Tracy

Your wedding day is arguably one of the happiest days that one can go through. With so many working parts, it is easy for things to get overwhelming so Devoted To Your Event is bringing you 7 tips today that you should keep in mind that will help you have a stress free wedding day!

1. First and foremost hire a wedding planner. A lot of couples think that they can do everything on their own, which is possible…however having a professional on board will make it much more easier!

2. Create a checklist. This is a simple task that you can begin creating well in advance and by the time your big day is here you will have a list that includes everything you need.

3. Keep your schedule clear. This is a biggie! On your big day you don’t want to schedule any big brunches, manis and pedis, etc. Handle all errands before hand and only stick to the necessities such as hair and makeup on your wedding day.

4. On your wedding day you need to be focused on YOU. So, instead of worrying about how your venue and reception hall will turn out, designate someone close to you to be your eyes and ears…along with the wedding planner.

5. Have along time with your spouse…DURING the reception. With all that is going on on your big day, you will probably feel like you are being pulled from left to right. However, it is crucial to take time to actually spend time with your spouse, i.e. be lovey dovey at the table, go off to another area and talk about the ceremony, share several dances together, etc!

6. Arrange for you and your spouses meal to be prepared. There is nothing worse than having a buffet area for the food and the couple not getting any. Ensure that there are special plates made first, OR saved in the back for the couple to eat once they are finished greeting everyone.

7. Our last tip is to remember what is important. On your wedding day it will be easy to get overwhelmed, stressed out, etc. but you must remember that YOU are the one who drives the mood. If you are stressed, everyone else will be too. Keep in mind that it is okay for things to go wrong, just don’t loose sight in what the purpose is…the uniting of you and your spouse on this very special day! If what you are stressing over won’t matter in 1 day, then it is not worth stressing over!

Amber Bentley
Social Media Manager/Event Assistant,
Devoted to Your Event

So, we all know that there is an endless list to work off of when planning for a wedding. When it comes wedding purchases, there are some things that you can and SHOULD splurge on, and there are other things that you should save on. There is no right or wrong decisions, however we have some great insight for you that will help you decide what is worth it!

Splurge:

1. Wedding Dress: Of course this is number one! As a bride, you need to feel AMAZING on your wedding dress so splurging a little to achieve that is perfectly acceptable.

2. Entrees and Appetizers: These two are definitely things you should splurge on! You definitely want your guests to be eating, especially if there is alcohol is involved. Take the time to plan out your menu and ensure that you have enough food for all of your guests.

3. Cake Flavor(s): There is nothing worse than a wedding cake that tastes like a cake from the grocery store. Spend the time cake tasting to ensure that you find the perfect cake and the perfect decorator to make your vision come to life!

4. Wedding/Reception Music: This can make or break your big day! It is imperative that you select the best band, DJ, songs etc. because the music dictates everyone, and I mean EVERYONE’s mood!

5. Lighting:  A chandelier can make a room go from basic to extravagant, up lighting can make a room go from classic to chic, spotlights can really center in on the dance floor and have everyone feeling important, and there are so many other types of lights that one can have. Selecting your lighting should come after you have set a theme, but this is definitely something you may want to put some extra money on.

6. Photography/videography: What is a wedding day without photos and video footage? The answer to that is a mere memory that will loose its vivid details as the years go on. Splurging on an individual or a company is wise because they will provide you with the lasting memories from this special day that will have you feeling just as magical as you felt in person whenever you watch it.

Save:

1. Veil: No need to splurge on a veil when you just did for your dress. Simplicity is key when it comes to veils, so you can stick with a classic or less embellished one and still look just as fabulous. DIY veils are popular as well.

2.  Wedding Flowers: While a hit at a wedding, your flowers do not have to be expensive at all. Look up some sites online and you will fine some awesome ways to have inexpensive flowers for the bride, bridal party, flower girl, centerpieces, and much more.

3. Cake Tiers: Now a days, the trend is to get fake cake tiers to save money. Couples will have a 5-layer cake with only the top layer being real cake! How cool is that? One can save so much money with this and simply have a sheet cake in the back for serving.

4. Wedding Invitations: The process of purchasing your invites, personalizing them and mailing out can easily add up when it comes to costs. Consider DIY invites; consider sending out an electronic version, etc. All of these are great alternatives to creating a grand elaborate wedding invite. At the end of the day, all you really want is your guests to have all of the central information needed for the big day!

5. Wedding Favors: When it comes to thanking your guests for attending your wedding, this is important yet easily taken out of hand. It is not necessary to splurge on wedding favors as these are meant to be little keepsakes of the special day.

Up for Debate:

1. Shoes: Now, this topic is up for debate because if you are a die-hard shoe lover then we definitely say that you can drop a few extra bucks on your shoes for this special day! However, if your shoes wont be showing during the night, then you may benefit from a cute cheaper pair to save you

2. Jewelry: This is a tricky one because it depends on your dress. If you are wearing a classic and simple dress, they we say yes to splurging a tad to make your look pops. However, if your dress is already very detailed and busy, then we say do not splurge on your jewelry.

3. Centerpieces: These are the focal points of your reception room so you have to put some time into the design of these! Deciding on whether you want to spend more or less money on these depends entirely on the rest of your reception décor. Some couples like to have extravagant centerpieces with simple décor and others like to have extravagant décor with more classic centerpieces.

4. The Bar: This depends completely on the couple. Some want an open bar and others opt to choose for only a select amount of wine, beer, or cocktails.

All in all, the items that you decide to splurge on should be the things that will make this big day unforgettable TO YOU. Weigh your options and be sure that it all falls within budget, and you will be just fine! Remember this is your big day so you deserve to go all out in some aspects, just keep in mind that you don’t HAVE to do so for all of it!

If you need further help finding deals on the items you want to save on, you are in the right place! Contact Devoted to Your Event today and let us take care of you. We can get you the best deals and not to mention help create some amazing DIY projects for you that will save you tons!

Source: https://www.theknot.com/content/how-to-save-and-splurge-on-the-wedding

Amber Bentley
Social Media Manager/Event Assistant,
Devoted to Your Event

Planning for your wedding involves a countless number of tasks. Often times a bride can get caught up in her to-do list and completely forget about her own personal wedding preparation. Between her hair, her body, her face, etc., there are many different guidelines created that explain how you can plan to look your best on your wedding day. Keep reading if you want to find out what the standard wedding beauty timeline is so you can add these things to your to-do lists. We hope that this post will serve as a great reference for all future brides!

  1 Year Before: This timeframe gives you enough time to develop new routines and have plenty of time to achieve any longtime goals.

• Begin any new skin care regimens that you have wanted to try; you can afford to spend a few months figuring out what works and what doesn’t.

• If you want to drop a few pounds or if you want to gain some curves, this is the time to develop and begin your workout/diet routines.

6 Months Before: Here is where you begin to look into specific things that you know you want for your wedding. Doing these things this far in advance gives you the time to experiment and if for some reason you are not happy with something that you try, you have plenty of time for it to be fixed.

• Find the perfect place/person to do your eyebrows and lashes, if you already have somewhere or someone that you trust and love then you are good to go! Determine if you want your brows waxed or threaded, and also decide if you want to try strip lashes or individual lashes.

• Give facial waxing or threading a try if you are considering having airbrushed makeup. Some brides go the extra mile to get their face, upper lip, etc. waxed so they can appear super smooth on their big day.

• Experiment with hair color or a haircut if you have wanted it. If you don’t like the color, 6 months is a good amount of time for it to be fixed, and if you cut your hair and don’t like the cut, you will also have plenty of time for it to grow out some before the wedding.

• Exercise proper caution in the sun and be sure that you apply proper sunscreen to avoid any burns/unwanted tan lines.

3 Months Before: Now, you are getting closer to your big day and it is time to get serious and prepared.

• Schedule your hair and makeup trials. Go in with photos and be very clear about what you want. And once you decide on what you want, schedule your appointment for your wedding.

• If you are into tanning then you should begin trying out airbrush and spray tanning at least 3 months before your wedding.

1 Month Before: The real countdown has begun. Time to get beautiful!

• Don’t change your skin care routine at this point, you don’t want to do anything new this close to your big day.
• Now that you have already went in for trial beauty appointments, this is the time to schedule everything else that needs to get done, like your lashes, eyebrows, tans (if needed), manicure and pedicure, etc.

Use this wedding beauty timeline as a template for your own wedding; add to it and swap things out as you please!

Source: Nancy Caroline Bridal Styling

Amber Bentley
Social Media Manager/Event Assistant,
Devoted to Your Event

Wedding décor can make or break your big day. Some brides want simple décor and others want more bold and extravagant items. It is not uncommon for brides to go a little overboard when in “wedding planning mode.” Budgets may increase, guest counts may go up, new desserts or cake ideas may arise, etc., however the ONE thing you don’t want to get out of hand is your wedding décor. There is a thin line between what is cute and what is tacky.

First thing you have to know when shopping for your décor is that just because many things are cute, that does not mean that they will all look great together! For instance, if your favorite colors are red, blue, and pink, all of which are bold colors, it may not be the best idea to go and grab everything in those colors just to have to “find” a place for it in your wedding/reception hall. Plan out the color theme, consider dark and light variations of colors to have the best mix, etc.

Consult with a professional or trusted individual. It is perfectly fine to be the creative bride who does not want a wedding planner, but along this long journey it is very important that you have a support system that you can bounce ideas off of. It will be great to get their opinions on different aspects of the wedding décor to ensure that it all flows well.

Along with talking to someone, do some research on your own, there are tons of wedding sites, magazines and events that you can attend that are meant to help you during this process, and more specifically this can help you see what looks good together and what may not.

The last and most important thing is to do a mock set up to see if the vision you have in your head can be executed properly and actually looks good. For example, the last thing you want to do is to order all of these wonderful items for your wedding centerpieces and then the day before the wedding you see everything assembled together and you hate it!

Less is always more when it comes to decorations! Don’t feel like you need a lot for a stunning wedding/reception because that could be the farthest from the truth! Devoted to Your Event is the perfect company to begin your wedding décor search with, we can help bring your vision to life in the most classy way possible!

Amber Bentley
Social Media Manager/Event Assistant,
Devoted to Your Event

When in a relationship there is one word that always comes up, and that word is

“compromise.” There are going to be many situations and topics that couples will

have to come to an agreement on, but at the very same time there are some things

that each individual believes in, stands on, wants and don’t want that are “non-

negotiable.” This month’s blog post is all about those topics that you need to wrap

your head around before getting into a relationship, or before saying “I do.”

1. Political Views

Whether you are seriously into politics or not, it is important to understand where

you stand and where your partner stands. Would you be okay if he or she did not

share the same political views as you? Along with the party sides, other things that

fall under this category are same-sex marriage, abortion, the justice system, etc. It

would be ideal if you and your spouse agreed on all of this.

2. Religious Beliefs

Finding out what one’s religion is, is something that is vital prior to getting seriously

involved with someone. If you are religious, do you need your partner to have the

same beliefs as you? Is there room for differences in belief? Religion is something

that can guide one’s life, be sure this is an early topic of discussion.

3. Marriage

What is the ideal age that you want to get married? Are you the type who even

wants to get married or do you prefer to keep it title free? Marriage is a big step in

one’s life; you should never have to compromise on this topic, so find someone who

agrees with your views as well.

4. Sex

This topic is one that you should have ironed out in your mind before dating and

getting into a relationship. You do not want someone making this decision for you.

Decide what you are and are not willing to do, if anything at all, and make sure that

your partner is okay with that and respects it. Along with sex, you should discuss

sexual history, boundaries, and much more.

5. Children

Most people do not have this conversation until they are sure that their

relationships could be headed somewhere, however early on there is no harm in

getting an idea of how many kids if any that your partner might want. Decisions like

these along with the ideal age to start a family could often change in one’s mind but

having that basic conversation can cause no harm.

6. R-E- S-P- E-C- T

A relationship cannot progress if there isn’t respect. Be conscious of ones words,

actions and behaviors early on because that will give you insight into how they will

treat you in the long run and how they will handle situations.

7. Gender Roles

Being seen as equal in a relationship is a must. Once that is established you have to

discuss where you and your partner stand on roles such as household tasks. Some

people feel strongly about not doing certain things, or what their expectations are

Amber Bentley
Social Media Manager/Event Assistant
Devoted to Your Event

Are your wedding expenses adding up and causing you to stress out over your rising reception cost? Don’t worry; Devoted to Your Event has the solution for you! We are bringing you a list of great tips to decorate your reception for a low cost.

 

 

1. Choose a location that has a lavish look on its own. This will eliminate you from having to purchase a lot of décor, thus save you money in the end.

2. Create your own table runners. If you or someone you know is a crafty individual, go to your local fabric store and buy the fabric of your choice for your tables.

3. Go for chic and simple centerpieces. Instead of purchasing expensive flowers or grand table toppers, consider purchasing tall clear cylinders from your dollar store and put artificial flowers inside.

4. Light up the room. Use candles, dramatic lights, and inexpensive chandeliers to create the illusion of an upscale venue.

5. Bling it out. Jewels and little crystals can always take your décor to a new level, and the great thing is that these eye-catching items are very inexpensive.

6. Hire a musical group that has both a DJ and instrumentalists. This will lower your cost for entertainment and provide you with both a band and the top radio hits!

7. Desserts are pricey. If you want a large wedding cake and don’t have the money for it, use artificial layers to give you the illusion. No need for all of the layers to be edible! Cupcakes are another awesome alternative.

8. While we are on the topic of food, hire a friend or family member to do the catering. Everyone has that one person they know who is an awesome cook, and their prices will be way less than a caterer you don’t know.

9. Go on a shopping spree at the local craft stores and see what you find! There are some gorgeous items in these stores, some even greater DIY items, and all for fantastic prices.

10. Ask your newlywed friends if you can borrow some of their old wedding décor. Most couples don’t want to throw everything away right away, but they also don’t want to hold on to everything for too long.

These were just a few tips for you to take a small budget and turn it into a reception that looks very expensive. Contact us for more ways to be luxurious on a budget!

Amber Bentley
Social Media Manager/Event Assistant
Devoted to Your Event

Resources:

Finello, K. (2015, August 19). 75 Ways to Throw a Luxury Wedding on a Budget.

Retrieved February 19, 2017, from http://bridalguide.com/planning/wedding-budget/75-ways-to-build-a-luxury-wedding-on-a-budget?page=4

DTYE has seen several engagements happen already in the year 2017, and this is a great sign for how the year is going to go! This month we are going to focus on special ways to announce your engagement to the world. There are so many different ways to do this so keep reading for more!

1. Face to Face: If you don’t get proposed to with all of your family and friends around then you definitely need to make it a point to get everyone together to announce the big news! Dinner or family outings are great options. If getting everyone together is not doable then pay visits to a few people.

2. Phone Calls: Some family members may be located out of state and you don’t want to keep the news from them too long, so picking up the phone is an option you can use as well.

3. Social Media: Most engaged couples cannot wait to share their news on social media. You will see the classic ring post, the post of the guy on one knee in the middle of proposing, or a post of the couple with the fiancé showing off her ring. This is a great way to share with all of your extended friends and family.

4. Engagement Party: Some couples like to keep the reason for the party secret and others are open with sharing the news prior to the party. If you are keeping this a secret then you have to think of a good cover up reason to host a party! A few good examples you can use as disguise are birthday parties, holiday parties, super bowl parties, etc! Then, once everyone arrives you can share the big news.

 

5. Engagement Photos: If you are the kind of couple that can keep a secret then setting up engagement photos to use for your big announcement is a great idea! Gentlemen, if you and your fiancé are into spontaneous events, then consider taking it a step further by proposing one day and then arranging for a glammed up photo shoot the day after! This way you will have beautiful photos to use and share right away.

Of course there are many other great ways that you and your fiancé can share this big news with others, but be sure that that is not the main thing you are focusing on. After getting proposed to, you and your fiancé deserve a little time bask in the newfound happiness! Announce this news when you want it and how you want it. And by the way…congrats in advance to all of our budding romances this year!!!

Amber Bentley
Social Media Manager/Event Assistant
Devoted to Your Event

Source:

Ingalls, A. (n.d.). 7 Ways to Announce Your Engagement. Retrieved January 27, 2017, from

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/230657/announcing-your-engagement

A bride-to-be has some big responsibilities to take on once she says “I Do,” but where does she begin? Well…we have the answer for you! We know a place where a bride can go to get a plethora of information, bridal shows! Making the decision to attend a bridal show is something that is very beneficial for a bride and here are five reasons why!

1. This is where you will gather the most information at once:

You can learn information on planning your wedding, the components you will need, talk with professionals about wedding advice and more.

2. You can compare prices and services:

At these bridal shows there are tons of vendors present from décor, catering, floral companies and more. You can visit all the ones you are interested in and decide on the one that best fits your budget. Checking out all of the vendors before hand is a great way to prep for the event.

 

 

3. You can register and sign up to win prizes:

Many of the vendors offer giveaways to potential couples who visit their booths like photography sessions, desserts, wedding dresses and more.

4. You can find out what is trending now:

Much like the world of fashion, the wedding trends are constantly shifting. Vendors are known to showcase the newest trends at these wedding shows to attract the modern couples. Bridal shows sometimes even have a fashion show to showcase these amazing trends!

5. You can possibly score some deals:

The competition is tough at these shows between the vendors; everyone wants to secure new clients. In order to do that, vendors are known to promote some deals if you book them during the event! Bring your wallet because you may come up on a great opportunity!

There is a lot to cover at a wedding show so it is definitely great if you come with a friend, or even better, another bride-to-be. Most shows cost to enter but their prices are very low. Trust us, this is definitely something that a bride to be should attend. You will leave with many business cards, new insights, free samples, and great new connections on top of having an awesome time!

Amber Bentley
Social Media Manager/Event Assistant
Devoted to Your Event

 

Bishop, J. (2016, January 14). 5 Reasons Why You Should Attend a Bridal Show.
Retrieved December 30, 2016, from http://thebudgetsavvybride.com/5-reasons-attend-bridal-show/
Bridal Show Benefits | Bridal Show Producers International | Wedding Planning Shows (n.d.). Retrieved December 30, 2016, from
http://www.bspibridalshows.com/Bride-Bridal-Show-Benefits.aspx