CSW Article: Making Dollars and Sense of Your Day

I was asked by Chicago Style Weddings to share some budget, cost-saving wedding planning tips for couples planning their wedding.  I'm a firm believer in discussing budget and guest count FIRST before the planning even begins.  Then consider hiring a professional and seasoned wedding planner to assist you with find the best vendors for your budget.  Take a look at what we had to say:

...To that number, they [the couple] needs to estimate the added amounts of wedding cash gifts as well as money from their parents and other family members and friends who have committed to contributing.  "Candidly ask what dollar amount they would like to give or if they would like to contribute toward the cost of a particular vendor or item, says Desiree' Moore Dent, president and lead planner of Dejanae Events.  "Even modest donations can add up to help pay for high priced expenses."

"Many planners work with preferred vendors that offer specials and discounts to their wedding clients, " says Dent of Dejanae Events.  "Our goal is to assist couples by seeking out vendors who give stellar service and who successfully work within their budget."

Until next time...WEDologize!

Best of 2013 Dejanae Events Style!

What an amazing year 2013 has been for the Dejanae Events Team! 

The year started off with us learning that Dejanae Events was named Best of Weddings 2013 in the wedding coordinators category for the 4th time!  I can't thank our clients enough for the wonderful reviews!  Then we went right into the planning the kick-off of Inspire Smart Success Experience Tour in Chicago at the InterContinental Hotel in mid-January.  This was the seconded time Stacie Francombe, the Founder of ISS, entrusted us in bringing this awesome educational experience to Chicago.

Then we headed into February as the event planner for Wedding Guide Chicago's annual industry event called, WEDBash.  What an honor to bring over 250+ industry professionals to Pinstripes Oak Brook to celebrate successes and prepare for the upcoming 2013 wedding season.  I'm so thankful to the 22 sponsors that assisted in making the event a total success!

Just as the planning of industry events came to an end, the first of 19 weddings took place on March 9th and continued with the last being held on Sunday, December 15th.  And then the Editor of Pretty Pear Bride featured the wedding of Michael and Hareder in their spring issue and the features just kept coming!  The Real Wedding of Nikkol and Dion was featured in Chicago Style Weddings in July and the Real Wedding of Amaka and Hugh was featured in Wedding Guide Chicago in December.   And if it couldn't get any better than that, I was afforded the opportunity to work with an amazing team of vendors to bring my Partyscape, Urban Tranquility, to life!

But the BEST part of this year...was being named Best of Weddings 2014 in the Wedding Coordinators category which now places us in the The Knot's Hall of Fame with 5 wins!!!  And last, we held WEDologyEDU - Winter 2013 at Flossmoor Country Club and it was our most successful workshop yet with the launch of the new coursebook! What an amazing 2013!!!  I'm just so thankful!!!

Keep your eye out for plenty more useful wedding planning posts and Real Wedding features in 2014!!!

Until next time...Happy New Year and WEDologize!

CSW Article: Wedding Consultants Inspire

When it comes to planning a wedding, plenty of details can be overlooked when you don't have a professional wedding planner on board to assist throughout the process.  I was asked by Chicago Style Weddings to offer a bit of advice to couple planning on of the most memorable days of their life.  Check it out:

Last May, Dejanae Events planned a "Winter Wonderland" wedding with a royal blue, platinum and white palette that colored the attire and linen selections.  Crystals and exquisite white flowers lavished the table centerpieces, blue up-lighting and soft organza fabric adorned the walls and gobo snowflakes glowed on the dance floor.  Often, the invitation sets the tone for the these and other stationery continues the motif.  For the Winter Wonderland event, petite snowflakes graced the invitations, ceremony programs, place cards, table numbers and menu cards.  "Following a theme gives couples an avenue to funnel ideas, " says Desiree Moore Dent, president and lead planner of Dejanae Events.  "It also can alleviate the stress of filtering out to many suggestions, especially with so many websites presenting a plethora of possibilities."

 
Until next time...WEDologize!

CSW: Pops of Color

Much of your wedding design and decor is based on the color palette you select early on in the wedding planning process.  Chicago Style Weddings invited me to give some advice on choosing your wedding color scheme.  Take a look:

Desiree' Moore Dent of Dejanae Events agrees and has seen grey paired "especially with hues of yellow, green, and blue."  Dent also has seen purple and teal, "giving [Pantone's 2012 Color of the Year, Tangerine Tango] a run for it's money!"

You can view the entire article and others in Chicago Style Weddings eMagazine at http://www.chicagostyleweddings.com/emagazine.aspx.

Until next time...WEDologize!

CSW: Cues to Kiss

Kisses from the newly married couple during the wedding reception truly gets the guests excited!  So when Chicago Style Weddings asked me to give a few ideas on ways to incorporate this "tradition" into the wedding reception festivities, that was easy. Check out the suggestions I made within the article:

"You will still hear clanking of the glasses at a lot of receptions because that is the known tradition for getting the bride and groom to kiss," says Desiree' Moore Dent of Dejanae Events. But she offers some "alternatives to avoid breaking your water glass," such as ringing mini bells or hiring a "fun DJ that gets the guests involved and randomly stops the music and shouts out 'kiss'!"

You can view the entire article and others in Chicago Style Weddings eMagazine at http://www.chicagostyleweddings.com/emagazine.aspx.
 

Until next time...WEDologize!

CSW: Planning An Outdoor Wedding

When it comes to planning an outdoor wedding ceremony and/or reception, there are some important things to consider.  Chicago Style Weddings invited me to give some advice on hosting an outdoor.  Take a look:

"You want to think about your guests and their comfort, " advises wedding coordinator Desiree Moore Dent of Dejanae Events.  If you're doing a summer wedding, hand out fans or parasols as a keepsake so people can cool off a bit. Sunglasses and small bottles of sunscreen are another nice idea.  If you're getting married in July or August when the temps really soar, Dent says, take it a step further: have an air conditioned area accessible where guests, particularly the elderly, can "go inside and take a breather." Depending on your venue, you may need to ward off bugs, mosquitoes, and flies. Survey the space ahead of time, and if necessary, find an eco-friendly bug zapping product to treat the area "so your guests aren't swinging and fly-swatting during your ceremony," Dent says.  "Brides love outdoor weddings," she adds, "but it can take a toll on your guests."

You can view the entire article and others in Chicago Style Weddings eMagazine at http://www.chicagostyleweddings.com/emagazine.aspx.

Until next time...WEDologize!

CSW: Eco Chic Made Easy

Are you considering the Earth and saving the environment when planning your wedding?  It's not hard and you don't have to give up on the wedding you have dreamt about all your life to save the environment.  Well Chicago Style Weddings invited me to give some advice on eco-chic wedding planning and how to incorporate it into your fabulous wedding day.  Take a look:

"You can make centerpieces fun and personalized, but  just elegant as if you were to use a lot of flowers," says wedding coordinator Desiree Moore Dent, owner of Dejanae Events.

"People are using more branches and embellishing vases with beading or ribbon to make them more unique than just clear glass."

 
You can view the entire article and others in Chicago Style Weddings eMagazine at http://www.chicagostyleweddings.com/emagazine.aspx.

Until next time...WEDologize!

CSW: Wedding Splurges That Are Worth It

There are some details of wedding planning that you don't want to skip.  I completely understand the need to stay on task and within your budget when deciding on details for your ceremony and reception.  Chicago Style Weddings invited me to give some advice on splurges to make in creating your fabulous wedding day.  Take a look:

"Don't leave the cake table naked, " says Desiree' Moore Dent of Dejanae Events. "Dress it up with elaborate linens, candles, flowers and a cake stand -- because the wedding cake is the focal point of the reception."

Why is lighting so important? "It can truly transform almost any ceremony or reception space, " says Dent.

You can view the entire article and others in Chicago Style Weddings eMagazine at http://www.chicagostyleweddings.com/emagazine.aspx.

Until next time...WEDologize!

CSW: Tradition - How to Plan a Cultural Wedding

Incorporating some of your cultural traditions into your ceremony and reception TRULY makes for  a signature wedding day and a wonderful experience for your family and invited guests.  Chicago Style Weddings invited me to give some advice on how to make your wedding unique and meaningful by celebrating your cultural heritage.  Take a look:

"There are things that are going to happen at every wedding, but if there's a cultural component to the event then you've got something special," says Desiree' Moore Dent of Dejanae Events. "Everyone will have rings, vows and cake. But it's your cultural traditions that make it special."

"Start by talking to your family," says Dent.  "Because there is going to be someone who has experienced those cultural aspects and can give you an idea of what to do." "Talk to them about what they've done in the past with incorporating cultural traditions into a ceremony."  "It's the idea of seeing the traditions and rituals they [parents] did in their ceremony passed on," says Dent.  "They would like to see their son or daughter experience the same thing."

The phrase "tying the note" comes from "an African wedding custom. At some point during the ceremony, the bride and groom would be joined together with plaited grass and their union blessed," says Dent. "Today, this custom can be seen in almost every ceremony through the bride and groom joining hands during the ceremony and holding hands as they exit as husband and wife."

"Whatever traditions you choose to integrate unto your ceremony, be sure to offer information to guide your guests through these customs."

"At receptions, traditions usually come into play with food," says Dent, who points out that your culinary heritage will help add to the signature of your event.  "It will linger on their minds a little longer than the standard fare."

You can view the entire article and others in Chicago Style Weddings eMagazine at http://www.chicagostyleweddings.com/emagazine.aspx.


Until next time...WEDologize!

CSW: Planning 101

Happy to have been included in one of Chicago Style Weddings print magazine articles called, "Planning 101".  The very information article gives insight on how to make most of your wedding day from setting your guest list and budget to selecting the right vendors.  Check out our quotes and read the entire article online or pick up a copy of the CSW latest issue.

If you give yourself time to plan, says Desiree' Moore Dent of Dejanae Events, "that will alleviate stress in itself."

Dent sums it up best: "The wedding day is only one day, and the marriage is a lifetime. Nothing is perfect, and, yes, you will become stressed during some part of the planning, so remember to take breaks from the planning portion to enjoy the actual engagement."

You can view the entire article and others in Chicago Style Weddings eMagazine at http://www.chicagostyleweddings.com/emagazine.aspx.

Until next time...WEDologize!

...I Found It, You Pin It...Friday!

Today's PIN IT PIC is actually none other than MY design!  I'm excited to share one of the photographs taken of my design featured in Chicago Style Weddings magazine called, "Refreshingly Simple".  What makes this photo such  a WOW FACTOR look is not the vibrant colors of aqua and lemon yellow.  Not even the modern approach the the stationery on the uniquely positioned napkin.  But the small details of adding a rock candy sucker and a ranaculus to the plate!  It's those tiny DETAILS that guests enjoy and really get excited about! Enjoy!

Until next time...PIN IT and WEDologize!

(Photography by Yaneck Wasiek, Wasio Photography, wasiophotography.com; menu card by www.CT-Designs.com; linens, flatware, etc. by www.ClassicPartyRentals.com)

VOTE for Refreshingly Simple!

As many of you are aware, I was one of six designers in Chicago Style Weddings Designer's Challenge 2012-2013.  My aqua, lemon and white inspired design called, Refreshingly Simple, truly POPPED off the pages of the magazine due the vibrant colors and famed sweetheart table design.  Well now is the time to vote for your favorite design...((hint hint - Refreshingly Simple))...so that one of the six planners/designers can hold the covenant title of WINNER.  ((cough cough - Refreshingly Simple))

Please visit Chicago Style Weddings Designer's Challenge 2012-2013 and vote ((wink wink - Refreshingly Simple) at http://www.chicagostyleweddings.com/designer-challenge/main.aspx! You can only vote once and to meet the entire Refreshingly Simply team, please check out our earlier blog.

Until next time...PLEASE VOTE and WEDologize!

(photo credits -  http://www.wasiophotography.com/)

Best of 2012 Dejanae Events Style!

I'm so excited and thankful when I reflect back on the wonderful year of press and media for Dejanae Events!!!

The year started off fabulous when I was told by Chicago Style Weddings Editor that I was one of six selected to be apart of the Designer's Challenge.  My team was awesome and I thank them so much for bringing my vision of Refreshingly Simple to life!!!  And to top it off, I'm also a featured contributor of the magazine and was quoted 11 times in various articles.  Then I woke up in April and learned I was tagged in a post on Facebook from Stacie Francombe's Inspire Smart Success blog that I was selected as an "Wedding Entrepreneur That Inspires"! WOW!  I was also quote in the inaugural issue of Inspire Smart Success magazine and just recently in the Fall 2012 have a full page article that I wrote entitled, "Marketing To Make Happen". YES!

2012 got even better because I was selected as Best of Weddings 2012 in the Wedding Planners category as well as had a full page feature in the Fall/Winter The Knot Chicago apart of the Wedding Planners Dish.  Then I forged a wonderful relationship with Wedding Guide Chicago and was asked to create a Partyscape for their Winter/Spring edition that I entitled, "Cocktails With Details" which can be seen on pages 140-141!  But it doesn't stop their, I'm also now the Co-Host of a Webisode called, "The Wedding Planners" where we talk about "all things weddings" on a monthly basis.

And to top off 2012, I hosted two Wedology Experience training workshops for aspiring wedding and event planners and I have a MAJOR announcement coming out this month.  Last, I was called by one of The Knot Editors and was told that not only has Dejanae Events been selected for the 3rd time in a row as Best of Weddings for 2013, but I'm also an Editor's Pick!  Amazing and Blessed!!!

I'm so excited about 2012 and all its blessings, but I know the best is yet to come in 2013!!!


Until next time...WEDologize!

Designers Challenge: Refreshingly Simple

Well after 3 months of holding it in...I'm finally allowed to share that Dejanae Events was selected as one of six Designers in the Chicago Style Weddings Designers' Challenge 2012!!!  My Team of fabulous vendors worked so hard on creating my vision entitled, "Refreshingly Simple" and to see it come to life on pages 232-233 of the CSW September/October issue just makes me leap with joy!!! 

Check out some of the behind the scenes photos below and click to watch the video!  Oh and I dare say it again, I had the BEST team I could ever imagine.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing this to life.  I could not have done it without you!!!

 

The Refreshingly Simple Designers' Challenge Team:
Planner/Stylist - Desiree & Vanessa of Dejanae Events
Floral - Tiffany of Oliver Dogwood
Cakes and Desserts - Kristi and Annie of Wildflour Bakery & Cafe
Stationery - Christy of CT-Designs
China, Flatware and Stemware - Classic Party Rentals
Lighting and Draping - Sid of Precision Sound & Lighting

Until next time...WEDologize!