Oliveairé - Artisan Events and Meetings

Did You Put a Ring on It?

2012-01-27T06:37:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to all off the newly engaged ladies who have undoubtedly been staring at their left hand quite often. Are you in love with your ring? We hope so. Soon you will likely start talking to your beloved about your wedding band. Do you have a dream band? Is your engagement ring part of a set? Will your bands match? Which brings me to my question today…

Is your guy wearing a ring?

It made news last year when Prince William decided not to wear a ring. Honestly, it didn’t send up and red flags for me. It’s not like the entire world didn’t know he was married. Many of us work early/stayed up late just to watch it! I know men who don’t wear their wedding rings on a regular basis, some not at all. They do this for a variety of personal and professional reasons. If their partner is ok with it, who am I to judge?

Looks like love to me!

Male Engagement Rings

On the far other end of the spectrum, it seems more guys are wearing engagement rings. These rings are given as a gift from a bride-to-be to her groom. Often, she gives it as a gift after he’s already asked her but some women are choosing to propose to their guy. Many grooms wear these rings up until their wedding day, and then put on a new wedding ring.

Ladies, can you imagine your guy wearing an engagement ring? What happens to it when they switch to a wedding ring? I can’t imagine them stacked the way women’s rings work. Or, are you ok with your guy wearing no ring at all?

Please share photos with us of your beautiful engagement and wedding bands as well!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),
Olivia

Wedding Trends for 2012

2012-01-20T13:21:00.000-08:00

2011 was an amazing year for the Oliveaire team, but as the year turns, it’s out with the old and in with the NEW.

Here are 5 things we are looking forward to seeing at weddings in 2012:

1. Lollipop Hors d'oeuvres
Couples are making their cocktail hour food simpler for their guests to enjoy, with a touch of whimsy. You’ll see everything from lobster, to cheese and sweets.

2. Food Trucks
They hit the road strong in 2011, and we’ll see them pulling up curbside at many weddings in 2012. Have them stop by for a cocktail hour surprise or late night treat.

3. Crystals
Her marriage may not have lasted but Kim Kardashian’s wedding style has influenced design requests for 2012. We’ll see lots of sparkle and shine this year

4. Botanical Design
Brides are asking for simplified designs, made mostly of plants and greenery. Whether they found inspiration from the Royal Wedding or their overall movement toward a more eco-friendly lifestyle, we like it.

5. Lace
Romantic touches are being added to gowns, table linens and aisle runners. This is also a great way to incorporate family heirlooms.

We're excited to see how you incorporate these ideas into your big day!
Cheers to a New Year!
Olivia

2011: A Year in Review

2012-01-12T20:46:00.000-08:00

Thank you and congratulations to all of our Brides & Grooms from 2011!
It was such an honor to be part of your special day. Thank you for trusting us to bring your visions to life. It is an amazing experience to get to know you and your families so well through the planning process.

2011 was an exciting year with many new trends and décor pieces being introduced.

Here are a few highlights from some of the extraordinary themes that were presented:

Romantic Red

Garden Zen

Lush Lavendar Elegance

Heaven on Earth

Special thanks to R.E.M. Video and Photography for their photographs, as well as the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Westin Lombard Yorktown Center and Intercontinental Chicago O'Hare.

Check back next week to see what we’re predicting for 2012.

Cheers!

Olivia

Meet the Team: Sr. Event Archtiect Mahvish Bhatty

2011-11-23T11:46:00.001-08:00

We are very thankful for our team. Today I'd like you to get to know another of our Senior Event Architects, Ms. Mahvish Bhatty. Mahvish came to Oliveaire with event planning experience, and has impressed her clients with her professionalism and expertise.

What is your favorite part of planning a wedding?

My favorite part is picking out décor with the client. I love to see the wonderful stages and center pieces.

How would you describe your style? Has it changed since you started working in the event industry?

My style is to work closely with the client so I am on top of every detail throughout the wedding planning process. However, this does change when the client wants to take full control.

What has been your biggest challenge in planning a wedding or event?

Getting information on time has been my biggest challenge. The other challenge is making multiple changes too close (less than 2 weeks) to the wedding.

What one piece of advice would you give a newly engaged couple?

Wedding planning can be very stressful and it’s overwhelming when there are many decision makers. Make a plan with your fiancé and families and make one contact person. The less people involved the better, prioritize making yourselves and your parents happy and don't worry so much about the distant relatives.

Put a budget in place and stick to it.

Also, work with your planner and ask for their candid opinion prior to hiring a vendor. We have experience working with vendors and can make suggestions on who we have both positive and negative experiences with. Listening to us and that will make your planning smoother and successful.

Do you have a favorite wedding moment or event (i.e. first dance, when the groom first sees the bride, parents reaction, etc.)?

I love the entrances and all the announcements. The ambiance is very vibrant and energetic. The couple and the family is entering to their favorite songs and doing a little dance. I love it.

How would you describe what you do everyday?

I not only do I plan the weddings/events, but I also try to advise the clients and to keep them relaxed so they can enjoy this process. Being organized is very important as we’re managing multiple weddings at the same time. I interact with all vendors, develop the wedding paperwork (which consists of timeline(s), checklist(s), menu, diagrams, bridal party entrances, and much more. It’s a very busy position, which is fun but also requires great organization and time management skills.

If you you are interested in speaking with Mahvish about your wedding or special event call her at 847-885-3200 or e-mail her here.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, we hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend with your friends and family.

Cheers!
Olivia

Sending the Right Message

2011-11-11T12:56:00.001-08:00

Often the first impression guests will have of your wedding will be when they receive your invtiation. To make sure you are sending the right message to your guests we turned to paper expert JoAnna Gibbons of J.Invites and asked her to share a few words of wisdom. Take it away JoAnna...

People say the first impression you give should always be your best and should really say something about you. This guideline holds true for your wedding. Before you see the beautiful bride walking down the aisle, before you walk into the reception to see the fabulous decor, it's the invitation that you see. The invitation is the very beginning of your wedding. It is a glimpse into what your guests should expect, from the colors to the ambiance to the formality.

The invitation should speak volumes through its designs and reflect not only your event but also you - the couple to be married. Below are a couple invitations that do so.

This wedding invitation suite is for a more casual wedding, which is represented by not only the wording and style, but also the layout. A formal invitation usually has only the ceremony information on the main card, whereas this one includes the reception information with the cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing all represented by symbols. Also, the RSVP card is a postcard which is usually less formal than an envelope. This invitation speaks volumes about the couple. They're such a laid back pair, and origami cranes really played a large role in the beginning of their relationship. One year for Christmas when Emmitt didn't have the money to splurge on a gift for Katie, he made a bunch of origami cranes and scattered them all over the house with sweet sayings in them. Ever since, cranes have held a special place in their hearts. They chose this as the focus of their wedding decor.

This couple is very elegant and traditional, but at the time very organic. In this invite, the organic nature of the couple is offset by the whimsical look of the tulle and the graphic elements. The colors, fonts, and wording bring an elegant feel to the invite.

Lastly, Kathy and Andrew wanted their invites to look traditional yet rustic. They used cotton papers and letterpress printing, which are very traditional, along with rustic and graphics. Together, these elements show who they are as a couple.

Thanks again to JoAnna of J.Invites for sharing some invitation design tips with us today. As with all other aspects in your wedding, make sure your invitations are a reflection of you as a couple!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Meet the Oliveaire Team: Sr. Event Architect Adel Domingo

2011-11-02T08:59:00.000-07:00

It takes a team to provide all of the services we offer at Oliveaire, all of us have our unique roles, personalities and styles. In the coming weeks you will have the chance to meet the team that makes the Oliveaire experience.

Enjoy getting to know Adel Domingo, Sr. Event Architect with Oliveaire. If you’d like to talk to her about planning your wedding or special event contact her at 847-885-3200 or e-mail her here.

What is your favorite part of planning a wedding?
It’s that moment when my bride and groom start trusting me. That means all will be well because we can tackle anything at that point. That trust between the clients and me is vital.

How would you describe your style?
As a planner I love taking care of my clients by simply listening, responding with a real, relaxed enthusiasm, and executing patiently. I’m a calm person and I think my clients and vendors feel it and they stay calm. I do love researching what my clients like and don’t like, I take great interest in each client I work with. After I’m done with an event, I keep a few notes and photos in their file to remind me how unique they are.

What one piece of advice would you give a newly engaged couple?
The wedding of your dreams is possible, just be realistic with your time and budget.

Do you have a favorite wedding moment or event?
It would have to be when I see the couple’s body language when they are announced as husband and wife. They are just so relaxed and relieved that the main part is over. You can feel everybody exhaling.

How would you describe what you do every day?
It’s sort of this crazy job but it takes a sane person to do it. Most of the time during the planning and creative process, it seems like my day is full of phone calls to vendors, email correspondence, reading, research, and making appointments. Creating time lines takes great focus and sometimes I like to do them in the middle of the night when it’s quiet. Despite what people see in the movies, it’s not always glamorous and easy. Time goes fast for planners; we know how much time a task takes even while a couple does not. We treat time like gold. I also know I can’t take being a part of an important event for granted so despite being laid back and calm, I get very serious and nervous and double check everything leading up to an event.

What advice would you give someone who wants to start working in the event industry?
If you don’t like people, don’t do it. Plan several personal events on your own, take a course, get a great pair of comfortable shoes, and work as an intern. When you want to take the plunge, try it out for a year and see if you still love it. If you can answer an emphatic YES, then it’s for you.

What did your wedding meal look like?
My husband and I were young and did not have the wisdom in planning menus and picking a good caterer like we do now. Our wedding meal was a buffet of mediocre roast beef, Spanish rice, and I don’t remember the rest. I do remember our hazelnut-flavored wedding cake being delicious and the German wine was great.

If we ever do plan a menu for a future wedding anniversary party, I would probably do an authentic mixture of Asian and Mexican fare, my favorite kinds of food, with great bottles of wine and beer and a mojito bar.

Thanks Adel for the great interview.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Silhouette to Buttons: Trends for your Wedding Party!

2011-08-24T19:03:00.000-07:00

Today, we have team member Sayira Khokhar sharing some Bridal Party trends with you.

So much effort is spent on picking the bridal gown and the groom's tuxedo, one almost looks at the groomsmen and bridesmaids as an afterthought, but they are just as important as the flower arrangement on the reception tables!

When scouting dresses and suits for the bridal party, keep in mind the theme of your wedding. They will need to compliment the bride and groom.

Open any magazine and flip to the wedding pages, you will see they all have several components in common. While we don't encourage you to copy everything you see, we hope you'll find inspiration you can put your own unique stamp on.

In bridesmaid dresses, think bold & solid colors. The colors of the season range from the a light sage green (at the lighter end of the spectrum) to vibrant colors such as a red orange. I am loving the more exotic and non-traditional colors, such as rust or bright yellow.

The silhouette most popular this season is the “A” line dress. This is a very flattering silhouette for women with curves because the fabric glides over the hips. The top is more fitted to reveal a nice waist. To accentuate the slimmer waist, a wide sash is added. It can be of the same, or a contrasting, color.

The fabrics vary depending on the length of the dress. For example, stiffer fabric is made for something above the knees such as mix of cotton-silk faille or silk organza. These are lightweight but crisp and clean. The sharp and clean lines add an element of modern or abstract design.

Floor length dresses are typically made of feathery fabrics such as, my favorite, silk chiffon. Again, depending on the theme of the wedding, this would add the classical accent to the ceremony. It has a feather light look. It adds a beautiful whisper in the light breeze.

Another trend is exposed shoulders. There are many halter necklines and strapless dresses. The shorter dresses tend to have the exposed shoulders whereas the longer dresses have a halter neckline.

The most interesting trend is ballet flats! This adds a very cute, flower girl look to the bridesmaid. They are also less painful and fun to dance in when the night is long!

Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about the groomsmen.

The piece that has grown in fashion is the tie. It is no longer the traditional black or gray. We are seeing the bold splash of color, to compliment the bridesmaids. Usually the breast pocket napkin is the same color but I have seen many mismatching ties and handkerchief.

Depending on the theme, a 3 piece suit gives the feel of the traditional English country wedding, however, the fishtail is not always present. The most fashionable twist is using difference shades of the same color in the men's ensemble. The vest might be a light heather gray, the coat a medium black with matching pants, a white shirt and a white bow tie to contrast the vest. The combinations are endless! (Within reasonable limits of course.)

Buttons. Yes, groomsmen, buttons. Add them to your attire. We like to see different shaped buttons, such as diamonds or squares. Sometimes they are darker or lighter than the coat to accentuate the style.

Enjoy shopping for your favorite ladies and guys, and be sure to give them the chance to personalize their look to show the personalities you love so much!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Now Raise Your Glass...

2011-08-13T19:03:00.000-07:00

The wedding ceremony was absolutely beautiful and the reception is going along fantastically. The MC has started to announce the people to make toasts. Oh no, what will he say? What will she bring up? How long is dad going to talk? These are some of the questions that may be going through your mind but can be handled with a little preliminary work. Toasts can be a very memorable part of the evening and you certainly don’t want it remembered as the time that the best man was too drunk or dad’s speech was 40 minutes long. Here are our top tips, you can share with your toast-givers, to guarantee a successful toast:

Don’t make it about you
You have been asked by the bride and / or groom to give a speech about why the wedding is happening and what makes it so great. The number one key to a successful toast is to make it about the couple you are toasting. Don’t talk about you, rather keep it focused on the bride and groom.

Save the Drinks Until Toast Time
This point seems quite obvious, but it is not. Wait until after your toast to visit the bar. Even if you are traditionally a fantastic speaker, slurring your words will certainly not impress the guests. Also, if one has had a bit too much to drink they may tend to ramble and repeat the same story, and they will not even know they are doing it.

Be clear and concisePrior to the big day decide upon three stories (Max!), and at least one good thing about both the bride and groom as individuals, and one of them as a couple, to incorporate into your toast or speech. The more these stories relate to each other the better.

Don’t get side-tracked
Stick with the pre-planned work you have done on the toast. Stay with the three stories and comments about the bride and groom. Sometimes when you are recalling memories they will lead you to more memories, which can lead to another story, and all of the sudden you are rambling and taking far too long to make a memorable toast. Since the wedding reception room is filled with family, older relatives, and close childhood friends, your toast should be PG or PG-13 rated. Steer clear of any topics that may offend.

Start preparing early
Type or write down your thoughts on the speech. By writing it down it will help you remember it better, and assist you in honing it down, and then it is quite easy to edit if needed. Also by writing it down you can practice in front of the mirror, or a loved one, to get more comfortable in delivering the speech.

Use your Speech 101 skills
All of us at one time or another in high school or college took a speech class. Now is the time to recollect and use those skills. Keep the toast short (3 minutes is a good starting point), keep it simple and keep the audience entertained. Make the guests understand why you were chosen for this special moment. Mixing in some humor and keeping it about the bride and groom is sure to be a winner.

Keep it real
The more true to yourself, the more the audience will be on your side. Some of the best speeches are two to three sentences, sharing a heartfelt congratulations and genuine wishes for full of love, because they were delivered with sincerity that you can see if their face or even hear in the sound of their voice. As long as you are comfortable in honoring the bride and groom this works best.

Have fun
Have fun but not too much fun. You want to deliver your speech fluently and clearly. You want to show emotion and sincerity and that can sometimes be difficult if you are having too much fun. It is a tradition and honor to be selected for this task, and should be given your full attention and regard.

Know that the actual purpose of giving a toast is to wish the couple happiness and blissful life ahead. Make sure you keep this in mind when you say your toast. Give your perspective of why that is the case and then you can gracefully make your exit to the bar.

Cheers!

Picking the Perfect Wedding Date

2011-06-29T09:46:00.001-07:00

Today we are over at Top Wedding Sites talking about how to pick your perfect wedding date. Come check it out!

http://www.topweddingsites.com/wedding-blog/wedding-planning/picking-the-perfect-wedding-date

How “Real” is Reality TV When it Comes to Planning Your Wedding

2011-06-28T20:17:00.000-07:00

I love watching "Say Yes to the Dress" as much as the next girl. WE tv can distract me for a few hours at a time as I watch couples navigate all of the decisions that go into wedding planning. However, as someone who works in the wedding industry I am watching from a different point of view than a bride-to-be or single girl daydreaming about her big day.

Reality TV does a great job of inspiring brides. The best, brightest and most cutting edge trends are highlighted for all to enjoy. Wedding related television shows have guided brides in their gown style, inspired décor and bridal party attire color selections and no doubt helped to create some fantastic celebrations.

However, I fear that reality TV has also given brides some unrealistic expectations when it comes to their big day. Many of these shows do not disclose costs, or at least the full cost of their wedding. For example, it is common to see a bride with a $3,000 budget for a wedding gown on television. Given that the gown is often budgeted at 5% of the total wedding cost, we can guess that this gown is part of a $60,000 wedding. The average wedding cost in the United States is $24,000, which creates an average gown budget of $1,200, quite a difference.

There are also costs that are unseen to the untrained eye. In addition to the base cost of any wedding related item you need to leave room in your budget to account for tax (often close to 10%), labor, shipping and/or delivery and service charges (most commonly found with your caterer or venue). These fees can range anywhere from 18% to 24% of your total bill. This will grow proportionally with your overall wedding budget.

Finally, for better or worse, there needs to be accommodation for the cost of living in different locations. The price of labor will likely be higher in a large metropolitan city (i.e. Chicago, New York) than it is in a smaller city. If you have your heart set on a product only available in a larger city you may end up paying more in shipping fees to get it to you. This information is not meant to scare you, rather provide you information to set realistic expectations.

Floral designers, bridal gown consultants, and wedding planners truly do love when an inspired bride comes in. It is lovely to work with a couple who know what they are looking for on their wedding day. So, watch all the reality tv you would like to, and keep notes on your favorite ideas. When it comes time to start your planning, be up front and realistic with your budget. Hire professionals you trust, and work with them to create the day that you have been dreaming of.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for now),
Olivia

Modern Wedding Registry Tips

2011-06-08T10:58:00.000-07:00

We are SO excited to welcome our friend Jennifer from Foodie Registry to the blog today to chat with all of our lovely brides about the Modern Wedding Registry.

It goes without saying that traditional wedding registries and etiquette don’t always apply to couples living in the 21st century. These days, couples are waiting longer to get married, and many decide to cohabitate together before marriage, which results in less of a need for the nest-building housewares that have traditionally graced wedding registries.

When my husband Ben and I got engaged, we had already dated for 7 years, and had most of our household necessities. Still, we felt pressured to register for traditional items that we didn’t need, but that we thought people would want or expect us to register for. After looking over our registry at a list of things we were sure would end up gathering dust on a shelf, in a fit of inspiration and rebellion (and being the foodies we are), we created a list of restaurants we loved or wanted to try. The “restaurant registry” was a great success with our guests, gave us date nights for months, and made us realize that ultimately, doing what was best for us as a couple was the best thing to do.

The wedding registry process can be tricky, especially when trying – as all of us do – to please everyone. In the spirit of the independent and diverse modern couple, we thought we would share some of our favorite modern wedding registry tips.

DO register online. This is almost a given for modern couples. Online wedding registries are infinitely more convenient for both guests and receivers. It’s fine to provide a few pick-up options for older or more traditionally-minded guests, but just keep in mind that most of your guests will prefer to purchase their gift online.

DON’T include your registries on your invitations. This is one registry rule that stands the test of time. The main reason is because you don’t want to take any emphasis away from the primary purpose of the invitation – to ask that your friends and loved ones be present at one of the most specials moments in your life.

DO make your wedding registry easily accessible. Word of mouth may be the traditional way of telling guests where you’re registered, but in modern times it is all but impractical. Instead, link to your wedding registry on your wedding webpage, which we highly encourage you to create. Most wedding webpages are free to create and serve as a central online hub of information for your wedding guests. You can also include the URL of your wedding webpage on invitations.

DON’T forget to update your registries on a regular basis. Often times, certain items will be out of stock or get discontinued. Try to monitor them at least once a month to prevent any inconveniences for guests.

DO register for items that reflect you as a couple. If you and your future spouse are avid rock climbers or amateur chefs, why not register for rock climbing gear or cooking classes? In other words, don’t feel pressured to register for things you don’t really want or need. There are many exciting alternative registry options available now, from honeymoon and charity registries, to our own Foodie Registry. You can also go the DIY route and create your own wedding registry!

DON’T wait until the last minute to register. Complete your wedding registries up to 6 months, and no later than 2 months in advance of the wedding, in order to give your guests plenty of time to choose and purchase their gifts.

DO provide a variety of options for guests. That includes a variety of price points, items and registries. We advocate doing what’s best for you as a couple, but we also think it’s polite to think of your guests. If you know your friends will have to travel far for the wedding or have smaller budgets, or if Aunt Edna has always wanted to give you a set of flatware, consider these things accordingly while shaping your registry.

DON’T be afraid to register for what you want. If you already have your towels and spatulas, don’t be afraid to register for things (or experiences!) you actually want and will use. You’ll find that many guests will not only love having some fresh or unique items to choose from, but will appreciate knowing their gift will be truly enjoyed.

DO read FAQs and check for hidden fees before setting up a registry. Unfortunately some registries have added costs, either for you or your guests. Make sure that you are not choosing registries that will charge your guests a service fee.

Jennifer a.k.a. @mrsfoodiereg started Foodie Registry with her husband Ben in 2010, after eschewing the traditional registry at their own wedding in 2008 and creating a “restaurant registry” instead. The registry was a huge hit with guests, and Foodie Registry was born.

What is wedding entertainment?

2011-06-01T19:42:00.000-07:00

Today we will learn about all aspects of wedding entertainment from Sr. Event Architect, Adel Domingo.

It’s not just figuring out if you should have a DJ or a band. It is a combination of your wedding fitting your personality, how you want your guests to have fun and most importantly, how you as a couple want to celebrate.

Where do we start?

First, tell the band or DJ your “do not play” or “do not do” list and stick to it. You know what those are – the songs that you really dislike or not letting your crazy relative have a microphone to sing his version of “Endless Love.”

Second, if you feel like choreographing your first dance, make sure you are both committed to it, and rehearse a lot. Even if you’re professional dancers, after a few drinks and the potential weight and size of your wedding gown, you don’t want to trip or have your groom step on your gown. The first dance is important, so pick your favoring song ahead of time together.

You do not need to do a lot to entertain your guests, just enough to let them know you appreciate their presence and that you thought of them.

A few ideas to keep your guests from yawning, or leaving your wedding reception early, are:

1. Make the speeches short. It’s pretty self-explanatory.

2. Make each other feel special. If you can sing, sing something for your groom or bride. Really kiss when your guests clink on their glasses. Compliment your bride publicly on how pretty she looks. Make sure his meal is extra special like surprising him with his favorite steak instead of the chicken you ordered.

3. If you are at a regional area, serve the regional food. For example, if you are having your wedding near apple orchards, add apples to your menu or use apples as place card holders.

4. Ask your bridal party to mingle with the guests or play hosts to the guests. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifThere are always guests who just know the bride and groom but nobody else. In short, make everybody feel welcomed.

Photo by R.E.M. Photography

5. Combination photo booths and guest books are great during cocktail hour. They are still extremely popular even though they have been around for years now. Why? Because the guests feel relaxed and there is interaction.

6. Hire a great band or DJ. Not only that, make sure the emcee is professional. This means they care about your timeline, how they pronounce your names when announced, and most importantly, they are witty and funny and know when to liven up the party when there is dead time.

7. When you throw the bouquet or garter, attach a gift card to it. Will it make the single guests be more interested to be on the floor? You bet!

8. Have interactive food. For instance, design your own cocktail. Have a martini bar. A chocolate fountain never gets old but a new twist to it is maybe to add a crepe station. The latest is to adding cotton candy or a popcorn machine near the end of the party. A popcorn machine is great if you’re having your event at a theater.

9. Choose an interesting venue or design it so it fits your personality. Do you like wineries, a vintage diner, a garden, a beach, a contemporary ballroom, a barn, or a chalet? No matter what, choose a venue that is interesting.

10. Finally, do not have a cash bar. Having an open bar is still affordable; just ask the venue to customize something that is more affordable. Maybe you can buy your own wine and the venue just charges you corkage fee. You invited the guests to your wedding and it’s more courteous to not have them pay for anything.

Wedding entertainment really translates as making every second special during your celebration. Do not over think or make it over the top so it feels like a circus. Just pick a few ideas so your wedding feels like a unique celebration, something you, your family, and friends will remember as a great experience.

Thanks for this great blog, Adel.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Your Service Signature

2011-05-25T16:17:00.000-07:00

No, it's not your wedding ceremony we're talking about, it's the manner in which food will be served to your guests. Believe it or not, one of the most important aspects of your wedding day will be the food and beverage. People will always remember how the bride looked, and how good (or not) the food was. Keeping this in mind, you need to understand the different options that are available out there. Today we will explore the options, and the features and benefits of each.

First we will explore the most popular choice, which is a plated meal. This service is where you, as a bride, will chose the menu to be served directly to each guest. You can choose a single entrée, a duo entrée, a trio, or you can have your guests RSVP their choice from a limited selection. First and foremost, this type of meal service will tend to be less expensive, and look the most formal. It will also typically be, depending upon the venue, hot and directly out of the kitchen. A drawback to this service is it limits the guests to what you have selected for the choices. If you do decide to go with the RSVP meal choice route, keep in mind that the venue or caterer will have to prepare a few extra meals in each category, potentially increasing your costs, because people tend to change their mind when they see the presentation of the entrees.

Second we will tackle the buffet meal. This service consists of one menu being served at buffet tables in the reception room. Your guests will get up from their tables and go through the buffet, filling their plates with the items that they want to eat. This is a good service in that the menu is the same for everyone, and typically comes with several choices for entrees, thereby making it easier to please the picky eaters in your group. The downside to buffets is that they do tend to be more expensive than their plated counterparts, and people do have to get up and potentially stand in line to get their food. Always ask your venue or caterer how many buffets they will do in order to eliminate, or at least lessen, lines. The standard in the industry is a one sided buffet for every 50 guests.

The third service we will cover is family style service. This is exactly what it sounds like, in that the servers bring out platters of food and place it in the center of the table. Then like a big Thanksgiving dinner at home, the guests pass the platters around the table and serve themselves. A benefit to this service is it is similar to a buffet service, except the platters of food are brought and placed at the table versus your guests having to get up and stand in line at a buffet. This service does tend to be more expensive than plated or buffet service, and is limited on the amount of food you can offer, based upon the space available at each table. It is not recommended to do more than 5 or 6 items, or you will lose space for your centerpieces and for your guests to comfortably eat. By using longer rectangular tables you won’t have to be limited as much on the amount of items you can offer, and it will also lessen the amount platters needed potentially lessening your cost.

The last service we will cover is stations. This service is very similar to buffet service except each ‘station’ has a different menu. This is a casual type of service but very trendy. A great feature and benefit to this service is it allows you and your guests to enjoy a lot of different kinds of food, it also allows your guests to mingle and creates better conversation between guests. You can theme each station with each offering of food or simply choose all of your favorites and divide the stations into different ethnic cuisine backgrounds. The downside to this service is it tends to be the most expensive due to staffing, equipment needed and the overall amount of food that will be needed. Even though the stations might be offering smaller portions it will mean that they have to prepare more to ensure your guests don’t leave hungry. Your guests will also have to visit multiple stations in order to enjoy all that is being offered.

In the end it is your wedding reception so you can stay traditional or you can mix it up. Serve appetizers and salads plated, the main entrees family style and then end the night with a fabulous dessert station. The sky is the limit so do whatever suits your style, theme and budget. As long as the food is presented well and tastes good the guests will enjoy it and talk about it for years to come.

In deciding what service is best for your wedding there are many factors for you to consider. First, as much as we all hate to admit it, you need to be realistic about your budget. Decide what you would like to serve, and work with your venue or caterer on how you can best make that happen within your budgeted amount. More importantly though, think about the atmosphere you’d like to have at your wedding. Are you looking for a classy and chic event? Do you see cozy conversation among your guests, like a family? Do you want guests up and moving around the whole time? The beauty of your wedding will be in the details. By thinking through a few of these things you will be well equipped to make the right decision, putting your signature on even the meal service for your wedding.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Delegation

2011-05-11T17:22:00.000-07:00

Are you a wedding planning control freak?

Come check us out at Top Wedding Sites today and Learn to Let Go

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Until the Last Petal Falls

2011-04-27T17:17:00.000-07:00

After the cost of the venue, flowers are the second highest budgeted expense in a wedding. Brides and Groom’s will spend $3000 to $35000 on the production of their event. The fairy tale can be old world romance with lush floral, or a modern stylish design of candles and symmetry, or the current trend of crystals and manzanita branches. No matter what the vision is for you wedding day, when the celebration ends the ballroom is still adorned with the remnants of the glamour that was.

The question on what to do with the flowers after the event is almost never addressed. So, here are few tips and ideas to discuss with your florist or designer:

Can the floral centerpieces be taken home by your guests?
Some floral vases are considered rentals and the floral studio will return and pick them up. You may be charged if all of the vases are not there. So, make sure that the floral staged on top of these vases are portable.

What to do with the flowers?
You can decide to give centerpieces to your immediate family, or friends, who may have been a great asset in planning your wedding. You might want to take a couple of them to your honeymoon suite, or at least have your parents enjoy them at their homes.

How about donating them to local hospitals?
Each hospital, senior center, charity or school will most likely have a policy about floral donations. It is best to check with them to see if they can accept your floral pieces. If they are willing to accept your generous donation, keep in mind you will be responsible for delivering them. In that case, you might want to ask your venue if it is okay to leave the floral overnight. In the morning you will need to assign someone to pick them up from the ballroom and deliver them to your charity of choice.

Still have more?
If you still have floral left after distributing as much as you can, what happens? The unfortunate truth is, they will be trashed. If you want them recycled, check with your florist or designer to see if they offer recycling service. If they do not, contact your local recycling company to see if it is something they can accommodate.

I hope this helps you in planning the end of your floral journey. Your floral vision will live in perpetuity in your wedding pictures and video. Enjoy them for as long as you can.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Bollywood Weddings

2011-04-13T08:30:00.000-07:00

Come visit us over at Top Wedding Sites and check out our blog on Bollywood Weddings

Top 5 Wedding Budget Savers

2011-04-06T11:32:00.000-07:00

The average wedding in Chicago costs $32,000. This is where you stop and pause and wonder if there might be a less expensive way to go about this. Imagine what you can do with $32,000?? Makes you wonder….. Although the economy is coming back slowly it is still not the time to be frivolous and go overboard on the spending for your wedding.

There are many ways that you can save on your wedding budget but today we are going to focus on what we feel are the top 5 budget crunchers and can make the biggest impact on your bottom line budget.

Cut the guest List:
Each time you add a name to your invitation list, you're increasing your budget significantly. It's not just the catering costs, but also the extra centerpieces, favors, rentals, etc. Don't invite anyone you haven't talked to in five years. Don't feel obligated to let single people bring a date. Avoid feeling pressured to invite all your work colleagues. And don't let your friends bring their children. You can also decide to eliminate categories like "relatives more distant than first cousins" or "friends from volunteer work." By not inviting anyone from that group, you'll help avoid hurt feelings.

Use more greenery than flowers in your centerpieces:
Instead of using all flowers for your centerpiece décor you can also opt to use elegant greenery such as ivy, vines and banana leaves to enhance your centerpiece without the cost of floral. Not only does this reduce the requirement of flowers, but it also adds color to your piece.

Buy Flowers that are in-season:
If you opt for an elaborate floral décor then it is advisable to choose flowers that are in season. Some perennial flowers include roses, lilies and orchids. Out of season flowers, or exotic flowers, can end up costing you double the cost of flowers that are local or in season.

Offer, beer, wine and signature cocktails instead of a full bar:
Full hosted bars can be expensive. Most venues will charge anywhere from $25.00 to $45.00 per person for a 4-5 hour bar, and this is accessed even if your guests do not drink. By offering your guests a choice of beer, wine and signature cocktails versus a full bar you give your guests an opportunity to enjoy an alcoholic beverage during the event, while lowering your bar tab considerably, and you do not appear to be cheap.

Save postage on your wedding invitations:
Forgo the inner envelope and blotter paper, which are leftover relics from times when ink needed time to dry, and people wanted a pristine envelope. The advance in the internet has made it possible to have your guests reply on-line rather than having a reply card. Not only will you save money from the printer bill, it should also reduce your postage expense.

This is a once in a lifetime experience and you should feel comfortable with the decisions made in regards to the budget. If I can leave you with one tip regarding your budget it would be: whether you have $10,000 or $100,000 or more to spend on your wedding, the reception venue and catering services are two items that will cost you the most. No amount of cost comparing and budgeting will save you more money then simply reducing your guest list.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Always a Bridesmaid, how to win an award as “Best Supporting Bridesmaid”

2011-03-30T08:54:00.000-07:00

Whether it’s your sister, grade school friend or college roommate, some important woman (or man) in your life has invited you to be a part of their bridal party. If you’ve ever been part of a wedding party you know this role comes with fun times, and responsibility.

Here are my top 5 tips on how to best support your bride to be:

1. Start Saving – There is no getting around it, standing up in a wedding is going to cost some money (dress, shoes, showers, etc.). If you say yes to being in a wedding, you are saying yes to the cost of being in the wedding as well. Be realistic about your budget, and if you have any concerns talk to the bride to be before accepting the role. Once you’re on board, spend with a smile. This is someone you love, and she would do (or has done) the same for you.

2. Offer an Opinion – when asked to do so. Respect the decisions the bride feels confidence in making on her own, and offer honest opinions when she asks for them (also remember that she may not take ALL of your suggestions)

3. Lend a Helping Hand – A bride’s to do list is never-ending, or so it seems. As her big day approaches reach out to her, see what you can do. It may be tying ribbons, sorting through contracts to make a contact info. sheet, or going out for a glass (ok, bottle) of wine to de-stress. The bride might not want to ask for help, since you’ve done so much already, but she will appreciate you offering more than you know.

4. Run Interference – Unfortunately there are always going to be people involved in a wedding who cause a bit of trouble. We all have the complaining cousin, opinionated sister-in-law or friend who forgets this day is not about them. Be a buffer between the troublemaker and bride. She has enough to worry about. You may end up with a headache from listening to all that complaining, but someday karma will send the favor back to you.

5. Have Fun – Be her right hand (and left, when necessary), through her wedding day prep, ceremony and all of the formal activities. When it comes time for the reception, kick back and have fun. The bride will most likely be most relaxed during this time, and will take away many happy memories of her guests celebrating the love between her and her new husband.

Abide by all of these guidelines and you are sure to win “Best Supporting Bridesmaid” in our book!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

What to Wear: The Mom Edition

2011-03-16T10:37:00.000-07:00

Today Event Architect Adel Domingo is going to help the moms (of the bride and groom) prepare to search for their wedding day attire. She offers some great tips, and personal experience. Take it away Adel...

What kind of dress do you wear?

photo courtesy of theknot.com

From my personal experience, picking out my dress was an easy one. It was pure luck and great timing. I didn’t know what style I was and it turned out to be a combination of modern and elegant and I narrowed down three dresses within 45 minutes. What was truly important for me is to getting my future daughter-in-law’s approval and that my dress was ultra-comfortable and I got both.

What is your style – modern, glamorous, classic, romantic, elegant, over-the-top, or are you not even sure? If you do choose a dress, it is highly advisable not to choose anything that can be considered over-the-top. Even if your son or daughter is a rock star or Lady Gaga, your dress should be just at least one level simpler. Your dress should not look similar to the bride’s, or the other Mom’s dress for obvious reasons, but you also do not want to clash with the bride’s vision. There are thousands of dresses to choose from so the following tips may help you narrow down your choices:

Modern – look for clean lines with a unique neckline, color should be unique and accessories do not have to match the dress. Your dress should be easily worn again at a modern art museum gala or even another wedding with simpler jewelry and accessories.

Glamorous – a toned down version of going to the Oscars is the look for you. Do not show too much skin, but explore dresses with one shoulder strap or a halter top. You need not borrow your diamonds from Tiffany or Harry Winston, but diamonds, or similar gems, should make great accessories. Again, this can be worn again at a posh event where you can lose the jacket or shawl.

Classic – this style of dress is a simple style but can be in a striking color like salmon or teal. A suit or non-trendy dress will suffice with pearls and low heels or sandals. This outfit can be worn again at a fundraiser, luncheon or a holiday party by just changing the accessories.

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Romantic – Silk, chiffon and ruffles are good features to look for and you want to pull out that old broach or the earrings your hubby gave you for your first anniversary to add as sentiments. This can be worn again at a fundraising event or wedding anniversary party.

Elegant – A mixture or taffeta, silk and lace might be involved, a jacket or shawl to cover the arms, pearls and diamonds are the perfect jewelry. The skirt or bottom half may be a simple cut but the jacket or top may be slightly off the shoulder. Like the other dresses, this can worn again at special occasions with a slight change of jewelry or jackets.

photo courtesy of theknot.com

If you don’t know what style looks best on you, and you have no experience being the Mom of the Groom or Bride, do what a bride does. Make an appointment at a bridal salon and try on several gowns of style and color. Do you need to buy one as soon as possible? Yes, if the wedding is less than six months away and need to be ordered. If you are shopping at a department store, you can buy it right then and there.

If you decide to wear a shorter dress, make sure it is knee-length or below. Since your feet will show more, make sure to wear a visually appealing pair of shoes. It is also not unusual these days to have a second pair to change into for comfort after a few dances.

You can still apply the above styles even for casual beach or outdoor weddings. You may replace the material with cotton, silk or gauzy, colorful textures but keep the elegance of the event in mind.

This is one of the most important days of your child’s life and you should look beautiful. You want to look “presentable” but in your own style and personality. What is the big deal about the Mom’s dress? Your dress is just as important as the bridal parties’ wardrobe, and other than the bride and groom, the parents’ role is highly respected when their children are taking this huge step in their lives. This is not her basketball game or his track meet you’re going to, this is THE day.

Final Tip (and it's an important one):
The final tip is once you have narrowed down your choices to a few dresses, ask the bride to help you choose. It will make her feel respected and if it happens to be your future daughter-in-law, she will definitely appreciate it. If it’s your daughter, she will appreciate any time she has with you before she officially leaves your home, and that her opinion matters. If it’s your son, just show your final set of choices by showing him photos even if he has an opinion or not. He will still appreciate your enthusiasm and participation on his important day.

Thanks Adel!

What do you think, brides will you share this list with your mom? Do you have an idea of what she should wear?

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Orchid Resorts & Escapes: Beautifully Unexpected Honeymoons

2011-03-07T18:48:00.000-08:00

Planning the perfect wedding has been all encompassing, you are so looking forward to the honeymoon, but where will you go? You can always rely on the all time favorites such as Hawaii, the Caribbean or Mexico, but we want to introduce you to some secrets that are out there. We turned to our friends at Orchid Resorts & Escapes to provide us some insight on unique honeymoon locations. Their small boutique properties are a unique place for a romantic hideaway, simply a place to breathe and relax.
Contact Oliveaire for reservation information, and get special perks just for our readers

Here are our top seven lesser known places, sure to make many future top 10 lists:

Deer Valley Chalet – Deer Valley, Utah
For those winter wedding and ski enthusiasts this is a must see. Located within a private gated community just moments from Park City, Deer Valley Chalet, is one of the most dynamic properties in ski country. Snuggle in and enjoy the awe inspiring scenery, as expansive windows offer up panoramic views of the lake, mountains and forest.
Receive a complimentary bottle of champagne, stay five nights and get the sixth night free

Golden Bear Lodge – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Each of the Golden Bear Lodge’s guest rooms and suites come complete with chic furnishings, marble bathrooms, and impressive ocean views of the sparkling Caribbean. At the Golden Bear Lodge the hours will pass in a haze of relaxation and peace, making you seriously consider missing your flight back home.
Receive complimentary full breakfast served in your suite along with fresh squeezed juice and flowers, complimentary room upgrade at check-in (based on availability) and 3 p.m. late check-out (based on availability).

Gran Hotel Son Net – Mallorca Spain
Located atop a gently sloping tree-clad hill overlooking the village of Puigpunyent, guests of the hotel are afforded beautiful views of the surrounding pine valleys and Tramuntana mountain range. The hotel features include two outdoor pools, private terraces, Zen Zone Beauty Center, rose gardens, and citrus orchards. The Oleum Restaurant will tempt you with exclusive wines and innovative Mallorcan dishes made from locally sourced seasonal ingredients.
Receive a complimentary poolside cabana for your entire stay which includes a personalized pool concierge experience with fresh towels, fruit skewers and sorbets served during the day. In addition, and based on availability, guests will receive early check-in, late check-out and an upgrade to the next room category.

Hidden Pond – Kennebunkport, Maine
Unique cottage features include screened porches, fireplaces, quietly lavish décor, luxurious bathrooms, linens and amenities, and outdoor showers under the canopy of the forest. Escape to the comfort of our spa nestled up amongst the treetops or keep you feet firmly planted on the ground and explore our organic farm, there is something for everyone.
Receive a Maine inspired basket of local treats and specialties; wildflower honey, homemade blueberry jam, maple syrup, maine blueberry soda, farm stand cheese and assorted crackers, Bartlett’s raspberry wine.

Kamalame Cay – Andros Island, Bahamas
Kamalame Cay is a 96-acre private island hideaway with three miles of sugar soft sandy beaches. This barrier island is accessible only by private ferry or seaplane. A handful of gracefully decorated private villas dot this island escape and face a rhythmic ocean surf that will lull you into an attitude that requires only bare feet, suntan lotion, and a cocktail, making Kamalame Cay the perfect place for romance.
Receive a bottle of house champagne and a $100 resort credit – to be used on the property including the spa, fishing or snorkeling!

Sivory Punta Cana – Dominican Republic
Set along the shores of a private beach which stretches as far as the eye can see, this boutique resort is the ideal place to enjoy the tropical paradise of the Domincan Republic. When you visit the Sivory expect to bask in an oasis of exclusive pleasures where your worries, stress and the wedding planning grind are all banished to the horizon.

Villa Feltrinelli – Gargnano, ItalyVilla Feltrinelli, is situated along the shores of Lake Garda, a grand hotel boasting an atmosphere of casual elegance, high style, and historical importance. Outside the majestic villa lies a magnificent swimming pool, where guests can sit back and take in the splendid views over the mountains of northern Italy. All in all, when history and luxury combine with style and serenity, beautiful moments abound.
Receive a complimentary 30-minute sunset cruise on a private boat including a bottle of Italian sparkling wine.

So whether you like the traditional favorites or prefer the unique; whatever you choose make sure to have the time of your new (married) life!!!!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Beauty Trends for 2011

2011-03-02T14:30:00.000-08:00

Today Katie Gutierrez is going to share some beauty trends for 2011 that you can use for your wedding, and beyond...

Beauty trends come and go, and they can change within a blink of the eye. It is always interesting to see what comes back into style. Whether you decide to use these trends on your special day or not, it’s always fun to try something new, maybe give them a shot on your honeymoon!

Make up

LIPS – Luscious OR Nude?
FRESH for 2011= Juicy Orange Lips: Don’t think you can pull off FULL ORANGE LIPS; you can tone down that orange with reds and pinks to create a variety of looks. Based on your complexion another great color is FUCHSIA.

Prefer to be Nude? Try Cream, Taupe or Camel lips to present an elegant and glamorous look.

Another great trend to make those lips succulent is adding not just a touch, but a ton of GLOSS.

EYES
While lips can still present both sides of the spectrum, eyes are all BRIGHT for 2011. Fluorescent shades, bright colorful shades! In order to use this look on a regular basis try focusing the color just along the lash line, both upper and lower. Blues and greens are in for 2011. To add some sparkle try a little glitter.

Long lashes are a must to complete a bold eye. There are special eye liners that go right to the root of the lashes to craft the image of longer lashes. Also check out lengthening mascara or even fake eyelashes. After these simple tips you’ll be able capture immediate attention by just batting those baby blues a few times.

Face

You want that young clean look? Go for pink blush. Pinks create that young and fresh look. Also try gold and shimmery blush for a softer look.

Hair

70’s looks are making their way back. Buns, big, bouncy, feathered hair, who would have thought? These looks are great ,when you add a little spin to them. Add hair clips to create parts. Buns are easy and stylish once again. Try a high bun or a tousled bun at the nape of your neck. Pin pieces back to showcase your face. Capture that imperfectly perfect looks!

Statement Accessories
Today all accessories it shares one common theme - the bigger the better.

Hair accessories: Headbands that are flirty, feathery and embellished are in this year. This adds a dimension to your hairstyle. It creates a flawless look even if you just got out of bed. Hair accessories can be worn with any style and outfit. It can be used to pull together the polished look, or even used to create that dramatic appeal. It adds femininity, drama and a bit of romance. Hair clips! Use one or more to add sophistication and a theatrical appeal to the simplest look.

Bib style and layered textured necklaces add a striking appeal to your outfit. It is eye catching, and adds instant chic to your look.

Big bangles…lots of them – again, adding a wow factor. Big is bold. They are a great inexpensive accessory.

Belts are no longer to just hold pants up! Kimono style belts, sash style belts and belts with huge decorative pieces add that special touch to your style.

As you notice – 2011 trends are BIG, BOLD, and DRAMATIC and shout style. Try to move out of your comfort zone and be BOLD.

Choosing a Centerpiece

2011-02-23T19:35:00.000-08:00

Your flowers will be a sizeable investment on your wedding day. Your guests will admire your flowers at the ceremony, but most of all at the reception. Your reception centerpiece can capture your guests’ attention, with interesting details and beautifully placed flowers. Here are some thoughts on designing trendy and creative centerpiece that will captivate your guests:

Collection of Vases

A popular design, as well as budget friendly. Using a collection of cylinder or square vases of varying heights will give the table dimension. A monochromatic color palette will give you a sleek contemporary look.

Wrapped Vases

If colored vases are not offered by your florist, choose to wrap them in eye-catching fabrics. A thick border ribbon, crystal ropes or layering with shimmer paper stock will highlight texture in an otherwise flat vase.

Sparkle

Nothing sets the mood like candles. Setting pillar candles in a mosaic candle holder, or floating candles in crystal dishes, can accessorize your table. If possible, use colored votive holders that will match your event color palette.

Potted Plants and Herbs

Beautiful and earth friendly. This aromatic display of greens can easily be incorporated into any design. The best part is that the guests can take them home to enjoy and reminisce about your wedding day.

Illumination

As it is at any event, the lights in the room will be dimmed. This is most certainly going to give you romantic ambiance. But it is a deterrent to your centerpiece. Add an illumination box that can uplight your centerpiece, from the bottom up. If your budget allows, definitely pin spot, at a minimum, your high centerpieces. After all, it is the crown jewel of the evening.

Your personal touch will brand your centerpiece. Exquisite details will certainly keep your guests raving about your flowers. We hope you will take more chances with your centerpieces, we are always inspired by out of the box design ideas.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

The Cost of a Cake

2011-02-16T18:04:00.000-08:00

The sky is truly the limit when it comes to designing your wedding cake. Gone are the days when you had white frosting on white cake with white filling. Bakeries are doing amazing things with flavors and décor when it comes to wedding cakes. Like everything other detail of your wedding day, you need to budget for the cost of your wedding cake.

Once you have booked your reception venue, ask if your cake is included. Some hotels will include a cake, baked either in house (less likely) or from a specific bakery that they work with (more likely). You should still have complete control over the style and flavor of your cake, but be sure to ask, there may be restrictions based on the size of your wedding.

Have your heart set on getting your cake from your favorite local bakery, which is not the same baker the hotel uses? Ask if you can add something to your bar or a few upgraded hors d'oeuvres in its place.

Cutting fees: Be sure to ask if your cake will be sliced for guests to take home, or served as dessert. If you would like the protocol switched you may be asked to pay a small fee (typically about $1/person) for them to do so. If you are bringing in a cake from an outside bakery you may incur a similar fee for the hotel cut your cake.

The actual cost of a cake has many variables, including your choice of cake flavor, filling flavor and frosting. Plan on paying anywhere from $4 - $15/person depending on your selections. Cake flavors range from your standard yellow or chocolate to black forest, carrot or banana. Filling choices include fresh fruit, ganache or cannoli, and that’s just a start. Fondant frosting will cost more than butter cream, and the cost will change based on your décor choices.

The best part of ordering a cake (in my humble opinion) is that you get to go taste test a few. Be sure to taste the flavors of cake and filling that you order, so that there will be no surprises on your wedding day. Bring along any photos of cakes that you like, and plan to look through the collection of photos at the bakery to make your wedding cake selections.

Enjoy this sweet task!

Special thanks to our friend Igor at The Baking Institute for providing us photos, flavor options and cake inspiration.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Wednomics - Part 1

2011-02-10T19:41:00.000-08:00

Wednomics
Putting together a wedding budget

We all know that those with a large budget have many avenues to put together the wedding of their dreams. For those of us who don’t have a pot of gold to tap into, we need to be resourceful about where we allocate our dollars.

It is worth spending some time after you get engaged prioritizing the various elements of your big day. Do not use a cookie cutter template for putting together your day, make your day about YOU!

Over the next couple of weeks we are going to put together a few scenarios as a guideline for your planning.

This week we are going to look at a couple with a $10,000 budget, who would like to invite 100 guests to their wedding. Below you will find two sample budgets, with a few parameters for each. These are based on conservative market prices in the suburban Chicago area.

Scenario 1:
For our 1st couple, décor and partying are paramount.

Ceremony at a suburban public park:
Permits - $100
Officiant - $250
Chairs (100 chairs at $2.50 each) - $250*
Personal flowers - $500*
Assuming 4 attendants on each side, 4 parents and 2 grandparents
Ceremony total: $1,100

Cocktail Reception at a banquet hall:
Heavy appetizers for 100 people at $20/person - $2,000*^
Open bar for 100 people for 4 hours - $2,800*^
DJ for 4 hours - $800
Centerpieces (10 dining tables, candles on 10 highboys) - $1,000*
Wedding cake - $600*
Reception Total: $7,200
*Tax – 10% ($715)
^Service Charge – 18% ($720)
Grand total: $9,735

Scenario 2:
For our second couple it is important for them to serve their guests a sit-down meal. They will be having their ceremony and reception at a country club. Their wedding will be held on a Friday evening to further reduce the cost.

Officiant - $250
Personal flowers - $500*
Assuming 4 attendants on each side, 4 parents and 2 grandparents
Passed Hors d’ouevres $8/person - $800 *^
Main course of chicken piccata $25.50/person - $2,550*^
House Bar package for 100 people for 4 hours - $2,500*^
Wedding cake - $600*^
DJ for 4 hours - $800
Total: $8,000

*Tax – 10% ($695)
^Service Charge – 18% ($1,161)
Grand Total: $9,856

As you can see, the costs add up quickly. It's important to be realistic about what you can afford, and what your expectations are accordingly.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Cultural Traditions to Copy

2011-02-02T08:28:00.000-08:00

Today Adel Domingo will be bringing us some tips on cultural traditions you may want to incorporate into your wedding celebration. Take it away Adel...“

Tradition simply means that we need to end what began well and continue what is worth continuing.” Jose Bergamin, Spanish writer and poet

When we are invited to weddings, we usually witness what you and I would consider traditional or common to our culture or family, especially in the country you are currently living. We are occasionally invited, or have access, to other cultures’ weddings in the U.S. or North America with its diverse population. It is a privilege and an honor, whether it is a cultural tradition or a unique family ritual, when we are able to participate at these events. If you’re the type of couple who is unsure what traditions you want to use for your own wedding, or you are open to trying something different, here are just a few that you can borrow:

In the Indian or Pakistani culture, the bride’s family covers and surrounds their home with hundreds of stringed lights of different colors to announce the big event the day before the wedding ceremony. This occasion is called a Mehndi, and the families are joyful in song and even dance. The bride’s hands and feet are painted with henna with intricate patterns. Her family waits on her while she has to let the henna dry overnight. In North America, it is similar to the rehearsal dinner in pre-celebration and feeling of preparation to the big day. It is also a good opportunity to meet each other’s families and friends.

The color red is used with significance in several cultures. It symbolizes love, joy, and prosperity in China, so red envelopes are used for gifts, a red gown is always worn by the bride and invitations are either red or have a touch of red in their design. Indian brides usually wear red saris on their wedding day. In the western culture, a red rose symbolizes love and is widely used for weddings especially around Valentine’s Day. If you’re not the traditional bride, why not change to a red dress at the wedding reception?

A traditional custom in the Philippine Islands is to have a veil drape over the bride and groom to symbolize unity. It is followed by a white cord or lasso loosely over the veil and around the couple’s necks and is a symbol of their bond. An older version is a part of the bride’s veil is pinned or draped over the groom. You might get away with this if you plan to have a long veil. However if you have a very short veil, you may want to try the cord. The modern version you can use is the “God’s Knot” or a cord of three strands. It is three strands or cords of different colors attached to a brass or metal ring; purple for the groom, gold for God, and white for the bride. After the vows, the groom holds onto the brass ring while the bride braids the cords together because marriage takes three to make it strong; God, the bride and groom.

from Martha Stewart

If you do not want the usual three or four-tiered wedding cake, why not try have a traditional French croquembouche. It is a towering cone made up of small crème puffs filled with pastry cream and surrounded by threads of caramelized sugar. This yummy tower of crunchy goodness is usually served at christenings and weddings. Instead of cutting a cake, you can each pull a cream puff from the tower and feed each other to celebrate and symbolize their new life together.

Speaking of sweets, an Irish honeymoon traditionally lasted for a month. In fact, honeymoon translated in Irish as “the month of honey” or “mi na meala.” They isolated themselves for a month drinking honeyed wine, just in case their families try to separate them, especially if they eloped. In modern times, the honeymoon is a time for the newlyweds to get to know each other more, usually at a tropical hotel resort, and to finally relax from what seemed to be an endless amount of wedding planning and celebration. Instead of the usual one week, why not take a month off? Two weeks of island romance and another two to enjoy your new home together. This may be my favorite of all the customs to borrow and a concept to be rekindled every 10th anniversary!

Couples are now more contemporary and do not always marry somebody in their own culture or religion; however, this does not stop them from mixing, not borrowing, their own traditions to honor their own ancestries and beliefs. This compromise is an indication of a good marriage.

Most traditions or rituals are sacred or well-respected by its culture or country so use them with care when you incorporate them in your own ceremony or reception, which of course is meaningful in itself.

Hope you found some inspiration in the planning of your own celebration.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now,)
Olivia

Top Wedding Sites

2011-01-27T10:39:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone,

We are guest bloggers over at Top Wedding Sites today. Come check out our blog on changing your look during your wedding day.

http://www.topweddingsites.com/wedding-blog/wedding-attire/more-than-one-wedding-gown

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Do I Need a Wedding Planner?

2011-01-26T13:23:00.000-08:00

You’ve just gotten engaged, the euphoria of the moment is now in the past, and all you can think about is the big event. Where will we have the ceremony? Where will we have the reception? What type of flowers do I want? What colors do I want? Invitations, place cards, meal service, and the list goes on and on. Now you say to yourself, do I need a planner? While I cannot answer that question, because it will ultimately be up to you to decide this, I will cover some reasons why you may need one, as well as the benefits to hiring a wedding planner.

So the first question to ask is what is a planner? A planner is a specialist who plans weddings, or assists in the planning of weddings on a professional basis. You may hear this person called a planner, consultant, coordinator, etc., for the purpose of this blog we’re going to use the term “Planner,” but know this can be interchangeable. This person is part advocate, consultant, advisor, confidant, friend, counselor and a whole lot of other things. A professional wedding planner has a wealth of creative ideas and avenues to contacts in the wedding vendor world. Here are the top five reasons you may need a planner, and how they can help plan your special day:

1 – You and your fiancé both work full-time jobs and simply don’t have enough time to plan all the details for this special event.
A wedding planner’s schedule is very flexible, they should be available to meet with you based upon your schedule. Weekends, evenings, holidays it simply doesn’t matter. A planner’s job is to obtain the details of your event and put all the wheels in motion.

2 – You’re way behind on your checklist and schedule.
A wedding planner can step in at this point and get you back on schedule. A good wedding planner will know what needs to be done, and knows the ‘who’s’ and how's’ to make it all happen.

3 – You can envision your wedding but you have no idea how to make that vision a reality.
A wedding planner is very creative and imaginative, and knows where to find all those unique and dazzling touches to transform your wedding into an absolute fantasy. Their wealth of knowledge, and relationships with vendors in all categories, ease the transition from dream to reality.

4 – You’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and generally wishing you had decided to elope.
Everyday wedding planners organize details and transform visions to reality. They will arrange the endless details, organize logistics, communicate with the large number of vendors and service providers, arrange your schedule and timeline and control your budget to ensure a smooth event.

5 – You can’t envision your wedding
This may not be something you have thought about since you were little. You may have no idea where to start, or even what is available in the market. Sit down with a planner and give them your likes and dislikes. They will have many questions for you, and by answering them to the best of your ability you will give the planner an idea of what you want, and will use their creativity to wow your guests.

There are many other reasons that you may be asking if you need a planner for your wedding. In a recent survey conducted by SuperWeddings.com and the International Institute of Weddings, 72% of recently married brides who did not use a wedding coordinator for their weddings said that based on their experience, if they could do it over again, they would indeed hire a wedding coordinator to assist with the planning process, or at least to be on hand to supervise the wedding day itself. Make an appointment and visit a few planners and see how they can make your day more enjoyable. There is no re-wind in real life, especially when it comes to a monumental occasion like your wedding day. After all, you only get one shot at the biggest day of your life, only one chance to make it amazing, why gamble with disappointment?

Wedding Trends for 2011

2011-01-12T11:36:00.000-08:00

It’s the time of year when all of us in the business begin to predict what the biggest trends in weddings will be for the year.

There is no denying that the most anticipated wedding of 2011is the wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton. This celebration will affect the wedding trends of 2011, and based on past royal weddings, probably weddings for many years to come. What will Kate wear? What will the color scheme be? What will the design elements be? These are some of the questions that the public and wedding industry professionals are all asking. This is to be a fairy-tale wedding in real-life.

Our team of planners, with a combined 50 years of experience, have done some research on the growing trends. Here is what we are predicting, based on what we are hearing from clients and other professionals, as the 2011 wedding trends:

Most popular months:
June is no longer the month when most brides wed, it has been replaced by May, July, September and October. Couples are booking their event close to their wedding day, and gravitating towards long weekends or holidays.

Themes & Decor:
‘Green’ weddings have been a growing trend in the industry, but this year’s events will go beyond green and become naturalistic. Natural fibers, textures and colors will replace shiny glitz. As far as event décor is concerned, chocolate brown and natural woods will be the stars of the show. Accents of orange, gold and cream will give a modern, sophisticated palette for your events.

Reduce, reuse, recycle are on your minds. Couples are becoming more and more environmentally sensitive in their planning with vintage dresses, recycled paper invites, and using food and floral from local producers.

Food & Drink:
Food & drink have always been trendy with many different cultures and cuisines being introduced each year. Keeping with the growing ‘Green’ trend food trends will continue to move toward locally grown comfort foods. A new sense of shared community will be exemplified by venues and caterers partnerships with boutique brands, artisanal purveyors, and local distilleries. Cold weather trends include spiked hot chocolate and miniature spiced doughnuts with warm weather treats featuring white lychee sangria with lemon sorbet pops.

Venues:
Although hotels will always be popular, and the most requested venue sites, the search continues for unique venue locations. Topping the list are Estates, old warehouses and art galleries. Private bars and unique, private hidden places that offer exclusive handcrafted cocktails and secret back bars are becoming more popular for events.

Invitations:
Invitations are taking on new life, becoming much more creative in the electronic sense. Letterpress still stands out, but over-the-top electronic in the form of video is replacing it. The “Green” trend will carry over to invitations and paper as well. Couples will explore online wedding invitation and save-the-date options, as well as 100% recycled paper. With a decline in excess, there is an increase in giving back. Donation cards to a charity close to the couple and gift bags with a cause will become more prevalent in 2011.

Colors:
Pantone has announced the color of the year which is “Honeysuckle”. The color is a blend of pinks and can be mixed with soft creamy yellows and pair it with robin’s egg blue.

Honeysuckle shows up on the catwalk of Badgley-Mischka for their spring 2011 collection modeled during Fashion Week in New York. (AP Photo/Stuart Ramson)

Other colors that also look to be popular in 2011, based upon the catwalks in New York and Paris, are slightly muted fuchsia, aqua, teal, apple green, loganberry (magenta and wine together) and light citrus yellow with light avocado tones as a neutral for the spring and summer of 2011. Also, grey has replaced black as the new neutral for weddings. Pairing grey with vibrant hues will be sure to make those colors pop. And while grey remains the talk of the town for 2011, Prince William’s upcoming royal wedding has put navy, sapphire, and royal blue back on the map

The folks over at OneWed put together their predictions as well and we could not agree more with these predictions:

Sophisticated Elegance Returns
According to the team over at OneWed “It’s back to basics with elegant, sophisticated style in 2011. Wedding decor will be understated with modern design elements trumping DIY touches. Scripted calligraphy, custom monograms and classic wedding cakes embody this trend. Brides will wear pearls and grooms will ditch the Converse in favor of more tasteful wedding day kicks.” In addition, be prepared for luxurious textures, “Textured linens, embroidered and beaded chair covers, and branch-like centerpieces will captivate wedding guests.”

Gowns:
Big Ball Gowns are Back. Again, according to OneWed “Wedding dress designers draped, ruched, and layered clouds of tulle, power netting and chiffon to fashion whimsical wedding dresses with limitless volume. What is going to be the outcome? Fairytale-inspired bridal style and whimsical wedding dresses for 2011 I Dos.” One shoulder gowns, sheer and peekaboo necklines will gain attention by allowing brides to be fashionistas with flair.

Ethnic Influences, Cultural Wedding Details
”Whether it’s a religious wedding ceremony ritual, traditional wedding day garb, cultural cuisine infused throughout the reception dinner, or wedding decor with bold, ethnic prints, you can’t help but embrace the unique cultures and ethnicities of couples in 2011.”

The important thing to remember is these are only the forecasted trends for 2011. If this isn’t your idea of the perfect event, be bold and adventurous and create your own trend.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Something Old, Something New...

2010-11-30T07:24:00.000-08:00

Today Event Architect Adel Domingo is going to share with you some twists on one of our favorite wedding traditions...

Why would you wear something old, new, borrowed, and blue?

Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in her shoe

This old poem rumored from the Victorian era poem symbolizes five tokens. If a bride holds a piece of each symbol when she gets married, her marriage will be happy and filled with good fortune. We all know getting married is wonderful but the marriage part is a new and challenging adventure for the couple, and they can use any advantage they can get!

The “old” means something from the bride’s past and usually a token from the Bride’s family to continue a part of her family’s history. It could be the Bride’s Mother’s gown or veil she plans to wear on her own wedding day. It could also be her Grandmother’s pearl earrings that she inherited. A new twist to this is to include something you may have something of your Father’s or Grandfather’s. A pocket watch tucked in your sash or the love letter your Grandfather wrote your Grandmother tucked in the bible you are holding in your hand while walking down the aisle.

Photo provided by R.E.M. Photography

The “new” part means optimism and hope for the bride’s new life. New tokens or items are easy. It could be the new shoes on the bride’s feet, or new jewelry given to her by her parents or groom. A new twist to this is as simple as getting a new haircut or style that day, or getting married in the couple’s new home.

Photo provided by R.E.M. Photography

The “borrowed” tokens usually are from important people in the bride’s life who have had the good fortune of a good marriage, and would like to share that fortune with her. It can be Grandma’s engagement ring attached to her bouquet. A twist to this is a key from her parents’ first home attached to the bride’s bracelet, or to make her feel a part of your special day, something of your mother-in-law’s.

The “blue” token symbolizes purity. A long time ago, wedding gowns were made of blue fabric, not white. Nowadays, brides use blue shoes, handkerchiefs, a garter, and sashes to name a few. A twist to this is just simply using a blue ribbon to wrap the bouquet or wearing jewelry with blue gems. Blue sapphire earrings will definitely make a blue statement. Instead of heels, why not blue cowboy boots if you’re a country western bride.

The silver sixpence in your left shoe means money, honey. Financial security may not be the most important thing to hold a marriage together, but it is definitely important, now and more so in the past where women were not allowed to own property. New twists to this are a copper penny in your shoe or have the groom put one in his shoe too. The groom was the original wearer of such sixpence back in old Scotland. Better yet, purchase a keepsake sixpence for authenticity.

During these ultra-modern times, a bride and groom still yearn for the traditional because deep down, they believe in it, but go ahead and put your twist on it.

What are you Thankful for?

2010-11-24T18:50:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I personally think it is very important to take pause and think about all you truly have to be thankful in your life. Me, I have a supportive family I can rely on in good times and bad, I am privileged to do work that I enjoy, and I am blessed to have my health.

This attitude of gratitude should definitely flow into your wedding planning. If you take a step back and look at all of the family and friends who are making this day possible, you will surely be overwhelmed by their love.

Be sure to take time to thank all of these special people. This should include your parents, siblings, bridal party and anyone who is contributing financial or emotional support.

There is no doubt that you have been experiencing your fair share of parties (engagement, bridal shower, bachelor/bachelorette, etc.). Take time at your rehearsal (or a special lunch or dinner if you won’t be having a formal rehearsal) to truly thank those who have made your day possible. It’s ok to spend more time on speeches at this party. This is also an appropriate time to present any gifts you’ve purchased.

On the big day you can put a note of thanks in your program, or give a short but heartfelt thanks during your reception. It would also be an appropriate time to thank your guests for attending.

Remember that your favors are one of the ways that you can show your guests appreciation. Put some thought into something they will enjoy or take away as a special remembrance from your wedding.

If you have guests traveling in from out of town for your wedding it is nice to have something for them at their hotel. You can typically coordinate this most easily if you have booked a block of rooms at one hotel for your guests. Something as simple as a short note, an itinerary of events, a bottle of water and a few snacks will go a long way in showing your guests that you appreciate them.

No matter the size, there is most certainly a team working together to plan your dream wedding. While they are doing it because they love you, everyone likes to feel appreciated.

May all of you enjoy Thanksgiving with your loved ones. I look forward to seeing your comments on what you are grateful for.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),
Olivia

Destination Wedding Planning

2010-11-10T18:52:00.001-08:00

Crashing waves on a white sand beach, a snow capped mountain, grapes growing in the Italian countryside, many brides imagine getting married in a beautiful destination. The photos will be amazing, and the memories will last a lifetime.

When planning a “destination” wedding (any wedding where a majority of the guests will be traveling to attend) there are some special considerations to factor in.

Destination Wedding Does Not Equal Cheaper: From a planning standpoint, having a destination wedding does not necessarily mean cheaper. You need to factor in all of the travel costs for you and your husband to be. This will include your travel to and from your destination, your food and lodging while you’re there, and possibly a pre-wedding trip for planning purposes. You also have to factor in shipping fees, or extra baggage fees, for the items you will be traveling with. Of course, there is the cost of the wedding itself as well.

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

You Will Most Likely Have an Intimate Celebration: All of the friends and family members who want to attend your wedding might not be able to. I am a big believer that the wedding is about the bride and groom, and what YOU want. However, you have to be realistic about who you are inviting and their financial situation in relation to the expense of attending your celebration. This may mean speaking to your sister before you commit to a location, or budgeting to assist those you want to attend that might not be able to otherwise afford it.

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Be the Hostess with the Mostess: Even though you are most likely traveling yourself, you are still the host and hostess of your wedding. It would be thoughtful for you to suggest lodging, food and sightseeing activities for your guests. You may want to organize a few optional group activities that your guests can participate in. This is not only a great way for the group to bond, but also shows appreciation for those that have taken trains, planes and automobiles to see you and your love dedicate your lives to each other.

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Destination weddings provide a beautiful backdrop for a beautiful ceremony. They provide a great opportunity for guests to relax, and hopefully squeeze in a mini-vacation. So, gather your group, pack your bags, and have the celebration you’ve always dreamed about.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Twist on a Traditional Wedding Dinner

2010-11-05T19:54:00.000-07:00

Today Event Architect, Adel Domingo, is going to share tips on how to personalize your Wedding Day culinary and beverage selections. She has some great, and practical tips, on how to take a traditional wedding dinner, and put your mark on it.

It is sometimes difficult to gauge a couple’s style these days. However, the majority of couples still like to stay traditional in their gown, tuxedo, and even music choices. They want to keep things “simple and elegant,” but with their own unique touch.

The wedding reception gives the couple the opportunity to stray from the traditional, especially in their food and beverage selections. If on a limited budget it is a little more difficult to stray away from the usual chicken dinner. The stigma of the good old chicken dinner may seem tacky, but if some thought is put into it, the wedding meal does not have to be boring. If you’re not on a budget, you have to be careful not to overdo it.

Champagne, or a version of a sparkling wine, like the Italian Prosecco or the Spanish Cava, is starting to be trendy again. Your favorite red or white wine is still popular to serve during dinner but the sparkling wine is very popular during cocktail hour. The cocktail of the hour can be a Kir Royale or the couple’s favorite beer or ale. The beer is always popular, but why not have more than 6 choices?

The hors d’oeuvres or appetizers can be as informal as mini quesadillas or as simple as mini French brie with a sliver of pear on brioche. You can also use ethnic choices to reflect your heritage. For instance, you can serve sushi, hummus dip, or tapas. Why not have fondue stations, or have fondue on each table instead of soup or salad? It’s a good way for your guests to get to know each other and its fun.

The reception food can be tailored to the couple’s style or liking. Organic ingredients are a little more costly than most, but asking the chef to use the local produce is not only meaningful to the local business, but may boast of the local flavors. If you use Farmer John’s potatoes for your soup, it can be mentioned on the menu card. You can also use your mom’s soup or cake recipe, or your father’s barbecue sauce for the ribs. Who says you can’t have fried chicken or meatballs? You can serve anything you want, as long as it’s served in an organized and beautiful way, and most importantly, taste like you want to have seconds!

Let’s talk about the couple’s sweet taste. You can have a typical dinner but have fun with your dessert. At your sweet table, why not have pies? You can serve Aunt Millie’s lemon bars with a side of sorbet or whip cream if you don’t want a wedding cake. You can go seasonal and serve a pumpkin pie if you’re getting married around Thanksgiving. Finally, if you still want to stay traditional, do your cake cutting on a two-tiered cake and serve a miniature version of your cake, down to the cake topper, to every guest. If you can fit it in your budget, have a crepe station. There is nothing like the smell of hazelnut chocolate melting on a crepe pan.

After all that dancing, you can treat the guests that survived the night to a special delivery box of White Castle burgers, a mini nacho bar or a tub of cold water bottles and ice cream sandwiches.

Just one more thing worth repeating, even though you want to add your own unique culinary style to your important event, make sure it tastes simply delicious.

Thanks Adel!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Who Lights the Candle?

2010-10-28T08:35:00.000-07:00

It is hard to be invited to a friend or family members wedding as a designer, I am always working on the weekend. On a rare occasion few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending a wedding as a guest. It’s a different world when you get to be a guest, enjoying a Raspberry Lime martini and tenderloin on a crostini, with a dollop of crème fraise.

I heard a chime signaling me up into the ballroom, and as I entered I was… not sure what I was.

There were beautiful flowers, the lighting was just perfect and linens had set the stage for an elegant dining experience. But, the candles surrounding the centerpieces and floating in the tall cylinder were not lit. At that moment I saw the bridesmaids and the Banquet Captain approach each table to light the candles. Unfortunately not all of the wicks were to ready to be lit, so the whole process was a bit challenging.

This experience got me thinking about the pampering each of our Event Designers and Creative Director at Oliveaire strives to provide for our brides and grooms. We work to make each wedding a perfect day for our clients, and how this is truly an “Oliveaire experience”. But enough about that.

I want to share some tips for the brides who are interviewing florists, or already working with a florist, to prevent some of the issues that may potentially arise on the day of your wedding:

1. If you have candles that are part of your centerpiece, and they are being
provided by the florist, ask them who will be responsible for lighting them,
and when they will be lit. You want to make sure that they are lit in your
room photo shots, but are not lit so early that they burn halfway down by the
time your guests enter the room.

2. The glass container that these stunning floral centerpieces reside in, are
they yours to keep, or for guests to take home? Most of the time, unless
written in the contract, glass containers are a rental item, and they are
picked up at the end of the night.

3. Will the florist come back at the end of the wedding night to pick up all
the glassware? Your venue may dictate this policy. They may want all vendors to
clear out all items and inventory by certain time.

4. Will the boutonnière include two pins, and will there be extra pins sent?
Also, will they be individually labeled with the bridal party members’ names on
it? This will avoid any confusion as to whom the flowers belong too.

5. Is a sample floral centerpiece included? This will give you the opportunity
to admire your vision, as well as make any changes to your floral design in
advance.

All you brides to be, your day will be breathtaking. At the end of the day you will have transitioned from Miss to Mrs.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Make Sure Your Carriage Awaits You!

2010-10-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

Most couples picture themselves in the type of car they will arrive in or depart from on their wedding day. Imagine walking out of a Rolls Royce for a touch of royalty, a limo bus for the partying entourage, a mustang for the rocker couple, or a limo for a hint of Hollywood elegance.

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Let’s say you plan to rent a Rolls Royce for that big event. What time will it show up, at whose house, how long do you have it for, and how long will it take for you to go from A to B to C or D? I guess you can figure out what I’m trying to point out. What good is this beautiful or unique mode of transportation if you don’t have a schedule or timeline? A car is supposed to get you somewhere on time, and safely. A bride wearing a silk organza gown with a long veil cannot drive herself to the church, period, and she better not be late. It doesn’t make sense to prepare for months, or even a year, for a beautiful event, and arrive late.

Always allow enough time for each activity, pause and photo opportunity, while you’re getting in, sitting in and walking out of the car, in traffic and the weather. Give your schedule to the transportation company, or wedding planner, ahead of time so they know what to expect or even advise you if your timeline is realistic. Maybe you will need 6 hours instead of 7, or it could be different altogether for a horse-drawn carriage. Horses are not as fast as automobiles. But then maybe you just need the carriage for a couple of hours, from the chapel to your reception at the nearby winery. Please remember that you need to return the mode of transportation at the agreed time, or else the driver will leave, or you will pay for the extended hour.

Always, let me repeat, always confirm your transportation ahead of time, not the day of the wedding. Call the company a month ahead to confirm, and then a week ahead, and then the day ahead, just to make sure. Make sure to pay ahead if required so you don’t have to worry about it on your wedding day. Make sure to get the driver’s name and cell phone number for the day. The office number does not help you on a Saturday when it’s closed.

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

So what do you do if your ride doesn’t show up? Anything can prevent your ride from showing up - your limo was rear ended, your uncle who is supposed to pick you up in his nice Cadillac misheard your instructions, or your best man didn’t fill up his tank. Here are a few simple tips if your transportation unexpectedly doesn’t show up or is extremely late. Plan ahead, and don’t panic. Keep a taxi’s phone number handy. Tell a relative or friend who has a working car to not leave you until your formal transportation shows up. If it can’t be helped, dial that cab company’s number and order a cab, or two if you have your bridesmaids or groomsmen with you. The most important thing is to not panic. Riding in those taxis may be one of the funniest and memorable moments if you stay positive.

The message I’m driving at, excuse the pun, is it’s not just the style or mode of transportation that will get you to your long awaited event, but it’s also you planning ahead, and keeping your cool.

Vendor Meals.. Is it a must?

2010-10-14T12:47:00.000-07:00

I had an opportunity to speak with a bride recently about her wedding vendors. I asked her if she planned on serving a vendor meal during her wedding event. Her comments back have so thrown me off that I felt that it should be talked about.

She said, “when I go to work my employer does not feed me a Steak lunch, this is no different for the photographer, videographer etc. whom I have employed”.

My comment back to her was, “That is true but if your employer had you working at an event that had food, I am sure you would partake in it”.

So, long story short, I feel that you should always take care of your event team by offering a meal. You will be surprised how many contracts these days have the inclusion of meals, parking and travel.

For all our bliss brides out there, here are some tips on how to navigate your vendor meals:

1. Ask your caterer or venue if there is a discounted price for vendor meals. Most places will offer the same meal as the wedding dinner and some will offer a sandwich option.

2. You will have to decide in the event timeline an appropriate time for your photographer, videographer and DJ take a break for dinner. Sometimes Entertainment groups will eat prior to the event and photographer during the scheduled dinner.

3. This is the hardest decision I think, should these vendors sit at a designated vendor table in the dining room, or should they be directed to different room for their meal? If you do end up having your vendors at a designated table in the room, don’t forget to order linens and a centerpiece. You wouldn’t want an odd looking table in the room if it is not dressed up.

4. Don’t forget to ask your vendor their meal preference. They might have food allergies or a vegetarian meal preference.

Offering a meal to your event team is a nice gesture. They do spend the day with you capturing your moments and memories.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Wedding Ceremony Music

2010-09-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

Today, Adel Domingo, Event Architect will be sharing some tips on how to make selections on music for your wedding ceremony.

I’ve never attended a wedding ceremony without music, except for mine, because my husband and I got married in a civil ceremony in a typical judge’s bureaucratic office. Not cool, or should I say, there was no warmth or romance at all. It wasn’t us. We love music. We did get married in a church a year later and we were surrounded by our loved ones and, of course, music. My brother’s band played at our reception.

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

No matter what kind of ceremony you’re having, you need a song for the intro, possibly a reflection or dedication song somewhere in the middle, and a recessional song. That determination is easy but choosing the songs is not that easy. Why? Because you have one chance to show the world which songs reflect the love you have for each other. However, when you choose the right songs, you’ll know it, because it will make you and your loved ones weep, or at least, make them sigh.

What’s your style? Classical, folk, religious, alternative, and in what language? It is a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Pick your top three favorite for each category and you narrow it down. This may take a week or months.

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Who will sing? The church’s music director, your friends or family, or hired musicians are all available. Sometimes a DJ is used, a cd can be played on a boom box, or an iPod can be a big part despite almost being invisible. It needs to be a clear and moving, so if your Dad is an awesome guitar player, ask him to play because that is one memory that will never go away.

What is your favorite song? What songs inspire you or speak to you and remind you of the great love you are about to embark? What prayer song will seal your vows? The choice is endless from the ever classical Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” to the quirky Vince Guaraldi Trio’s “Linus and Lucy.” Sometimes an appropriate song to choose for the entrance song is a song of the family letting their daughter go and escorting her into her new life like “The Water is Wide” an English folk song. A reflective song “Only You Can Love Me This Way” by Keith Urban is great for those who like country music.

Whatever style of song you choose, I believe in my heart that it should never be offensive or dark or basically humorous leaning towards bad taste. But, why should you listen to me? This is your wedding ceremony, which is one of the most sacred, peaceful, and serious time of your lives. You’ll never hear the end of it from your mothers and grandmothers on why you chose “that awful song” if you pick a “unique” song. Yes, it’s their wedding too, so pick a song in honor of them or for any anybody near and dear to your hearts that have inspired you and taught you to love.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

After Party, After Glow

2010-09-15T06:40:00.000-07:00

Today Katie Gutierrez, Event Architect from Oliveaire is going to talk about the party(s) after the party. Take it away Katie...

“I wanna rock and roll all nite and party every day!” Kiss could not of said it any better!

Ceremony… Success!
Reception… Success!
That’s it? It’s over already?
The reception does not have to be the end of the celebration. Keep the party going!

Not everyone will attend the after party, but etiquette would dictate that you should invite everyone. What kind after-partier are you?

For you night owls, you can continue the party at the hotel bar. It would be best to set this up ahead of time so that they may be able to stay open for a extra hour or two of friendly cocktail consumption!

For those who want to continue to dance, you can also take the party to a club or lounge. Transportation is the most important thing here! Make sure that if you do have an after party somewhere other than the hotel or reception venue, transportation is organized. Whether it be a bus that will bring the guests back, or designated drivers to be responsible to pick up some guests. Find the best late-night spots and you can continue to dance the night away!

For something a little bit more private, you can book a hotel room or suite. It would be great to invite some guests back up to the room to enjoy some light snacks, and a few drinks just to mingle!

If you’re more of a spontaneous couple, just wing it!

If one day is not enough, have a Post Wedding Brunch.

What better way to recover from a fantastic night than to continue the celebration the next day in a more relaxed atmosphere. Whether it be at a home, or even at the hotel restaurant, this is a great way to gather more of your guests and give them the opportunity to just unwind from the previous nights festivities. Typically those who attend the brunch are the guests from out of town and close friends and family of the newlyweds. A Post Wedding Brunch is great! During the brunch you are able to talk more intimately with each guest, as there won’t be that many. You can bid your out-of-town guests farewell, share photos, videos and even laugh at all the funnies of the night!

The party does not end there. You’ll have a lifetime to celebrate! Your new life has just begun as Mr. & Mrs. Continue to Rock and Roll!!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

To Dos Before I Do, Will You?

2010-09-01T13:25:00.000-07:00

There are many fun things to do when planning a wedding. As a bride you use your creativity in designing the look of your day, you dive into luscious fabric while choosing the gown of your dreams, and there are parties with friends and family to be enjoyed.

However, there is that nagging “to do list” of not so fun items. This includes applying for a marriage license, getting documents together if you are planning to change your name and working with an attorney to create a pre-nuptial agreement, if you so choose.

I’m not sure if it’s thanks to Kanye West, or just our societal standards, but pre-nups seem to be a taboo subject to discuss. Many brides and grooms feel that they do not need a pre-nuptial agreement, and that might absolutely be the case. Here is the thing, if you decide to end your marriage, in the absence of a pre-nuptial agreement drafted by you and your fiancé, you are subject to state law for the division of your assets and all other proceedings.

That may be fine with you. More than likely you do not know exactly what that entails; I’m guessing most of us don’t. So, while I truly hope that every marriage lasts a lifetime, statistics tell me otherwise. My suggestion, while of sound mind, and absolute confidence that you will be with your significant other for all the days of your life, at least have a conversation with an attorney to know what the laws are in your state regarding divorce. I kind of look at it like creating a will or purchasing life insurance. I hate to think of myself dying young, but if it should happen I want to leave my family in the best position possible.

After your talk with the attorney, go out and celebrate the fact that you will NOT be one of those statistics!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Making a Statement

2010-08-19T06:36:00.000-07:00

Ladies, you may have found the perfect gown, but your ensemble is not complete until you find the perfect accessories to compliment that gown. Like everything about your wedding you want your accessories to be a reflection of you and your personality. Here are some really fun trends that I see happening right now.

Interesting Hair Pieces: It seems that the tiara and traditional veil have taken a backseat to some new and exciting hair pieces. One of the most popular trends in weddings today is the birdcage veil. This is a very short piece of netting attached to some kind of headband or clip that typically is no longer than a brides ear. Speaking of headbands, they are everywhere, and they have lace, netting, feathers and more attached.

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Fun shoes: We’ve discussed this before, but the days of simple and white or ivory shoes are over. Brides are making statements with their shoes, everything from wearing bright colors, unique styles to a rise in wearing closed toe shoes. Just be sure to let those toes peek out for your guests, and photographer, to see.

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Glamorous: It seems our blushing brides today are looking for glamour and elegance on their wedding day, think “Old Hollywood”. Very beautiful statement pieces of jewelry are being donned on the collarbones, wrists and earlobes of these gorgeous ladies. While the pieces are gorgeous, they are not flashy or the “bling bling” sparkle we have seen in the past. They do not overwhelm the dress or, more importantly, the beauty of the bride.

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Have fun when looking for your wedding day accessories. Take some time to think about what pieces will really finish your look. Before you head to the store visit mom, grandma, aunts, etc. and see what they have that you might be able to borrow for your big day, wearing a piece that belongs to your family always makes it more special.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Design watch 2011

2010-08-10T20:18:00.000-07:00

Today we have Katie Gutierrez, Event Architect, chatting with you about the color scheme of your wedding. She has some great insights, enjoy!

“Mere color, unspoiled by meaning, and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways.” Oscar Wilde

This is a great quote. You start off with a blank canvas. You are the artist who brings to life your celebration. You create the mood; you create the personality. You are designing the moment of a lifetime.

Color trends for weddings are like fashion trends. The change in trends signifies the new season. They are always changing, constantly evolving, and being more and more about personal expression vs. tradition.

FALL/WINTER 2010/2011: BOLD/VINTAGE!!

The colors are saturated, daring, and very BOLD. Rich Purples, Reds, Chocolate Browns, Coral, Turquoise, Sage. Try taking your choice of these colors and splashing them with accents of orange, gray, fuchsias, yellows and metallics. This adds that creative glamour. I have been seeing “out of the box” color combinations, which evokes personality!

And of course, there’s the ever-timeless Black. Black is always in season. It provides that simplicity, that striking-ness and the elegance.

TRY Monochromatic! By taking one color and using several shades of the same spectrum you will create a textured, dramatic, yet graceful look.

With any color trend you are able have a MODERN & BOLD wedding or a CLASSIC & TRADITIONAL wedding. It’s all about how you pair your colors, and the details.

Embrace color and just be inspired. Some of you, I’m sure, have known what your color scheme would be before you were even engaged and have your heart set on that. That is wonderful! Paint on your canvas! Some of you have no clue where to begin, which may be daunting since the choice you make will have a part in every aspect of the wedding.

Just take a look at you and your groom. Think about your personality, your lifestyle and what you enjoy. If a color had to express that, what would it be? Or, if you want your guests to walk into a room to feel a certain way, what way would you want them to feel? What colors will help create that feeling?

Remember, whatever colors you choose, whether it’s a part of the season's trends or something you've chosen on your own, it speaks to the soul, touches your emotions and will create the most magical feel to your special day.

~Katie

Hope you are all feeling inspired to design your canvas!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Wednomics: The Economics of Planning of a Wedding

2010-08-04T13:39:00.000-07:00

The ring of your dreams is on your finger, you will be with the one you love forever, and you have spent a few days looking through bridal magazines (which is very important), daydreaming about what your celebration will look like.

As you begin to make your plans, the first, and probably most difficult, question you have to answer is what your wedding budget will be. You and your fiancé will need to discuss how much you can comfortably spend on this celebration. To come up with your final budget you may need to speak to your families to see if they will be contributing.

Over the next few weeks I will break down the expense of a wedding into a few different scenarios. For the purposes of writing this blog I am going to plan three fictitious weddings with a budget of $20,000 each. My hope is to illustrate a few options of how that budget can help each bride achieve the wedding of her dreams. My hope is to provide some industry insight along the way to make the planning journey go a bit smoother for each of you.

In order to do so, I want to be sure to answer your burning questions along the way. I am looking forward to reading your comments over the next week or so and addressing each of them in my “Wednomics” blogs to come.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

WE tv Showcase Highlights

2010-07-29T19:33:00.000-07:00

Hello lovely brides,

If you follow us on Twitter or Facebook you know that on Saturday, July 24th we were lucky enough to co-host the WE tv Wedding Show at Oakbrook Center. Despite the strong storms the night before we had a great turnout.

Mark Ingram came to give Brides advice on selecting their gowns:

We organized tablescapes around three main themes, Bliss, Love and Romance:

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

HD Beauty – Up Close and “Pore”sonal

2010-07-21T09:07:00.000-07:00

Today, Adel Domingo, Event Architect with Oliveaire will be sharing some beauty tips with all of you lovely ladies. Take it away Adel...

If fluorescent lights were not enough, all of a sudden up comes high definition technology. Now, instead of just seeing a hundred pores, we can see a million pores and specks on our faces. I can understand why a director would like to show an action film or sports action in “high-def.” The details are unbelievable to look at. The clarity and the movement are so flawless.

A reporter or actor, male or female, cannot just go in front of the camera without putting on makeup. The shine on their faces, or even bald heads, could blind us when we watch them if not for makeup. I guess they also have to be pleasant to look at as they deliver the bad news or their lines. Let’s be honest now, as an audience, we critique their images like there is no tomorrow. We are as harsh and strong as the studio lighting that is focused on them. I guess it’s the fact they cannot hear us thru the screen, or that they’re celebrities, or it’s our own insecurities. But I digress.

The digital cameras and video cameras used in the wedding industry today are fast and clear. As a bride you may be a little worried, if you are aware of high definition, or just being in the spot light. Even the term high definition is intimidating.

Photo credit to R.E.M. Photography

How do you deal with it? Just make it easy on yourself and consult with a makeup artist that has experience applying makeup for print ads or commercials. Ask questions. Ask them to do a makeup trial on you, and then have somebody photograph or videotape you with a high quality digital camera. If the artist is good, he or she will know how to match your skin tone and type, whether they should use an air brush technique, a mattifier to minimize pores, use mineral powder or pressed foundation, just to name a few choices. The application of the lipstick is also important. However, one of the “must do’s” is to use a concealer. Using a concealer brush instead of your hands or a sponge is much better because you have better control on the coverage. The makeup artist has the tools, and the supplies, to tackle the job. He/she will make you look beautiful, and most importantly, make it last for hours of crying, dancing, and hugging.

Why go thru all of this? Because you want to look flawless on your wedding day. However, remember that flawless doesn’t mean some Hollywood definition of perfection. Sometimes those flaws are what make you beautiful and perfect. The lines that appear when you smile, that mole, the freckles, those little things about you add to why your fiancé fell in love with you. So do yourself a favor, don’t hide everything. HD should capture your tears, the flow of your gown, that first kiss as husband and wife, and the real you.

Adel

Hope you enjoyed the tips!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olviia

p.s. If you are in the area be sure to join us at the WE tv Wedding Show at Oakbrook Center this Saturday, July 24th from 12 - 6 p.m.

Vendor Agreements, do you need them?

2010-07-14T10:36:00.000-07:00

When entering into an agreement with wedding professionals, as in any business relationship, where there is an exchange of monies for products or services, expectations must be clearly defined. Weddings are costly. Brides and Grooms spend thousands of dollars to make their big day perfect. They all rely on surrounding themselves with people that they feel can deliver that to them. Before entering into a relationship with such person or company, here are some tips on what to expect.

Agreements or contracts must include:
- Full company name, address and phone number of the vendor
- Names of the bride and groom
- Date and time of the wedding and reception (if you don’t have this information at the time of signing, it should be noted that the information will be added at a later date)
- Services or products being provided should be specified, with as much detail in writing as possible (For example, on a floral contract, instead of “ ten centerpieces,” a better idea would be to have “ ten centerpiece arrangements with white miniature Calla lilies, red roses, and seasonal greenery, sized in a pilsner vase with submerged orchids”)

For Services:
- Set- up time, start, finish, and break-down time should be listed
- Name of the person or persons who will be performing the service
- Any electrical or special requirement of the venue
- Additional charges for night pick up or above ground ballrooms
- Any delivery of products after the wedding (such as photographers or video) should be listed, with a date by which you will receive the product

Regarding prices and payments:
- The refundable amount (& conditions) should be listed, with the charges as detailed as possible
- Each item should be priced separately, unless it is part of a particular package
- In the case of packages, content should be listed in detail
- If there is the possibility of adding on services at a later date, those prices should be listed so that you have the pricing guaranteed—particularly the pricing for photos and albums when contracting a photographer
- Set-up fees should be included in the contract. If they are not listed separately, it should be clear that the price includes set-up and break-down

Taxable products or services:
- All applicable taxes should be listed
- All rental taxes should be listed
- Required gratuities should be listed, and if they are not required but encouraged, this information should be included

Special requests:
- Should be noted somewhere in the contract (such as no “Hokey-Pokey” played by the DJ, or Vegetarian meals provided by the caterer upon request)
- Parking or travel fees
- Overtime fees
- Restrictions on lifting and moving of equipment, products, furniture, etc. must be clear

Payments:
- Schedule should be listed in detail, including the acceptable forms of payment, and applicable penalties (for example, if a personal check is returned)
- Due date of such payment(s) must be included
- Final payment date and amount must be listed
- Charges, including any penalties for making changes after the final order is placed, must be clearly stated

Policies:
- Cancellation policies should be included in the contract, with specifics regarding cancellation by either party
- The deposit requirement and refund policy must be clear
- If there are other relevant policies that the vendor follows, they should also be included in the contract

You should be presented with an original copy of the contract, with two sets of original signatures - yours (or the person responsible for paying) and a legal representative of the vendor. In order to make the contract binding, you will need to present compensation at the time of the signing.

If the contract lacks any of these items, don’t hesitate to request corrections, additions or verification of details. It is in everyone’s best interest to have everything listed in advance. If the vendor hesitates to provide you with a detailed contract, perhaps you should consider a different vendor.

If expectations change, make sure to record the changes in writing. This will protect you, and validate accepted changes by the vendor. After all, it is your one and only day. Surrounding yourself with an event team that understands your vision, and enhances your wedding experience, that is the right team for you.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Linen, What's Your Choice?

2010-06-30T20:04:00.000-07:00

Hello lovely ladies,

Today Melanie Stancampiano will be sharing some tips and tricks about linen selection with all of us. Take it away...

Call me biased but I believe that linen has giant impact on the overall ambiance of a room. This is particularly important to consider when planning a wedding, gala or any other important event.

Think about linen like the paint on the walls of your home. The way that your furniture, artwork and personal touches appear in a room is greatly impacted by the color and texture of the walls. In the scope of your event, the flowers, china and stemware are comparable to the personal accents in your home. Surely you are working with a florist and/or décor professional to adorn your tables with lush flowers, sparkling candles or elegant crystals. The impact of these items is greatly affected by the linen on the table.

Reception venues typically offer some sort of linen with their wedding packages. To expand upon the “wall paint” analogy, this linen is the equivalent of a flat beige paint. The linen has to fit into a variety of events and provides the most neutral background. If you do not plan on renting linen my advice is to be sure to use the house linen purposefully. Find out if the table linen is white, ivory or some other color. Talk to your florist about how you can best coordinate centerpieces, and which color to select for a napkin.

If you prefer color or texture on your walls, then you will want to leave some room in your budget for linen rental (you will get high impact for low cost in linen rental, I promise!). I still recommend working hand in hand with your florist/decorator when making your final linen selections. You want to make sure they are aware of your selections, leave them a swatch if possible.

Now on to the fun part… making your selections! There are so many choices in color, textures and sizing when it comes to linen. First there is the cloth, which covers the table and is most often floor length. An overlay is typically a square of cloth used as an accent on a table. This can either be done in a coordinating color or in a sheer cloth to add to the overall feel of the room. Another option to add color is by using a runner (or two, which would be my strong recommendation). This is a strip of fabric that is run down the center of the table as an accent; the centerpiece would be placed on top of the runner. If you want to use two runners you can run them side by side, or like an X. Finally, the color, fabric and fold style of napkins must be chosen.

Think about the colors you are using throughout your wedding. Try to incorporate more than one color in your linen selections. Use a neutral cloth and add a pop of color in your napkin, or use a striking table cloth and add a neutral colored napkin, champagne works with just about anything. Think about fabric textures and how you can mix them to add depth to the setting.

My favorite tablecloths are those that have texture right in them, a “Twist” or “Pintuck” create such a striking look, and no overlay or runner is needed. I love to see tablecloths in deep rich colors are well, but then again if you looked around my house you’ll see the same on my walls. Like all aspects of your wedding, you will make the most striking impression if you make your linen selections reflect you, and your unique style.

Have fun, try a few different looks, and always feel free to contact us if you’re looking for suggestions!

~Melanie

Hope those tips helped you out.

BBFN, (Bridal Bliss for Now)
Olivia

Place Cards, Escort Cards and Scrolls, Oh My…

2010-06-16T19:15:00.000-07:00

It’s one of the most daunting tasks when approaching your wedding, putting together the seating chart for your wedding reception. After you have figured out which guests will be seated at which table you need to figure out how you will communicate that information to your guests on the big day. There are Place Cards, Escort Cards, Scrolls and more. You may be wondering what all the lingo means, here are some pointers:

Place Card:
A place card indicates exactly where a guest should be seated, including which table, and which seat at the table. This card is placed at the guest’s seat. You may use a Place Card in conjunction with an…

Escort Card:
An escort card tells a guest which table he or she is to be seated at. Most often you will find one card per couple on a table during the cocktail hour.

Scroll:
Instead of giving each guest a “card” you may choose to keep all of the guest seating information in one place. This is often beautifully done on a scroll. Besides giving guests a place to check back if they loose their escort card a scroll can be a beautiful keepsake for the bridal couple. It may be more difficult to make last minute changes to seating if you chose to use a scroll, so keep that in mind when allocating your time to assign seating.

Thinking about scraping all of them, DON’T! I promise you, you will have some tables half empty, and 18 of your colleagues trying to squeeze into one so they can sit together. If you are not up for assigning each seat, take some time and at least assign each guest to a table.

Do yourself a favor and do your seating chart in Microsoft Excel. Provide your coordinator (or a trusty friend) with two copies of the list, one sorted in alphabetical order by last name and another sorted by table number. This will allow your coordinator to help guests find their table number if they can’t find their name on a card or the scroll. It will also allow the coordinator to know where open seats are quickly if the guest’s RSVP did not reach you in time to assign their table.

When it comes time to assign tables think about where the speakers are going to be set-up, which tables will be closest to service doors (and thus server chatter and some kitchen noise) and which family members and other VIPs you want seated closest to you and your bridal party. Enlist the help of both families if you are having trouble placing people, especially those you might not know as well.

Take a deep breathe, when you get to this step you are in the home stretch!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

The Final Touch to the Perfect Look

2010-06-09T18:38:00.000-07:00

Hello lovely brides, today I am giving the floor to Kate Gutierrez, Event Architect with Oliveaire. She will be giving you some great advice on selecting your wedding day shoes. Take it away Kate!

Marilyn Monroe got it right when she said “Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world."

Photo Courtesy of theknot.com

When it comes to finding shoes, it’s hard not to just dream about that very moment you are standing at the end of the aisle, looking amazing as ever, the love of your life waiting for you make that first step, with those stunning 4 inch Manolo Blahniks! Yes, style is important. Yes, they can be just as beautiful as you ever imagined them to be, but there are a few key things to keep in mind as well.

Comfort:
This is a very important, if not the most important, factor in selecting your shoes. It is very easy to be carried away with the way the shoes look. You have to remember that you will be walking down the aisle with these shoes, standing for what may seem like hours on end, walking around mingling with your guests, and dancing at the reception in these shoes.

Try shopping for shoes towards the end of your day. Feet tend to swell as the day progresses, and they are bigger at the end of the day. Also, try purchasing shoes that are a ½ size bigger than you usually wear. The more strain you put on your feet, especially given how many hours you will be wearing them on your wedding day, they will swell. It would also be a great idea to have an extra pair of insoles, or pads, for your shoes. This way you can slip them on whenever and wherever they are needed.

Consider purchasing second pair of shoes for the reception. Something that is a little bit more comfortable, like a low heel, ballet flats, or cute flip flops. At some point during the night those fabulous wedding shoes will start to hurt!

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Break your wedding day shoes in! Walk around at home in your shoes for a few weeks before the wedding. MAKE SURE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE!

Height:
This goes hand in hand with comfort. A heel is a great way to give you that extra boost. It creates lift that will elongate your body and crafts a beautiful line. Who doesn’t want that? However, if you have never worn a heel larger than an inch, this would not be a great day to start on those 3 ½ inchers. Just imagine yourself being in those shoes all night. Also, think about the height of your groom, just to make sure you are not soaring over him.

Comfort? Check. Height? Check. Now, surface...
Are you having an outdoor wedding? What type of shoes will work? A spiky heel on grass will have you uncomfortably on the balls of your feet the whole time, or poking holes all through the lawn. Having an indoor wedding? Does it have a slippery surface? What type of shoes will work well inside? These are questions you have to ask yourself. You want to ensure that you are able to walk marvelously and are not slipping and sliding. One quick tip-if you have shoes that have a smoother sole, scuff it up. Make sure that you have enough traction.

Your Day, Your Style:
You want to choose a shoe that reflects your style. This is the fun part. If you are more traditional, the most popular shoes are made of Silk and Satin. They are the easiest to dye, and are typically the same color as your gown. If you are Non- Traditional then explore COLOR! This can add that WOW to your look.

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

More helpful tips:
A simple and elegant dress should be paired with a more elaborate shoe. A dress that has more beadwork and detail should be paired with a simpler shoe. Even with this said, your shoe should reflect YOU. If you decide to go with shoes that have embellishments, make sure they coordinate with the embellishments on your dress. If your shoe has embellishments, watch out for the fabric that is at the bottom of your shoe to ensure that it does not snag on the heel, or that you don’t step on it.

Length of Dress:
Consider how visible your shoes will be. This will help with budgeting. If your shoes are not something that will be AS visible then the $$$$ designer shoes can be replaced with a $$ less expensive shoe. If you have selected a shorter gown it may seem easier to justify spending more on shoes, because you know they will be seen. Always keep in mind, the key points (comfort, height, style, etc.) when purchasing your wedding shoes. Oh, and if you are spending the $$$$, make sure you can wear them again! Tip- Make sure that you purchase your shoes with enough time to take them along to alteration appointments.

Where are they?
There are plenty of places to find shoes. These days the most popular place is online. You are able to compare prices, styles, designers, and basically everything, in the comfort of your own home. Don’t forget my earlier suggestion, COMFORT IS KEY, and you cannot try on shoes your purchase online. That’s why giving yourself enough time for delivery and/or a return is a huge MUST. Sometimes when purchasing online it is good to purchase more than one pair. It is easier to return a pair that is a “no” than to find a pair you love last minute.

You can also often purchase bridal shoes at a Bridal Salon. Most Bridal Salons just have sample sizes of shoes, just like gowns, so you will have to order your size. Make sure you ask about, and are comfortable with, their return policy before you order shoes.

Photo credit to R.E.M. Photography

You can make a day, a week, or a month of finding your shoes, shopping around until you find the perfect pair to go with the perfect dress! Hit up all the department stores and the local boutiques. Admire someone’s shoe collection? Ask them where they shop and pay that business a visit.

Although this may seem like an overwhelming list of things to remember, the most important thing is that this is your special day. You want to be comfortable, confident and stylishly you. The perfect pair will lead you to be the most dazzling bride out there!

Have fun shopping,
Kate

What you have selected for your wedding day shoes?

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

After the Last Dance

2010-06-03T20:21:00.000-07:00

I know you hate to think about it being over, but trust me, your wedding day will fly by in the blink of an eye. Be sure to take time throughout the day to look around, take it all in and have fun. After all you have been waiting for this moment your whole life.

It is important for you to also have a plan for the end of the night, after the party has ended. Whether you will have a Wedding Planner onsite, or will be relying on help from friends and family, you will need to think through the end of the evening, and probably the next morning. Why, you ask? Here is what we know to be true…

First, are you at the place you will be sleeping? (i.e., is your reception at the hotel you will be staying at?) If not, how are you getting back home? Many brides and grooms do not think through carrying cash on their wedding day. One of my favorite cautionary tales is of the bride and groom who needed a cab to their downtown condo at the end of the night, but did not have cash, a credit card or a debit card on them. Luckily their Oliveaire Wedding Planner saw them on her way out of the hotel, and gave them $20 to get home.

My advice, have someone check you into your hotel room, and make that someone who will remember to give your groom (who has pockets!) the room key at some point during your reception. Also, think through how you will be getting to that honeymoon suite and be sure to have some cash, a credit/debit card and your cell phone (with the important phone numbers programmed in) delivered to you at the end of the night by someone you trust (probably the same person who checks you into your hotel room). If you are party hardy couple, don’t drink and drive. Arrange for a car to pick you up or have a designated driver.

Next, where are your gifts? Make sure to assign this task to a close family member. It will then be that person’s responsibility to secure the envelopes and move boxes of gifts. Your Reception venue may have a safety deposit box you can keep them in until the end of the reception, but then it is your responsibility to make sure they are picked up. Have a plan for where you will take those generous gifts the next day. The sooner you get that money in the bank, the better, especially if you plan on catching a plane soon.

Finally, headed to the airport the next morning? Make sure that your luggage is packed, and that your tickets and documentation are all easily accessible and ready to go! Nothing puts a damper on a honeymoon like forgotten passports or lost luggage (or a hangover FYI).

None of this will take too much work, just a little bit of forethought on your part. Enjoy that beautiful and monumental day in your life. Happy Honeymoon!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Theme Weddings: Do or Don't

2010-05-28T08:32:00.000-07:00

When I think of a theme wedding visions of a bridal party dressed in Renaissance Costumes or Lightsabers come to mind. Now, I realize that many theme weddings don’t take it to that extreme, so I will give you a cautious “Do” when it comes to theme weddings.

My caveat on the “Do” is that the overwhelming theme of your wedding is YOU!

A Bride and Groom cannot go wrong if they make sure their wedding is a true reflection of themselves. What are you and your fiancé passionate about? How can that translate into your wedding?

Here are a few ideas:

Date: Select the date of your wedding to correspond with your favorite season, to accommodate the overall fashion look you are going for or that will allow you to incorporate food you love, when it’s in season, on your menu. If you love the colors of fall and warm apple pie, find a date in the fall. Always picture wearing a (faux) fur stole and taking pictures in a snowy winter wonderland, pick a date in a winter month like January or February (you may even score some deals as it’s the slow season).

Décor: Incorporate colors, images, artwork and personality into the overall look of your day. In this aspect the difference lies in the details. Set your “theme” for your guests in your wedding invitation. Carry it through in all of your wedding day stationary (programs, place cards, menu cards, thank you cards, etc.) to pull off a very polished look. Work with your floral designer and decorator to incorporate important colors, textures and fabrics throughout your big day. Be creative with centerpieces, we love flowers, but you can bring in some fun non-floral items depending on the look you are going for.

Pre & Post-Wedding Parties: Bridal showers, Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties, Rehearsal Dinners and a post-wedding Brunches are all great opportunities to bring your theme through. Keep your colors in mind, pass out fun theme related favors, and add some fun touches.

If you’re the biggest Trekkies around, no one will be surprised to see Captain Spock as the Officiant of your ceremony. Not quite so passionate? Then make sure YOU (& your fiancé, I mean YOU as a couple), your passions and personalities are the theme of your wedding, you can’t go wrong!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Here Comes the Bride...

2010-05-19T19:45:00.000-07:00

Ladies, you’ve found the right guy, he found the right ring, now you must truly find “The One.” Your wedding gown of course! Many brides find selecting their wedding gown the most FUN part of planning their wedding. So, first and foremost, take some time and ENJOY finding your gown, the one that will bring a tears to your eye, and probably mom’s too.

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Your dress will set the tone for your wedding so keep that in mind as you hit the racks. As you search here are some helpful hints to know before you hit the store:

Style
All kinds of words are used to describe the shape of a gown. Hopefully this will help you know what you’re looking at.

Ball Gown/Princess: shape is traditional, poofy, and what comes to mind when you think of a Princess getting married. There is typically a more fitted bodice but the skirt is big big big. This style is flattering on most and favored by those who want to camouflage their hips.

Empire/Babydoll: This gown will have a “flowing” feel from just below the bust through to the floor. Girls who want to enjoy food on their big day, without worrying about their tummy showing may want to look at this style of gown.

Trumpet/Mermaid/Fit n Flare: This gown is going to be fitted through the body to somewhere between the hips and the knees, and then it will flare out some. Each dress will vary in just how fitted it is and how much volume comes with that flare. This cut can give the look of curves to those with a more athletic build or accentuate the waist of a bride who wants to work her curves.

Photo Courtesy of theknot.com

A-Line: This style is very similar to the Ball Gown or Princess shape, there is a fitted bodice, however there is less volume in the skirt. This is a universally flattering style.

Sheath: This style of gown is pretty fitted throughout the gown from top to bottom. This gown will highlight hips and probably won’t leave a lot of room for enjoying a big meal on your wedding day.

Other things to think about are the style of neckline (strapless, halter, sweetheart, etc.), length of train (if any), and amount of beading and lacework you are comfortable with.

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Color:
White, Bright White, Diamond White, Antique White, Off-white, Champagne, Ivory... Who knew there could be so many shades of the color your groom will inevitably call white?

Think about the colors you typically wear because they look best against your skin tone. If you find yourself wearing more cool tones you will most likely find yourself happiest in more of a “white white” gown. If you tend to go warm in your clothing and make-up you will probably want one of the softer versions of white. Many shops will only have a sample gown in one color, but they can order it in a few so try on the sample and look at their swatches.

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Party:
I’m not going to dive into Bridesmaid gowns, I’m talking about the entourage of ladies that all want to go dress shopping with you. Remember that every person you bring will have an opinion on what you should be looking for and ultimately buying. Bring a few ladies who are close to you, who will be honest with you, and that’s it. No reason to let all those voices get in your head and sway your decision. You know your style, your body and what you like, you will know your gown.

At the Bridal Gown Salon:
Be open to trying on gowns that are different than what you imagined. You may think you “know” what you want, but you have most likely never seen yourself in an actual wedding gown before. Step outside of your comfort zone and try on something different. It won’t hurt anything and you just might surprise yourself.

Be honest with yourself, and your sales consultant, about your budget. No reason to fall in love with an $8,000 gown if you budget is $1,500.

And finally, as my friends on TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” would say, think of your dress like your fiancé, once you find “The One” stop looking!

BBFN (BRidal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Do Me a... Favor

2010-05-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

We’ve all gotten them, the good, the bad and well, the ugly. Yes, I’m talking about favors. Like all aspects of a wedding, favors vary greatly depending on the couple’s style and budget, from something small and traditional like a small tulle wrapping of almonds to something as elaborate as a bottle of wine with a custom label.

Photo from theknot.com

Anyone you ask about favors will give you their opinion, and each of those opinions will be very different. Here is what I can tell you after attending more weddings than I can count, as a guest and as a planner:

If they can’t eat it, your guests will probably forget it:
Those beautiful little votive holders, wine stoppers, coasters, etc. will catch the guests’ eye, and they will all talk about how great they are. However, after all of the dancing and a few celebratory cocktails, you will find most of those favors left behind. I can’t imagine that anyone has enough parties to need quite that many coasters.

I have found however, if you give your guests a little treat, you will not have as much leftover. Why is that? My best guess is that people either eat them between the courses, during dancing, or pick them up on their way out for a snack on the way home. Favors such as candy bars, truffles or cookies are great munchies and you will not find many are left behind.

Photo from theknot.com

Honor Your Guests:
Some Brides and Grooms chose to honor their guests by making a donation to a charity close to their heart. This is a beautiful way to give back, and make your guests feel special. One couple I know made donations to several charities, and indicated which charity they selected for each guest on their placecard. Another Bride made a donation to the USO because her brother was overseas serving in the Army during her wedding. Just be sure to put a sign in a frame or on display so your guests know that you have thought of them. If you decide to donate to charity in lieu of favors, choose with your heart and connect with your purpose.

Photo from theknot.com

Overall, don’t break the bank. A favor should be a token of appreciation to your guests, thanking them for taking time from their busy lives to celebrate your love and the beginning of your new life. You can consider adding a sweet table or late night munchie station for your guest to enjoy by moving your favor budget to accomadate the expense. If you come up with a great idea, and you think your guests will remember to take it home, go for it. After all it is your big day.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Salmon or Sea Bass: Meal Selection at Your Wedding

2010-05-05T08:11:00.000-07:00

How important is the dinner selection for your wedding? Much time is spent on planning the details of the day, but especially for your guests, the most important part of the day is dinner. Planning the right selection of hors d’oeuvres and number of courses in the meal will have guests offering accolades.

I have met two couples in the past week that have complained about the food at their wedding. You don’t want that to be you. And after all of your hard work you don’t want your guests walking away hungry, or talking about the dry chicken!

Here are some noteworthy thoughts to ponder upon while making food selections:

Know your guests:
You may be a foodie, but are your guests? If you want to showcase the talents of your Rock Star chef make sure to balance the meal. Offer some trendy palette teaser for appetizers, but you may consider keeping the entrée basic.

Menu Matters:
Spend time with your catering manager to discuss your tasting. Select items that are in your wedding package, but do not be afraid to ask the chef to be creative. Never arrive hungry to a tasting. You will not be able to judge the food for its taste and quality if you are starving. Once the food arrives at your table, give it few minutes before you take a bite. This will allow you to better understand how the food will taste if it is served during a large dinner service.

Not Happy:
If you are not happy with the quality or presentation, try again, and try until you are happy. It is your big day, and you want to make sure that your celebration dinner is truly something to celebrate. You want your guests to enjoy the food, as much as you did at the tasting. Your catering manager wants to make sure that you are happy, and will be accommodating within reason. Remember, your Venue Manager is not your Wedding Consultant

Teen or Children Meals:
Don’t forget the younger guests at your reception. They may not care for the lavish artistic meal presentation, but would be satisfied with a less “foofooie” dish. Do a plan a course for them that is similar to the selection you are offering your adult guests.

Offering a meal choice:
Letting your guests choose between the salmon and steak? This will certainly create more work for you in the tracking of the RSVPs to correctly count the meal selections being made by your guests. Keep in mind that your guests have selected their meals 6 weeks in advance, and may not even remember their choice on the day of the event. Some venues may offer “at time service,” which will allow guests to choose their selection once they are seated in the ballroom. This is the easiest choice for pleasing your guests, but it will most likely cost more.

As you make the final selection of your royal feast, be sure to take pictures of the plates you have chosen. Do share with your catering manager special notes or comments made during the tasting. Have all your special requests, temperature preferences and presentation choices written in detail so that the catering manager and the culinary staff are aware of your requests. Once you have enjoyed your culinary experience be prepared to work it all off on the dance floor.

Happy Feast!!!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Still looking for a venue? These tips can help

Trying to keep your event Green without breaking the bank?

The Great Rehearsal Expectation

2010-04-28T08:56:00.000-07:00

Today I am welcoming back Adel Domingo, Event Architect at Oliveaire. She is going to share with you what to expect at a Wedding Rehearsal. Take it away Adel...

The bridal showers and bachelor(ette) parties are over, and that fake bouquet created with all the bows from your shower gifts is ready to be used.. It is now the day of the wedding rehearsal, which officially starts the festivities leading up to the big day, The wedding party will be very excited, all are happy to see each other, and the bride and groom are feeling the anxiety of reaching the finish line.

Why the anxiety? There are many, many reasons. They might be leaving the home, or family, they have been a comfortable part of all their lives. More likely, the planning of the wedding activities, with their hundreds of details which had to be finished by the rehearsal day, may have finally caught up with them. Finally, making that unofficial walk the down the aisle, to practice their vows with all eyes on them, would make anybody feel butterflies.

The rehearsal ceremony is usually a one-hour window where the Officiant and wedding coordinator, or church coordinator, guide you thru what to expect on your wedding day. That person, who leads you through it, expects the wedding party to be there on time, and to finish on time. It is usually held at the location of the actual ceremony whether it is a church, temple, hotel, or on a beach.

Often this is the first time that members of the wedding party will first meet each other. In this instance not only the bride and groom are feeling anxious. Imagine the Maid of Honor or Best Man is all of a sudden being escorted down the aisle by somebody they just met, and will be expected to partner up in a formal setting in the next few days. Not only that, you have to be civil and pleasant, whether he or she is nice, or has a challenging personality.

Why go thru a rehearsal? It is to relieve the exact feeling you have felt all this time you were planning your wedding. By the end of the rehearsal the couple usually starts to let go of anxiety as they feel a great sense of support, seeing all their family and friends together. When the bride walks down the aisle once or twice, the groom fumbles thru the vows, when they figure out the ring bearer may not be too crazy about walking down the aisle, or the couple hears the laughter of their loved ones, or even of each other; they feel a huge relief off their shoulders. It is also when the tears start flowing for the parents or guardians, or most often, the bride.

The rehearsal is also the time to turn over the marriage license and church fees to the Officiant, so don’t forget them! Be sure to leave the unity candle and whatever is needed to the church or ceremony location, prior to the actual day. Musicians might check the timing of their music, especially if they are family or friends of the couple. The readers will check the volume and speed of their voice when reading. Sometimes, it is when the ladies of the wedding party wear the actual shoes they will be wearing for the official day to break them in. Do not be upset if everybody cannot make it. Your groomsman from California may have a delayed flight, or the flower girl may still be recovering from a cold. Your wedding coordinator or a bridesmaid can show them what to do on the actual day.

Now that the couple has finished seeing a preview of their big day, they can finally, along with their wedding party and close family and friends, start the celebration at the well-deserved rehearsal dinner.

Photo Credit: theknot.com

The rehearsal, or pre-nuptial, dinner is usually hosted by the groom’s parents, but anybody can host it, even the bride and groom. Its mood and setting is usually the opposite of the formal reception. It can be at the couple’s favorite pizza place, the church hall, or someone’s backyard. The dress code is relaxed and the food and drinks are lively. It is a perfect time for all to hang out with the couple and there is no real schedule. Your out-of-town guests are sometimes invited to show appreciation for their efforts and expense to be there for our big day. The couple at this time usually acknowledges all who were involved, and shows their gratitude by presenting gifts. This is also a nice time for the couple to publicly thanking the important people in their lives, and again will begin to relieve more of their anxiety. The rehearsal dinner is essential to a wedding if you want your big day to be less stressful and chaotic.

What type of gifts should a couple give those who were so instrumental in planning their big day? That is another blog topic, stay tuned!

Thanks Adel, hope everyone got some tips and is feeling excited for their upcoming rehearals!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

The Skinny on Your Bridesmaid

2010-04-22T12:22:00.000-07:00

Your engagement has been announced, you are in wedding planning bliss, the wedding date is sort of picked out and now is the time to pick your entourage. The tradition began in ancient times, bridesmaids were used as decoys to confuse evil sprits wanting to harm the bridal couple. The role has evolved into their modern day role as the brides’ assistants. As a bride-to-be, your “Girls” will play a key support role in planning your wedding.

A wedding is a production of many details. As the producer and director of this big day, an organized bride with clear direction will be much appreciated. Beyond selecting the bridesmaids’ dresses, partying at your bachelorette party, and dancing with groomsmen, there are few “bridesmaid duties” that can be delegated to your helpful bridal party.

Calling upon Venues
List a few venues for your bridesmaid to call. Have her check on the availability of the date, space and wedding packages. As a bride you may be interested in as many as 30 venues. This will alleviate the overwhelming pressure of countless calls.

Bridal Shows
Designate one of your bridesmaids to register you for bridal shows, special events or special offers. Set up a “Couple’s Wedding Email” address so that all the information can be directed to your wedding inbox.

Favor Party
Have a bridesmaid troll websites looking for trendy favor ideas. Have her email you pictures or website links to view these products. Have her organize a “Favor Party” if you select a product that may require personalization.

Rehearsal
Bridesmaids can execute administrative duties by creating a “Rehearsal Packet” for the bridal party. The packet should include information such as the timeline, photo schedule, when and where they need to be. This information can be organized and emailed to the bridal party. A copy should also be made for distribution at the ceremony rehearsal.

Out of town guests
One of your bridesmaids can organize “Things to do in our Town” information for your out of town guests. Information can include places of special interest, popular restaurants, shopping malls, transportation and contact information in case of any emergency.

Placecards
Most venues will set up your placecards on the day of the wedding. Have a bridesmaid cross check your master guest list against the placecards. Once they are double checked, place them in alphabetical order, and have a box ready for delivery to the venue. Do not forget to include you master guest list.

Your bridal party is there to assist you with your wedding day. It is an honor for them to be part of your special guests. They understand that you may reach out to them beyond just planning bridal showers and the bachelorette party. Go ahead, get them involved, you will be pleasantly surprised how much support they can lend to their bride and her big day.

BBFN, (Bridal Bliss for Now)
Olivia

Tuxedo: To Rent or Buy

2010-04-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

Today we have an expert weighing in on whether or not a groom should purchase or rent a tuxedo for his wedding day. Please enjoy:

Well, the time is drawing ever closer, you have your beautiful gown and the plans are starting to come together for the big event. Now is the time to decide if you should rent or buy the tuxedo for your significant other. How will your partner look in a rental versus purchased / tailored tux? What will you do with it after the event if it is purchased? Do you both have time to find a store to purchase a tux, and then have it tailored, or is time of the essence?

Here are some of the Pros of Renting a tuxedo:• Considerably cheaper than buying
• Finding a tuxedo to rent is fairly easy
• Lack of selection makes it easier to find your favorite
• Potential groomsmen don’t need to search for tuxedos on their own
• Practical – No use in buying a tuxedo you will only wear once
• One stop stopping – You can shop for rental shoes and tuxedos all at one location
• Easy to match tux with groomsmen’s’ tux’s

Here are some of the Cons of Renting a tuxedo:
• Lack of selection
• A lot of rental stores carry tuxedos that can look outdated or cheap
• Tuxedos can’t be tailored to suit your body type

Now for the Pros of buying a tuxedo:
• Wider selection is available for purchase
• A tuxedo can be tailored to fit your body type
• Retail stores carry more contemporary styles and cuts
• Stores often carry tuxedos of a higher quality
• If you plan on attending a lot of functions where a tuxedo is required, then buying is your best option

Finally, the Cons to buying a tuxedo:
• Shopping for a tuxedo can be time consuming. Shopping at multiple stores, tailoring the suit to fit your needs, not being able to find the right shoes, etc…..
• Quality tuxedos are often very expensive
• Unpractical – buying a tuxedo you only plan on wearing once doesn’t make much sense

The best way to decide about renting or buying a tux is to ask yourself whether or not you see yourself attending a lot of Black Tie events in the future. If you see yourself in this position, buying a tuxedo is probably the best decision. Also, if you are having a formal wedding, consider buying a tuxedo. A tuxedo that is purchased can be tailored to your specifications. This makes for a tux that will fit, and look a whole lot better. On the other hand, if you don’t see yourself attending anything that requires a tuxedo, renting is your best, and most practical, choice.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

How to Plan a Green Event Without Breaking Your Budget

2010-04-12T13:15:00.000-07:00

The four “Rs” of being eco friendly: Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, & Recycle. Other eco friendly terminology used these days: Organic, Fair Trade, Post Consumer Waste, Green certification, Green Seal, and the list goes on and on.

We are a conscious society, we care, and we empathize.

When planning a wedding some bridal couple are passionate about creating a 100% Green Wedding. The cost of planning earth friendly weddings can be up to 25% higher in cost. Not to say that the cause doesn’t deserve the passion and commitment, but sometimes this can also be a deterrent for a bridal couple looking to stay within a budget.

If every wedding commits to making their day, at a minimum, 10% greener, imagine the impact it would have. There are over 1,000 weddings being planned in Chicago right now. Every great change is the result of many small steps.

At Oliveaire we are definitely passionate having a team of creative planners and designers. Each of us here makes an effort, in our professional and personal life, to practice the “R” mantra.

With Earth Day approaching soon, we want to arm brides with tools to find those ways to make their wedding more green. In such spirit, we are hosting a “Bridal Bliss” event at Logan Square Kitchen on Tuesday, April 20th, 2010. Zina Murray, the proprietor of LSK is a great resource for Eco Friendly Weddings, and Cleetus Friedman at City Provisions will also be speaking about local farms and sustainable foods. He will also bring hors d’oeuvres for our guests to sample, YUMMY. The event is complimentary, but space is limited, so if you are interested in learning how to make your event a little bit more eco friendly RSVP by visiting http://oliveaire.com/#/contact/contact-us.

If you are looking to make a small earth friendly contribution to your wedding, here are some of our suggestions:

Check out these plantable invitations (How cool is that?!)
Looking for Fair Trade business? (It is organic and delicious)
Looking for earth friendly wedding favors? How about planting a tree in honor of your wedding bliss?

There are lot more tips and tricks to make a difference without breaking your budget. Join us at the Bridal Bliss event to see how we can take some small steps in making your big day an earth friendly wedding day.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Inspiration and Scissors

2010-04-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen a Bride’s notebook? I have, and it has notes, doodles, and vendor interviews, but most importantly, it has bridal magazine clippings of her dream wedding. In the notebook you will find a picture of her perfect dress, her bouquet, colors that she loves and flowers that she has fallen in love with. For a floral designer, nothing produces a successful meeting more than seeing what the bride’s vision entails. It may seem that your choices are disparate, but sorting through pictures to find your style can transform your wedding day into a personalized, branded, event.

Fairy tale weddings can only be reigned in by a budget. Drama of tall centerpieces, mood set with specialty lighting, lounge furniture by the bar and graceful linens, they do add up. The second largest slice of the budget, after the venue, is definitely given to the floral and décor expense. The impact of a $20,000 floral budget will not be the same as $7,000 budget, but how you maximize it will certainly define your event. Instead of creating $200 centerpieces mix and match the room with some high centerpieces and some low centerpieces. Linens are the least expensive option to add impact to the event design. If you work with a full service event studio the threads of your vision can be presented to you with a complete visual sampling.

So I say to the Brides, find a good pair of scissors and cut out as many pictures as you can of centerpieces. If attending a wedding, take pictures with your cell phone of things that you like, but also of things that you do not want at your wedding. Be Blissful, Be Inspired, Be an Artists Palette.

BBFN
Olivia

Your Venue Manager is Not Your Wedding Consultant

2010-03-24T11:02:00.000-07:00

I have said it before, and I will say it again, I love catering/venue managers. We work together all the time. They do a magnificent job of taking care of event details that pertain to their property. They do their job, and as a planner, I do mine, and they are not the same thing.

Brides, you need to know, that your venue manager is NOT your Wedding Consultant!
(or Planner, or Coordinator, pick your favorite title, we like Event Architect!)

Here are some differences in what you should expect from a Venue Manager and a Wedding Consultant:

Tasting:
A Venue Manager will schedule a tasting. At that time you, your fiancé, and maybe a few others, will sample food and make selections for your event. A Venue Manager will provide you information on cost and service. She will detail your decisions into directions that will go out to the kitchen staff, servers, etc.

A Wedding Consultant will also attend your tasting with you. She will photograph each plate of food to document the presentation and portion size of your final selection. She will make sure that your bar and menu choices fit in with the overall ambiance of your event.

Inventory:
If you are lucky a Venue Manager might let you drop off your inventory supply a couple of days (no more than 2) before your wedding. They will put out your place cards, cake knife and toasting glasses.

A Wedding Consultant will also take your inventory from you. (Our policy is that we will take it 3 days prior to your event.) We will make sure that your place cards or scroll are displayed. We will also keep a copy of your guest list so that if someone can’t find their name, or shows up without having sent a response, we can place them at an appropriate table. A Wedding Consultant will be sure that each piece of inventory is available to you for its intended use. A Wedding Consultant will also make sure that your inventory is returned to you, or more ideally your designee, before the end of the wedding.

Vendors:
A venue manager will most likely speak to the other vendors you have hired to provide them with load-in and load-out instructions. They will make sure that the vendors follow the policies and procedures of the property.

Your Wedding Consultant will coordinate the arrival and set-up of each vendor that will make sense for your overall timeline. She will review their contracts, and any special instructions you have for them. A Wedding Consultant will serve as a central point of contact for all vendors, and will step in to prevent a problem.

In the end a Venue/Catering Manager’s job is to represent their property. They will provide you excellent service, in the scope of their property. A Wedding Consultant’s job is to take away stress from the Bride and Groom, to make sure that your event is executed above and beyond your expectations, to bring your vision to reality.

Not sure what to look for when hiring a Wedding Day of Coordinator? Click here

Think wedding planners are overrated? We don’t. To see why, click here

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Torn Between Place Cards and Scrolls?

2010-03-17T15:46:00.000-07:00

This week our guest Blogger is Mahvish Bhatty, Event Architect.

You’re getting close to your wedding date, responses are in, and you are now ready to develop a seating chart for your guests, but you cannot decide on which method is right for you. Well you have two options, 1st the boring method, Place Cards, which has been used for many weddings or 2nd, the new and exciting method, Scrolls, which hasn’t been used by many couples.

(Special thanks to Timothy Whaley & Associates for the picture)

Now you are thinking, what’s the difference between the two? Well, a Place Card is a small card with the name of a guest(s) on it, placed on the table, to indicate where he or she is to sit. Place Cards can be enhanced by being set in a special holder, and they can be served as a favor as well. However, some of holders can take quite a bit of space on the Place Card table. This can be a problem if your guest count is exceeding 300 or more guests. When deciding on a Place Card, the sky is the limit on your options, and when intermixing with Place Card holders, this can be the more expensive option.

As for Scrolls, they’re an elegant, and preferable, alternative to Placecards. The seating scroll, or wedding seating chart, can be hung from a beautiful stand, and is displayed at the entrance of the reception venue. It contains the names of all the guests, along with the table they will be seated at. The names are in alphabetical order, and split into letter sections, in order to easily find a guest's name. The seating scroll is also a great keepsake of your wedding. You get to keep it as a wonderful reminder of your special day and all those who attended! Another benefit is that you don’t have to deal with developing 300+ cards, and alphabetizing them by last names.

A scroll can be developed by simple software and given to the décor vendor or printer to print and display outside the reception space. Another great benefit is that you don’t have to deal with guests who have picked up their Place Cards but then lose it while having a great time during the cocktail hour.

If you are looking for something trendy, choose the Scroll. Your decorator should have several great ideas for incorporating the scroll into your overall room design. By placing it on a wall of candles it will become a great décor piece for the cocktail hour and the sweet table. Best of all, the scroll will be displayed all night and if anyone forgets their table number, then they can always get back to the scroll to verify. Not only that, you’ll know where your family and friends are sitting so after dinner you can quickly find them.

If I was in charge of your wedding, I would definitely recommend you choose the Scroll. This will definitely be the talk of your wedding, it will be something new, and not the same way of seating your guests that has been done time after time. Now the decision is all yours…

Whatever you choose I hope you are inspired as you work on seating your guests.

BBFN,
Olivia

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Oliveaire
Connect with us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oliveaire-Artisan-Events-and-Meetings/220568658477

Are All Bridal Shows the Same?

2010-03-10T20:43:00.000-08:00

Today Melanie Stancampiano is filling in for me again. She assists in coordinating Bridal Bliss events at Oliveaire and is going to share information about Bridal Shows.

You’ve got the ring, you’ve called your family and friends to share your good news, and now, you are going to attend a Bridal Expo to start the journey of planning your big day.

Depending on where you live, and the time of year, you will likely find a wide variety of expos, trunk shows, boutique events and Bridal seminars to attend, all geared to helping you plan the perfect day. Each show has its own unique, creative format for providing this information. Feeling overwhelmed as to which showcases to attend?

Here are some tips and tricks to help you figure out which shows are best for you to attend:

Define your expectation of the show:
What are you looking to get from the show? If you are looking to gather information and special offers from a large number of vendors about their services, then one of the larger shows is a great place to start. If you are looking for design inspiration, be sure to look for a show that is being hosted by a décor company. Wanting a better idea on how to start planning your wedding? Look for a show that features a wedding planner to help point you in the right direction.

Decide how much you are willing to spend on a ticket:
There is a wide variance in the cost of these events, some are free and some can cost upwards of $100. One factor in cost is whether the show is an event itself, what kind of food and beverage, if any, is being served. Another consideration is what you, as the bride, will take away from the event. Will you get a Swag Bag full of goodies? Are the proceeds of the event benefiting a local charity?

Are you looking for an intimate experience or a large crowd?
Some events will draw hundreds of brides and their friends and families. Some smaller shows will only have 10 – 20 brides in attendance and will offer a more intimate experience for the attendees. You have to decide in which setting you will be more comfortable and take it from there.

What shows are your already selected vendors participating in?
Already picked a unique venue, florist with a very modern style or an in-demand photographer? Find out what shows they are participating in. It is likely that you will find vendors with similar style in attendance. This is a great opportunity to meet those vendors in person and set-up appointments to discuss their services.

As you can see, all shows are not the same, but they all have something to offer. Now you just have to figure out the best shows to meet your needs. No matter which show you decide to attend, you will surely have a good time and take away information that will help you plan your day.

Best of luck, and I hope to see you at one of our events!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),
Olivia

Hiring a Day Of Wedding Coordinator

2010-03-03T09:07:00.000-08:00

VS.

Pictures provided by weddingpros.wordpress

If you have made the decision to hire a wedding planner to manage your Day of Wedding Coordination, congratulations, you are now a BLISS bride. More and more brides feel the stress of the wedding day, and elect to let a professional take over to fine tune the details, and oversee the execution of those details on the day of their wedding. Service is subjective. What should you expect from a planner for retaining their Day of Coordination service? Here are some tips:

Define Your Expectation:
Remember they are being retained to oversee your day of details. It means that you, as a bride, will coordinate and plan the details leading up to the wedding. A good wedding planner will organize your details for a flawless execution. Planners work with a plethora of forms that detail every segment of the wedding. Have the planner show you her forms, which will be utilized in executing your event.

Hours of Service:
A Day of Coordination package must include at least 11 hours of service. Typically 1 hr is reserved for rehearsal and 10 hrs are for the day of event. Use the time wisely. Planners are extremely important during the beginning of the day. If your ceremony is planned for 2pm and your make-up hair, vendor set up and pictures are scheduled for 11:00a.m., retain the service from 10:30a.m. to 8:30p.m.. If you are not done with the important details by 8:30p.m. consider adding a couple of hours to the package. An Event Assistant is typically included in the package.

How to Choose the Right Planner:
There are some great seasoned planners, that may cost more, and then there are some planners starting out in the business that charge less. I personally would want the best to take care of my wedding, especially when so much is invested in it. I would want someone with experience, so that when it came time to make hard decisions they can draw from their experience and make the right one. I want them to be a leader, so that clear directions are given to the vendors, and excellent service to my guests. But most importantly, I would want to make sure that they have a well trained event support team, so that my event is not dependent on just one person.

Cost:
A traditional Day of Coordination package can cost from $2500, for an experienced planning company, to $1200 for a novice. If your event is a sophisticated, detail driven and vendor loaded program, I would opt for an experienced planner. The $1300 will be well worth paying for, if it means the best are orchestrating your event. Some ethnic events, with traditions and cultural influence, may require longer hours and multiple days. For such events expect to pay slightly more, the size of the event can impact the price.

What not to expect from a planner:
Planners are there to oversee your vendors, making sure that they are performing as they have been contracted to do. Also making sure that Aunt Mae gets her low sodium vegetarian meal, and your Bridesmaid is not lost when it comes time to take pictures. Resourceful planners are experts in all arenas of wedding planning. However, they are not florists, photographers, cake decorators, chair cover installers, butlers or bellman. They are quick to get a team that will deliver these types of service, but cannot be expected to put together your centerpieces on the day of your wedding. However, some planners may be able to offer such services for additional cost. Remember, you are paying at least $1200 to your planner. If you are using her to add flowers to the table, or move wedding inventory from church to reception venue, you are definitely overpaying for those tasks. Let your planner manage the other vendors to most effectively execute your vision.

Your wedding day is about you and your groom. There should not be any need for a bride to micromanage her vendors, or stand by the placecard table assisting guests to find their escort cards. If your budget allows, at a minimum hire a “Day of Coordinator.” I promise you that you will look back at your wedding day and know the second most important person on your big day was your Wedding Planner.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now)
Olivia

Is Selecting Linen for Your Reception an Art?

2010-02-24T12:26:00.000-08:00

Today's guest blogger is Melanie Stancampiano, Sr. Account Executive from Oliveaire. I am excited for her to share some tips with you on how to select your linen...

There will be a time during the planning of your wedding when the colors in your flowers and table linen will meet. Combining fashion forward colors can result in a beautiful Fairytale Wedding. Or something that goes terribly wrong, as far as the color palette is concerned. As more brides and grooms are choosing bold color schemes for their wedding, selecting linens has truly turned into an art.

If you are looking to “Glamorize” your wedding, a Linen Stylist can help play with color and texture. Satin Lamour can add elegance, while an organza overlay will add a romantic and whimsical effect. Fabrics with prints and sequins can add a designer aspect that will certainly bring a strong sense of style to your reception.

Start by thinking about the overall feeling you want at your wedding, and specifically your décor. Spend a few minutes talking to your designer to let them get a feeling for who you are as a couple. Are you looking for bright fun colors? A room full of romance? Is there a theme to your wedding? Don’t be afraid to talk about what you like, and just as importantly, what you don’t like.

When it comes to color think about more than one color you want to see at your reception and don’t forget to have your florist and linen designer coordinate their efforts. You may envision your best girlfriends all wearing a pale pink bridesmaid dress. Unless you are the Steel Magnolias “Blush and Bashful” (i.e. Pink and Pinker type), you will want to see other colors in your linen, and probably your flowers. You can easily pair pink with black, white or platinum and create different, but really beautiful, looks. An eggplant tablecloth can be a great rich background for a pop of fall color in flowers. Or, a black and white tablecloth can be a great focal point with red floral centerpieces.

Be honest about your budget. It does no good for a designer to put together a look that costs $100 per table if your budget is $25. A good designer will find the best option available within your price range.

Whatever colors you choose, whatever your budget, whatever your needs, linen is a very budget friendly was to personalize your event. It will make the reception space uniquely yours, and leave a lasting impression on your guests.

As you start selecting linens for your big day have fun. Take a sneak peak before you open the doors to your guests and enjoy your stunning vision come to life.

Stay tuned next week for how to enjoy your wedding day as much as possible.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),
Olivia

Wedding Photography’s Hidden Costs

2010-02-18T18:23:00.000-08:00

I am still busy putting together the I Do Rendezvous so Sr. Event Architect Adel Domingo will be sharing some tips on making smart decisions when it comes making decisions on selecting a photographer. Special thanks to Misha Media for the photos they provided to us...

Excuse the pun but I am about to “expose” the hidden costs of wedding photography. When I say “expose,” I don’t mean to sound mysterious, just to make you aware of the extra costs that brides and grooms should inquire about with their photographer.

Your wedding photos should capture the beauty of the big day. It’s not a big surprise that wedding photography is one of the top expenses an engaged couple is willing to add to their budget. The cost is worth it when you see the guests’ smiling faces and, of course, the joyful expressions of the newlyweds!

You should expect your photographer has:
Artistic skills
Experience dealing with a full day of wedding activities
Ability to prioritize the family shots
Grace to handle the family’s demands that the he or she be in two places at once
Pre and post meetings set-up with you

A photographer’s time and skill have a price, like any business. They produce a personal product that will cost you, because you are paying for their professional skills. If you want to save thousands of dollars, just ask a couple of your friends to bring their cameras, or ask everybody for digital copies from your guests. The quality, or even the content, may be questionable, especially after a few cocktails.

It’s not easy to find a good photographer, so when you do, and you find out he or she is available, you are ecstatic! But stop, slow down, inhale, and follow these three assignments to get all of the information you need to make an educated choice.

Your first assignment in finding the hidden costs is to read the large and fine print of your contract. Do you understand the contract?

The second assignment is to ask questions.
• Are your engagement photos included?
• Does your package include the album? (Some packages cost more than others because the album is included.)
• If the album is included, how many pages does it include? How much are the additional pages?
• How many photographers does your package include? Given the size of your wedding, how many does the photographer recommend? (If you have a big bridal party and a huge reception, the photographer may need a second or even third photographer. The extra photographer(s) may cost you extra.)

One very important question:
• How much does it cost to have a photographer stay later than their contracted time?
Imagine, you are running a little behind on your wedding day. Your contract states that your photographer stays until 10:00pm but now you need him to stay an hour later That extra hour might be an extra charge. The photographer may forget to tell you because he is too busy taking photos for that extra hour. And you signed the contract. He will bill you later. So ask, don’t assume!

Finally, your third assignment is to weigh the cost not in dollars but in quality and skill. Do you need to spend an equal amount on your first home and your wedding photographer to have beautiful photos? No. However, I would be leery of any price from a photographer (or any vendor for that matter) that is too good to be true. Ask for recommendations or references from your friends or family. Interview photographers and ask them to show you their own portfolio. Is it worth it to save a few dollars but end up looking at your photos and finding out your photographer forgot to take a photo of your grandmother, that one you specifically asked for?

Are all hidden costs bad? I say no.

For instance, I recommend the extra album cost because, time flies and next thing you know it’s your 10th anniversary and you still have not done your wedding album. Is that extra hour worth the cost of your photographer staying to take more photos? Yes, if he took those priceless, funny photos of everybody dancing to your favorite song of the night. Is that third photographer worth it if you have a large wedding party? Yes, if you can have the best photographer to yourself while the assistant photographers can accommodate your guests.

Most photographers will explain all the costs to you, but with all the excitement, it never hurts to know, and I can’t repeat this enough, to ASK.

Best of luck to you in finding the perfect photographer.

More next week about the big I Do Rendezvous

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),

Olivia

Buffet vs. Family Style and the Winner is ……….

2010-02-10T08:38:00.000-08:00

Hello lovely Brides & Grooms, today I am out and about getting things ready for our upcoming “I Do Rendezvous” so Mumtaz Jamal is filling in as our guest blogger.

Mumtaz is the Director of Special Events at Oliveaire, and focuses heavily on our South Asian clientele. She’s got some great advice about selecting a style of service for your wedding reception…

Planning food for your wedding celebration is no small task. Menus for the week long celebrations have to be planned, tastings to be done, caterer to be chosen, and of course, you have to pick the style of service for each event.

When deciding the service style for your Wedding Reception dinner, you want to keep in mind the venue, and number of guests you will have. It is always best to think of the style of service you want before choosing your menu. Buffet or Family Style service keeps the entree selection such that it looks colorful and appetizing.

Buffet style service is what is included in a Wedding package at a majority of the venues we work with, as they already have the serving pieces for this style of service. There is an additional charge for Family Style service from the venue, and you want to make sure the serving pieces are included in that charge, or you will incur an extra charge for renting those pieces as well.

Buffet service gives the guests the liberty to choose what they want, and how much they want, without having to wait. They can go back to the buffet for seconds, and if the food is great even thirds. Buffets give a more casual feel, as guests are up and moving about.

On the other hand, Family Style is no less than a mini buffet on the dinner table. It is a great convenience for the guests, and very elegant.

My recommendation would be… Family Style.

Thanks Mumtaz!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),
Olivia

Are Wedding Planners Overrated?

2010-02-03T11:40:00.000-08:00

They are pushy, overbearing, want to work with only certain vendors and spend extra money. These are some of the fears of hiring a Wedding Planner. Are they overrated?? Absolutely NOT. These days, with a busy lifestyle and overwhelming resources on how to plan your wedding, you need the savvy planner, that can guide you through the production of planning a stunning wedding. Does it take a rocket scientist to plan a wedding? No. But it does require skills and knowledge, and most importantly, resources to bring your wedding vision to a fairytale ending. A bride that has a wedding budget of at least $20,000 must invest in, at the minimum, a Day of Coordinator, so that she, her groom and their families can enjoy their celebration of marriage. For those brides that need a branded event, with each detail reflecting the couple’s personality, a complete planning package is worth its weight in gold.

Ladies, wedding planners are no longer a luxury, but a much needed investment into your wedding celebration. Still curious about those things you have heard about planners? I am going to tackle some of the urban legends about “The Wedding Planner”:

Are planners overbearing and pushy?

Planners keep themselves on the cutting edge of the wedding trends. They want to amaze you with their talent and wow your guests. Not all trends can fit into a couple’s budget. So clearly define your expectation and your budget. Sit back, relax and let your planner showcase all that can fit into your budget. But keep in mind, not all ideas may reflect your wedding vision. For some couples this is the time to express this to the planner, and as necessary reevaluate their wants and needs within the realistic parameters of their budget.

This one I hear all the time, my venue has a wedding coordinator so there really is no need for me to spend additional money hiring a planner.

Catering/Venue Managers are wonderful people and do an excellent job. They know their particular venue inside out. However, they do work for the venue, and work within the job responsibility of the venue. They are a great resource for preferred vendors but are not able to analyze your vision and budget to match you with the right vendors. Depending on the size of the venue, they may be working with multiple brides on the same day. Just as you hired a photographer that is working for you and only taking your perfect wedding pictures, a planner works in your best interest to deliver perfect wedding memories.

It is not possible for just one person to organize and coordinate multiple event team partners for your event. It requires organization and leadership skills to direct and produce a wedding. A good wedding planning company will provide you with event support, skilled assistants and a back up planner for your peace of mind. So make sure to do your research and ask the right questions. Your planner will be your best friend and will cry as she queues you to walk down the aisle.

Until next week
BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now)

Olivia

Top 5 Wedding Budget Crashers

2010-01-27T11:29:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of the year, and calculators are busy cranking up numbers. No it’s not tax time yet, but it IS time to set your wedding budget. There are plenty of wedding resource websites and magazines that give couples a cookie cutter budget format to guide them on how their wedding budget will be spent. I personally feel that budgets are subjective. What is important to one bride may not be important to the other. So as a bridal couple, you should prepare a list of items that are of absolute importance to you, and another list of those that are not. For e.g. a high end photographer with a photo journalistic style of capturing your wedding day is a must but a videographer may not be as important. I have worked with couples that have put a higher emphasis on the food then on the flowers, or on securing a specialty venue and not the caterer.

As to any budget that is set, whether buying a car, home or vacation there are always those unexpected costs that can put a dinger on your spending limit. So consider the following when setting up your budget Excel spreadsheet:

#1 Venues that charge a service charge. Clarify if the service charge will be taxable. It won’t devastate your budget, but it may impact you by few hundreds of dollars.

#2 Gown Alterations. You may have just spent thousands of dollars on that perfect gown, that will make you the trendy sophisticated bride that you are, but to get the right fit you may need to spend some time with a seamstress. Alterations may not be included in the price of the gown.

#3 Stamps. AAHHHH Stamps. The current price for your mail to travel in style is $.44 cents. Not only will you need the stamps for the Reply cards but also if you are sending out “Save the Date” cards. In addition I have yet to have an invitation that fell in the weight category of first class mail. I have clients that have paid as much as $5 in stamps per invitation, to mail their invitations to 300 of their closest friends.

#4 Make Up and Hair Trial. To make sure you have stylish hair style and photogenic make up, Brides will need to spend time with a Make up Artist and Hair Stylist before the big day. A consultation to create the glowing look on your special day is extremely important. There should be no surprises on the day of the wedding. In doing so, keep in mind that these trials do cost money. You can expect to pay as little as $50, to as high as $250, just to finalize the style and glamour of your beautiful day.

#5 Night Pick-up. Depending on the time your event finishes, and the ability of the venue to let the flowers/décor/specialty linens stay in the reception room you may incur additional charge. This is a must have conversation with your venue. If the venue requires that your floral/décor/linen company pick up the items at the end of the reception time these vendors may charge you for a night pick-up. The cost can be $125 to $900 depending on the work that will be involved. Having too much fun dancing and want to keep going? Don’t keep them waiting to start tear down or you may be stuck with overtime fees as well.

I will post more tips on Budget Crashers in future blogs. I would love to hear about costs that you have had that you didn’t account for.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now)
Olivia

My Engagement Ring, It is Perfect!!!!! Maybe…

2010-01-20T13:46:00.000-08:00

Have you fallen in love with your engagement ring?

Or do you love it, but you’re not quite in love with it?

It took all the Groom’s courage, and months of saving for that special ring, which will forever represent his love and devotion to you. The ring will symbolize his commitment to happily ever after. After the euphoria of the proposal, engagement announcement and the solicited approval from your BFF, you sit back and wonder, “Would I have picked this ring?” After all, you have to wear it everyday. You are not the only one out there pondering this question.

Before you decide to share your feelings with your new fiancée you might consider the following:

Do you really hate it?

Is it that he just didn’t listen to your subtle hints or taking you shopping for the ring?

If it really clashes with your jewelry collection and you will constantly think of it as your “not so fabulous ring,” then tell you partner. In a gentle way explain to him how happy you are to commit yourself to him for the rest of your life. Tell him, even though you were ecstatic that he put so much time and effort into buying the ring, maybe you can exchange or redesign the ring. If he gets offended by this don’t be surprised. You just told him that he can’t pick the right ring and doesn’t understand your taste. But these few minutes of emotional awkwardness may turn into a day of blissful ring shopping.

I, being a Type A personality, had the same situation and hated the ring. The funny part is that I helped pick the ring. So I hated what I had picked, and wanted to redesign mine one month into our engagement. I felt bad, but after few glasses of wine I found the courage to tell my fiancée that I was wrong. Confessing I was wrong was enough to make my fiancée decide to upgrade my ring. A confession I will never admit to. But I love my ring now, and love to show it off.

One possible catch, is the ring a family heirloom?

Has the ring been handed down generation after generation?

Does the family have deep emotional ties to it?

Have they told you how lucky you are to receive the ring? It is rare in this day an age that heirlooms are passed down as engagement rings, but it does happen.

What do you do??

Many brides wish for a ring that is uniquely theirs, and chosen just for them. Conveying this sentiment to your fiancée, and his family, might be tricky. Express to your fiancée and the family how honored you are to receive such a ring, and to have been bestowed the caretaker of the ring as it passes from generation to generation. Ladies, this will be a battle, you must pick and choose. Could the heirloom ring serve as a commitment ring while you select a ring that reflects your lifestyle?

Greeks believed that the diamonds were precious splinters of stars that had fallen to the Earth. Diamonds have a unique status as the ultimate symbol of love. If you have fallen in love with your ring, or are about to fall in love with it, do know that engagement rings have strings of your heart wrapped in your fingers.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now)

If you are a bride that got her “Perfect” ring, would love to know how did you drop those subtle hints?

Path to a Perfect Venue

2010-01-12T13:21:00.000-08:00

Navy Pier or Michigan Avenue
Modern Lux to Contemporary Art
Urban Chic or Historical Landmark
When it comes to hosting Conventions, Galas, Fundraisers but most importantly Weddings, Chicago has it all and done it all.

So how do you find the perfect venue to celebrate your nuptials? For starters make a list. List 5 things that you want at your wedding venue and most important, 5 things that you don’t want. This list won’t match you with the “Perfect” venue but it is a start. Feel free to add to the list.

Here are my 5 wants in a wedding venue and absolutely don’t want:

1. I want my wedding reception to be the only wedding at the venue.
2. I want food at the venue to be the showcase since I am such a foodie.
3. I want an old world romance charm to my dining room.
4. I want a venue that can accommodate 200 guests.
5. I want my cocktail reception in a separate area either outside the ballroom or away from the ballroom. Patio or Terrace would be ideal but not a deal breaker.

I don’t want from a wedding venue:

1. I don’t want to pay more than $150.00 per guest.
2. I don’t want a Friday or Sunday wedding.
3. I don’t want the venue off the beaten path.
4. I don’t want the venue to be more than 45min away from my ceremony location.
5. I don’t want the bar to close at midnight.

This should give the bridal couple a sense of their needs and wants. Marriage is about compromise, you may just start making some in your search to find the “Perfect Venue”.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now) Olivia

Next blog: Can I find the best kept secret venue in Chicago. Any guesses as to where it may be?

Business Practice

2010-01-11T07:00:00.001-08:00

It is our mission at Oliveaire Events and Meetings to conduct our business with transparency. Our goal is to exceed our client’s expectation and refine our services to keep exceeding them. Our promise to be on top of our industry trends and provide cost effective event solutions for our clients. Implement an Oliveaire culture of team support that serves our clients best interest. Communicate with our internal and external clients and partners with clarity and direction. Produce events that emphasis management, form and delivery. Continue to provide products and service that tailor to our clients and partners needs.