As a wedding planner, I feel like I have a lot of options to watch other's weddings this year. Particularly two of my absolute best friend's weddings that are taking place one weekend apart in October! I unfortunately didn't get to attend my college roommate's wedding this past Friday, and I so wish I could have been there! It was devine looking in the photos I've seen so far. I can only imagine what it looked like in real life! Congratulations Court and Todd! You're a beautiful couple and your invitations are in my portfolio of invitations to show off!
I just walked to the mailbox and checked what came today. Much to my surprise, two wedding related pieces of mail were the only things in the box besides some coupons! I have just received a save the date reminder from my best friend, Danny, back in Michigan and his absolutely gorgeous fiance, Kat. Their engagement photo session was absolutely breathtaking and their photographer did an absolutely amazing job capturing their undying, unbelievable amount of love and care for each other! So...what better way to showcase their beautiful photos than on their save the date reminder?! It was so simple but so them! They glued a transparent piece of paper over a photograph with their message on it. When I opened it, it brought tears to my eyes...in fact, I'm still a bit teary eyed. To know my best friend, well one of my best guy friends, there is a group of them back home and they know who they are, has found the love of his life makes me so happy and to be able to witness their exchange of vows October 1, has me absolutely tongue tied!
The other piece of mail I received is for Kyle's co-worker's pre- Georgia wedding party. This is another wedding I unfortunately won't be attending...I don't have a lot of money right now, or I would so be flying to Georgia to see them get hitched! BUT, I'm really excited to be able to show them my happiness for them on March 30th at a local venue. This party will be yet another event that I can observe and take notes on. I love it! The more parties I can attend, the more knowledge I'll soak in for my business.
I can't blog about just these weddings, when my best friend of 18 years is getting married October 8th this year! I'm in this one! I cannot wait! I love being in weddings as much as I love planning them! Candice and Will live in Aspen but we are all from Michigan originally. So! The wedding is going to be in Michigan! They came up with an awesome save the date reminder as well and I adore it! It'd be in my portfolio if it wasn't on my roommate Laura's fridge! It's a magnet! They also sent a paper one too, but the magnet was so savvy! Go Candy and Will! We are in the midst of picking out bridesmaid gowns and figuring out a way to get Candy's wedding dress altered when it's up here in Denver and she's in Aspen. I'm so extremely excited that Candy has found her man and I'm glad we all approve of him, just kidding Will, I had to say something snarky, or it wouldn't be me! I am so blessed to have these two in my life and I can't wait to be there on the day they become man and wife so all the girl's who cried at Elyse's wedding (One of my 3 best girlfriends from elementary, who got married to the man of her dreams last year) can cry at Candice and Will's wedding! There are four of us that have been together since we were in 2nd grade. And besides being in different states, we are inseperable!
All in all, all of the weddings I'll be a guest at rather than a coordinator at this year, makes me extremely giddy thinking about them! I'll be running a wedding April 29th for two very close friends of mine from Grand Junction! I cannot wait to see the finished product, seeing as how Lucy has been the most organized bride I have ever seen in my life! She had binders for everything and excel spread sheets. I learned a lot from her and she has been an absolute dream to work with and just go out and chit chat with about her upcoming wedding! They have been together 9 years and they are finally getting married. I love them as a couple just as much as I love them as individuals and their wedding is going to be just as fun as they are in life and love. Congratulations Lucy and Alex and thank you for letting me share in this amazingly special day! You're an absolute special couple and it's an honor to be running your big day! Cheers everyone!
This is a rather long blog, but did you really think a blog titled "My Best Friends' Weddings" would be short?
In a few months I'll be blogging about the last one of the elementary pack to get married, (Besides me) wedding. Kayti has agreed to marry her long time boyfriend, Anthony. Watching this wedding in the beginning stages will be a blast as well! Everyone around me is either getting engaged, married or pregnant. I'm loving every moment of it! Congrats to all of my friends who are reaching these milestones in their lives! Just remember I'm here to plan your events!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Cupcakes and Venues
Today was a wedding planner's dream come true.
My client urged me to call the Arapahoe County Fairground again to talk to them. I told him it was booked. The lady I talked to about 2 weeks ago told me they were booked in Sept of next year for a cross country national championship. They had already taken up the whole weekend. I trudged on...called a lot of venues, got a lot of prices, got a lot of ideas, but was getting no where. After he emailed me today, I called them again to double check that I had received wrong information. It turns out I did!!!
Just for everyone's reference, Arapahoe County Fairgrounds is revamping their contracts, prices and some other details. They AREN'T booking until next month and they are in fact, NOT BOOKED NEXT SEPTEMEBER. They are booked THIS SEPTEMBER for Labor Day weekend. This means, the venue my clients have been pulling for since I met them, may be a reality! I am taking them out to see Chatfield Botanic Gardens just so they can broaden their search since we can't book Arapahoe County Fairgrounds until next month.
You're all probably wondering what the cupcakes part of the title is all about. My friend is wanting to open a cupcakery! I am so excited! I'm helping her market it and tell her what I have done to market my company. I just designed a website and I'm going to show it to her tomorrow. I'm so excited to see her face when she sees it.
It was a fun day watching all of this unfold. Marketing, adverstising, venues becoming available and just the bright sunny day was enough to make me smile. I'll keep you updated on my friend's cupcakery business. It'll be exciting to watch it grow and become a roaring business.
My client urged me to call the Arapahoe County Fairground again to talk to them. I told him it was booked. The lady I talked to about 2 weeks ago told me they were booked in Sept of next year for a cross country national championship. They had already taken up the whole weekend. I trudged on...called a lot of venues, got a lot of prices, got a lot of ideas, but was getting no where. After he emailed me today, I called them again to double check that I had received wrong information. It turns out I did!!!
Just for everyone's reference, Arapahoe County Fairgrounds is revamping their contracts, prices and some other details. They AREN'T booking until next month and they are in fact, NOT BOOKED NEXT SEPTEMEBER. They are booked THIS SEPTEMBER for Labor Day weekend. This means, the venue my clients have been pulling for since I met them, may be a reality! I am taking them out to see Chatfield Botanic Gardens just so they can broaden their search since we can't book Arapahoe County Fairgrounds until next month.
You're all probably wondering what the cupcakes part of the title is all about. My friend is wanting to open a cupcakery! I am so excited! I'm helping her market it and tell her what I have done to market my company. I just designed a website and I'm going to show it to her tomorrow. I'm so excited to see her face when she sees it.
It was a fun day watching all of this unfold. Marketing, adverstising, venues becoming available and just the bright sunny day was enough to make me smile. I'll keep you updated on my friend's cupcakery business. It'll be exciting to watch it grow and become a roaring business.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Weddeos-A New Concept!
I received an email today from a company called Weddeos. They claimed I'd be a great network to make because of the nature of business I do. I was interested so I read on. Come to find out, the concept they have created is awesomely exciting!
The story behind the company and concept is all based on a niche Danny Prussman, the founder of Weddeos, stumbled upon. He is a professional filmmaker and founded a vfx and editorial company, a motion graphics company and is also an award winning director. Danny had a number of friends asking him to compile footage from their phones and cameras instead of hiring some pricey viedoegrapher. Danny started suggesting having people at the wedding that were close to either the bride or groom, have a video camera and seeing what they capture. He would then compile the footage and make a video from the footage gathered at the event.
Danny is now sending 3-5 cameras to the event and having family members shoot the videos and obtain lots of different extremes when it comes to the footage they gather. Family members tend to have a bit more access than the average videographer, so the footage can be a lot more in depth and intimate if you will. He will even let you take a camera on your honeymoon, which a lot of people don't get to see other than the bride and groom.
It takes about 1 to 3 weeks to have the weddeo completed and they can include photos as well.
I heard this and I loved it! Their prices aren't bad at all and your family will help get footage to be remembered forever! I usually try to sway people away from hiring their family members to work at their wedding or event, but in this case, I think it's a unique idea.
Check them out at http://weddeos.com/ and take a look at their pricing. You won't be disappointed!
The story behind the company and concept is all based on a niche Danny Prussman, the founder of Weddeos, stumbled upon. He is a professional filmmaker and founded a vfx and editorial company, a motion graphics company and is also an award winning director. Danny had a number of friends asking him to compile footage from their phones and cameras instead of hiring some pricey viedoegrapher. Danny started suggesting having people at the wedding that were close to either the bride or groom, have a video camera and seeing what they capture. He would then compile the footage and make a video from the footage gathered at the event.
Danny is now sending 3-5 cameras to the event and having family members shoot the videos and obtain lots of different extremes when it comes to the footage they gather. Family members tend to have a bit more access than the average videographer, so the footage can be a lot more in depth and intimate if you will. He will even let you take a camera on your honeymoon, which a lot of people don't get to see other than the bride and groom.
It takes about 1 to 3 weeks to have the weddeo completed and they can include photos as well.
I heard this and I loved it! Their prices aren't bad at all and your family will help get footage to be remembered forever! I usually try to sway people away from hiring their family members to work at their wedding or event, but in this case, I think it's a unique idea.
Check them out at http://weddeos.com/ and take a look at their pricing. You won't be disappointed!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Venues Are Creatively Expensive!
Venues I knew had you right where they wanted you, but the ones around here have some funny stipulations.
I ran into a venue that has a $250 opting out of catering fee. If I want to bring in my own caterer, we have to pa $250. I have also ran into a cop fee. Not only were two of their employed supervisors required to be at the site for $25/hour and 2 were required, but I need 3 off duty cops at $35/hour each.
I am hoping to purchase some linens from a fried/co-worker to cut back on the future cost of venues charging for their linen and I'm purchasing some bud vases from wedding bee to help reduce the price of cetnterpieces. Anything I can do to help cut my bride and groom's cost is going to help my budgeting abilities. If anyone knows anyone that has colored linen they purchased for their event that they don't want anymore, please give them my information.
Napkins are a bugger too. It's pretty standard for each napkin to be rented out for .50 a piece. I would love to get napkins to have on hand as well.
All in all, each venue has a way to get a little bit more money for something to customize it to make it feel like your own customized venue. I applaud them for it but at the same time, cringe when I hear each venues way to get a bit more money for something I'm NOT using or am planning on customizing to make my clients happy.
I am making a binder for each one I call so I know what venue offers what and charges for not using. I think that'll make my next event that I plan a lot easier.
I ran into a venue that has a $250 opting out of catering fee. If I want to bring in my own caterer, we have to pa $250. I have also ran into a cop fee. Not only were two of their employed supervisors required to be at the site for $25/hour and 2 were required, but I need 3 off duty cops at $35/hour each.
I am hoping to purchase some linens from a fried/co-worker to cut back on the future cost of venues charging for their linen and I'm purchasing some bud vases from wedding bee to help reduce the price of cetnterpieces. Anything I can do to help cut my bride and groom's cost is going to help my budgeting abilities. If anyone knows anyone that has colored linen they purchased for their event that they don't want anymore, please give them my information.
Napkins are a bugger too. It's pretty standard for each napkin to be rented out for .50 a piece. I would love to get napkins to have on hand as well.
All in all, each venue has a way to get a little bit more money for something to customize it to make it feel like your own customized venue. I applaud them for it but at the same time, cringe when I hear each venues way to get a bit more money for something I'm NOT using or am planning on customizing to make my clients happy.
I am making a binder for each one I call so I know what venue offers what and charges for not using. I think that'll make my next event that I plan a lot easier.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Wedding Planner Planning a Quinceanera!
I can't believe how awesome this quinceanera is turning out so far! I made huge headway today in an hour. Imagine how much more will happen between now and Sept 2012!
We are looking at Chatfield Botanic Gardens. The lady I talked to today, Chris, was so sweet! We are going out to see it hopefully two weeks from now. Once we land the venue, the rest will follow. I love seeing the venue so I can lock in a vision. The amount of details that can unfold for me once I see the venue are endless! I have this ability to look at an empty room and envision the event and the set up of it in a heartbeat. I can draw a layout as fast as Jimmy John's can deliver subs!
As for what comes with the venue, I am pretty stoked. We can bring in our own liquor, I just need to have a licensed bartender or two to serve. Monnie said she has people that she can recruit. The caterer doesn't need to have a license. We just have to pay $250 to opt out of using their preferred caterer. Not too bad considering the amount of money they are saving having Monnie do the catering. She doesn't have a bunch of employers to pay.
There is a $50 disposal fee if we don't want to take the garbage with us. They will give us 150 chairs and the rest can be rented at a dollar a piece. They will include 20 round tables and 5 8 foot tables. Any additional tables can be rented for $5. It will seat 120 people in the bar and Chris said they have had 450 people outside in the patio area. Lights are on the patio and I love the idea of inside/outside versatility. Some people can choose to be outside and if they get cold, they can go inside. We don't have to worry about noise because the venue is rented to only us!
As for the videography and photography...I scored! If I didn't please tell me...I think I scored. I spoke with Alise at All Digital Photography and she said we can have up to 7 hours of videography with two cameras/two videographers for $1995. She had a 4 hour package with just videography for 4 hours for $995. Each videography package comes with a dvd that has edited video (up to 3 hours) and they use wireless mics while filming. She also has a package for 8 hours with two photographers and 2 videographers for $2995. She is bi-lingual and of the Latina descent as well. She knows her stuff when it comes to these parties. I love it!
I have a photographer, Brian Kraft who wants to work with me too. I met with him earlier last year and his work is phenomenal. If there is a way to work both of these companies together it'd be fantastic! I have to see how much my clients have decided to spend on photography and videography now and we'll go from there. But so far, in a days work, I feel I've gotten somewhere for this quinceanera. Yay!
We are looking at Chatfield Botanic Gardens. The lady I talked to today, Chris, was so sweet! We are going out to see it hopefully two weeks from now. Once we land the venue, the rest will follow. I love seeing the venue so I can lock in a vision. The amount of details that can unfold for me once I see the venue are endless! I have this ability to look at an empty room and envision the event and the set up of it in a heartbeat. I can draw a layout as fast as Jimmy John's can deliver subs!
As for what comes with the venue, I am pretty stoked. We can bring in our own liquor, I just need to have a licensed bartender or two to serve. Monnie said she has people that she can recruit. The caterer doesn't need to have a license. We just have to pay $250 to opt out of using their preferred caterer. Not too bad considering the amount of money they are saving having Monnie do the catering. She doesn't have a bunch of employers to pay.
There is a $50 disposal fee if we don't want to take the garbage with us. They will give us 150 chairs and the rest can be rented at a dollar a piece. They will include 20 round tables and 5 8 foot tables. Any additional tables can be rented for $5. It will seat 120 people in the bar and Chris said they have had 450 people outside in the patio area. Lights are on the patio and I love the idea of inside/outside versatility. Some people can choose to be outside and if they get cold, they can go inside. We don't have to worry about noise because the venue is rented to only us!
As for the videography and photography...I scored! If I didn't please tell me...I think I scored. I spoke with Alise at All Digital Photography and she said we can have up to 7 hours of videography with two cameras/two videographers for $1995. She had a 4 hour package with just videography for 4 hours for $995. Each videography package comes with a dvd that has edited video (up to 3 hours) and they use wireless mics while filming. She also has a package for 8 hours with two photographers and 2 videographers for $2995. She is bi-lingual and of the Latina descent as well. She knows her stuff when it comes to these parties. I love it!
I have a photographer, Brian Kraft who wants to work with me too. I met with him earlier last year and his work is phenomenal. If there is a way to work both of these companies together it'd be fantastic! I have to see how much my clients have decided to spend on photography and videography now and we'll go from there. But so far, in a days work, I feel I've gotten somewhere for this quinceanera. Yay!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Dress For Sale!
Hey everyone! Just so you know I still have the dress I previously mentioned for sale. It's a size 6 and has never been worn!
Please let me know if you have anyone that is interested or give them my contact info. It's a David's Bridal gown and in beautiful condition! It's for sale for $250-that's a steal!
Here is the link to the gown http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Taffeta-Pick-up-with-Beaded-Metallic-Lace-Bodice-T9325.
Please let me know if you have anyone that is interested or give them my contact info. It's a David's Bridal gown and in beautiful condition! It's for sale for $250-that's a steal!
Here is the link to the gown http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Taffeta-Pick-up-with-Beaded-Metallic-Lace-Bodice-T9325.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Making Headway on the Quinceanera
So I think I found a venue that will work for us! Actually, I need to thank my lovely co-worker, Nadine, who got married at this venue. She was talking about it and I realized that she mentioned she did her own catering and had to run and get more alcohol for her wedding (which meant they could bring their own alcohol)!!! BINGO!
So I jumped on the website and researched it and sure enough, it's a gorgeous location! It's called the Chatfield Botanic Gardens! You can rent the whole park and have a party of up to 1000 people. Plenty of room for my client's Quinceanera!
Now if only I could find a photographer that would be affordable...I'm working on that and have requested quotes from a few.
As for linen, I found WeddingBee. That was a great start. My client actually forwarded me the link to tableclothlinens.com. What an awesome site! I told her to jump on the deals she found. We decided it was going to be a celadon green and lavendar purple theme. We are doing rock candy for centerpieces with purple gerber daisies that have a green center. It's going to be amazingly beautiful!
Monnie is rocking it on the food and she had some connections for mariachis! I'm stoked to hear what she thought of the tapes she got this weekend to listen to. The next meeting we will be tasting the scrumptious stuff she came up with and seeing if it's as amazing as it sounds. (It will be without a doubt-her food is divine)!
So it's now March 2, 2010 and we are this far. We have until Sept. 2012 to make this the most amazing Quinceanera Monnie and I have ever put our names on!!!
So I jumped on the website and researched it and sure enough, it's a gorgeous location! It's called the Chatfield Botanic Gardens! You can rent the whole park and have a party of up to 1000 people. Plenty of room for my client's Quinceanera!
Now if only I could find a photographer that would be affordable...I'm working on that and have requested quotes from a few.
As for linen, I found WeddingBee. That was a great start. My client actually forwarded me the link to tableclothlinens.com. What an awesome site! I told her to jump on the deals she found. We decided it was going to be a celadon green and lavendar purple theme. We are doing rock candy for centerpieces with purple gerber daisies that have a green center. It's going to be amazingly beautiful!
Monnie is rocking it on the food and she had some connections for mariachis! I'm stoked to hear what she thought of the tapes she got this weekend to listen to. The next meeting we will be tasting the scrumptious stuff she came up with and seeing if it's as amazing as it sounds. (It will be without a doubt-her food is divine)!
So it's now March 2, 2010 and we are this far. We have until Sept. 2012 to make this the most amazing Quinceanera Monnie and I have ever put our names on!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)