Robyn Bruns's Page

At the beginning of a year it is common to name the “top trends” for the next 12 months, here is my favorite list for 2012. However I think it is time for some “trends” to take the leap and become traditions. Below is my top five list of those trends:Charity Favors: Crystal bottle stoppers and seed packets with your wedding date on them can be cute, however in my experience items like this are left behind more than 50% of the time. A charity favor, promotes a good cause and will not be relegated to a junk drawer or worse a garbage can. I really like the I Do Foundation as they make the donation process very easy and also have a huge variety of charitable causes to choose from. You can also go directly to a charity itself, I have clients that will be doing their favors through the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Charitable donations in lieu of take home favors is a great way to honor a cause you as a couple support.Smaller Weddings: The average wedding size for 2011 nationally according to Brides magazine was 152. Smaller weddings can mean a smaller budget, so if your budget is tight the easiest way to cut costs is to cut your guest list. Smaller weddings also allow a more personal experience for you, your wedding party and your guests. Examples include: inviting everyone to the rehearsal dinner, using long dining tables versus traditional round tables and most importantly celebrating with your nearest and dearest friends and family. A past Red Letter bride honored all of her guests by placing two Phalaenopsis orchids at each place-setting. With 70 guests this cost under $150 with 200 guests the cost would have been much more, this simple touch spoke to the personal feel of an intimate wedding.Personal Details: I really believe this is already a tradition but it is still mentioned as a trend every year. Each couple wants a unique wedding to reflect who they are in personality and style. This can be a custom designed logo like the one below that a past Red Letter couple had used throughout their wedding planning. Other ways to personalize include naming each table after an important part of your lives, a signature drink during cocktails that reflects you as a couple or it can be your beloved pug dog as the ring bearer. The options are endless.Read more hereSee More

Last week I saw the movie Bridesmaids. The main movie plot revolves around the relationship between the Bride, Lillian and her best friend anAs I watched the movie, I thought of how the job of Maid of Honor is so importatnt but can be difficult.  As a result I put together these top 3 tips from the movie for the current and future Maid of Honor’s out there.d Maid of Honor, Annie. read more here See More

Last week I saw the movie Bridesmaids. The main movie plot revolves around the relationship between the Bride, Lillian and her best friend anAs I watched the movie, I thought of how the job of Maid of Honor is so importatnt but can be difficult.  As a result I put together these top 3 tips from the movie for the current and future Maid of Honor’s out there.d Maid of Honor, Annie. read more here See More

In the past few years we have started to see a trend for some extreme wedding venues. More and more people are steering away from your typical church for a ceremony and hotel ballroom for the reception.Read more hereSee More

Earlier this year we were quoted in this article on  fabulousliving on etiquette for same sex weddings or commitment ceremonies.  I wanted to share with our readers the other etiquette suggestions that were made that didn’t make it into the article.  Also, we would love to hear your feedback regarding etiquette for same sex weddings are we off base on some of our recommendations or do you have any ideas that we missed?  Leave a comment below or on Facebook. Read the whole post!See More

Bridestyle can be expressed in so many ways today we are featuring two Red Letter brides who defined their style in their wedding shoe choices. There is so much time dedicated to saying yes to the dress, but don’t forget about what your feet will be wearing as you walk down the aisle.Read more here!  Photo: Rich Chapman PhotographersSee More

You may have many questions about hiring a wedding planner such as: -What do they actually do?-Will they takeover , will I have a say in what happens with my wedding?-Will they save me money?-Why can’t I just plan my wedding myself?Even before Jessica Simpson started sporting her ruby engagement ring I have been a fan of this gorgeous, vibrant stone.  I am often asked what I do as a wedding planner and how Red Letter Event Planning works with wedding clients. I created this RUBIES acronym to explain my wedding planning philosophy because when it comes to choosing a wedding planner-RUBIES are your best friend. R  -Regards your wedding as one of the most important days of your lifeYour wedding planner should be as excited about your wedding as you are.U  -Understands your vision for the Big DayYour wedding should reflect you, and your fiancée, understanding your vision begins by understanding your style and personality.B  -Believes in developing a realistic budgetEveryone has a budget and the wedding planner will help set priorities and make recommendations based upon your vision and budgetI  -In the loop on the latest trendsA wedding planner will bring a creative eye to your wedding drawing on trends within the industry to help make your wedding extra specialE  -Expertise in all things weddingAn average wedding takes over 250 hours to plan, a wedding planner will recommend the best vendors, organize and oversee logistics so you will be free to spend your time focusing on what is important to youS  -Saves your sanityHaving an advocate guide you through the wedding planning process and coordinate all the details helps reduce your stresshttp://redlettereventplanning.com/blog/2011/01/05/diamonds-are-forever-but-rubies-are-your-best-friend/See More

Wedding dresses made from recycled materials Recently I posted this blog on the Red Letter Event Planning blog, great pictures of wedding dresses designed by artists using recycled garbage. See More

Read more here on my observations on the Glee wedding and how wedding culture and pop culture come together!See More

You have spent countless hours planning your wedding and as the day draws closer all you want to focus on is looking beautiful and enjoying the day. Instead the multiple details and logistics that go into executing the perfect ceremony and reception are keeping you up at night and those dark circles under your eyes will not look pretty in pictures. Remove that anxiety by hiring a professional day of wedding coordinator. Hiring someone to organize and implement your plans is one of the best investments you will make for your wedding.A day of coordinator will do many of these tasks and much more:¨ Run your rehearsal¨ Confirm and coordinate your vendors¨ Develop a realistic timeline for you and your wedding party¨ Ensure your ceremony and reception are et up and looking fantastic¨ Troubleshoot any issues that arise during your ceremony and receptionThink of a day of coordinator as the conductor, orchestrating all the elements of your wedding day.Be smart when choosing your day of coordinator. You want someone with experience and expertise to handle your once in a lifetime day. Make sure the coordinator is the right personality fit for you and that they understand your plans and vision. In addition you should ask these important questions:¨ How many weddings have they coordinated?¨ Can they provide referrals from past clients?¨ Are they members of any professional organization?Just like any other vendor you choose, a wedding coordinator will provide a contract that lists services they will provide and the agreed upon price. The price of a professional day of coordinator is small compared to the peace of mind they will bring you on your wedding day!See More