Happy Leap Day!

Happy Leap Day!

DIY Aisle Decoration

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Take Flower boxes and spray paint them the color of your choice. Put styrofoam or something like it in the bottom. Stick the white/silver/black sticks or whatever color you choose in the foam, then cover the foam with fresh or fake flowers.

Easy and simple! Just the way brides like it.

Google Docs

I read an article in the news paper on Google Docs for weddings...

Check it out: Click Here

Barbara Ortutay said, "I picked Google's tools over dedicated wedding planning websites such as the Knot for a few reasons: I didn't want to be bombarded with girly girl ads, think inside the box advice, and expensive must have lists. I didn't want to join a site that asked for my full name, address and other personal information. "

Additionally, Google Docs template for couples to be to solicit mailing addresses from guests for wedding invitations! You can even make a wedding website!

Do's and Don't of DIY

The Knot has this great article on the Do's and Don'ts of do it yourself. In Black is the article and Red is my comments.

5 DIY Dos

Your Makeup: If you do your own makeup, you'll be in the privacy of your home or hotel room -- and you won't have to book an appointment (or worry about being on time)! Grab a few basics: foundation, powder, eye shadow, blush, and lipstick. Put on enough to accentuate your best features. Worried about looking washed out in your photos? Do a trial run and have a friend take a few pictures.

- I don't agree with this at all. I think that you should have your make up professionally done. It's not that much money in the overall cost of the wedding. Trial runs are a must! 

Your Ceremony Decor: The ceremony lasts less than an hour, so it seems like a waste to pay big bucks for specialty arrangements, especially if the site is pretty on its own. Create hanging baskets or vases filled with locally grown flowers. Doing so is both eco-friendly and cost-efficient. Or, instead of flowers, buy candles and place them throughout the space. Use any extras you may have to brighten your newlywed nest.

- I agree with this. Buying lanterns at Big Lots and putting candles in them and hanging them on shepard's hooks - great idea and it looks beautiful! 

Your Favors: A quick way to save money on wedding favors is to add a personal touch. Sweet treats are a safe choice. Grab a box of your favorite mix and start baking. Pack them in colorful boxes or cute bags. For nonedibles, wrap up tree saplings or donate to charity. Be sure to give guests handwritten cards that say you've given in their name.

- Agree ALL THE WAY!! You can save tons of $$$ this way! 

Your Invitations, Programs, and Save-the-Dates: Specialty papers, postage, and card sizes can cost hundreds, and you still might not be able to find exactly what you want. Head to a local paper store for a DIY kit or choose stock paper in any color and print stylish invites right off of your computer. Avoid the mistake of getting too fancy and using oversized envelopes -- they cost extra to mail.

- The save the dates and programs yes, but the invitations I think should be professionally done. Depending on the style paper and how ornate you get, invitations aren't too expensive. 

6 DIY Don'ts

Your Cake: Whether it's a missed teaspoon of sugar or a tilted tier, a wedding cake disaster is hard to fix. Yes, it would be much less expensive to buy a few boxes of cake mix and do it yourself, but the quality in the end could be lacking. Decorating and transporting a wedding cake is quite difficult and best left to someone with the knowledge of how to handle your confection without damaging it.

- TOTALLY AGREE!! I had a bride have her Grandma make her cake and it was tilted! Another bride wanted her family to do all the food. BAD IDEA. don't do it. It will normally be a disaster. 

Your Photos: Your photographs are one of the few tangible things you'll have to remember your wedding. All of your loved ones may promise to capture every moment, but what happens if they get distracted or have a camera malfunction? If it's important for you to have high-quality images and hundreds of great shots, hire a pro. You'll be glad you did when you see your picture-perfect album.

- Agree 120%. 

Coordinating it Yourself: You've organized every minute detail so far, so why shouldn't you be in charge on the wedding day? Because you won't be able to relax. Hiring a coordinator for the day can be a lifesaver. While you're getting pampered, they'll be setting up and averting any crisis that may occur. When everything isn't going perfectly, you'll be none the wiser. Trust us -- peace of mind is worth the extra expense.

- I have to agree with this one right? Being a planner and all!! :-)    Believe me, this is true. Unfortunately, brides don't figure it out until the day rolls around!

Your Centerpieces: A beautiful centerpiece sets the mood of the reception. From sophisticated to fun, you can create a setup that will wow your guests -- with a florist's help, of course! Flowers can cost upward of $3,000, depending on your taste and the season. Although it's a larger part of the budget, it's worth every penny. Your wedding florist will ensure that you get exquisite displays filled with the freshest blooms.

- This one I'm on the fence about. It all has to do with your budget and what you want to spend the most money on. At my wedding, I'm making all my own centerpieces. You can get really creative. But some people might not have the time or want to make these pieces! 

Your Catering: Catering a large-scale party is a huge undertaking, even for a culinary whiz. You'll be hard-pressed to get enough food together for a hundred people and keep it hot -- even if you make the best dish in town. And, once you get it made, you'll need a reliable staff to serve it. Caterers are trained to make it happen; they have the support staff to serve you and your guests in a timely manner.

- This goes along with the cake. Please have a professional do all your food. 

Your Music: It's tempting to rock out to your favorite tunes, and you might think it's easy to do so with an iPod. Not quite. You'll be limited to the music that you love as a couple, not necessarily what everyone else will like, and you'll be stuck with the premade playlist. Music pros are trained to read the dance floor. They can speed it up or slow it down so that your guests are footloose into the wee hours.

- Totally agree with this. You need an MC to help the flow of your wedding. Believe me it makes the night better. Hire a DJ. 

Read more: DIY Wedding Dos and Don'ts - DIY Wedding Ideas - DIY Wedding Projects - TheKnot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/diy-do-it-yourself-weddings/articles/diy-wedding-dos-and-donts.aspx#ixzz1m1nhVsiX

Photographers Reasons

I ran across this posting and that it would be good to share. This is a letter from a photographer in response to a craigslist posting where a bride went on a rant chastising photographers for charging $3000 for a wedding.

Here is the photographers response:

"Dear Bride,

I am a wedding photographer in the Erie, PA area.  Wedding season only last about 4 months here, so I photograph an average of 20 weddings per year for an average of $2500 / wedding.  (which totals about $50,000 / year).

- That being said, I am a small business owner, so I pay all of my taxes, totaling about $15,000 / year which leaves me with a gross income of around $35,000

- Of that $35,000 I pay $600/month in rent for my small house and garage which I converted into my studio (which is where I would be editing your wedding images at) $35,000 – $7,200 = 27,800.
- Then I have my car, which I would use to get me to and from your wedding, which I pay $400/month for the lease, Plus $200/month in car insurance = $7,200 = $20,600.
- To get to your (and my other brides) wedding consultation,  second wedding pre-consultation, the wedding itself, and to and from the printers I need gas money = $840/year = $19,760
- I also have insurance in case you sue me, or if any of your drunk guests would happen to break any of my equipment = $500 / year.  =$19,260
- You also probably found me through my website, which I pay $30/month for hosting, and another $30/ month so that you can view your photos online and share the images with your friends and family =  $720 = $18,540
- Or perhaps you found me through my advertisements in the newspaper or local bridal magazines, OR a bridal show that you attended that I paid to have a booth at $18,540 – $1,000 = $17,540
- I also pay for my own Health insurance in case I were to get hurt at your wedding = $250/month = $14,540
- and I pay for a second shooter for your wedding, so that you can have more images and different angles, as to make sure you get the best images possible at your wedding = $200/wedding = $10,540
- I also need to have a new pair of shoes every season because my shoes get worn out and dirty from season to season = $100/year =$10,440
- I need high speed internet so I can upload all of your images online, my home phone for my business and my cell phone so I can communicate with you = $2,500 / year = $7,940
- Oh yes, and I also pay a lawyer to make sure my contracts are iron clad and an accountant to make sure that I am paying all of the taxes I need… = $500/year = $7,440
- Sometimes I attend workshops and seminars to teach me how to better my business, and make my client happier (that would be you), as well as keep up on the trends and learn new techniques so that I can make sure you have the best quality images available.

That would technically leave me with about $7,000 / year to feed myself, buy groceries, pay for my heat and electricity, cloth myself etc…. BUT, usually I end up re-investing whatever I have left on
upgrades and new equipment:

During your wedding, I bring my professional equipment that I use so
that I can make sure you have the highest quality images.

- I have 2 Canon 5D Mark II cameras (because you always need a backup in case of a camera malfunction which would ruin your big days photographs) which cost $2500 / camera = $5000
-I also have quality lenses which can capture your special moments in
low light situations:
Canon 24-70 f2.8 lens = $1,200
Canon 70-200 f2.8 lens = $1,300
Canon 50mm f1.4 lens = $500
Canon 100mm f2.8 macro = $600
Canon 10-22mm f3.5 wide angle = $800
- and I have speed lights to catch the fun moments at your reception:
- 2 Canon 580EX II = $1,200
- Also multiple battery back ups and memory cards, lens filters, light stands, umbrellas, light boxes, external battery packs and a bag to carry everything in.  = $1,500
- Because this is equipment, sometimes I need to have it serviced or cleaned to make sure it is all working properly = $200

After spending 8-10 hours at your wedding, I then come home to my home office and spend about 20-25 hours editing your images, creating your album, blogging about your wedding, posting pictures on facebook, ordering you prints and burning your DVD’s

- I edit your photographs using a 27inch imac computer = $2500
- I edit your photographs on Adobe Lightroom = $200 and Adobe CS5 =
$400 (for the upgrade) and $900 for the new program.
- and I print your DVD’s on a printer which = $300
- Using ink = $200/year
- and I buy the DVD’s and jewel cases your getting printed =$300 / year
-I archive all of your photographs on 2 2TB external hard drives = $500
- And I also back up all of my photographs online so if there was evera fire in my office, you would never lose your photographs = $400/year
- I also have office expenses as far as buying paper, staples, envelopes, packaging, filing cabinets and files, etc. etc. etc.
- I also spend time and money ordering your prints and albums, paying for shipping, going to the post office etc.

All of that being said, I’m usually in the hole at the end of the year, and take on many family portraits, senior portraits and corporatejobs in order to make ends meet.

Photography is my passion and my livlihood, and it is also EXPENSIVE. Yes, it seems like a lot of money for one day, but one day isn’t all we spend on your photographs or on our business.  You will spend thousands of dollars on a wedding dress or flowers or a venue or on
catering which you are going to have for only ONE DAY, but your photographs will be the only thing you have to remember that ONE DAY for the rest of your lives.

I’m extremely insulted by your craigslist post and hope this sheds a little light on why we charge $3000 for one day of your memories which are going to last you forever.

-Nikki Wagner, Photographer."

What do you brides think? 

Wacky Wednesday: Renaissance Festival

Live out your medieval fantasy and step back into 16th-century England at various Ren Fests around the country.

Check out these fun pictures:

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Floral Beer

How COOL is this!!

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1. Buy big plastic beer mugs

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2. Gems

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3. Carnations (it looks like foam)

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Sparkly Champagne Jello

For a wedding shower and over 21 party/reception:

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Ingredients

• 12 cups brut Champagne or sparkling wine (4 bottles)
• 2 cups sugar
• 8 envelopes unflavored gelatin
• Whipped cream, for serving

Directions

1. Bring 6 cups Champagne and the sugar to a boil in a medium pan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat; let cool. Mix remaining 6 cups Champagne and gelatin in large bowl. Let stand until softened. Stir in sugar mixture. Chill until set, at least 6 hours or overnight. Scrape gelatin with a serving spoon, and place in serving bowl; serve with whipped cream.

Pie Pops

On WeddingGawker.com, I saw this to die for idea! Wonderful for outdoorsy, barn, and country wedding....

Pie Pops

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For the recipe: Click Here

Cute Table Numbers!

I was recently touring Jupiter Beach Resort and a wedding was occuring! I got a sneak peak into her reception and she just had the cutest table "numbers"!

Check it out:

They made each table a location from where they went on vacation to!!! So cute!

Wacky Wednesday: Empire State Building

Make like Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in Sleepless in Seattle... become husband and wife on the 80th or 102nd floor of the Empire State Building.

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Happy Valentine's Day!

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Happy Valentines Day! 

Have a wonderful day full of love from friends, family, and of course, your sweetie!!

Potted Plants

A great idea to keep costs down is to used potted plants/herbs. You can use them as decorations on the table and then have the guests take the potted plants/herbs as they leave!

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Advice Week: Day four

Last Day of this Month's Advice week.

Now that I work at Alfred Angelo, I know what the bridal stylists are thinking and I will pass on advice to you. Always make an appointment. If you are a walk in, you won't get the personalized service that you deserve. Also please try and limit people who come shopping with you to 5 or less. I know you want to include everyone, but the best idea maybe to limit the party to your mom, sisters, and maid of honor.... You don't want all those differing opinions. Believe me I have seen it way too many times in the short period I have worked at the bridal salon. It's a bad situation. The bride gets angry and frustrated because her attendants can't decide on a dress. For some reason, most people who come with the bride can't seem to remember that it is the bride's decision not their own. That's why it's better to limit the people. I know you know what I'm talking about if you have seen Say Yes to the Dress.

Also, Bring a camera and photograph every dress you try on so you remember!!


We don't want any of this at the bridal salon:

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Advice Week: Day three

These wonderful websites that I discovered can really help you out to check prices and see wedding trends and when to see the best months are to get married in your area. Just click around and see what you find.

Cost of Wedding.com

Wedding Report.com

Example from Cost of Wedding.com:

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Wacky Wednesday: USS Enterprise Wedding

For you die hard Trekies out there, there is one place that you can go to have a Star Trek wedding.

The Star Trek themed Las Vegas wedding available at the Las Vegas Hilton is based on The Next Generation series, which is easily the most popular of all of the Star Trek series. The ceremony is more than just a wedding. It is an interactive experience that is inspired by the voyages of USS Enterprise crew. You can get married on the bridge of the ship as Ferengi and Klingon witnesses look on. Then, top it off with an unforgettable reception at Quark’s Bar and Restaurant.

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Advice Week: Day two

This is SO important. Heed this warning: have a contract for everything for your wedding!!

Get everything in writing. According to Tennessee based attorney Karen Beyke advises, "Be sure your contract has a 'time is of the essence' clause, which states that a wedding provider must deliver the items or services at the proper time on the wedding day. Too many brides have complained that the flowers showed up at the church after the ceremony, or they had to wait an hour for the cake to be delivered. If you have this phrase in your contract, the vendor will know you mean business, and you'll be sure to get timely treatment. f the item is not delivered on time, then they are in breach of contract, and you don't have to pay".

Make sure that you read everything in the vendor contracts, you don't want to be hit with unexpected fees. Once you sign the dotted line, you are held by law to that contract. Even ask to take the contract home and read it, before you sign it! Everything is negotiable. If you don't like something in the contract, talk to the vendor. They want your business!

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Advice Week!

This week is going to be very useful for you to keep reading. I'm going to be giving you some great advice for your wedding!

My first piece of advice is to skip expensive computer wedding planning programs. I bought a program on a discount and they just have pages to organize vendors and they send reminders for your appointments. However now you can use your phone, ipad, etc. to set reminders for appointments! Additionally, you can't file away papers, contracts, swatches, business cards in computer program.

Just be old school and use file folders and binders. Don't forget to keep important emails filed away in your inbox!!

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Bridesmaids Contracts

I saw this on a website and cracked up! If I ever gave this to one of my bridesmaids, I'm pretty sure that they would laugh at me and say I really don't want to be in your wedding if you are going to be like this. See Below:

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If you are dead set on having a contract, make it fun and light hearted. Just express to them how you want them to look uniform. If these girls are truly your friends, they will respect your wishes:

Sample:

______ I will listen to Lizzie's babbling, and let her know she's only slightly crazy.

______ I will have fun while planning with Lizzie.

______ I will look however I want, because Lizzie doesn't care.

______ I swear to "be there" for the bride just like I always am, because she is my friend.

______ I will NOT let Lizzie's wedding detract from other parts of my life.

______ I will not forget that while I am Lizzie's friend, she is MY friend as well, and is there if I need her

______ I will eat, drink, and be merry whenever possible.

______ I will engage in much laughter and *inappropriate hugging*

______ I will tease Brian whenever possible.

______ I will tease Lizzie whenever possible.

______ I will not feel the need to spend a ton of money on a dress/shoes/jewelry/manicure/WHATEVER.

______ I will have an amazing time!

I do hereby swear that I will adhere to all of the above and other understood bridesmaid duties for the wedding on June 15th, 2013 

X_________________________
(sign, print and date)

Picasso Calla Lillies

At a bridal consultation I attended on Saturday, I learned about these awesome flowers and had to share with you. For any brides who have purples as a wedding color, pay attention to this post. These flowers can be used within a bouquet to accent the color of the bridesmaid dresses or such. These flowers are well matched with white roses and stephanotis.

The star shaped flowers are stephanotis

Beautiful Picasso Callas 

Wacky Wednesday: Pirate Ship

Happy February!!

This week's wacky Wednesday takes us on the high seas, so to speak. Become pirates for a day aboard The Reef Chief, a 65-foot wooden schooner in Stock Island, Florida near Key West. The couple can exchange rings beneath the jolly roger flag while your guests wear eye patches and faux parrots on their shoulders.

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or come to Eagle River, Wisconsin and stay at an awesome resort, Eagle River's Last Resort and go visit Pirate Hideaway. See below:

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