The Forgotten Wedding Party Member: FOG

So you have to be wondering who I'm speaking about when I titled this blog post, "The Forgotten Wedding Party Member: FOG".  We'll I'm talking about the Father of the Groom.  He is the one wedding party member that tends to be forgotten and no one really knows what he's to do other than be the dad of the groom.  Well below are a few tasks to make the FOG feel included:

• Host an engagement party with the Mother of the Groom for the groom's side of the family.  The bride's parents host the 1st engagement party of the couple.
• Assist with the wedding planning and attend appointments when asked.
• Assist with planning the rehearsal dinner.
• Escort the groom's mother down the aisle and is seated in the 1st row on the right side, if it's a Christian ceremony.
• Greet guests at the ceremony and reception locations.
• Offer a toast to the newly married couple during the reception.
• Dance with his new daughter-in-law at least once during the night.
• BUT the biggest task of the day is to support his son...the groom.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - Rush Productions | repost from 2013)

10 Forgotten Wedding Expenses

When planning your wedding, you are going to find many posts & lists regarding the wedding budget.  But many of those forget about setting aside funds for "miscellaneous" expenses such at those listed below:

• Postage for save the dates, wedding invitations and response card, thank you cards for shower and wedding gifts 
• Clothing for pre-wedding events
• Alterations for wedding attire
• Feeding and parking for vendors
• Tips and gratuity
• Marriage license
• Accommodations the night before the wedding
• Month-of coordinator
• Hair and make-up trials
• Officiant fees

Until next time...WEDologize!

(Photo credit - Alvarado Photography)

Wedding Planning No-No's

I'm 100% aware that a thoughtful wedding budget is crucial to the planning of your special day.  I know as you begin the planning process and truly see the cost of your ideas on Pinterest :) you are going to have to make some tough decisions on what to keep, change and eliminate.  But in this blog, instead of telling you how to save costs within your wedding budget, I'm going to share with you...what not to skimp on:

1. Your wedding gown.  This is what everyone comes to see...just how beautiful you will look on wedding day.  You don't need to spend a fortune on a couture gown costing as much a 2-3 monthly mortgages, but you do want to spend your money wisely on a gown that makes you feel beautiful.
2. Your bridal bouquet.  This fragrant accessory is one of the most photographed items on wedding day.  It's practically in every picture with you, plus it gets photographed alone. The bouquet should compliment your wedding gown and not be scaled down.
3. The food.  This is the one thing the guests will remember and you want to make sure you are serving quality food.  Yes, some courses can be eliminated, but the least expensive option isn't always the best.
4. The photographer.  He or she is creating your memories in the form of an album with the photographs taken on your wedding day.  A professional photographer knows how to capture the classic photos plus those photos that you never would have thought about.  Don't select your photographer based on the best deal, select the photographer based on what you want your FINAL product to be.
5. The entertainment.  Outside of food, your wedding guests will remember the overall experience they had during the reception and music plays a large role in this.  Don't skimp on your DJ or band as they are the ones that will keep the party going until the lights come on.  Hire professionals that have worked weddings before, not just a party.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(Photo credit - Rush Productions | repost from September 2013)

Wedding Week Prep

 

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 by Rush Productions)

Dejanae Events Names Best of The Knot 2016!

I'm so excited to share for the 7th time, 6th time in a row, that Dejanae Events has been named 2016 Pick The Knot Best of Weddings!!!  With our 6th win the DE Team remains apart of The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame!!! WOW!
 

From The Knot:  "CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING CHOSEN AS ONE OF THE BEST in the City (we knew it all along)!  WOW! Enjoy bragging rights and proof that you are considered tops in the Chicago wedding market by our brides!  ONLY 1 % of our vendors won this award for 2014. You are in the top 1%, the best of the best! It’s time to showcase your business and BRAND yourself as a Knot Best of Weddings winner! 

As you know, winning this year was much harder and more competitive than ever before. I have far less winners this year and YOU DID IT!  This is YOUR TIME TO SHINE!"

Thank you to our 2015/2016 clients for your lovely reviews and allowing Dejanae Events to be apart of one of the most memorable days of your lives!  We share this honor with you!!! xoxo
 
Until next time...WEDologize!

Welcome Matrimony Monday 2016

Well first...congrats on your engagement!!!  What does Matrimony Monday mean?  Well with the most engagements happening between the Christmas and New Year holiday, the Monday after New Year's Day is believed to be the most popular planning day for newly engaged couples.  So of course, I need to be apart of the planning and education :)

If you follow our blog, we didn't blog as much in 2015 as we usually do because of the crazy value of weddings and events we had to handle.  But that "excuse" does not stop the substantive blogs we produce.  Now that you are engaged, where do you start?  Check out the links below to some of the blog posts we find to be most useful while planning your wedding:

Wedding Day Forget-ables

Bridal Show Frenzy

How to Unplug Your Wedding

Limiting Your Wedding Guest List

Wedding Planning With Children

First Touch Instead of First Look

Reception Introductions

Ceremony Decor Doubles At The Reception

Also, check out a few of our "Real Wedding" recaps for some "WEDspiration":

Brittany and Edward

Kenyatta and Garrett

Emilie and Terrence

Brooke and Patrick

Kendele and Tony

Amaka and Hugh

Louisa and Anthony

Until next time...WEDologize and Happy #MatrimonyMonday!

Real Wedding: Brooke and Patrick

On September 19th, the DE Team had the honor of directing a wedding for a fabulous couple- Brooke and Patrick.  Downtown Chicago was where the nuptials took place on this perfect September day.  St. James Cathedral invited their 150 guests to witness the ceremony and The Drake Chicago welcomed their guests for cocktails, dinner and dancing.

Take a look at the fun details of Brooke and Patrick's fall wedding:

Brooke's stunning Lazaro wedding gown

This southern beauty loves her boots!

Brooke's beautiful bouquet was provided by Ashland Addision Florist

Becoming Mr. & Mrs.

Classic wedding programs

Board Pass escort cards for the wedding guests

Photos with their wedding party in downtown Chicago

Every guest table was named a place Brooke and Patrick have traveled

Centerpieces from Ashland Addison and linens and chairs provided by The Drake

Their favorite cookie treat as a guest favor

Stunning and delicious wedding cake by Cake Chicago and the guests danced the night away to the Andrew Blake Band

Dancing shades for their wedding guests

It's all in the details!

Gorgeous room shot and preview for the bride and groom

Congratulations Brooke and Patrick! xo

Until next time...WEDologize!

Photography by George Street

Real Wedding: Kenyatta and Garrett

On Sunday, September 6th, the DE Team had the honor of directing a wedding for Garrett and his gorgeous princess bride, Kenyatta.  The ceremony and reception took place at Eaglewood Resort and Spa on the hottest day in September.  The temp was 96 degrees for this outdoor wedding and indoor tented reception, but their 150+ guests didn't complain.

Take a look at the this beautiful wedding in the Pantone Colors of the Year - Serenity and Rose Quart:

The bride wore Christian Louboutin's! Love them!!!

Her princess gown was Olga Cassini via David's Bridal

Kenyatta was stunning holding her bouquet created by Juliet Tan Floral Design

Stunning custom wedding invitations and day-of stationery created by DBY Invitations and Events

The bride exited the Cinderella carriage provided by Jim & Becky's and walked down the aisle with her son

Mr. & Mrs.

Kenyatta and Garrett's sweetheart table with charges from DBY Invitations

Love the details

Look at the details in this cake provided by Delish Cakes

LOVE!!!

Crystal candle holder and candelabra centerpieces by Juliet Tan Floral Design

Gorgeous room shot in the all white draped tent

Bridesmaids bouquets

Custom white dance floor, monogram and uplighting by Elegant Event Lighting

Gorgeous details!!!

Congratulations Kenyatta and Garrett!!! xo

Until next time...WEDologize!


Photography by Rush Productions

WEDologyEDU - Winter 2015 is Coming!!!

I'm so excited to announce the official date for WEDologyEDU (formerly WEDology Experience) is Saturday, February 6th at Hyatt Place Chicago South University Center!  Yes, you requested the workshop in the city and I listened.  Registration is LIVE and the early-bird pricing has been extended to January 15th.

This intensive one-day workshop will cover the following topics:

• The role of a wedding/event planner and the various hats they wear
• How to turn your passion into a profitable business
• The potential client approach and initial meeting
• Contracts and how to receive compensation
• Who's your ideal client
• Marketing efforts and public relations for your wedding/event business
• Benefits of social media and blogging
• Expanding your wedding/event business offerings

I look forward to meeting, greeting and teaching budding and aspiring wedding and event planners on November 1st!!!  Visit our business Facebook page WEDology toolKIT for more dates and information about our WEBinars, NOTEbooks and MENTORing.

Until next time...WEDologize!

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!

Happy Matrimony Monday 2014

Well first...congrats on your engagement!!!  What does Matrimony Monday mean?  Well with the most engagements happening between the Christmas and New Year holiday, the Monday after New Year's Day is believed to be the most popular planning day for newly engaged couples.  So of course, I need to be apart of the planning and education :)

Below are a few of our blog posts that I find most helpful when beginning the wedding planning process.  Let me know your thoughts as you use the topics to plan one of the most memorable days of your life.

Announcing Your Engagement

Bridal Show Survival Guide

What Does Your Reception Venue Include?

Wedding Planning Track

10 Money Mistakes When Planning Your Wedding

Wedding Budget Sleepers

Vendor Contracts

Children & Wedding Planning

Cutting Corners While Wedding Planning
Useful Wedding Planning Apps

Pinterest Interest 

 
Until next time...WEDologize!

Here Cometh the Shoe!

I was just with a client on Saturday, as we were thumbing through the latest Get Married magazine, and she simply feel in love with a pair of purple shoes to wear with her fabulous bridal gown for her June wedding. Today's contemporary bride wants to add some color and pizazz to their wedding ensemble outside of wearing a colored sash around the waist or a jewel-toned brooch. Shoes, shoes, shoes!!! The Twenty-Ten bride is jumping all over the idea of wearing brightly colored heels (or flats) under their lovely wedding gowns. The pop of color will make you certainly stand out. Check out some of the styles below. I'm sure designs like these will have your groom smiling from ear-to-ear, especially if you have a reveal AFTER you say "I do"!

My client then went on the say, "How cool would it be to go on a date with my husband in some jeans and my wedding shoes!" I agreed...cool idea!

Until next time...WEDologize!

Photo Credits:

Red shoes - http://www.getmarried.com/

Fuchsia, Green and Purple shoes - http://www.zappos.com/

Turquoise shoes - http://www.pricescope.com/

Navy shoes - http://www.theknot.com/

Yellow shoes - http://www.dyables.com/