Uncategorized

This week we will explore the last set of top 10 initial decisions a couple should consider once they start the planning process for their wedding. In the last blog I covered the first set of important decisions. As a recap those questions are:

1. When and what time of day?
2. What is our budget?
3. Where are we going to marry?
4. Who are we inviting? and
5. Who’s going to marry us?

Okay, so for now, hopefully, you and your fiancé have discussed the first five important decisions which don’t necessarily have to be answered in one day or discussion, but eventually will need to have an answer before you can move on to make other plans for your wedding. A great next topic of discussion would be:

6. What style and formality do we want? – When discussing the style for your wedding, be sure to cover how formal or informal you want your wedding to be. Deciding on the level of formality will go hand in hand with the location and time of day of the wedding. The ultimate decision is really what you want and desire your day to be like, but be careful not to take on someone else’s dream. If you want to wed in a cathedral chapel, it would be more fitting to do a formal event verses let’s say, having an event in the backyard of aunt Beverly’s house or at the local fire station house. The style and formality also must go hand in hand with your budget. You can still have a glamorous wedding on a budget but it may call for a lot of DIY projects, borrowing unique items from friends and family or purchasing things from lower-end stores like the Dollar Tree or 5 below. Whatever style you and fiancé select, you can always add your own small touches to personalize it to reflect the theme that you all want.

7. Who’s going to be in the wedding party? – Deciding who is going to be selected to play a role in one of the most important days of your life can be a difficult decision. You may want to include all your friends however, your budget may not support that. You may want to include your fiancé’s sister(s), your cousin(s), your BFF since grade school or your college sorority line-sisters. It is typically an honor to be asked to serve in a position of the wedding party. It can be viewed as a sign that you mean a great deal to the couple. It can also be an opportunity to blend the two families together by being a part of the couple’s union in a happy harmonious way. This decision should be well thought out and in advance so participants can help in making decisions and planning the many parties of the upcoming months. Be sure to select people you love, trust and those you spend a lot of time with because these are the people you’ll particularly want to party with you.

8. What kind of rings do we want? Deciding on what rings to purchase can affect the budget of the couple. Your rings can be selected at the time of engagement or throughout the engagement period. This task should be done by both parties as you want to be sure you are selecting a set of rings that is affordable, reflective of your union that has meaning to the both of you, and the style that will compliment both tastes. It doesn’t necessarily mean you must buy a super-sized diamond but you will want to have a solid representation of your commitment to each other. If your budget cannot afford those gleaming diamonds and you just can’t imagine not getting married without them, you can choose to select a more affordable stone such as cubic zirconium which are man-made stones that resemble natural diamonds. If diamonds aren’t your thing, you can opt for another stone like a ruby, an opal, a sapphire or no stone at all. Some couples choose to have a standard, gold, platinum, titanium or sliver band for their wedding rings.

9. Do we want to go on a honeymoon and when do we want to do it? Many couples choose to vacation after a long season of planning and getting married. It is a great way to kick off your new life. In many cases, if the desire to go off to another country is in the plans, much research and preparation has to be made of location, requirements, cost and amenities. If it is a costly trip you can find creative ways to finance your honeymoon by opening a honeymoon fund from websites like www.honeyfund.com and ask your family and friends to help raise money to support your honeymoon as their way of providing a gift. Sometimes if you are a busy couple, going on a honeymoon right after the wedding may not be an option or maybe cost is a factor. Be sure that if your plans is to honeymoon right away, add the cost into your wedding budget.

10. Do we need to hire a Wedding Planner/Coordinator/Consultant? – For the busy couple short on personal time needed to devote to the details of planning and executing a wedding and have disposable income, hiring a wedding coordinator can be one of the smartest decisions to make. A wedding professional will help you realize your dream wedding while you sit back, relax and enjoy being in the spotlight. Your professional can provide a number of services that will ease your worries by utilizing their network of vendors or new ones to provide the services you want, oversee the budget to keep you on track, seek out venues, serve as project manager, and do it in a professional manner.

No need to ask your sister, best friend or aunt Lucy to stress over trying to avoid you turning into Bridezilla, you want them to also enjoy you and your future spouse on your special day. A full service planner can do almost anything and everything you need within your budget. A professional planner typically has a team that is working with him/her to handle all the logistics and they do it with a smile because that’s what they love to do. Hiring a professional is also something all brides can obtain as today’s professional have multiple payment plans so you don’t have to stress about not having enough money for their expert services. Think about your needs and your availability of time before making a decision. Referrals will help in this process as well.

Now that you and your sweetie are aware of what you need to focus on for the next few months, make the best of it, take your time and enjoy this period before you join lives together. If you are still unsure or really want to savor this time, be sure to highly consider #10 where you decide whether to hire a professional. A professional can lift the heavy burden off of your shoulders with the wedding planning. Of course, hiring a wedding planner doesn’t mean you have no say so in what you are about to embark on, this is not the wedding of your planner/consultant, except it is yours.

Your hired professional will not make a move towards the planning of your event without your highly involved input. It’s your day, have it your way! The professionals at Devoted to Your Event will do just that to make your ideas come to fruition so you can create memories to cherish for a lifetime. Host without the Hassle!

 

Tracy A. Pope
Owner/Lead Planner

Photo credit: https://www.vecteezy.com/free-photos/couple”>Couple Stock photos by Vecteezy</a>

Choosing your wedding party is an all important decision for couples as you embark on planning for your big day. Your selection of who and how large or small of a party to have can be challenging to navigate the potential sensitivities and emotions involved. Here are some considerations and strategies to help you choose your wedding party while minimizing hurt feelings and staying within your budget:

NOTE: The key word here is BUDGET, this must be decided right after you set a date and before you start shopping for a venue and anything else. Keep in mind that everything a couple does from this point on need to keep the budget as the most important part of this process in order to maintain your sanity and relationship. Trust me, I have  done far too many weddings and other no-wedding events to know that this is the most important aspect of your event outside of your desire to share your love with family and friends. It is very easy for Brides to turn into bridezillas, grooms to turn into groomzillas, and parents if involved, turn into mom and dadzillas because of the budget. You will want to maintain your happiness throughout this process as it should be filled with joy and excitement!

First things first:

1. **Set Clear Criteria**: Begin by defining what roles you need in your wedding party (e.g., maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen). Decide how many people you want, keeping in mind your budget and how each person will contribute to your day. If you have a large budget, you may want to cover this cost for your attendants or ask them to contribute some. Some couples ask their attendants to pay for the selected garments they will wear for the wedding.

2. **Discuss with Your Partner**: Make sure you and your partner both have an equal say in who gets chosen for the wedding party. This ensures both sides of the family and mutual friends are considered, preventing any bias.

3.**Consider Your Relationships**: Choose people who you trust and who have supported you both as a couple. Often these are long-time friends or close family members. Consider how well they get along with others in the party as well. Although this maybe a difficult task, it doesn’t have to be. If your budget is on the smaller side, you may only want to have a small wedding party and select a small number such as three and three (bridesmaids and groomsmen) that number may include the maid of honor (MOH) and best man (BM) leaving you with two and two plus the MOH & BM.

4. **Be Honest and Transparent**: Select those individuals who mean the most and communicate openly with those you didn’t select for the wedding party about your decision. Explain to them that although you love them, your budget or whatever the reason, cannot accommodate including them in the wedding party. Some family and friends may have an expectation or your line sisters from your sorority. Being honest will earn their respect and understanding.

5. **Set Expectations**: Clarify in advance what being part of your wedding party entails, so they know about any costs, time commitments, and responsibilities they are taking on. Some attendants may volunteer to finance certain aspects like the shower, the bachelor and bachelorette parties, the rehearsal dinner etc… As a minimum, they should know that they will be required to be available for important gatherings, meetings, parties as well as the wedding rehearsal. Some couples go as far as taking dance lessons to perform a “bride and bridesmaid” dance routine or a “groom ad groomsmen” dance routine at the reception which will require practice time.

6. **Involve Others in Different Roles**: If you want to include more people, consider non-traditional roles or honorary titles. Ask them to do a reading, be ushers, or take part in other important aspects of the ceremony. It is smart to ask family and friends to support in other areas so they are not feeling left out, especially if they have a skill you need for the wedding. You may even save money doing this as they will be happy to play a role in most cases and won’t require payment.

7. **Don’t Feel Pressured by Traditions**: It’s your day, and you should feel free to break from traditional constraints. If it makes more sense to you, there is no rule against having mixed-gender parties, having a smaller or larger party, or even not having each partner’s party match in number. I’ve seem weddings with 17 bridesmaids, 17 groomsmen, 17 Junior bridesmaids, 17 junior groomsmen, a maid of honor, best man, four flower girls and two ring barriers. I’ve also seen a wedding with only a flower girl as the party outside of the bride and groom and I’ve hosted a wedding where there were men as bridesmaids and women as groomsmen, but then this was an LGBTQ+ wedding, its not the only reason but it is possible to do what it is you want to do. It’s all up to you as a couple and your budget.

8. **Budgeting**: Remember, I can’t stress this enough that the size of your wedding party impacts your budget, as you often need to consider extra attire, gifts, or event invitations. Make sure you can comfortably afford the costs without cutting corners on essential aspects of the wedding.

9. **Value the Relationships Over Obligations**: Sometimes we feel obligated to include someone because of family pressures or expectations. While navigating these dynamics can be tricky, prioritize relationships that truly matter to you and your fiance.

10. **Consider Upcoming Life Changes**: People who are likely to remain active and supportive in your life moving forward could be better choices, ensuring they continue to have a special place in your journey as a couple.

By maintaining open communication, being considerate in your selection, and thinking creatively, you can choose a wedding party that respects your relationships and your practical needs, resulting in a more joyous and harmonious celebration.

 

Tracy Pope, Owner
Devoted to Your Event

There is a lot to consider when it comes to selecting your wedding date. This is a date that you have to be ready to commit to so you must consider a number of things prior to your final date. 7 out of 10 couples get married on a Saturday. Friday and Sundays are the next best options for weddings. As many times as I have done weddings, I can count on one had how many non-Saturday weddings I have done. To be honest, that number is two (4), yes, four out of over sixty-three (63) weddings I’ve done over the past 10 years. We will explore the pros and cons of Friday and Sunday weddings in this post. 

The first thing to consider is the price. Saturday wedding are the most costly of all weekend events although, Saturday day-time events are less costly than Saturday evenings when it comes to booking a wedding. Friday and Sundays cost significantly less. So if you are looking to save money then consider a Friday or Sunday date.

Second, there are more date options with Friday and Sunday weddings. Some couples book Saturday weddings over a year in advance. So if you have a tighter timeline, you may want to select a different day of the week if your heart is set on a certain day or venue. Now, if you have time to spare, make setting your wedding date a year or more out and your venue to have your wedding at priority # 1 and 2. You should for certain get your dream date and venue. It also provides you an opportunity to save money and/or solicit monies from family and friends.

Third, attendance levels will vary. Saturdays are most popular for weddings because they are right in the middle of the weekend, and most guests love having Sunday to relax and recuperate. Friday and Saturday nights have proved to received a few more “no’s” with RSVPs due to other commitments. So, be prepared to have a high attrition rate when you schedule a Friday or Sunday, those days are cheap for a reason but it is perfect for a couple that wants a small and intimate celebration in the first place. 

Fourth, you will save money on vendors. The more popular the day, the more expensive the vendors and services will be. You have better chances of negotiating rates on days that are not in high demand. 

Sixth, you may have some late arrivals/early departures. On a Friday or Sunday wedding; you run the risk of some people coming late due to work, sports games and travel set backs. Similarly, on Sunday people may come late due to their religious obligations, and they may have to leave early to prepare for the upcoming work week.

There are many more pros for Friday and Sunday weddings, and with anything there are a few potential cons. It is entirely up to the couple and what their preferences are. So, which day of the week did you get married on or which day are you planning to get married on? Comment  below and let us know!

 

Tracy Pope
Devoted to Your Event

Today’s brides are seeking ways to have the wedding of their dreams on a budget. Right now, due to the pandemic, the average cost of a wedding is between $19,000 and $23,000, which in the case of many, is one of the most expensive events in their life. Much of the desires to the whole nine yards sit with the bride. Ladies, and some Gents, please be smart about the choices and decisions you are making when planning for your dream wedding. 

Money is one of the top reasons why couples fall part with each other. Being broke is not fun and when it comes to one of the most important days of your life, no one should set up the start of a life together with a struggle. For this reason, I’ve decided to come up with a sensible way to plan, prepare and still have that wedding of your dreams on a budget and in this blog, we are focusing on the venue. 

Here are 10 options where you can plan on saving towards your wedding venue:

1. Don’t Get Married on a Saturday
Saturday is the most common day to get married which is why it cost more. Consider a Sunday or Friday because they typically don’t get weddings for those days and you can save up to 50%.

2. Choose One Venue Instead of Two
Many locations have the ability to be both a ceremony and reception venue, which means you don’t have to pay two separate location fees and your guess can travel to only one spot.

3. Consider Non-Traditional Venues
Consider a bed & breakfast, a public park, your backyard or an art gallery for your reception. These spots are usually free or low cost and you may be able to extend the party for a longer period.

4. Have a Morning Wedding
Having a morning wedding can save a lot of money. Serving brunch or lunch at the reception is much cheaper than serving a dinner. 

5. Ask to Pay in Full for a Discount
Many places will provide a discount if you pay in full so ask if you can get a discount if you pay in full when you book, just be sure you can be reimbursed for an unplanned emergency.

6. Get Married Off-Season
Consider an off-season month, such as November or January, to cut your costs. This will also save you money when you are ready to fund the honeymoon.

7. Get an All-Inclusive Package
An all-inclusive package usually take care of everything, including the decorations, food, and cake. This can save you a ton because the venue are able to make deals with various services and then pass the savings on to you.

8. Don’t Over-rent Space
Rent space which is appropriate for the number of guests that you will have. 

9. B.Y.O.B.
Check to see if your venue will allow you to bring in your own liquor, wine, and beer. Most venues jack up the prices to make money off of receptions. 

10. Have a Small Reception and a Party Later

Keep your wedding and reception to about 50 people or less, which is the norm, Post-Corna, and throw a casual and inexpensive party to celebrate with the rest of your friends is a definite money saver.

Start early, and remember to watch out for costs that are unexpected. Also take time to prepare for your marriage in addition to your wedding because that is what your wedding is all about. Consider using the money you save on your wedding to go towards a your wedding anniversary later in your marriage.

Please be sure to stay tuned for our next installment of budget friendly advice for your wedding.

Tracy Pope
Owner, Devoted to Your Event

While your wedding is about you and your spouse it’s always appreciated when you do nice things for your guests. Not only do you want everyone to have a great time, but also you should want to make him or her feel valued for coming to spend this special day with you.

The full guest experience is becoming a popular topic with weddings and events, and we are bringing you several great ways you can enhance this on your special day!

1. Create a wedding website: This will allow your guests to find everything that they need in one location.
2. Have nice greeting gifts for your guests as they come into town: This can include cute themed wedding gifts or items that are special to the city your wedding is in.
3. Incorporate performers and entertainment: This will be great for your guests to embrace during the reception and other down time.
4. Have some fun activities: Outdoor weddings are more commonly known to have games, however with indoor weddings you can have photo booths and other fun things.
5. Incorporate your guests in your wedding entrance or exit: Have them throw confetti, toss balloons, wave sparklers, etc. 
6. Pay for your guests: This is always a plus and will have your guests feeling treated the entire time, especially when it comes to drinks.
7. Be mindful of everyone’s time: There is no need for an extremely long cocktail hour. Your guests may get antsy or worse, bored, and you do not want that to happen. Keep the flow of events moving.
8. Create thank you gifts: This doesn’t need to be super big; it can be a small token of your appreciation for your guests.  

These are eight of the top wedding experience tips you can incorporate into your ceremony. Feel free to use the ones you like and even add in some more to the mix. As long as you keep your guests in mind during your wedding planning process, then everything will work out just fine!

 

Tracy Pope,
Devoted to Your Event

There are so many different elements of planning a wedding that you can sometimes get overwhelmed which may cause things to slip through the cracks. What would you do if there were somewhere you could go that had everything in one place for you?!…Well look no further, because “one stop shops” are a current trend in the wedding planning industry. 

First of all what exactly is a “one stop shop”? 

By definition it is a store or source that offers many different services or products. This means that you can get everything from the same location instead of searching all over and having to balance website links, products costs, what you already ordered, etc.

What is included in a one stop wedding shop?

• Wedding Outfits
  • Dresses for bride and the bridal party
  • Tuxedos/suits for the groom and the groomsmen
  • Flower girl and ring bearer
• Wedding jewelry and accessories
• Wedding shoes
• Makeup and hair appointments
• Wedding planners
• Décor 
• Venues
• Catering and desserts
• Photography and videography
• Wedding entertainment
• Wedding stationary 
• Wedding supplies (i.e. tables, chairs, linens, etc)
• Audio/visual needs
• Cohesion throughout the wedding

Benefits of a one stop wedding shop

There are many pros that you can benefit from with a one stop wedding shop: 

• It is convenient
• Everything is easily accessible
• You will eliminate some stress
• Save money
• You will have professional advice throughout the way

One of the best things you can do to simplify the planning process is to work with a site or source that can meet a variety of your needs at once. A one stop is something we highly recommend to all future brides!

Tracy Pope,
Devoted to Your Event

Having a featured cocktail at your event can really put a special touch on the entire event presentation! Not too long ago, Devoted to Your Event’s social media theme was “signature cocktails” and we had a blast talking about the makings of a special drink. Keep reading if you want some helpful tips that will help you select a featured cocktail for your special events.

Consider location: Certain areas are known for specific drinks and cocktails so keep that in mind when you are selecting your drink of choice. 

Tie into your event theme: There is nothing better than a cocktail that matches your event theme. You can tie it in with the cocktail color, cocktail décor, or even the cocktail name.

Talk to an expert: Need a little assistance picking your event décor, well talk to your caterer or your local bartender. These individuals can provide you with some industry insight that will help you select a cocktail that is perfect for you.

Budget: Signature cocktails are always a good budget friendly option for events. Instead of having a full bar you can offer your specialty drink throughout the night to save money.

Try it first: You want to serve a cocktail that you love, so make sure you taste and approve of the drink before serving it to others. Do you want it sweet, do you want it strong, these are all things that you should keep in mind when taste testing.

Embellish your drink: It is cute to have a special drink, but you don’t want to forget about the embellishments. Whether it be fruit, candy, a cute straw, etc. this small touch is has a large effect on the drink presentation. 

Signature cocktails when thought out and displayed creatively are always a hit! You can never go wrong with them, even if you do have a full bar at your event. Get creative and have fun mixing and creating the drink that is right for you!

 

Tracy Pope
Devoted to Your Event

Ever since Meghan Markle’s formal title is “Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Sussex”, the effect of her wedding as a whole has impacted what couples, specifically brides, will want in their weddings. This month I want to focus my topic on the top trends the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markel has inspired what engaged couples do for their wedding: 

Personalization with a twist
The desire to customize wedding day details is certainly not a new notion but the bar has been raised considerably as soon as it was revealed that Prince Harry handpicked blooms for his bride’s bouquet. While couples will still want to put their stamp on the décor, menu and entertainment, wedding experts such as myself are expecting brides and grooms to take their requests and traditions to a whole new level. I am excited to see what requests will come. 

Hail to the boat neck
The dress that Meghan chose to wear for her wedding was certainly a polarizing one- some gave happy sighs while others scratched their heads. I personally looking at my particular style, was scratching my head; it doesn’t mean I frowned on the dress. I just expected something super glamorous with bling, lace and tulle! We see many brides wearing sweetheart necklines, mermaid style dresses and lace because that is what is popular. But now that the wedding is over, I do like Meghan’s choice. It is clean, simple and has that 1950’s flair. One thing is for sure- the neckline is a welcome change from the strapless gowns’ ongoing campaign for world domination. Better yet- it can be incorporated into nearly every season- unlike the sleeves and thicker fabric that also made up the gown.

Going local
If one thing was for sure, Prince Harry and Meghan wanted to celebrate with as many local elements as possible, which was evident from the florist selection to the reception menu. I think this will also be a popular trend and good news to local mom and pop establishments and other businesses. There is nothing like having the uniqueness of a local store or restaurant that provides one-of-a kind items or tastes you just can’t get anywhere else. 

Black and white is the new… black?
Since their engagement last November, the royal couple and photograph enthusiasts have released several dramatic black and white images of themselves. I think this is a trend and may have more couples requesting black and white photography. 

No wedding party? 

Bye-bye to big wedding parties and the headache of picking and choosing your besties to celebrate your big day. It was definitely noticed that Meghan Markle did not have bridesmaids, a Maid-of-Honor or groomsmen, joining her and Prince Harry down the aisle. She did ensure that a team of the cutest attendants you ever did see accompany her. I am not too sure if that will escape the minds of future brides and grooms but it is definitely a money saver and may start to be the new trend. Long ago, weddings were much smaller and had since started growing larger in the late 70’s, early 80’s; we can only wait and see. 

Breaking the traditional rules
Usually the Bride’s father will walk her down the aisle and we do see many variations these days with who walks the bride down the aisle and for Meghan, we heard her father Thomas Markle was not going to walk her down for reasons we can only speculate and it was reported due to his health. Meghan did opted to walk by herself and saved the final moments down with her future father-in-law just before she arrived at the altar. I kind of wished she would have had her mother walk with her but, like I tell all my brides, “it’s not my wedding, it your wedding, do what you want”. 

The most modern couples continue to break tradition but on a large scale, the recent royal wedding may inspired couples to break rules and do it their own way on a new level. After all, Meghan Markle broke hundreds of years of tradition in St. George’s Castle, and we’re all still standing.

(The photo is a copy of a wedding photo from a google images)

 

Tracy Pope
Owner, Devoted to Your Event

In past decades getting married at a church was the expected thing to do, now with each year it seems like there is more and more variety with wedding venues. This blog post is for the bride who wants to find out about some of the most unique wedding venues there is that do not involve churches.

Winery weddings: Getting married in a winery or vineyard is a popular alternative place for a couple to get married. You’ll get beautiful scenery and not to mention the fantastic wine! The elegant couple will surely appreciate this type of venue.

Home weddings: Weddings at you or a family members home is always something that we view as very meaningful. A setting like that is usually super sentimental and you, and how awesome would it be to not have to pay anything at all for a wedding venue!

Hotel/ballroom weddings: Most people will travel to a nice nearby hotel or ballroom for their wedding reception, however it is not uncommon to have your wedding there as well! Again this will be extremely convenient for your guests, and not to mention you can have the entire space to yourself to really party all night long!

Beach weddings: Do you love the soft sounds of the waves, the warm sand and the beautiful views; well then a beach wedding is probably a great alternative for you. This is the perfect location for the couple who wants a more casual ceremony, because you can surely dress down for a wedding here. Beach wedding can also be very reasonably priced.

Private estate/mansion weddings: Want to flaunt your big day in true royalty style? Consider renting a mansion or private estate for the day! You can enjoy a taste of the lavish life and a great plus is that these venues will be so large that you can have your wedding a reception in the same place! Super convenient for your guests.

Museums, art gallery or library weddings: For the couple who wants a little bit of culture, getting married at a museum or gallery will definitely suit you. There are so many impressive features at these venues and your wedding photos can truly be one of a kind! 

There are truly so many different places that you and your future spouse can get married at, these are just some of the more popular ones! We hope this post helps you think outside of the box and feel confident knowing that you can really get creative with your wedding venues and explore more than the traditional church! If you’d like for Devoted to Your Event to help you in the process and take away the stress during this busy time, don’t hesitate to reach out, we’d be happy to help, it what we love to do!

Tracy Pope,
Devoted to Your Event