Monday, April 28, 2014

Happy 14 Year Anniversary



I cannot believe that I forgot my 14th year anniversary for Dejanae Events!  I guess having to direct a wedding this past weekend will do that to you.  Well yes, on Friday, April 25 (if my memory serves me correctly) I celebrate 14 years of being an entrepreneur and a wedding and event planner!!!

Many of you know my story...the good and bad that I have gone through to make it in what I consider a very segregated industry.  I want to encourage those that are starting out in the wedding and event industry to DO YOU!  Don't allow the negative talk, the people who won't even speak or acknowledge your talents, the mistakes and bad financial decisions to cause you to tap out.  This career is passion driven...creatively driven...God driven.

I have endured a lot of negativity:  "fellow planners" discrediting my work or thinking they are better than me; "industry friends" speaking to me via social media but ignoring me when in person; "venue managers" canceling my invitation to planner events; and even being told I am not one of the 'top planners in Chicago'...but you know what...I SMILE.  I smile and stand tall because not too many people can say they have a team of loving individuals who want to see their successes; vendors who love working with them and refer their clients to who they call 'the best'; or the privilege of doing what they love full-time.  WELL I DO!  And I don't say they to brag...I say it with a FULL heart of encouragement to those wanting the same.

I could NEVER take all the credit for this 14 year journey.  NOPE.  I share this achievement with those who thought I'd never make it.  I toast to you, send love your way and a big HUGE thank you!!!


Until next time...WEDolgize!

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Escort Card Table Prettiness!


Today's blog is sharing some of the gorgeous escort card tables we have designed for our clients over the last couple of years using amazing card stock, digital calligraphy or hand calligraphy.  The cards have been placed on lush linens with a punch of florals and candles.  Take a look:










Please understand, escort cards are the cards that guest pick up BEFORE they take their seat at your reception.  The escort card will show their first name, last name, table number and entree selection.  A place card is a card that already is at the guest's place setting.  It will show the guest's first name, last name and entree selection.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - www.rushphotovideo.com; www.vsphoto.com; www.kellybramanphotography.com; www.imphoto.net)

Monday, April 14, 2014

Protecting Your Wedding Investment



For most couples, the wedding day will be one of the most expensive days of your life!  You MUST protect your money...your investment...when hiring vendors.  Of course using a wedding planner and their resources will always make the vendor search easier as they have done the hard research, but should you chose to go it alone, below are a few tips to make sure you don't fall for illegitimate businesses:

  • Don't pay hefty deposits/retainers to secure services from vendors...basically all up front.  Legitimate businesses will seek a 10-50% up front to secure their services and usually the remaining balance will be broken into payments with the final due a week or two before the wedding.
     
  • Get references before hiring.  Ask family and friends that have worked with the vendor about their experiences.  Also...read reviews, not just testimonials.
     
  • Read the FINE PRINT!  I'm not a fan of fine print and don't have it as apart of my planning contract.  But some vendors do and you must review with a critical eye.  If it doesn't make sense...ask questions before signing on the dotted line.
  • Know and UNDERSTAND the refund, cancellation and postponement policies before signing.

  • If a vendor asks you for a deposit/retainer without you signing a contract...AVOID THAT BUSINESS!  Professionals will always have you sign a contract before exchanging money.

  • Pay by credit card.  This is the easiest way to dispute a transaction if needed.
Until next time...WEDologize!


(photo credit - www.vsphoto.com)

Friday, April 11, 2014

Sample Wording for Wedding Invitations


As I wrap up this week's blog series about wedding invitations, I wanted to leave you with some examples of wording as you start working on the wording.


Bride’s parents, who are divorced and remarried, host the wedding together:

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Richmond
and
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Anderson
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Kelly Grace Anderson
to
Mr. Garrett John Hanna
Saturday, the twenty-second of March
two thousand seventeen
at six o’clock in the evening
Temple Sinai
Granville, Ohio

Bride’s mother and stepfather host:
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Richmond
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of her daughter
Kelly Grace Anderson
to
Mr. Garrett John Hanna
Friday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand sixteen
at seven o’clock in the evening
Viansa Winery
25200 Arnold Drive
Sonoma, California

Bride’s only living parent hosts:
Mr. [or Mrs.] Michael Thomas Good
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of his [or her] daughter
Shannon Michelle
to
Lieutenant Roger Stephen Manning, U.S. Navy
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand sixteen
at two o’clock in the afternoon
New Haven Community Church
New Haven, Georgia

Groom’s parents host:
Mr. and Mrs. George Dempsey
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of
Miss [or Ms.] Beth Ann Boomgarten
to
their son
Mr. Alexander Graham Dempsey
Friday, the fourteenth of November
two thousand nineteen
at six o’clock in the evening
St. Thomas Cathedral
Spokane, Washington

Both bride and groom's parents host:
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wilfork
and
Captain and Mrs. William James Plett
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of
Matilda Renee Wilfork
and
Timothy James Plett
Saturday, the twenty-fifth of August
two thousand seventeen
at four o’clock in the afternoon
St. James Catholic Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Bride's parents host, but include groom's parents' names:
Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Jeremiah Crenshaw
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Hillary Jo
and
Mr. Anthony Patrick Ames
son of
Captain and Mrs. Patrick George Ames
Saturday, the twenty-fifth of August
two thousand seventeen
at four o’clock in the afternoon
St. James Catholic Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Bride and groom host:
Miss [or Ms.] Elizabeth Marie Carrington
and
Mr. Richard James Handlin
request the honor of your presence
at their marriage
Saturday, the tenth of July
two thousand seventeen
at half after four o’clock in the afternoon
First Congregational Church
Richmond, Virginia

The honor of your presence
is requested
at the marriage of
Miss [or Ms]. Elizabeth Marie Carrington
to
Mr. Richard James Handlin
Saturday, the tenth of July
two thousand seventeen
at half after four o’clock in the afternoon
First Congregational Church
Richmond, Virginia

The families host together:
Together with their families
Miss Macey Leigh Kirkland
and
Mr. Will Ronald Germundson
request the honor of your presence
at their marriage
Saturday, the tenth of July
two thousand seventeen
at half after four o’clock in the afternoon
First Congregational Church
Richmond, Virginia

Bride’s other family members host:
Mr. Eric Henry Evans
requests the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of his sister
Lisa Marie
to
Mr. Ian John Wyskowski
Saturday, the fourth of June
two thousand seventeen
at one o’clock in the afternoon
The Ritz-Carlton
St. Louis, Missouri

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Elliott
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their niece
Miss [or Ms.] Samantha Jane Richards
to
Mr. Scott Randolph Markham
Saturday, the fourth of June
two thousand seventeen
at one o’clock in the afternoon
The Ritz-Carlton
St. Louis, Missouri
Until next time...WEDologize!

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Addressing Wedding Invitations


Addressing wedding invitation outer and inner envelopes is a HUGE project!  You should begin working on addressing about a month before you actually plan in mailing the invitations.  This will alleviate a lot of stress.  But of course, there are some tips that you should be aware of before going to the post office.  Take a look:


Inner Envelopes (if applicable)

  • Inner envelopes bear the title and last names of the specific people invited. It is acceptable to write familiar names for close family members.
                    Examples:     Mr. and Mrs. Sonnek
                                         Aunt Mary and Uncle Phil
  • The names of children who are 18 years old and younger should be written on separate lines below their parents' names.
                    Example:     Mr. and Mrs. Sonnek
                                        Leah Sonnek
                                        Logan Sonnek
  • Children 19 years old or older who still live at home with their parents should receive their own invitation.
  • If inner envelopes are not being used, the children’s names are written on the outer envelope below the names of their parents.
Outer Envelopes
  • Outer envelopes should be addressed conventionally using titles and full names (first, middle, and last).
  • Middle initials aren’t used, so either write out middle names (if known), or omit them.
  • All titles should be written out, except "Mr." and "Mrs."
  • All other words should be written out (Street, Saint, Post Office Box, North, Apartment, etc.). House numbers under twenty should be written out, as well.
  • Proper etiquette indicates to write out the state name; however, the two-letter postal code abbreviation is also acceptable when dealing with limited space. 
Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - https://www.etsy.com/shop/CTDESIGNSWED; Tips - http://dejanaeevents.carlsoncraft.com)


Monday, April 7, 2014

Overlooked Wedding Invitation Tips


Once you have selected your wedding invitation suite, it's time to get them packaged and in the mail to your invited guests.  Below are a few tips to consider when working on the preparation, assembly and mailing process. Take a look:

  • Use the names of all guests whenever possible. Using "and guest" just isn't as warm and friendly.
  • Get names, titles, and addresses correct when addressing. It's impressive and flattering! When in doubt, ask.
  • Invitation envelopes should always be handwritten. Printed labels are not acceptable. Consider hiring a calligrapher or enlisting the help of others if you feel overwhelmed.  If a calligraphist isn't possible, ask your stationery designer about digital calligraphy.
  • Take an assembled invitation to the post office and have it weighed to ensure proper postage. If invitations vary (e.g., one for local guests, another for out-of-town guests) have each variation weighed.
  • Before sealing the outer envelope, make absolutely sure that the names on the inner and outer envelopes match.
  • Mail all invitations at the same time. Don't wait to see how many will be attending from the first mailing before sending another. Simply estimate that 10 to 20 percent of invited guests will send regrets; doing this is so much better than using a standby guest list.
 
Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit and tips from - http://dejanaeevents.carlsoncraft.com)

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