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There is a reason I haven't been posting - June is really busy and we just signed a lease for a new office. I'm so excited to get moved and settled in, I will be catching up on all kinds of things very soon!
Hope you all are having a wonderful and semi-cool summer!
Sabrina
1) Propose or be proposed to....this is a given right??
2) Announce to family and friends that you are engaged - enjoy the celebration before the planning begins.
3) Talk with parents about finances! Where will they come from, who wants to contribute what - THIS IS IMPORTANT!! No one should start planning without a budget. Try to get a dollar amount rather than – I will pay for "blank" - This will allow you to retain control over aspects of the planning. Be realistic about what you can afford to contribute.
4) Talk about time of year for the wedding, are there dates you can't have a wedding?
4a) If you can - book a wedding planner!! A planner can save you time, stress and costly mistakes.
5) Select the wedding party and ask them to be in the wedding. Talk with each other about the number of attendants you would like to have.
6) Start the guest list, with names not just guessing the number of people you think will be invited. It might be way higher or lower than you think. You also don't want to fall in love with a location that you can't fit in, can't afford because of your number of guests or would swallow your guests because it's too big.
7) Look into locations. Ceremony and reception venues can determine the date based on availability. Also
like before, you don't want to fall in love with something you can't afford or later find out that your budget is blown because the guest list has grown and the per person cost is more that you should have locked into.
8) Once the venues are selected, finalize the wedding date.
9) Start researching vendors, in order of importance to you. Don't assume anything will be available or easy to get. If you have the money for deposits - lock em' in. Some of the online budget sheets have breakdowns of what percentages go where, but I don't always find this the case. Remember if photography is most important book what reasonable (see following chart) but if you really want one that is out of the budget range, then you must give up something that you aren't as concerned with having. It's about balancing what you want with what you can afford. This goes for anything. If food or location is most important then maybe you’ll have to have DJ rather than a band.
10) Start a wedding binder, tracking all information found, received, collected. Tracking all payments made or to be made. It will become your wedding world.
WEDDING COORDINATOR 5.0%
JEWELER 5.0%
WEDDING ATTIRE 5.0%
HAIR & MAKE-UP 1.0%
WEDDING PARTY GIFTS 1.0%
CEREMONY 2.0%
RECEPTION 40.0%
FLORIST 9.0%
STATIONARY 5.0%
PHOTOGRAPHY 10.0%
VIDEO 5.0%
RECEPTION MUSIC 3.0%
WEDDING CAKE 2.0%
ACCOMATIONS 2.0%
TRANSPORTATION 5.0%
100.0%
I'm home in hot, humid, sticky St. Louis after a week in gorgeous, cool, breezy upstate New York.
As the pictures are starting on Facebook, I'm getting more and more excited.
NOTE - there were about 15 pros with cameras at this wedding, the details we amazing, the surroundings were breathe taking and the couple was stunning so there was no lack of things to photograph.
I will continue to post as they all come in. Here is just a little taste:
These are from JP Elario:
Not only was this the ceremony site but the backyard of the house we stayed in, imagine this as your view every morning!!
They don't get much cuter than this, with Miss Lillie joining them all as a family.
Alisha did not only a wardrobe change but the amazing April Schaeffer cut her hair too! Luke likes Alisha's hair in this shorter bob which she grew out for the wedding but we rocked out a sneak away to come back transformed it was exciting!!
Thank you to JP for these photos and all the amazing photographers (Alisha & Luke included) for making me look soooo good! I'm dying to see what Jason Groupp the "offical" photographer has in his camera! This was a dream wedding for me not only to see the day devoted to the love of great friends of mine but to get real creative freedom and working with Alisha's vision which let me tell you is HOT and loaded with TASTE!
Stay tuned more to come!
As I am doing laundry and packing for NY I thought I should let those who don't know that I'm leaving Sat AM for New York for the amazing wedding of Alisha & Luke:
I'll post all about my trip but here's a little about what April & I will be doing:
Saturday – June 13th, 2009
6:30 Arrive at Lambert
7:50 Flight from STL
12:25 Arrive in Long Island, NY
1:00/1:30 Take shuttle to Ronkonkoma
1:40 Take train to Penn Station
3:00 Take cab to hotel - Affinia Shelburne New York 303 Lexington Avenue
3:30 Check In
4:30-6:30 Sight See
7:00 Dinner
9:00 Back to hotel
10:00 Bed
Sunday – June 14th, 2009
5:00 Wake-Up
6:00 Check out get cab
6:45 Arrive at Penn Station
7:15 Train leaves Penn Station for Albany
9:50 Arrive in Albany Train Station
10:15 Take cab to Albany Airport to get rental
10:45 Get Rental, drive to Alisha’s house
1:00 Leave for Skaneatales
4:00 Check in at Mirbeau Spa
5:00 Color Alisha's Hair, do trial up-do
7:00 Dinner with Alisha & Crew
10:00 Bed!
Monday – June 15th, 2009
9:00 Breakfast
10:00 Spa Services
12:00 Check out of Mirbeau, drive to Aurora
1:00 Check in EB Morgan House
3:00 All is ready for guests
5:30 Rehearsal
6:00 Dinner
9:00 Smores
10:00 Bed!
Tuesday, June 16th 2009
9:00 Breakfast
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Hair Starts
4:00 Luke & Alisha start getting ready
5:00 Dress
5:30 Ceremony
6:00 Photos
6:30 More Photos
7:00 Dinner
11:00 End of Reception
Wednesday, June 17th, 2009
7:00 Wake-Up
8:00 Breakfast
10:00 Check out, drive to Albany
1:00 Return rental
2:00 Must be at airport
3:40 Depart Albany
4:55 Arrive in Baltimore
6:40 Depart Baltimore
7:55 Arrive in STL
Thursday I will be resting up from the planes, trains and automobiles craziness and spending time with my guys.
Yes, I actually create timelines like this for EVERYTHING - you should see my packing list!
I will have limited phone and email access but will return calls or emails as I can or when I return. This is a work trip but also a mini vacation as I'm also attending as a guest and getting all the spoils of a bridesmaid (thank Alisha!). I'm excited to be apart of their amazing day and looking forward to spending time with both April and Alisha (you too Luke!).
I haven't forgotten about you all - it's just wedding season!
Coming soon, all of May's wedding reviews!
Current Projects: Applications for ten.ten.ten have been retrieved and sorted and are currently being reviewed. The Top 10 couple will be announced July 1st. One lucky couple who attended the Mix & Mingle party was selected to automatically "Jump to 10" so there are 9 spaces remaining. Good luck to those who entered and continue to watch www.tententenwedding.com for more information.
Upcoming Projects:
2009 and 2010 dates are filling like mad! Contact us asap if you are interested in our services we would love to work with you!!
A new project is in the works that you all are going to love, it's hush hush at the moment so stay tuned for details.
Off to meetings, but more to come I promise!!
I know it's Thursday and I actually got back on Monday but....it's been busy already. Last night was the ten.ten.ten Mix & Mingle party and it was great! Getting to meet some really cool couples and hang out with the team was awesome. It's going to be soooo hard to choose - we'll need your help for voting later.
I have tons of emails to get to and tasks to complete and then prepared for my trip to NY for Alisha and Luke's wedding in June....so back to work.
There is one weekend each year that I do not take weddings (for myself anyway) and that is Memorial Weekend. It's the first weekend of the summer, it's spent with good friends, it's tradtion, it's a much need break as the season is taking off and not slowing down for months soooooo....as off 3:00 today I'm OUTTA HERE! Cut me some slack guys, I work a lot of weekends! Don't worry I'll be back Tuesday refreshed and ready to go!
Here are some photos of years past with best friend and fellow wedding pro April Schaeffer
my hubby...
Me jumping off the cliff...don't think I'll be doing that this year....
oh look my ride is here, gotta go!
So depending on how long you have been a follower you might remember Ellen & Jeremy's summer wedding featuring damask before it was all the rage, with pops of turquoise and green. Well Ellen submitted it to My Real Wedding on The Knot and here it is - very cool!
Click here to see Ellen & Jeremy's Modern Affair
Come see us at the ten.ten.ten Cocktail Soiree - you do not half to be an applicant to visit all the great vendors that are part of the ten.ten.ten Wedding Gala (or to win the door prizes!!)
Meet the Proposing Dreams Wedding & Events team as they welcome you at the registration table, help you with photos and videos for your application and talk to you about their services. Also register to win a FREE Day of Coordinator. Anyone is eligible; you do not have to be a ten.ten.ten applicant for door prizes!
Talk to the amazing Browers Photography while stepping into the StudioB! experience, their supercharged photobooth brought in for a taste of StudioB! and to capture photos for the prospective applicants. Here you can also shoot your 30-60 second application video as well.
Watch a high powered demo video from Switzer Film, ask questions and get all the information needed about this amazing team.
Come check out the styles and artistry of April Schaeffer & Cindy Rushing. See roaming models looking their best after these talented gals work their magic with hair and make-up.
Talk with professional wedding florist Emily Testrake, owner of Sisters Flowers, and see samples of her beautiful bridal and bridesmaids bouquets.
Take a look at just a few of the many bridal gown styles offered by Blushing Bride and talk with co-owner Jamie Sherman about dresses, tuxes, and accessories. Enter to win special door prizes from Blushing Bride.
Take a step out in the VIP tent and see the hot set-up provided by Exclusive Events. Lounge seating is a staple of any platinum wedding and available to you from this amazing and creative team.
Taste a sample of the mouth watering food that could be served at your reception, prepared by Designing Chefs. Talk with the chefs about options for your event and pick up a discount card while you’re there.
Browse the portfolio of Emily Leong, Slice of Lime Design, and see some of the creative and stunning designs she has produced. Be sure to hurry in because she’ll be giving away several eight-piece stationery packets while supplies last.
Enjoy the beautiful sounds of the Rosewood Ensemble as they welcome you to the Cocktail Soiree.
Looking for the perfect low key but not boring DJ? We’ve got him. Meet Tom Rotter of Block Rockin Beats; see his equipment, look though his song list, chat about your event.
Tower of Cakery Cupcakes – really enough said, right!?! The only cake in town that makes me close my eyes while eat it!! Also enter to win a dozen cupcakes FREE!
As if walking around the Genovese Jewelers store isn’t glamorous enough, you will see the roaming models showcasing the fabulous jewelry of Genovese Jewelers. Browse the amazing jewelry collection, talk with a sales person, and enter to win a stunning string of pearls.
The Aries Co. is pulling out all stops with cocktail tables, bar stools, and so much more! Talk with Cheryl, The Director of Possibilities, about all the possibilities with The Aries Co.
Traube Tents is providing our VIP Lounge coverage with a 20x20 tent to house the StudioB! and lounge area.
Will you be joining us?? We would love to see you - applicants or not, it's our very own bridal show. Have you been dying to see what StudioB! is all about, or to taste a Cakery Cupcake, or hear the amazing music of Rosewood Ensembles??? Now's your chance!
Join us May 27th from 5:30-7:30 at Genovese Jewelers on Olive!
I have another Boudior Weekend with the Browers and thier Private Collection Series coming up. I'm completing the schedule right now and I have a few more slots available for Friday and Sunday (June 26th & 28th). Contact me ASAP if you want in!
It's super fun - hair, make-up (with the amazing Cindy Rushing who I just realized needs to update her blog) and location are all included - oh and you get to hang out with ME!! I have sat in on over 50 sessions now, I have picked up a few tricks along the way to make you comfortable and look your best!
Here is one of my friends Lyndsey who is just TOO CUTE!! She had a BLAST!!
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