WEDologyEDU - Winter 2013

I'm so excited to announce the last 2013 date for WEDologyEDU (formerly WEDology Experience) is Saturday, November 9th at Flossmoor Country Club!  Yes, you requested another workshop and I listened.  Registration is LIVE and the early-bird pricing has been extended to October 25th.

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 9th!!!  Visit our new business website WEDology toolKIT for more dates and information about our WEBinars, NOTEbooks and MENTORing.

Dejanae Events: The Knot Best of Weddings 2012

I'm once again excited and thankful to be named "The Knot Best of Weddings 2012 Pick" in the wedding planners category featured in the latest The Knot Chicago - Fall/Winter 2012 edition!!!  This our third "Best Of" and an honor we hold close to our hearts because the reviews are given by our clients!!! 5-Stars!!!

Also, check out our one-page feature on page 48 of The Knot Chicago - "Wedding Planner's Dish".

Until next time...WEDologize!

Wedding Budget Sleepers

When planning out your wedding budget, there are certain categories for you to consider.  And then there are those "hidden" amounts and extras that even the most savvy couple doesn't think about when planning out her initial budget for their dream day.  Consider the vendor categories below when planning your wedding weekend and pay special attention to the "DON'T FORGET" section.  Don't sleep...plan out your budget thoughtfully so you aren't hit with some of these surprises later.

CEREMONY:
Don't forget to include your clergy/officiant fee or donation

RECEPTION:
Don't forget to add tax and gratuity to the initial/minimum per person costs for food and beverage

ATTIRE:
Don't forget to include the cost of alterations

INVITATIONS/STATIONERY:
Don't forget to include the cost of postage and addressing the envelopes

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT:
Don't forget to include gratuity for the DJ and/or band members

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY:
Don't forget to include a vendor meal for the photographers and/or videographers

FLOWERS:
Don't forget to include bouts or corsages for the clergy, vocalists, hostesses and ushers

DECOR:
Don't forget to find out the amount of time needed for their set-up based on the amount of time provided by the ceremony and reception sites.  You may need to pay for additional staff to get the job done in time.

TRANSPORTATION:
Don't forget to include gratuity which is typically 20%

RENTALS:
Don't forget to include the extra charge for late night pick-ups, if applicable. Some venues will not allow rental companies to return the next day...they must return immediately after your reception has ended.

GIFTS:
Don't forget to gift your parents for contributing with some of the expenses of your wedding day

BEAUTY:
Don't forget to include the costs of your hair and make-up trials

HONEYMOON:
Don't forget to include staff gratuities and trip insurance



And for those brides and grooms living in the Chicagoland area, check out our WEDology Bootcamp: For Brides and Grooms should you want to start planning your wedding armed with useful information.

Until next time...WEDologize!

Best of Dejanae Events 2011 Style!

I always like to reflect on the previous year, both good and bad, before setting future goals.  2011 was a year of change, growth, education and new friendships and I accepted all the challenges with open arms. 

I started the year off receiving the proud honor from The Knot being named Best of 2011!  Then moved into announcing myself as the author of a bridal planner called WEDology Notebook: For The Budget Chic Bride.  From there a magazine named N'Digo contacted me and wrote a full-page spread about the Notebook, Dejanae Events and our future goals.  After speaking with up-and-coming planners in this industry, I developed and launched WEDology Experience, a full-day training seminar based on the Notebook and it's usefulness for planners and hosted 2 awesome training sessions.  From there, I reached out to the fab Stacie Francombe on Facebook, the former creator and editor of Get Married Magazine, and a whirlwind educational event was heldd in Chicago, called Inspire Smart Success Experience, and Dejanae Events was the event planners!  We also had 2 weddings featured in Today's Chicago Woman and the partnership with Flossmoor Country Club grow as I assisted in planning their Open House. 

But the best part of 2011 was graduating eight excited students from the Wedding & Event Planning 10-week certification course I have instructed at Elgin Community College for 5 years!  Whew, but I'm not done sharing because my biggest challenge and happiest accomplishment comes from blogging 31 Days in December to my fabulous readers!  Love you all!!!

The best is yet to come in 2012!!! Watch :)  Now back to our regularly scheduled program...

Until next time...WEDologize!

Happy Matrimony Monday!!!

Well I thought I wasn't going to start my 2012 blogging until tomorrow, but Matrimony Monday totally slipped my mind!  What does Matrimony Monday mean?  Well with the most engagements happening between the Christmas and New Year holiday, the Monday after New Year Day is believed to be the most popular planning day of the newly engaged bride.  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.

Save The Date

Congrats on Your Engagement

Engaged! Let's Celebrate!

WEDology Notebook: For The Budget-Chic Bride

Gratuity Information

Wedding Websites

Making It Legal

Show Me The Money

Wedding Planning Hidden Fees & Costs

Dressing The Tables

Reception Buffets

WOW Factor

31 Days of December Blogging

And don't forget to check out all the posts published December 2011.  It was 31 Days of creative fun!!!

Until next time...WEDologize!

WEDology Experience - Fall 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!!!

http://wedologyexperience2.eventbrite.com

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.

Topics below are included for Full Day Experience. Half day session topics are noted:

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

If you are serious in wanting to learn more about the business, I invite you to attend this day of training.  In' sure you will not be disappointed.  The early-bird special ends October 21st...so don't miss out. 
(payment options available)

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See what people are saying about WEDology Experience Training Sessions:

"I am so glad I could be apart of such a phenomenal educational event. I obtained lots of valuable information. I so appreciate you!"  ~Vanessa A.
"Thank you! I'm beating myself up and trying to get my social networking life up to par now based on your teaching!" ~Christy T.
"I truly enjoyed attending your training session! It' was such a wonderful experience!" ~Amber S.

Until next time...WEDologize!

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!

WEDology Notebook Celebrations!!!

Well as many of you who follow us on Facebook and Twitter know...THE WEDOLOGY NOTEBOOKS ARE HERE!!! And we are too excited about the buzz they are creating with brides and industry professionals.

Please come out and support Desiree, President & Lead Designer of Dejanae Events, with the launch of WEDology Notebook: For The Budget-Chic Bride. The reveal and signing will be from 6 - 9pm on Friday, March 11th at Ven Sherrod Photography Studio, 1906 S. Halsted, Chicago, Illinois with wine and light refreshments served. If you are unable to make this event, there will be another signing on Friday, April 8th and plenty more events thereafter.

WEDology Notebook: For the Budget-Chic Bride is the newest and by far the most innovative bridal planner to date. An immense amount of wedding planning information has been captured in a Notebook format making it easy for working women to carry in their purse, tote or briefcase without being weighed down. Published by DE Publishing Group, the Notebooks can be ordered on http://www.dejanaeevents.com/ or by sending an e-mail to admin@WEDologyNotebook.com.

Below are some Noteboook sneak peeks:

Please follow the latest and greatest information about the Notebook at www.facebook.com/WEDologyNotebook and www.facebook.com/DejanaeEvents. The WEDology Notebook website will be unveiled next week!!!

Until next time...WEDologize!

Welcome the WEDology Notebook!!!

Well today is the day everyone!!!

My "baby" was conceived over two years ago (I know that's a long time to be carrying a baby), but to bring her full term took a lot of sleepless nights and thought-filled days. I wanted to create a planner for the bride that was easy to carry and showcased the bride-on-a-budget a.k.a the budget-chic bride. In my meetings and adventures, I'd grown tired of seeing brides carrying their purse and then a tote bag to house their hefty wedding binder. In witnessing my bride's weighted down, the idea of the notebook was created.

Please support me in the launch of the WEDology Notebook: For the Budget-Chic Bride this month. The 10-tabbed chapters will allow any bride to plan her wedding to the fullest and within her budget, plus I've included a Honeymoon Bonus in the 1st edition. I'm sure the Notebook won't disappointment...my almost 11 years of experience won't allow that!!! Thanks in advance for your support :)

Until next time...WEDologize!