Everyone’s on a budget when it comes to a wedding!   Because of this, most brides make “educated” decisions on where to cut money, the most common being the wedding planner. After-all, if you’re on a “budget”, how can you afford to have someone else working on the wedding with you, right?!

However, working with a planner should SAVE you money in the end!  And many brides don’t realize how many other things a good planner can save you; like time or your sanity!

Preferred Vendors.  All planners have a preferred vendor list; a list that details the companies that he or she thinks are the best in their field.  The list is continually evolving and no planner is shy about removing a vendor who isn’t living up to expectations or pricing!

How does the list save you money?  Repeat business!  Because I continually call these companies and send them referrals from multiple clients, you’re no longer a single wedding or event.  This means the company is more likely to cut pricing or add extras into their packages.

For example, Mike Staff Productions automatically knocks $100 off any package if the bride is a client of mine!

In addition, most of the vendors that work with a planner numerous times are more likely to work with clients with tighter budgets, adjusting their standard packages to accommodate what a client can afford.

Tricks of the Trade.  Most people are going to plan one wedding in their lifetime – the average planner is going to plan 5-10 every year.  Because of this, planners have worked out various “tricks of the trade” that will help save money!

Hiring a planner will open you up to all kinds of good hints and cost savings ideas that you may not have even thought of on your own!

Time.  According to the The Knot’s 2010 Real Weddings Survey, during the last three months of engagement, the average bride will spent 11 hours per week on their wedding. Wouldn’t you rather spend 1-2 hours a week with your planner finalizing details than the 11 hours a week that may be required otherwise?

Sanity.  Planning your own wedding will be one of the most rewarding and stressful experiences of your life.  It seems really easy at the beginning but no matter how well prepared, organized, and excited you are, I can guarantee you that there will be stress involved in your wedding day.  A planner will, by no means, erase every stress you have, they will just be there to ease you off the guest-count ledge and whisk you back into a land of happy-wedding-planning-feelings!

How nice would it be when you have a stress-out moment, to be able to call someone that isn’t related to you and has NO one else’s best interests at heart?  And how reassuring to talk to that person and hear “I’ll take care of it”, Or, better yet, “It’s already taken care of”.  Trust me, there is no monetary value to that!

It isn’t “all or nothing”.    I want all brides reading this to realize that hiring a planner is not an “all or nothing” proposition;  meaning, you don’t HAVE to hire a planner to plan the entire wedding!

Most planners offer packages varying from Day-Of Coordination only to Full Service Planning, and everything in between!  With my packages, you choose how much help you believe you need and tell me where you want me to use the hours you’ve purchased. This arrangement is ideal for the bride that DOES want to plan her own wedding – but may just need help keeping everything on track and understanding what she needs to do and when to do it.

Remember, this is YOUR wedding day and it should be everything you want it to be!  Hiring a planner will help make all of your dreams come true while working within the confines of the budget you have outlined.

You’ll end up getting more bang for your buck, as well as saving a lot of time and stress!!

So no matter how far away your wedding is, contacting a planner may be the best decision you’ll make…next to your choice of groom, of course!

Thanks for the great info, Jennie.  To learn more about Beautiful Day Planning, visit them on Facebook or click here for their website.

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Congratulations Jessica and Jason!

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The mothers of the couple play special roles in the wedding.  They may help with a financial contribution, have particular ideas on the plans, act as hosts for events leading up to and including the wedding, have ceremonial roles and support their children through it all.  So how do you thank mom for all that she has done?  Look for ways to honor her in your celebration, of course!

1. Help her with her wedding attire. The mother of the bride and groom often select attire that is in keeping with the color scheme or theme of the wedding party.  Help her to select a flattering dress that she feels comfortable wearing.
2. Arrange parent transportation.  If your budget allows, consider hiring a car and driver for your parents.  They’ll appreciate the star treatment.
3. Acknowledge them in your program.  A note from you thanking them for their support will mean a lot to your parents.
4. Schedule her beauty appointment.  This is a big day for your parent’s too.  They will be greeting guests on your behalf, involved in the ceremony and in several pictures too.  Help mom look her best with professional hair and makeup services.
5. Include pictures of mom. If you will have a slideshow as part of reception entertainment, include pictures of your family through the years.  You can also display your parents wedding pictures at your cake table or welcome table.
6. Honor moms with a dance.  Invite all moms in attendance to dance with their children as you dance with yours.   Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance” is a perfect choice for the song.
7. Ask mom to escort you. Many brides ask their mom to escort them down the aisle with their fathers.
8. Write her a letter.  Your mom will cherish a hand written letter from you on your wedding day.  Thank your mom for her support through the years and let her know the advice you have taken to heart.
9. Give a gift from the heart.  A special token of your appreciation can go along way.  Consider giving a piece of jewelry, a spa certificate or something that she will appreciate.
10. Have a thank you brunch.  The day after your wedding is the perfect time to spend a few hours with your parents.  A morning after brunch is a great time to thank them for their help at your wedding and relive those moments again.
11. Incorporate a piece of her dress.  Many brides use a piece of their mother’s dress as a handkerchief, bouquet wrap or sew a piece into their dress.
12. Ask her for your something borrowed.  If you are continuing the tradition of something old, new, borrowed and blue, ask both moms if they would like to contribute an article.
13. Allow your parents a special dance.  Ask your wedding DJ, to play the songs from your parents’ wedding and invite everyone to celebrate them as examples of loving couples.

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Congratulations Ray & Erica!

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Expectations vs. Reality  Brides and grooms are bombarded with the idea of the “perfect” wedding day and often compare theirs to the budget-free nuptials of celebrity weddings.  In reality, there is never a “perfect” wedding day.  You can reduce the stress of wedding planning by listing what is most important to you for your wedding and focus your attention there.  If it’s not on your list, you can breathe a little easier at letting the small stuff go.

Becoming uber-focused  Your engagement should be a happy time as you plan your futures together.  If you spend too much time worrying about budgets, flower arrangements and wedding details, you might forget to spend time focused on your relationship.  Remember to take the time to be present in each other’s lives.

Finances  Unless you are fortunate enough to have celebrity income, wedding budgets can often be a sore spot.  Disagreements about wedding expenditures, family contributions and the budget in general can impact your relationships with each other and your families.  This is where your expectations versus the reality can get you into trouble.  Open conversation with anyone contributing to the wedding costs, and what that contribution entitles them to is very important.  Look for budget friendly options for your wedding day based upon the things that are most important to you as a couple.

Family members  In many cases, your parents have had ideas on what your wedding day would be like since you were a young child.  The pressure to live up to those ideas can be strong.  This is when you need to rely on your partner to help you negotiate this potential minefield.  You are planning for your life together.  Make sure you present yourselves as a united front.  Don’t undermine each other by agreeing to things that you know the other many not want.

Bridal party  Simple things like dress and tux fittings to larger events like the bachelor party can be moments of contention between you and your bridal party.  It is important to remember that your bridal party is making a significant contribution to your wedding party.  Make sure you communicate your wishes and the importance of their roles within your wedding.

Some simple ways to reduce the stress of wedding planning:

• Stay healthy.  Make sure you start or continue to practice healthy habits like a balanced diet, exercise routine and plenty of rest.
• Find a non-wedding activity you enjoy like yoga, gardening or reading to keep stress at bay.
• Admit when you are overwhelmed and ask for the help you need.  Delegate tasks that you don’t feel the need to micromanage.
• Remember that you have a partner in the wedding planning.  Your fiance should be involved in the process.
• Keep a realistic vision of your wedding day.  It may not be “perfect”, but you are marrying the perfect person for you.
• Hire professionals to work with you.  They are experts at what they do and can help you through the planning process.
• Make a planning schedule to stay on track.
• Make detailed planning lists that allow you to feel a sense of accomplishment when you finish a task.   For a copy of Metro Detroit’s ultimate wedding planner, click here.

 We’re here to help with your wedding plans.  Click here to get started.

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Congratulations Scott and April!

Thanks for letting us be part of your day!

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So how do you pick the right first dance song?

• Pick a song that has special meaning to you as a couple.  Song you first danced to, played at your engagement, one you dance to at home – whatever invokes a happy thought.
• Pick a love song that is about love and happiness, not breakups and lost love.  (Click here to see our music list for inspiration.)
• Choose a song with appropriate lyrics, a good melody and a short length.  You want to enjoy the moment, not wonder how much longer you have to dance.
• For more tips on your first dance, click here.

2. Family Seating At The Ceremony.  Make sure that your ushers understand who the “Reserved” seating is reserved for.  Typically the first several pews are for the parents, grandparents and siblings of the couple.  It is possible for your second cousin, twice removed to assume the family seats are for her.

3. Have A Fully Charged Phone.  You will likely carry your cell phone on your wedding day for contacting your bridal party, checking on last minute details and as an emergency contact for wedding vendors.  Make sure your phone is fully charged and being answered by someone who knows the details of your wedding day.

4. Carry Small Cash.  You don’t want to carry your full purse in your wedding clutch, but it’s a good idea to carry some small cash in case you need to pay for parking for downtown photo spots, tip a hair stylist, purchase some gum or any other incidentals.

5. Write Your Vows On Pretty, Sturdy Stock.  If you and your fiance will write your own vows, make sure they are written large enough to be read.  Consider printing them on pretty, sturdy paper stock.  This will minimize the sound of paper rustling, look better in photos, and become a wedding keepsake.

6. Ask Someone To Collect Gifts.  This is a job that you can give to your most trusted friend.  At the conclusion of the reception, someone should be tasked with collecting the boxes, bags and envelope holder.  Decide in advance who this person will be and where they will place the items. (Click here for more reception exit stategies.)

7. Arrange Transportation.  Even if you will have a limo to take you to the church and reception, you will need to make arrangements to get yourselves and bridal party to the starting pick up location and arrange for transportation after the reception.

8. Dress Cleaning and Preservation.  If you will be leaving for your honeymoon after your wedding, ask someone to take your wedding dress to the cleaners for you.  You have a better chance of removing spots and stains, if they occur, by doing this as soon as possible.  (For tips on keeping your dress picture perfect, click here.)

9. Eat Throughout The Day.  Your wedding day will be a flurry of activity, and you may not have time to sit down for afull breakfast and lunch.  Plan for this in advance by having easy to grab items like bagels, granola bars, fruit and other snacks available.

10. Attendant Gifts.  If you do not plan on giving your bridal party attendant gifts at the rehearsal dinner, consider doing so during your pre-ceremony time.  This can also make for a great photo moment.

11. Create A Photo & Video Plan.  Your wedding day is the day you have probably dreamed of for a lifetime.  And part of those dreams probably included an idea of how you would look on your wedding day.  Create a wedding photography and wedding videography photo plan with your service vendors and share the plan with your bridal party and family.  This will help your wedding day to run smoothly.  (Click here for a list of family formal photos.)

12.  Create A Wedding Reception Timeline.  A fun and stress-free wedding reception is a well-planned wedding reception.  A step-by-step timetable of events, and an experienced DJ to oversee them, will keep your party going.  Be sure to share your reception timeline with wedding vendors, bridal party and important family members.

13.  Marriage License.  In order to legally get married in Michigan, you will need a marriage license from the clerk of court’s office.  Following your wedding ceremony, your marriage license must be completed by a solemnizing authority or officiant.  They will complete the time and place of marriage, have the document signed by two witnesses and sign the license.  You must present your marriage license on your wedding day!

14. Enjoy the day.  You’ve planned your wedding day for months, if not years. Instead of worrying about all the details, enjoy your reception.  It is, after all, your wedding day!

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Congratulations Angela and Greg

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