Swarovski Cake Topper

I am now taking orders for your own custom swarovski cake toppers. I have received many inquiries from brides and now I am available to create them for the bride who is just too busy or doesn't want to pay an arm and a leg for one. I use the very best swarovski crystals which photograph amazingly well. Just send me an email with your letter and the color or colors you would like and that is it. I will send you an invoice and start immediately on your cake topper. The price is only $46.

Now Offering "Day-Of" & Hourly Coordination

Hi my lovely brides, I am back and only offering "Day-Of" Coordination and Hourly Coordination services in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana. I know many are thinking they can handle it all on their own and I know you can but why stress over something that can be handled by someone else. I want you to relax and enjoy your day. It goes by so fast and you should not be worrying about setting up wedding favors or place cards.

Our "Chic Couture" Day-Of Coordination package includes:
-Complimentary Consultation
-Unlimited Communication by phone and/or email the month of wedding
-Planning meeting to conceptualize details of the event
-Attendance at all required final meetings with vendors
-Distribution of final itinerary to vendors the week of the wedding
-Rehearsal coordination and instruction 1.5 hrs max
-Collection of items at rehearsal to be brought and set-up on wedding day such as: candles, photographs, guest book, wedding favors, toasting glasses, cake serving set, ceremony programs, place cards, table numbers, etc.
-Day-of wedding coordination arriving 2 hours before scheduled event time (unlimited wedding day coverage)
-Distribute final payments

Email us at coutureengagement@gmail.com for availability and pricing. 

When Hiring a Day of Wedding Coordinator

A lot of brides are finding it necessary to hire a Day of Coordinator (DOC) for their wedding day. And rightfully so. I get a ton of last-minute inquiries, requests, and downright begging from brides every month. It's due to the fact that most ladies don't realize how much goes into setting up for that day and once they are in the throws of putting together their timelines and To-Do lists they wonder who in the world is going to do all of this and do it on time and do it well. Mom can't do it...she'll be too busy. A bridesmaid or two?...no, they'll be getting hair done and hanging out with the bride. An aunt or cousin?...maybe, but will they really do it how you envision? That's where the frantic email or phone call comes in to me.

But there are also tips in hiring someone like me to do this for you. I am your go-to gal that day for your set-up of both ceremony and reception sites. And more than likely your go-to gal for YOU that day as well. But I'm a one-woman show in most cases and sometimes brides forget that I can't be in two places at once. I can't be sitting in a room with them helping her dress, take care of any mending or re-pinning of hair-do's, or removing stains at the same time I'm supposed to be downstairs scattering rose petals, tieing chair ties, lighting candles, etc.

For those of you that still have time before your wedding, here are some real things to take into consideration when you have a DOC:

1. DO have a timeline of the day for your DOC
2. DON'T call your DOC at 7am the day of the wedding to ask if she knows where your shoes are. She doesn't know. She's more than likely never seen your shoes and certainly has no idea where they would be.
3. DO inform all your vendors that you have a DOC that day that will be following up on set-up, etc.
4. DON'T tell all your vendors that you have a WEDDING PLANNER that took care of everything. They are two different things and unless you hired a WEDDING PLANNER to plan your event, odds are your DOC is going to know only the details you shared with her. And as many questions as DOC's ask of you prior to the day, there are still likely things we don't know. But if you tell your vendors that we know EVERYTHING, we look like asses when we don't. Please share.
5. DO give your DOC a detailed To-Do list for setup of each venue. Your DOC didn't plan your wedding, you did. We need as much detail as possible to make it what you envisioned for months. Simply telling your DOC that everything is in the boxes is probably not enough.
6. DON'T assume your DOC is going to make financial decisions for you. It is not your DOC's responsibility to pay vendors their final payment, tell the caterer it's ok to make 20 more meals b/c extra people showed up, etc. When we ask for a day-of contact for financial purposes, this is why.
7. DO make sure you like your DOC, trust your DOC, get along with your DOC. If you don't it's not an ideal match for your perfect day.
8. DON'T question your DOC time and time again. If you ask us a question we are going to give you an honest answer based on our experience. We're not kidding. You hired your DOC for a reason, let her do her job.
9. DO let yourself relax and have fun. Again, you hired a DOC for a reason. If you can't relax and let it go, you shouldn't have hired one. You're just making unnecessary work for yourself.
10. DON'T tell your friends & family that your DOC is a "friend" or "cousin of a friend" that is just helping you out...unless you've informed your DOC of this first. We'll put on a show if we know about it, but if we don't and someone asks who we are, we're probably going to tell them that we are your DOC for the day.

Article from: talesofaweddingplanner

1st Birthday Celebration

I had a blast planning my son's 1st birthday celebration which was held at GymRompers on South Claiborne. I started planning many months in advance and was going to book City Park for the venue and I am so happy I did not with these record temperatures, I think I would have passed out from the heat. Sesame Beginnnings was his theme. The menu consisted of a nuggets platter from Chick-fil-a (the kids loved them), finger sandwhiches, shrimp fried rice, fruit tray and of course yummy cake for dessert from Chez Rurene on Jefferson Hwy. I had water bottle and favor labels made from Etsy. I bought Cotton Candy and also had Goldfish for Elmo's friend Dorothy. Cold Stone Creamery also came out to cater the party. Everyone loved it!!! His favor sand pails consisted of bubbles, stickers, animal crackers, sunglasses, activity book, crayons, juice boxes, playdoh and candy. The kids couldn't wait to go through them. I think everything came out amazing and I am looking forward to planning another birthday party hopefully in the very near future :)

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY!!!

I want to wish a happy birthday to my son who turns 1 today!!! We love you so much :)

Blast from the Past

I wanted to share with you a wedding I photographed in St. Martinville, LA on New Years Day 2010. It was so beautiful and Shalanda and Jeremy were just amazing!!!