What to Expect from your Day-of-Coordination Service Wedding Package?

     

       Above: An Oliveaire Bride  vs.  Above: Did Not Get a Planner

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.  Today, more and more brides are feeling the stress of their Wedding Day and are opting to let a professional take over to fine tune the details, and to oversee the execution of those details on the day of their Wedding.  By hiring a Day-of Wedding Coordinator, brides can feel relaxed in knowing that the details are handled and all they have to do is completely enjoy the best day of their life.  Since you have decided to give yourself the best wedding present, what should you expect from their Day-of Coordination Planner?  Here are some tips:

Define Expectations:

Remember they are being retained to oversee your day-of details.  This means that you as the bride, will coordinate and plan the details leading up to the Wedding.  A good Wedding Planner will organize all of your details in a flawless execution.  Planners work with a plethora of forms that detail every segment of the Wedding.  Have the planner show you their forms, which will be utilized in executing your event.

Also, a great planner will be there for you regarding your vendors.  There are many aspects with a vendor that you may not realize.  The Day-of Coordinator will contact your vendor & will then be your liaison so you will not have to worry about contacting these vendors before and on the day of.  A Planner will also make sure each vendor has what they need, will schedule them accordingly to your timeline and will make sure they are there on time and completely prepared. 

The best expectation of all is you do not have to worry about a thing on your Wedding Day.  Most Brides do not realize how many intricate details go into planning & executing a Wedding.  By the time it get’s close to the event, Brides who did not hire a Planner seem to want the day to be over with, instead of looking forward to their big day.  This is a day all about you and your new spouse, spending the happiest day of your life with close family and friends and enjoying every single moment of it.  The Planner is to make sure the event goes smoothly, and if there is a small issue, they are to make sure you do not know about it.

  

Hours of Service:

A Day-of-Coordination Package must include at least 11 hours of service.  Typically 1 hour is reserved for rehearsal and 10 hours are for the day of the event.  Use this 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 11:00am, retain the service from 10:30am to 8:30pm.  If you are not done with the important details by 8:30pm, consider adding a couple of hours to your package.  An Event Assistant is typically included in the package as well. 

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 will draw from their past events and will make the right decision.  I would also want my planner to have a leadership quality 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 $2,500.00, for an experience planning company, to $1,200.00 for a novice.  If your event is a sophisticated, detail driven and vendor loaded program, I would opt for an experienced planner.  The $1,300.00 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 will impact the price.

What Not to Expect From a Planner:

Planners are there to oversee your vendors, in making sure that they are performing as they have been contracted to do, also making sure 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 services, 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 $1,200.00 to your Planner.  If you are using her to add flowers to the table, or move Wedding inventory from the Church to the Reception venue, you are definitely overpaying.  Let your Planner manage the other vendors to most effectively accomplish these tasks.

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

How to Write a Maid-Of-Honor Speech in 10 Easy Steps

                The moment you receive the exciting news that you have been chosen to be the Maid-Of-Honor, you are filled with so many happy emotions!  There are a lot of duties as a Maid-of-Honor that every girl looks forward to… helping choose her perfect dress, cake tastings, food tastings, helping her down the aisle and just being her emotional and supportive rock.  With this being said, there is an element of being the Maid-of-Honor that most are nervous about, and maybe even dread… The Maid-of-Honor Speech.  There is a lot of pressure that comes along with preparing and giving this speech, and I am here to make the process a lot easier!  Follow these 10 Easy Steps, and you will be writing a speech that you will be proud of, and one that might even bring a tear to the Bride & Groom!

1.       Do Not, I Repeat, Do Not Procrastinate

I know as the Maid-of-Honor you are busy with all of your fun and not-so-fun duties.  The Bride is counting on you to help her in every way possible, but she is also counting on you to write a meaningful and memorable speech.  With this being said… although you are busy, do not put off writing the speech until the week, or even the day before.  Trust me, when you have more time on your hands, the words will come together beautifully!     

2.       Know Your Audience

Knowing your Audience can be difficult, yet it is important to know the demographics of who you are speaking to.   Asking the Bride & Groom can be a great resource to review you on who will be attending the wedding, and what the best style of speech they would recommend.  Say your audience is mostly above the age of 50 and they are more of a serious group.  I would not recommend telling a lot of jokes, and I definitely wouldn’t recommend talking about those “good old college days”.  Knowing your audience will not only bring you a sense of comfort, but it will also help create a speech that the guests will appreciate.  

3.       Keep It Short & Sweet

Unfortunately, we see this mistake all of the time.  The Maid-of-Honor’s Speech is way too long, and you can tell she has lost the audience.  There is not a need to tell every moment you two had together...  You are standing there as the Maid-of-Honor, they all know how close you are.  So make it short and sweet and try to keep it at the most 2 to 3 minutes!

4.       Take This Seriously

Your Best Friend/Sister/Cousin/etc. has put you in this position because they trust you to take this speech seriously.  Be completely mature about the whole thing, and remember who is counting on you.  Although it may seem like a quick little speech, it is something the Bride is really looking forward to!

5.       Start with a Story

Starting with a quick story will set the mood for the rest of your speech.  If you would like your speech to be upbeat and funny, start with a silly (and appropriate) story of you and the Bride.  If you want the speech to be emotional, start with one that maybe brought you both together or a moment where you truly bonded.  Whatever this story may be, remember your audience, and make sure that it is one the couple will truly enjoy. 

6.       Go Down Memory Lane

Included with your initial story, also tell another story of a funny and/or touching moment you had with the Bride or with the couple.  This could be childhood memories, how you first met, when they first met, or a time you spent with both of them together.  Make it one that will touch their hearts and possibly make them laugh.  Whatever it is, make it a memory that they will appreciate reminiscing with you and their guests. 

7.       Why They’re Meant To Be

This is critical to any Maid-of-Honor Speech.  Letting them know what you see in both of them and how it makes them perfect together, can truly be a tear jerker.  This could be a story on how they met, a story on how they act together,  or maybe even the time that she came to you and told you he was the one.  Validating that they belong together is a beautiful moment for the couple and for your audience.

8.       Stay Calm, Cool & Collected 

Although you may feel a lot of pressure to deliver the perfect speech, just remember… there is no such thing as a perfect speech!  All you need to remember is to express your emotions, let them know how much they mean to you, and hey, if you’re confident in your humor, throw in a good joke or two.  Whatever your style may be, just stay calm, cool & collected, and know that the Bride has given you this position, which means she completely believes in you!

9.       Practice, Practice, Practice!

You may feel confident in your speaking abilities… or you may not… either way, practice is key!  Standing in front of a mirror, or speaking to your family/friends beforehand, will help tremendously, and can only boost your confidence!  If you have gone over it many times and still don’t seem to have grasped it completely, it doesn’t hurt to make notecards.  Notecards can be there for you as an outline and help guide you throughout your speech!  Whatever your style may be, practicing will go a long way, and you’ll be glad you did

10.   Most Importantly… Be Yourself!

The Bride loves you for who you are; so remember when writing and presenting your speech to be your complete self!  This is the most important advice I can give you when writing and giving your Maid-of-Honor speech… Give it your all and have it come from your big heart!  If you at least follow this step, I promise, it will come together perfectly!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),

Olivia

What to Expect from your Day of Coordination Wedding Package

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 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 will draw from their experience and make the right one.  I would want a leadership quality 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 a $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, in 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. Let your planner manage the other vendors to most effectively accomplish these tasks.

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

Wedding To Do Lists

Let’s face it, no matter how hard you try to stretch them, there are only 24 hours in a day. Take out the time you need for your work, sleeping, socializing, working out, and errand time – that leaves you with not much time to plan your wedding, unless you delegate.

The first thing a bride and groom should do is figure out how much time they can, and should, devote to planning their wedding. Every day, one day a week, or plan for a full straight month and get it over with?

Also, couples need to analyze their lifestyle and personalities at the current time. For example, is she busy at work? Is he working on his master’s degree? Is she super organized, or not? Is she a control freak? Is it the couple’s preference to spend time with their family and friends, etc. Life, or time, does not stop when you’re planning a wedding.  

Finally, a bride and groom are usually afraid to give up control of their wedding fearing they will lose that vision they have in mind. Who can blame them, it’s their day. So, what are they willing to let go of?

What should you delegate and to whom?

Delegate is a great word, when used wisely. We all delegate in some way. We look to experts to do our taxes, car repair, and even clean our car, because we either do not have the time or we’re just not good at it. A wedding, big or small, cannot happen unless a bride and groom share the celebration and tasks with other people.

If at all possible, leave it to the professionals. If you don’t know how to make centerpieces, hire a florist. If you don’t know how to sew, buy your dress. If you have a friend or relative who loves designing invitations, there you go! Hiring a wedding coordinator is ideal, because a coordinator can guide you thru almost everything. Even wedding planners hire other planners to help them, because they want to make sure your day goes off without a hitch. But the reality is, in today’s economy, and with our hectic schedules, we cannot afford to hire everybody we would like to help us.

So here’s what you do:

•   Find a few people in your life that you trust and are dependable.
• Give them a few small tasks at a time.
• Be specific: Don’t ask sweet Aunt Joan to “Call restaurants” for your rehearsal dinner, give her a detailed list to call and with a specific list of questions for each.
• Giving volunteers reasonable tasks will make them feel like they’re helping with your celebration, not serving as your personal assistant.
• Take the hardest task that is on your list and break it down into small tasks, and ask your bridesmaids to help you. You know which task that is – finding everybody’s address, the seating chart, the RSVPs, etc.
• Give your fiancé a task like buying the groomsmen gifts. You laugh? Give them a task, but remember break down that task. For example, determine your budget, then figure out your groomsmen’s style and personality, find a theme, and validate his ideas. You can give him ideas, but you should have him make the decision on what kind of gifts.
• Use a real checklist and check off what you accomplish.
• Don’t make the list too complicated, but do add who is assigned to each task.
• If you don’t have a list, you can’t see what you’ve done so far, or not.
• Only use one to-do list at a time.
• Do hire professionals for certain tasks.
• Don’t over delegate, even (especially!) to yourself.
• Don’t under delegate, unless your helper is your 5-year old flower girl.
• Be grateful and show appreciation to your helpers. Saying thank you and giving them a hug is often enough.
• After you read this, start your checklist.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now), 

Olivia 

The Reality to Planning Your Wedding

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

Why an Event Coordinator is Worth the Investment

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

Involving your Bridesmaids

Your engagement has been announced, you are in wedding 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

Something Old, New, Borrowed & Blue

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.

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.

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.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),

Olivia

Fusion Weddings

This blog is for you ladies who have fallen in love with someone that isn’t of your culture or religion. It’s to the women who have fought for the loves of their lives, and are ready to celebrate finding something that will last forever. Love is undefined, and it is hard to find, so when you find a man that can’t seem to take that smile off your face, it’s someone you deserve to be with forever. 

And after getting that ring on your finger, you must wonder – how will this blending of two cultures all come together?

Well, I’m here to tell you that it can and it will. With a little help and advice you can make your dream wedding come true even as complicated as it might become!

Source: MaharaniWeddings.com

First thing is first, don’t stress out! Putting together details for your wedding day will come together. But first it’s a priority to discuss with both of your parents what is to come. Have a plan ready for them. Let them know of how you saw it all come together. Either you have two separate weddings on two separate days, or have it all happen on one single day (trust me it’s possible)!

As wedding planners, we see and experience it all. A way to save some money is to have both ceremonies on the same day. If it is a South Asian Event, usually the South Asian Ceremony will take place in the morning. With the time crunch, and getting all of your guests to enjoy the day of the Wedding, try having the Second Ceremony right before cocktail hour.  This way it can flow right into the Reception, you’ll have changed you attire. Keep the second ceremony short and sweet!

There are a bunch of options that you can play around with. You can have the first Non-Denominational Ceremony in the morning, with the second ceremony to follow at the next venue that would again flow right back into the Even to having two separate weddings entirely – whether it is in the same state, or two entirely different states.

Source: MaharaniWeddings.com

From one of our own very experienced Planners, Zeena Roy, who has planned so many Fusion Weddings in her 16 year career,  her advice to brides who are planning such a wedding is this: “I would say find a way to incorporate the non-Indian aspect of the ceremony.  For e.g. maybe have a non-denominational officiant come and incorporate ring exchange or announcing you as husband and wife.  It doesn't have to be long.  For sure have a wedding program that translates and describes the ceremony so that guests can follow during the ceremony.  Non-Indian wedding guests are thrilled to be part of your special day,  They  will want to understand the culture and cuisine.  Introduce couple of non-Indian dishes such as bruschetta or stuffed mushroom and maybe a pasta for dinner.”

Source: MaharaniWeddings.com

“After all it is about two cultures, traditions and cuisine coming together. “ Zeena Roy

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),

Olivia

Why Hire a Planner?

You may have always dreamed about what your wedding may be, or perhaps it feels like your engagement ring must have magic powers, making your wedding the only thing on your mind. As your daydream becomes more vivid, filled with crystal and floral details you likely are NOT thinking about how this dream becomes reality. After assigning a budget, and hiring all of the vendors comes the real work, coordinating all of the details and executing them. Somewhere along the road though you will stop and wonder “When did planning this wedding become so stressful?” Simple, as your dream becomes reality, you want everything to be perfect and it is hard to put your trust in others to make that happen.

Often times the tension leading up to the big day is so enormous that brides cannot wait for their wedding day to be over! Brides miss out on the opportunity to spend cherished time with friends and family, take in the magic of the day, savor each moment as they promise their lives to their new husbands and simply enjoy themselves.

Much of this stress is alleviated by hiring a professional to handle the execution of your wedding. Planners often have a variety of planning packages to accommodate your wishes. They can stand by your side from the beginning advising on vendor selections, or come in during the few months leading up to the wedding to coordinate all of your details. You do not want to burden your close friends or family members with these responsibilities. You want them to have fun too!

Here are just a few responsibilities a planner should take off of your place:

1. Load in / Load out – your planner will confirm that vendors are arriving on time and providing the services you paid them for.
2. Point of contact – you wont have twenty different people coming up to you, you will only have one! Your planner.
3. Less Clutter – Planners are organized and will keep all of the information, from you and all of your vendors organized.
4. Communication – Planners will tell people (your wondering new mother-in-law, the groomsmen who just needs one more drink) where they need to be, and what they need to do in a professional manner. You won’t want to be stern to get them lined up for your entrance, but planners have a way of making this happen.
5. Acting as a sheild – Parents tend to be extra sensitive during your big day. The napkin layout might upset your mom, the clothes the DJ is wearing might offend your dad. At the end of the day, you don’t have to hear about it, your planner will listen to your family, talk to your vendors, and make sure you don’t hear a word about it.

Let your day be filled with love, laughter, happy tears and memories to last a lifetime!

BBFN,

Olivia

Bridal Balancing Act, Keeping Everyone Happy

Being a bride is a balancing act in many ways. One of the toughest jobs you have is to keep all of the decision makers involved in your wedding happy. You have to establish priorities as a couple, and decide on what means the most to you. Then…

You need to figure out who else will be contributing to your wedding budget, and what spoken or unspoken expectations come with that financial contribution. Even if there are not immediately spoken expectations, they are there. Your father may be making a small contribution and seem laid back (but he assumes you want him to walk you down the aisle), your grandmother may want to pay for your gown (as long as it’s not strapless), mother may tell you that she trusts you to select a menu (as long as it doesn’t include fish), and his mother may make a passing comment that she knows a photographer (but what she is not saying is that she fully expects you to use said photographer).

Here are a few tips to help you navigate these tricky waters:

• Start the conversation early – the earlier you start to talk about each person’s vision for your wedding, the better. This gives you the most amount of time to find common ground.

• It is your day, be careful how often you assert that – everyone wants you to be happy with your wedding day. The memories will be most vivid for the two of you. BUT, you will surely earn the title of Bridezilla if you overuse that statement.

• Be prepared to make concessions – as you and your fiancee decide what is most important to you, also start to think about areas that you are willing to bend to keep people happy.

• Listen to others’ wishes – while you may be exhausted of listening to others opinions, you never know when someone will offer up a suggestion that you truly are excited about.

The old cliché is true, you can’t keep all of the people happy, all of the time. It is definitely in your best interest to figure out which people are most important for you to please, at least some of the time.

Happy Planning!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Making Your Dreams Come True: Why You Need A Planner

You may have always dreamed about what your wedding may be, or perhaps it feels like your engagement ring must have magic powers, making your wedding the only thing on your mind. As your daydream becomes more vivid, filled with crystal and floral details you likely are NOT thinking about how this dream becomes reality. After assigning a budget, and hiring all of the vendors comes the real work, coordinating all of the details and executing them. Somewhere along the road though you will stop and wonder “When did planning this wedding become so stressful?” Simple, as your dream becomes reality, you want everything to be perfect and it is hard to put your trust in others to make that happen.

Often times the tension leading up to the big day is so enormous that brides cannot wait for their wedding day to be over! Brides miss out on the opportunity to spend cherished time with friends and family, take in the magic of the day, savor each moment as they promise their lives to their new husbands and simply enjoy themselves.

Much of this stress is alleviated by hiring a professional to handle the execution of your wedding. Planners often have a variety of planning packages to accommodate your wishes. They can stand by your side from the beginning advising on vendor selections, or come in during the few months leading up to the wedding to coordinate all of your details. You do not want to burden your close friends or family members with these responsibilities. You want them to have fun too!

Here are just a few responsibilities a planner should take off of your place:

1. Load in / Load out – your planner will confirm that vendors are arriving on time and providing the services you paid them for.

2. Point of contact – you wont have twenty different people coming up to you, you will only have one! Your planner.

3. Less Clutter – Planners are organized and will keep all of the information, from you and all of your vendors organized.

4. Communication – Planners will tell people (your wondering new mother-in-law, the groomsmen who just needs one more drink) where they need to be, and what they need to do in a professional manner. You won’t want to be stern to get them lined up for your entrance, but planners have a way of making this happen.

5. Keeping it Positive – Parents tend to be extra sensitive during your big day. The napkin layout might upset your mom, the clothes the DJ is wearing might offend your dad. At the end of the day, you don’t have to hear about it, your planner will listen to your family, talk to your vendors, and make sure you don’t hear a word about it.

Let your day be filled with love, laughter, happy tears and memories to last a lifetime!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Finding the One

You already found the perfect guy, and you have the perfect ring on your finger, so now it's time to find the perfect venue to host your wedding celebration.

You'll find the same theme throughout our blog, but we'll say it again...

No piece of a wedding is one size fits all. Each element should be a reflection of who you are as a couple, including your venue.

Here are our top tips to keep in mind when choosing your venue:

• Have an idea of what type of venue you would like to consider for your event such as hotel, country club, banquet hall or specialty venue.
• Set a budget, inclusive of the space, and likely the food & beverage.
• Know the size of your guest list. Don’t forget that every person you will invite will not necessarily attend.
• Always visit the property, and take a site tour,before making your final decision. Pictures and websites can be deceiving.
• Read reviews of the venues you are considering and check with your friends and family to see if they have attended an event at the facility.
• Plan what time of day your event will be taking place. Pricing is considerably different between lunch events and dinner events
• Food service style: pricing is different between plated, buffet and family style service. Some venues do not offer all three types of service.
• Special features: Have you always dreamed your wedding would have natural light shining through floor to ceiling windows, sky high ceilings, outdoor gardens to stroll through, etc. Identifying, and finding these features can assist in narrowing your selection.

Have further questions? Contact a member of our team who can help make your venue selection easier.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Wedding Trends for 2012

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

Meet the Oliveaire Team: Sr. Event Architect Adel Domingo

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

Now Raise Your Glass...

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!