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)

Launch of Grooms Matter Too

Grooms Matter Too launches today and I'm so excited about this amazing company created by my dear friend, Lenee Valentine CEO and founder of Lenee' Valentine, Inc.   Grooms Matter Too provides services so that men can experience the same pampering experiences as brides as they prepare for their wedding day.  Equally important, the company takes the stress out of men's responsibilities.

Grooms Matter Too Caters Solely To Men On Their Big Day

Event designer Lenee' Valentine launches company that provides wedding preparation services to grooms and their groomsmen.

  

The company focuses solely on all of the details for the groom’s big day such as assisting with:  surprise wedding proposals, styling services, organizing groomsmen outings and parties, spa and grooming services, rehearsal dinners, transportation services, gifts for parents and guests, and the list goes on.  With a knack for creativity and personalization, Valentine will delve into the core of each man to discover his interests and passions and bring them to life in each service offered.

Research shows that young adults are delaying marriage now more than ever.  This means that many of the financial responsibilities are left on the couple moreso than their parents.  As such, both the bride and groom should have the same exciting experiences when planning their nuptials.  

The services provided by Grooms Matter Too can also be rendered for men who are planning birthdays, retirement, anniversaries, red carpet events, and more.

Congratulations Doll and you are spot on...Grooms Matter Too!!!

Until next time...WEDologize!

CREDITS:

Grooms Matter Too – Owner|Creative Director Lenee’ Valentine @groomsmattertoo

Photographer - Chi-Chi Agbim - Two Twenty  @chichi_220

Topping the Wedding Cake

As I've mentioned time and time again, the wedding cake is the showpiece of the reception!  And yes, a lot of time goes into the design, flavoring and frosting covering this beautiful confection, but how do you plan to top it off?  Check out a few cake topper ideas that just make me smile.

 

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits -  Rush Productions and Eivan's Photo and Video)

Celebrating Dejanae Events Sweet Sixteen Birthday!

Each passing year amazes me as I celebrate another milestone in Dejanae Events.  I'm so grateful, no thankful, to say that I have sustained in the wedding and event planning industry for 16 years!!!  Yes, God is GOOD!

As I reflect on the year that has past, I'm honestly most grateful for bring able to endure the 2015 wedding season.  The year started out so great with dozens of client's wedding and events on the calendar.  But in May, I found out what had been troubling my body for over 2 years and I was in need of surgery.  I was told that I needed to have the surgery almost immediately, but in my mind...there was no way that is happening.  I'm thinking, "There are still almost 30 weddings and events on the calendar to plan and direct!"  And although I had a medical clause in my contract, I did not want to stop working.  Sitting still is not even in my bones or vocabulary. 

So I took a very strong, body altering medication during the summer.  And although it made me sick and pained my body, the DE Team held me down through all of our events and even the teaching of my wedding and event planning class at Triton College.  I cannot thank these ladies enough!  They hugged me, wiped the sweat from my forehead, allowed me to cry on their shoulders, fed me and smiled with me all the way through the 2015 wedding season and through the surgery I eventually had in November.  From the bottom of my heart...thank you Priscilla, Nikki, Didi, Vanessa, Kelly, Peggy, Holly, Angie and Angie!!!  The love and respect I have for you ladies can never be expressed in words!!!  It is because of you we hold The Best of Weddings by The Knot for 7 years and are apart of The Knot's Hall of Fame of Vendors.  It is because of you that we helped over 200 less fortunate men and women over the holidays and it's because of you that we moved into our first official office location in early 2016!!!

Yes, I said it early on that God is good!!!  My body is healed and my team...the DE team is a blessing!!!  I toast to these 16 years of business with each of the ladies and I'm excited about sharing year 17 with the DE Team and the clients who love us.

HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN TO DEJANAE EVENTS!!!

The entire DE Team could not be present for this shoot. Didi, Kelly and Nikki are pictured.

Until next time...WEDologize!

Photo credit - www.BM-Photography.com

Really??? Postage Rates DECREASE!

Usually I'm writing a blog about postage rates increasing, but not this time.  As for 4/10/16, the First Class stamp has decreased from $.49 to $.47!!!  This is just in time for wedding season.  There have been a few additional changes.  Please see below:

The additional ounces of first-class letters will drop to $.2, from $.22.
International letters drop to $1.15, from $1.20.
Postcards drop from to $34, from $.35

Until next time...WEDologize!

The Knot Webinar - Reviews Think Tank

Registration

So what do you have planned on Wednesday, March 30th around 12:00pm CST?  Well clear your calendar because I am one of five The Knot Ambassadors that will be on a panel to discuss how to take your reviews to the next level and build a stellar online reputation, plus we will answer your burning questions.

You can register for this wedding industry webinar here or by clicking the registration link below the photo. 

Can't wait to meet some of you on Wednesday for what I know will be a very informative webinar.

Until next time...WEDologize!