Katie and Thomas's Big Day

Fun Wedding Day for Katie and Thomas. They chose to have their wedding on a late Sunday afternoon, both ceremony and reception at the same location.

Preparation started early afternoon with hair and make up, followed by pre-ceremony pictures in the beautiful heritage room of The Old Red Courthouse and  Museum. Upon the arrival of each guest they were greeted by the photographer requesting for them to pose in front of the famous Pegasus. As a favor from the bride and groom, each guest was provided with the photograph taken on the wedding day.

Photographer: http://www.fairytalephotography.com/

Ceremony and Reception Location: http://www.oldred.org/

Florist: http://www.darrellward.com/

Budget Planning Tips and special photo moments

Natalie and AJ wanted to have some fun with their departure sparklers at The Colonial Country Club in Ft. Worth, Texas

An extra plus for them, as few venues allow sparklers for the guest to send the couple off, therefore they were sent of in a sea of sparkles.

Photography: http://www.avesphotographicdesign.com/

Ceremony: Robert Carr Chapel at TCU

Florist: http://www.thewildflower.com/

Wedding Dress: http://www.warrenbarron.com/

Tips:

Areas that are noticed when considering the budget+additional cost

1. One of the main focuses of your wedding would be to keep the guests in mind and making them  feel

    welcome

     Remember they have set their day or even weekend aside to be apart of your celebration

2. Consider the weather when considering the pro's and con's of valet staff-always a polite jesture

3. If tents are part of the plan- remember to budget in cooling or heating -depending on the location

    and time of year

4. Lighting for a tent is always neccessity, therefore obtain several estimates for this area, including the

    neccesary electrical demands. For out door venues/tents- electricity will also be needed for the band

    and possibly catering

Budget Suggestions and Sweet Departures

Catherine and David were sent off in a wave of petals to depart in an antique Rolls Royce.

Photography: http://www.sengbush.com/

Videographer: http://www.mikeandladonna.com/

Reception Site: The Dallas Country Club

Ceremony: Park Cities Baptist Church

Florist: The Garden Gate

Planning the Budget

*Many times when I set down  for the first time with my bridal families to obtain an estimated wedding cost/budget, they are truly overwhelmed.  I try to share with them to remember that they have never planned a wedding before and over all cost does seem staggering.  Therefore to decide on a few areas that are the most important to you,  then  try to keep the other areas within a comfortable range.

Tips:

Choices to consider when setting the budget

1. Your largest expense will be with the guest-therefore trim your list as close as possible

    Rule of thumb: Delete or place their name on a "to be considered list" only

2. Determined to have a  live band:  Ask if they have a smaller group to play that could still accomplish

    your playlist

3. Locate a DJ that also offers a guitar player to play in between sets

4. Contact your local community college or university music department for their show bands or other

    options they may be able to suggest

5. Beverages: Offer beer- from a keg and poured from pitchers at the bar.  Sangria punch as opposed to

    wine

    Specialty drink- for cocktail time only

    Eliminate the champagne toast- allowing guest to toasts with whatever is in their hand

6. Wedding Favors-request the caterer to offer cookies or something edible as guest line up for departure

     Ice cream sandwhiches, bottled water, candy bar...

   

Budget Planning Tips with reception ideas for Dallas guest in July

July can be hot in Texas, so Michelle and Edwin offered to their  guest a variety of refreshing fruit smoothies as they entered the reception

Photography: http://www.perez-photography.com/

Ceremony and Reception Location: http://www.empireroomdallas.com/

Florist: http://www.fetedesfleurs.com/

Tips:

1. Weddings and receptions  may occur most anytime of the day on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

     Locations often  lower their fees when the days are in less demand.

     Being flexible to the other available times will many times offer you a less expensive site cost

     This allows the location to have several events on site for the weekend

2. Some couples choose early morning or afternoon weddings, not only for the lower cost of the location, but

    it allows them to enjoy the day and end the reception earlier for them and the guest.

3. Mid-day weddings allow your guest to travel to and from the wedding if their home is with in a reasonable

    distance for the day and not have to pay for guest accommodations.

Budget Tips and Ideas-Wedding at Cox Chapel-Highland Park Methodist, Dallas, Texas

Tori and Ryan  wanted  their guest to feel welcome as they entered Cox Chapel at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas. The beautiful wreaths were then transferred to the reception and attached to the departure limousine for a photo moment sent off!

Photography: http://www.janemaus.net/

Videography: http://www.kevenmaus.net/

Reception: http://www.warwickmelrosedallas.com/

Florist: http://www.kabloomdallas.net/

Tips:

1. Use flowers that are in season and easily obtainable for the florist

2. Locate a reception site that you does not need alot of additional decor, offering with the package- tables,

    chairs, linens and stage.

3. If the ceremony or reception is outside, let the surroundings be the decor and just enhance the site

4. Upon arriving to the reception- request for your attendants to give their bouquets to the site coordinator to

    be placed in pre-set vases at guest tables

5. Request for someone to tranfer the pew decor to the reception site and place on the back of the chairs of

    the bride, groom and wedding party. This should take place during the greeting time when guest arrive to

    the reception, prior entrance to the dining/dancing area.

6. To save money on tossing petals- request towards the end of the evening for  the wedding coordinator

     or site manager to pull petals from arrangments used in  the cocktail area or from a food station that has

     been closed and out of site. 

Budget Planning with an extra touch

Katie, her mom and I had so much fun planning this special photo project to surprise her Dad.

Katie grew up with her family having a vacation home in Telluride, Colorado and her Dad always sharing the tradition of the brides in the mountains. When Katie and Preston became engaged he said, "Katie, I guess now you plan can  your ride down the center of town on a mule on the wedding day".

Once they shared that story  I said, "We must find a mule and surprise your dad with a photo".

Hence forth, our search began for a mule, not a donkey!' With an assistant researching and contacting ranches, pony rides, veterinarians and riding stables, we received a call back from Jeff Cook, owner of Widow Maker Trail Rides with the perfect mule. He was so gracious and happy to help us with our adventure.

We had a blast that day, meeting in Southlake, with  Andrea Polito, the photographer, all smiles and Katie in her beautiful Carolina Herrera dress-being hoisted up on Jake the mule.

Needless to say, it was a special moment when Katie surprised  her Dad with the picture following  the father/daughter dance at Arlington Hall in Dallas.

Photography: http://www.politophotography.com/

Location of Photo Moment: www.campalexander.com/widowmaker/widowindex.htm

Bridal Dress: http://www.carolinaherrera.com/

Reception Location: http://www.arlingtonhallatleepark.com/

Tips:

1. When planning your wedding with a budget in mind, try to prioritize specific areas that are most important

     to you for your wedding day.

2. Ask yourself if certain details will matter or be noticed,  keeping  your guest enjoyment  as a priority.

3. Once you have begun obtaining contracts from  each  service vendor- provide an extra copy to your

     family and wedding cooridnator

4. With an excel program, similar to your vendor contact list,  provide a section for each vendor- noting the

     total payment, deposit amount and payment service- check or credit card. Insert the payment schedule

     and date for the final balance it due.    Refer to and update  this document often.

  

Budget planning with fun ideas

Taylor and Chris wanted everyone to  relax and have fun once they arrived to their reception.  They purchased at the end of the summer season flip flops and  tied with ribbons-"The Perfect Pair". These were placed  in baskets in the ladies powder room.  A great way to set the atmophere for a great evening of dancing.

Photography:  Neale at http://www.vimstudio.com/

Reception Site: Arlington Hall at Lee Park

Tips:

Budget Completed:

1. Now time to meet with the vendors and begin the selection. Use your time and selection carefully.

2. I suggest  providing most of the vendors an idea of what you have budgeted for their service.  As long as

    your have  obtained a realistic idea of the cost.  This allows them to offer the  best package within your

    price  range, along with other services  they may be able to provide.

3. Once you have contracted with a vendor, I feel it is a courtesy to release the date with the vendors  whose

    service you will not be using. This allows them to open the date up for another bride, and it is very muchly

    appreciated.

    * As the planner, I am always available to do this deed.

   

   

Budget Tips while adding a glow to the reception

If your budget allows, professional lighting can make make a room come alive. Obtain bids from several lighting companies to select the offer that works in your budget.  *Remember to obtain approval from your reception site first-to see what they allow the professional with the on site lighting.

Photographer: http://www.georgefialaphotography.com/

DJ/Lighting: http://www.cobylogan.com/

Florist: http://www.thewildflower.com/

Photographer:  http://www.sarahborkhamilton.com/

Band:  Infinite Groove   http://www.mrald.com/

Tips:

Additional Budget Planning Ideas:

1.Keep in mind that each guest invited will  add to your cost.

2. Depending on the location, your menu, the beverage package,  along with service charge and tax, I

     suggest to my bridal familes to plan on each guest costing between $60.00 to $100.00.

3. Continue to do your homework on service and vendor cost by searching on the web the different vendors

    their services and packages.  You will also need to contact some for their pricing.

4. Set up meetings with at least two to three vendors in every area-this gives you a good comparison of cost.

   *Remember that the  personally of the vendor is very important- as you want to have complete confidence

     and faith  in the person you choose and will be working with the next several months.

Budget Planning and capturing timeless moments

Christine chose for her bridal portrait location The Stoneleigh Hotel. This allowed her to move to several locations within the wonderful venue and not be concerned about the weather.

Photographer: http://www.josephmark.com/

Reception site: The Joule Hotel

Tips:

Setting Your Budget:

1.Once you have acquired a comfortable budget that is indicative of  your region with you style and taste in

   mind, present this to your family and those who have offered to participate in the expenses.

  With many couples waiting longer to get married, and already being in the work  force, they offer to split the  expenses with the bridal and groom's family. In this case, I have seen it work best for the couple to obtain a wedding bank account- allowing the family to place a set amount offered.  Two other  options would be to suggest a certain service for  the participant to pay, such as florist, band or other area or each person paying to pay for the guest they are inviting.