Your Wedding Dress Determines Everything!

Every Bride has dreamed about their perfect wedding dress since they were little girls playing dress up! Finally once you have the chance to go shopping for the perfect wedding dress, it could take multiple months to find it or it could be the first dress you try on! Every Bride is different when choosing the perfect wedding dress, but every bride knows when they finally found the perfect one!

A lot of Brides don’t realize after picking the perfect wedding dress that they just determined what style of wedding they will be having! The dress totally is the main focal point & main accent piece of the wedding. Your dress will help you determine your decorations, colors, style, etc. If nothing in your wedding compliments your wedding dress than … I hate to say this, but it will look like a train ran through your wedding. Honestly you don’t want that!

So here my rules / helpful guidelines to planning your wedding once you picked out the perfect wedding dress:

·         What color is your wedding dress – White, Ivory or a Color?

If you dress is white, than anything that reflects white is white. If your dress is ivory, than anything that reflects ivory is ivory! You cannot jump back and forth with white and ivory - It’s like the #1 Cardinal Rule! Stick to your color! If you dress is white – everything needs to be white. If your dress is ivory – everything needs to be ivory! GOT IT! If your dress is a color – than pick white or ivory, and stick to it!

·         What is your wedding Color?

Pick one color and one color only! TRUST ME! Having two colors just make things more and look more complicated. When you’re trying to work with two colors it is hard to make sure that those colors match perfectly in the center pieces, arrangements, invitations, etc.  Having to deal with one color will make your life so much easier when planning your wedding details. Now once you have picked your main wedding color – I am going to say this again - stick to it! You will use your wedding color everywhere - in your invitations, flowers, place cards, etc. but your wedding color’s main accent piece will be your bridesmaids!  So make sure they look glamorous because they are helping you and your dress look absolutely amazing, and also making your wedding look put together! I have seen so many weddings with two or even three colors … and honestly when I see that I just want to close my eyes and run away! It becomes too crazy on the eyes and makes it so hard to comprehend everything you see! So stick with one color and you will be golden!

·         Are you going to have SILVER or GOLD accents?

This doesn’t count as another color, but counts as your accent color. Honestly you might not think this is important, but it is! As the planning keeps rolling those colors will start appearing in the table displays, flowers, jewelry, plate chargers, invitations, etc. So you need to choose one over the other right now, so you don’t go back and forth with both accent colors! If you are having a hard time deciding what one I would start by looking at your dress and jewelry, and determine what one will compliment it more. If that doesn’t help than I would look at your wedding color and see what one will compliment the color better. Actually - Silver or Gold needs to compliment your dress and your color, because they really help tie in everything nicely! Again - pick one and stick to it!

·         Are their accents in your dress? What type of style are you going for?

Take a look at your dress and see if there are any hidden accents that you really love? Does your dress have lace, sparkle, hiccups, bows, knots, sashes, etc. Then ask yourself what wedding style are you going for? Are you going for traditional, modernist, individualist, romanticist or minimalist?  You need to ask yourself those questions to help you stay in line with the wedding you are trying to capture! Now take a  moment and  notice all those little details on your again - this will hopefully help you decide on specific styles and designs you want to enhance with certain wedding details – like on your wedding invitations, center pieces, flowers, place cards, the flower girl dress, etc. By taking time to notice all the little details on your dress will really help you connect and make everything look and flow nicely together!

·         Bridesmaids Dresses should SHOW OFF your Dress!

Your bridesmaid dresses need to be different than your wedding dress, but still be able to connect with your wedding dress somehow. This is a tough topic but here I go! Bridesmaid’s dresses are your main accent piece for your wedding color, but they are also there to make you and your dress look good. I know this may sound funny, but I would start creating opposites. If you dress is strapless, than I would think about making the bridesmaids dresses with straps. If your dress is a full ball gown, than I would make your bridesmaids dresses slim and slick. If you dress is A line, than I would make the bridesmaids dresses short and off the floor. See you want to make opposites to help make you and your dress stand out, but at the same time still having somewhat of a similarity. One thing I would think about is making the bridesmaids dresses the same fabric as your wedding dress, so it can connect still. If your dress is satin, than I would try to have satin dresses for the bridesmaids. It is like you want the dresses similar but not too similar, but enough to make you look good! Seriously, anything you can coordinate your wedding together will help make your wedding look amazing in the long run! 

I think you you can see now how your wedding dress is very important to planning your wedding! It’s crazy to think how one dress can determine it all for your wedding, but it really does! Your dress really helps you create the style of wedding that you have always dreamed of.  Hopefully these pointers you will really make your wedding come alive that you always wanted - perfect and well put together!

OX OX ~

Savvy WP

Will You Be My Bridesmaid?!

When you get engaged usually every recent engaged bride feels like they are on cloud 9 & nothing in this world could possibly go wrong!! Every bride wants to shout from the rooftops and show off the snazzy new engagement ring that her new fiancé gave her! But … BE CAREFUL! I’m not kidding - every single close girl friend that you share your ring with will automatically think they will be in or apart of your wedding! Each friend will be secretly thinking, “I better be in your wedding” or “they must have a really good reason why I wouldn't be!”

You can probably figure out this blog is about picking the right & perfect wedding party/bridemaids. There are so many things you have to consider before deciding your wedding party. That is why I am here to tell you the quick & easy way to decide your perfect wedding party, without thinking way too much into it!

1^st - You and your fiancé need to sit down together one night – maybe having a glass of wine or 2 while deciding who you want in your wedding party. Start creating a list of friends & family that you would want to stand up and REPRESENT you two as a couple on your wedding day! Honestly – The people you choose to be in your wedding party totally reflects you two as a couple!

This is how I would start creating your list:

1)   Brothers & Sisters

2)   Best Friends (High School Friends, College Friends, Work Friends)

3)   Close Family Members

Now ask yourselves the following questions:

1)   Are you or already have been in their Wedding?

If not… you just made things easier on you! CUTT!!!

2)   Can you see yourselves being friends with them in 10 years?

If you can’t picture them being apart of your lives later on – than why would you have them in wedding party?!

3)   Have you been friends with them for more than a couple years?

Honestly – your friends in your wedding party should be life long friends. You want your wedding guests to know whom each person is in your wedding party. You don’t want your wedding guests thinking, “who the hell is that” during the wedding ceremony!

4)   Do you like each other’s bridal party choices?

If one of you has an issue or clashes with someone in the wedding party, than its not going to be fun on your wedding day! Both of you need to take that into inconsideration for each other, because if you can’t stand someone in your wedding party… than that person will rain on your parade that day!

5) Will everyone in your wedding party get along?!

This is huge! Think about it – you spend so much time with one another, you will have multiple parties celebrating your upcoming wedding day! Engagement Parties, Bachelorette, Bachelor, Wedding Showers, Groom’s Dinner, and even the Wedding Day! If they all get along – that is just wonderful! If not – than decide who is most important and axe someone off the list!

Now lets talk about Numbers – Meaning – How many people will be in your bridal party! Right up front – 8 people on each side is way too many! 7 people on each side is kind of pushing it, but 7 people on each side is where I draw the line! Anything smaller is ideal! Well … if you only have 1 person on each side, well that just looks like you have no friends. Come on this is when you want to show off your friends and family to all your wedding guests! Make them look good and have them make you two look good! You two also have to consider how many brothers and sisters will be on each side? I know there are those families that have tons of brothers/sisters and have no room for friends, but I still think you have to work with the lucky number 7 on each side. Think about it – you will have at least 16 people standing up during the ceremony and that's not even incorporating the junior bridesmaids, flower girl, and ring bear.  AND - the bigger the wedding party, the more money you will have to spend too! That is more dresses, shoes, tuxes, flowers, presents, etc. Smaller the number, the more you can spend on other things for the wedding.

Personal attendants – where to begin? Honestly I don’t think you need them. Yes they are nice to have to wait on you hand and foot on your wedding day, but that is what your bridesmaids are there for. Truthfully - Personal Attendants always look awkward or pissed off because they aren’t in the wedding. So you will be doing them a favor by not asking them to be your personal attendant! They rather just have a good time at your wedding and not have any assigned duties! Your bridesmaids should be the ones to wait on you hand and foot, because they are your best friends. They are the ones that know you better and will know exactly what you will need on your wedding day without asking them to do anything! Your bridesmaids can totally handle those duties that a personal attendant usually does – making sure you don’t forget anything at the ceremony, help bustle your dress and even help you go to the bathroom.  Your bridesmaids are your go to girls up to and on your wedding day!

Flower Girl & Ring Bear – If you have a little ones a part of your life, than that is perfect! If you don’t have little ones in your life right now than I wouldn’t bother in having them. Sometimes they are a lot of work, if they are of age 3 and under. They typically scream, cry, run around or make a huge scene during the ceremony - YUCK! If you think the kid and the parents can handle it, than I think everything will turn out okay and everything will be perfectly fine! I really recommend Age 5 to age 8.  Over age 8 is getting too old and anything younger than that is too young! Seriously little ones can stress you out on your wedding day, and you really don't want that!

I hope all of this is helpful with deciding who you want to represent you two as couple on your wedding day! If your not feeling confident with your wedding party decision, than I wouldn’t share with anybody until you know who exactly you want in your wedding party. Of course you want everyone involved and you don't want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but you have to be selfish right now! Just try to imagine yourself with who you want to celebrate with on your perfect wedding day! Piece of cake right J

I could go on and on about the little other important positions and details that you can or could add to your wedding party, but I will save that for another blog! Have a great day & see you next week!

Love ~

Savvy WP 

Time to Book the Venue!

Love is in the air … everywhere you look around! Today is Valentine’s Day … which means … many wedding venues will be receiving a lot of phone calls/emails the next couple weeks, because finding the perfect venue is usually the 1^st thing to cross off the wedding to do list!

Every Venue always has positive and negatives things to say about each one, but really all that matters if the venue reflects the personality of the couple! Does it have windows or no windows? Dance floor – it is big enough or not? Can I take photos at the venue or do I need to relocate before or after the ceremony to take photos? So many questions you need to think about! BUT … It is not just the looks & atmosphere of the venue, but also whom you will be working with! You need to keep in that mind seriously! I know it doesn’t sound important but it really is! Honestly if your Events Coordinator is not pleasant and enjoyable, than most likely your wedding will not be as relaxing as it should be. So you need to take in account whom your Venues Events Coordinator is and if you are compatible with them or not! Truthfully the Events Coordinator should make you feel confident with every single detail that is put into your wedding day. If your Events Coordinator seems knowledgeable about every single wedding detail, than you’re in Heaven … IF NOT … all I can say is good luck and I hope you are taking amazing notes from my blog!

PS: You know pretty quickly if your Events Coordinator is great right away when they…

1.  Return your Call/E-mail immediately when you are reaching out to them for the 1^st time!

2. If they greet you at the door when touring the venue! You should never go looking for them.

3.  Remembers your name, date, & specifics about your wedding when touring the venue.

Picking the Perfect Date & Venue List!

·                What time of Year are you thinking?

o   Very fun deciding with your new Fiancé!

o   Sometimes the date isn't available if you are newly engaged and wanting to book within the year. You might need to be flexible with Certain Dates! If you love the venue, than you will make it work!

·                What is your Guest Count?

o   Have each side of the family (Bride & Groom Sides) create a list!

o   Guest count will help you determine what Venue can accommodate your final count.

·                What day of the week are you thinking?

o   Saturday, Friday, or Sunday?

§  Discounts on any of those days?

·                When Touring the Venue does it have?

o   Pillars – Sometimes blocks views & hard to decorate with!

o   Connected to a Hotel? Restaurant? Golf Course? Will this be an issue for unexpected guests/wedding crashers?

o   Is this the type of Atmosphere I want?

o  Is it pretty enough to take pictures here or not?

o   Parking – Enough parking for guests? Can guests leave cars over night?

o   Bathrooms – how many? Are they big enough?

o   Private room for Bridal Party?

o   Handicap Accessible?

·                   Questions to ask when meeting with the Events Coordinator?

o   What is the Room Fee? What does is ALL include?

o   Is my date available?

o   How long do I have the venue booked for? When can I start decorating & what time do I need to be done by?

o   Onsite or Offsite Catering?

o   What are the Food & Beverage Minimums? Does that include Tax & Gratuity? What are your tax & gratuity rates?

o   Serving – Can I have buffet, plated or butler? Are there any extra costs with having one over the other?

o   Menu – How many Dinner Options can be served? 1, 2, 3? – How many Starches & Vegetables can accommodate those Dinner Options? Or is there an upcharge with having multiple courses & side accommodations?

o   Will your menu prices be changing anytime soon? When are my prices locked down?

o   Kids Meals – Do you have a menu? What do you have to offer? Highchairs? Boosters?

o   Food Tastings – Do you have them? How many options am I able to taste?

o   Cake – Is there a cake cutting & serving fee? Can I bring my own cake in? Do I have to purchase my cake through you?

o   Any surprised extra costs? Garbage, Security, etc.?

o   Who will I be working with planning my wedding details?

o   Who will be in-charge on my wedding day?

o   Shuttle/Limo Services? Can you book those or do I have to book those myself?

o   What hotels are near by & what ones do you recommend?

o   Onsite Catering - When do you need my final count on food? 3 weeks, 2 weeks or 1 week?

o   When do I need to pay my final bill? Before or Day of the Event? Can I pay in increments up to the wedding day?

o   What is your cancellation policies?

o   Deposit – Is there one? How much? Does the deposit subtract off my final bill or not?

o   Can I rent things for you? (Linens, High Top Tables, Chargers, Draping, Chair Covers, Shuttle Service, Decorator, and Etc.) How much do those cost individually?

o   Are you willing to make me an estimate right now or along the planning stages?

o   What can you do for me to make things less stressful & more enjoyable on my wedding day?

o   If I book with you right now, will I receive anything complimentary?

After learning everything about the venue - If you have any inkling of worry about the venue and date, than you probably are not ready to make a decision. Take time to review your possibilities and look at all the pros & cons about all the different venues you toured. Honestly you will know what venue you want when you 1^st step into the venue! If your gut is telling you to book, than I would book ASAP, because dates go before you can even blink!

After booking your Venue you should have a whole folder of all the information about the Venue - Policy & Guideline Forms, Copy of your Deposit, and the Events Coordinator personal information. If you don’t have that information – GET IT! That will help remind you what you agreed to and any information that might be useful later on in the planning stages!

Now knowing your Venue – this will allow you to design and picture the wedding that you have always dreamed off! You should try to connect with the Events Coordinator to see if you can visit the venue when a similar wedding has the same layout and guest count as yours. This will allow you to see how tight or roomy the venue will be on your wedding day!

I know … so many things to think about when deciding on the perfect venue, but honestly when you book your perfect venue it is the best feeling ever! You should feel relaxed and relieved because you just checked off one of the most important things on the Wedding To Do List! 

Its Time to Celebrate the Booking - CHEERS!

Let's Get this Show on the Road!

Being a Professional Events Coordinator for almost a year… well I should almost say … my whole entire life … I realized one day that my advice and expertize could really be beneficial to future brides. I know there are Brides out there that really need help but at the same time don’t really want to admit it publicly! Honestly - I will become your secret weapon and new best friend in seconds!

I like to introduce myself and fill you in on my background quickly … I’m a young and savvy young adult that has been planning special events since I can remember! That is counting planning Barbie’s Wedding … not once but multiple times of course! Seriously I was that girl in High School that planned every pep fest to prom possible, and kept being that girl even when I attended College. Don’t act surprise – I am that girl! Even during the college summers - I would return home to work at the local golf course in town as a server just so I could work weddings. I just could not get enough of being around weddings and being apart of someone’s special day! Today I am so honored to be the Events Coordinator for a Golf Course & Event Center in Central Minnesota. I love making people happy and making sure that every detail goes as planned. That is why I am good at what I do, so every bride can feel like a million bucks and stress free on their wedding day!

Savvy WP is your True, Honest, Tough-Love Guide with planning your Wedding Day! I will cover the NEW hot & heavy topics that will help you plan and prepare you for your perfect or not so perfect wedding! It is better to be prepared than to be surprised with your wedding details! So sit back and relax now… because I am just a touch or click away from answering all your wedding worries!

Now let's get this show on the road!!!