This last weekend I had the privilege of working with some new photographers, husband and wife team Carlton and Kari Mackey out of Atlanta, Georgia. Their website is www.mytruevision.com. They are INCREDIBLE to work with and their work is amazing.
Thank you, Carlton and Kari, for making this past weekend even more enjoyable!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
pitfalls to avoid-episode 1
I'm going to use this blog to not only give tips of things to do but also to give information on things to NOT do.
I recently had a bride (we'll call her "Misty") who made us scratch our heads more than once. Her budget was very small but we had solutions to help her get the services she needed and stay within budget.
Two of the vendors that she chose were freelance vendors and did not have a formal contract. We all agreed to let the emails between her and the vendors serve as an informal contract.
About a week before the wedding, I received notification that Misty had signed contracts and paid two vendors (different from the original freelance vendors) and didn't tell us or the original vendors. We rolled with the punches but this was uncool for the original vendors who'd kept that date available for her.
As it turned out, there were mishaps with both of the vendors she selected. The cake company she'd chosen (because their prices were about $100 cheaper) couldn't deliver her cake and asked her to pick it up on the morning of her wedding. No one but professionals should be picking up a 4-tier completely assembled wedding cake in 98 degree July weather, especially not the bride on the morning of her wedding! I negotiated with the cake company and they did deliver the cake. While it was beautiful, it was already melting by the time the bride and groom cut into it.
The photographer (who was not cheaper and far from better but who had a sign in front of an office which I suppose made him more desirable than a freelancer) showed up in...I kid you not...faded dirty jeans, a faded Hanes t-shirt, tennis shoes and a towel around his neck to wipe the sweat. I was embarassed for him!
The moral of this story is three-fold:
1. Get contracts and stick with them.
2. Trust your wedding planner (that's why you hired them, right?)
3. COMMUNICATE!
Before I close, you should know...this bride was not malicious, just a little confused and scattered. And hey...haven't we all been there a time or two?
Happy Planning, Stacy
I recently had a bride (we'll call her "Misty") who made us scratch our heads more than once. Her budget was very small but we had solutions to help her get the services she needed and stay within budget.
Two of the vendors that she chose were freelance vendors and did not have a formal contract. We all agreed to let the emails between her and the vendors serve as an informal contract.
About a week before the wedding, I received notification that Misty had signed contracts and paid two vendors (different from the original freelance vendors) and didn't tell us or the original vendors. We rolled with the punches but this was uncool for the original vendors who'd kept that date available for her.
As it turned out, there were mishaps with both of the vendors she selected. The cake company she'd chosen (because their prices were about $100 cheaper) couldn't deliver her cake and asked her to pick it up on the morning of her wedding. No one but professionals should be picking up a 4-tier completely assembled wedding cake in 98 degree July weather, especially not the bride on the morning of her wedding! I negotiated with the cake company and they did deliver the cake. While it was beautiful, it was already melting by the time the bride and groom cut into it.
The photographer (who was not cheaper and far from better but who had a sign in front of an office which I suppose made him more desirable than a freelancer) showed up in...I kid you not...faded dirty jeans, a faded Hanes t-shirt, tennis shoes and a towel around his neck to wipe the sweat. I was embarassed for him!
The moral of this story is three-fold:
1. Get contracts and stick with them.
2. Trust your wedding planner (that's why you hired them, right?)
3. COMMUNICATE!
Before I close, you should know...this bride was not malicious, just a little confused and scattered. And hey...haven't we all been there a time or two?
Happy Planning, Stacy
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
upcoming weddings
I don’t have anything to write about just yet so I’ll just write about some weddings I have coming up.
Kristi is one of my Little Rock brides. Her color scheme is yellow, lime, white, and black. Now before you scratch your head, let me explain.
Kristi has a thing for honeybees so naturally yellow, black and white came to mind when choosing colors. Her bridesmaid dresses are black and they’ll carry bouquets of buttercream and white/ivory.
We wanted a little pop for the reception so we decided to add in some lime. Literally. Distinctive Designs by Tanarah is going to rock the centerpieces with lime and lemon slices lining gleaming glass vases filled with buttercream and white flowers. The linens on the guest tables will be a crisp white but I’m going to throw some lemon yellow linens onto the special tables (cake, buffet, head table, bars, etc.) accented by white banners.
The cake is the pièce de résistance. It’s mostly white and yellow with black ribbon bands at the base of each layer with 3 little honeybees scattered here and there. How cut is that!?
Kelli is my next bride. Kelli’s color scheme is watermelon and tangerine. Perfect for mid summer! For those of you who don’t know the color “watermelon” looks like, it’s very much like an actual watermelon. Not really red but not pink, almost hot pink but not quite. Tangerine is exactly that…a delicious shade of orange. Kelli loves bright colors and this suits her bright personality perfectly! She’s been sweet enough to let her bridesmaids choose the style of their dress which will compliment everything I’ll be doing for her bouquets and centerpieces just fine.
Jasmin is next and she is having a Gala Productions signature event. Her color scheme is eggplant and chartreuse. Everything new and fresh and amazing (within reason) that I could suggest is included in this event including...
-a ceremony in the beautiful Heidelberg Ballroom at the Hilton
-designer programs from Dubois Expressions
-a cocktail hour that begins with guests being greeted by rows of servers passing out yummy limeade complimented by passed hors d’hoeuvres
-a delicious sitdown dinner
-stunning signature lighting
-coordinating linens
-lush and original flowers from Fleur du Jour (moss covered orbs, table lamps, etc., etc.)
-a Couture Cake original “fake cake” followed by an incredible real one served individually plated
-a photo booth from Party Box
-Michael Foster Project AND a DJ
-second line with custom umbrellas and hankies
The list goes on and on. And to make this event even more special are the awesome attitudes this bride, groom, and mother-of-the-bride have had. The groom is a doctor and the bride is a school teacher (former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader). Even though the groom is busy with his own demanding career, he’s pitched in and helped while the bride finished up with the school year. The bride has been a sweetheart...calm, trusting and decisive which always makes the planning process more enjoyable for all involved. The mom has offered her very tasteful opinions while not overshadowing those of the bride. Just a great trio!
After that I have a break until Labor Day. Maybe I’ll sneak away to the beach during that time and get rested up for the next wave of amazing brides and designs.
Kristi is one of my Little Rock brides. Her color scheme is yellow, lime, white, and black. Now before you scratch your head, let me explain.
Kristi has a thing for honeybees so naturally yellow, black and white came to mind when choosing colors. Her bridesmaid dresses are black and they’ll carry bouquets of buttercream and white/ivory.
We wanted a little pop for the reception so we decided to add in some lime. Literally. Distinctive Designs by Tanarah is going to rock the centerpieces with lime and lemon slices lining gleaming glass vases filled with buttercream and white flowers. The linens on the guest tables will be a crisp white but I’m going to throw some lemon yellow linens onto the special tables (cake, buffet, head table, bars, etc.) accented by white banners.
The cake is the pièce de résistance. It’s mostly white and yellow with black ribbon bands at the base of each layer with 3 little honeybees scattered here and there. How cut is that!?
Kelli is my next bride. Kelli’s color scheme is watermelon and tangerine. Perfect for mid summer! For those of you who don’t know the color “watermelon” looks like, it’s very much like an actual watermelon. Not really red but not pink, almost hot pink but not quite. Tangerine is exactly that…a delicious shade of orange. Kelli loves bright colors and this suits her bright personality perfectly! She’s been sweet enough to let her bridesmaids choose the style of their dress which will compliment everything I’ll be doing for her bouquets and centerpieces just fine.
Jasmin is next and she is having a Gala Productions signature event. Her color scheme is eggplant and chartreuse. Everything new and fresh and amazing (within reason) that I could suggest is included in this event including...
-a ceremony in the beautiful Heidelberg Ballroom at the Hilton
-designer programs from Dubois Expressions
-a cocktail hour that begins with guests being greeted by rows of servers passing out yummy limeade complimented by passed hors d’hoeuvres
-a delicious sitdown dinner
-stunning signature lighting
-coordinating linens
-lush and original flowers from Fleur du Jour (moss covered orbs, table lamps, etc., etc.)
-a Couture Cake original “fake cake” followed by an incredible real one served individually plated
-a photo booth from Party Box
-Michael Foster Project AND a DJ
-second line with custom umbrellas and hankies
The list goes on and on. And to make this event even more special are the awesome attitudes this bride, groom, and mother-of-the-bride have had. The groom is a doctor and the bride is a school teacher (former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader). Even though the groom is busy with his own demanding career, he’s pitched in and helped while the bride finished up with the school year. The bride has been a sweetheart...calm, trusting and decisive which always makes the planning process more enjoyable for all involved. The mom has offered her very tasteful opinions while not overshadowing those of the bride. Just a great trio!
After that I have a break until Labor Day. Maybe I’ll sneak away to the beach during that time and get rested up for the next wave of amazing brides and designs.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Wedding Planning Seminar Vendors
Almost all of the vendors needed for the "How to Plan a Wedding in a Weekend" seminar are in place!
Here are the ones we have so far:
Gala Productions-wedding planning
Sullivan's Steakhouse-fine dining and special event venue
Ocken Photography-photography
Fleur Du Jour-florist
Bustle-bridal gowns and accessories
Bella Bridesmaids-bridesmaid-exclusive boutique
Emily Hudspeth-hair and makeup stylist
The Michael Foster Project-jazz and brass band
X-Pert DJ Services-DJ
Pan Strings-string quartet
Dr. Karen Paul-medical spa
Sheraton Hotel & Atrium-hotel and special event destination
Dubois Expressions-special event stationary and invitations
Catalyst Event Solutions-special events lighting
Beatrix Bell-custom designed jewelry
Ardyss-body reshapers
Bonanno's Fine Catering-catering
Sophisticakes-bakery
Here are the ones we have so far:
Gala Productions-wedding planning
Sullivan's Steakhouse-fine dining and special event venue
Ocken Photography-photography
Fleur Du Jour-florist
Bustle-bridal gowns and accessories
Bella Bridesmaids-bridesmaid-exclusive boutique
Emily Hudspeth-hair and makeup stylist
The Michael Foster Project-jazz and brass band
X-Pert DJ Services-DJ
Pan Strings-string quartet
Dr. Karen Paul-medical spa
Sheraton Hotel & Atrium-hotel and special event destination
Dubois Expressions-special event stationary and invitations
Catalyst Event Solutions-special events lighting
Beatrix Bell-custom designed jewelry
Ardyss-body reshapers
Bonanno's Fine Catering-catering
Sophisticakes-bakery
Jasmine McKnight Ledeaux
This wedding is the perfect example of the magic a wedding planner can make. Brides often ask me to create an event for them but then get nervous about the suggestions I'm making or the costs associated with those suggestions.
First, let's talk trust. I understand this is your one and only day. You don't get to do it over and you can't make changes on your honeymoon. If you were to build a house, however, would you question the type of nails your contractor uses? Would you ask how much the nails cost and then spend hours researching cheaper nails? Or would you trust that he/she will build your house according to the budget you agreed on and assume that if the contractor is using those particular nails, that must mean that those nails fit into the budget?
The same thing applies to your wedding! The very first thing you should do is set a budget. If your wedding planner tells you she can get lighting and linens all within your budget, trust that if she says a price from a particular vendor is acceptable, it must mean that the price will fit into the budget.
Brides lose so much of the pizazz when they start questioning the big picture before it's been painted. Often brides see a lighting quote that's over $3,000 and because that sounds like an awful big price for colored light bulbs, they start second guessing. Ultimately they either nix it altogether or chisel it away until the look is lost. If your wedding planner says $3,000 is ok, it's because she/he has gotten you an outstanding price on something else in order to accommodate that lighting bill. TRUST HER OR HIM!
I'm not cheap...seriously, I'm not...but I'm a firm believer of squeezing every fabulous drop out of a penny. It is in my best interest to get as much out of your budget as possible. But sometimes you just have to write the check. This particular bride did just that. She had the 3 L's going on! (The 3 L's are...lighting, linens and lush flowers.) Great taste, Jasmine, and great job on trusting that it would all come together!
First, let's talk trust. I understand this is your one and only day. You don't get to do it over and you can't make changes on your honeymoon. If you were to build a house, however, would you question the type of nails your contractor uses? Would you ask how much the nails cost and then spend hours researching cheaper nails? Or would you trust that he/she will build your house according to the budget you agreed on and assume that if the contractor is using those particular nails, that must mean that those nails fit into the budget?
The same thing applies to your wedding! The very first thing you should do is set a budget. If your wedding planner tells you she can get lighting and linens all within your budget, trust that if she says a price from a particular vendor is acceptable, it must mean that the price will fit into the budget.
Brides lose so much of the pizazz when they start questioning the big picture before it's been painted. Often brides see a lighting quote that's over $3,000 and because that sounds like an awful big price for colored light bulbs, they start second guessing. Ultimately they either nix it altogether or chisel it away until the look is lost. If your wedding planner says $3,000 is ok, it's because she/he has gotten you an outstanding price on something else in order to accommodate that lighting bill. TRUST HER OR HIM!
I'm not cheap...seriously, I'm not...but I'm a firm believer of squeezing every fabulous drop out of a penny. It is in my best interest to get as much out of your budget as possible. But sometimes you just have to write the check. This particular bride did just that. She had the 3 L's going on! (The 3 L's are...lighting, linens and lush flowers.) Great taste, Jasmine, and great job on trusting that it would all come together!
Out of the Box Bridal Event
Last Thursday was one hot bridal event! No, seriously...it was hot! Temperatures were in the upper 90s and I was outside in it for most of 12 hours.
It was incredible, though. The breeze blew gently, the drinks flowed sweetly and the music floated softly. The Shaw Center really is an incredible venue. Even in the dead of summer!
A million thanks to Clarissa for showing up at the last minute and pitching in so perfectly. A million and one thanks to Kelsea for working so diligently and meticulously so I could take care of other responsibilities.
The fun of last week didn't end with OOTB. One of my awesome brides, Erika, came to town and we met with two phenomenal caterers. Leger's Catering and Bonanno's Fine Catering. Both truly exceptional vendors and omg...the food...yum!
This week is shaping up to be just as busy. Between invitations being mailed out and planning meetings with about 5 brides, my days are hopping!
Just the way I like it. :)
Until next time...
Happy Planning,
Stacy
It was incredible, though. The breeze blew gently, the drinks flowed sweetly and the music floated softly. The Shaw Center really is an incredible venue. Even in the dead of summer!
A million thanks to Clarissa for showing up at the last minute and pitching in so perfectly. A million and one thanks to Kelsea for working so diligently and meticulously so I could take care of other responsibilities.
The fun of last week didn't end with OOTB. One of my awesome brides, Erika, came to town and we met with two phenomenal caterers. Leger's Catering and Bonanno's Fine Catering. Both truly exceptional vendors and omg...the food...yum!
This week is shaping up to be just as busy. Between invitations being mailed out and planning meetings with about 5 brides, my days are hopping!
Just the way I like it. :)
Until next time...
Happy Planning,
Stacy
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
"How to Plan a Wedding in a Weekend" seminar
The word is getting out and Baton Rouge is getting excited! The "How to Plan a Wedding in a Weekend" seminar is almost here!
Join us on July 19, 2009 at Sullivan's Steakhouse at noon for the most fun you're going to have planning your wedding (except for maybe the dress shopping)!
Seminar starts promptly at noon and will last until around 5:30 followed by the Afterglow party.
Featured Activities include:
- step-by-step planning instruction from start to finish
- expert advice on how to create & stick to a budget
- tips on designing the decor and setup demonstrations
- tastings from Sullivan's Steakhouse
- one-on-one mingle sessions with leading area vendors (see the list below)
- interactive fashion show
- cake cutting practice stations
- after party mixer with live entertainment
There are pre-registration specials. If you register at or before the next Out of the Box Bridal Event on June 25, 2009, the price will be $45 per couple. If you register after that date, the regular price of $60 will apply. We STRONGLY recommend you register before the day of the event so we can make sure there are enough packets to go around. Day-of registration will be $80.
This price is intended for you and your groom. However, I know how involved moms can be in the planning of a wedding and I also know how stressed she gets so we'll cut her some slack and let her take the place of your groom for that day. All other attendees (bridesmaids, siblings, friends, etc.) are $25 per person.
Sullivan's has a large dining room but we can only fit so many couples in so register as soon as possible.
Let me just pause and say that the information you're getting that day is equivalent to the information you'd get with Gala Productions' Cerise package (http://www.imaginegala.com/Cerise%20Package_LA.htm) that costs $1800! Granted, that price also includes having a nationally certified planner handling everything but I think you can agree that $45 is well worth it, especially if you've already started trying to plan this on your own with no direction.
Visit the event page (http://www.imaginegala.com/Seminar.htm) to see the amazing vendors that I've selected to provide their own insider tips and instructions during the one-on-one mingle sessions set up "speed date" style. It's going to be so much fun!
Let me know if you have any questions. I'd be more than happy to answer them for you!
Happy Planning,
Stacy
Join us on July 19, 2009 at Sullivan's Steakhouse at noon for the most fun you're going to have planning your wedding (except for maybe the dress shopping)!
Seminar starts promptly at noon and will last until around 5:30 followed by the Afterglow party.
Featured Activities include:
- step-by-step planning instruction from start to finish
- expert advice on how to create & stick to a budget
- tips on designing the decor and setup demonstrations
- tastings from Sullivan's Steakhouse
- one-on-one mingle sessions with leading area vendors (see the list below)
- interactive fashion show
- cake cutting practice stations
- after party mixer with live entertainment
There are pre-registration specials. If you register at or before the next Out of the Box Bridal Event on June 25, 2009, the price will be $45 per couple. If you register after that date, the regular price of $60 will apply. We STRONGLY recommend you register before the day of the event so we can make sure there are enough packets to go around. Day-of registration will be $80.
This price is intended for you and your groom. However, I know how involved moms can be in the planning of a wedding and I also know how stressed she gets so we'll cut her some slack and let her take the place of your groom for that day. All other attendees (bridesmaids, siblings, friends, etc.) are $25 per person.
Sullivan's has a large dining room but we can only fit so many couples in so register as soon as possible.
Let me just pause and say that the information you're getting that day is equivalent to the information you'd get with Gala Productions' Cerise package (http://www.imaginegala.com/Cerise%20Package_LA.htm) that costs $1800! Granted, that price also includes having a nationally certified planner handling everything but I think you can agree that $45 is well worth it, especially if you've already started trying to plan this on your own with no direction.
Visit the event page (http://www.imaginegala.com/Seminar.htm) to see the amazing vendors that I've selected to provide their own insider tips and instructions during the one-on-one mingle sessions set up "speed date" style. It's going to be so much fun!
Let me know if you have any questions. I'd be more than happy to answer them for you!
Happy Planning,
Stacy
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