A little piece of planner advice

5 tips on what to do after you get engaged

tiffany.richardson@lavishcreationsbytiffany.com (tiffany ) — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 17:02:03 GMT

Congratulations to you friend!

Congratulations on your engagement! Here are five tips to help you get started on your wedding planning journey:

Make a wedding budget and timeline. This will help you plan and prioritize what’s important for your wedding day.
Start researching venues and vendors. Make sure to do your due diligence and ask around for recommendations.
Create a wedding website. This is a great way to keep your guests informed and up-to-date on wedding details.
Find a wedding planner. Having a professional to help you with the details will make your wedding planning process much smoother.
Celebrate! Don't forget to take a moment to celebrate with your partner and enjoy this special time!

Last but not least don't forget to book a consultation with us!

3 Ideas for an Eco-Friendly/Sustainable Wedding

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 16:45:25 GMT

Lets go green!!

In 2020, it is anticipated that many couples will be identifying sustainable wedding options. There are many simple ways that couples can support the environment in the choices they make for their big day.

Wedding Stationery

Think about it...from save-the-dates, to invitations, to menus. That’s a lot of paper being used for one event. However, there are many options (besides the traditional cardstock) when it comes to your stationery. While using a recycled paper option seems like the most eco-positive choice, store-bought type, recycled paper often undergoes several processes and treatments that may harm the environment.

Here are a few options to consider:

Send invites through email - there are several websites that provide beautiful templates; such as, Evite, Greenvelope, Punchbowl, and Paperless Post.
Create a website -- The Knot and With Joy host all your wedding info for easy reference. Your guests even have the capability to ask you questions and RSVP directly on your website.
Post-Consumer Paper wedding invitations - if you’d like to stick to the traditional paper invite, post-consumer paper is a great eco-friendly option.
Plantable invites are embedded with flower or vegetable seeds, allowing your guests to plant them. This is an amazing way to help the environment and leave a lasting impact with YOUR wedding invitation. Imagine your guests being able to give flowers from your invitation or having a get-together with friends of vegetables harvested from your invitations.

Encourage your guests to carpool

This will help cut down the carbon emissions of your wedding by suggesting guests carpool together. Plus, this will allow your guests to enjoy their time together even more because of your big day.

Eco-friendly wedding gifts

Especially for couples that aren’t in need of gifts, encouraging donations in your name for foundations that help the environment; such as planting trees, is a great option to support your eco-friendly wedding!

Self Care Bride Day

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 10:59:27 GMT

Take care of you!

Coronavirus has definitely given a new meaning to self-care! Today we're Talking about stress management, maybe like homemade face masks, meditation, tips and tricks on how to relax as the big day gets closer. While I'm sure some of you have had to cancel or reschedule for a later date due to this pandemic so this post is absolutely for you!

Planning a wedding can be stressful and overwhelming at times (even with the help of a planner!) You’re so excited to marry the love of your life but you can’t help but feel overwhelmed with emotions as it gets closer to your celebration.

I recommend to my brides (and grooms!) to take a self-care day. It’s important to take a day to relax, clear your mind, and focus on something else besides your upcoming wedding.

Here are a few ideas for your Self-Care Bride Day:

Take one morning or afternoon for yourself - no cleaning, no cooking - only movies, blankets, and the couch!
Take a walk at the park, put your phone on “Do Not Disturb” and enjoy the fresh air
Plan a date to catch up with some friends - one rule, no talk about the wedding!
Have an at-home spa day! Here is a list of 13 homemade facial masks to get you inspired - grab your favorite bottle of wine, slip on the slippers and robe, and r-e-l-a-x!

If you’re having trouble relaxing and focusing on something else besides your celebration, here are 20 tips for meditating that may help ease your mind.

Comment below and let us know if these tips helped you relax in the midst of everything that is going on right now in the world!

Tiffany Richardson is a DC Wedding Planner serving Washington D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia!

2020 Wedding Trends

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 14:55:46 GMT

Want to have the most stylish wedding this year?

Today on the blog we're going to be chatting about the newest and latest wedding trends in the industry.

Colors

This year, expect to see many couples choosing to have pops of color incorporated into their wedding. Some popular colors for 2020 are neo mint, cassis, an earthy yellow, and faded denim. These colors will most likely be seen often in bridesmaid dresses, floral arrangements, or decor.

Veil Alternatives

While veils are going to remain a traditional hair accessory, in 2020, you’ll see brides choose other options such as barrettes, combs, and hair clips.

Edible Florals

This year in baking, edible florals make for a unique way to add something special to the couple’s cake. Outside of incorporating edible florals into or upon the cake, you may see these frozen in ice cubes, tossed in salad, or on top of the desert. This is just another way to incorporate your choice of floral into the celebration.

Micro Weddings

Gone are the days of couples only throwing a big celebration with their friends and family. Many couples are planning micro weddings with groups of 50 people or less. This intimate wedding helps ensure the couple has time to meet with the guests and is a less expensive option when it comes to food, venue, and seating.

Self-Serve Refreshments

This is a great option for those that want to ensure your guests have plenty to eat and drink during the big day. Many couples are choosing to allow guests to make their own drinks or provide a self serve refreshment option; such as, doughnuts or popcorn.

Winter Wedding Planning

Wed, 28 Nov 2018 18:29:18 GMT

My Top Tips to stay motivated while planning your spring wedding in the winter months.

The dreary winter months are a fantastic time to cozy up by the fire with hot cocoa and a good book, but probably not the best time to stay motivated for that spring wedding you have been waiting for!

Spring weddings are a blessing and a curse. The blessings bring gorgeous flowers, sunshine, and fresh air! While the curses include early morning workouts in the pitch dark, tempting cookies and treats at every corner of your home, and cozy sweaters that can easily hide the dreaded holiday weight gain! However, you can stay motivated and fit through the holidays for your spring dream wedding, while also enjoying yourself and time with family and friends.

Here are my top tips and tricks when trying to stay on track for your spring wedding during the cold months of winter!

Early Bird Gets the Worm

Start this journey early! Do not stress yourself out by trying to lose 15 lbs. the week before your big day! Especially going into the holiday season, you want to be able to take your time and make mistakes, while still moving towards your fitness and health goals for your big! Start this lifestyle change as early as possible! This will give you more time to learn along the way and have a few cookie slip-ups because come on, it’s the holidays!

Heat your home!

If you have an early morning workout regime, set your thermostat on a timer, so when your alarm goes off in the morning your house will already be nice and toasty! This will help you get out of bed and ditch the habit of staying under the warm covers for an extra 30 minutes hiding from the cold, outside world!

Out of sight. Out of mind.

Keep cookies, pastries, chips, and treats out of your direct line of vision. Don’t put your favorite cheesecake you bought for your aunt’s this weekend on the middle shelf of your fridge right at eye level! That will only make you crave and want these foods more! Keep them at the back of a pantry or even in a special drawer you never open. The less you allow yourself to be constantly tempted by these sweet treats, the better!

Set Mini Goals

Don’t wake up tomorrow and say, “Okay, I need to drop 30 lbs.” That is so overwhelming and it can seem even unattainable at times! Instead, start slow and steady with mini goals. Make a goal to lose 3 lbs, then 4 lbs, possibly make a mini goal each week to lose 1 lb per week! Mini goals could also be to do yoga three times this week or eat a green vegetable every night for dinner. This will help you mentally stay motivated, as well as you will feel proud of yourself each time you hit a mini goal along your health journey!

Schedule your Treats

If you know there is a Christmas party this Friday for the office, maybe try to not eat so much sugar that week. Or maybe try to move an extra 30 minutes Monday-Friday. Scheduling your treats will help you not be caught off guard in cookie chaos, but also it will allow you to enjoy your special nights because you prepared for them and you are able to reward yourself for the hard work you did the week leading up to it!

Living Room Gym

No one ever said you had to go to the gym to lose weight! You can find tons of workouts online for free that will really get your heart pumping and your body sweating! If you just cannot face the cold winter air in the morning, establish a gym area in your own home! This can also be a great tool for people who want to save money by not purchasing a gym membership or for people who need to workout at crazy/differing times of the day to fit it into their schedules! Sadly, this tip leaves no room for excusing though;)

Let Others know your Goals and Intentions

Instead of grandma giving you cookies each year around the holidays, maybe instead she can make a fruit arrangement for you! Or create a super yummy, but healthy alternative to your favorite Christmas bread or cookie! By letting others know your goals and intentions, it will not only help keep you accountable but hopefully, others will try to support your on your spring wedding goals throughout the holiday season!

Go easy on yourself

In the end, your wedding will be a success and you will be a gorgeous, loved bride no matter if you lose the 20 lbs you intended to drop or not! Remember that your wedding is so much more than the number on your scale! You are beautiful now and you will be beautiful on your big day! Enjoy the holidays, try to make healthy changes where you can, work hard to stay consistent, but also have fun and enjoy the winter time with family members and friends…. and of course, once in a while, eat a cookie or three:)

Comment below and let me know if these tips helped prepare you for your special day throughout the holidays!

DC Wedding Planner | Who should I hire first when planning my wedding?

Wed, 03 Oct 2018 10:51:19 GMT

How much do wedding planners cost and why?

Hey There! Congrats on your engagement! I want to be the first to say welcome to my little piece of the earth and today i'm hoping to give you the answers you've been searching for.

So you're newly engaged but your fired up and ready to start planning your dream wedding, right? We'll let me tell ya, I get so excited about newly engaged brides because you're excited. You have so many ideas, thoughts, and dreams which I love helping you with. You're full of hope and promise but you're scared to take that leap and hire you're first wedding vendor whom you've never met, right? Well i'm here to help and to show you why hiring a wedding planner should be your first hire!

How much does a wedding planner cost?

So what is the first thing you think about when you hear wedding planner? How much is it going to cost right? Well I have a few questions of my own. 1. What else do you have going on in your life besides planning a wedding, are you in the middle of moving, starting a new job, or in school? If you answered yes to any one of these questions then you're probably a busy person with not a lot of times on their hands. Which is why you came to my website, because you know you need a planner because you simply dont' have the time.

My job as a wedding planner is to ensure that my client's have an amazing client experience and smooth planning process while planning their wedding. Wedding planning is nor one size fits all which is why most planners have what's called a starting price. However, all of our packages and pricing can be customized towards our client's needs. Wedding planner costs also differ based on the planner’s level of expertise, among many other factors, as more experienced pros typically come with a higher price tag (and with that comes top-tier service!). Our pricing is also listed on our services pages.

What am I paying for?

This question honestly depends on what service is need whether it is Month of Coordination, Partial Planning, or Full Planning. All services require different duties for a wedding planner. I'm going to list some general basics of what goes in to planning your wedding with a planner.

Correspondence: More than 30 percent of time is spent communicating with you and your vendors via email and phone.
Venue and vendor selection: We've taken the time to build meaningful relationship with handpicked vendors that can help bring your wedding vision to life. We also schedule and attend vendor meetings as well.
Organization: A big part of wedding planning is... paperwork? We go over and make sure that all of your budgets, contracts, timelines, etc. are properly organized and easily accessible if needed.
Wedding prep: There are lots of seemingly small tasks that go into creating your perfect day both before and on the day-of from creating a wedding-day timeline, assembling invitations, setting up your favor display, assisting with your seating chart, and much more.
Day-of coordination: We will arrive long before your ceremony begins and stay until the last vendor leaves, making sure that everything runs on-time and smoothly from behind-the-scenes and any issues are handled quickly and quietly so that you and your new spouse can enjoy the day, stress-free!
Post-wedding tasks: There will likely be several important tasks to handle after the wedding, from ensuring clean-up and breakdown occur properly to returning rental items and making sure vendors receive their tips.

We are always team bride!

Being a wedding planner requires a lot of logistics and attention to detail in order for us to be able to serve our clients well. Which is why things like reviews and tip are much appreciated, it helps us to know we've served you right! So the next time you're interviewing a planner or any vendor for that matter the first thing should be how much do you charge but it should simply be I need the help of a planner for m wedding, how can you help?

Well, newly engaged brides this wraps up my blog! I hope you were able to gain the information you needed and if you did don't forget to comment below and share it with a friend. Until next time keep being in love!

Tiffany Richardson is a DC Wedding Planner serving Washington D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia!

DC Wedding Planner | Hustle harder or learn to be humble!

Fri, 28 Sep 2018 11:54:46 GMT

The realness of being in the season you're in and not apologizing for your feelings

Family

We are The Richardson's and they are my everything!

So do you see these 3 strapping fellas? Well these are my guys, they are my family! Some of you may seen them on Instagram or even the little one ( Marcus) or my IG stories but I thought it was important that I introduce them to you. Here we go...the tall guy lol well that's my husband Tony, we've been married for 3 years in October....whew time sure does fly when you're having fun. I can't believe we met when I was 21 years old. He's been an amazing supporter in my entrepreneurial journey, I honestly don't think I could have ask God to bring me a better partner.

Then there is Christian...he's much taller than me now in this picture he was just almost a little taller than I was. He's now 5"4 and in 8th grade...you guys we literally just took these pictures last year on Mother's day! He's in honors classes and is an amazing son, he loves his little brother so much. He has a heart of gold, old soul, and gives really good advice.

Then there were 4.....

Marcus! Who is the baby and who everybody sees on my instagram dancing all the time. He's the sweetest little boy you could ever meet! He gives the best hugs and wakes up every single morning happy with a big smile saying, "Good Morning Mama", oh how I miss those day! If you received my newsletter , then you already know that this year just about a month ago I decided to go back to work after being home with Marcus for about a year. This honestly has been one of the hardest things I think I've ever had to do but it just taught me to be humble and hustle even harder, which is what i'm going to talk about today!

Get on the list!

Finding your Inner Girl Boss

Definition: A Girl Boss is someone who is a natural hustler and is determined to make her dreams come true NO MATTER WHAT!

If your reading this than more than likely you're an entrepreneur, whether you're a wedding planner , photographer, or a pastry chef. The point is we all want to win and that is our end our right? The truth is that no one tells you that this industry isn't exactly quite for the faint of heart! I've been in this industry for about 4 years and been a business owner for almost 3 and I still have tough days...really tough days. But you see my friend those days are only preparing you for your destiny because "What is for you... is for you", I want you to always remember that!

So today i'm going to give you tips to not only hustle harder but to also be humble in your current season! Are you ready...let go!

Keepin' it real

FAMILY: Remember, that your family is your support system and no matter what they will always be there BUT you must remember that they were here first.-HUMBLE
FIND YOUR PEACE: What makes you happy, what makes you sad, what makes you smile, and what upsets you? If you remember these things and put each one of these in perspective you will find your inner peace.-HUMBLE
SUCCESS: Stay true to yourself and your vision! Social media is a whole different beast that we won't get into but let me just say seeing people living their best lives on Instagram while you're at home in yoga pants and a t-shirt working tireless hours is not the move. SN: These people on Instagram do the same thing it's just that today they had something to do. *SPOILER ALERT* Don't beat yourself up trying to be like him or her, just be yourself and if no one has told you...that's good enough...you're good enough! Keep hustling the way you know how!
SELF-CARE: Ahhhhh...good ole self-care! Something we never do for ourselves...we just serve, serve, serve but who will we be able to serve if we don't take care of ourselves...right? Figure out what it is that you enjoy doing like reading a book, going for long walks, or even if it's just to do simply nothing and DO IT! Give yourself time off even if it's only for an hour once a week. Our mind, bodies, and souls need breaks too or we breakdown. I know, I know....you don't have time for that right? You have to make time because coming form a #mompreneur's perspective...if you don't take of yourselves how will you ever be able to serve your clients and be your best you for them?

To be honest no one person has it all together. However, the difference between you and them is you're going to hustle your but off until you can't hustle anymore but you're also going to stay humble and that's the key to become a successful girl boss! Remember to stay true to yourself and to stay grounded in your season!

Freebie Alert!

I know how hard it can be to be a Girl Boss and do all the things so I wanted to make it a little easier for you so I created a PDF with you in my that have my Top business resources that I use to manage my Wedding Planning business. Click the link below to get this sent straight to your inbox!

Download my freebie

Tools to help slay your business!

Tiffany Richardson is a DC Wedding Planner & Event Planner serving DC, Maryland, Virgina and Beyond!

Fall Wedding Trends in 2018

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 11:42:44 GMT

Fall wedding trends in 2018 that we're swoon by!

When it comes to planning weddings, i’d have to say fall is one of my favorite seasons to plan in. I honestly love everything fall from the leaves, to the crisp morning air and even the smores and hot chocolate bars at weddings :)

Fall wedding colors:

According to the Knot, fall wedding colors of 208 are Jewel-toned color palettes, wild-looking bouquets and the new naked cake are in style.

Fall Wedding Cakes

Sorry folks but it looks like we're still going strong with the naked cakes this fall but there is good news, they now have icing! This year instead of fondant most couples are opting for a thin layer of icing, a drizzle of caramel or ganache, and greenery.

Fall Stationery Wedding Trends:

Couples are also ditching the big stationery pieces of paper and getting into things such as chalkboards for menus, mirrors with calligraphy for seating charts, and decorative escort card signage.

Fall Wedding Floral Trends:

When it comes to bridal bouquets, brides are looking for more wild-looking floral matched with wild colored dahlias. For tabletops their going with succulents or beautiful table garlands with lots of greenery.

Fall Wedding Food Trends:

When it comes to this trend creative food and drink stations are the way to go!

Fall Wedding Gowns

Lastly but certaintly not least is the wedding gown! Seriously you guys...isn't this bride gorgeous? More and more brides are moving away from the more traditional bridal gown and gearing towards a more chic look. Many brides opt for long sleeves for their wedding day in the fall. However, I love a good two-piece bridal down as well!

This wraps up our top 5 favorite wedding trends for this year. I hope you brides enjoyed our post and if you want more of these tips and trick Click here and we have a special freebie coming lighting fast straight into your inbox!

Tiffany Richardson is a DC Wedding Planner & DC Event Planner serving DC, Maryland, Virginia and beyond!

How to be a Boss lady with a chronic illness!

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 18:50:41 GMT

DC Wedding Planner | How to choose your wedding venue!

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 14:11:22 GMT

Are you recently engaged and ready to start the planning process?

Hey There! Congrats on your engagement and i'm so excited that you're ready to start the planning process!

First thing's first, create your wedding budget! I know more numbers right? However, this is the most important step to planning your wedding. It helps you create a base to figure out which wedding vendors you can afford to hire.

Now that we've figured that out you first need to hire a wedding planner . Just in case this isn't your first step you choose you will need to find a venue. In choosing your wedding venue there are a lot of things that come into play such as location, affordability, guest count, is it convenient for your guest, and is it already booked, that you will need to think about.

Questions to ask yourself when picking your dream venue

Can I afford this venue? Budget is something that couples stress a lot about when planning a wedding but if you attack your budget headfirst in the beginning it shouldn't be an issue in the course of your planning your wedding. Sure things will come up but you will be prepared.
Is your wedding date booked with this venue? I highly encourage booking your wedding at least a year in advance, 15 months if it's a popular venue.
Can this venue fit my anticipated guest count? You want to be sure that this venue can fit your guest comfortably, what is the capacity for seated and standing guest?
How does this venue's layout flow with my vision? Will it be easy for vendors to load in/out? Are your guest able to approach each space safely? Are all the spaces on one floor?
Location: Will the ceremony and reception be in the same space or two separate venues? Is it in the budget to transport all of your guest from ceremony to reception?
Vendor choices: If you want to bring in your own vendors be sure to ask if they have a preferred vendors that are exclusive to working with the venue. Is there in-house catering or can you bring in an outside cater?
Do they have WI-FI? Nowadays Wi-Fi is a big deal not only to guest but to your vendors. A lot of electronics run better on Wi-Fi vs regular cellular data. Be sure to ask about cellular reception as well as Wi-Fi passwords.
Do you vibe well with the overall venue? This is a big decision and it sets the tone for your wedding day and overall vision. You want to be sure that you vibe well with the staff, love the wedding venue, and most of all that it fits your budget.
Lastly, if you're going all-inclusive or having a destination wedding what does this mean for your budget? What all is included in this exclusive package? Make sure that every detail is outlined in this package.

Now it's time to answer the questions you asked yourself. Don't worry you're not alone! That's right your favorite wedding planning in the world is going to help you work it out girl!

Are you ready to find your dream wedding venue?

Grab your budget worksheet to start the process.

Tiffany Richardson is a DC Wedding Planner & DC Event Planner serving DC, Maryland, Virginia and beyond!

DC Wedding Planner|Our Top 5 favorite rustic wedding venues you should book in Leesburg, VA

Mon, 09 Jul 2018 17:32:36 GMT

May 8, 2018

If you're dreaming of a relaxed barn wedding, check out these rustic wedding venues in Leesburg, VA.

If you’re hoping for a relaxed and casual big day, there’s no better location than a rustic wedding venue in Leesburg, VA. Your friends and family will love these venues’ laid-back feel and you’ll adore the beautiful natural scenery (hello amazing photo ops!).

Here are some of our favorite rustic wedding venues near Leesburg, VA.

48 Fields Farm

This beautiful barn built in the 1940's, one of our favorite rustic wedding venues near Leesburg, VA, was recently renovated and offers a modern-rustic feel. The White Barn is fully climate-controlled to ensure your guests’ comfort. Ceremonies are typically held outdoors on the lawn surrounded by tall trees and lined with crepe myrtle trees , and receptions are held inside the barn. The wedding ceremony lawn is flat, open, and able to seat up to 200 guests. . Other amenities include a beautiful wedding cottage for our brides to relax in (talk about an incredibly romantic photo op) This venue can host 125 guests for your perfect wedding.

Stone Tower Winery

This venue is the ultimate rustic setting for your wedding day, featuring a vineyard, views for miles, and accommodations for your friends and family just 10 short miles away. It also won a Couple’s Choice Award in 2018. With 306 acres of land, you’ll find lots of incredible opportunities for wedding party photos. With a scenic outdoor setting for ceremonies and a well-appointed spacing for receptions, this venue is available year round and has a capacity of 230 guests!

Rose Hill Manor

Rose Hill Manor offers an enchanting setting for any bridal event, whether an intimate rehearsal dinner, a gala reception, a formal dinner, or a festive wedding day brunch. Imagine a traditional manor house that can accommodate all of your guests in one room and allows you to use any caterer of your choice. The light-filled ballrooms, stately French doors, and distinguished carved fireplaces make this romantic estate the perfect setting for your special day.

Raspberry Plain Manor

Imagine a traditional manor house that can accommodate all of your guests in one room, and allows you to use any caterer of your choice. Raspberry Plain Manor will host your guest in both style and elegance to create unforgettable wedding memories. They also specialize in Imagine a traditional manor house that can accommodate all of your guests in one room, and allows you to use any caterer of your choice. Raspberry Plain Manor will host your guest in both style and elegance to create unforgettable wedding memories. They also specialize in Imagine a traditional manor house that can accommodate all of your guests in one room, and allows you to use any caterer of your choice. They will host your guest in both style and elegance to create unforgettable wedding memories. They also specialize in Imagine a traditional manor house that can accommodate all of your guests in one room, and allows you to use any caterer of your choice. Raspberry Plain Manor will host your guest in both style and elegance to create unforgettable wedding memories. They also specialize in

Lansdowne Resort and Spa

Last but certainly not least, Lansdowne Resort and Spa! Lansdowne Resort and Spa is the ideal location for the resort wedding you've always dreamed of experiencing. This wedding venue offers a memorable romantic location set amidst the rolling hills and vistas of the Potomac River Valley, near the DC area. Select from the resort and clubhouse ballrooms or numerous other indoor and outdoor Loudoun County venues for your ceremony , reception , rehearsal dinner or other wedding event – all capable of accommodating a multitude of guests.

This wraps up our top venue picks we believe would make your wedding day magical while in Leesburg, VA. Don't forget to contact Lavish Creations by Tiffany when you're ready to start planning!

Tiffany Richardson is a DC Wedding Planner & DC Event Planner serving DC, Maryland, Virginia and beyond!

DC Wedding Planner | Wollam Gardens- Alex + Paul

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 13:07:00 GMT

Alex + Paul were married at Wollam Gardens on May 26, 2018.

Alex and Paul were our first couple to kick off our 2018 wedding season. What a great way to start our year! This was our first time at this venue that we’ve heard so many great things about and let’s just say the reviews were an understatement. We had an amazing vendor team, venue staff members, this amazing couple and nature! With the peony season just opening up walking around the venue was like our own little secret garden. Scroll down to see the incredible details our Alex + Paul’s wedding!

Vendors:

Wedding Coordinator : Lavish Creations by Tiffany Weddings & Events

Venue: Wollam Gardens

Florist: Hillary Gottemoeller

Caterer: SoBo Food Truck, The Frenchman Food Truck

Photographer: Cassandra Zetta Photography

Rentals: Sammy’s Rentals

Transportation: Primetime Limos

Tiffany Richardson is a DC Wedding Planner & DC Event Planner serving DC, Maryland, Virginia and beyond!

DC Wedding Planner| Our 4 step guide to choosing your wedding decor

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 12:08:38 GMT

April 23, 2018

Are you ready to bring your wedding vision to life? We're here to help you through the process. Follow these steps to find the wedding decor of your dreams.

Alongside with your attire, your wedding decor is one of the best ways to let your personalities truly shine on your big day. But before you begin crossing things off your wedding decor checklist, remember that there’s more to the process than simply settling for the first items you come across. Choosing wedding decor that’s beautiful, cohesive and reflective of your tastes as a couple requires a good amount of planning, but we promise it will all be worth it in the end.

Are you having trouble choosing your wedding decor without having a solid idea of how you want your venue to ultimately look — Classic? Glamorous? Bohemian? Minimalist?

Step #1: When you first get engaged, it can be tempting to stock up on decor that you think you might use down the road, especially if you catch a case of inspiration overload or an amazing deal. But until you’ve finalized your venue and a crystal-clear vision of how to describe your wedding style, you could be doing more harm than good by collecting random decorative items. Your original wedding vision is likely to change throughout the early stages of your planning process, especially once you begin to factor in budget, guest count, season, etc. Better to hold off on ordering those ultra-trendy agate table numbers — for now at least.

We know that it can be hard to put your dream wedding vision into words, or to choose just one style and stick with it, so if you’re struggling, don’t think of your wedding style as the be-all and end-all. Focus more on the vibes you want your wedding to express(relaxed, romantic, modern, edgy) instead of limiting yourself to a specific theme (rustic, beachy), which sometimes feel overdone or clichéd. Explain to your vendors something like, “I want a relaxed atmosphere with rustic and bohemian undertones” to leave room for creativity and flexibility when choosing your wedding decor. Believe or not it can help your wedding planner create a vision with just this explanation.

Step #2: Be Flexible With Your Color Palette

While it’s important to know the general colors you want, try to be open-minded and use the color palette as a guideline for your wedding decor rather than feeling obligated to have everything match perfectly. Instead of “gray and white” for example, think of a “neutrals” color palette consisting of ivory, beige, and colors with gray undertones, like charcoal, olive green, and khaki. This approach gives you the opportunity to have a few “focus” colors while also adding similar tones to round out your decor, ultimately creating a more authentic look.

Step #3: Take Advantage of Your Surroundings

Now that we've gotten down to the nitty gritty of your wedding style, think about your venue. It might already have a lot of existing charm or otherwise decorative features, such as built-in accent walls, landscaped gardens, fountains, stained glass windows, lighting fixtures, or ceiling beams. Consider how you can design your wedding decor to highlight those details, and how you can benefit from using them. Depending on the venue, you may be able to let the venue do all of your decor work for you. If you’re getting married at an outdoor venue , such as a beach, lakefront, or anywhere with a view, you may not need much decor to begin with. In fact, going overboard with decor could detract from your venue’s scenery, which we’re guessing is one of the reasons you chose it in the first place.

Use pictures of your venue to help you envision exactly what you want to use, and where. If you’re working with a wedding planner or event stylist, they should be able to create mockups of the space with various decor to give you a good idea of the end result.

Step #4: Finish With Extras and Splurge Items

If you have room left in your budget, you can consider adding a decorative “splurge” item or two. Maybe you’ve been dreaming of a hanging luxury backdrop or adding luxurious vintage velvet chairs to your sweetheart table. We also suggest going for that splurge item if there’s an empty space in your venue that needs to be filled, or you want to wow your guests with an unexpected feature. A flower wall gives your wedding celeb-worthy status and can be re-purposed as a fun photo backdrop for your guests. Elaborate dessert displays (yes, this includes donut walls) are another splurge item we love. If you want to encourage mixing and mingling, create a wedding lounge to get guests up and out of their seats.

Tiffany Richardson is a DC Wedding Planner & DC Event Planner serving DC, Maryland, Virginia and beyond!

DC Wedding Planner| DC Top wedding trends for 2018

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 12:46:55 GMT

April 9, 2018

With 2018 in full swing and busy season right around the corner for the LC Team, it’s time to dive right into the top wedding trends yourselves as couples will be requesting this year. Many of these trends may come as a surprise, as couples begin to opt more for the “unconventional” and less "traditional" way of doing things.

1. Metallics, marbles and geometrics

So maybe this one doesn’t come as a total surprise, but the biggest decor trend from 2017 will be a highlight yet again for 2018 weddings. Metallics, specifically gold-toned metallics, are still in! Smaller metallic decor pieces, such as votives and charger plates, are definitely popular because they are small enough to be understated, yet still manage to pack a huge punch overall. Not only do metallics add an extra layer of “pazazz” to any look, but metallics are a great way to help make everything look and feel more luxe.

Couples are also choosing metallic pieces with geometric shapes to make their wedding feel more modern. Geometric shapes provide a cool break between the ultra-softness and romance of floral elements. Stone elements, such as marble pieces, are also being utilized for the same reason. We don’t care if this is a repeat trend, we love all the different geometric shapes and are happy to see this trend stick around!

2. Keeping it casual

Weddings are becoming more of a casual affair, believe it or not! Younger couples have been choosing to go for a more laid-back route with their wedding festivities. Casual wedding affairs have been trending because they are “no fuss”. Guests are able to feel more at ease and couples have less to worry about on their big day. Ultimately, couples just want to have fun, relax, and kick back with family and friends on their wedding day.

Grooms and groomsmen have nicely kicked off the casual trend, as the popularity of less formal male attire started popping up more and more. However, this year, casual groom attire is set to take off. Expect to see less suit coats, more unconventional shoes, and even sillier socks on grooms. Females have also begun to adopt more casual styles, too. Brides in particular have opted for more natural, effortless hairstyles for their big day as opposed to the previously popular ultra-sophisticated updo.

Formal styles aren’t the only thing to disappear in 2018. Formal traditions are also becoming less popular with millennial couples. Revered traditions like these dances, and even couple send offs (particularly involving sparklers) are now starting to be seen as “outdated” and “cliche” by millennial couples. While it may be sad to see some old traditions go, know that couples are opting to do away with certain elements in order to bring out their own creative ways and new traditions.

3. Greenery

While floral elements have always been a huge aspect of weddings, never before has such an emphasis been placed on natural greenery. From moss decor walls to leafy table runners, greenery isn’t just for bouquet filler anymore. Dare we say it, but greens might even surpass flowers this year! Greenery provides freshness and brightness to any arrangement, and can also can provide a lot of diversity, too. Beyond looking great, greens are also a more cost-friendly option for couples to consider when compared to flowers. So where will you find the most greenery this year?

4. Outdoor space

Couples love outdoor weddings! Outdoor venues have always been popular with our couples, but their popularity is only expected to grow. Garden venues, followed by barn venues, are the most popular places amongst couples for their venue spaces. Even though the warmer summer months still make up “prime season”, more and more couples have been hosting fall weddings. As a matter of fact, 1 in 3 couples now get married in the fall, and nearly 15% of all weddings take place in October. In many locations, Autumn weather is still perfect for an outdoor celebration, if not cozy. So too, nature’s seasonal change provides the most beautiful backdrop for photos. With the ever-increasing popularity of outdoor venues, your future vendor's calendar are bound to be filled with various outdoor bookings this year!

5. Food displays

We saved the best for last: food! More and more couples are choosing to eliminate plated service in favor of food displays or food trucks. Food displays, different from a buffet, are highly stylized tables and offer unique, themed food options but more known as food stations by caters where guests can help themselves. Food displays allow for couples to customize their offerings to fit their personalities and can be much more flexible in execution when compared to a more regimented plated or buffet service. From pizza to a bacon-lovers spread, couples are picking these personalized setups over all other meal options because they are easy, fun and most importantly, delicious. Displays are also cost effective, as they can be significantly cheaper than a plated service.

We are so excited to see how these trends adapt and grow in 2018.

Bonus Tip...

In 2018, couples are striving to implement unique designs and traditions that are truly their own. Simply put, customization is important to couples as they plan their 2018 weddings.

Tiffany Richardson is a DC Wedding Planner & DC Event Planner serving DC, Maryland, Virginia and beyond!

DC Wedding Planner | Wedding Wire Couples Choice 2018

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 15:14:19 GMT

April 2, 2018

Let's pop the champange…We are so excited to announce that we have been chosen to be one of the winners WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®! Lavish Creations by Tiffany Weddings & Events represent the top 5% of wedding professionals nationwide for our excellence in quality, service, responsiveness, and professionalism within the wedding industry.

We are so proud to be recognized for this award. It's because of our exemplary work and the outstanding reputation that we've established among newlywed couples as demonstrated through our excellent reviews. We were selected solely based on our reviews and by a combination of four factors: overall rating, total number of reviews, review performance from 2017, and consistency of reviews from year to year.

Most engaged couples use the award as an indicator of legitimacy and reliability when selecting their team of wedding professionals. The badge demonstrates to couples that we're committed to providing the highest quality service throughout the planning process and on their wedding day.

A word from our CEO:

“Awards like the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award help scale our business and professionalism to higher levels and increase value in our brand.”

Congratulations to all of our fellow 2018 Couples’ Choice Award winners for their accomplishments and for their dedication to excellence within the industry.

Tiffany Richardson is a DC Wedding Planner & DC Event Planner serving DC, Maryland, Virginia and beyond!

dc wedding planner | 9 things to do when planning a wedding that no one tells you

Mon, 26 Mar 2018 12:53:40 GMT

March 26, 2018

When it comes to things to do when planning a wedding, the list may seem pretty obvious: set a budget, pick a venue, find your vendors , and so on. However, there are certain tasks that you might not find in a standard wedding checklist but are a pretty big deal. They might not be deal-breakers when it comes to your big day, but will definitely help make your wedding (and marriage!) run even more smoothly.

Here’s a list of things to do when planning a wedding that are less obvious, but still pretty essential.

Enjoy the process

Wedding planning is not a race. While you may feel under a great deal of pressure to get things done like, yesterday, but rushing can lead to less-than-optimal results. Take your time in selecting the right venue and vendors for you—don’t just automatically book the first venue that appears in a Google search. Make sure you take the time to fully research and interview all vendors before booking and take a breath before making big decisions. These things to do when planning a wedding typically take a little more time, but it’ll be worth it. I promise!

Try on more than one wedding dress

You fall in love with a wedding dress you see on Instagram or Pinterest , find it at a local bridal shop, try it on, it looks great—you’re done, right? Well, not necessarily. Sure, four percent of brides purchase the first dress they try on, but you owe it to yourself to test out a few dresses—just for comparison’s sake. We’re not saying you have to try on hundreds of dresses (the average bride tries on about 7 before selecting “the one”), but choosing a wedding dress is a pretty special, once-in-a-lifetime experience—savor it!

Designate an “emergency contact”

One of the most important things to do when planning a wedding is book an amazing vendor team—and stay in touch with them in the months and weeks leading up to your big day. But what happens if you decide to go off-the-radar on vacation or you’re put on a major work project that has you at the office 24/7 or you get sick and are out of commission for a bit? Your vendors should have contact information for an “emergency contact” (yes, just like the forms you fill out at the doctor’s office) in case you’re unavailable for an extended period of time. This can be a family member like a parent or sibling, wedding party member , or close friend. Your emergency contact should have access to all of your vendors’ information and have a general sense of your wedding details so they can handle any situations accordingly.

Familiarize yourself with ALL of your guests.

If you’re having a larger wedding, you may not actually know some of the guests from your partner’s side well—for example, your mother-in-law’s childhood best friend or your future spouse’s childhood best friend who now lives overseas. Take the time to go through the guest list with your partner, and try to familiarize yourself with each person—look at photos, tell stories, and more (this exercise is also a great way to learn more about your future spouse!). On your wedding day, you’ll want to see familiar faces when you look around the room and greet people properly—so try your best to get to know everyone on your guest list.

Come up with conversation starters.

You’re probably going to have to make a lot of small talk on your wedding day. Whether you’re chatting with guests during cocktail hour or going table-to-table during the reception, you may find yourself having to contend with some awkward silences, particularly if you’re chatting with guests you don’t know well. Be prepared with a few go-to conversation-starters (nothing about politics or religion, please!), like “how’s the family?” or “how was your trip in?” You’re likely not going to be having deep conversations with guests, but a few small-talk topics could help. This is even more important for brides and grooms who are uncomfortable in big social situations.

Practice walking (and dancing!) in your shoes.

Of course you want to look gorgeous on your wedding day—but comfort is imperative, too! Take the time to not only practice walking in your wedding shoes, but also get dancing in them! Even if you’re not wearing sky-high heels, make sure your shoes are broken-in well before the big day. Walk around in your house everyday in your shoes to make you more aware of how it will be to walk in them on your wedding day. And if you find that your footwear is causing pain, opt for a different pair of shoes or, if you’re willing to suffer through, wear your uncomfy shoes for the ceremony and purchase a more foot-friendly pair such as flats during the reception.

Stay connected with friends.

We’ve all had that friend who gets engaged and then seemingly disappears from the planet, only to emerge again until after his or her honeymoon. Don’t let your friendships slip away because you’re caught up in the “engagement bubble.” Try not to skip your weekly happy hour, girl’s night, or other friend-event because you’re “too busy” wedding planning. Be ok with the fact that your friends and co-workers probably don’t want to talk about your wedding all the time. Show interest in what they’ve been up to, celebrate their milestones, and generally, just be a good friend.

Plan the cake cutting.

While you might not prep for your cake cutting in the same way as you prepare for, say, your first dance, you should still discuss it with your partner in advance so the moment feels romantic and fun rather than confusing and awkward. Answer the following questions: What song should be played? Who is actually going to cut the cake? Will it be one of you or will it be both? Are you going to feed each other with forks or go for the smash? (Brides seriously hate the smash guys, sorry!) While being spontaneous can be fun, having one partner try to smash the cake while the other is sweetly feeding the other isn’t ideal.

Prep for your post-honeymoon life.

The last thing any couple wants is to return from their honeymoon to a house or apartment that’s a total disaster. One of the most important things to do when planning a wedding is to take the time to prep your home so you can easily settle back in post-honeymoon. 1. Meal prep -Make some dishes to keep in the freezer. 2. Hire a cleaning service- Clean your home before you head off to your wedding to make sure your place is spic and span upon your return. 3. Hold all mail- Pause your mail and newspaper delivery service. 4. Hire a house sitter-Have a family member or friend check on your place while you’re away. And make sure your pets are taken care of. Planning ahead will help you avoid stress later on.

Tiffany Richardson is a DC Wedding Planner & DC Event Planner serving DC, Maryland, Virginia and beyond!

dc wedding planner | spring 2018 wedding trends we’re excited to see!

tiffany.richardson@lavishcreationsbytiffany.com (tiffany ) — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 13:15:20 GMT

March 19, 2018

Finally spring is here, we can’t help but get crazy excited with the DC wedding season getting ready to begin, and with spring weddings at that! There’s always something special to say about the spring wedding season. As a wedding planner majority of our industry has been in hibernation for 3-4 months so it’s a restoration of their business getting back to the grind, and what better way to start the season off than with traditionally the whimsical and vibrant time of the year. This is the time when flowers are in peak blooms, and greens are as green as they’ll be all year! Fun Fact about me: I absolutely love all weddings but if I had to choose I would have to say spring weddings are my favorite! With that being said, we’ve rounded up our top 3 Spring 2018 Wedding Trends we can’t wait to dive head first into!

Wedding Flowers of Course – But in New Ways!

Couples are finding new ways to capture the “WoW factor into their weddings with their florals. See you later, pastels and neutrals. One of the 2018 wedding flower trends that we're most excited about is the return of color. Pantone's color of the year for 2018 is Ultra Violet, so naturally, we're expecting to see a lot of flowers in deep purple tones , like burgundy and plum. We especially love how these darker colors look when paired with abundant greenery and nature-inspired accents, like succulents, pampas grass, curly willow, and even feathers. Add flowers in lighter purple and pink shades, such as mauve and nostalgia rose , to create an arrangement that feels dramatic, edgy and a little bit mysterious.

Couples are breaking all the rules in 2018!

Wedding menus have come a long way since the days of overcooked chicken and white sheet cake. With foodie culture on the rise , 2018 wedding food trends include emphasis on the quality of their food, treating guests to mouth-watering menus featuring the freshest ingredients and trendiest displays. So what’s trending right now? Well, it’s all about creating an incredible dining experience with a menu that’s reflective of the couple themselves.This is one of the spring 2017 wedding trends we’re most excited about!

Behold the wedding cake 2018 trends!

Get your sweet tooth ready, because the 2018 wedding cake trends are here. In recent years, we’ve experienced the traditional wedding cakes (naked cakes, drip cakes, geode cakes), and it looks like 2018 is living up to the hype. Artistic elements, such as brushstroke confections and hand-painted floral details, are a major wedding trend for 2018 if you’re looking to make a statement at your dessert table. We also expect to see the return of simple buttercream wedding cakes with one very specific garnish (and no, it’s not greenery!).

That rounds up our top 3 spring 2087 wedding trends! For more wedding advice and tips, be sure to check out our recent wedding blog for more great topics!

Tiffany Richardson is a DC Wedding Planner & DC Event Planner serving DC, Maryland, Virginia and beyond!

First Look

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 14:02:01 GMT

Are you thinking of doing a first look?

You have picked out the perfect dress and spent hours getting ready for the big day. You and your spouse to be have spent the last night apart just so he can watch you come up the aisle as a beautiful bride. You want to see that sparkle in his eyes and catch the tears that might possibly roll down his cheek.

More and more, couples are eschewing the tried and true tradition of waiting until the moment before the ceremony begins to see each other. Now, they are scheduling what is called The First Look.

What is the First Look?

Often couple get so caught up in the day of the wedding that they never have a moment for themselves. This is a moment that they can “steal” (in the presence of your faithful photographer and hard working wedding coordinator of course) for themselves. The groom to be is blocked from seeing his bride (either turned around or wearing a blindfold) while the bride is guided to his hiding place. At the chosen moment, they are turned around and revealed to each other.

This gives the couple to be time to themselves. To reassure each other and calm some nerves. It is a private moment caught on film.

First looks aren’t just for couples either. While the mother of the bride is often involved in the ceremony, the father of the bride has anxiously waited on the sidelines. When the bride and her father do a first look, it can get some of the nervousness out. It can also become a time of reflection and often they can do a prayer together or he can impart his last words of wisdom on his “little girl” before she is married off.

While it does make for some beautiful pictures, it is a new tradition. Check with your wedding planner and spouse to be if you want to do it. Otherwise you can just have that special moment walking down the aisle.

Tipping Cheat Sheet

Mon, 16 Oct 2017 13:03:13 GMT

They don’t want to say it, but they are wondering how well they did that night. Did they meet your expectations?

Your wedding that you dreamed, planned, cried about, lost out on sleep, is finally over. The house lights have come on, the floor is being swept, and your vendors are packing up, casting glances at both you and the clock.

They don’t want to say it, but they are wondering how well they did that night. Did they meet your expectations? Did you enjoy the food, the atmosphere, the decorations? Would you recommend them to your friends and family?

Finally, as the vendors make the rounds to say goodbye, there is a sense of anticipation in the air. A quick smile, a few words of thanks, and a subtle handshake and they are on their way. You just made the vendor’s night, for in their hand, you pressed what for some has become a sense of validation for the job well done. The tip.

Now, yes, the tip is not something that you normally think about. There are some people that find it even in poor taste to talk about. Some whisper behind their hands about what amount to even tip a vendor. For some of the bigger vendors, a gratuity had been included in the contract. But here are some things to think about in tipping your smaller business vendor.

New Business: That florist you hired? She might have just started out her new business, maybe two years ago after quitting her high paying corporate job. She spent hours pouring over plant websites, taking floral arrangement classes, and figuring out the best combination of colors that would look best next to each other. Business is good, and in the black, but that tip helps put gas into her car and keep it maintained so she can use it as her life blood for her deliveries during the week when she is not assisting at a wedding.

Maintaining Equipment: That DJ or Band that you loved and kept your guests up and dancing the whole night? They might have found out as they were putting away the equipment afterwards that there was a tiny hole in the fabric of their speakers, there was a tiny crack in one of the projection screens, or that the dolly that they were using has a loose handle. There is a lot of overhead that they have to deal with. That tip can help them repair some of their equipment until they can find a better replacement.

Self-Improvement: Did you love the exotic flavors that your caterer created? Did they remember which one of your guests was vegan, which had the gluten allergy, and which was the fussy eater? Your caterer might have found a class that was being offered by a local chef that focused on how to make the perfect radish flower or how to make savory desserts that looked like local wildlife. The same goes for the bartender who had to learn new tricks or prepare the special bride’s cocktail.

Assistants: Did your fabulous wedding planner come with a team? Did it seem like she was in four places at once, placating your anxious parents, calming down the suddenly shy flower girl, directing the bartender to his rightful place, and making sure that the timeline of events went off without a hitch? The wedding planner’s assistants were able to make her job run a lot smoother and alert her to any possible hitches before they became big time glitches. They are her right hands and made her look even better than you imagined. She needs to keep them happy too.

Donations: Getting married in a church? The officiant that performed the ceremony is working on God’s grace and their tip goes back to the church and possibly into one of their many programs to help the poor and the needy.

Advertising : The venue that you loved. Did you hear about it through social media or did you see a billboard advertising it? They need to keep up appearances and make sure that even when business is slow, they can maintain a following. They might have hired a PR specialist in the offseason to help them get more foot traffic.

Who gets to hold the tip? Usually the Father of the Bride or your trustworthy wedding planner. “If you hand out your gratuity envelopes before your wedding, the vendors will be more likely to go above and beyond for you on your special day,” says David Tutera, an event planner.

Uncomfortable spending money as a tip? Other ways to show your appreciation towards your vendors: Book them for another party, promote them on social media, a gift card or a bottle of wine.

For specific suggestions, see this “Tipper’s Table,” excerpted from event planner Mindy Weiss’s The Wedding Book ($23, amazon.com ):

Bartenders: 10 percent of the total liquor bill (to be split among them)

Bathroom Attendants: $1 to $2 per guest

Catering Manager: $200+ or a personal gift

Chef: $100+

Coat Check Attendants: $1 to $2 per guest

Hairstylist: 15 to 20 percent

Hotel Chambermaids: $2 to $5 per room; $10 to $15 if you used a suite as your dressing room

Limo or Bus Drivers: 15 percent

Maitre d’hotel or Headwaiter: 1 to 3 percent of food and beverage fees

Makeup Artist: 15 to 20 percent

Musicians: 15 percent of fee for ceremony musicians; $25 to $50 per musician for reception

Photographer/Videographer: If you’re paying a flat fee with no overtime, $100

Valet or Parking Attendants: $1 to $2 per car; 15 percent for valet parking

Waiters: $20 and up each (distributed by the catering manager or maitre d’)

Wedding planner: 15 percent of fee or a personal gift

Bridal Party Roles

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 12:39:00 GMT

Other than the bride and the groom, who else can be in the wedding party? Here is a simple rundown of whose who in the party and what some of the job entails.

Maid/Matron of Honor: This is your closest female friend, be it your sister, your mother or your best friend. If she is married, she is called the Matron of Honor (MOH). The MOH handles the rest of the bridesmaids by making sure that they all go to their fittings, help the bride pick out her wedding dress (or at least go with her while she finds one), she pays for her own outfit and jewelry for the wedding. She is the shoulder to cry on when the bride feels overwhelmed. She is also in charge (or helps) with the cost and planning of bridal shower and the bachelorette party. On the day of the wedding, she keeps the bride cool and collected, makes sure she is fed, and keeps her on track (if there is no wedding planner). She signs the marriage license with the Best Man. MOH duties not only vary by bride’s expectations, but in these modern times, can also be a man instead of a woman .

Best Man: The best man is the groom’s closest male friend, be it brother, father or best friend. The Best Man handles some of the MOH duties: Help organize the groomsman, get the tuxes, keep the groom calm. Give a toast during the rehearsal dinner and during the reception. He oversees the payments for the vendors and he holds the marriage license, he and the MOH also sign the license afterwards. He decorates the escape car or the limo and keeps an eye on the gifts. He is responsible for the bachelor party. His duties vary by the groom’s expectations and again, this position can be a female, instead of a male.

Bridesmaids: You can have as many bridesmaid as you want in your bridal party. These women can be your friends, your family, your cousins, etc. The bridesmaid help the MOH, they are the first ones on the dancefloor, they are the ones that can run quick errands for the brides, they can even help with prewedding planning by addressing envelopes.

Groomsmen: They often act as ushers during the ceremony. They stand up with the groom at the alter and they walk the bridemaids down the aisle. They help decorate the getaway car and dance with the bridesmaids and other single women at the wedding.

Junior Bridesmaids/Junior Groomsmen: If there is a younger member of the family that wants to be a part of the wedding, this would be their role. Usually between the ages of 8 to 14, the girls wear more modest versions of the bridesmaids and the boys can usually wear a sports coat.

Flower Girl: Usually ages 1 to 7, this member walks up the aisle scattering petals before the bride. Most end up sitting with their parents during the ceremony.

Ring Bearers: Also ages 1 to 7, they usually carry a small decorative pillow with two wedding bands tied to it (usually fakes, in case they are lost).

Mother of the Bride : This role is entirely up to the bride. The MOTB can act as wedding guest planner (Although you were smart and hired one already), reception hostess, and shoulder to lean on .

Father of the Bride: He normally is the one that pays for most, if not the whole party. He schedules the toasts and helps the mother of the bride with hosting duties. He walks the bride down the aisle. He can dole out additional tips to the wait staff.

Mother of the Groom: She assists the Mother of the Bride with hosting duties. She gets to have a Mother/Son dance with the Groom.

Father of the Groom: He pays for the rehearsal dinner and helps out with the Mother of the Groom duties.

Find Your Wedding Style

Wed, 10 May 2017 11:46:24 GMT

Stumped on Putting Together Your Wedding Look? We Have Tips!

1) ITS YOUR DAY!

Are you the kind that likes simple and elegant or over the top and gaudy? Whatever your personality type, make sure that the day reflects you and not anyone else!

2) RESEARCH!

Always wanted to throw a beach style wedding? Then find out what is involved and then go for it! Check out Pinterest, wedding blogs, and magazines. Maybe something will catch your eye!

3) TRIAL AND ERROR!

Whether it’s your makeup for the big day or finding the perfect wedding cake, you need to have some experience to figure out what is going to please you to make your day special.

4) BELIEVE IN YOUR VISION!

5) HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER!

Your wedding planner has seen it all, has the right connections, knows the right people. She will be your best friend throughout this process and guide you in the right direction. Talk to her and she will help you find and perfect your wedding style.

Calling All Moms!

Mon, 03 Apr 2017 11:49:24 GMT

Join us for a Night Full of Some of Our Favorite Things!

Join Lavish Creations by Tiffany for a Mom's Sip and Paint, on May 21, from 12 to 2:30 p.m., at Muse Paintbar, National Harbor, 122 Waterfront St, Oxen Hill, MD. The event is limited to the first 20 moms who register. Cost is $50 for tickets, Please click on the link below. Food will not be served, but beer and wine will be available.

10 Things Your Wedding Planner Can Do For You

Mon, 03 Apr 2017 04:14:29 GMT

Wondering if Hiring a Wedding Planner is Necessary? Here's Ten Ways The Right Planner Can Help You!

1) Vendor Communication
Can't remember if you talked to the florist about changing your centerpiece from daises to roses? Need to change your dances to something more modern, but can't remember the set list? Your Wedding Planner keeps a detailed checklist and more to keep the vendors on track!

2) Create Timelines
Does your Maid of Honor tend to ramble when she gives speeches? Do you need to make sure your guests see that ice sculpture during dinner? Your Wedding Planner will keep you, your bridal party and your guests happy and on task from the moment the day begins to after the last dance.

3) Vendor Referrals
Did you love the dessert bar at your bestie's wedding? If you contact the same Wedding Planner she had, then yours may possibly get you a discount. Word of Mouth is the most effective form of marketing!

4) Create an Inspiration Board
Have an idea but not sure how's it's going to work? Your Wedding Planner can take your ideas and turn your vision into reality!

5) Wedding Day Coordination
As the Bride-to-Be, all you should have to worry about is getting down the aisle; not having your bridesmaids scrambling to decorate the church at the last minute. Give your Wedding Planner the 'green light' to make sure everything goes smoothly.

6) Listening Ear
Does your future Mother-in-Law want to wear white to your wedding? Does your cousin (who you see once a year at Christmas) insist that her daughter be a flower girl? Your Wedding Planner is there to listen to your tribulations, give advice and even a shoulder to cry on if necessary.

7) Problem Solver
After being a listening ear, your Wedding Planner can come up with solutions. She might suggest that your future Mother-in-Law wear a white jacket over her fancy dress; or for your cousin's daughter to hand out bubbles or rice with the other young children after the ceremony.

8) Budget Management
Insisting on a mashed potato bar AND a candy bar? Your Wedding Planner will keep you on track. She will find the best ways to make the most out of your budget!

9) Seating Chart
Is your sister adamant about sitting with her college friends instead of your family? Take the stress off and let your Wedding Planner figure out where everyone goes. Who knows, she might end up playing matchmaker for your shy college friend.

10) RSVP Management
You probably spent a week or two agonizing over the perfect invitations to announce your special day. Don't spend months worrying about who said they were showing up and if they were bringing extra people. Let your Wedding Planner sort that out!

While we only highlighted 10 ways your Wedding Planner can assist in planning your special day can bring, the list is endless and the right one will be worth the time, effort (and expense)!

5 Major Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner

Mon, 20 Mar 2017 04:24:54 GMT

BUDGET - This is typically the hardest part of planning your DREAM day!

· By hiring a planner, they can help you create a budget plan and keep you on task. Do you really want that horse drawn carriage? Then find a place in your budget to hire one!

VISION - We make your vision a reality!

· We listen to your needs, wants, and must haves for your wedding day. Then we create your customized and special day just for you. Do you want doves or butterflies after the ceremony, we can find that for you!

STRESS RELIEVERS - We literally do just that.

· Wedding planners are known to keep everything cool, calm, and collected! We are known as the MacGyver of the wedding industry; we are prepared for everything.

CONNECTIONS - Vendor and Venue Relationships

· We, as planners, work hard for you for behind the scenes. We build and cultivate relationships with vendors, so that our brides feel comfortable and confident in making the right vendor selections. Do you like simple cakes or do you like grand, ornate dessert bars? We know the vendor for that!

COORDINATION - We keep everything in check!

· We make sure that you enjoy the planning process and have an amazing wedding experience. We want YOUR wedding to be the one your guests talk about long after the event is over. Possibly until your 25th wedding anniversary!

Newly Engaged? What's Next?

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 04:28:47 GMT

9 Things You Need to do After You Get The Ring!

So, you're probably thinking, "I'm engaged, now what?", right?

Well, that's what I'm here for.

Let's hop right into it ...

ENJOY YOUR MOMENT!
& don't forget to stay in love during the planning process ...

1. Engagement Party
Let everyone bask in your happiness with you. It's a great chance to get your family and friends together. (And who doesn't love a party?!)

2. Photo Shoot

Have an engagement shoot with your new fiancé to show off your love! Get creative, it may inspire you to create a theme for your wedding.

3. Prioritize!
What's really important and what can wait? Figure out what you need to tackle first and make sure you keep your future spouse in the loop - it's their day too!

4. Create a Budget!
Be realistic in your wedding budget and make sure you have enough money left over for your dream honeymoon ... or you may end up spending your first night at your in-law's house and no one wants that!

5. Hire a Wedding Planner
This is of course where we insert our shameless plug! www.lavishcreationsbytiffany.com

6. Communicate!
Discuss your day with your fiancé and set specific boundaries. do you want an open bar; is it a child-free reception; is it necessary to hire security, should a certain relative "gets rowdy"?

TIME MANAGEMENT!
Time flies when you're having fun ...

7. Make a List
Make a list of things that are most important to you? Do you have time for that spa day with your girlfriends? What about a special poem or quote that you want to incorporate into your vows?

8. Deadline
Create deadlines to meet. And meet them. No bride wants to be rushing around three hours before the ceremony putting the centerpieces together.

9. Most Importantly ...
Remember to have fun and enjoy the planning process! Far too many times have we seen brides stressed and unhappy during the process. Don't be stressed; be happy! (And hire Lavish Creations to make all of your dreams come true!)

Get Your Tickets Today!

Wed, 11 Jan 2017 12:54:07 GMT

Lavish Creations by Tiffany Official Launch Party

You heard it here first ( ... and maybe on Facebook) Lavish Creations by Tiffany will be having an Official Launch Party!

Join Tiffany on Sunday February 19, 2017 to celebrate the launch of her site, Lavish Creations by Tiffany.
Enjoy drinks, appetizers and even a giveaway.

Click Link for More Information and Purchase Your Tickets Here Today !

Happy New Year 2017!

Sun, 01 Jan 2017 03:01:57 GMT

We Have a Surprise for You!!! | Launch Party

Lavish Creations by Tiffany just launched their website New Years Day and will be having a physical launch in February!

We will be hosting a cocktail party where you will be able to meet with lavish entrepreneurs, creatives, as well as freelancers.

Lavish Creations by Tiffany will be looking for sponsors!

We would love for those of you who are interested in sponsoring our launch party to email us at tiffany.richardson@lavishcreationsbytiffany.com