-by Lisa
A couple met with us a few weeks ago. They need someone to direct their wedding day. During the interview, the groom began complaining about the fact the Bride wanted to hire a planner to help plan the entire wedding. He then said – well, it doesn’t really matter because we have gone way beyond our budget anyway. I then quickly turned to him and said, "This is exactly why you needed a planner. A good planner will help you stay on budget."
Upon first thought, the low budget bride hiring a planner sounds counterintuitive. Many couples think that planners are a luxury for the rich. Personally, I think that all brides should ensure not just a perfect day, but also a positive planning experience. It’s just for the reason stated above that a low budget Bride needs a planner more than anyone, and I am going to tell you how you can get one - the hourly consultation service.
Many planners will offer hourly consultation. The prices and the minimum number of hours will vary. Make sure that you choose someone who you will be comfortable with and who knows a variety of quality vendors within your budget. This is very important since there are a lot of vendors out there who prey on unsuspecting Brides in all budget categories. Some planners might even offer you free vendor referrals if you book their minimum hourly service. In addition to vendor referrals, planners can help you to find a site, help with your site design, help with your color and theme, give you access to their personal library of magazines and planning books, or help you to find dresses (Bridal or Bridesmaids). Most importantly, they can create a customized engagement timeline, so that you are doing everything that needs to be done. Additionally, they can help define your priorities and help you to build and track a realistic budget that you can live with.
A good realistic budget is so important from the start. I cannot stress this. A good planner can tell you what’s realistic and offer alternatives so that your dream day can become a reality.
During the interview, make sure you ask the planner what she can do for you for the hours that you have. This will give you an idea of how she can help you. Make sure you get a proposal in writing. Also ask about adding additional services onto your hourly consultation - for example, if you hire her to do the wedding day (not right away, but at some future time), would you be able to acquire a better rate on the consultation service, or an adjusted rate on wedding day services?
The "Hourly Consultation": Could It Save You Money?
2009 Wedding Fashion and Style Trends
-by Erica
Smaller Weddings
A funny thing happened on the way to the altar: The economy veered into the ditch. But we rediscovered something very important. Necessity really is the mother of invention. Some of the most memorable weddings we've seen in the last year have been relatively small or medium-sized affairs. Can you do it, too? Yes, you can.
Simple Dress with Ornate Veil
As we showed you a few weeks ago, the veil is no longer an afterthought in a bride's ensemble. These days, the veil may very well be the centerpiece. One of the newest trends has women buying simple or "destination" style dresses, then pairing it with an ornate veil. Designers are responding by creating pieces with lots of embroidery, beading, and gorgeous netting.
Hair Fascinators & Headpieces
Have you ever noticed how one trend seems to instantly give birth to its opposite?
While some ladies are going all out for a veil, others are opting out. Instead they're choosing dazzling hair fascinators and headpieces. These options are often as intricate as veils anyway because of feathers, pearls, fabric flowers, or just the hint of a birdcage veil.
Photojournalism
This one comes from our resident wedding planner Lisa Nelson who says, "Couples are shying away from the traditional and opting for something more documentary in style. They are also moving away from the “picture in the frame” style Art Leather album to a modern Magazine type layout."
Ultra Personalization
Just a few years ago, it was en vogue to showcase your nationality or background. But now, brides-to-be are cutting out the middle man and going strictly with what they themselves like- no holds barred, no consultations with Miss Manners- from the invitations to the newlywed send-off, even if they have to design their accessories themselves. For some women cookie-cutter just doesn't cut it anymore, especially with the trend toward DIY.
Vintage Fashions
Perhaps it's just "the times" or a yearning for quality items out of the ordinary. For whatever reason, vintage styles are as hot as if they'd just come out yesterday. Chintzy, homey, quaint. Whatever you call it, it's a definitely creative way to bring back what has already worked in the past. This is showing up in everything from gowns to caketoppers to the groom's wardrobe.
Colored Shoes
Statistically speaking, most brides-to-be still choose white as the color of their bridal shoes. But in 2009, you'll see that more and more are taking the opportunity to add a pop of color on their feet. Some of the most popular photographs on wedding blogs are candid shots of brides who have a flash of hot pink, green or blue peaking from under their gowns.
Short Hair and Medium Length Hair
Malonda Richards courtesy of Essence Magazine
OK, we saw this one coming. Things had to change. There was just too much pressure on women with neat hairstyles to grow their hair long enough for an updo before the wedding. And why not look like yourself on your wedding day? Now we're getting lots of photos of brides wearing sassy short or medium length styles. And you know what? They look absolutely fabulous.
Did we leave anything out? Set us straight! Tell us about the trends you've been seeing!
The "Straight To The Point" Engagement Timeline
by Lisa
The engagement timelines (times when things should be completed by) out there in the world are long and complicated. I thought I would give just an overview of what absolutely needs to be done during the last 6 months or so. I am just focusing on the major points. Just think of this as a list that’s small enough to fit inside your wallet.
At least 8 months prior to the wedding
*Choose a wedding planner/coordinator
*Start working on your guest list
*Book a venue – ceremony and reception
*Book any necessary tenting
*Find and order the bridal dress
*Formulate your wedding party
*Register – Couples should register before putting their website together and sending out save the date cards. Typically, Save-the-dates go out 6 months in advance. If you wedding is in June, be careful about sending them during the Thanksgiving/Christmas rush. The cards will get lost in the commotion. Plan to send them earlier – better yet, right after the New Year.
At least 7 months prior to the wedding
*Put a website together – Could be custom or one from the knot or weddingwire.com
*Block hotel rooms
*Contact caterers, price out menus and attend tastings
*Contact and book DJ/band, florist, photographer/videographer
At least 6 months prior to the wedding
*Send out Save the Dates
*Book a lighting designer (if necessary)
*Contract port-o-potties and water (if necessary)
*Rent tuxes
At least 4 months prior to the wedding
*Order your birth certificate
*Start searching for invitations
*Start looking at wedding bands
*Book your honeymoon
At least 3 months prior to the wedding
*Book your rehearsal dinner
At least 2 months prior to your wedding
*Send out invitations
*Put together/order programs, menus and place cards
*Purchase Bridesmaids, Groomsmen and Family gifts
*Obtain blood tests and marriage certificate
*Submit your alcohol order
At least 1 month prior to your wedding
*RSVP deadline
*Have final details meetings with florist, photographer, planner, etc.
*Have a final details meeting with the caterer. Pick out linens
At least 2 weeks prior to your wedding
*Final Dress fitting
At least 1 week prior to your wedding
*Make last confirmations with vendors
*Enjoy the last week being a single person!
Another Christmas Celeb Engagement!
Wedding bells will soon be ringing for model Eva Marcille (a.k.a. Eva Pigford). She and "House of Payne" star Lance Gross were engaged on Christmas eve. The two were vacationing with their families at the Big Bear ski resort in California's San Bernardino Mountains. Read the entire proposal story here.
Photo courtesy of Robert Ector
Alright... Confess!
Well, we're back on "wedding watch" after a nice Christmas break. Yes, we heard about Tom Brady and Gisele. Yawn. What enquiring minds really want to know is... who else got engaged on Christmas day?! Was it you? If so, click on comments to tell us all about it. All the wedding experts say Christmas is a prime time for couples to become officially engaged and we love hearing about proposals!
