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Saturday, September 27, 2014

Mistakes That Will Increase Your Wedding Costs, Part 2

Mistakes That Will  Increase Your Wedding Costs, Part 2
"InDeCiSiOn"



This is something that can happen to anyone planning a wedding.  Most people would apply this behavior with the "Bridezilla" but there's a new term called "Chillzilla" (one who claims they don't really care or will say yes to anything).  I don't particularly like the latter term because this implies that they are temperamental, spineless or moody, and that's usually not the case.  So I will would prefer to create a completely different term for a bride or groom who displays this behavior...someday when I have time.   

There are two types of clients that can make wedding planning difficult.

1.  Bridezillas/Groomzillas who know what they want and do not want to accept the fact that their budget doesn't allow for everything they want.  When they become angry and blame everyone else for "destroying their dream", they tend to think that everyone should make an exception for them while not caring if a vendor would go out of business doing it!

2.  Bless or not bless their hearts, (temporarily called Chillzillas) but there are those just don't know what they want or can't decide between all of the options.  It's understandable, but when a bride or groom say, "I don't really care", that leaves us without a place to even start. This also can be expensive because time lost is money lost.  It can lead to changing one's mind a lot, too.  That doesn't make anyone happy!

My initial consultation form subtly lets me now what a client's personality type is.  That helps me help a client.  It also goes into style preferences, priorities and how they want to remember their wedding as well as their guests.  Once this indecisive client becomes comfortable with the fact that they do care more than they thought and aren't afraid to state what they want, the rest of the journey is easy!

Below, you will get something I don't just share with anyone!  Please let me know if this helps YOU!  This is one page from my initial consultation form.  I suggest that you choose among the following what is most important to you and rank them from 1-5 as to their importance to both of you as a couple.

Level of Importance     most <----------->least
Wedding and Reception Choices in Alphabetical Order
1    2     3      4      5
Alcohol
1    2     3      4      5
Attendant’s Dresses
1    2     3      4      5
Cake
1    2     3      4      5
Dancing
1    2     3      4      5
Decorations
1    2     3      4      5
DJ
1    2     3      4      5
Entertainment
1    2     3      4      5
Favors
1    2     3      4      5
Flowers for Aisle, Altar
1    2     3      4      5
Flowers for Tables
1    2     3      4      5
Flowers To Carry
1    2     3      4      5
Flowers To Wear
1    2     3      4      5
Food
1    2     3      4      5
Hair and Makeup
1    2     3      4      5
Honoring those who have passed away
1    2     3      4      5
Invitations and Save the Dates
1    2     3      4      5
Musicians/Vocalists
1    2     3      4      5
Photo Booth
1    2     3      4      5
Photography
1    2     3      4      5
Slide Show
1    2     3      4      5
Table Decorations
1    2     3      4      5
Transportation ( i.e. Limo, classic car, horse-drawn carriage, etc.)
1    2     3      4      5
Tuxedos
1    2     3      4      5
Veil
1    2     3      4      5
Venue
1    2     3      4      5
Videography
1    2     3      4      5
Wedding Dress
1    2     3      4      5

1    2     3      4      5

1    2     3      4      5

1    2     3      4      5

1    2     3      4      5



Feel free to go to our Greatest of Days website and find a hidden planning tip on each page of our website!

As always....


Friday, September 26, 2014

Planning Weddings and Events with Less Stress: Mistakes That Will Increase Your Wedding Costs, Pa...

Planning Weddings and Events with Less Stress: Mistakes That Will Increase Your Wedding Costs, Pa...: Mistakes That Will  Increase Your Wedding Costs, Part 1 "Honeymoon" Everyone thinks about the wedding when it come...

Mistakes That Will Increase Your Wedding Costs, Part 1



Mistakes That Will  Increase Your Wedding Costs, Part 1


"Honeymoon"


Everyone thinks about the wedding when it comes to intense planning, but there's one thing that will keep money in your wallet for your wedding as much or more than anything.

It is the honeymoon!  You can save more money than many other items for your wedding combined by carefully planning your honeymoon.  Long before you even began thinking of planning a wedding, you've planned vacations or trips.  So you already know how much pricing fluctuates for various destinations at various times of the year.  

If you plan your wedding date that will coincide with a less expensive honeymoon you can be taking a lot of stress off of your wedding budget.

Feel free to go to our Greatest of Days website and find a hidden planning tip on each page of our website!

As always....

Wishing you the greatest of days!


Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Planning Weddings and Events with Less Stress: Reality TV Wedding Shows vs. Weddings in Reality!

Planning Weddings and Events with Less Stress: Reality TV Wedding Shows vs. Weddings in Reality!: Reality TV Wedding Shows vs. Weddings in Reality I'll admit that I don't make a habit of watching the "Reality TV&...

Reality TV Wedding Shows vs. Weddings in Reality!

Reality TV Wedding Shows vs. Weddings in Reality




I'll admit that I don't make a habit of watching the "Reality TV" wedding shows. Honestly, I find them to be stressful to watch.  It's similar to a scary movie as a little kid.  You're afraid when that monster might appear out of nowhere!  It's like...drama down everybody, please!  But it's TV so that's the way it will be. However, truth is stranger than fiction and sometimes reality is strangest of all. As a Wedding Planner we can only hope we don't have to experience too many of the things we see on TV.  That's not to say that we don't see our fair share of unbelievable moments or actions!

I hear this all the time from people I run into.  "Is being a Wedding Planner like it is on TV?"  "I suppose you have to deal with a lot of Bridezillas!"  "Is it like Jennifer Lopez in the movie?"  "Do you have that movie...  ....uh.... The Wedding Planner?"  "Do you wear a headset?"

Now and then, I'll admit to being drawn into watching the shows.  Sometimes I almost want to watch the show with my hands to my face and peeking through my fingers!  It's better if I'm alone when I'm watching unless someone doesn't mind me yelling, "What the heck?"  They might hear, "Well, of course!  What did you think?"  Maybe it's just a long drawn out "NO!"  That's about the time that my husband walks in and asks "Did something break?  "Who were you talking to?"  I'll respond with, "Oh, never mind, it's just....you wouldn't understand!"

Here's what I'm really thinking when I watch some of these shows depending on the drama meter for a particular episode.  Now you'll see why I don't make a habit of dropping everything to watch these shows!

Remember this is to people chosen to be on TV for effect!

Referring to the TV Bride:

~ Uh, oh!  You shouldn't have brought so many people to shop for the dress!
~ Wow!  This one has probably been a spoiled brat all of her life!
~ That's the dress!  I can tell!
~ Remember to think about your guests at your wedding!

Referring to the TV Bridal Party:

~ I thought you were her friend?
~ I wonder if they will still be friends after the wedding?


Referring to the TV Mother of the Bride:

~ I bet your mother never let you have any say in your wedding?
~ I can't believe you're taking this!
~ Be nice!!
~ What does your daughter want?

Referring to the TV Sister of the Bride:

~ It's not your wedding!
~ Hang in there.  She really loves you!

Referring to the TV Host:

~ Did you really think she would like that?  You know what you're doing and it will turn out!
~ I would love to design something like that, but what bride could afford all that?
~ I've said those exact same words!  Do I ever know how he/she feels!!

Referring to the TV Wedding Dress Consultant:

~ Who is the designer?
~ That's too much like the last one!
~ You're a miracle worker!
~ Good Luck!


Referring to the TV Cake Designer:

~ Well, that's interesting!
~ I want to learn how to do that!
~ Is this a kid's birthday party or a wedding?



TV show or not there's always a chance for drama, but one thing is certain...each wedding is different!  I've only had one wedding in 7 years that I ended up hating, well maybe 1-1/2.  Crude, rude and socially unacceptable are words that come to mind. If someone is rude or mean to vendors or me while working with me at an event, all ties are cut.