Wedding Budget: Where to Save and Where Not to Skimp PART 2 of 3

- DO skimp on invitations and programs. This DOES NOT mean print them yourself - this can often be more expensive after the cost of the paper, ink, and your time. See this blog post from a past client of mine who detailed all the costs she encountered making her own invitations. I recommend going to a local printer who can create simple, inexpensive, custom invitations for you in-house. Every experience I have had ordering invitations online has turned out to be a....I'll just say, a mistake, to be nice. You never know exactly what you're getting when you order online. You can't see the paper color, feel the weight and texture of it, and if there is a problem, it takes weeks to get it fixed. Having everything printed locally cuts your costs as well as your hassle. If there is sort of problem with the printing, it can be fixed within a day or two. In case you're wandering, I use Emily Mistretta at Minuteman Press in Lexington. Also, keep in mind that wedding programs are not necessary. If you're really tight on the budget, feel free to just eliminate them all together.

- DO skimp on transportation. Most of your guest will never see you arrive or leave (unless you do a tossing exit) so it's not smart to spend hundreds of dollars out of your budget on something your guests won't get to see. I also think it's cute when you use your own car and it can be decorated. Just be sure your groom doesn't drink or have a friend drive.

- DO NOT skimp on a videographer. I frequently hear brides say that they don't need a videographer or they are just going to have a friend film the ceremony. Mistake. No matter how awesome your photographer is, he or she can't photograph the sound, movement, and general feel of the day like a video can. And if you it right, you will end up with a movie-quality film you and your family can enjoy watching for the rest of time. My husband and I watch our wedding video every year on our anniversary, and when ever we get in nasty fights :). My favorite local wedding videographer is John Anders at Wolves Video.

Wedding Budget: Where to Save and Where Not to Skimp PART 1 OF 3

I've had so many brides, especially lately, ask about cutting wedding expenses so I've decided I just need to write down what I've been telling everyone.
Here's my advice:
- Do not skimp on a photographer - PLEASE. You photos are the only thing you have after the wedding to remember the day. You will use them all over your house, your Facebook page, Christmas cards, and to show your children someday. I have seen so many brides skimp on a photographer to save some money and it is the biggest regret they have. A good photographer in central Kentucky will cost about $3500-$6000 depending on the package you choose.
- Skimp on flowers and decor. Most churches do not need much decoration. Do not spend hundreds of dollars on altar arrangements or pew flowers that will only be seen for 30 minutes. Use flowers like carnations where you get the most bang for your buck. Ask your florist what flowers are in season because they will be cheaper to use. Don't waste money on corsages and boutonnieres for every family member, distant relative, and special friend. The only people to even consider giving personal flowers to should be parents and groomsmen. In my experience, grandparents usually arrive too late to pin on their flowers and don't enjoy wearing them anyway.
- Use an affordable DJ instead of a band. A good band can run you more than $5000 while a good DJ should be less than $1000. I also like using a DJ because you can hear and select the songs you want played by the artist you want to hear them sung by, and you know what the songs will sound like.

Don't be late to your own reception!

My mother is a big newspaper-clipper-outer. She clipped these Dear Abby articles out for me to share with you. Photo schedules are ALWAYS a big deal for me and I often spend a lot of time working with the bride, groom, families, and photographer on the photography schedule because I'm an advocate for getting to your reception on time! One of the first weddings I ever did when I was an event coordinator at The Thoroughbred Center years ago was the worst case I have ever seen to this date. Guests began to arrive at the reception at about 5:00 just after the 4:30 ceremony and began to munch on appetizers and drinks at the bar. At about 6:30, there was still no sign of the bride and groom, so people actually started to leave. What can I do? Nothing.

No matter how much time you've spent decorating the reception and selecting food and music (and no matter how good your wedding coordinator is), nothing can drive your guests away than you not showing up. Your guests come to your wedding to see you, not wait 2 hours for you to take pictures. I always recommend taking as many pictures as you can prior to the ceremony, whether you choose to see your groom or not, and my brides will tell you I'm a bit of a drill sergeant at the picture session after the ceremony. If everyone cooperates, these pictures can be done and fabulous in under 30 minutes, then you're off to your reception to let the party begin!

Add Culture to Your Wedding

Photo by Jessica Campbell Photography

I will admit, most of the weddings I work on are traditional American/English Christian weddings and are fairly similar in flow and style. When I do have a couple wanting to add cultural flair to their wedding, I just love it!

Carla and Kpanja (pictured above with Kpandja's parents) chose to take Kpandja's west African heritage and and run with it. Kpandja was born and raised in Togo, Africa and came over to the states for college and then to work at Lexmark, where he and Carla (from Wisconsin) met and fell in love. Carla and Kpandja flew to Togo to have a seamstress from Kpandja's village create this beautiful embroidered gown for Carla and Kpandja's matching Bobo (I hope I spelled that correctly!). The cocktail hour at their reception boasted African tribal music and guests feasted upon traditional African foods such as rice and bean dishes, spicy cornbread, fish heads (yes, fish heads), and an entire roasted pig. It was one of the most unique weddings I have ever seen and I loved every aspect of it. Carla was so willing to dive into Kpandja's culture, and Kpandja was so proud of it. Kpandja and Carla flew in several members of Kpandja's family including his parents (pictured above dressed in their traditional African garb) from Togo just for the wedding and it was such a pleasure to work with all of them.

In the past two weeks, I have been so excited to book two different weddings with cultural emphasis. One is the wedding of Annie and Greg taking place this October. Annie grew up in Saudi Arabia and is bringing parts of her heritage into her wedding. The other is the wedding of Whitney and Rob this November. Rob is Italian and Whitney is throwing an "Italian wedding soiree" as she calls it, complete with a parade of waiters carrying around giant pasta bowls, to celebrate his heritage. More to come on these two events and I encourage you to look into your and your fiancee's own heritage to make your own wedding a unique cultural affair.
Happy planning!

Wedding day beauty

I was talking to photographer Frank Becker at The Time Photography (who took this picture of our bride, Jennifer Howard last year) at a meeting recently and he was so excited that one of our brides was wearing her hair down on her wedding day. I said I had never thought about it before, but as a former bride, I know it's hard to keep your "do" looking good when you're in the spotlight and hugging people all day. He made me think about the style a bride chooses to wear her hair in which lead me to remember a bride I working with last fall who had naturally very curly red hair - it was beautiful. When we were planning her wedding, she was asking me about hair stylists because she had not found one that would do her hair for her wedding without first straightening it. She was completely against that because she wouldn't "look like herself." She was concerned about looking back at all of her wedding pictures and thinking that the bride didn't look like her.

One your special day, I think it's so important to look like yourself so your hair and makeup should not be over the top. For your hair, some curls or a partial up-do is fine if it's something you could do yourself and might wear any given day. Yes, you want to look perfect and special, but I honestly believe and campaign that brides look best when they're more natural.

As for makeup, if you normally don't wear two layers of black eye liner above and below your eye, don't let your makeup artist put it on you for your wedding day. Heavy foundation can cause all sorts of problems: a stain on your dress or his tux, running, shine, and more. You will be filled with emotion that will create a beautiful blush and glow in your face so you will be beautiful no matter what!

For all of us white girls: Tanning is another beauty subject near and dear to my heart. Both of my parents work outdoors and both have had skin cancer more than once. I am so conscious of wearing sun block (SPF 50 or 70 for me) everyday and I am passionate about telling people: God made you your color for a reason - you are gorgeous just the way you are! Please do not go to the tanning bed or even use self-tanners to try to get golden brown for your wedding day. I have seen so many brides do this, and I think it makes them look orange and shiny. Your photographer will tell you that you photograph so much better when you are the milky white girl that God made you to be!

Fashions come and go, and when you look back at your wedding pictures and video in 50 years, you won't laugh to hard at your crazy sense of style if you choose a more natural look for your wedding day. Best wishes!

Reception Music

DJ Brian Williams with Sounds 2 Go (859-582-7788)

Photo by James Cook Photography

Reception entertainment is the most important part of a wedding reception in my opinion. It can make or break the event. A great DJ or band will get the party started, get people on the dance floor, and keep your wedding day lasting as long as it can.

The most common mistakes I see are:
(well as a good wedding planner I catch them before they happen)
1. The bride and groom or wedding party is not introduced properly into the reception - this lets your guests know that the reception is starting.
2. Specific music is not chosen for the entrance, cake cutting, bouquet toss and garter throw, and other reception events. It is essential to keep the music going. It's awkward to have the bride and groom cutting the cake in silence.
3. No song is chosen as a "last dance." I like to tell brides and grooms to have the last dance be the song that didn't make the cut to be the first dance. If you are torn between 2 songs for your first dance, or you have a backup first dance song (most people do) have that one be your last dance. The band leader or DJ will announce that this is your last dance and then your guests will know that the bride and groom are leaving after the song. Therefore if you have sparklers or a petal toss as you leave, guests will be ready to head outside to line the sidelines for you.
4. The band leader or SJ has no personality and does not get involved with the crowd. A pet peeve of mine is when the band leader or DJ sits or stands at the table or stage and doesn't interact with your guests. I think a wedding reception should be a party and I haven't met a bride who doesn't agree. Make sure you meet with the band leader or DJ who will actually be the one running the entertainment at your reception so you can get an idea of his or her personality.
5. The bride and groom do not make a song list. We all have songs we absolutely love. Make a list of them, short or long, to give to your band leader or DJ. It's your night and your party so you should hear all of your favorite songs and none you don't like or don't know. Imagine creating your ultimate mix tape!

As always, planning and doing your research will lead to your perfect day. Have fun!!

Will our ecomony improve?

I have been to a few wedding seminars and meetings with other wedding professionals lately and the most popular topic of conversation is the economy. It appears as though brides are pushing back wedding dates or trimming down their wedding budgets because of our current weak economy. All of the wedding photographers, planners, videographers, florists, and other vendors and reporting lower booking numbers as compared to last year. I know many businesses are offering discounts to try to stimulate business. When you are booking your vendors, don't be afraid to ask for a discount. The worst thing that could happen is a "No, I'm sorry."

To do my part, Wedding Bliss will be giving a $100 discount on any wedding coordination package when booked by the end of April. Just mention that you read it on my blog :)