In my opinion, this is one of the most fun aspects of planning your wedding. First, develop a system for organizing your ideas. This may be an accordion folder with several pockets, a notebook dedicated just for this purpose, or a scrapbook or journal. If you are a creative person, the scrapbook and journal options offer opportunity for sketching and jotting down thoughts and will allow you a keepsake to treasure after the event. A file folder will allow you to best organize your ideas into categories, for instance, "bouquets", "centerpieces", "cakes", "bridesmaid dresses", etc.
Next, think outside the box. Wedding publications are the obvious places to look for inspiration and can be extremely helpful. However, your garden, paint store, or favorite dress might provide that perfect color or bouquet flower.
If you are using a file folder, you can tear out and place an entire page into the appropriate pocket, such as "dress ideas". A folder will also hold brochures and business cards collected at bridal shows.
While you can certainly make notes and place them in a folder, it can also be insightful to use a large journal. Get creative! Instead of securing a full or partial page clipped at 90 degree angles to the journal, cut around the shape of the photo you have collected. Jot notes listing what you like about the item. Love the bodice of the dress but wish it had a mermaid skirt? Make the note . . . even include a sketch with a drawing pencil or colored pencils. Include the date and jot down your wedding thoughts for that day.
Intersperse a few personal photos of you and your fiance or have someone snap a few shots of you and your bridesmaids dress shopping. Have each girl write a short comment stating what she enjoyed most about the day. Spa day with mom? Include it, too!
Looking back on your thoughts and dreams will bring fond memories and create a wonderful legacy for those who follow. It might even be nice to display it at the ceremony!
Details specializes in the planning and execution of coorporate meetings and events, incentive programs, social and community events, and weddings. Graphic Design services are availabe to ensure the look and feel of your event is evident on every element.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Why Should I Hire a Planner? Why Details?
Why Hire a Planner?
Let’s face it – when most of us think of wedding coordinators we think pretentious, costly and unnecessary. The way movies and TV shows portray them, one might think a wedding planner is only for the very rich and extravagant but that’s just not true. Having one assist you can make your life much, much easier and make your wedding more enjoyable for everyone. Here are some reasons why you should consider hiring a wedding coordinator.
Your Time Saved – Part of a wedding planner’s job is to research vendors and details for you. Without a wedding planner, the bride is left to do this for herself which takes a lot of time and energy.
Your Money Saved – Since wedding planners are so well acquainted with various vendors, they can work with each to negotiate special pricing for you. They also work with you to create a personal budget – and help you stick with it.
Your Relationships Saved – Because planning a wedding can be so stressful, it is easy to find yourself bickering with your friends and family. A wedding planner does the jobs you might normally assign to those closest to you and in doing so, can save you unneeded grief and help make your day truly special for all.
Your Liaison – The average number of vendors for any given wedding is 22. Between squabbling with vendors and handling the concerns of your family and guests, a wedding planner can be your person with all the answers.
Your Scheduler – When your big day arrives, you don’t want to be worrying about where everyone is supposed to be, and where they actually are, at all times. Let your wedding planner create a schedule for everyone involved so that things will run smoothly.
Your Crisis Manager – It is almost inevitable that some crisis will occur on your wedding day and who better to turn to than a cool and calm professional who can handle the situation for you?
Your Peace of Mind – A wedding planner is helpful not only with the decision making in the months leading up to your special day but can also be there for you from your rehearsal to the reception. You want to relax and enjoy your day with those you love – not worry about all the details.
Your Inspirational Guide – Every bride and groom wants their wedding to stand out in the minds of their guests. A wedding planner has lots of great ideas on how to make your wedding one to remember.
Your Etiquette Guide – Weddings have a special decorum all their own and the language and tricks necessary in planning one may sound foreign to you, but your planner will be fluent. The professional planner understands exactly what you need.
Clean-up Director – This is something most brides and grooms may not consider much in advance because they are so focused on how things go during the event, as they should be. Let your wedding planner handle the aftereffects.
Your Personal Representative – Oftentimes, venues offer something called an event manager who says they can plan your wedding. A venue planner focuses on the details as they relate to their facility. The facility function is just one piece of a very large pie. A wedding planner is like your personal assistant; totally focused on you and your day as well as ALL aspects that you have selected they coordinate.
The Task Master – A wedding planner knows all there is to know about weddings, as they should since that is their job. Many brides do not realize the details, time and energy that go into a wedding but a wedding planner can make sure you have all your bases covered.
Why Hire Details?
Details has experience
· In coordinating all kinds of events
· In planning events with 25 to 1,000 attendees
· In locations in the United States as well as Mexico
· In negotiating contracts that save the client money
· In managing guest travel and accommodation arrangements
Details possess creativity
· With a background in graphic design that means your event will exude a better visual dynamic and cohesiveness
· With in-house design that saves you money from save-the-date cards to guest favors
· With everything created specifically for your personality and theme
· With the ability to see the smallest of details while still focusing on the big picture
Details offers unique benefits
· 13 years of event planning
· A degree in graphic design
· Members of MPI
· Exceptional attention to detail
· Structured and task-oriented
· Personal staff
Let’s face it – when most of us think of wedding coordinators we think pretentious, costly and unnecessary. The way movies and TV shows portray them, one might think a wedding planner is only for the very rich and extravagant but that’s just not true. Having one assist you can make your life much, much easier and make your wedding more enjoyable for everyone. Here are some reasons why you should consider hiring a wedding coordinator.
Your Time Saved – Part of a wedding planner’s job is to research vendors and details for you. Without a wedding planner, the bride is left to do this for herself which takes a lot of time and energy.
Your Money Saved – Since wedding planners are so well acquainted with various vendors, they can work with each to negotiate special pricing for you. They also work with you to create a personal budget – and help you stick with it.
Your Relationships Saved – Because planning a wedding can be so stressful, it is easy to find yourself bickering with your friends and family. A wedding planner does the jobs you might normally assign to those closest to you and in doing so, can save you unneeded grief and help make your day truly special for all.
Your Liaison – The average number of vendors for any given wedding is 22. Between squabbling with vendors and handling the concerns of your family and guests, a wedding planner can be your person with all the answers.
Your Scheduler – When your big day arrives, you don’t want to be worrying about where everyone is supposed to be, and where they actually are, at all times. Let your wedding planner create a schedule for everyone involved so that things will run smoothly.
Your Crisis Manager – It is almost inevitable that some crisis will occur on your wedding day and who better to turn to than a cool and calm professional who can handle the situation for you?
Your Peace of Mind – A wedding planner is helpful not only with the decision making in the months leading up to your special day but can also be there for you from your rehearsal to the reception. You want to relax and enjoy your day with those you love – not worry about all the details.
Your Inspirational Guide – Every bride and groom wants their wedding to stand out in the minds of their guests. A wedding planner has lots of great ideas on how to make your wedding one to remember.
Your Etiquette Guide – Weddings have a special decorum all their own and the language and tricks necessary in planning one may sound foreign to you, but your planner will be fluent. The professional planner understands exactly what you need.
Clean-up Director – This is something most brides and grooms may not consider much in advance because they are so focused on how things go during the event, as they should be. Let your wedding planner handle the aftereffects.
Your Personal Representative – Oftentimes, venues offer something called an event manager who says they can plan your wedding. A venue planner focuses on the details as they relate to their facility. The facility function is just one piece of a very large pie. A wedding planner is like your personal assistant; totally focused on you and your day as well as ALL aspects that you have selected they coordinate.
The Task Master – A wedding planner knows all there is to know about weddings, as they should since that is their job. Many brides do not realize the details, time and energy that go into a wedding but a wedding planner can make sure you have all your bases covered.
Why Hire Details?
Details has experience
· In coordinating all kinds of events
· In planning events with 25 to 1,000 attendees
· In locations in the United States as well as Mexico
· In negotiating contracts that save the client money
· In managing guest travel and accommodation arrangements
Details possess creativity
· With a background in graphic design that means your event will exude a better visual dynamic and cohesiveness
· With in-house design that saves you money from save-the-date cards to guest favors
· With everything created specifically for your personality and theme
· With the ability to see the smallest of details while still focusing on the big picture
Details offers unique benefits
· 13 years of event planning
· A degree in graphic design
· Members of MPI
· Exceptional attention to detail
· Structured and task-oriented
· Personal staff
Monday, June 15, 2009
Choosing the Date
Some couples know exactly where or when they’d like to get married. Others are more open – or indecisive! – about their important date. Whatever your situation you’ll want to keep in mind the following as you make your selection:
~ Consider your dream location (for wedding and reception) and contact the venue(s) for availability
~ Are the available dates for both the wedding and reception venue compatible?
~ Are the dates good for you and your fiancé? Do they conflict with school or work schedules?
~Are the available dates good for your potential guests? Do they conflict with holidays (which could be family time)? Would it require them to take time off from work or school? Some holidays work well for guests who need to travel in for the wedding (such as Labor Day or Memorial Day)
~ Will the available dates make securing rentals difficult (for instance finding an available tent over the 4th of July)
~ Is this the peak season for the venue? If so, are you okay with paying more?
~ Saturday is the most popular wedding day, expect higher fees, but it also allows guest more flexibility for traveling
~ Friday evening and Sunday weddings typically costs less
~ Does the available time work for you? Serving lunch or dinner can get expensive. Serving hor d’oeuvres or a brunch is an alternative
~ August, June, and July are the most popular wedding months followed by September, October, May, April, November, December, March, February, and January. Expect higher fees during peak months
~ Do you may have a particular honeymoon destination in mind which may dictate the month/season you select for your wedding date
~ If you are set on a specific look or theme (Mom’s garden with roses in bloom) this will dictate the month you will select and the location
~ If you are hoping to save money on decorations, some venues will already be festooned for certain times of the year – say with poinsettias at Christmas or lilies and palms near Easter
~ Maybe you are set on a particular color scheme, perhaps lilac and spring green, which lend themselves to a spring or summer wedding
~ Some brides are dead-set on hiring a particular planner; make sure he/she is not already booked for the date/time you have mind
Keep in mind, the earlier you plan, the more options you have – the early bird always has the best options!
~ Consider your dream location (for wedding and reception) and contact the venue(s) for availability
~ Are the available dates for both the wedding and reception venue compatible?
~ Are the dates good for you and your fiancé? Do they conflict with school or work schedules?
~Are the available dates good for your potential guests? Do they conflict with holidays (which could be family time)? Would it require them to take time off from work or school? Some holidays work well for guests who need to travel in for the wedding (such as Labor Day or Memorial Day)
~ Will the available dates make securing rentals difficult (for instance finding an available tent over the 4th of July)
~ Is this the peak season for the venue? If so, are you okay with paying more?
~ Saturday is the most popular wedding day, expect higher fees, but it also allows guest more flexibility for traveling
~ Friday evening and Sunday weddings typically costs less
~ Does the available time work for you? Serving lunch or dinner can get expensive. Serving hor d’oeuvres or a brunch is an alternative
~ August, June, and July are the most popular wedding months followed by September, October, May, April, November, December, March, February, and January. Expect higher fees during peak months
~ Do you may have a particular honeymoon destination in mind which may dictate the month/season you select for your wedding date
~ If you are set on a specific look or theme (Mom’s garden with roses in bloom) this will dictate the month you will select and the location
~ If you are hoping to save money on decorations, some venues will already be festooned for certain times of the year – say with poinsettias at Christmas or lilies and palms near Easter
~ Maybe you are set on a particular color scheme, perhaps lilac and spring green, which lend themselves to a spring or summer wedding
~ Some brides are dead-set on hiring a particular planner; make sure he/she is not already booked for the date/time you have mind
Keep in mind, the earlier you plan, the more options you have – the early bird always has the best options!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The Timeline
There are literally hundreds of decisions - large and small - you will need to make after saying "Yes" to the proposal. Having a timeline to work from will prevent important items from falling through the cracks and eleviate the need to make a rush decision that may end up costing you more, yet not meeting your dreams. This post will give a basic list, but future posts will address each element in more detail.
12-18 months prior:
12-18 months prior:
- choose a date
- start a wedding idea file
- discuss and choose the style of your wedding
- determine a budget
- place an engagement announcement in your local papers
- hire Details, a professional planning company
- work with Details to select a ceremony site *see previous post
- work with Details to select a reception site *see previous post
- for a custom gown, begin shopping now
8-10 months prior:
- select the bridal party
- work with Details to select the officiant , caterer, photographer, videographer, band or DJ
- select bridesmaids dresses
- create guest list and gather addresses
- sign up for gift registry
5-7 months prior:
- finalize guest list
- hire Details to provide custom stationary
- work with Details to arrange accommodations for both out of town guests and honeymoon
- select wedding cake
4 months prior:
- work with Details to select florist
- shop for rings
- obtain blood tests
3 months prior:
- work with Details to send invitations
- select tuxedos
- work with Details to arrange for rental items
- work with Details to finalize menus
- work with Details to arrange transporation to/from service
- work with Details to select and order wedding favors
- purchase wedding party gifts
2 months prior:
- select wedding and reception music
- work with Details to select location of rehearsal dinner
- work with Details to schedule final fittings
- allow Details to create custom address labels with your new name and monogram
1 month prior:
- allow Details to create a custom wedding program
- apply for marriage license
- have final gown fitting
- select wedding accessories
- arrange for a trial run with hairdresser and makeup artist
- Details will finalize arrangements with all service providers
2 weeks prior:
- Details will follow up with guests who have not responded
- Details will give the final head count to caterer
- pick up marriage license
- Details will meet with band or DJ to pass along your song selections
- make necessary name changes
- work with Details to finalize seating layout
- Details will confirm with all service providers
- Details will confirm dates and times with attendants
1 week prior:
- Make last minute seating adjustments
- Details will confirm honeymoon arrangements
- Details will confirm accommodations for out of town guests
- pack for honeymoon
1 Day prior:
- Details will make sure all bases are covered
- Details will provide a wedding day emergency kit
- get manicure and pedicure
- layout all accessories
- give rings to best man
Your Wedding Day:
- get hair and makeup done
- allow Details to handle everything behind the scenes so you can enjoy your special day!
Your Personality, Your Budget, Your Dream...Our Creativity, Our Time, Our Pleasure
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)