July 27, 2014
Personalize Prada Shoes
OMG --- I'm so in love with Prada! Do you want a custom, personalized shoe for the wedding day - well here you go! If I had to splurge on a shoe, this would be it! Choose the color, sole and the heel height. You can even add a monogram. Check out www.prada.com for more information.
July 20, 2014
What type of bride are you?
What type of bride are you? This is a question that every bride has to answer. For some bride this is very easy and for others it takes time to define your personal style. Are you a girly, girl who loves everything sparkly, shiny and glamorous. Or, are you a more laid back country girl who loves vintage items and thrift shopping. Take stock of the items in your closet - do you gravitate to pastel colors? Being able to determine your style will make the planning process much easy.
Here's my favorite sketch by Brooke Hagel....yep, I'm a girly, girl who loves glam.
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| Drawing by Brooke Hagel |
July 15, 2014
Monique Lhuillier Spring 2015 Trunk Show
Mark your calendars! You want to check out the Monique Lhuillier Spring 2015 collection at the Joan Pillow Bridal Salon in Atlanta on July 18 and 19th. Call for a private appointment as appointments are booking up fast! Check out a few of my gowns from the Spring 2015 collection. For more information contact 404-841-6202 - Joan Pillow Bridal Salon, 99 West Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, GA.
July 14, 2014
Postal Tips for the Modern Bride
The options for postage have come a long way. The post office offers a limited number of stamps (see below), but websites such as Zazzles offers a wider variety of custom stamps. I have a few pointers:
1. Always weigh your envelopes before you mail them
2. Don't forget to put a stamp on the RSVP cards
3. Always, always ask the post office to hand stamp your envelopes so you don't damage your custom stamps or smear the ink
1. Always weigh your envelopes before you mail them
2. Don't forget to put a stamp on the RSVP cards
3. Always, always ask the post office to hand stamp your envelopes so you don't damage your custom stamps or smear the ink
July 7, 2014
10 Hidden Costs of Throwing a Wedding
So excited to see my quote on Brides' blog today. Check out all of the valuable tips from wedding pros.10 Hidden Costs Of Throwing a Wedding
Monday, July 7, 2014 by Elizabeth Mitchell
Want to keep your wedding budget in check? Start by checking out this list of the 10 things that could end up costing you a lot more than you anticipated.
1. Cake Cutting Fee
Want a pastry chef that isn't affiliated with your venue to make your cake? "Well, there's a good chance your venue will charge you a few dollars per slice to cut it and plate it," says Tracie Domino, founder of Tracie Domino Events. "If you're having 150 guests this could cost you well over $300."
Want a pastry chef that isn't affiliated with your venue to make your cake? "Well, there's a good chance your venue will charge you a few dollars per slice to cut it and plate it," says Tracie Domino, founder of Tracie Domino Events. "If you're having 150 guests this could cost you well over $300."
2. Delivery Charges
Yes, almost everyone has a delivery fee, but you'll want to make sure that their warehouse is in your area, advises Katrina McCullum of Made of Honor Weddings. "A company can have a local office, but deliveries may be out of town and charge twice the amount as another 'local' company. Check to see if they double charge for deliveries over the weekend versus if they dropped off or picked up on a Friday or Monday."
Yes, almost everyone has a delivery fee, but you'll want to make sure that their warehouse is in your area, advises Katrina McCullum of Made of Honor Weddings. "A company can have a local office, but deliveries may be out of town and charge twice the amount as another 'local' company. Check to see if they double charge for deliveries over the weekend versus if they dropped off or picked up on a Friday or Monday."
3. Corkage Fee
Why hire a bartender when you can simply bring your own wine? Corkage fees, that's why. "Be careful and ask your venue or caterer if will there be a corkage fee per bottle," recommends McCullum. "Like the cake cutting fee, this can add up quickly if you aren't expecting it."
Why hire a bartender when you can simply bring your own wine? Corkage fees, that's why. "Be careful and ask your venue or caterer if will there be a corkage fee per bottle," recommends McCullum. "Like the cake cutting fee, this can add up quickly if you aren't expecting it."
4. Administrative Fee
According to wedding planner Karen Brown of Karen Brown NY, an extra cost that catches many couples by surprise is the administrative fee, which is usually somewhere around 20 percent, tacked on to the final bill. On top of that, you've also got gratuity and taxes.
According to wedding planner Karen Brown of Karen Brown NY, an extra cost that catches many couples by surprise is the administrative fee, which is usually somewhere around 20 percent, tacked on to the final bill. On top of that, you've also got gratuity and taxes.
5. Coat Check Fee
If you're getting married during the winter months, be sure to budget for a coat check, says Brown. "This can be an additional $300+ and most clients expect that this would be included in the venue cost." However, it's probably not.
If you're getting married during the winter months, be sure to budget for a coat check, says Brown. "This can be an additional $300+ and most clients expect that this would be included in the venue cost." However, it's probably not.
6. Transportation Cost
Transportation is another area in which couples are not prepared to spend extra dollars, points out Atlanta-based event planner Gail Johnson of Gail Johnson Weddings and Events. "Couples say, 'I only need a vintage car or limo for one hour'. What they don't know is that most companies have a three or four hour minimum, as well as gratuity, tax and charges if the destination is not within a certain perimeter or area."
Transportation is another area in which couples are not prepared to spend extra dollars, points out Atlanta-based event planner Gail Johnson of Gail Johnson Weddings and Events. "Couples say, 'I only need a vintage car or limo for one hour'. What they don't know is that most companies have a three or four hour minimum, as well as gratuity, tax and charges if the destination is not within a certain perimeter or area."
7. Power Drop Charge
One of the least obvious costs when planning a wedding is the charge for a power drop, notes Florida-based wedding planner Aviva Samuels of Kiss The Planner. "Most historical spaces and even many hotel ballrooms were not built with enough amperage to power a band, specialty lighting or sometimes even a DJ. If a generator and cables needs to be brought in to add power, this can come with a hefty price tag, especially if it's the type of generator that isn't enormous or makes a lot of noise"
One of the least obvious costs when planning a wedding is the charge for a power drop, notes Florida-based wedding planner Aviva Samuels of Kiss The Planner. "Most historical spaces and even many hotel ballrooms were not built with enough amperage to power a band, specialty lighting or sometimes even a DJ. If a generator and cables needs to be brought in to add power, this can come with a hefty price tag, especially if it's the type of generator that isn't enormous or makes a lot of noise"
8. Postage Fees
"While just a small cost per piece, postage can really add up with save the dates, invitations and RSVP cards, especially if they are custom," points out Kristin Alexander of Esoteric Events. Remember: The heavier the weight of your paper products the more the postage for them will cost.
"While just a small cost per piece, postage can really add up with save the dates, invitations and RSVP cards, especially if they are custom," points out Kristin Alexander of Esoteric Events. Remember: The heavier the weight of your paper products the more the postage for them will cost.
9. Seamstress Services
"Once a bride chooses her dream gown, she often forgets that the cost to get it to fit perfectly can be high," explains consumer and money saving expert Andrea Woroch." Generally, brides are looking at $500 for alterations." She suggests searching for a seamstress you trust and not skimping on quality because a botch job can cost you more in the long run, both financially and emotionally, particularly if time is limited.
"Once a bride chooses her dream gown, she often forgets that the cost to get it to fit perfectly can be high," explains consumer and money saving expert Andrea Woroch." Generally, brides are looking at $500 for alterations." She suggests searching for a seamstress you trust and not skimping on quality because a botch job can cost you more in the long run, both financially and emotionally, particularly if time is limited.
10. Overtime Charges
You're having a blast with your friends, family and new spouse, so you decide to stay and party a little longer. Sounds great, right? If you're willing to pay the overtime charges it is. "Beware that most vendors and venues have an overtime fee clause," warns Stefany Allongo, founder of The Majestic Vision: Wedding and Event Planning Services. These fees can range depending on the vendor, but could add up quickly when you ask everyone to stay. If you have a feeling that you will want to extend, talk to your vendors ahead of time to negotiate the extension fee and add it to your contract," she recommends.
You're having a blast with your friends, family and new spouse, so you decide to stay and party a little longer. Sounds great, right? If you're willing to pay the overtime charges it is. "Beware that most vendors and venues have an overtime fee clause," warns Stefany Allongo, founder of The Majestic Vision: Wedding and Event Planning Services. These fees can range depending on the vendor, but could add up quickly when you ask everyone to stay. If you have a feeling that you will want to extend, talk to your vendors ahead of time to negotiate the extension fee and add it to your contract," she recommends.
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