Southwest Louisiana Weddings!

Are you lucky in love in Calcasieu Parish?

If you find yourself a soon to be wife, husband, mother or father of the Bride, even a newly appointed maid/matron of honor in Calcasieu Parish then this information is for you.

So your engaged, first things first.

1. BUDGET $$$
2. Select your WEDDING PARTY 
3. Who's Coming? START THE GUEST LIST

Next you would hire a planner if your budget calls for one.

Then, reserve your DATE & VENUE!
There are so many great locations for weddings in SWLA. Depending on your mood, taste, location of ceremony, reception, guest list, area preferred you have many choice to make.
If you are needing a Sulphur, LA wedding venue for either the reception, or ceremony for up to 150 persons then the Holiday Inn Lake Charles W-Sulphur is the perfect choice.

Photo courtesy of Southern Charm Pics

 Couple shown here enjoyed the ease of having their ceremony and reception under one roof. Celebrating with 150 of their closest friends and family. Keeping with their chosen theme of peacocks their decorator Roderick Stutes of Occasions along with a dear friend adorned the pre-function space of the Holiday Inn Sulphur with peacocks, and greenery, with white stanchions, and a white archway. The colors were then carried into the Grand Ballroom with peacocks perched in 6' tall pewter trees atop the dinner tables. Blue uplighting was also used to soften the space.

Photo by Southern Charm Pics

Dinner was provided by Occasions catering as well. Although the hotel does have its own catering department. This Bride thought it best to pay the nominal fee per person and have the decorator take care of the food as well because of the relationship she had with the decorator and his staff.

RESEARCH this is so important when it comes to the venue, and all these next steps you will take.

THROW AN ENGAGEMENT PARTY!

You will need a PHOTOGRAPHER
The absolute best Wedding Photographers exist and reside in SWLA. Of course you already knew that, right? One of the best hands down in many a books is Laura Kelley of Laura Kelley Photography. LK has been known to place Brides in trees, travel abroad to shoot the happy moments, and of course shoot her blushing Brides at some of Louisiana's finest plantations. We are sure that she does love to shoot right here in the Lake Charles, LA area most of all. If you sweet talk her she may even hook you up with one of her video montage's of your special day.
Laura states that a VIDEOGRAPHER she's not, her work would definitely prove otherwise.

There are still a few more things that will dip into that budget of yours.

• ENTERTAINMENT

DJ, BAND, and anything else that will make your day perfect for YOU!

• SYTTD 

Bella's Bridals in Lake Charles has some great DRESS selections. You will need to decide who to come with you for the big event.

• RESERVE a BLOCK of ROOMS for your GUESTS

It is always advised that you block off enough rooms at different price points for guests that may be traveling from out of town. These rooms will generally have a three-four week cutoff provided by the hotel. This info will need to be available for guests when they receive their invitations to start thinking about your wedding day.

• REGISTER
• Launch your WEDDING WEBSITE

DO NOT forget this step! Have your other half help as much as possible too.

• Select and purchase INVITATIONS

Who knew paper could cost so much!

• Plan your HONEYMOON!

This could very well be the most fun part of the planning. Call the resort, hotel, or B&B direct. Cut out the middle man, trust me it will save you so much in the end. Look for my next blog on Why Book Direct?

• Retail Therapy SHOPPING FOR THE BRIDESMAIDS

Haha who are we kidding, when you get a bunch of ladies together shopping for the same or very similar dresses of the same shade are like shades of color, worlds collide. Keep in mind it is YOUR DAY! The ones that take that walk with you and choose to stand up at the alter next to you will be happy with what you choose.

• Meet with the OFFICIANT
• SEND the SAVE the DATES

Lost for what to do here? Visit Pinterest and you will find a ton of ideas!

Photo by Southern Charm Pics

• FLOWERS
• Critical Path TIMELINE

Draw up a schedule and let all the important folks in on the details.

• BOOK the REHEARSAL and Rehearsal dinner VENUE(S)

Once again the Holiday Inn Lake Charles W-Sulphur can do all of this for you in one spot!

• Select and ORDER the CAKE

Photographed by Mona Ledoux
Cakes by Pronia's Deli and Bakery

Cakes shown are from Pronia's Deli and Bakery in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Three different cakes, three different flavors, all delicious. 

The grooms cake was chocolate on chocolate with a chocolate ganache. Whew yes that's a lot of chocolate. 

It's time to give the SHOWER guest list to your host.

• WEDDING SHOES and DRESS FITTINGS

Bring the shoes along to your first fitting so the tailor can choose the appropriate length for your gown.

• Schedule HAIR & MAKEUP

Tristin at Scarborough's Salon & Day Spa can get you well taken care of. 

• CHOOSE YOUR MUSIC

What should and should not be playing and when. I kept a running list in the notes section of my iPhone. (Type A)

• FINALIZE the MENU & FLOWERS

This is generally done at the three month mark. Since food and flowers are affected by season.

• ORDER wedding FAVORS
• Make a LIST of TOAST GIVERS
• FINALIZE the READINGS

Instead of a reading I opted for my oldest sister to sing at our wedding.

• SECOND FITTING

This is when you should purchase your undergarments.

• Wrap up and FINALIZE the ORDER of CEREMONY at the RECEPTION
• PRINT MENU CARDS & PROGRAMS

This may cause you a little grief but Zazzle does it best.

• RINGS Engraved, Resizing
• Send Event SCHEDULE to VENDORS
• Meet with PHOTOGRAPHER at 2 months out

Discuss specific shots, and walk through the locations and note spots that appeal to you.

• Review the PLAYLIST

Again, again, and again. 

• SEND INVITATIONS

Should be mailed 6-8 weeks before ceremony.

• Submit a NEWSPAPER WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT
• ENJOY your BACHELORETTE & BACHELOR PARTIES

From experience it is so much better and easier all the way around if this is done a month out. The day before will leave you with your head in the sand at the alter. 

• Enter all those RSVPs into your guest list database.
• GET YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE

This may take up to a week in some case, so its best to think ahead.

• LAST DRESS FITTING
• SEATING CHARTS
• PURCHASE GIFTS FOR YOUR BRIDESMAIDS
• FINAL HAIR CUT & COLOR before the big day.

2-3 weeks before the wedding.

<WEDDING WEEK>

• The week of the wedding reconfirm with all vendors on times
• Delegate wedding-day tasks 
• Send out a timeline to the bridal party.
• Pick up your dress
• Checkin with photographer
• Checks for vendors
• Spa Treatment
• Final headcount & guest list
• Pack for your Honeymoon

Congratulations on your BIG DAY! 

This timeline is a throw together of must dos and can take up to eighteen months to complete. We chose to do it in a little under 3 months. Crazy I know! The knot.com has a lot of useful tip and when you register you can get your very own site from this with checklists and seating diagrams, everything you will ever need to plan your wedding.