If you got engaged during the holidays or are about to become engaged, you need to check out all the upcoming bridal shows in your area. Late January and February have become the "bridal show season" because of Christmas and Valentine's Day engagements. These shows provide great opportunities for brides and grooms to explore the wedding industry in their cities and towns.
Attending a large bridal show can be a daunting, intimidating and frustrating experience if you don't have a plan going in. Do your homework! Start out researching local vendors and venues on the www. They are not hard to find! Talk to friends and family members who have planned weddings in the past. Be prepared with a list of any vendors whose work appeals to you on their websites. If the bridal show has a map or printed program, pick one up when you enter the show. Check to see if those vendors are at the show. These are the ones you don't want to miss.
Either go alone or take only one other person with you. This is not a social time to visit with sorority sisters or Aunt Susie. You have a mission, and that mission is to gather as much information as possible.
By all means, stop at as many booths and talk to as many vendors as possible. If this is a large show, you won't have much time, however, to get acquainted. Introduce yourself if you can, pick up brochures, business cards or any other information you can get; fill out that vendor's information sheet if you are interested, but don't expect a lot of time from that vendor. You can take home all this information, sort through it and pull out the ones you liked. If you have time, make a personal notation on the vendors' cards whether you are interested or not when leaving the booth.
Taking a camera is not unheard of. Check the show rules before you start snapping, though. There will be signs posted or printed in the program if this is not allowed. If you have a camera phone, use it. Make shots of vendor spaces, any arrangements, cakes, dresses and decor that appeal to you; or even the vendor if you want to remember what he or she looks like. This will be enough to jog your memory when you get back home.
For the smaller shows, your one-on-one time will become a time to get acquainted with that vendor and check availability for your wedding date. You might even be able to set up an appointment if your interest is piqued. Don't be shy. Get all the free "stuff" and try all the sample foods and cakes that you like. This is why you are there -- this is why all those professionals are there. The want to meet you, hear about your plans and take a few minutes to show you their work and explain how they can assist you. They have put a lot of time and effort into making their booths attractive and being able to provide the most information they can in the small amount of time they have. Take advantage of the opportunity to meet many professionals in one place at one time.
Just remember, you should not plan to make decisions or commitments at a bridal show; this a place to gather all the information you need to get started making decisions.Take this information, make a list of the vendors you would like to interview, and start making appointments. A prepared, informed bride is usually a happy bride when that wedding day arrives.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
SAFE DRIVING
Starting the wedding planning process is like starting a journey down an untraveled path. You probably have never been there before and will find that there are a lot of bends and obstacles in the road as you go. Drive carefully!!
Congratulations if you are about to be married! You have an exciting path ahead. If you have already started your engine and are heading down that road of hiring vendors, making decisions and ordering, good for you. If you are just into the thinking stage, you have a long road ahead. Either way, you might consider one major decision that could impact your entire planning process and determine how your special day actually comes together. Your new best friend should be an experienced, knowledgeable, cutting-edge wedding planner and coordinator.
There are many obvious reasons to hire a wedding planner: less stress, guidance, decision making, organization, knowledge of the industry, budgeting, design, protocol; the list is never-ending. But, when that day arrives and things get so hectic, someone needs to be in charge. And, that someone can’t be the bride, her mother, a friend or the venue coordinator. Family and friends want to be with the bride, and the venue coordinator has the venue to be concerned about, not the bride, the flowers, the linens, the transportation vehicles, not the place cards.
If you ask any vendor, venue coordinator included, they will answer you quickly – the day runs much more smoothly when there is a coordinator, someone who is in charge, who knows how everything is supposed to look, knows the timeline, who will handle any emergencies that pop up. The florist can’t take the time to lace up the dress, put the flower in your hair, or direct the processional. The photographer is there to catch shots, not run around finding the missing members of the wedding party. The videographer has no time to answer questions about the venue rules, adjust ties or cummerbunds, or sew on missing buttons. The DJ may be the MC for your reception, but he can’t get everyone in place for the grand entrance, or tell the wait staff that it is time to cut the cake. The venue coordinator’s job is not to find the missing groomsman’s vest or the one boutonnière that was not with the delivered flowers.
No wedding day has all these mishaps or oversights, of course, but they do happen with the best-laid plans. YOU should not be the one to deal with them. Again, your wedding planner will become your best friend and advocate throughout your travels down this unknown, variable path of planning your wedding. A wedding planner will be the best investment you will make for this once-in-a-lifetime, special day of yours. Once the day ends, you want to look back and say, “It was the most wonderful day of our lives.”
Congratulations if you are about to be married! You have an exciting path ahead. If you have already started your engine and are heading down that road of hiring vendors, making decisions and ordering, good for you. If you are just into the thinking stage, you have a long road ahead. Either way, you might consider one major decision that could impact your entire planning process and determine how your special day actually comes together. Your new best friend should be an experienced, knowledgeable, cutting-edge wedding planner and coordinator.
There are many obvious reasons to hire a wedding planner: less stress, guidance, decision making, organization, knowledge of the industry, budgeting, design, protocol; the list is never-ending. But, when that day arrives and things get so hectic, someone needs to be in charge. And, that someone can’t be the bride, her mother, a friend or the venue coordinator. Family and friends want to be with the bride, and the venue coordinator has the venue to be concerned about, not the bride, the flowers, the linens, the transportation vehicles, not the place cards.
If you ask any vendor, venue coordinator included, they will answer you quickly – the day runs much more smoothly when there is a coordinator, someone who is in charge, who knows how everything is supposed to look, knows the timeline, who will handle any emergencies that pop up. The florist can’t take the time to lace up the dress, put the flower in your hair, or direct the processional. The photographer is there to catch shots, not run around finding the missing members of the wedding party. The videographer has no time to answer questions about the venue rules, adjust ties or cummerbunds, or sew on missing buttons. The DJ may be the MC for your reception, but he can’t get everyone in place for the grand entrance, or tell the wait staff that it is time to cut the cake. The venue coordinator’s job is not to find the missing groomsman’s vest or the one boutonnière that was not with the delivered flowers.
No wedding day has all these mishaps or oversights, of course, but they do happen with the best-laid plans. YOU should not be the one to deal with them. Again, your wedding planner will become your best friend and advocate throughout your travels down this unknown, variable path of planning your wedding. A wedding planner will be the best investment you will make for this once-in-a-lifetime, special day of yours. Once the day ends, you want to look back and say, “It was the most wonderful day of our lives.”
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Happy New Year
Just thought I'd dedicate my last blog post of the year to all my clients and couples from the past year. I certainly want to thank them for the privilege of being a part of their events and hopefully exceeding all expectations. Also, I'm looking forward to each event and wedding that I've booked already for next year. It is going to be an exciting time for Rowell Events! I have the best job ever. Here are some photos from some of my wonderful weddings and events.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Let's Address Stress and Weddings -- Finding the Right Venue
In my previous posts, I have discussed two of the five elements that I consider the most stressful when planning your wedding -- your budget and selecting your bridesmaids. Today I will cover number three - finding the right venue -- and how to get it booked without stressing.
To find the perfect venue, you must start thinking early; a year out is not too early. This is the first and foremost item on your list of purchases; especially if you are wanting a church AND a separate reception venue. This can get pretty tricky. Always have an alternate date in mind. Try for your first choice, but always have a second, third and even fourth in mind if you have your heart set on one particular place. Getting the dates coordinated may require several phone calls, but persistence and planning will make it happen.
Keep in mind the size of your guest list, whether you want to have a sit-down meal or buffet, if you want a dance floor and band or dj. You and your guests must be able to move around freely, and you want to be able to speak to everyone who has come.
Also, remember logistics: keep the reception venue as close as possible to the ceremony location. If traveling from ceremony to reception is a long distance, you may lost some of your guests in the process. If your budget allows, providing transportation is one solution.
Do your research or contact someone who is well informed about the venues in your area and how each one will fit into your plans. A wedding planner is always the best source; as he/she will provide you with unbiased information and consider all your needs. Once you have your list of priorities regarding your venue in place, you'll find that the list is pretty limited. Timing is everything.
We are well on our way to making your wedding planning as stress free as possible. My next post will cover the fourth stressful element -- finding your perfect dress.
To find the perfect venue, you must start thinking early; a year out is not too early. This is the first and foremost item on your list of purchases; especially if you are wanting a church AND a separate reception venue. This can get pretty tricky. Always have an alternate date in mind. Try for your first choice, but always have a second, third and even fourth in mind if you have your heart set on one particular place. Getting the dates coordinated may require several phone calls, but persistence and planning will make it happen.
Keep in mind the size of your guest list, whether you want to have a sit-down meal or buffet, if you want a dance floor and band or dj. You and your guests must be able to move around freely, and you want to be able to speak to everyone who has come.
Also, remember logistics: keep the reception venue as close as possible to the ceremony location. If traveling from ceremony to reception is a long distance, you may lost some of your guests in the process. If your budget allows, providing transportation is one solution.
Do your research or contact someone who is well informed about the venues in your area and how each one will fit into your plans. A wedding planner is always the best source; as he/she will provide you with unbiased information and consider all your needs. Once you have your list of priorities regarding your venue in place, you'll find that the list is pretty limited. Timing is everything.
We are well on our way to making your wedding planning as stress free as possible. My next post will cover the fourth stressful element -- finding your perfect dress.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Let's Address Stress and Weddings - Selecting Your Bridesmaids
My first installment in this series about stress and your wedding was directed toward your budget and how to prevent the related stress. My guess is another element of your wedding planning that is causing some anxiety is selecting your attendants. There are several things you can consider as you go through this process.
If you are just out of college, you probably have two dozen or more pledge sisters, a big sister, a little sister, plus any high school friends you have stayed in touch with, plus cousins and in-laws. You know that you don't have to pay for those dressses or shoes, but keep in mind that bridesmaids' bouquets can take up a big chunk of your flower budget. Granted, the cost of a boutonniere is pretty insignificant, but if your fiance has selected 10 or 12 groomsmen, at $15-$25 a pop, they can grab a strong hold on that budget also. Gifts for all these attendants must also be included in the budget, plus accommodations if they have to travel. So be budget savvy when selecting your attendants.
Just remember, most of those sorority sisters and in-laws will be at your wedding anyway; you'll be spending the whole evening with them. If you have a problem narrowing down the list, talk to each one you are considering individually. Be honest and ask her, friend to friend, how she feels about being an attendant without putting any pressure on her. It could put a strain on her budget to do it, even though she sincerely wants to be on your list. If you are sincere and understanding in your approach, you will be assured of an honest answer.
Remember, it still goes back to your budget -- your number one stressor.
If you are just out of college, you probably have two dozen or more pledge sisters, a big sister, a little sister, plus any high school friends you have stayed in touch with, plus cousins and in-laws. You know that you don't have to pay for those dressses or shoes, but keep in mind that bridesmaids' bouquets can take up a big chunk of your flower budget. Granted, the cost of a boutonniere is pretty insignificant, but if your fiance has selected 10 or 12 groomsmen, at $15-$25 a pop, they can grab a strong hold on that budget also. Gifts for all these attendants must also be included in the budget, plus accommodations if they have to travel. So be budget savvy when selecting your attendants.
Just remember, most of those sorority sisters and in-laws will be at your wedding anyway; you'll be spending the whole evening with them. If you have a problem narrowing down the list, talk to each one you are considering individually. Be honest and ask her, friend to friend, how she feels about being an attendant without putting any pressure on her. It could put a strain on her budget to do it, even though she sincerely wants to be on your list. If you are sincere and understanding in your approach, you will be assured of an honest answer.
Remember, it still goes back to your budget -- your number one stressor.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Let's Address Stress and Weddings
If you are a bride (or the mother of a bride) in the process of planning your wedding, stressful situations have probably become normal occurrences for you. Because of my experience planning and coordinating weddings and events, I will venture to say that I can probably name four of the top five elements that are causing stress as your wedding day gets closer.
In the next few blog posts, I am going to cover these top five stressors and ways to eliminate, or at least reduce the stress involved with each one. The first of these top five is BUDGET.
I would venture to say that you have already encountered the stress related to your budget. Don't feel that this is a unique problem. Very rare is the bride who has an unlimited budget. Whether your budget is $5,000 or $50,000, believe me, you will not have any money left over after all is said and done. The best way to avoid stressing over your budget is to stay within it.
The first thing you should do is determine what that budget is. One way to do this is to make a list; a list that is divided into three categories of elements that you have in mind for your wedding: the "must haves," the want-to-haves," and finally the "nice-to-haves." * These will vary, depending upon the type of wedding you are planning.
Example: must haves - church and/or reception venue, minister, bride's attire and groom's attire, flowers, photographer, videographer, caterer, invitations, etc. Want-to-haves (these are negotiable): champagne, beer, wine, dance band or dj, custom linens, etc. Nice-to-haves: antique get-away car, those precious Monolo Blanik's, a second dress for the reception, guest favors, etc.
Put a value on each item in each category. You can get information from many of the internet wedding sites, Perfect Wedding Guide, Get Married, etc., as to what to expect to pay for these elements. Pretty soon you will have an overall budget range to work with.
Be sure and follow my posts in the coming days to see what I think the number two stressor is when planning your wedding.
* Thanks to Rick Brewer, consultant to wedding industry professionals, for providing information for parts of this post.
In the next few blog posts, I am going to cover these top five stressors and ways to eliminate, or at least reduce the stress involved with each one. The first of these top five is BUDGET.
I would venture to say that you have already encountered the stress related to your budget. Don't feel that this is a unique problem. Very rare is the bride who has an unlimited budget. Whether your budget is $5,000 or $50,000, believe me, you will not have any money left over after all is said and done. The best way to avoid stressing over your budget is to stay within it.
The first thing you should do is determine what that budget is. One way to do this is to make a list; a list that is divided into three categories of elements that you have in mind for your wedding: the "must haves," the want-to-haves," and finally the "nice-to-haves." * These will vary, depending upon the type of wedding you are planning.
Example: must haves - church and/or reception venue, minister, bride's attire and groom's attire, flowers, photographer, videographer, caterer, invitations, etc. Want-to-haves (these are negotiable): champagne, beer, wine, dance band or dj, custom linens, etc. Nice-to-haves: antique get-away car, those precious Monolo Blanik's, a second dress for the reception, guest favors, etc.
Put a value on each item in each category. You can get information from many of the internet wedding sites, Perfect Wedding Guide, Get Married, etc., as to what to expect to pay for these elements. Pretty soon you will have an overall budget range to work with.
Be sure and follow my posts in the coming days to see what I think the number two stressor is when planning your wedding.
* Thanks to Rick Brewer, consultant to wedding industry professionals, for providing information for parts of this post.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Weddings On The Go
Your week is full of work, perhaps traveling, client meetings or just putting in those extra hours. You and your fiance are able to find only a few hours here and there to be together. How in the world will you find the time to plan that wedding you've been talking about?
If these thoughts are creating some anxiety and stress when you try to pin down a date or talk about a venue for your wedding, I have the stress-relieving solution for you. A group of creative vendors in town have come up with a solution called "Weddings On The Go." We can put everything at your fingertips and take care of all the arrangements for you.
We sit down with you, listen to the descriptions of your vision for your wedding, go over all the magazine photos you have collected to get an idea of what you are expecting, and come up with the package that best fits your needs. You can be involved as much or as little as you like. Just remember that every vendor we have on board is licensed and experienced in his or her profession. You will get as much as, if not more than, you would get if you hurriedly tried to put it together yourself. You will be pleasantly surprised at how much you will get and stay within your budget. LET THE PROFESSIONALS DO IT FOR YOU.
We offer one-stop, hassle-free wedding planning where you can decide the look you want and how much you want to spend, then leave the rest to us. Our goal with this venture is to offer the bride and groom on a budget, with little time to find the best deals, a way to get the most for their money.
For details, go to www.yourpbj.com and click "weddings." You will find all the information at the end of the wedding page.
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