When a wedding (or any event) planner talks about budgeting, it does not necessarily mean they are talking about your budget.  They are talking about time also.   I saw an episode of the Glam Fairy last night (I think Alexa is a closet business savant).  Anyway, she has been putting off any and all planning of her wedding to build her business.  I kept telling her - call me immediately. I am a wedding planner !! 



The best thing a planner can do for your is help you organize your thoughts which are, at this time, scattered to the wind and all over the place, and help you manage the time you have to devote to the planning of your wedding.  HOWEVER, and this is really a huge obstacle for some people - I imagine Alexa would be one of those - turn over complete control to your wedding planner.  At some point, you must have had a good connection with this person to choose them to help you plan the most important day of your life thus far - right? - so go a step further and let them do what they do best.  They are an extension of you at this point.  They have your back. A great wedding planner can exceed all your expectations if you just let them. 

Let's talk a moment about budget then.  Many brides have unrealistic expectations about what their budget can do for them.  A wedding planner can pull off some amazing things, but producing a floral and crystal extravaganza with amazing lighting and draping, on that $3,000.00 budget you have and you have how many guests to feed? - well, I just know expectations need to be in line with reality.  BUT, that does not mean it needs to be reminiscent of a backyard BBQ at all - it just means you need to budget more time to be creative and investigate your alternatives. 

So, how long do you think it really takes to pull off a wedding of magical proportions?  Unfortunately, a lot of that is dependent on the availability of the church, the reception venue you have always wanted, the caterer's calendar and the dress which really should be ordered at least many months in advance.  Many brides need to begin planning at least 12 months out in order to bring all the details in and get them settled down for that very special day. 

So, you see, when we are talking budget about a family milestone event such as a wedding, we are really talking equally about time and money budgets - unless you are Alexa, who, at this point, would be more needing more time management help than budget help. 

Take a moment then to think about time before seriously planning your next event and allow yourself extra time because, as we all know, time moves at the speed of light and that is something we cannot change.  Each and every day has only so many hours and the clock will not stop because you have neglected to budget wisely. 

I WANT THAT

I want that and I want us to want that and I want to be the one to bring it. But, how would that be possible when everyone's expectations of what they can achieve have become so limited and so rigid that instead of taking your breath away it just brings a sigh - What has happened? Everyone wants to have THAT event that everyone will be talking about for years to come. I don't know of anyone who begins by saying, yes, I am just going to have a plain, mediocre event with no excitement and one that everyone forgets about by tomorrow.

Do we not have access to those who think outside the box and want to really break out and bring you events that will leave others speechless - of course. The real trick is to recognize who they are and what they can bring to the table. However, that kind of vendor is not found in a bargain basement. When you watch a David Tutera wedding program, or one of the other wedding programs, or begin to lose yourself in visiting one website after another from other parts of this country and the world, all we think about is - WOW, that is what I want. I want that kind of beauty and you can already picture Jeff Leatham doing florals. You know what, the sad truth is that everyone is truly deserving of that kind of event. However, when it comes to the bottom line, an event is a bottom feeder - we have devalued the most celebrated moments and events of our to the lowest priority. Why should we save up and spend that much money on an event - I'll tell you why - because it feeds the soul. Have you never walked into a florist shop filled with beautiful flowers everywhere and just lost yourself in the color and the fragrance (although granted, some flowers have no fragrances any longer). How about finding a website or a show where a photographer has pictures on display that are so amazing that they literally speak their story to you and you are lost in the picture. The same can be said for any event where truly creative and talented people are involved in the conception, planning and implementation process. You will remember being at that event and those who did not go, will always regret it. It begins with the invitation and your anticipation is so heightened you can hardly wait for the event. You think about your choice of dress and accessories, hair and makeup. That is the beginning of the seduction and with each detail you encounter, it just pulls you in more and more until you suddenly realize about halfway through the night that this is truly an unforgettable event and how much you have actually seen and how much detail is there. It all is a part of the larger picture. Each vendor is doing what they do best - and if you have great planning and seek out those whose creativity, talent and personality are on board with you for your event, you have succeeded in creating the most Extraordinary Affair that will be on everyone's post tomorrow.

So, the next time you are thinking abour an event or milestone that you would like to celebrate, do take the time to explore ALL your possible paths to creating that event. I want that - Of course we all want THAT, but how much do we want it and who would we trust to bring it? DIY does not necessarily mean that you have only limited choices - a mason jar filled with flowers from the garden, tied with raffia on a checkered tablecloth, or that Uncle Fred's friend has a cousin who takes picures, or that dress on line that is on sale for $200.00. DIY can mean afforable if you do it with the right team. Sometimes the money you spend can bring savings in the long run. Professional vendors do what they do and do it as well as they do it because they love what they do and they love to make your inspiration their aspiration. So, the next time you say I WANT THAT - tell youself that you can have that and that you deserve it.

Wedding Day Rooms

When it comes to wedding day preparations, do you pay any attention at all to the space in which it will all actually happen? A lot happens there in a short period of time and whether you choose to get ready at a private home, a hotel or at the venue, even though you have little or no control over the environment, there are some things you can keep in mind when selecting your space. This is just one of many details that will all come together to make a difference in your wedding day.

I have enlisted the help of some professionals to provide a valuable glimpse of the room through their eyes so we can gain some insight from their experiences and to give you some valuable information to add to your checklists.

Every wedding album has shots o brides, grooms, guys and gals, family members getting ready fr the edding. Every photographer has ideas on how to set those up. Some are of the toasts, the tears and the reflections of what is taking place. Over the years, photographers develop kind of a routine of what they think will work the best for your particular wedding and with what you have. However, these types of shots do not just randomly or candidly present themselves to be photographed. Great photographers will always take extra time (next blog watch for wedding day timelines) to make sure that those once-in-a-lifetime shots happen and are captured, and they will work hard to tell the story of your day in that very magical way.

LISA CRANE: Crane Studios Imaging (http://www.cranestudioimaging.com/), Boise, Idaho. Lisa will be a featured vendor at the Nampa Wedding Show on February 4, 2012. Please come and check out her booth, visit her website or contact her. "The light is going to vary because of the time of day. I mean, theree are some times when the light is hars and other times the light is perfect. Like 2:00 p.m. light is harsh, but 8 a.m. an 6 p.m. the light is very nice. Track lighting with yellow bulbs is the worst I have ever had to photograph in. One other thing in regards to lighting - the bulbs should be white lights and not the standard bulgs that give off a yellow glow. Those LED lights are pretty nice and give off a soft white glow, making great photos. On some girls, i makes their cover-up makeup produce a green tinge in photos. Most photographers can make camera adjustments to compensate the problem, but most of the "budget" photographers don't know how to do it. So, it would help everyone by doing a light change. I don't think there is any specific good place for window placement though. The light always changes. Just make sure they have a thick curtain to be able to block the light if needed too. As far as wall colors, I like neutrals or light pastels."

CANDICE COSSEL, Serendipity Studios (http://beyondordinary.net/ ), Miami, Florida (previously Meridian, Idaho). Please check out their web site if you are not familiar with their photography. "The most important thing is natural light. Getting ready in a bathroom or under other lights not only looks horrible in photos (i.e. orange) but also can give a false appearance of the makeup. Natural light is essential. Number two is space. If you have a bride, her mother and 5 bridesmaids trying to get ready in a regular hotel room -- it's not gonna work! There is no room to maneuver and it feels stressful. The last thing about the space is clutter-free. I typically think homes are not a good idea because there is just so much stuff around. Clutter is a stressor. Also, it can make beautifu photos suddenly not so beautiful."

Candice also provided a short list of items that you might want to have on hand for those pictures of the small details that make your wedding albums special. These items should be on your checklist and with you in the room (wedding day timeline again).

Here are her suggestions: "As far as what to have with you...Dress on a pretty hanger, rings (both bride and groom), jewelry, vein and/or hairpiece, shoes, garter, perfume, gifts (if bride/groom gifts are being exchanged), invitation, programs and any other special items."

Barbara Zubizarreta, who is a local stylist from Boise, Idaho, had done her share of weddings and always welcomes the ladies to come either to the salon (The Electric Chair downtown) or she will make herself available on site. Please call her at 440-1418. She now offers this piece of information for us: Plenty of electrical outlets, tablets for products and irons near the outlets and, of course, chairs. As stylists we tend to be very adaptable. Mirrors are a must - the bigger the better - and more than one. With more than a few girls getting their hair done and doing makeup or having it done, this is a must. Wedding parties sometimes get very large, add a few stylists into the mix and it can get crowded, so a fair amount of space would be great."

From my perspective as a wedding planner, I look at a few more items when helping a bride get her space ready. It is interesting to see these from a different perspective and now we can add a few more items to our own checklist.

Thank you ladies for your contributions. If you haveany comments or suggestions, please let me know on my FB page (An Extraordinary Affair) or you can email me, or check out the website http://www.extraordinaryaffair.com/ . Happy Planning.

VENUE VISIT

As every bride and groom know, choosing just the right venue is one of the most important decisions in getting the planning process going. The venue should reflect the style of wedding you have decided on. For instance, you would not have a formal wedding in a country atmosphere, or a casual western affair in a ballroom. So, when I found out about two new venues opening in our area, I decided to do site visits to assess them for myself and my clients.

My first visit was yesterday afternoon. Here is my brief assessment: Honalee Farm Event Center is located just west of Linder Road, off State street. On this winter afternoon it is difficult to imaging the lush green lawns with pots of fragrant blooms scattered about and the pond with its fountain spraying and the summer sun refracting the water droplets into a thousand points of colors with large shade trees giving just the right balance between shade and sun. If this is what you are wanting for your summer ceremony, this would be ideal for you. The guests enter through a gate just for events, loop around the pond and park in an area tucked away out of sight of your event. There is, however,an extra pad devoted to the dropping off of special needs guests immediately adjacent to the building or the ceremony site. The guests will enter via winding path, crossing over a small creek which spills into the pond. The building itself offers seating for up to 100 guests comfortably inside. The large patio accessible through two large double doors on the east side, open to reveal an oversized patio which does double duty as reception or dancing under the stars, and in inclement weather is a tent pad. The building has a commercial size kitchen, storage and prep areas. There is a beverage area with ample space for ice and all other beverages. Oversized windows can be opened up completely on east and west sides to allow welcome evening breezes on those hot summer nights. Whether inside or outside, the state of the art sound system will accommodate your every musical wish, as do the double flat screens mounted inside the building. There are plans underway for more improvements to this facility which will only enhance your experience.

If you allow yourself enough time and planning, even with any size budget, this may be a perfect fit for you. Check them out for yourself and call for a tour: www.honaleefarm.com .

SECURING VENDORS AND CONTRACTS

Weddings are big business. They account for a large percentage of some vendors' businesses over the year. Sometimes the promises a vendor makes just to secure your business for a wedding turn out to be just that. You need to be fully protected when you go to interview your vendors. Sometimes it is best to bring an objective third party - most times your planner or a friend whom you know will not be drawn into the emotions of it. Before you sign with one, ask questions, get costs, be totally frank and upfront and do not lose your perspective. If you have a list of questions and then log the answers, you will have a much better base to make a decision, compare and contrast your vendors. Once you make a decision, get everything in writing. You do not know this vendor, they do not know you. They will do everything to get you to sign a contract to secure that deposit. You need to protect your investment. That is just good business. You would not purchase a car, house or make any other large investment in the same way we go wedding vendor and venue shopping. This is a big investment. A great resource for costs in your local area is www.wedding.com for information. Just input your zip code and you will be able to pull up an estimate that is based on actual costs. It just may surprise you. So, before you get so emotionally invested in the vision, stop, step back, take a breath and think about what you are signing and make sure you and your investment is protected. Once you sign that contract, you are committed.

COLORS

I know that choosing colors for your wedding can be exhausting and take a long time, especially when you have multitudes of colors and many people giving their opinions. There are a few things that you can throw into the mix, however, to help with your choices.

First of all, does your theme (if you have one) dictate any special colors? For example, a Mardi Gras theme pretty much tells you what colors you will be using. Think location. You will not want to choose colors that will cause you to blend right into the background in your pictures or for the decor to not even be noticed because of the same reason. How about flowers? What is in season and what options do you have? Keep in mind that blue flowers are the most difficult to find and typically unless you use the ones in seasion, you will use your entire floral budget just to acquire those.

So, be flexible in choosing your colors. Consider a lot of options and remember that white bouquets with splashes of colors in the way of gems or ribbons are always a safe choice. Consult your planner or florist. They are the professionals and they can guide you. They want you to have a fabulous wedding at the price you can feel good about.

Mother of the Bride

In the planning process, most usually everything falls on the shoulders of mom the day of the wedding. Up before anyone, trying to remember where everything is that everyone told you to remember, hoping that you did write down that vendor's phone number, and what was the person's name at the rental vendor that was supposed to make sure the tables, chairs, etc., all got loaded and delivered on time. Who will show up to help? What time am I supposed to be ready for pictures, where is my stuff, and where were the flowers going to be delivered. OK, let's face it. Mom is overworked, stressed and ready to kill a few vendors already and the day has not really begun yet. Her list is over the top. Is she really going to be able to sit down and laugh, cry and remember things, and help with those last few details before her role in her daughter's life changes forever. THAT is what mom should be doing. As a wedding planner, you see this scenario played out so many times. I, myself, have been in this same spot. I understand the value of what a coordinator can do for you. While I can certainly understand wanting to do it all yourself, as we all think that no one can do it as well as we can, you have to decide what the priority is and write that into the budget. It is money you will never regret spending. You have worked so hard for this day, you deserve to enjoy it too.