I have been thinking about how I would address this topic and have a nice approach to it but the reality is….I am just going to get to the point and tell it like it is.
Many people will have wonderful intentions when they hear that you are getting married. However, because they volunteer does not mean that you need to have them complete the task in which they volunteer for.
I had a bride very recently email me a proof of her invitation and there were so many things wrong with it. I took the time to explain to the bride the right and wrong things and made the necessary corrections. While the bride was not knowledgeable about the etiquette of stationery I was able to teach her and for that she was grateful. Now it was time to touch base with her “friend” on the invitation she created.
This placed the bride in an uncomfortable position and she did not want to address it, eventually she did there was no avoiding it.
Point is many people will offer to assist you and you should not accept it’s okay if you tell them:
Thank you so much for offering to take care of x, y, & Z. I am starting the planning process and would love to outline everything before I begin making any decisions, I will get back to you on this at a later date.
Don’t feel pressured to accept everyone’s offer for help if you don’t know what they will put together for you. If you are a budget bride and would love the financial help it is okay to tell the person that you saw a style invitation that you fell in love with. Give them the verbiage and have them print it for you. If they are doing this task out of love it should not be what they put together.
This goes for any area of your wedding.
Bottom Line……learn how to say….I’ll let you know :)
Friday, September 23, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Candle Centerpieces
When designing your centerpieces there are endless options!Flowers can become very pricey if you get very elaborate. However for those brides that does not like flowers may be allergic to them, or for any other reason….here are a few candle light options. Consider the centerpieces below.
If you are trying to save on expense of flowers, you can DIY. However make sure to do a complete mock centerpiece on a table with linen to have an overview idea of how the table will look.
Simple yet creative designs can be achieved by using candles and decorating the surface around the base. Using candles a variety of heights add texture to the tables and creative a great romantic ambiance.Enjoy the pictures below and I hope you find some inspiration here.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Planners/Coordinators.....Tips on Hiring One
If you think a planner is more of a luxury for those that have a big wedding budget….good news….that is not the case!
There are many wedding planners and coordinators in the industry today; however it is your objective to identify a planner/coordinator that is a good fit for you and your future spouse. While there are many variables and qualities that you are looking for in your planner it is okay to take the time to interview a few and decide who is the best fit for your needs. Remember this individual will need to understand your vision clearly and will be your eyes and ears for your most memorable day.
So how much should a wedding planner/coordinator cost?
This is a very popular question! The cost of a coordinator will vary based on the services that you require and the services that they offer. If you would like assistance from start to finish this would be more expensive than having a coordinator for the month of your wedding. It is your choice if you prefer to have a coordinator find your venues and vendor and you give the final approval or just have a coordinator step in a few weeks before the wedding and finalize all the logistics and details.
How does the billing process work?
Some charge a percentage of your budget, hourly, or a flat fee. You should choose which method you prefer and compare the services offered as they may differ. Don’t hesitate to ask about a package deal for total services you are interested it. Typically the total charges can be paid in installments over a period of time.
What are the benefits of hiring a planner?
Hiring a professional can help you save time and money. Because planners are in the wedding industry there are many relationships that are established from working together with other vendors or through networking. Your planner can also be your negotiator and/or review contracts for you.
The bottom line is……you should determine what level of service that you would like to receive from your wedding planner/coordinator. Take the time to meet with them and layout your expectations as well as find out their expectations.
Happy Planning!
There are many wedding planners and coordinators in the industry today; however it is your objective to identify a planner/coordinator that is a good fit for you and your future spouse. While there are many variables and qualities that you are looking for in your planner it is okay to take the time to interview a few and decide who is the best fit for your needs. Remember this individual will need to understand your vision clearly and will be your eyes and ears for your most memorable day.
So how much should a wedding planner/coordinator cost?
This is a very popular question! The cost of a coordinator will vary based on the services that you require and the services that they offer. If you would like assistance from start to finish this would be more expensive than having a coordinator for the month of your wedding. It is your choice if you prefer to have a coordinator find your venues and vendor and you give the final approval or just have a coordinator step in a few weeks before the wedding and finalize all the logistics and details.
How does the billing process work?
Some charge a percentage of your budget, hourly, or a flat fee. You should choose which method you prefer and compare the services offered as they may differ. Don’t hesitate to ask about a package deal for total services you are interested it. Typically the total charges can be paid in installments over a period of time.
What are the benefits of hiring a planner?
Hiring a professional can help you save time and money. Because planners are in the wedding industry there are many relationships that are established from working together with other vendors or through networking. Your planner can also be your negotiator and/or review contracts for you.
The bottom line is……you should determine what level of service that you would like to receive from your wedding planner/coordinator. Take the time to meet with them and layout your expectations as well as find out their expectations.
Happy Planning!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Edible Favors!
When bride’s think about their favors it should reflect both the bride & groom or the theme to your wedding.
I am working with a Fall couple that has the theme of a city, so we are putting together items and snacks that the city is famous for. Times have changed from the small bag or favor with almonds or chocolates.
Be creative…..This Spring I had the pleasure of working with one of my fantastic brides on a wine themed wedding. For the favors the couple made homemade wine jelly for each guest and attached their monogram to each jar.
Maryland lovers…..Last summer one of my couples love Maryland crabs, their favor were crab shaped cookies with a crab shaped cookie cutter and the bride’s mother favor cookie recipe….how neat is that!
Thinking favor…..think food or a snack you will keep your guests talking!
I am working with a Fall couple that has the theme of a city, so we are putting together items and snacks that the city is famous for. Times have changed from the small bag or favor with almonds or chocolates.
Be creative…..This Spring I had the pleasure of working with one of my fantastic brides on a wine themed wedding. For the favors the couple made homemade wine jelly for each guest and attached their monogram to each jar.
Maryland lovers…..Last summer one of my couples love Maryland crabs, their favor were crab shaped cookies with a crab shaped cookie cutter and the bride’s mother favor cookie recipe….how neat is that!
Thinking favor…..think food or a snack you will keep your guests talking!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Orchid DIY Centerpiece
DIY Wedding Challenge: Curly willow and orchid centerpieces
I love getting new ideas for just about anything! There are so many people that are trying to cut expenses in every area. While I love real flowers and the excitment and fragrance that they bring to a room, here is a cute idea that may be inexpensive and a great idea for another bride or even for any event!
Enjoy this blog post from a Bride! The link to the original post information is enclosed at the end of this post.
Materials:
• Curly willow tip branches. (These I purchased from Whole Foods)
• Silk flowers... 9 per centerpiece. (Mine were soft touch orchids from Stats)
• Moss
• River rocks... 5 per centerpiece.
• Plaster of Paris
• Small pots to contain your centerpiece. (From Stats, these are actually paper mache.)
• Paint in your wedding colors
• Artistic Wire Ltd - Light brown, 28 gauge.
• Styrofoam discs that fit inside of your pot
• Hot glue sticks
• Tacky glue
• Curly willow tip branches. (These I purchased from Whole Foods)
• Silk flowers... 9 per centerpiece. (Mine were soft touch orchids from Stats)
• Moss
• River rocks... 5 per centerpiece.
• Plaster of Paris
• Small pots to contain your centerpiece. (From Stats, these are actually paper mache.)
• Paint in your wedding colors
• Artistic Wire Ltd - Light brown, 28 gauge.
• Styrofoam discs that fit inside of your pot
• Hot glue sticks
• Tacky glue
Tools:
• Wire cutters
• Hot glue gun
• Small paint brush for detail work
• Wire cutters
• Hot glue gun
• Small paint brush for detail work
Assembly:
1. Using your hot glue gun, secure the foam disc to the bottom of the pot and let sit for at least 30min to make sure it is attached.
2. Mix up your plaster of Paris following the directions on the container, and fill in the moat like area between the pot and the styrofoam disc. The plaster helps weigh the pot down to prevent the centerpiece from tipping over. Of note, if your styrofoam is not secure to the bottom of the pot, it may float up once your pour the plaster mix. At this point I suggest placing something heavy on the styrofoam to weigh it down until the plaster mix has dried completely.
3. Once your concoction has dried, you can paint your pot! Our main colors were chocolate and orange with accents of red. Hence, we painted the sides of the pot with the accent colors, and also painted the bottom with our names and wedding date so that guests who lived in town could have a souvenir to take home if they so chose. When you are done painting, let the pot dry.
1. Using your hot glue gun, secure the foam disc to the bottom of the pot and let sit for at least 30min to make sure it is attached.
2. Mix up your plaster of Paris following the directions on the container, and fill in the moat like area between the pot and the styrofoam disc. The plaster helps weigh the pot down to prevent the centerpiece from tipping over. Of note, if your styrofoam is not secure to the bottom of the pot, it may float up once your pour the plaster mix. At this point I suggest placing something heavy on the styrofoam to weigh it down until the plaster mix has dried completely.
3. Once your concoction has dried, you can paint your pot! Our main colors were chocolate and orange with accents of red. Hence, we painted the sides of the pot with the accent colors, and also painted the bottom with our names and wedding date so that guests who lived in town could have a souvenir to take home if they so chose. When you are done painting, let the pot dry.
4. Now it is time to insert your curly willow tips into the styrofoam. I find working with curly willow that's been allowed to dry out a day or two is easier to work with as it holds it's shape better and doesn't bend under the weight of the flowers. One of the keys is to remember these are relatively tall centerpieces, so you don't want the branches to be too thick to block guests view of each other. Once the branches are where you want them, secure with hot glue and let the glue dry for at least 30 min.5. Meanwhile, chose some of your river rocks, and if you so desire, paint them with meaningful words of what being married is to you. For us we chose words like "Love", "Trust", "Honor", "Friendship" and "Cherish".
6. Cover your styrofoam and dried plaster mix with moss. Use your hot glue gun to secure the moss in place. Then place flowers and river rocks as desired around the base of the curly willow branches. Once they are in the spot you like, secure them with your hot glue gun.
7. Pull your flowers off their wire stems. Using your brown artistic wire, secure the blooms to the branches where you desire. The pattern I used was two blooms at the base, three midway, and four higher up the branches for a total of 9. Once they are wired to the branch, glue the wire in place using a dot of hot glue or tacky glue. (Remember the glue will dry clear!)And behold! You have a unique centerpiece made for approximately $32 each.
Centerpieces in action at the event:
http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/diy-wedding-challenge-curly-willow-and-orchid-centerpieces
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Maid/Matron of Honor & Bridesmaids- Their Roles
Does your Maid/Matron of Honor & Bridesmaids know their roles for the wedding?
Typically they pay for their dresses and shoes, but what else are they expected do?
This is where the Bride thinks about the tasks and assistance she may need at an early stage.
How many times do you watch a wedding show and the Bride is complaining that her Bridesmaids are not around to help.
The things in these cases we have to consider are:
Did the Bride communicate that she would like help with favors/tasks?
How far in advance did she communicate with her ladies if at all?
When you ask your ladies to be a member of your wedding party make it fun and cute. Here is a nice poem you can print on pretty paper and send out to your ladies:
Are you great with words? Craft a special poem to ask your girls to stand next to you on your special day. If you are struggling, search the Internet for some ideas to get started!
You have always been there; you're more than just a friend.
You're the one that I can turn to; you'll be there 'til the end.
As I walk down the aisle, to begin my married life
Please be my bridesmaid, as I become a wife.
Here is a bracelet to wear when we're together
It's more than just a circle; it means we're friends forever!
This poem comes from Miami Wedding Helper . You can purchase a card with this poem and a hot pink rubber bracelet stamped with "Bridesmaid" for $5.
After all your ladies accept this honor of being your bridesmaids, have your Maid/Matron of honor host the first meeting to celebrate and keep your expectations from them overall with due dates of items clear while enjoying the celebration.
Don’t be a challenging bride with a million guidelines, the first meeting is not the time for that. You don't want them to run away.
Let your Maid/Matron of Honor lead the team as she is expected to do in her role.
Enjoy the planning process; you should not have to worry about the Bridesmaids.
Happy Planning!
Typically they pay for their dresses and shoes, but what else are they expected do?
This is where the Bride thinks about the tasks and assistance she may need at an early stage.
How many times do you watch a wedding show and the Bride is complaining that her Bridesmaids are not around to help.
The things in these cases we have to consider are:
Did the Bride communicate that she would like help with favors/tasks?
How far in advance did she communicate with her ladies if at all?
When you ask your ladies to be a member of your wedding party make it fun and cute. Here is a nice poem you can print on pretty paper and send out to your ladies:
Are you great with words? Craft a special poem to ask your girls to stand next to you on your special day. If you are struggling, search the Internet for some ideas to get started!
You have always been there; you're more than just a friend.
You're the one that I can turn to; you'll be there 'til the end.
As I walk down the aisle, to begin my married life
Please be my bridesmaid, as I become a wife.
Here is a bracelet to wear when we're together
It's more than just a circle; it means we're friends forever!
This poem comes from Miami Wedding Helper . You can purchase a card with this poem and a hot pink rubber bracelet stamped with "Bridesmaid" for $5.
After all your ladies accept this honor of being your bridesmaids, have your Maid/Matron of honor host the first meeting to celebrate and keep your expectations from them overall with due dates of items clear while enjoying the celebration.
Don’t be a challenging bride with a million guidelines, the first meeting is not the time for that. You don't want them to run away.
Let your Maid/Matron of Honor lead the team as she is expected to do in her role.
Enjoy the planning process; you should not have to worry about the Bridesmaids.
Happy Planning!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
New Look for your Guest Book
We’ve all seen the traditional guest book where each guest signs his or her name on a line, recorded for posterity, and end up being rarely to be viewed. For the couple that would like to try something a little different. It’s okay to be creative and do something unique that reflect you both!
Wishing Tree
A wishing tree is a fun décor piece that can be customized to match your wedding colors. Guests simply write a special message or wish for you on small cards with ribbon affixed to them. The wishes are then hung from the tree and then removed after the wedding and placed into a scrapbook!
Photo Booth Guest Book
For a fun and interactive activity, have guests take pictures in the photo booth and place supplies on the tables for guests to then adhere to a scrapbook with a special message! These pictures get more fun as the night goes on!
Art for Your Home
Instead of having guests sign a matted picture of the two of you, why not change things up a bit and create a custom art piece for your home? Use a historic picture of the venue where the wedding reception was held and guests signed their names around it. A map of the city where the two of you met or were married, a painting of a place that has special significance for you, a family crest, etc – the possibilities are endless for what you could have matted and signed in lieu of a traditional guest book.
Engagement Album Guest Book
You are likely to have an engagement shoot captured by your wedding photographer prior to the big day. Some photographers offer an engagement album that can also double as your guest book with lots of space left around the pictures for guests to sign their name or leave you a little message. Best of all, the book itself becomes a wonderful coffee table décor piece in your new home together where you can smile at the pictures of the two of you while also reading your guests’ special words to you.
Wishing Tree
A wishing tree is a fun décor piece that can be customized to match your wedding colors. Guests simply write a special message or wish for you on small cards with ribbon affixed to them. The wishes are then hung from the tree and then removed after the wedding and placed into a scrapbook!
Photo Booth Guest Book
For a fun and interactive activity, have guests take pictures in the photo booth and place supplies on the tables for guests to then adhere to a scrapbook with a special message! These pictures get more fun as the night goes on!
Art for Your Home
Instead of having guests sign a matted picture of the two of you, why not change things up a bit and create a custom art piece for your home? Use a historic picture of the venue where the wedding reception was held and guests signed their names around it. A map of the city where the two of you met or were married, a painting of a place that has special significance for you, a family crest, etc – the possibilities are endless for what you could have matted and signed in lieu of a traditional guest book.
Engagement Album Guest Book
You are likely to have an engagement shoot captured by your wedding photographer prior to the big day. Some photographers offer an engagement album that can also double as your guest book with lots of space left around the pictures for guests to sign their name or leave you a little message. Best of all, the book itself becomes a wonderful coffee table décor piece in your new home together where you can smile at the pictures of the two of you while also reading your guests’ special words to you.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Bridal Show Winner- Mountain Branch Golf Course
Hello Brides!
Congratulations to each of you on your upcoming nuptials. It was a pleasure meeting you all yesterday at the Mountain Branch Bridal Show! Thank you for visiting our table and getting information about our services.
The winner of the gift certificate is number 1321911
Door Prize winner was number 698904 (Mountain Branch Ticket)
Congratulations! You will be contact today with the details of your gift certificate and redemption information.
For all you other brides that visited please review our service options and the Bridal Show promotional savings that is offered to you in your information packet.
Give us a call or send an email if you have any questions! Planning/coordinating is our passion and is combined with our skill sets to execute your wedding as you envision.
Happy Planning!
Congratulations to each of you on your upcoming nuptials. It was a pleasure meeting you all yesterday at the Mountain Branch Bridal Show! Thank you for visiting our table and getting information about our services.
The winner of the gift certificate is number 1321911
Door Prize winner was number 698904 (Mountain Branch Ticket)
Congratulations! You will be contact today with the details of your gift certificate and redemption information.
For all you other brides that visited please review our service options and the Bridal Show promotional savings that is offered to you in your information packet.
Give us a call or send an email if you have any questions! Planning/coordinating is our passion and is combined with our skill sets to execute your wedding as you envision.
Happy Planning!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
DIY Menu Cards - Template
Below is a DIY tip from a bride on Project Wedding - Dill Pickle Picnic
Tools Needed:
•Paper Cutter (or have it precut at Kinko’s,etc)
•Color printer that will allow for custom paper sizes
•Feel Script Font or Monterey BT Font
•Menu Template created in MS Word (saved for Word 95-2005) Supplies Needed:
•8.5 x 11 inches Ivory or White Cardstock – 1 sheet makes 3 menus (I used cover stock from PaperSource in Luxe White but Cold Press watercolor paper would work well also)
Instructions:
•If you don’t already have it loaded on your computer, download and install the font of your choice. This project uses Copperplate Gothic (which came with MS Word) and Monterey-BT. •Download the Menu Template from above and update to your menu items of choice. Verify that the paper size is set to a custom size with a width of 3.66 inches and a height of 8.5 inches.
•Cut your standard sized paper into 3 menu sized pieces*.
Each menu is setup to be 3.66 inches wide, so a 1/3 of a standard sheet of paper’s width if in landscape mode. Using your paper cutter cut each sheet into 3 equal pieces. To make this process less tedious I constructed a “guard” of sorts using a post-it note placed in the correct cutting position. Then I could just line my paper up against it’s edge and make a consistent sized cut each time. In retrospect it would have been even easier if I’d used a piece of heavier cardstock taped to my cutting deck so I have more of a solid edge to line up against. With my cutter and this easier method of alignment, I could easily cut through 2 pieces of coverstock at a time. Menu Template 
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Finding your Summer Venue
Summer weddings are fun, but can be challenging to plan when you are looking for the “perfect venue” and have a large guest list!
The visions of a summer wedding are very popular and venues book quickly, in some cases years in advance. It is important to know your maximum number of guests; this will give you a guideline in addition to the amenities that you both are looking for on your wedding day.
If you are available to see a venue during the setup process of another wedding this is also helpful and allow you to envision your day and floor plan in the space. Contact the representative for the venue you have in mind and ask to see the space before an upcoming wedding.
There are many things to consider when searching for your summer venue. If you are having an outdoor wedding don’t just think about a backup plan for rain….also remember the sun. While outdoor weddings can be very nice, think about the location and setup of the venue, the position that the sun will set and other details. Explore the options of renting a tent, this help with shade and shelter case of rain.
Keep good notes on the venues that you visit and include the pros and cons. Always inquire about the food if you have an option between the catering companies or if you must go with their company. This can be a deal breaker if the food is not good.
Just remember to plan carefully and think about the overall logistics before signing your contract.
Happy Planning!
The visions of a summer wedding are very popular and venues book quickly, in some cases years in advance. It is important to know your maximum number of guests; this will give you a guideline in addition to the amenities that you both are looking for on your wedding day.
If you are available to see a venue during the setup process of another wedding this is also helpful and allow you to envision your day and floor plan in the space. Contact the representative for the venue you have in mind and ask to see the space before an upcoming wedding.
There are many things to consider when searching for your summer venue. If you are having an outdoor wedding don’t just think about a backup plan for rain….also remember the sun. While outdoor weddings can be very nice, think about the location and setup of the venue, the position that the sun will set and other details. Explore the options of renting a tent, this help with shade and shelter case of rain.
Keep good notes on the venues that you visit and include the pros and cons. Always inquire about the food if you have an option between the catering companies or if you must go with their company. This can be a deal breaker if the food is not good.
Just remember to plan carefully and think about the overall logistics before signing your contract.
Happy Planning!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Bridal Show Winner - Preston Hall
Bridal Show Winner!!!
We had a great time yesterday at the Preston Hall bridal show.
Thank you for visiting our table and getting additional information about our services.
The winner of the gift certificate is number 6921911
Congratulations! We will be in contact with you this week!
We had a great time yesterday at the Preston Hall bridal show.
Thank you for visiting our table and getting additional information about our services.
The winner of the gift certificate is number 6921911
Congratulations! We will be in contact with you this week!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Virtual Table Design! Easy Table Preview!
Are you trying to envision your colors?
If you are thinking about your color scheme and how to design your tables, we have a great link for you to give you an idea of a completed table!
You have the ability to select the table shape, size, linen, overlays, napkins, chair covers, sashes and other options!
Please feel free to use the link below and explore the many options that you have dress your tables for your upcoming event!
Have fun and play with the color combinations!
http://www.bbjlinen.com/Design-Your-Event-Table
If you are thinking about your color scheme and how to design your tables, we have a great link for you to give you an idea of a completed table!
You have the ability to select the table shape, size, linen, overlays, napkins, chair covers, sashes and other options!
Please feel free to use the link below and explore the many options that you have dress your tables for your upcoming event!
Have fun and play with the color combinations!
http://www.bbjlinen.com/Design-Your-Event-Table
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Another Wedding Wire Award! 2011 Award
WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Prestigious Occasions has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Wedding Planners!
Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.
Prestigious Occasions stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.
“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Prestigious Occasions for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”
We are happy to announce that Prestigious Occasions is among the very best Wedding Planners within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.
For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today (click here)
For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.
Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.
Prestigious Occasions stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.
“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Prestigious Occasions for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”
We are happy to announce that Prestigious Occasions is among the very best Wedding Planners within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.
For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today (click here)
For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Pricing & Value for Event Planners
When it comes down to selecting a wedding planner there are many factors that you should base your decision on other than the cost.
When selecting a wedding planner you determine the relationship you would like to have, as the client you have the final decision on how you spend your money. Planners can make suggestions and accompany you to the vendor meetings, advise you on your budget in each area. Keep in mind if you go over the budget in a category, you good planner will adjust the budget to break even overall.
The fees of a planner depend on the services that you would like to retain. Before you hire a planner/coordinator be sure to know what exactly their services cover. Some planners offer a flat rate; others charge by the hours worked, or a percentage of your wedding budget. Most will create a proposal for you based on the services that you desire.
If you chose to hire a planner for full service planning (from beginning to end) this may end up saving you money in the long run.
For Example, there may be a venue that you are interested in and your planner can negotiate a deal on the same venue or find you a venue similar or better while saving you thousands in that one area just to start with the other potential savings to come.
Don’t assume that you can’t afford a planner for your special day, there are many resources and ways you can incorporate a planner in your budget.
When selecting a wedding planner you determine the relationship you would like to have, as the client you have the final decision on how you spend your money. Planners can make suggestions and accompany you to the vendor meetings, advise you on your budget in each area. Keep in mind if you go over the budget in a category, you good planner will adjust the budget to break even overall.
The fees of a planner depend on the services that you would like to retain. Before you hire a planner/coordinator be sure to know what exactly their services cover. Some planners offer a flat rate; others charge by the hours worked, or a percentage of your wedding budget. Most will create a proposal for you based on the services that you desire.
If you chose to hire a planner for full service planning (from beginning to end) this may end up saving you money in the long run.
For Example, there may be a venue that you are interested in and your planner can negotiate a deal on the same venue or find you a venue similar or better while saving you thousands in that one area just to start with the other potential savings to come.
Don’t assume that you can’t afford a planner for your special day, there are many resources and ways you can incorporate a planner in your budget.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
DIY Signs to Guide your Guests
If you have venue that it may be a challenge to get to in the car and/or on feet, think about extra signage to help your guests find their way.
I have two brides so far this year that their receptions are on a college campus. As many of you know it can be challenging to locate the correct building on a large campus such as John Hopkins University. However we are planning to DIY a few things to keep the expenses down and help lead the guests in the right direction.
I found a post by a previous bride and her DIY tutorial. All the details are listed below and also a link to the original blog post. Enjoy and share this blog with someone else who you may think want to save.
If your ceremony or reception location is challenging to get to although the turn-by-turn directions on the back of the map you may have included in the invitations were received. There may be a few guests that will forget this information, GPS is great but may not work in all areas that you are traveling in. Here is a quick DIY project that will help you with some simple signs to help your guests find their way.
Supplies Needed:
1. 12″ unfinished wooden plaque
2. Indoor/Outdoor satin finish spray paint in Ivory
3. Martha Stewart Crafts rub-on alphabet decals
4. Cricut Cuttables adhesive vinyl in black (not pictured)
How they are made:
1. After laying down a few sheets of newspaper outdoors to protect the grass, apply three coats of spray paint to each wooden plaque, allowing a few minutes of drying time between coats. (TIP: Disposable gloves are a great idea!
2. Allow the paint to fully dry for about an hour. Using a light colored pencil and a straight edge; sketch a faint guide line where your letters will be placed.
3. Position a decal on the plaque with the ink side down. Apply by rubbing all over the surface of the decal with the included craft stick, using a good amount of pressure. To ensure a clean transfer, make sure to rub over all of the little detailed areas, and especially the edges of each letter. Slowly peel back the acetate backing. If you notice that parts of the decal have not transferred, lay the acetate back down and keep rubbing. Repeat for all letters.
4. Using adhesive-backed black vinyl, free-hand an arrow shape in Sharpie on the paper backing. Then cut it out with a craft knife and adhered it to the plaque. The nice thing is that the vinyl is repositionable, meaning that the arrow can later be changed to point in a different direction and the sign can be used again.
A small screw with a loop on the back of the sign with ribbon will allow you to tie the signs to the a sign that is already in place such as a stop sign. Add a stake to the back and this sign can be placed in the ground along the route.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
RSVP & Open Receptions....Save yourself the drama!!!
Here it is another Sunday that I relax and hang around the house watching wedding shows and movies after doing the normal Sunday routine things. I decided to watch Four Wedding on TLC since I am almost never available to watch it on Friday nights.
For those of you whom have never seen the show it is about four brides competing for a honeymoon and have to critique the other brides on their dress, venue, and food. At the end the ratings are revealed along with the overall experience.
One of the brides had her DJ make an announcement “If you did not RSVP for the Reception you have to wait outside”.
Yes…I’ll wait until you go back and read that again……you read right! This is a No No…
Unless you can afford unlimited food and seating please manage your guest list. As a planner I strongly suggest during the consultation that the couple be realistic in the guest count and also leave room in the budget and guest estimate for additional guests. This particular wedding was for 200 guests within a $30,000 budget.
To avoid or narrow down any confusion for the guests and attendants have your hostesses in place to assist with the escort cards and/or seating cart. If a guest’s name is not on the list the hostesses will know how to handle this particular guest. Have a default table available for possibility of overflow. This table can be used to house your vendors and a few extra guests, your vendors will not sit and eat for long, most just enough their meal and go right back to working.
If you run into an overflow problem please don’t have anyone make an announcement that your overflow guests will have to go outside. This will leave a bad impression on the guests overall, the guests outside and also the ones inside. Don’t take over as a bride, after all this should be a day for you to enjoy, make sure you have a planner or someone as your point person to troubleshoot your day. However, this individual should know all your details to the entire wedding….you must give up all information to them to be successful. Plan accordingly to prevent having to extinguish a fire that could be prevented in the planning stage and last minute logistics of the reception.
Happy Planning!
For those of you whom have never seen the show it is about four brides competing for a honeymoon and have to critique the other brides on their dress, venue, and food. At the end the ratings are revealed along with the overall experience.
One of the brides had her DJ make an announcement “If you did not RSVP for the Reception you have to wait outside”.
Yes…I’ll wait until you go back and read that again……you read right! This is a No No…
Unless you can afford unlimited food and seating please manage your guest list. As a planner I strongly suggest during the consultation that the couple be realistic in the guest count and also leave room in the budget and guest estimate for additional guests. This particular wedding was for 200 guests within a $30,000 budget.
To avoid or narrow down any confusion for the guests and attendants have your hostesses in place to assist with the escort cards and/or seating cart. If a guest’s name is not on the list the hostesses will know how to handle this particular guest. Have a default table available for possibility of overflow. This table can be used to house your vendors and a few extra guests, your vendors will not sit and eat for long, most just enough their meal and go right back to working.
If you run into an overflow problem please don’t have anyone make an announcement that your overflow guests will have to go outside. This will leave a bad impression on the guests overall, the guests outside and also the ones inside. Don’t take over as a bride, after all this should be a day for you to enjoy, make sure you have a planner or someone as your point person to troubleshoot your day. However, this individual should know all your details to the entire wedding….you must give up all information to them to be successful. Plan accordingly to prevent having to extinguish a fire that could be prevented in the planning stage and last minute logistics of the reception.
Happy Planning!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
DIY Centerpiece Ideas & Products
At $3.33 per foot, Crystal Diamond Mesh are a popular ways to add "bling" to centerpieces, bouquets, candles, vases and more. This item is available at Koyal Wholesale for you DIY designers and professionals, this rhinestone-studded crystal ribbon is offered in silver diamond, gold diamond and black diamond. Launched just one week ago, Crystal Diamond Mesh has already become one of the best-selling items of 2011!
As low as $1.80 per strand, the 21" Hanging Crystal Garlands are one of our all-time best selling items. New for 2011, Koyal Wholesale now offers the hanging crystals in 6 colors, including clear, black, fuchsia, purple, pink and turquoise. They also sell Manzanita Trees. The bendable artificial trees come in gold, silver, black and white and in a variety of sizes. Combine with hanging crystals to achieve platinum centerpieces that won't break the budget.
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