoy!}

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Shenanigans Owner, Kristen (left),

with fellow Shenanigans planner, Patty (right),

at The Wedding Lunch.

Metallic designs and details were incorporated

all throughout the event! We anticipate

metallics to be a huge trend in 2011!

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Click here for The Special Event Wedding Lunch Recap Video

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

"WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Shenanigans Weddings and Events has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Wedding Planners in Dallas/Fort Worth!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

Shenanigans Weddings and Events stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

'WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,' said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. 'With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Shenanigans Weddings and Events for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.'

We are happy to announce that Shenanigans Weddings and Events is among the very best Wedding Planners within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.
For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com."

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We can't thank each of our lovely brides enough for making this award possible! We promise to use this award as motivation to keep providing exceptional service to create the wedding or event of your dreams!

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Please feel free to visit this link to read testimonies and view ratings from Shenanigans clients!

Money can't buy that sparkle in your eye...

...But it sure can buy sparkly things for your wedding!!

Adding some bling to any space or table scape is a beautiful and simple way to create excitement and glamour to your event... and glamour is definitely IN.

Commenting on Louis Vuitton's Spring 2011 ready-to-wear collection,

Marc Jacobs {creative director for Louis Vuitton} says,

"We were just attracted to things that shine!"

{Well, so are we.}

Here are just a few ways that we have incorporated bling, sparkle, and shine into the wedding of our beloved brides...

1. Crystal detail on a wedding gown can take any gown from bland to glam in no time! Many bridal boutiques and salons carry crystal embellished sashes that can tie around the waist of your gown to give it that extra something {special}.

2. We showered the cake table with color themed crystals and used crystal studded cake cutting utensils to elevate the presentation and table scape. It made for absolutely gorgeous pictures and captured the light beautifully!

3. Adding a broach can add luxury and vintage glamour to a bouquet in seconds. We have tons of broaches of all shapes and sizes... and if we don't have what you're looking for, we will find it for you!

4. Of course pearls are timeless and always appropriate for a wedding... but mixing some bling with your pearls is tres chic! After all, diamonds are a girl's best friend!

5. We found several elegant, antique gold trays for our bride to use for an escort card display on an 8-foot banquet table. We filled the trays with color themed crystals and positioned the escort cards in the crystals. Needless to say, this breathtaking display was the perfect way to welcome our bride's guests to the reception... and it sparkled all night long!

6. What better way to complete your perfect cake than to crown the top with a Swarovski Crystal monogram?! No flowers necessary-- as this cake topper speaks for itself and can be custom ordered in any combination of colors to coordinate perfectly with your wedding. What a beautiful keepsake for the bride and groom!

7. Remember those broaches we talked about? Here they are again! Who says a cake can't wear jewelry?! This is another easy, yet unexpected way to add glamour!

8. An exit can become a grand exit when the bride and groom are greeted with a beautiful display of sparklers! Not to mention, sparklers make for incredible pictures and they can really bring light to a dark night!

9. Of course we have seen colored shoes for brides, as it has been one of the biggest trends in the past year... but take it up a notch and add a little sparkle to your step! Don't concern yourself with what you should wear... choose a shoe that embraces your personal style. If you like to sparkle, then your wedding {and your wedding shoes} should sparkle, too!

*Contact us today to help add glamour, sparkle, and shine to your special day!*