Hi everyone reading this blog! I just wanted to say Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year!!!
I hope all of you out there were able to relax and enjoy the holidays with your family and friends!
Until next time, happy planning...
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Choosing the Perfect Date
Since I'm assuming that you're reading this blog because you are engaged, the title of this week's post is referring to when you're going to get married - not to whom!
For some couples, choosing when to have their wedding is easy. Some couples have a special anniversary that they want to cement. Others know that their school or work schedules will only allow for a certain period of time in which to celebrate.
For others, selecting a date can be more difficult. I try to help them narrow down the choices by asking questions about their preferences -- Do they absolutely hate the heat? Then, the summer months are out. Do they have guests travelling to their wedding via airplane? Then, skip the winter when the weather can be more iffy.
Sometimes, we will go to various venues and if the couple falls in love with one of them, they will ask the venue's availability and select from those dates. Or, they may be members of a church and ask when the priest has openings to perform the wedding. Couples also may choose their date based upon "how" the date sounds -- 7/7/07 was a very popular wedding date!
Just remember, no matter which date you choose, you will always remember it!
Until next time, happy planning...
For some couples, choosing when to have their wedding is easy. Some couples have a special anniversary that they want to cement. Others know that their school or work schedules will only allow for a certain period of time in which to celebrate.
For others, selecting a date can be more difficult. I try to help them narrow down the choices by asking questions about their preferences -- Do they absolutely hate the heat? Then, the summer months are out. Do they have guests travelling to their wedding via airplane? Then, skip the winter when the weather can be more iffy.
Sometimes, we will go to various venues and if the couple falls in love with one of them, they will ask the venue's availability and select from those dates. Or, they may be members of a church and ask when the priest has openings to perform the wedding. Couples also may choose their date based upon "how" the date sounds -- 7/7/07 was a very popular wedding date!
Just remember, no matter which date you choose, you will always remember it!
Until next time, happy planning...
Monday, December 10, 2007
'Tis the time to ... Get Engaged!
Congratulations!! The "engagement season" is in full swing -- more engagements happen between Thanksgiving and New Year's than any other time during the year. I, myself, got engaged on December 13th many moons ago!
So, now you've already said "Yes!!" to your fiance (get used to that term!), received a ring, and told your family and friends the great news. You're basking in the newly-engaged euphoria. And you should! This is a great time for you and your honey -- treasure it!
Because, soon enough, you will get the inevitable questions: "So, when's the date?" "Where are you having your reception?" And many other like questions offered by well-meaning family members and close friends. Just remember, your family and friends want to help you down the path to wedded bliss, even if their questions just bring you agita!
My recommendation to you is to do a few things. When you're ready to begin the planning process, you should first think about how many guests you want to invite to share in your day. Next, you should come up with an overall budget for your wedding, including money to be received from all sources including contributed by you and your fiance. Armed with these 2 pieces of information, you should contact a wedding planner and take it from there. S/he will help you define your style and theme, and help you locate the perfect venue(s) for your celebration.
Until next time, happy planning....
So, now you've already said "Yes!!" to your fiance (get used to that term!), received a ring, and told your family and friends the great news. You're basking in the newly-engaged euphoria. And you should! This is a great time for you and your honey -- treasure it!
Because, soon enough, you will get the inevitable questions: "So, when's the date?" "Where are you having your reception?" And many other like questions offered by well-meaning family members and close friends. Just remember, your family and friends want to help you down the path to wedded bliss, even if their questions just bring you agita!
My recommendation to you is to do a few things. When you're ready to begin the planning process, you should first think about how many guests you want to invite to share in your day. Next, you should come up with an overall budget for your wedding, including money to be received from all sources including contributed by you and your fiance. Armed with these 2 pieces of information, you should contact a wedding planner and take it from there. S/he will help you define your style and theme, and help you locate the perfect venue(s) for your celebration.
Until next time, happy planning....
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Association of Bridal Consultants conference
Just a few short weeks ago, I attended my 6th annual Association of Bridal Consultants' conference which was held in Orlando. Every year since becoming a wedding planner, I have attended conference -- to meet other planners worldwide, to get up to date with the trends, to learn more about the industry and to interact with new vendors on the corporate level. This year, with over 500 attendees, the conference was even more exciting and informative than ever!
Let me share some great info with you!
Sandals and Beaches - luxury-included resorts in the Caribbean. I continued my training with Sandals and Beaches and have renewed my Certified Sandals Specialist designation, so I can help anyone out there with honeymoons, weddings, or vacations to these wonderful resorts. I have been to nearly all of the Sandals and Beaches properties on Jamaica, and can say without reservation (some travel humor!) that the resorts are impeccably maintained and offer so many diverse activities and restaurants that you will always be experiencing something new...or you can simply relax by the pool everyday, and no one will interrupt you! Sandals and Beaches have teamed up with Preston Bailey and Sylvia Weinstock for their wedding packages, and Preston is introducing 2 additional packages soon! If you want to go away and be pampered, without having to pull out your wallet ever, contact me and I'll book a great vacation for you at one of these great resorts!
David Tutera - Disney wedding packages. David Tutera was the featured speaker at the conference, and a small group of us were able to go with him to the wedding pavilion on the Disney property followed by a reception at the Contemporary Resort. David has developed a line for Disney that is young, hip and trendy - perhaps not what you would think of as a Disney wedding! The packages are customizable, so you can take the "bones" of the design and put your own spin on it. David is so creative, I'm sure you will want to check out his line - and who doesn't love Disneyworld for a great honeymoon?! Feel free to contact me for more information about this exciting new collaboration!
Mary Dann - celebrity wedding planner. Mary Dann has been featured on television shows such as Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? and Platinum Weddings, not to mention her contributions to national wedding magazines. She is launching a line of stationery, with beautiful papers and verses. I spent about 1 1/2 hours talking with Mary, and can definitely say that she has inspired me to be a better person and consultant. Her outlook on life is so positive, and she views every challenge as an opportunity to grow, which is what I'm trying to incorporate into my life as well. If you're interested in Mary's stationery, contact me or go to www.marydann.com.
Until next time, happy planning...
Let me share some great info with you!
Sandals and Beaches - luxury-included resorts in the Caribbean. I continued my training with Sandals and Beaches and have renewed my Certified Sandals Specialist designation, so I can help anyone out there with honeymoons, weddings, or vacations to these wonderful resorts. I have been to nearly all of the Sandals and Beaches properties on Jamaica, and can say without reservation (some travel humor!) that the resorts are impeccably maintained and offer so many diverse activities and restaurants that you will always be experiencing something new...or you can simply relax by the pool everyday, and no one will interrupt you! Sandals and Beaches have teamed up with Preston Bailey and Sylvia Weinstock for their wedding packages, and Preston is introducing 2 additional packages soon! If you want to go away and be pampered, without having to pull out your wallet ever, contact me and I'll book a great vacation for you at one of these great resorts!
David Tutera - Disney wedding packages. David Tutera was the featured speaker at the conference, and a small group of us were able to go with him to the wedding pavilion on the Disney property followed by a reception at the Contemporary Resort. David has developed a line for Disney that is young, hip and trendy - perhaps not what you would think of as a Disney wedding! The packages are customizable, so you can take the "bones" of the design and put your own spin on it. David is so creative, I'm sure you will want to check out his line - and who doesn't love Disneyworld for a great honeymoon?! Feel free to contact me for more information about this exciting new collaboration!
Mary Dann - celebrity wedding planner. Mary Dann has been featured on television shows such as Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? and Platinum Weddings, not to mention her contributions to national wedding magazines. She is launching a line of stationery, with beautiful papers and verses. I spent about 1 1/2 hours talking with Mary, and can definitely say that she has inspired me to be a better person and consultant. Her outlook on life is so positive, and she views every challenge as an opportunity to grow, which is what I'm trying to incorporate into my life as well. If you're interested in Mary's stationery, contact me or go to www.marydann.com.
Until next time, happy planning...
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Attitude of Gratitude
Thanksgiving weekend is almost over. In our house, that means that the turkey leftovers have been devoured, there's some leftover vegies, and we have a lot of house to clean. For Thanksgiving, we had both my husband's and my whole family over - 13 adults, 3 kids under age 10, and 1 baby. That meant a lot of coordination to get hot food on the table at the same time!
I was very thankful that I was able to share the holiday with my grandparents and my sister-in-law's infant, and the generations in between. After all, family is what makes life worth living - and so interesting. Also, I was extremely grateful that all of the courses made it to the table hot and delicious. I was happy that we were able to invite close friends to the table as well - not relatives by blood, but family nonetheless.
My gratitude extends beyond the holiday, however. I am so grateful that I decided to leave law firm life and start Bride Ideas and now I have the privilege of helping young couples as they begin their lives together. I adore putting weddings together -- all of the planning, decisions, creativity -- it certainly can be stressful, but it is so rewarding to me. When I see a newly married couple smiling and enjoying being with their family and friends, without having to deal with the details, I know that I have chosen the right way to help others.
Until next time, happy planning ...
I was very thankful that I was able to share the holiday with my grandparents and my sister-in-law's infant, and the generations in between. After all, family is what makes life worth living - and so interesting. Also, I was extremely grateful that all of the courses made it to the table hot and delicious. I was happy that we were able to invite close friends to the table as well - not relatives by blood, but family nonetheless.
Now, believe me, I do NOT live in a Norman Rockwell painting. My family has interpersonal relationship issues that rival the best of them. But I choose not to dwell on the bad things, but rather to change what I can to improve the situation for everyone. I have found that it's my attitude that affects my mood - and the atmosphere around me, so I choose to see the best in the situation and try to make others see it from a happier perspective as well. My family is not perfect, but I'm grateful that we were able to be together, even just for one day.
My gratitude extends beyond the holiday, however. I am so grateful that I decided to leave law firm life and start Bride Ideas and now I have the privilege of helping young couples as they begin their lives together. I adore putting weddings together -- all of the planning, decisions, creativity -- it certainly can be stressful, but it is so rewarding to me. When I see a newly married couple smiling and enjoying being with their family and friends, without having to deal with the details, I know that I have chosen the right way to help others.
Until next time, happy planning ...
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Time: The Great Equalizer
I recently heard or read somewhere that the only constant for every single person on earth is time. No matter how rich or poor you are, tall or short, fat or skinny, the one thing that we all have in common is that there are only 24 hours in the day. It's how we choose to use those precious 24 hours that sets each one of us apart.
Now, before you were engaged, you probably had a routine. Get up for work or school, go to work or school, do homework, eat dinner, meet up with friends, go to sleep. Whatever your routine, you managed to fill up your time pretty full, I would imagine.
However, then came the ring and the life-changing question. All of a sudden, your full routine has been turned on its head. It has been estimated that it takes about 180 hours to plan a wedding on your own. That equals, roughly, adding in another month to plan your wedding -- over and above your other obligations!
Some people relish doing this - giving up their free time to research vendors. Others choose to hire wedding consultants, such as myself, to help alleviate the time crunch that comes with planning a wedding. No matter how you try, you simply cannot create more hours in a day, so you may want to consider hiring a professional to give you back life's most precious resource.
Until next time, happy planning...
Now, before you were engaged, you probably had a routine. Get up for work or school, go to work or school, do homework, eat dinner, meet up with friends, go to sleep. Whatever your routine, you managed to fill up your time pretty full, I would imagine.
However, then came the ring and the life-changing question. All of a sudden, your full routine has been turned on its head. It has been estimated that it takes about 180 hours to plan a wedding on your own. That equals, roughly, adding in another month to plan your wedding -- over and above your other obligations!
Some people relish doing this - giving up their free time to research vendors. Others choose to hire wedding consultants, such as myself, to help alleviate the time crunch that comes with planning a wedding. No matter how you try, you simply cannot create more hours in a day, so you may want to consider hiring a professional to give you back life's most precious resource.
Until next time, happy planning...
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Corn Maze
Now that autumn has finally arrived, I've been out and about enjoying fall activities. I just returned from an event at a corn maze. No, it wasn't a wedding - but it certainly was fun and challenging!
What does a corn maze have to do with wedding planning, you ask? Actually, there are some similarities! At the beginning, everyone is very excited to enter - then as you go through it, you get confused and lost - shortcuts can lead you down unexpected and unwanted paths - then you finally find your way to the end - and when you get out, you want to do it all over again!
The best way to get through the maze of wedding planning is to have a plan. I work with my clients to create an engagement timeline, a plan of what tasks need to be accomplished every month. This plan allows everyone to be on the same page, and avoids taking a "wrong turn." There is no need to burn out during wedding planning, so long as you work your plan! Remember that you are planning a celebration of your love, but don't forget to take time to have fun along the way!
This post may be a bit corny (pun intended!), but I hope it gave you a different perspective on your wedding plans!
Until next time, happy planning....
What does a corn maze have to do with wedding planning, you ask? Actually, there are some similarities! At the beginning, everyone is very excited to enter - then as you go through it, you get confused and lost - shortcuts can lead you down unexpected and unwanted paths - then you finally find your way to the end - and when you get out, you want to do it all over again!
The best way to get through the maze of wedding planning is to have a plan. I work with my clients to create an engagement timeline, a plan of what tasks need to be accomplished every month. This plan allows everyone to be on the same page, and avoids taking a "wrong turn." There is no need to burn out during wedding planning, so long as you work your plan! Remember that you are planning a celebration of your love, but don't forget to take time to have fun along the way!
This post may be a bit corny (pun intended!), but I hope it gave you a different perspective on your wedding plans!
Until next time, happy planning....
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