Beware of Candles in the center aisle

Ok, so this is a bit of a rant but there seems to be a new trend to have candles and flowers on the floor on either side of the center aisle. Based on what I’ve observed recently, even though it looks very pretty—it’s not a good idea.

At several weddings I’ve seen guests trip over and break the candle holders. This past weekend the mother of the bride sat down on her chair on the aisle and her dress fell onto the candle. I was able to pull the dress away before it caught fire. Then the flower girl, after walking down the aisle, went to sit down and her dress just floated over the top of the candle as she went to sit down. Fortunately the dress did not catch on fire.

I’ve seen glass vases filled with water and a candle floating on top accidently kicked and broken and the water completely soaked the aisle cloth. It had to be removed before the wedding.

At another wedding there were candles lining a staircase and as one of the groomsmen walked down the stairs, he kicked the candle with his foot, sending it flying into the air.

At a black tie wedding a couple of years ago there were pedestals with tall vases filled with flower lining the center aisle. One of the ushers bumped in to the pedestal and the vase, full of water fell on to the lap of a guest. She was soaking wet.

So, please, please if you are concerned about safety and preventing something serious, consider the risks of candles and vases on the floor on the center aisle.

What will the Officant really say

Almost every bride and groom I meet with tells me a horror story about attending a wedding where an Officiant/Minister/Rabbi/Priest started making off-the-wall comments that were embarrassing to everyone present. Recently a couple told me that after looking at another local Officiant’s website they ruled him out because based on how he describe himself, they were scared he would turn their ceremony into an opportunity for him to perform.

My conclusion is that all couples have fears about what their Officiant is really going to say during their wedding. That is perfectly understandable because they have opportunities to taste the food their caterer will prepare, hear the music played by their DJ or musicians, see photos taken by their photographer and see how their hair stylist will do the bride’s hair for her wedding. How will they know exactly what I will say during their wedding?

I am not alone in doing this, but the way I address this fear is by asking every couple to select from my planning booklet exactly what they want said in their wedding. At times they have very specific things they want said, for instance that the wedding is taking place where they met or in one instance a couple who loved animals changed a line in a prayer that said, “may they always welcome friends and strangers into their home,” to “may they always welcome friends and strange animals into their home.”

Based on what they select from my planning booklet I provide them with a draft of the ceremony that we review and edit until I get it just the way they want it. I offer advice or suggestions based on my experience but in the end the ceremony is completely personalized and uniquely theirs. Then at their ceremony, I stick with the script.

My hope is that this process helps calm the fears of the bride and groom so that they can, as much as possible, relax and fully enjoy and engage in their ceremony.

Bride's Choice Award for 2012

I have been awarded the WeddingWire Bride's Choice Award for 2012. This means we are in the top 5% of Wedding Pros nationwide! The WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards™ recognizes the top local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the organization, the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ are determined solely by the reviews from over 1.2 million newlyweds.

Charmagne and Ross Sutherlin

Charmagne and Ross were married on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at the Hard Rock Hotel on Michigan Avenue. Miller and Miller posted photos of the wedding on their website, check them out

Style Me Pretty featured a wedding I conducted at Trees Studio

I conducted Ariele and Nick wedding at The Ivy Room at Tress Studios on Saturday, May 7. Amanda Hein photos are featured on Style Me Pretty.

Venue for a small Wedding

Perennial located at 1800 North Lincoln Avenue was the venue for Catherine and Jerry's wedding last night at 6:00. It was a small wedding with less than 30 guests and the room provided by Perennial was perfect and felt very intimate.

Contact their special events and catering department at 1633 North Halsted Street, Chicago IL 60614, 312.640.0640, email, info@bokagrp.com.

Amy and Dan's Wedding

Amy and Dan were married at the Hyatt at the MacDonald's campus in Oak Brook. I was invited by there photographer Hilda Burke to become a friend and then I noticed on her blog that she had photos of the wedding and of me.

Thank you Hilda for inviting me to be your friend and also for posting some of your wonderful photos.