What would you like to read about on a wedding blog? Are there any particular parts of planning your wedding that you are struggling with? Tell me some of your problems and I will write articles tailored to your struggles! It would be preferable for you to comment here so everyone can benefit from what you have to say, but if you can't, email me at anaffairtorememberevents@hotmail.com.
Happy Planning!
Heidi :)
Monday, 26 July 2010
Friday, 23 July 2010
Unexpected Costs
So you’ve got your wedding budget all set up and you know what you’re spending and where it’s going so you’re doing well, right? Maybe not. Have you accounted for those pesky unexpected costs? By “unexpected costs” I mean everything from the VAT to all of the undergarments that go with a wedding dress. No one ever thinks of these expenses and then they get into financial trouble when they find that they have gone over budget. I recommend setting aside 10% of your budget for unexpected expenses. It may sound like a lot to set aside but whatever you don’t spend, you can take with you on your honeymoon! Here is a list of some of the most notorious unexpected expenses that creep up on unsuspecting brides.
VAT
When you get a quote from any supplier it is important to ask whether or not VAT is included in the price. So let’s say you have budgeted £5000 for your reception and that is the maximum amount you can spend. If VAT is not included you do not really have a budget of £5000, you actually have a budget of £4125 (VAT=£875). Also, keep in mind the planned VAT increase and find out what rate of VAT you will need to pay for your wedding date.
Corkage Fee
As you may be aware, you can find some pretty good deals on alcohol for your reception should you choose to provide your own. However, be weary because some venues have what is called a corkage fee. A corkage fee is the fee that a venue will charge to serve alcohol that you have brought yourself. This is in place because venues make so much money off of their alcohol and they lose that revenue when you decide to bring your own. Depending on your venue, it may still work out cheaper to provide your own alcohol if they allow you to so explore this possibility.
Cake-cutting Fee
Yes, it is as crazy as it sounds. This is literally the fee a venue may charge to in order to cut and serve your wedding cake. When interviewing your venue, be sure to ask if this fee is something that they charge.
Alterations
It is likely that your dress will need to be altered and these costs can be substantial depending on the complexity of the work that needs to be done. You do not have to go to the shop that you purchased your gown from; you are free to shop around for a better value.
Delivery Costs
Several things will need to be delivered to the wedding venue from the chair covers to the wedding cake. Not everyone charges a delivery fee but it is better to ask and be aware of it than to be caught unprepared for it at the last minute.
Gratuities
This is more of an issue in America than it is here in the UK but it is customary to tip some of your suppliers, namely your wedding officiant. This is usually only when the officiant is a minister and is seen as a thank you gift from the couple.
Undergarments
I remember the first time I tried on a wedding dress-I had no idea there were so many undergarments to go along with it! It is likely that you will have budgeted for your veil and tiara but what about your undergarments?
Postage
Most couples account for the cost of their invitations, RSVP cards and thank you notes, but seem to forget about the postage. This cost can be substantial depending on the size of your wedding so be prepared by planning ahead for it.
Make-up/Hair Trials
Before your big day, you may want to do a test run with your beautician. Many packages include trials, but ask your beautician to be sure.
Other Paper Goods
This can include menus, place cards, as well as ceremony programs. Include these costs with your invitations and other paper goods.
Flowers for other people
You must keep in mind not only your bridal party, but your parents as well as they often wear a boutonnière or corsage on the day of the wedding.
Vendor Meals
Some vendors, such as your photographer, will be with you for the entire day and may request that they be fed. It usually will say in a vendor contract if they expect to be fed and if it does not you should definitely ask.
I could probably go on and on about things I have seen people forget about entirely because the wedding planning process is a hectic one, but these are some of the main expenses that couples may incur. Don’t be overwhelmed, you are not likely to incur all of these expenses, but it is important to be aware and read your contracts carefully.
VAT
When you get a quote from any supplier it is important to ask whether or not VAT is included in the price. So let’s say you have budgeted £5000 for your reception and that is the maximum amount you can spend. If VAT is not included you do not really have a budget of £5000, you actually have a budget of £4125 (VAT=£875). Also, keep in mind the planned VAT increase and find out what rate of VAT you will need to pay for your wedding date.
Corkage Fee
As you may be aware, you can find some pretty good deals on alcohol for your reception should you choose to provide your own. However, be weary because some venues have what is called a corkage fee. A corkage fee is the fee that a venue will charge to serve alcohol that you have brought yourself. This is in place because venues make so much money off of their alcohol and they lose that revenue when you decide to bring your own. Depending on your venue, it may still work out cheaper to provide your own alcohol if they allow you to so explore this possibility.
Cake-cutting Fee
Yes, it is as crazy as it sounds. This is literally the fee a venue may charge to in order to cut and serve your wedding cake. When interviewing your venue, be sure to ask if this fee is something that they charge.
Alterations
It is likely that your dress will need to be altered and these costs can be substantial depending on the complexity of the work that needs to be done. You do not have to go to the shop that you purchased your gown from; you are free to shop around for a better value.
Delivery Costs
Several things will need to be delivered to the wedding venue from the chair covers to the wedding cake. Not everyone charges a delivery fee but it is better to ask and be aware of it than to be caught unprepared for it at the last minute.
Gratuities
This is more of an issue in America than it is here in the UK but it is customary to tip some of your suppliers, namely your wedding officiant. This is usually only when the officiant is a minister and is seen as a thank you gift from the couple.
Undergarments
I remember the first time I tried on a wedding dress-I had no idea there were so many undergarments to go along with it! It is likely that you will have budgeted for your veil and tiara but what about your undergarments?
Postage
Most couples account for the cost of their invitations, RSVP cards and thank you notes, but seem to forget about the postage. This cost can be substantial depending on the size of your wedding so be prepared by planning ahead for it.
Make-up/Hair Trials
Before your big day, you may want to do a test run with your beautician. Many packages include trials, but ask your beautician to be sure.
Other Paper Goods
This can include menus, place cards, as well as ceremony programs. Include these costs with your invitations and other paper goods.
Flowers for other people
You must keep in mind not only your bridal party, but your parents as well as they often wear a boutonnière or corsage on the day of the wedding.
Vendor Meals
Some vendors, such as your photographer, will be with you for the entire day and may request that they be fed. It usually will say in a vendor contract if they expect to be fed and if it does not you should definitely ask.
I could probably go on and on about things I have seen people forget about entirely because the wedding planning process is a hectic one, but these are some of the main expenses that couples may incur. Don’t be overwhelmed, you are not likely to incur all of these expenses, but it is important to be aware and read your contracts carefully.
Monday, 19 April 2010
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
The Truth About Wedding Planners
This is my very first published wedding planning article and I wanted to share it with my readers
We have all heard a story about the wedding that went wrong. It’s common knowledge that “the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray”, yet we do nothing to plan for it. Every bride wants the most talented photographer to preserve her memories and the most gifted florist to create the most beautiful scene, yet they proceed to put someone like their mother or their maid of honour in charge of running everything. This makes no sense to me. There are so many talented wedding planners out there who can make your special day run seamlessly and help you with every little detail, yet many brides would rather invest in expensive wedding favours that no one will remember instead of a qualified planner. Let me put it this way: It’s like bringing together an all-star football team and then asking your mother to coach them….for free. Are you beginning to see how ridiculous this notion is?
Let me be clear, I am not against DIY. In fact, I often advise brides to do some DIY projects. They can be fun and save you tons of money. However, there are some places where I think it is foolish to try to do things yourself. If you wouldn’t dream of doing your own photography, why would you try to orchestrate the contracts, relationships and schedules of 20+ vendors when you are trying to have fun?
Now I know you’re on a budget, I understand. But, did you know that a wedding planner can actually save you money? We have relationships with vendors that allow us to negotiate discounts for our clients that the general public cannot get. Let’s look at an example. Many of the vendors that I work with offer 10% off of their services for clients that I refer to them. Now, if your wedding budget is £10,000 and you book all of your vendors through me, you will save £1,000. Think about what you could do with an extra £1,000.
Venue coordinators and relatives that want to help with your wedding are great, but they are not there for you to dump the load of planning your entire wedding on. A good venue coordinator can make sure that your reception runs smoothly but will not have relationships with vendors that can save you money. As for relatives, I personally think they deserve to have as much fun at your wedding as you should be having! Leave the stress and the worry to the professionals. You should be preparing to have one of the best days of your life, not worrying about why the cake hasn’t arrived. And did you know that, on average, it takes a couple 250 hours to plan a wedding? Nobody wants to take on such a daunting task alone. Do yourself a favour, just take five minutes and call a local wedding planner to set up a consultation. When you are having the time of your life at your wedding, you’ll thank me.
Monday, 12 April 2010
10 Ways To Get Your Fiance Involved In The Wedding Planning Process
Let’s face it, the wedding planning process is geared toward the female psyche. Why else would there be so much emphasis on the elements of colors, flowers, emotions, fashion and cake? (Okay, maybe the guys can embrace the cake idea, but forget the rest!)
If you’re one of those lucky gals whose fiancé wants to have input on everything from choosing linens to the height of the heel on your pump, then read no further. Give your honey his wedding to-do list and go get a manicure. If you’d like your Price Charming a little more involved, however, then try the following.
1. Ask yourself why you want your fiancé involved. Is it because you feel it demonstrates how much he loves you, or simply because the task overwhelms you and you want help? The answer to this question will determine how you will ask your fiancé to be involved. Is it important to you that he have input into which photographer you choose or would you rather his assistance be in a more detailed-oriented realm (like picking people up at the airport or making sure all the vendors are paid on time)?
2. Keep your wedding planning conversations with him brief. He probably wants to be involved, but an hour of debating the merits of freesias or daisies in your bouquet will have his eyes glazing over. When his input is desired, keep the chat to 15 minutes. If nothing is resolved, bring the topic to the table the next day. If nothing else, you’ll wear him down from sheer tenacity.
3. At the beginning of the planning process, ask him which aspects of the planning he wants to be in charge of. This will allow him to select areas that interest him (saying selecting a DJ verses choosing cutsie wedding favors).
4. Get him involved in the selection of food and alcoholic beverages. If you make a “date” out of tastings, he’ll be happy to go along. And the old adage is still true–the way to a man’s heart (or at least keeping his interest) is through his stomach.
5. Narrow down his choices to two or three before asking for his input. Present him with any more choices of photographers and his eyes will glaze over looking at all the samples.
6. Whatever you do, ALWAYS give him say in his wedding day attire. No matter how reluctant he is to participate in the other aspects of wedding planning, more than likely he’s going to balk at you telling him what to wear.
7. If he tells you to simply delegate some vendors/tasks to him, then do so willingly, but be sure you give him ones that align with his interests. If he’s like most men, he’ll be more invested in looking for the DJ, wedding-day transportation, arranging the rehearsal dinner and tuxes than shopping for flower girl dresses. Most guys will want to have a say in their honeymoon destination, so you might want to have him come up with options for that too.
8. Let him know you value his opinion. He just wants you to be happy, and he may think that the way to make that happen is to defer to you on all of the decisions. If you tell him that’s not the blessing he imagines it to be and that you’re excited to have his input, then he’ll be more prone to offer it. Caveat to this: you’re going to need to listen to his input and honor his suggestions from time to time!
9. Make it easy for him to participate. Make sure you have a mutually-agreed upon system for organizing the wedding planning so he’s not off doing one thing while you’re doing something counterproductive to it.
10. Remember to keep dating your fiancé during the wedding planning process. Sure you’re excited and maybe the wedding day is all you think about, but maybe you should relegate some of that chit chat to conversations with your mother and bridesmaids. Set aside at least one evening a week for a “No Wedding Talk” date night. He’ll be much more interested if you don’t flood him with wedding talk 24/7.
This post comes from www.onlineweddingguide.org.
If you’re one of those lucky gals whose fiancé wants to have input on everything from choosing linens to the height of the heel on your pump, then read no further. Give your honey his wedding to-do list and go get a manicure. If you’d like your Price Charming a little more involved, however, then try the following.
1. Ask yourself why you want your fiancé involved. Is it because you feel it demonstrates how much he loves you, or simply because the task overwhelms you and you want help? The answer to this question will determine how you will ask your fiancé to be involved. Is it important to you that he have input into which photographer you choose or would you rather his assistance be in a more detailed-oriented realm (like picking people up at the airport or making sure all the vendors are paid on time)?
2. Keep your wedding planning conversations with him brief. He probably wants to be involved, but an hour of debating the merits of freesias or daisies in your bouquet will have his eyes glazing over. When his input is desired, keep the chat to 15 minutes. If nothing is resolved, bring the topic to the table the next day. If nothing else, you’ll wear him down from sheer tenacity.
3. At the beginning of the planning process, ask him which aspects of the planning he wants to be in charge of. This will allow him to select areas that interest him (saying selecting a DJ verses choosing cutsie wedding favors).
4. Get him involved in the selection of food and alcoholic beverages. If you make a “date” out of tastings, he’ll be happy to go along. And the old adage is still true–the way to a man’s heart (or at least keeping his interest) is through his stomach.
5. Narrow down his choices to two or three before asking for his input. Present him with any more choices of photographers and his eyes will glaze over looking at all the samples.
6. Whatever you do, ALWAYS give him say in his wedding day attire. No matter how reluctant he is to participate in the other aspects of wedding planning, more than likely he’s going to balk at you telling him what to wear.
7. If he tells you to simply delegate some vendors/tasks to him, then do so willingly, but be sure you give him ones that align with his interests. If he’s like most men, he’ll be more invested in looking for the DJ, wedding-day transportation, arranging the rehearsal dinner and tuxes than shopping for flower girl dresses. Most guys will want to have a say in their honeymoon destination, so you might want to have him come up with options for that too.
8. Let him know you value his opinion. He just wants you to be happy, and he may think that the way to make that happen is to defer to you on all of the decisions. If you tell him that’s not the blessing he imagines it to be and that you’re excited to have his input, then he’ll be more prone to offer it. Caveat to this: you’re going to need to listen to his input and honor his suggestions from time to time!
9. Make it easy for him to participate. Make sure you have a mutually-agreed upon system for organizing the wedding planning so he’s not off doing one thing while you’re doing something counterproductive to it.
10. Remember to keep dating your fiancé during the wedding planning process. Sure you’re excited and maybe the wedding day is all you think about, but maybe you should relegate some of that chit chat to conversations with your mother and bridesmaids. Set aside at least one evening a week for a “No Wedding Talk” date night. He’ll be much more interested if you don’t flood him with wedding talk 24/7.
This post comes from www.onlineweddingguide.org.
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Saturday, 3 April 2010
Bridal Emergency Kit
Every bride needs an emergency kit. This can be kept in a small makeup bag and given to one of the bridesmaids for safe keeping. The following items should be in your bridal emergency kit:
Clear bandages to protect from those evil blisters.
Ibuprofen or Paracetamol to deal with those pre-wedding headaches
Chalk to cover up scuffs on white leather and fabric
Emory boards for those inevitable broken nails
Clear nail polish to stop runs in pantyhose and fix chips in your polish
Thread in the colours of all of the bridal party dresses for any pulled seams or small rips
Hold onto all of the spare buttons that come with the dresses just in case one falls off
Small scissors to snip labels, tags and strings
A handkerchief or tissues to wipe away makeup smudges and tears
This is toupee tape for holding hair onto bald men. You may think it sounds crazy, but it works perfectly for holding straps and hems in place and won't hurt your skin.
Pins and needles of all shapes and sizes for sewing and securing
Bobby pins held together on a ribbon to help fix hair and hold the veil in place
If you're like me you just don't do well with white. This stain removal spray instantly lifts the stain if you spray it while the stain is fresh.
Other good additions to your kit:
*Tampons and pads
*Mints
**Earring backs
*Hairspray
*Any makeup you're using
*Water, if the place you're getting ready doesn't have a sink (like a marquee)
*Deodorant/Anti-Perspirant
*Deodorant/Anti-Perspirant
*Anything you may need immediately like an Epi-Pen, antihistamine or inhaler
And you MUST MUST MUST have...
The contact numbers to all of your vendors and your attendants. You never know who might get lost or be running late and not have your number on them to let you know.
This might seem a bit extreme but you should always plan for the worst and hope for the best. You never know what could happen!
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