WEDology Experience - Summer 2011!!!

This post will not be for the budget-chic bride today, but for those men and woman who truly want to enter the arena of wedding planning. Outside of a solid wedding planning and event business for over 11 years, I pride myself on being an educator for the last 4 of those years here in the Chicagoland area. My passion stems from the desire to want those entering into this field to do it properly, fairly and drama-free where possible. Hence the creation of the WEDology Experience!!!


As you know, my bridal planner was launched this past March...the WEDology Notebook: For the Budget-Chic Bride, and although it's a GREAT purchase for the bride, I've had tons of planners pick up a copy as well. Many portions of the Notebook can be formulated into business modules for the aspiring planner. With that said, I've created a comprehensive 6-hour training seminar to give you some foundational elements to begin your business.

The topics include:

• The Role of a Wedding Planner - Defining your position to the bridal client


• Turning Your Passion into a Business - What business modules need to be in place to become successful


• The Initial Consultation - How to get the inquiring client to book your services


• Contracts and Packages - Real talk about a planner contract, vendor contracts and how to price your services


• Who's Your Bridal Client - Defining your market and ideal client


• Marketing Your Business - Effective marketing tools as well as the importance of public relations


• Social Media and Blogging - There's a science to learning this "free" marketing platform


• Expanding Your Business - Bringing in more dollars outside of your planning services

http://wedologyexperience.eventbrite.com/

If you are serious in wanting to learn about the business, I invite you to attend the seminar. I'm sure you will not be disappointed. The early-bride special ends July 15th...so don't miss out (payment plans available).


Until next time...WEDologize!

Show me the Money!

When booking vendors to service your wedding day, ask to see their credentials before forking over the money. I come across tons of vendors who haven't taken a single class in their "profession" but are more than willing to go out and service a bride and groom on their wedding day. You don't get to re-live this wonderful day, unlike a birthday party or family celebration, so you don't want to chance this day with people who claim to be something other than what they are. Also remember what your mom told you when growing up..."You get what you pay for" and "If it's too good to be true...it probably is".

Below are some questions to ask vendors before signing on the dotted line:

• Venue - ask if you can come view a wedding set-up a few hours before the reception begins so that you can see the room layout outside of the photographs they will show you




• Caterer - always taste the food regardless if the tasting is apart of the contract or if you have to pay




• Photographer - please show me photographs (or an album) from the photographer that will be shooting my wedding day




• Videographer - please show me some raw footage from the videographer that will capture my day and then ask to see an edited version from the same videographer




• Florist - please show me some photographs taken by couples you have worked with or some professional photographers pictures of your work.




• DJ or Band - ask for references from other couple's weddings they have serviced and if they have any CD's or YouTube videos of events they have played




• Stationery Designer - ask to see physical samples of their style of work so that you can touch the stock and see the actual embellishments




• Linens - ask to see samples not on paper, put swatches you can touch




• Transportation - ask to see photographs of their fleet or schedule an appointment to see the cars in person

Of course, hiring a seasoned wedding planner to assist you with selecting vendors is always a smart move. Hence the word I used..."seasoned". If a planner is true to his/her profession, they will have a listing of wonderful vendors to refer to you as they have worked with them in the past. Oh and don't forget to view their portfolio :)

Until next time...WEDologize!

Escort Cards vs. Place Cards

Although it can become a headache at the tail-end of the wedding process, assigning your wedding guests to tables is still a GREAT idea! And especially for larger celebrations, it's almost required at the reception venue. But you need to decide if you want escort cards, place cards or both.

Escort cards are the most common way of assigning guest to their tables. Although displayed in various, creative ways, the card is picked up by the guest upon entry into the reception. The escort card will have the guests name, table number (or name) and entree selection. And whenever possible, assign the each guest their own individual card.

Place cards are positioned at the guest's place setting. You might find it in front of their plate or charger; used as a napkin ring or attached to the wine glass. The information on a place card will be the guests name and entree selection, and should you have a smaller celebration or informal event, you can omit the guest's last name. Should you use a place card, your guests will need to know their table assignment upon entry and this is why you would still need to use an escort card or display board.

Now if you are against the expense of printing escort cards or place cards, assign your guests to tables in a spreadsheet and provide that information to your wedding planner and/or hostesses. Guests will need to see them personally as they entire the reception to learn of their table assignment. This idea will only work if you guests are being served the same meal.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - http://www.vsphoto.com/; http://www.avery.com/)

Icing on the Cake

Now that my birthday has passed, I'm on frosting overload from some tasty and beautifully decorated cupcakes! LOL! This has now become the inspiration for today's blog...talking about some of the icing (aka frosting) choices for wedding cakes.

Fondant - This icing has that smooth & stiff appearance that most bride's crave...but believe me...this icing doesn't taste the best. Although this covering can make some of the simplest cakes look glorious, ask your cake designer to add a little buttercream under the fondant for taste. Oh and if you are having an outdoor reception, this is the best icing for your wedding cake.

Buttercream - The yummiest of the icings in my opinion! Buttercream is a traditional icing that you see on wedding cakes, birthday cakes as well as cupcakes. It's rich and creamy, but will melt in extreme heat so this is a no-no for an outdoor reception...or you would need to bring the cake out right before the cutting ceremony.

Ganache - For the chocolate lovers, this icing is for you. Made of heavy cream and chocolate, when this icing is poured over a cake, it'll leave a glass-like chocolate finish. It also makes a wonderful filling and like buttercream, should not be left out in extreme heat.

Whipped Cream - The favorite of those cake lovers who don't want the icing too sweet. It's typically not recommended for wedding cakes because it cannot be left out for too long. But if you are looking for an extremely white wedding cake, this is the covering for you. It looks lovely when decorated with fresh flowers or pipped with detail using royal icing.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(Photo credits - http://www.sedonaweddingcakes.com/; http://www.simplysweetfavors.com/; http://www.ifoodtv.com/; http://www.thefrenchgourmet.com/)

The Week of Your Wedding

Now that wedding season is in full swing, many couples are preparing for that week before their big day. If you have hired a wedding coordinator, that week should be fairly easy because he or she should be handling the final details of your wedding day. But there are still some items that will need to be handled by you or by your Maid of Honor or Best Man. I've listed a few of them below:

• Pick up wedding bands from jeweler and make sure they fit


• Give final count to caterer


• Have the final walk-through of the reception venue detailing the days events


• Groom and groomsmen should pick up tuxedos, shoes and accessories


• Pack for the honeymoon


• Pick up wedding gown and accessories and make sure someone is with you to learn how to bustle the train


• Have final meetings or make final calls confirming all arrangements with hired vendors + give them a detailed timeline of the wedding day events - a task that certainly will be handled if you hired a wedding coordinator


• Prepare and deliver welcome bags to hotels where out-of-town guests will be staying


• Attend wedding rehearsal and dinner, and give wedding party gifts at the dinner or on wedding day


• Write thank you notes for gifts received

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - http://www.blogcritics.com/)

Cutting the Cake

The cake cutting ceremony during the reception is not a moment that should be rushed and should be carefully planned to capture the moment on film and video. I personally like my couples to cut their wedding cake after they have been announced into the reception, especially if the cake will be dessert. Of course your guests are going to want to capture the ceremony with their cameras, but it's pivotal that the coordinator or photographer's assistant keep them out of the direct line of the photo.


Now what is the proper way to cut into this beautiful creation? The cake knife and server should be placed on the cake table along with a saucer, 2 forks and a nicely folded napkin. This is a perfect photo op before the actual ceremony begins. Once the bride and groom are in position, with the groom's hand over the bride's, they use the knife to cut into the bottom layer of the cake. Then with the hands positioned the same, they should use the server to remove the slice of cake and place on the saucer. Of course the fun part becomes feeding each other with the groom feeding the first piece to his new wife. The entire ceremony symbolizes the couple caring for each other and all the sweetness that is to come in their marriage.


But that infamous smashing cake in each other's face is a no-no in my book. I'll save that for another blog post.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - www.chicagoillinoisweddingphotography.com; http://www.bridalelements.com/)

First Trip as Husband and Wife

I want to apologize to my followers for the lack of blogs for the month of May. This was the busiest May we have had...EVER. And although I'm truly thankful for the business, half the time I didn't know if I was coming or going :) But I'm back on track. So here goes.

I've coordinated six weddings in the last 6 weeks and five of those newlyweds went on a honeymoon. After reading the Summer 2011 edition of Get Married, I thought their article called "Honeymoon 101" provided an awesome checklist of what to carry on the flight and what to check. Below I've listed a few of their useful tips:

Carry On

• Tickets, confirmation and passport
  


• Basic toiletries such as deodorant, toothbrush and tooth paste
  


• A change of clothes in case your bags as delayed
  


• A travel blanket or neck roll for that long flight
  


• Camera

Check

• A copy of your drivers license and passport number should those items get lost or stolen (a Dejanae Events suggestion)
  


• Sunscreen and SPF lip balm
  


• Portable speakers for your iPod
  


• An extra tote w/ luggage tags for those items you might purchase while shopping
  


• Lingerie you have received from your bridal shower

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - www.southpacific.com)