I am honored to share this post with you, as one of our weddings has been featured on Wedding Chicks.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Wedding Chicks Feature
When you have an amazing couple, when you have a great team of people behind you, when everything is meticulously planned, and when all of the details come together, you get one beautiful wedding!
I am honored to share this post with you, as one of our weddings has been featured on Wedding Chicks.
I am honored to share this post with you, as one of our weddings has been featured on Wedding Chicks.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Family Drama and Weddings
What would wedding planning be without a little family drama? Think of it as a chance for you and your fiance to practice dealing with these situations as a team. No matter how amazing everyone is, there are always going to be differences of opinion -- now and long after you are married. So, what's the best way to deal with the drama?
First, don't let there be drama where you can help it. Not every issue is the end of the world. Granted, some issues are really important. Thus, learn to pick your battles.
Second, remember what your wedding day is about -- you and your fiance committing to love one another from this day forward. Remind everyone involved of this. It's a time for people to come together to celebrate your love.
Third, be upfront. If family members are contributing financially, be clear about expectations and who controls what. The person giving the money has the right to have an opinion on how the money is spent. You, as the person being offered the money, have the right to politely decline if there are stings attached.
Every client I've worked with has some sort of sticky family issue at one point or another, and I'm always happy to step in as an unbiassed third party when appropriate. (My mom actually tells me I should market myself as the 'Switzerland' of wedding planning.) Just keep what is important at the center of your planning, and hold on tight. At the end of it all, you will be married and that is the point. If you can't weather the storm together (don't worry, it's okay if you need a life preserver now and again), then you may want to stop and seriously think about why you are getting married.
Wishing you more bliss and less drama,
First, don't let there be drama where you can help it. Not every issue is the end of the world. Granted, some issues are really important. Thus, learn to pick your battles.
Second, remember what your wedding day is about -- you and your fiance committing to love one another from this day forward. Remind everyone involved of this. It's a time for people to come together to celebrate your love.
Third, be upfront. If family members are contributing financially, be clear about expectations and who controls what. The person giving the money has the right to have an opinion on how the money is spent. You, as the person being offered the money, have the right to politely decline if there are stings attached.
Every client I've worked with has some sort of sticky family issue at one point or another, and I'm always happy to step in as an unbiassed third party when appropriate. (My mom actually tells me I should market myself as the 'Switzerland' of wedding planning.) Just keep what is important at the center of your planning, and hold on tight. At the end of it all, you will be married and that is the point. If you can't weather the storm together (don't worry, it's okay if you need a life preserver now and again), then you may want to stop and seriously think about why you are getting married.
Wishing you more bliss and less drama,
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Paying for a Wedding
I entered into this business partially because it pained me to see couples fret over money when planning a wedding. You've heard me say it before, the absolute first thing you should do when planning your wedding is map out your budget (with realistic numbers, not just guesses of what you want to spend on each category). That being said, here are some general tips for figuring out both who pays for what and how much total you have to spend:
*It really is a grab bag when it comes down to who pays for the wedding. It may be the couple, the bride's parents, the groom's parents, or other close family members contributing to the budget. As many couples today wait until they are established in their careers before getting married, they are chipping in more and more. Also, with the economy being the way it is, I tend to see more and more 'group' contributions where each involved party contributes what they can. The days of set percentages or 'traditional' contributions are quickly becoming a thing of the past.
*Have an open and honest conversation with both families before planning anything. Know how much each person is willing to contribute financially and when. Be up front about the fact that you, the couple, will have to decide the final guest list and that budgetary constraints may limit who can be invited. If the groom's side of the guest list is 3x more people than the bride's but the budget doesn't have any room to budge, then you will have to stick to family and your closest of friends. Be realistic, and be clear with everyone from the start that while you would like to include as many people as possible, you may need to make it a more intimate affair. Being honest and upfront will save you many headaches down the road.
Are you wondering how much you should save for your wedding? Money shouldn't be the determining factor as to when you get married. Truly, all you need is enough for a marriage license. A wedding is about a lifetime commitment and not about a single day. Keep that focus in mind and it will take you a long way. I've seen beautiful weddings for under $10k. I've also seen so, so weddings where the couple has spent more than 3x that amount.
A wedding should never put you in debt or add to your debt. If you can't make your credit card payments in full each month or are not meeting other debt obligations, then you shouldn't be shelling out a bunch of money for your wedding. When it comes to things like saving for your first home, it is really a case by case basis depending on what your goals are and what stage of life you are in.
Some of this advice might be hard to swallow. Just remember, your wedding will last one day. Your marraige is a lifetime investment.
Cheers,
*It really is a grab bag when it comes down to who pays for the wedding. It may be the couple, the bride's parents, the groom's parents, or other close family members contributing to the budget. As many couples today wait until they are established in their careers before getting married, they are chipping in more and more. Also, with the economy being the way it is, I tend to see more and more 'group' contributions where each involved party contributes what they can. The days of set percentages or 'traditional' contributions are quickly becoming a thing of the past.
*Have an open and honest conversation with both families before planning anything. Know how much each person is willing to contribute financially and when. Be up front about the fact that you, the couple, will have to decide the final guest list and that budgetary constraints may limit who can be invited. If the groom's side of the guest list is 3x more people than the bride's but the budget doesn't have any room to budge, then you will have to stick to family and your closest of friends. Be realistic, and be clear with everyone from the start that while you would like to include as many people as possible, you may need to make it a more intimate affair. Being honest and upfront will save you many headaches down the road.
Are you wondering how much you should save for your wedding? Money shouldn't be the determining factor as to when you get married. Truly, all you need is enough for a marriage license. A wedding is about a lifetime commitment and not about a single day. Keep that focus in mind and it will take you a long way. I've seen beautiful weddings for under $10k. I've also seen so, so weddings where the couple has spent more than 3x that amount.
A wedding should never put you in debt or add to your debt. If you can't make your credit card payments in full each month or are not meeting other debt obligations, then you shouldn't be shelling out a bunch of money for your wedding. When it comes to things like saving for your first home, it is really a case by case basis depending on what your goals are and what stage of life you are in.
Some of this advice might be hard to swallow. Just remember, your wedding will last one day. Your marraige is a lifetime investment.
Cheers,
Friday, February 19, 2010
Google and Weddings
If you haven't heard yet, Google Docs launched a wide range of tools to help brides and grooms plan their wedding. Considering I worked for Google before launching my own business, I was excited to check out each of the templates. There are over 20 to choose from. I think you will find some more useful than others. Below, I've highlighted a few that will save you time as well as a few that are great but should be used with caution:
Time Savers:
*Address Book: Often a bride sits down to address her invites only to realize that her address book is outdated. Google has created a form that you can send to your guests via email, and it will update your address book automatically. This tool can be a great start in getting your guests' information up-to-date. However, don't forget about your great aunt who may not use email or about those guests whose emails aren't current in your contacts list.
*Seating Chart: Sure, you can make a template yourself. However, Google has already coded one for you. The seating chart tends to change by the minute, right up to the reception. Using this tool will save you from the headache that can be created by constant changes in guest count.
*Choosing a Venue: After creating a budget, choosing a venue can be one of the most overwhelming tasks. Living in Southern California, there are so many great reception and ceremony sites available. Each one has something unique to offer, and each one spells out their costs differently. One might charge a rental fee, while another might incorporate rental costs into a 'per-person' fee. Laying all the information out in one place will help you see the bigger picture when making your final selection.
Things to Consider:
*Budget: Creating a budget is the absolute first thing you should do when planning your wedding. Doing so will save you time and money. However, with any template or form you use for planning, you need to remember that they are not one-size-fits-all. You must modify according to your needs. When you add estimated costs to your budget, don't just guess or use percentages. Instead, call around and get a feel for what your dollar can get you. I've had brides come to me and say that a template told them they would use x% of their budget on flowers. While a percent is a great place to start, it's often not realistic. Make sure the numbers you are using are realistic. $200 is not going to get you 5 bouquets and 5 boutonnieres, not to mention any other florals you might be interested in.
*Wedding Day Schedule: Again, modify to fit your needs and be realistic. This is one area I cannot emphasise the need for the expertise of a planner enough. Chances are, you've never planned a wedding before. It's really hard to guess how long makeup will take, or how long it will take your photographer to capture all your desired family photos. Having a schedule for the day is a must, but it is worthless if the allotted times aren't accurate.
Time Savers:
*Address Book: Often a bride sits down to address her invites only to realize that her address book is outdated. Google has created a form that you can send to your guests via email, and it will update your address book automatically. This tool can be a great start in getting your guests' information up-to-date. However, don't forget about your great aunt who may not use email or about those guests whose emails aren't current in your contacts list.
*Seating Chart: Sure, you can make a template yourself. However, Google has already coded one for you. The seating chart tends to change by the minute, right up to the reception. Using this tool will save you from the headache that can be created by constant changes in guest count.
*Choosing a Venue: After creating a budget, choosing a venue can be one of the most overwhelming tasks. Living in Southern California, there are so many great reception and ceremony sites available. Each one has something unique to offer, and each one spells out their costs differently. One might charge a rental fee, while another might incorporate rental costs into a 'per-person' fee. Laying all the information out in one place will help you see the bigger picture when making your final selection.
Things to Consider:
*Budget: Creating a budget is the absolute first thing you should do when planning your wedding. Doing so will save you time and money. However, with any template or form you use for planning, you need to remember that they are not one-size-fits-all. You must modify according to your needs. When you add estimated costs to your budget, don't just guess or use percentages. Instead, call around and get a feel for what your dollar can get you. I've had brides come to me and say that a template told them they would use x% of their budget on flowers. While a percent is a great place to start, it's often not realistic. Make sure the numbers you are using are realistic. $200 is not going to get you 5 bouquets and 5 boutonnieres, not to mention any other florals you might be interested in.
*Wedding Day Schedule: Again, modify to fit your needs and be realistic. This is one area I cannot emphasise the need for the expertise of a planner enough. Chances are, you've never planned a wedding before. It's really hard to guess how long makeup will take, or how long it will take your photographer to capture all your desired family photos. Having a schedule for the day is a must, but it is worthless if the allotted times aren't accurate.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Having An Open Mind
It seems like almost every bride these days is asking me how to save money. While it's important to keep quality at the forefront, having an open mind can save you a lot of money. When you go to a vendor, be prepared for them to inspire you. Tell them what you like, but if you are looking to cut costs let them suggest creative ways to develop your theme. For example, if you go to the florist only wanting lilies but you also want them to give you an amazing deal, don't hold your breath. Their hands are tied when it comes to price. But, if you go in desiring an elegant, white bouquet you may just be surprised what they can come up with for you.
Keep this philosophy in mind when talking to your baker, caterer, bar tenders and more. And especially, don't be afraid to share your visions with your wedding planner and let her come up with ways to implement your inspirations for less. For me, this is one of my favorite aspects of planning!
Keep this philosophy in mind when talking to your baker, caterer, bar tenders and more. And especially, don't be afraid to share your visions with your wedding planner and let her come up with ways to implement your inspirations for less. For me, this is one of my favorite aspects of planning!
Friday, January 8, 2010
10 Wedding Resolutions for 2010 Brides
1. Pick appetizers, main dishes, and cake that you love to eat. If you die for the taste chances are your guests will too.
2. Consider a seated dinner over a buffet. When you lay out the costs it is often more affordable and has a very classy flair.
3. Don't charge guests for drinks, but do feel free to pick just a few wines or beers. Or, go with a signature cocktail instead.
4. Know your budget and guest list before planning anything else.
5. Mix up your florals. Use a variety of stems all in the same color, or let the season guide you to what's freshest at the time.
6. Take time off from planning just to go on dates. Dating each other is how you started out; don't forget this important element.
7. Delegate, delegate, delegate. Do not assign yourself any tasks on your wedding day except getting married.
8. Take as many pictures as possible before the ceremony. Seeing your groom in a private moment can be amazing. When you are walking down the aisle, it's hard to take it all in.
9. Personalize your day. Don't follow tradition just for the sake of it.
10. Take time to take in your wedding day. Grab a glass of champagne and a private moment with your new husband after you've walked arm and arm up the aisle.
Wishing you all a joyful new year!
2. Consider a seated dinner over a buffet. When you lay out the costs it is often more affordable and has a very classy flair.
3. Don't charge guests for drinks, but do feel free to pick just a few wines or beers. Or, go with a signature cocktail instead.
4. Know your budget and guest list before planning anything else.
5. Mix up your florals. Use a variety of stems all in the same color, or let the season guide you to what's freshest at the time.
6. Take time off from planning just to go on dates. Dating each other is how you started out; don't forget this important element.
7. Delegate, delegate, delegate. Do not assign yourself any tasks on your wedding day except getting married.
8. Take as many pictures as possible before the ceremony. Seeing your groom in a private moment can be amazing. When you are walking down the aisle, it's hard to take it all in.
9. Personalize your day. Don't follow tradition just for the sake of it.
10. Take time to take in your wedding day. Grab a glass of champagne and a private moment with your new husband after you've walked arm and arm up the aisle.
Wishing you all a joyful new year!
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