And The Pic Of The Week

A great way to stop having wasted cake at your reception is to serve mini cakes with beautiful touches.  As Preston Bailey puts it "think outside of the cupcake cup".  Your guests will enjoy the look as well as the taste.

Photo Source: Melissa Mermin/Love Stories

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Not Your Traditional "Guest Book"

If you are like other bridal couples and looking for a way to add a little personality to your wedding without taking away all of the traditional, try an alternative guest book.  It shows your guests who you are and its fun.

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Punch tiny hearts out of paper, adhere to a shadow box frame 

and have guests write their names on the hearts

Guest put their thumbprint on your tree and sign the print

Guest sign the matte around your engagement photo

A vintage globe and some sharpies. Have your guests sign 

on their hometown or their favorite place.

Adhere various envelopes w/note cards into a blank book 

for guests to write personal wishes

Jenga! Have your guests sign Jenga pieces and the 

next time you play you won't know whether to read or pull the pieces.

Photo Source: Jacobus Photograpjy, Cinzia Bruschini, Orange Turtle, Elisabeth Millay, Miles Witt Boyer

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And The Pic Of The Week

Beautiful outdoor decor for your wedding, your tea party, or just because.

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What's The Perfect Veil Length?

How do you know which veil to choose for that beautiful gown you are about to purchase? Most brides do not know that there are names for a certain type of veil.  Well, I'm going to give you a few tips before you go veil shopping.

Shoulder Length - This veil falls just below the shoulders and is perfect with strapless or spaghetti strap dresses.  It is a great choice if you have detailing on your dress.

Elbow Length Veil - As the title reads, it falls to your elbow.  Elegant, easy to handle, and they work well with short sleeve, strapless, and spaghetti strap dresses.

Fingertip Length Veil - Falling to your fingertips and flattering for most brides this veil is traditionally used for more formal occasions.

Birdcage Veil - This is the shortest of the types of veils.  It's usually worn covering the eyes or down to the chin.  Easy to work with and have become popular in the last few years.

Ballet Length Veil - This veil falls between the knee and ankle.  Definitely to be worn with formal gowns.  

Chapel Length Veil - This veil touches the floor but does not stretch out in a distance as far as the cathedral veil.

Cathedral Length Veil - The grandest veil of the different types.  This veil falls to the floor and comes out a far distance from the bride.  Often the bride needs assistance with this veil.

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Tips On Your Bridal Show Adventure

Valentine's Day engagements are in full bloom and the brides to be are off and running.  Some already have ideas of what the big day will look like and some don't have a clue.  One good way to get started and a very useful tool is by visiting a few bridal shows.  They are full of ideas, fun, and exciting. You get to see and speak to the vendors directly, see their product, and get an idea of costs.  However, if you've never gone to a bridal show before let me give you a few tips.

1.  Pre-print labels:  You will be meeting a lot of vendors that all want your info.  In order to save your writing hand arrive with pre-printed labels with your name, contact info, and wedding date. I usually tell my brides to open up an email account that is specifically for their wedding. This will keep you sane and keep your personal emails separate.  When the wedding is over cancel the account.

2.  Don't Go Alone:  Always take someone whose opinion you trust.  Your first choice would be your fiance', however if he doesn't want to attend take a trusted confidant.  Ask your maid/matron of honor, mother, or even a future bride.   

3.  Wear Comfortable Shoes:  Bridal shows can be long and taxing on the feet.  Depending on the size you can be there three hours or more.  Make sure you leave your coat in the car if possible, eat a hearty breakfast/lunch before you go; most shows only have cake samples and you don't want a growling stomach to deter you from your fete.

4.  Bridal Show:  Be prepared to stay for the show, this will give you the opportunity to check out bridal gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and gowns for your mother.  

5.  Know Your Route:  Make sure you get a vendor listing or floor map and figure out the route you want to take to see the vendors you are most interested in.  This will save on time and allow you to visit other vendors not on your list.  

6.  Check Book/Credit Card:  Just in case you find a vendor that you must have make sure you have the necessary financial documents to make a deposit.  Don't feel obligated to book right then and there but just in case.

7.  Door Prizes:  Be sure to register for the door prizes or the individual vendor booth prizes.  Here's another time when your labels will be handy.

8.  Color Swatches:  If you have swatches of the colors you plan on using be sure to take with.  There's nothing like choosing a color and when you get it home it doesn't match.

9.  Questions:  Don't feel bad about asking a lot of questions.  Bring a note pad or write the answers right on their brochure.  The first and most important question should be "are you available on my wedding date?" 

10. Most Important Tip:  Have Fun!  Don't let the show overwhelm or underwhelm you.  Go with the flow and enjoy it.

Now, Let's Get Inspired!   

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Happy Valentine's Day!

It's here; what I call "The Wedding Holiday".  One of the biggest days in the wedding industry and one of my favorites.  My favorite because it represents LOVE.  Not just for your Valentine but for all; this is the holiday where couples are getting engaged, married, and couples are making it happen.    

Congratulations to you all and enjoy this fantabulous day!

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And The Pic Of The Week

This great centerpiece can be used for birthday parties, bar/bat mitzvah, and other special occasion events.  

Source: Chuck Robertson Photography

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Platinum Wedding Using Your Budget!

We have all seen the many television programs that showcase the celebrity and non-celebrity platinum weddings.  I love them; I get ideas and I play a guessing game on how much everything cost.  

They are fabulous, magnificent, gorgeous, over the top, and they are expensive.  Based on my years of experience, I love that many of my brides have those same lovely ideas, however, they do not have the same lovely money.  So, being the planner that I am I have to create those weddings on your budget.  Let's get started.

How Do You Calculate Your Budget:  In the beginning I had no clue.  I just took the budget of the couple and did everything in my power to make it work although I soon realized, more often than not, they always went a little over budget.  After speaking with a few finance experts we came up with a great calculation to help my couples with a realistic budget.  Follow this formula: Guests count =125, adding to zeros =12500, then add half that amount 12500 + 6250 = $18750 which is your starting budget.  

Location of Ceremony/Reception Venue:  This should be the first thing you do with your budget.  Based on the feel and look that you are going for your planner should immediately know which venues are not in your budget.  Depending whether or not you live in a big city or small township hotels may not be the venue for you.  Most often you have to use their caterer, then adding the taxes and gratuity you can easily use up more than half your budget.  I'm sure your planner can check his/her vendor list and suggest places that probably do not advertise, or are really low key on the rector scale but turns out to be very beautiful and just what you ordered. Affordable and beautiful venues are out there they just don't advertise on the popular wedding sites or magazines.    

Planner:  My minimum fee is $1500.  Depending on what you contract me for it can easily go up to the maximum of $3500.  However, contracting me comes with my relationships with other vendors.  These relationships help you when you have a limited budget; it helps me because I want the best for my clients.  Remember, it's not the coordinating on the day of, it's the entire experience that your planner brings.  Having someone that is level headed and can handle any situation while you, your fiance, family, and guests enjoy themselves is worth their weight in gold.  Whichever planner you choose and whichever service he/she offers it will be worth the investment and savings for your budget.

Photography:  Pricing in this area can have a big range.  This is not an area you want to skimp on.  You only get to capture these moments once so you want to make sure your photographer knows what they are doing.  Many photographers have a basic package which can start anywhere from $900 to $1500.  From there you have the add-ons.  Make sure you inquire if they can be added on later.  Unless the add-ons are a must have you can always add this right after the wedding.  Also look for packages that have the add ons you want included. Do the math; if its less expensive to do later by all means wait.  Always start with the basic package and discuss with your fiance if you really need the extras.  

DJ/Band:  This area is important because you want to make sure you and your guests are having a good time.  Again, these prices can range from $300 to $3000 so how do you choose.  Go to the bridal shows, ask friends, when you attend different events and you like the way the music is going ask for business cards.  No vendor worth it's weight in salt will not have business cards on them.  When I interview dj's and bands I make sure I talk to the person in charge.  I try to attend an event/wedding where the dj/band will be playing.  Check out how they are dressed, how they address the crowd, what type of music is played.  There are great dj's for $600 or less, I just have to do my research as do you.

Bakery:  Next on your list should be your cake.  Many couples are opting out for cupcakes which are great.  When using fondant icing know that you definitely pay more.  I've had some brides have a small cake made for the couple to cut and have a sheet cake in the kitchen for the guests; this will save a nice chunk of change.

Decor:  When you add up all your savings from the above items the balance of your dollars will be used for decor and florals.  If you are a DIY bride it's okay to enlist the help of friends, family, and bridal party to help with the decor.  Just do not plan on using them the day of the wedding. invest some of the money and let your planner hire a crew to put everything in place.  Definitely consult with your planner.  He/She knows all the good places to purchase wholesale or her relationships will come in handy and you can now afford to hire a professional decorator to give you that platinum look on a shoestring budget.   

Happy Budgeting.

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