Tipping your vendors is an expense that can be overlooked when writing the wedding budget.  Some vendors will include gratuity in their fees, so check your contracts.  Be sure to make a list of who should be offered gratuity and factor in those costs on the front end so that you’re prepared on the wedding day!

• Officiates – tips (or donations to the church or organization) may range between $100 – $250.
• Hair Stylists and Makeup Artists – gratuity should range between 15 – 20% of the total cost of service.
• Catering Staff – $50-$100 each
• Photographers and Videographers – if the service is provided by the business owner, tipping may not be expected.
• Limousine Drive – $50-$100 each

Prepare your tips ahead of time in individualized envelopes with the recipient’s name.  Give them to wedding party members to distribute accordingly.

Looking for inspiration for your something blue?  How about these creative ideas?

1. Blue shoes are a growing trend that really add a beautiful splash of color with your stunning white dress!
2. Speaking of shoes…  at the rehearsal dinner, take your white shoes and a blue Sharpie.  Ask your bridal party to sign your shoes.  Their words of encouragement will walk you down the aisle.
3. Have your groom’s initials sewn with blue thread in the back of your dress or your wedding date in the hemline.
4. Baby blue crinoline is a beautiful something blue and will also lend itself to some fantastic photo opps!
5. Blue hair accessories are also popular with brides.  Think peacock feathers, vintage hair combs with blue rhinestones, or even a blue veil.

Congratulations! You’re engaged! Possibly the first thing you thought of while you were admiring your ring was, “What kind of wedding will I have?” Perhaps you already know. Maybe you’ve envisioned a grand, traditional ceremony in the perfect shades of pink since you were five. Or, your romantic heart wants a one-of-a-kind shabby chic event at a rustic barn, accented with wildflowers and old watering pots. Maybe you and your fiancé envision a slick, modern kind of wedding with an edgy twist. Whatever your dream day looks like, selecting a theme is only the first of many decisions.

So – why pick a theme first? Because it helps organize the flow of the wedding. With direction, you can proceed with your wedding plans without taking unnecessary (and costly) detours along the way. And knowing your theme will help streamline decisions about flowers, food, the cake, even photographers! Your wedding will have a sense of purpose (beyond the obvious) and you’ll be able to concentrate on creating your dream day with the types of details that complement each other, rather than compete.

A word of caution: avoid kitschy. Stay focused on the big picture, not the little details. Balance is a key ingredient to making your theme work without being over-the-top.

Here are a few things to consider when selecting a memorable theme for your wedding:
1. Does your idea reflect BOTH of your personalities and interests?
2. Is your idea realistic for your budget (i.e., do you dream of “bling” on a dime-sized budget?)?
3. Is your idea something that everyone will “get?” If you decide on an obscure idea that no one is familiar with, it might fall flat.

You may also want to consult with a wedding planner about your ideas. While you may worry about the cost of planning services, a professional can help you stay focused on the big picture and, with their great connections, will help you find the perfect vendors to bring your theme to life!

Again, congratulations on your upcoming wedding! We want to hear all about it, so please share your big day with us by emailing info@i-do-boutique.com or join us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/i-do-Boutique.

Denise Heidel is a freelance contractor who works as a writer, editor, social media coordinator, and project manager.  An avid reader and the ultimate coffee snob, she can frequently be found with her nose in a book and cup of coffee in hand (and if a cat happens to be in her lap, all the better!)  She is happily married and lives in Cincinnati, OH.

Sony Kuhn and Irf Asif were married in a fabulous ceremony and reception at the Newport Aquarium.  The shot above was taken in front of the shark tank – yes, those are REAL sharks!  My second favorite Aquarium exhibit is the Jellyfish Gallery as seen in the photo below.  Mark and Jennifer Garber of Mark Garber Photography are true masters of color.

Look at the contrast of the red background against Sony’s dress!  This shot belongs in a magazine!

Here’s another where the blue dress worn by Sony’s sister, Natalie, is just striking against the Roebling bridge.

As you might have guessed, shades of blue dominated the color palette of this wedding.  Kevin Ford of Ford Ellington Florist chose the perfect arrangements to evoke a mood of elegance and sophistication.

The callas were also found in Sony’s bouquet pictured below.

Poeme created the aquatic themed place cards below that designated the meal choice of each guest.  An octopus = beef, a sea horse = vegetarian and a sea turtle = chicken.   How cute is that?!

I have been so impressed with the beautiful designs being created at the Bonbonerie this wedding season.  Sony & Irf’s Bonbonerie cake reminds me of fine antique china – just gorgeous and absolutely delicious!

Check out the appetizer course – like the cake, it was almost too pretty to eat!

Speaking of delicious and beautiful things, Karyn Zimmerman of Chocolate Passion created a spectacular display of chocolates and desserts for the guests.  Her espresso and coffee flavored chocolate bark was a big hit!

Thanks to Goodwin Lighting services for providing the amazing moving water images on the dance floor.  It really felt like the dance floor was under water – a bit confusing for some of the guests by the end of the night!  You can see this moving water effect a lot better on the coming attraction video posted at the end of this post.  A big thank you to the extremely talented team at Studio Z Films for making all the details of this day come to life!

My favorite photo of the night was taken outside using sparklers and the stunning Cincinnati skyline as a back drop.  The bridal party members were great sports- it took a few attempts with the sparklers to get this just right.

Everything about this wedding was unique, creative and fun thanks to Maggie Kuhn, the mother of the bride.  Like so many mothers of out of town brides, Maggie was our main contact throughout the planning of this event.  We want to thank the Kuhn and Asif families for allowing us to be a part of Sony & Irf’s special day.  We’d also like to thank all the premier vendors mentioned above in addition to Say Cheese Photobooth, Kelly Ledford @ CinciMakeup, Liz Carter Hair Styling, Greg Lee Music,  All Occasions Event Rental and of course, Brent Baker and the wonderful staff at the Newport Aquarium.

And now for the video, enjoy!

The i-do Boutique will be closed Friday, July 1 through Tuesday, July 5th.  We will re-open on Wednesday, July 6th at 11am.  Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

The Grand Staircase in the Grand Hall of Buckingham Palace

Today I was interviewed by Sheila Gray for the Fox 19 morning news.  I want to thank Ileana Saldivia of Sugar Realm Fine Bakery & Cake Design for providing her beautiful “Dreams of Opulence” cake http://www.sugarrealm.com/.  Sheila and I discussed ceremony and reception sites similar to those being used for the royal wedding tomorrow.

For those of you who missed the segment, here are some local reception venues that have an English manor house feel.

Laurel Court is located in College Hill.  It was built in 1902-1907 as the home of Peter G. Thomson, founder of Champion Paper.   The Beaux-arts design resembles the Petit Trianon, the home of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette in Versailles France.  Complementing the property are French Château-style cottages, a French country-style carriage house, and expansive gardens.  For more information, visit http://www.laurelcourt.com/

Peterloon was designed by Delano & Aldrich, the leading country-house architectural firm in the United States, and took over two years to build.  The house is a combination of Georgian and Queen Anne styles and when finished had 36 rooms, 19 fireplaces, 21 baths, and included a wing of guest rooms. Originally sited on 1,200 wooded acres in Indian Hill, the house was built to rival the grandest houses of America and Europe.  For more information about a wedding at Peterloon, visit: http://www.peterloon.org/weddings/

Greenacres Arts Center in Indian Hill is a fully restored English Norman style manor house.  The grounds include formal gardens with fountains, a cascading fountain and moat and a completely modernized house with wireless internet as well as electronic presentation and audio capabilities in every room.  See their website for more details: http://www.green-acres.org/

If you are looking for a great place for a rehearsal dinner or smaller wedding, the Widemann Hill Mansion is a wonderful choice.  The Mansion was built in 1894 by Charles Wiedemann, heir to the George Wiedemann Brewery.   They specialize in small intimate weddings and can accommodate 60 guests for formal seated and buffet dinners or up to 70 guests for cocktails and appetizers.  More information available at: http://www.whillmansion.com/Welcome.html

A personal favorite of mine is The Clifton House.  It’s a classical revival manor home built in 1900 by Cincinnati financier Henry Morgenthaler in the unique neighborhood of Gaslight Clifton.  I love the 50 foot wrap-around porch, and owner Nancy Niehaus makes every bride feel special.  In addition to being a charming and intimate venue, the Clifton House is a place where the entire party can stay together for dressing, photography and fun!   Learn more at: http://www.thecliftonhouse.com/

French House is the focal point of the 275-acre French Park.  French House was built in the early 1900’s. The two-story brick house offers many adjacent rooms and outdoor terraces, surrounded by gardens and meadows in the center of French Park.  Its old-world charm provides the perfect ambiance for a wedding.   Visit French House at: http://www.premierparkevents.com/#12

And last but not least, the Glendale Lyceum.  Built in 1892, this social club has the charm of an older home with a ballroom that’s perfect for weddings.  Check it out at: http://www.glendalelyceum.com/

With the big day less than 2 weeks away, royal wedding watchers are starting the final countdown to April 29. I expect some brides who get engaged in the coming weeks and months may be influenced by the details of that day. Trends that come from royal weddings tend to be around for a long time. In 1981, Princess Diana walked down the aisle to Trumpet Voluntary by Jeremiah Clarke -also known as The Prince of Denmark’s March. (A voluntary is an instrumental piece usually for organ, written for use during the entrance or exit of the congregation.) This piece has replaced Here Comes the Bride in 90% of our weddings. I’d say a trend that has lasted 30 years is pretty significant.

If you are getting married in Cincinnati, there are some beautiful ceremony venues that are similar in style to Westminster Abbey (shown above) – the church being used for the upcoming Royal Wedding. Westminster Abbey was founded circa 960 AD by 12 Benedictine monks. Five locations to consider for Cincinnati weddings are Saint Xavier Church, Saint Francis de Sales, St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Plum Street Temple and Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church.

St. Xavier Church

Photos courtesy of TM Photography.

You’ll notice that the floor of Saint Xavier is a very close match to the floor of Westminster Abbey.

St. Francis de Sales

St. Francis de Sales opened in 1849 in East Walnut Hills.  It is known for having the largest free swinging church bell ever poured in the United States.

St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption

Photos courtesy of Steve Lyons Photography.

Built between 1894-1915, the cathedral is watched over by 26 gargoyles that were carved in Italy.

Plum Street Temple

Photo by Essenza Studio.

Jewish weddings have been happening at this National Historic Landmark since 1865.

Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church

Photo courtesy of Mark Garber Photography.

Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church is a beautiful option for Christian weddings.  It is famous for its organ – a French-built “Casavant” that reproduces the sounds of a whole symphony orchestra.

All of these venues are open to performing weddings for non-members.  For more information on ceremony venues, reception venues and the best vendors in town, stop by the i-do Boutique!

Every now and then I work with a couple who makes me feel like all is right with the universe.  When I first met Denise and Jens, it was so obvious that they had to be together.  It is not just the undeniable love they have for one another – it is the way they make others feel.  You cannot stop yourself from smiling and feeling happier when you are around these two incredibly sweet, kind and charming people.  Their love is absolutely contagious.

They met as co-workers at Children’s Hospital, became great friends and made a lifetime commitment to one another last Saturday at the Bell Event Centre.  Their wedding was filled with special touches.  Both of their mothers are from Germany, so nationally known soprano, Mary Elizabeth Southworth from Fairfield Artists, sang the Ave Maria in German.  We had two beautiful memorial candles made for their fathers displayed next to wedding photographs of their parents.  Kristen from Poeme made her signature table number guest books where guests could write good wishes for Denise & Jens.  Even the rehearsal dinner at Daveed’s in Mt Adams had a special menu to honor their heritage and love of travel.

Denise & Jens will be leaving for Germany in a few days to celebrate with those who were not able to travel.  After that they will bask in the warm sun and beautiful beaches of Anguilla thanks to the expert travel help they received from Sue Cruise at Marco Polo Travel.

Everyone on the vendor team felt so privileged to be a part of this wedding.  The rest of the “dream team” included Angela & Denise @ Essenza Studio, Airwave Band, Joni from Sprouts Floral Design, Poetic Cinema, A Spoon Fulla Sugar, High Five Salon, Brideface, Goodwin Lighting and Folchis for the formalwear.

All of us will miss working with you Denise & Jens!  We wish you all the best!

The i-do Boutique will have amended hours during our spring break holiday from April 5-April 12th.

Tuesday, April 5th 12-3:30pm

Wednesday, April 6th  12-3:30pm

Thursday, April 7th  1:30-3:30

Friday, April 8th 10:00am-3:30pm

Saturday, April 9th  10:00am-5:00pm

Tuesday, April 12th 12:30-7:00pm

Wednesday, April 13th Regular boutique hours resume

Thursday, March 10th
6:00-9:30pm
at Uncorked in O’Bryonville

Spend an evening with Cincinnati’s premier wedding vendors!  Join us this Thursday for wine and craft beer tastings along with fabulous food, fun and prizes.  Our experts will be on hand to give their best wedding advice and guidance.  Discussion panel topics include:

“Eat, Drink & Be Merry”

Trends and Tips for designing your wedding from the photography, flowers/decor & food to the last piece of cake.

“Sticky Situations”

Do you wonder how to word your invitations? Is a tricky family situation causing concern?  Let the experts help you through it.

“An Ounce of Prevention”

Planning advice that will ensure a disaster-free wedding day while you feel like a guest at your own wedding.

Register online at www.cincyartofentertaining.com

or call 513-871-5170

Only $10 in advance, $15 at the door

Presented by the

i-do Boutique and

Uncorked @ The Art of Entertaining

Here’s a sample of the menu from our last event:

-5 different wines, 45 beers

-Marinated New York Strip Steak Pizza with Roasted Red Pepper, Red Onion & Gorgonzola

-Grilled Pizza with Tomato, Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese

-Spinach Salad with Pecans, Cherries, & Citrus Vinaigrette

-Marinated Flank Steak with Chimichurri, Tomato & Jalapeño Salsa

-Seafood Risotto with Shrimp & Scallops

-German Chocolate Cake w/ Brandied Cherries, Caramelized Apples,

Whipped Cream and Chocolate Ganache