Day #1 - Head Table Decor

Head table decor can be the simplest and least expensive decor in your wedding floral budget.  Why not re-purpose your bridal bouquet and bridesmaids bouquets???  Add a few glass vases + some floating candles along with the bouquets and watch this main table come to life.  I mean think about it, what are you going to do with the bouquets after all the wedding photos anyway :)  This will also work perfectly should you decide on a sweetheart table.  You'll thank me later when you see the savings.

Until next time...WEDologize!

Photo credit - www.rushphotovideo.com

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)

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)

"Wedding Planners Help Budget The Big Day"

"Once we have an official allowance, I tell my clients to pick three big dollar items that are important to them," Dent said.  From there, we allocate funds to make sure those things happen. This allows you to know what you can spend for the remaining actors."

Was super excited to have received a call from the Southtown Star, the south suburban Chicagoland daily paper who's parent company just happens to be the Chicago Sun Times.  They were looking to speak with area wedding planners for their 'Spring Weddings' section about helping couples plan their wedding while dealing with their specific advice.  Well I loved the idea of being called an "expert" in the sub-header, but more importantly, check out what I had to say.

Until next time...WEDologize

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!

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!

Your Wedding Reception Venue Includes?

As for you move forward with selecting your reception location, here is a brief list of questions to ask the catering/banquet manager regarding what they do (or do not) provide.  Some of these "fees" can drive your budget up so be aware of what is included.

• What's included with the venue - tables, chairs, china, flatware, stemware?
• What are your basic linens? And what is the cost for upgrading?
• What is your basic table decor?
• Do you provide the wedding cake? If not, is there a cake cutting fee?
• Is coat check complimentary or is there a fee?
• Is there a bridal room or private room for dressing? Does it lock?
• Do your provide any audio visual equipment and if so, what is the fee?
• Do you have a dance floor?
• Is there a charge for security or is that a complimentary service?
• Do I need to provide insurance for my wedding reception?
• Do you have adequate parking for the number of guests invited or is valet service available?
• Do you allow outside vendors that the couple secures or do you have a preferred vendors list?

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photographer credit - Grace Havlak)

Staying On The Wedding Planning Track

When planning your wedding, it's a MUST to stay on track because procrastination and lack of focus can take over...or the dreaded BRIDEZILLA could kick in.  Check out some of the "stress-relievers" that could make the planning process flow a little better.

Once you get engaged...SET A REALISTIC TIMETABLE and BUDGET.  Your actual wedding date won't be set until you book your ceremony and reception location(s), but you can select the season, month and year you'd like to get married.  That will determine how long you have to plan this grand event.  Then have the uncomfortable conversation with your fiancee and family about the budget and how much each person can contribute.  It's extremely important to know the budget you are working with before you start planning your big day.

Not everyone you have ever known in life should be invited to your wedding.  Start working on your GUEST LIST as soon as possible because this list will drive a lot of the wedding planning process.  Remember catering and your bar will consume half of your wedding budget so be thoughtful when inviting family and friends.

Make a SEPARATE E-MAIL ACCOUNT for your wedding correspondences.  This way, e-mails won't get intermingled with your business and personal e-mails.  Plus as you begin planning, your e-mail account will become saturated with e-mails from vendors and other wedding-related messages.

Then of course, start interviewing PROFESSIONAL WEDDING PLANNERS to assist you with the wedding planning process.  A planners resources and skills will become invaluable as you move forward with your special day.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - www.vsphoto.com)

Ten Mistakes Couples Make About Money

The recession has put a strain on wedding planning.  But through the engagement process, the idea is to make smart budgetary decisions.  This will certainly alleviate one of the biggest wedding planning problems...STRESS.  Check out the mistakes to avoid making when planning your wedding:

1. Asking unreliable family members or friends to take on wedding day tasks only to have them botched.
2. Planning to caterer the wedding and/or bake your wedding cake yourself.
3. Ordering your wedding gown with the delivery close to your wedding date.  Plan for delays. They do happen.
4. Hiring the first vendor instead of researching other options.
5. Not asking for referrals
6. Waiting to long to book ceremony and/or reception sites and vendors.
7. Not reading contracts thoroughly.
8. Making decisions in hast or out of frustration.
9. Planning too elaborate a wedding for the amount of preparation time or finances.
10. Being unorganized.

Thanks to Chicago Wedding Resource for such a thoughtful list!

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!

The Cost of Being a Bridesmaid

Brides have so much fun with the creation of ideas on how to ask their family and friends, "Will You Be My Bridesmaid"?  But I'm suggestion you also go a step further and give the ladies an approximate budget.  This kind gesture will alleviate you from hearing later on down the line..."I didn't know I had to pay for all this!"  Although being selected to be apart of your friends big day is truly an honor, you don't want to ask your bridesmaids to tap into their 401k if you don't have to :)

Bridesmaid Budgeter
(from www.The Knot.com/Chicago)

Average Costs

Engagement Gift - $25-$75

Bridal Shower - $100-$500

Shower Gift (if you are not contributing to the shower) - $25-$75

Bachelorette Party - $50-$500

Dress and Alterations - $200-$400

Shoes and Jewelry - $75-$200

Hair - $50-$200

Make-up - $50-$150

Wedding Gift - $50-$150...
...although I feel that being apart of the wedding party is gift enough!

Travel Expenses - $200-$1,000

Of course, not all of these costs will apply for each bridesmaid because every bride's request is different.  But if for nothing else, you will still need to pay for your attire, alterations, shoes and accessories and possibly make-up.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit: www.vsphoto.com)

Budgeting Beyond The Wedding Gown

I know the defining moment for a bride...when it really hits home that she's going from a Miss to a Mrs is when she says YES TO THE DRESS!  It's a physical reaction unlike any other, at least that's what I've been told :)  But please don't get caught up into thinking that the wedding gown + tax is it for your journey when making selections about what to wear and how to look on wedding day.  There are plenty other components that must be added to the portion of your budget called...WEDDING ATTIRE.

For those of you reading the magazines and surfing the Internet, it's said that the 10-15% of the entire wedding budget should go towards wedding attire.  Please understand, that this figure includes both you and your groom, although the biggest bulk of the monies does go towards the bride and her look of the day.  Consider the WEDDING ATTIRE checklist below when making budget decisions:

Bridal gown

Alterations

Headpiece or veil

Jewelry (not your wedding bands)

Undergarments

Shoes

Hair Stylist

Make-up Artist

Manicure/Pedicure

Spa Treatments

Groom's Formal Wear, including shoes and undergarments

Until next time...WEDologize!


(photo credit - www.vsphoto.com)

Big Apple Reception

October is the highly anticipated month for apple picking and the making of apple treats.  Inspired by not only red, but green apples...how can you incorporate this delicious and filling fruit into your wedding reception decor and tablescapes?  Check out some of these "tasty" ideas:

Accent the wedding cake with "sugar" apples.
Real apples would be too heavy and could damage the cake.

Serve a refreshing drink, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, infused with apples.

Create a dessert station showcasing the wedding cake and some of your favorite apple treats.

Be creative and use delicious apples as the holder for your escort cards.
They could then double as a guest favor.

A mix of apples and candles makes a contemporary centerpiece.

Taffy/caramel apples on a dessert station or as a take-home treat for your guests
would certainly make them smile.

A pairing of apples and flowers would look lovely on a buffet or escort card table,
and consider the blend for the tablescape, too.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(Photo credits: www.cakeforthewedding.net; www.countryliving.com; www.weddingpartycenterpieces.com; www.weddingaces.com; www.theknot.com; www.marthastewartweddings.com; www.getmarried.com)

Hidden Fees and Costs

Today I want to talk a little about budget and some of the "hidden" wedding costs you are overlooked when creating your wedding budget.

• Make sure deliver fees are included in the quote and that you are aware of them before signing the contract. Consider paying for delivery of rental items; catering and alcohol; wedding cake; and florals and decor.


• Depending on the time of year you are getting married the coat check may need to be open and attended.


• Ask the reception venue about cake cutting fees for cakes brought into their establishment or if there is a fee for wrapping up cake for guests to take home versus serving it as dessert.


• Some hotels will charge for the delivery of welcome bags regardless if they are distributed at the front desk when guests check-in or if they are delivered to their room.


• When budgeting for wedding invitations...don't forget the cost of postage to mail them. Typically it's $.61 stamp to mail the entire ensemble and $.44 stamp for the reply card envelope. But it's always best to have a completely assembled wedding invitation weighed before purchasing.

Until next time...WEDologize!
(photo credit: www.onewed.com)