Budget, Budget, Budget!!!
Ugh! The dreaded budget or as I like to call it “financial allocation”… either way it is money!
Deciding on a budget is as much of a headache for me as I’m sure it is for you! As a bride I want to indulge in all of my wedding desires but as a planner I also know the downfalls of not setting a realistic budget and sticking with it! Ken and I are also planning on purchasing a home and I am trying to avoid the pitfalls of buying a home and having a wedding to close together for fear of having to slice my wedding budget and cut back.
As of right now in our wedding planning process we are going through the “want”, “really want” and “can do without.” Our big issue right now is if we should indulge in an open bar or not. One venue we are looking at provides us the opportunity to pay upfront per head and that is it. You do not pay per drink, bartenders, etc. We would know our total amount so no surprises. Another venue we would pay per drink. The cons of the latter is we would not know the total cost until the end of the night. We are also toying with the idea of having a set amount and cut off the open bar when that amount is reached or having drink tickets/tokens and paying for a set amount of drinks. So many choices so little time!
Well, as you can see we are still trying to decide on a venue!
Where to Get Married?
So my fiancé and I have already hit a wedding planning road block! Trying to figure out where to get married is definitely more of a challenge than I had originally anticipated.
We are fortunate in North Carolina to have so many beautiful options so close but it does make it a slight issue. Ken (that’s my fiance’s name), loves the beach and I love the mountains but there are some really great places right here in the Triangle as well. We have looked at Carolina Inn (we are huge UNC fans and Grads), The Grand Marquise (it is simply gorgeous inside), The Umstead Hotel (the outdoor weddings by the lake are truly beautiful) and Prestonwood Country Club (if I am going for a royal wedding that would be the perfect place).
I am really pushing for the mountains though. I really don’t think you can beat a view of the mountains on a clear day. An outdoor wedding there would be “purrfect”! I have a preference of locations as well. Banner Elk Winery on top of the mountain is completely breath taking and I like the fact that it is located in a sleepy mountain town. With that being said I really love going to Asheville and I think we would have a better chance of getting vendors at a reasonable rate because they won’t have to travel as far and there are more venue and vendor choices as well as more activities for our guests to do. We’ll see! I have to convince him first!
Guess What? I’m Engaged!
Hello to my fellow Brides-To-Be!
First, I would like to admit that I am in new territory since I am officially not only a wedding planner but also a Bride-To-Be!
If you have seen the 2001 movie “The Wedding Planner” with Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey, you may be familiar with the line from the movie, “Those who can’t do, teach? Those who can’t wed, plan.” Well that was the way I had been viewing my life until my boyfriend (now fiancé) popped the question. So now I am officially on the other side of the “ring” (diamond of course!).
I thought this would be an interesting experience to see how my expertise as a wedding planner would shape my wedding planning experience. I am presuming that I should not come across any problems, complications, or horrendous situations since I have a good idea of what I want and I know professionally how to get it.
Well, we’ll see!
I am hoping that while I am planning my wedding I will gained a more enlightened view of the experiences my Brides-To-Be go through on a more intimate level.
I will keep you all posted of everything good, bad and glamorous. And as every wedding planner says…”Happy Planning”!
Bride’s Choice Awards 2012
Events in a Box is a member of the Triangle Bridal Association and has received the “Bride’s Choice Award” two years in a row from Wedding Wire for 2011 and 2012!
We have exceeded 7200 visitor hits to our website and the numbers keep growing so continue to grow with us!
Thank you to all of our bridal couples who had taken the time to compliment our services!
Something Different
Your wedding is your wedding and no one else! After attending some weddings or even viewing some on TV I’m sure you are aware of the basic elements that make up a wedding but you’re probably searching for ways to make your wedding as unique as yourself and husband-to-be. Looking outside the box at other cultures and traditions is a great place to start.
For example, I’m sure you’re familiar with the unity candle and/or sand ceremony. Instead of candles or sand have you considered using marbles or rose petals for a little twist on tradition? Glamour Goddess Tip: If you are intending to keep the petals than use silk petals instead of real ones.
Just one way to make your wedding your own!
Halloween Decor and Weddings!
I know you are in your elbows with wedding planning but it is always nice to take time to use some of your DIY ideas on other events. Holidays are a great for trying out DIY projects and I would like to share a great idea I came across in this past Sunday’s Parade Magazine.
It featured an article from Dina Manzo from “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” fame. She has a new show on HGTV called “Dina’s Party” and she had a fabulous idea for pumpkins so forget the carving and start the decorating!
I do not know about you but pumpkin carving is rather messy! Dina’s idea of decorating the pumpkin using glitter, spray paint and bling without carving is genius!
There are many options you can do with this. Spray paint the outside of the pumpkin with a pretty metallic silver or gold and glue on rhinestones. You can create a face or you can just create a “Glam” design. You can add feathers, sequins, glitter, or gems! Your imagine is the limit. The best thing is to get kids involved. They can use regular paint and paint faces on them.
I think this is such a great idea and I am going to try this one at home. I know my 3 year old Alyssa will love to get down and dirty with paint and glitter. I will keep you posted on how things turn out. I will post it all on my blog so make sure you check it out!
Also if you try this or any other fun decorating ideas (especially if you are having a Halloween themed wedding) share your pictures!
Blue the new Black?
Hello Everyone!
Fall wedding season is under way and I just love all of the fall themes and colors like the burnt oranges and the deep reds and yellows. Two colors that I love to pair with fall are navy blue and indigo. These blues are deep enough to add a sophesticated elegance like black but isn’t so harsh, dark and firm. It acts as a double agent by being a color tie-in/accent and a base color. It can add that little a pop of color that is appealing to the eye unlike black.
Navy and indigo are two fascinating colors to help create a slightly different look and feel and to give your wedding that special touch!
Sinecrely,
Chantel
Whatever happened to throwing rice?
The age old cliché.
When little girls would dream of their fairytale wedding, they would envision the best day of their lives surrounded by family and friends lovingly tossing rice into their blissful faces as they make their getaway.
But in this day and age of weddings no rice will be found unless it comes with the chicken dinner!
More and more brides seem to be shying away from the traditional rice throwing when they finally become that blushing bride planning her fantasy wedding. In fact I’ve seen some pretty unique replacements like rose petals being tossed or beautiful streamers in a multitude of colors being waved as the newlyweds grace down the aisle for the recessional. No more waiting for the getaway at end of the evening! And there is my favorite…sparklers! It makes for beautiful pictures for the evening weddings!
Yet, there is another alternative… no send-off at all! Some bridal couples have been opting to pull a Houdini and just sneak out the back door at the end of the night!
A lot of this has to do with brides wanting their weddings to be different their friends. Everyone is coming up with new and unique ways for their guests to shower them with love. And I love that there are so many unique crafting supplies available these days and how-to websites with step-by-step instructions that will allow you to make your wildest idea come true.
What are your thoughts and which would you prefer? To be showered by love after the vows? Or as you make your exit from the big party? Share your opinion with us on our facebook page.
Sincerely,
The Glam Squad
Wedding Theme of the Week!!
September has started and school is back in session!
We know so many Bridal Couples who met while teaching at the same school. And how romantic is it, when high school sweethearts and childhood friends finally tie the knot?! Celebrate the very start of your relationship by holding a school themed wedding!
There are so many ways to incorporate the institution of education into your big day. You can use bright red apples and mini chalk boards as place cards. Old books used in centerpieces add an old world charm to the atmosphere.
Rulers and thick rimmed glasses are perfect props for photo booth fun.
Visit our website for more images on how to pull this theme off at YOUR wedding. And while you’re there, take a look at our special weekly promos!
Mini Chalkboards for Place Cards!
Why choose “Events in a Box” for your destination wedding
Reason 1
You will have face-to-face access to your wedding planner.
We all have to admit that things do come up. It is nice to know that when they do you have full access to your planner 24/7 and can call and schedule as many meetings that are necessary to make your wedding as flawless as possible. We will also be able to attend your vendor meetings and appointments with you at your destination location as well as be able to come home and discuss the vendors with you in private before you sign on the dotted line. Getting married is not a race and we will be there with you every step of the way!
