Were you a good girl this year?

Well it's that time of year again, and no, I am not talking about the Holidays.  I am talking about engagement season!  Between Thanksgivning and New Years is the time that a third of engagements happen.  Perhaps it is a great time for families to share in the glory of love, or perhaps it's an opportunity to kill two birds with one - ahem - "stone."  Either way, that means that January becomes the beginning of wedding planning.  You'll see the Bridal Shows begin to pop up everywhere.  (I guess now would be the appropriate time to remind you all of the Bridal Forum that happens the first Sunday of January here at the Sheraton West Des Moines.  It's put on by Your Wedding Iowa, and it is not to be missed. http://www.yourweddingiowa.com/iowa-brides-plan-at-bridal-forum.php ) You'll see those bridal magazines flying off of the shelves and hours spent on The Knot.com.  And of course let's not forget the subtle commercial reminders that jewelers give to those guys during the football games - classic! 

I know a lot of women (yes, some of them are my friends) who are hoping that Santa turns her piece of coal into a big fat diamond this year, and for thier guy's sake, I hope thier right.  My advice to those ladies who are crossing fingers and toes for a holiday engagement would be to say it out right - that is if you haven't already made it obvious (you know who you are).  Be honest, but not pushy.  Your guy knows when it's right.  So I leave you with wishes of a happy holiday season - may you get all that you asked for!

Las Vegas - not just for drive-thu weddings

I recently got back from Las Vegas, and it got me thinking about how many people get married in Vegas each year.  The answer - 120,000 marriage certificates are granted each year.  Now I can't say how many of those are legitimately from A Little White Wedding Chapel or the dozen other wedding on the fly kind of venues, but to put it in perspective, that is less than the entire state of Illinois - including all of Chicago.  I saw more than one bride in a white gown walking down the strip.  Yep, right there among the drink-in-hand tourists with dollar signs in their eyes.  But this is not the point that I want to make.  In fact it's quite the opposite.

There are the most amazing hotels with the most amazing places to hold a reception, not to mention that the caliber of culinary geniuses that would be creating your food and drink is bar none.  I think that Las Vegas gets a bad rap on weddings because of the old school thinking and the easy humor that Hollywood  creates with these Vegas weddings.  I mean, I dint think anyone thinks that the Hangover wedding was a classy affair, but it absolutely can be.  These incredible dare I even say hotels have the most modern and up to date facilities and hotel rooms.  Intimate ceremony sites and brilliantly unique reception places.  What I most love about having a wedding in Las Vegas is that your guests can actually have a good time during the time that their not at your reception.  Traveling for a wedding is so often a pain in the you know what, but why cant we make a little weekend of it.  Weddings are about good times and celebration with your friends and family.  The view is really a bonus!

Take a deep breath

There are so many important aspects of planning that go into a wedding - venue, church, flowers, transportation, photographer, DJ/band, dress. tux, favors, decor, invitations, save-the-dates, room blocks, cake, food, drinks....I could go on.  I think they all individually can be daughting to think about, but that is the great thing about the wedding, they are not alone on an indivual basis.  They all come together to a magical concoction of you.  I work with many brides that begin to get overwhelmed at the invitation font or the particular shade of periwinkle, things that in reality, are not worth the stress.  As a wedding coordinator, my job is to releive some of that stress that you brides feel.  You should remember that we, your vendors, are here to help you through these decisions.  One thing to keep in mind through the whole planning process is that this is supposed to be FUN!  And at the end, you are marrying the man you love.  If you keep things in perspective and don't let the little things bother you, (beleive me, the type of font will not change anyone's opinion of your big day) you will enjoy not only the wedding day, but the whole process.  And when things do get heavy and you need a break, just take a deep breath (OK maybe a nice yoga session or a good run will do the trick too).

Miley sure has a reason to be SMILEY!

If you dont know already, Ms. Hannah Montana herself is getting hitched!  The superstar has been with her beau, Liam Helmworth, since thier 2009 filming of Nicholas Spark's The Last Song.  The love birds have not disclosed a date for the nuptuals, but take a look at the rock!  Love the antique gold - not something you seen a whole lot of anymore.  And I also can't help mentioning how awesome Miley has been looking lately (minus of course the MTV Awards pantless suit).  :)

Beatles Themed Wedding

I guess it's true - all we really do need is love.  My boyfriend is a HUGE Beatles fan, and he would totally be into this.  We even flew to Vegas to see Sir Paul McCartney in concert.  BTW - that man is incredible.  Even at his not-so-young age, he rocked it for almost 2 hours without a break.  That being said, you may initially think that a Beatles themed wedding would be overly animated and a bit too loud.  I was in that same thought - before I saw these photos.  From the invites, to the ceremony decor, to the Beatles cover band, the wedding screams Brit Rock, and I love it!  Of course this type of nuptial isn't for everyone, but what it really tells me is how important it is to incorporate your personalities into the event.  Don't just do what you think you are supposed to do because you think that is what is expected.  After all, your guests know and love who you are.  That is why they are there in the first place.  As the Doctor Seuss says, "Be who you are and say what feel because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."

Click the link to check out the Beatles Themed Wedding from Bridal Guide magazine.

http://www.bridalguide.com/blogs/bridal-buzz/beatles-wedding-theme

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue - this is a traditional American good luck tradition. Check out some of the international traditions!

• Tuck a sugar cube into your glove -- according to Greek culture, the sugar will sweeten your union.


• The English believe a spider found in a wedding dress means good luck. Yikes!


• For good luck, Egyptian women pinch the bride on her wedding day. Ouch!


• Middle Eastern brides paint henna on their hands and feet to protect themselves from the evil eye.


• Peas are thrown at Czech newlyweds instead of rice.


• A Swedish bride puts a silver coin from her father and a gold coin from her mother in each shoe to ensure that she'll never do without.


• In Holland, a pine tree is planted outside the newlyweds' home as a symbol of fertility and luck.


• In Asia, wearing robes with embroidered cranes symbolizes fidelity for the length of a marriage.


• In many cultures around the world -- including Celtic, Hindu and Egyptian weddings -- the hands of a bride and groom are literally tied together to demonstrate the couple's commitment to each other and their new bond as a married couple (giving us the popular phrase "tying the knot").

Whatever your tradition may be, it's always good luck when you get married at the Sheraton West Des Moines!

2012 Wedding Slots

I'm so lucky that I work for such a beautiful property to have your wedding at, but at the same time, I hate that because of that beauty, our availabilty for 2012 weddings is becoming smaller and smaller :( Here are the dates that we have availbility for Saturday wedding receptions for 150 -300 guests:





May 5, 19, 26
June 2, 30
July 7
August 18
Sept 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Oct 6, 13, 20

Please let me know if you are interested in any of these dates. NOTE: Wedding receptions less than 150? We have a few additional dates not on this list.

Cheers!