Where Every Event is a Work of Art - Artful Affairs Blog

Your wedding budget- Let the planning begin!

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Do you have a wedding BUDGET?

Did you know weddings are in the top three most expensive purchases you will make in your life among homes and cars. Weddings can be fabulous with all the bells-and-whistles, but if I know my brides, more than having a lavish wedding they want their weddings to be FUN and MEMORABLE. Here are some tricks to having a great wedding without starting your marriage in debt.

1. Know what your budget is. This starting figure is calculated by looking at the money you have saved and adding it to the DEFINITE contributions from families (bride and groom side). Remember what your budget is. Any money that you may get from grandma or uncle can be factored in closer to the wedding date

2.   For most people what you want and what you. can afford are two separate things. All is not lost! PRIORITIZING is an important word in wedding planning. Talk with your fiancé about what are the most important elements of your wedding and put your money there. For examples- for some couples having extravagant flowers and décor are important- put the bulk of your budget there. For another couple it is the photographer and for some it is the entertainment and food. Everyone is different. If you cannot decide on the most important element write a list and # from 1 -10, one being the most important.

Example of a priority list (**the percentages(%) are the average amount of the budget that is spent in this category – these can change depending on how much you want to put towards each category as well):

1. Reception (food)   45%

2. Photography/Video 10%

3. Flowers 10%

4. Ceremony 7%

5. Entertainment 5%

6. Attire 5%

7. Cake 2%

8. Transportation 2%

9. Invitations 2%

10. Wedding Planner 10%

11. Mics. 2%

3. Now do your research with vendors- rates, reliability, service packages etc… The most expensive is not always the best, but the best deal might not always be the “best” deal.

Priority  Vendor     Budget     %         How much of budget is used

1.    Reception       $7000           X.45           =$3150.00

2.   Photography/Video $7000    X.10          =$700.00

3.   Flowers               $7000        X.10            = $700.00

4. Ceremony          $7000            X.07           =$490.00

5. Entertainment     $7000          X.05           =$350.00

6.   Attire                 $7000           X.05            =$350.00

7. Cake                   $7000           X.02           =$140.00

8. Transportation   $7000            X.02            =$140.00

9. Invitations        $7000             X.02           =$140.00

10. Planner D.O.C   $7000            X.10           =$700.00

11. Miscellaneous $7000          X.02             =$140.00

4. Remembering your budget and knowing your priorities will help keep both you and your fiancé on track when spending. It will help you double think any upgrades that are not necessary when working with vendors and packages.

5. Any additional money that comes in before the wedding can go towards an upgrade in flower or photography packages. You can even use the money for honeymoon upgrades.

    6. Using a Credit Card to earn miles and rewards is a great idea, but the only rule for using a cc is that you have the money in an account ready to pay off whatever you charge. If this is not the case, I recommend that you refrain from using your cc. Credit Card spending can seem like a lifesaver, but the charging can sometimes get out of hand. Discuss with your fiancé how you want to make your vendor payments and who will be in charge of keeping track of deposits, balances, etc...

    7. Remember – getting married and have a wedding to share with your loved ones is priceless, but the bills that come in the mail are not. Stick to your budget and you and fiancé will enjoy your day and honeymoon instead of being anxiety filled because there is a mountain of debt waiting to welcome you home. L

    8. An experienced wedding planner can help you with creative ideas to achieve your vision and will have the knowledge and skills to edit your budget, even build your budget. They will help keep you and your family on track as far as spending and can be that voice of reason when looking at expensive wedding purchases.

What is an Escort Card?

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 07:42:12 -0800

Escort cards include the name of your guest and their table number and are used to "escort" your guests to their table at your wedding reception. If you are having a sit down dinner with meal choices you will want to incorporate a symbol or color on the escort cards to designate each meal choice. The wait staff will then be able to easily serve your guests their correct meal.

There are numerous ways you can use the escort card to further extend the theme or feeling of your wedding.

Here are some ideas we love!

Photo courtesy of Bellz and Whistlez

Photo courtesy of blissweddingsmarket

Photo courtesy of The Knot

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart

Photo courtesy of The Knot

Photo Courtesy of Amy Carroll

Oh where, oh where can my wedding dress be?

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0800

When to Start – you want to start shopping about six-nine months before your wedding day. You want to have time to research, try, order, and alter your wedding dress. If you give yourself more time great, if you do not have this time be prepared for rush charges etc…)

Plan Ahead Envision yourself on your wedding day how do you look. What types of dresses do you like? This will give you a starting point. You can also look on the internet and look at wedding magazines for ideas. Determine what your style is and translate this into your wedding dress.

A Dress that Fits Your Body Well Think about your body type and what kinds of dresses generally look good on you. Take a look at what you regularly wear that makes you feel confident and beautiful, and then look for a wedding dress with similar lines. If a friend is making your wedding dress, ensure that you have agreed on a fitting schedule and chances to make adjustments. If you're looking for a bargain at a sample sale, or discount outlet, you should budget money for taking the dress to a good tailor. Many designers will ask for three fittings, and will closely tailor your wedding dress to fit you.

Be Comfortable! On your wedding day you want to look fabulous, BUT you also want to be COMFORTABLE. It will not matter how beautiful your dress is if the whole time you are fussing with it, pulling it up, or the corset is stabbing you in the ribs. You want to enjoy your day. Think about everything you will be doing in your dress- standing for hours, dancing, sitting, taking photos…you want to feel comfortable so that you WILL look great!

Think about your wedding theme and potential hair style. You don’t need to have your hair done, but if you think you want to have and updo, throw your hair up. If you think you want half up/half down, do that to your hair so that you can see if you like they way your hair is with the dresses you are looking at. Also consider the theme of your wedding. Is it formal or beach casual?

Saving Money on Your Wedding Dress If money is an issue, remember that the most expensive kind of dress is not necessarily the best kind. Many brides find a bridesmaids dress in white or off-white that works perfectly, and is hundreds of dollars cheaper. Look into local sample sales, clearance sales and thrift stores if you’re looking for something vintage. Have a budget in mind and try to stick with it. Wedding dresses can cost anywhere from $500 to several thousands of dollars. A lot of people love a dress and buy immediately and then the next day they aren’t so sure. If you love a dress and you know it will be there in a few days…take those few days to make sure it is the ONE. If you go back and you feel the same way about it, then it is the one and you won’t be second guessing your choice.

Who to bring along Many brides like taking the whole entourage with them when searching for a dress. This can be fun and it can also be overwhelming. Sometimes when there are too many opinions, your decision on a dress can be swayed. The dress should always feel and look good to you first. I would recommend no more than five people. If you still want everyone from Aunt Suzie to your Maid of Honor and seven bridesmaids to be a part of the experience, you can always do the research/trying on dresses with groups of them and when you’ve narrowed it down to the top 3 dress choices you can them have your five people or everyone there to help you decided.

Most of all, remember this is your wedding day. Wear whatever makes you comfortable and feels like you. And have fun shopping for your wedding dress. It should be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Below is link with a general breakdown of wedding dress alterations costs: http://www.costhelper.com/cost/wedding/dress-alterations.html

Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner/Coordinator

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:57:53 -0800

Whether you want a Wedding Planner/Coordinator for the entire planning process or Day-of-Coordinator (DOC); here are the top 10 reasons budgeting for a planner is well worth the investment!

10. Experience: Unforeseen problems are solved without panic with an experienced planner. Because planners do weddings year round, year after year their knowledge is what keeps your day going smooth. Planners are the time keepers and problem solvers so that you can enjoy your day.

9. Vision: As a professional I am able to execute your wedding day vision becuase I know what works and what needs to be altered to achieve your vision. I 'll be the one to make decisions when you and your family should be celebrating.

8. Cost-Effectiveness:  A professional is a wise investment to ensure the time and money you have spent is executed how you envisioned.

7. The Gift of Time: Consultants know what needs to be done and when - keeping you on track and sane, saving you from wasting your time on stress.

6. Cohesion: Weddings are many different pieces put together to become one big event. Wedding planners make sure all the pieces are there and that they fit seemlessly together.

5. Security- Less risk of things going wrong or forgotten and more guarantee that all the little details that make your wedding unique go how you plan. It is like getting insurance for your wedding day.

4. Stress Relief: Not only does your planner keep you organized, on track on many levels, but they can also be a buffer for family tension, friend tension, money tension. Planners can also make decisions that come up during the day-of based on your decisions and not what your Mother thinks should happen. I have not met a bride that wanted to be stressed about family issues, or decisions the day of her wedding. Do you?

3. The Matter of Manners: Etiquette can be important whether your wedding is traditional or modern, a professional can help you with everything from :
invite guests wording
how to deal with difficult family issues, on
how to create a processional order at the ceremony,
on how to assign seats at the reception,
on how to send thank-you notes, and so on

2. Creative Inspiration: Becuase there are so many styles and samples at
at your fingertips it can be sometimes overwhelming or very hard to make a
decision. A professional can help you narrow your choices to the ones that are
best fit to your vision and budget.

    And the #1 reason why to higher a wedding planner is:
1. Peace of Mind: Knowing that there is someone you trust looking over every detail for you, ready to troubleshoot problems and be the time keeper is very calming...leaving you and your loved ones to enjoy your day. Peace of Mind = PRICELESS

We recommend meeting with your coordinator at least one month before your wedding date to make sure there is a good connection and the trust building can begin.

Budget for a planner, meet them, get references and listen to your instincts. You should be just as excited about your planner as you are about your flowers, colors, food, etc..

Goodluck brides!

Somebrides chime in about their experience with getting a planner.
http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/default.aspx?path=http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-york-new-york-city_wedding-planner-hire-not-hire?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local edding BoardsForum:114Discussion:70ba7af0-bbc5-4e00-9643-96e47025ac04Post:0354a329-5abc-49d4-b331-ea187fb4e659

The Name Change Game!

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:04:47 -0800

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the name change game!

While some brides choose not to change their last name, many brides do choose to take on the surname of their husband or hyphenate their last name. So how do you start this process?

Step #1: Marriage License: Obtain certified copies of your marriage license

Step #2: Social Security Administration: This is your first stop in the name change game. You must go to your local Social Security Office with a certified copy of your marriage license in order to start the process.

Step #3: Your Car, Employer and other accounts will also need to be notified of your new name...

bank, credit union, and other investment accounts
mortgage company or landlord.
credit card companies, including department store accounts
insurance companies or agent (auto, home, life, etc.).
medical offices (your doctor, dentist, etc.).
utilities (phone, electric, natural gas, heating oil, etc.).
state and local (city and county) tax boards.
passport , post office and voter registration board
other miscellaneous accounts and memberships (Internet service provider, newspaper and magazine subscriptions, auto club, alumni association, etc.).

If all of this is starting to give you a headache or you feel you would like some help with the process check out www.MissNowMrs.com. Happy Name Changing!!!

Staying an Organized Bride! How to build your wedding Binder

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:02:16 -0800

How do you stay organized as a Bride? Everyone has a system, but the one that I find works best is one that keeps everything you need in one spot and is clearly labeled. There are tons of pre-made wedding binders to choose from on the market, but they can be expensive or not leave room for changes or size expansion.

Here is a simple guildline to making your wedding binder functional for you to keep you and your honey organized and on top of all the many details that make up your wedding. Below are basic instructions about what you will need and how to put them together.

A simple 3-ring binder, dividers etc... will work just perfectly. Especially since back to school supplies are on sale! The size of your wedding and how many 'extras' you incorporate into your wedding day (ex. ice sculptures, doves) will determine the size of your binder. I recommend a 2.5-inch binder - 3-inch binder – this leaves room for all the ideas you rip out of magazines, or example you print from the internet, contracts, receipts, vendor quotes. Everything that is "wedding" should go in this binder. You can get all these items at Target, Walmart, Staples, Office Depot, etc...

Besides the binder itself, you will need:

• binder pockets

• binder index dividers

• zippered pocket for post it notes/pen/pencils/paper clips (optional)

Use one pocket binder per category/ vendor paperwork. The pocket binder is for ideas and research; estimates and contracts should all be paper clipped or stapled in their perspective section. Keeping these different types of information separate will allow you to locate them and retrieve at a moment's notice. Your TO-DO lists should go in this binder.

Examples of some categories for your pocket folders are...

Venue & Catering
Floral
Photography & Videography
Bridal Gown & wedding party attire
Transportation
Ceremony/Officiant(s)
Honeymoon
Guest list
Gift registry

Assemble the pocket folders in order of importance to you. If you are constantly making calls to your caterer, place that folder towards the front of the binder. Already know what favors you want to give out? Place that folder towards the back.

What other information can be stored in your wedding binder?

Budget Sheet

Guest lists/gift lists

E-mail/phone list of bridal party members

Seating charts

A print-out of your registry

Appointments with vendors, contracts and receipts for payments and deposits

Here are the Benefits to using a wedding binder

• Money-saving benefit: You are always prepared when a vendor wants to talk about price. If someone quotes you a price in writing and you cannot produce the paper it is written on, they could try to charge you more money for their services.

• Time-saving benefit: Since all of your information has a 'home,' you will not be wasting your time printing duplicate information off the internet or repeatedly asking for the addresses of your guests.

• Sanity-saving benefit: All of your wedding information is in one place. No need to take apart your living room looking for what you need. OR putting them in a box.

Tips for keeping an organized wedding binder:

• Label the pocket folders clearly

• Place new papers/information in the correct pocket of your binder as soon as you receive them.

• Sort and purge your binder once a month. Toss any information that is no longer relevant in the trash or in a folder for a friend or relative who may need it in the future.

Always bring your wedding binder with you when meeting with your vendors. You will have all the information you need to compare prices and make educated decisions. You will be organized, prepared and in control of your special day.

Important: Put your name and phone on the back of your binder. If it gets lost, the finder will be able to contact you and return your binder to you!

Register for your Honeymoon!

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:44:57 -0800

Today, many couples are getting married later in life which usually means they have already furnished their homes with all of the essentials you normally find on wedding registries (dishes, pots and pans, knives, etc.). If you find you are one of these couples, why not register for your honeymoon?

More and more couples are taking advantage of honeymoon registries. This way they can make sure they won't get another coffee maker they don't need and will be able to take an amazing honeymoon that they might have not been able to afford otherwise.

We love Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Specialist, Mechel Marcucci from All About Honeymoons. She has helped many of our brides and grooms not only find the perfect Honeymoon destination but also set them up with a free online registry! Guests can go directly to the personalized site and gift any amount of money towards the cost of the couple's honeymoon or even purchase excursions that the couple has registered for!

If this sounds like the perfect solution to your registry blues please contact one of our very good friends and a vendor we love:

Mechel Marcucci
All About Honeymoons

mechel@allabouthoneymoons.com

951-775-1309
-800-558-1240 (toll free)
www.mechel.allabouthoneymoons.com

Invitations and all the dates to set...

Sat, 14 Aug 2010 21:50:31 -0800

Hello Brides & Grooms to be...

Here is a general timeline that can help you decide what dates your wedding stationery should be sent out and received back. You will need a calendar showing one year before your wedding date. If you are having an engagement shorter or longer than then the typical one year and you are having trouble determining your dates – consult an experienced wedding planner to help you decide what dates will work best for you.

1) Set your wedding date

2) Determine your reference date. You do this by deciding if you have a final guest count due to venue/caterer/restaurant etc...

- NO final guest count is required: use your wedding date as your reference date

- YES a final guest count is required. Use this date as the reference date. For example, if your wedding date is June 5, 2010 and your guest count is due 7 days prior. Your guests count due date is May 29, 2010. You will want to use this as your reference date and not your actual wedding date. Quantity & Cost will be determined by the # you give to your venue/Caterer/restaurant.

3) “Save the Dates” should be sent out to guests 4-6 months before the wedding date; at least 8 months for faraway destination weddings –include travel/accommodation information if possible with your Save the Dates.

4) Wedding Invitations--should be sent out 6-8 weeks before your reference date, 7 weeks prior for interstate guests, and 8 weeks prior for international guests.

5) RSVP date should be set at minimum of 3 – 4 weeks before your reference date.

One week from your RSVP date, contact those who have NOT RSVP'd by the date given and ask them if they will be attending (I say one week from the RSVP date, because some guests may put the RSVP card in the mail the day it is due causing it to be late).

In general 10% of the total # of guests you invite will not respond and will require follow-up contact and this takes time.
Example: 250 invitations = 25 non-responses (10% of 250) = 4+ days of calling to follow up.

As regrets come in, you can mail out additional invitations (up to 3 1/2 weeks before the wedding date) Many brides do this when there are guests that did not make the first cut or if there is a minimum guaranteed guest count that needs to be reached.

6) Invitations to special gatherings such as rehearsal dinner, bridal brunch, bachelor dinnerswill depend on when you set the dates for each event.

If events are part of the wedding week/weekend invitations can be sent with your guest itinerary or 1-2 weeks prior to event date.

If your events are NOT the same week/weekend as the wedding-I would suggest at least a 2-3 weeks minimum notice from the date of the event. This allows guest to arrange to attend.

Most couples are doing the standard Invitation/RSVP system, but some brides and grooms are choosing to put their RSVP online…just another way to get to what you need! If you have any questions please contact us, we are here to help.

Wedding Traditions Unveiled - Something Old, Something New...

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:18:07 -0800

Something old,Something new,Something borrowed,Something blue.

We have all heard this wedding rhyme, but what is the meaning behind this tradition?

It is an old English tradition that has transformed over the years - hence many brides now leave out the last line "and a silver sixpence in your shoe". Let's take a look back into the meaning behind this rhyme and see why it all began...

Something Old - This item is to represent the continuity of the brides past and moving into the future. Every bride starts a new beginning and family on her wedding day and this "Something Old" is to ensure the bride does not forget where she has come from.

Perhaps you might want to carry a vintage purse to hold all of your essentials on your wedding day.

Here is one we love:

Picture by Advantage Bridal

Something New - This item represents optimism and hope for the bride's future and the new life she bride will share with her groom.

This can be your wedding dress, new shoes or even wedding lingerie.

Something Borrowed - This represents borrowed happiness from a woman whose marriage the bride admires. This something borrowed is to ensure happiness will carry over to the new bride.

Something Blue - Symbolizes love, good fortune and fidelity.

This can be incorporated into your wedding day with a blue garter, blue jewelry, a blue ribbon around your bouquet or even a special blue embroidered label for your wedding dress.

We love this one from Etsy.com - Monde Design:

Whatever pieces old, new, borrowed and blue you decide to incorporate into your wedding day, make sure you have fun with this tradition!

Who Pays for What? Wedding budget know how...

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 23:59:58 -0800

Nowadays, money is on everyone’s mind, especially for those planning a wedding. When we sit down with our couples, we find that a third of our clients pay for everything themselves and the other two-thirds have family offering to help with costs. In years past in the Western world it was customary for the bride’s family to pay for the majority of the wedding. In contrast, in many Eastern cultures the groom’s family is expected to foot the bill. Today we see a mixture of traditions and various budget sizes that all ask the question, “Who pays for what?” Below you will find a new breakdown of who should pay for what. Use it as a guideline or starting point.

Wedding Costs Paid by the Bride and/or Bride’s Parents: · Ceremony rental fee

Bride’s dress and accessories
Ceremony flowers and décor
Bouquets for bridesmaids and flower girl
Photography and videography
Engagement party
Bridesmaids’ luncheon
All vendor services for reception, including food, beverages, décor, and entertainment
Groom’s ring
Invitations and stationery
Transportation for bridal party to and from ceremony and reception

Wedding Costs Paid by the Groom and/or Groom’s Parents:

Marriage license and officiant’s fee
Groom’s attire
Bride’s bouquet, boutonnieres for ushers, and corsages for mothers and grandmothers
Honeymoon travels
Rehearsal dinner
Bachelors’ dinner
Both of the bride’s rings

Costs Incurred by the Wedding Attendants:

Their own attire, including shoes and accessories
Bridal party hosts bridal shower & bachelorette party
Groom’s party hosts the bachelor party

The best thing to do when trying to work out who is responsible for what when doing your budget is COMMUNICATION.

First, you have to be on the “same page” as your significant other regarding the budget (estimated costs for ceremony location, reception location, flowers, food etc...). When you are both in agreement then you can approach your families. You could say, “This is what we are planning, would you like to help with any of the costs?” Sometimes families will be more than happy and able to help and other times they may not be able to, and that is ok. The budget will need to be revised depending on what happens and an experienced planner can help you with these changes.

Other ways to split the costs is to divide the total estimated budget by thirds: the Bride’s Family will pay one third, the Groom’s family will pay for one third and the bride & groom will pay a third.

Whichever route you and your fiancé take just remember, money is not everything.

Here are some more links to refer to regarding “Who Pays for What."

Wedding'>http://wedding.theknot.com/getting-engaged/engaged/articles/wedding-budget-who-pays-for-what.aspx">Wedding Budget: Who Pays for What

http://ourmarriage.com/html/who_pays_for_what.html