If you don't have time or don't want to plan your wedding or you're not getting married in your home town or if you just want your wedding to be professionally managed then you'll be in the market for a wedding coordinator. However, you can't just hire one without (a) letting them have your thoughts, likes, dislikes, colour scheme and so on and (b) without asking them some questions regarding how they go about doing their job of wedding coordinator. Here are the most important questions you should ask:
No. 1: How many weddings has the wedding coordinator planned? Does he or she have a portfolio of photographs that you can see and references from happy couples? This is important as you don't want an amateur planning your big day.
No. 2: Who will produce the master plan or your wedding? If the wedding planner wants you to do it then look elsewhere. They should be prepared to plan everything from the table decorations to the need or otherwise for a master of ceremonies.
No 3: Is the wedding planner familiar with the area in which you want to hold the wedding? This may seem irrelevant but if they have prior experience of possible venues, local florists, photographers, wedding car firms and so on, it will be a great advantage.
No 4: Assuming that the wedding coordinator is familiar with the area and has planned plenty of weddings here in the past, can they get you discounts from any of the businesses that they'll be dealing with? If they have favourites which they often use then there should be scope for some price reductions.
No. 5: Will the wedding planner deal exclusively with the vendors, including price negotiations, contract reviews and coordinating their time of arrival and setup activities on the day?
No. 6: Will the wedding coordinator create a detailed schedule so that everyone involved in the wedding in any way, including the bride and groom, will know where they should be and when and what they should be doing?
No. 7: Will the coordinator do some of the other tasks associated with the wedding such as ordering, addressing and mailing the invitations and booking the honeymoon?
No. 8: What will the wedding planner cost? The normal fee is around 10 - 15% of the total budget for the wedding. Will they be able to stick to that budget?
If you ask all these questions when interviewing your potential wedding coordinator, then you should end up with your wedding planned to perfection.
George Howard has been involved in the wedding planning industry for many years and has used his experience to source all the resources needed to plan a wedding from hiring the cars to hiring the wedding planner to do the whole thing for you. Visit George's website, Australian Wedding Professionals for help with every aspect of your wedding plans.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wedding Reception Ideas For That Special Day
Are you going to be searching for venues for wedding receptions but don't know where to start? Here are some wedding reception ideas.
If you're planning a summer wedding or live in nice sunny, warm climes, a beach would be a romantic setting for a reception. However, do make sure it's nice and sheltered from too much wind and crashing breakers. If you're looking at wedding receptions on a budget, choose a beach and set up your own barbeque arrangements but if you have a bit more to spend, check out beachside venues to see what they can offer by way of wedding reception ideas.
Harbourside hotels often have lovely function rooms overlooking the best views. These venues for wedding receptions are especially romantic for an evening with twinkling lights and boats bobbing at their moorings so are well worth checking out.
If you don't want to risk the sand or the sea, how about a garden? If nobody in your family has a big enough garden for a marquee, then turn to local hotels or stately homes. If it's possible, choose a venue with a themed garden with lots of flowers. For example, in England in May, find a garden with lots of lovely flowering azaleas and rhododendrons, earlier in Atlanta, Georgia. Lovely natural flowers make a really romantic setting.
Alternatively, hire a marquee but deck it out any way you want with balloons, candles, Chinese lanterns, flowers or anything else that appeals to you. Save money by persuading your artistic friends to make or paint decorations.
Have a themed wedding party with appropriate decorations. This could be anything from golf to skiing to cowboys to Disney. It would be limited only by your imagination.
Venues for wedding receptions come in all shapes and sizes. You could hire a castle or a boat or a sports stadium. If you're considering a boat, choose a river boat. The sea is too unpredictable and the guests, or indeed the bride and groom, could be seasick. If you can't afford to hire a stadium but one or both of you are really keen on a particular sport then theme your reception decorations around your favourite sport.
Country houses or chateaux in France are both lovely venues for weddings but may not be suitable for wedding receptions on a budget. However, you may be able to provide accommodation for your guests in this way.
George Howard has been involved in seeking out interesting venues for wedding receptions for many years and has used his experience to source all the resources needed to plan a wedding from hiring the cars to providing wedding reception ideas. Visit George's website, Australian Wedding Professionals for help with every aspect of your wedding plans.
If you're planning a summer wedding or live in nice sunny, warm climes, a beach would be a romantic setting for a reception. However, do make sure it's nice and sheltered from too much wind and crashing breakers. If you're looking at wedding receptions on a budget, choose a beach and set up your own barbeque arrangements but if you have a bit more to spend, check out beachside venues to see what they can offer by way of wedding reception ideas.
Harbourside hotels often have lovely function rooms overlooking the best views. These venues for wedding receptions are especially romantic for an evening with twinkling lights and boats bobbing at their moorings so are well worth checking out.
If you don't want to risk the sand or the sea, how about a garden? If nobody in your family has a big enough garden for a marquee, then turn to local hotels or stately homes. If it's possible, choose a venue with a themed garden with lots of flowers. For example, in England in May, find a garden with lots of lovely flowering azaleas and rhododendrons, earlier in Atlanta, Georgia. Lovely natural flowers make a really romantic setting.
Alternatively, hire a marquee but deck it out any way you want with balloons, candles, Chinese lanterns, flowers or anything else that appeals to you. Save money by persuading your artistic friends to make or paint decorations.
Have a themed wedding party with appropriate decorations. This could be anything from golf to skiing to cowboys to Disney. It would be limited only by your imagination.
Venues for wedding receptions come in all shapes and sizes. You could hire a castle or a boat or a sports stadium. If you're considering a boat, choose a river boat. The sea is too unpredictable and the guests, or indeed the bride and groom, could be seasick. If you can't afford to hire a stadium but one or both of you are really keen on a particular sport then theme your reception decorations around your favourite sport.
Country houses or chateaux in France are both lovely venues for weddings but may not be suitable for wedding receptions on a budget. However, you may be able to provide accommodation for your guests in this way.
George Howard has been involved in seeking out interesting venues for wedding receptions for many years and has used his experience to source all the resources needed to plan a wedding from hiring the cars to providing wedding reception ideas. Visit George's website, Australian Wedding Professionals for help with every aspect of your wedding plans.
What You Do When Making the Wedding Accommodations
You can remember when you were a little girl and you would see weddings at a church or on television, and you thought to yourself, "One day that is going to be me." You loved the pure white gown with the veil and the groom so handsome in his tuxedo, it was all a dream to you at that time. Now it is coming true for you!
The day is arriving and you are so excited. You have planned for this day for close to a year now and the countdown has begun. Your wedding day is going to be the most wonderful and memorable day of your life.
Getting to that day can be stressful. There is so much to plan for. How many guests? Where you will have the wedding itself? Where to have the rehearsal dinner, the reception, the food, the drinks, the cake, the guests, where will the guests stay when they come from out of state, and so much more?
Relatives are getting excited, your friends are calling, bridesmaids and the matron of honor are getting dresses fitted, mothers and fathers are pulling at their hair, which nephew or niece is going to be flower girl and carry the ring. (Oh, Lord, please help the ring get to the altar!) It will all work out and whatever does not, you will deal with it at the time.
One thing you can make very easy on yourself, early on, (and you should), are the wedding accommodations. On the day of and the day before your wedding you will have to note if there are other weddings or events which will fill hotel rooms. The more popular the location of your wedding is the less available rooms you will find if another event is going on. Imagine your guests dismay if they came to your wedding and rooms are unavailable.
Here is what you do when making the wedding accommodations. You reserve a block of rooms in two hotels if you can. Reserving them will cut down the expenses for your guests and they will appreciate it. When you enclose your map card inside the invitations, put the address and phone number of the hotel on the back of them and let those invited see where they can obtain a room. You are not paying for the rooms, just reserving them ahead of time so they know the address and phone. If you have bridesmaids coming who are challenged with what they can afford, you can quietly and tactfully offer to assist. One thing that would be great is if you could pair them up with each other. Or if another bridesmaid has a home close by with some extra rooms that would be a great help for any guest coming in from out of town. Your wedding will go off without a hitch.
The day is arriving and you are so excited. You have planned for this day for close to a year now and the countdown has begun. Your wedding day is going to be the most wonderful and memorable day of your life.
Getting to that day can be stressful. There is so much to plan for. How many guests? Where you will have the wedding itself? Where to have the rehearsal dinner, the reception, the food, the drinks, the cake, the guests, where will the guests stay when they come from out of state, and so much more?
Relatives are getting excited, your friends are calling, bridesmaids and the matron of honor are getting dresses fitted, mothers and fathers are pulling at their hair, which nephew or niece is going to be flower girl and carry the ring. (Oh, Lord, please help the ring get to the altar!) It will all work out and whatever does not, you will deal with it at the time.
One thing you can make very easy on yourself, early on, (and you should), are the wedding accommodations. On the day of and the day before your wedding you will have to note if there are other weddings or events which will fill hotel rooms. The more popular the location of your wedding is the less available rooms you will find if another event is going on. Imagine your guests dismay if they came to your wedding and rooms are unavailable.
Here is what you do when making the wedding accommodations. You reserve a block of rooms in two hotels if you can. Reserving them will cut down the expenses for your guests and they will appreciate it. When you enclose your map card inside the invitations, put the address and phone number of the hotel on the back of them and let those invited see where they can obtain a room. You are not paying for the rooms, just reserving them ahead of time so they know the address and phone. If you have bridesmaids coming who are challenged with what they can afford, you can quietly and tactfully offer to assist. One thing that would be great is if you could pair them up with each other. Or if another bridesmaid has a home close by with some extra rooms that would be a great help for any guest coming in from out of town. Your wedding will go off without a hitch.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Wedding Entertainment Ideas - Something Different
If you want to make your wedding a bit different and offer your guests something other than just a slap up meal or a disco in the evening, then you'll be looking for wedding entertainment ideas.
Here are a few wedding reception entertainment ideas to help you along the way:
Music: Live music is very atmospheric and you could have just about anything, only restricted by cost. Try to suit the size of the band to the size of the venue though or your guests could be deafened by that seven piece jazz band in a small reception room. If you're a Scot, why not have a piper or for gentle mood music a harpist. A ceilidh band can really make things go with a swing, particularly if your guests are Scottish or Irish. A country band with a caller for square dancing is also a fun idea.
Singer or live band: A wedding singer can lend atmosphere at the ceremony and while pre-reception drinks are in progress. However, there's usually too much chatting during the actual reception to warrant a wedding singer, unless you want a special song to be sung before or after the speeches. A live band will get the dancing going at your evening reception; get each couple to choose their favourite in advance and have the band play it with a dedication to your friends or family.
Themed: A murder mystery is an ideal theme for an informal wedding reception entertainment. A team of actors enacts a murder mystery and each table tries to guess who did it. Make sure that there are prizes.
Speciality acts: There are a number of these wedding reception entertainment acts that you can choose who go strolling amongst the tables; how about magicians, card sharps, sketch artists, mind readers, temporary tattooists, jugglers or comedy waiters, to name but a few.
Activities: If the weather's good and your reception will be in the afternoon, outdoor activities are always good for a laugh. Try out a bouncy castle or assault course - the kids will certainly enjoy it.
Casino: For your evening reception, why not have a casino set up with black jack tables and roulette wheels. These professional outfits provide croupiers and chips and teach everyone how to enjoy casino games. To add to the fun, provide a prize or two for those with the most chips at the end of the evening.
If you choose an entertainment that's a bit out of the ordinary, your guests will be talking about your wedding for years to come.
There's really no limit to wedding reception entertainment which only depends on the style of wedding you're going to have.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Howard
Here are a few wedding reception entertainment ideas to help you along the way:
Music: Live music is very atmospheric and you could have just about anything, only restricted by cost. Try to suit the size of the band to the size of the venue though or your guests could be deafened by that seven piece jazz band in a small reception room. If you're a Scot, why not have a piper or for gentle mood music a harpist. A ceilidh band can really make things go with a swing, particularly if your guests are Scottish or Irish. A country band with a caller for square dancing is also a fun idea.
Singer or live band: A wedding singer can lend atmosphere at the ceremony and while pre-reception drinks are in progress. However, there's usually too much chatting during the actual reception to warrant a wedding singer, unless you want a special song to be sung before or after the speeches. A live band will get the dancing going at your evening reception; get each couple to choose their favourite in advance and have the band play it with a dedication to your friends or family.
Themed: A murder mystery is an ideal theme for an informal wedding reception entertainment. A team of actors enacts a murder mystery and each table tries to guess who did it. Make sure that there are prizes.
Speciality acts: There are a number of these wedding reception entertainment acts that you can choose who go strolling amongst the tables; how about magicians, card sharps, sketch artists, mind readers, temporary tattooists, jugglers or comedy waiters, to name but a few.
Activities: If the weather's good and your reception will be in the afternoon, outdoor activities are always good for a laugh. Try out a bouncy castle or assault course - the kids will certainly enjoy it.
Casino: For your evening reception, why not have a casino set up with black jack tables and roulette wheels. These professional outfits provide croupiers and chips and teach everyone how to enjoy casino games. To add to the fun, provide a prize or two for those with the most chips at the end of the evening.
If you choose an entertainment that's a bit out of the ordinary, your guests will be talking about your wedding for years to come.
There's really no limit to wedding reception entertainment which only depends on the style of wedding you're going to have.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Howard
Friday, March 18, 2011
Tips For Choosing the Right Wedding Gown
The bride's wedding gown is always the main attraction at any wedding. Beautiful white bridal dresses make everyone envision their wedding fantasies. What young girl hasn't spent years dreaming about their bridal dress, possibly even wearing a designer wedding gown?
When choosing the right bridal gown you want to take a few things into consideration.
· The location of your special event
· The time of the your special event
· Your budget
· The style of the wedding
You want the dress to compliment the location of your special day. If you are getting married on the beach you would choose a different bridal gown than if you were getting married in a formal church. As well you want it to be easy for the bridesmaid's dresses to compliment yours. This is especially true if the bridesmaids are purchasing their own dresses.
If your wedding is more in the casual style, you can choose the right bridal gown, by finding a dress which you can use for another occasion. This is very useful if your budget is tight.
Of course you want to choose the right bridal dress and it is helpful to take along a close friend or family member. This way you can be sure you can trust their opinion about how you look in the various wedding gowns, dresses and other outfits you try on. Choosing the right wedding gown is a big decision and you want to buy the best wedding gown which you can afford.
Keep in mind how far you will be travelling to your wedding destination. If you are travelling by plane you want to have lots of time to unpack and hang your wedding gown before the big day arrives. You want to have time to ensure your dress is wrinkle free.
As much as you will wish to have that fairy tale wedding, you must take your budget into account. Set aside a certain dollar amount for choosing the right wedding gown and don't go over budget. Add in extra money for alterations and a wedding veil.
Many brides choose to wear an antique wedding dress, maybe one handed down by a great grandmother. You can also find wonderful discount bridal gowns in an antique shop. This type of dress can look spectacular when spruced up with a new ribbon or accentuated with pearls or flowers.
Choosing the right wedding gown will take time and it is advisable to take someone you trust shopping with you. After all, you will only be getting married once, and you want your dress to be the centre of attention on your wedding day.
When choosing the right bridal gown you want to take a few things into consideration.
· The location of your special event
· The time of the your special event
· Your budget
· The style of the wedding
You want the dress to compliment the location of your special day. If you are getting married on the beach you would choose a different bridal gown than if you were getting married in a formal church. As well you want it to be easy for the bridesmaid's dresses to compliment yours. This is especially true if the bridesmaids are purchasing their own dresses.
If your wedding is more in the casual style, you can choose the right bridal gown, by finding a dress which you can use for another occasion. This is very useful if your budget is tight.
Of course you want to choose the right bridal dress and it is helpful to take along a close friend or family member. This way you can be sure you can trust their opinion about how you look in the various wedding gowns, dresses and other outfits you try on. Choosing the right wedding gown is a big decision and you want to buy the best wedding gown which you can afford.
Keep in mind how far you will be travelling to your wedding destination. If you are travelling by plane you want to have lots of time to unpack and hang your wedding gown before the big day arrives. You want to have time to ensure your dress is wrinkle free.
As much as you will wish to have that fairy tale wedding, you must take your budget into account. Set aside a certain dollar amount for choosing the right wedding gown and don't go over budget. Add in extra money for alterations and a wedding veil.
Many brides choose to wear an antique wedding dress, maybe one handed down by a great grandmother. You can also find wonderful discount bridal gowns in an antique shop. This type of dress can look spectacular when spruced up with a new ribbon or accentuated with pearls or flowers.
Choosing the right wedding gown will take time and it is advisable to take someone you trust shopping with you. After all, you will only be getting married once, and you want your dress to be the centre of attention on your wedding day.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Howard |
Wedding Stationery and Invitations - Choosing the Right Style
Of course you can buy your wedding stationery and invitations from your local stationer but they won't be special to you; anyone can buy them. If you want your wedding stationery and invitations to be unique, you need to choose the right style.
When it comes to stylish wedding invitations, the choice is enormous.
Firstly, colour; cream and white predominate but there are all sorts of combinations available using brown, mauve, pink, blue or just about anything you want.
Secondly you need to choose what type of invitation you want. There's the traditional folded card, double folded card or a scroll but I think that the most stylish wedding invitations are those which come individually boxed.
Really stylish wedding invitations come decorated in all sorts of ways from silk flowers and chiffon or satin ribbon to decorative pearls or diamonds. Elegantly embossed flowers, leaves or hearts complete the picture.
If your wedding has a specific theme or colour scheme then you may want your wedding stationery and invitations to match up with that.
If you want to inject humour or romance into your wedding then there are invitations to match. How about a Disney theme or animals and birds or a fairy tale?
Are you holding your wedding on a beach? You can get beautiful wedding stationery and invitations with beach scenes or palm trees.
Don't forget to think about the stationery that you'll need other than the invitations. You may want menu cards, table number cards, place cards and thank you notes.
Other accessories available are table napkins, individual boxed chocolates, ribbons, candles and place card holders.
Basically, choosing the right style for your wedding stationery and invitations is a personal thing and they should suit the type of wedding and your personality.
After all, if you don't go for frills and flowers, your friends will think you've gone mad if you choose that style for your wedding and if you're usually a serious person then Disney invitations aren't going to be suitable either.
When it comes to stylish wedding invitations, the choice is enormous.
Firstly, colour; cream and white predominate but there are all sorts of combinations available using brown, mauve, pink, blue or just about anything you want.
Secondly you need to choose what type of invitation you want. There's the traditional folded card, double folded card or a scroll but I think that the most stylish wedding invitations are those which come individually boxed.
Really stylish wedding invitations come decorated in all sorts of ways from silk flowers and chiffon or satin ribbon to decorative pearls or diamonds. Elegantly embossed flowers, leaves or hearts complete the picture.
If your wedding has a specific theme or colour scheme then you may want your wedding stationery and invitations to match up with that.
If you want to inject humour or romance into your wedding then there are invitations to match. How about a Disney theme or animals and birds or a fairy tale?
Are you holding your wedding on a beach? You can get beautiful wedding stationery and invitations with beach scenes or palm trees.
Don't forget to think about the stationery that you'll need other than the invitations. You may want menu cards, table number cards, place cards and thank you notes.
Other accessories available are table napkins, individual boxed chocolates, ribbons, candles and place card holders.
Basically, choosing the right style for your wedding stationery and invitations is a personal thing and they should suit the type of wedding and your personality.
After all, if you don't go for frills and flowers, your friends will think you've gone mad if you choose that style for your wedding and if you're usually a serious person then Disney invitations aren't going to be suitable either.
For more ideas on choosing the right style of wedding stationery and invitations, visit Australian Wedding Professionals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Howard
Beautiful and Delicious Wedding Cakes
Besides the wedding dress, one of the next most looked at items is the beautiful and delicious wedding cakes. These beautiful works of art sit forefront at the reception and are viewed by all the guests. Of course you want to make sure you have one of the most beautiful cake around.
If you are on a budget you have to wonder about the wedding cake cost. An easy way to keep the cost down is to have a friend bake and decorate your cake. Making a wedding cake takes time so be sure to plan this well in advance. Don't drop a last minute request and expect a fabulous cake in return.
If you don't have a friend who bakes cakes, go to a local community college. See if they have an up and coming cake decorator in their midst's. They are sure to want to take the opportunity and bake a dream wedding cake for you. Tell them you will recommend them to all your friends and guests, this would be a great form of advertising for them. Plus it would be a wonderful way to start up a cake decorating business.
When making plans for your cake you want to make sure that the theme and style of your cake matches the wedding dress and location. If you are having a traditional church wedding and dress, then make sure your cakes style is that of traditional wedding cakes.
The Wedding cakes have changed over the years. At one time traditional wedding cakes were fruit cakes, covered in fondant, marzipan and icing. Today many cakes are sponge cakes filled with cream and decorated lavishly.
They be adorned with flowers, ribbons and even mini photos depicting how the happy couple met, photos of their engagement and more. Many bride and grooms still like the traditional figurine on top. Others prefer to replace this with a vase of fresh flowers or some other memorable item.
The cost is an important part of your wedding plans, so don't forget to set aside enough money for it. As well be sure to order it well in advance. If you are planning on using a popular bakery, plan and order ahead as you might find they are booked months in advance.
If you are on a budget you have to wonder about the wedding cake cost. An easy way to keep the cost down is to have a friend bake and decorate your cake. Making a wedding cake takes time so be sure to plan this well in advance. Don't drop a last minute request and expect a fabulous cake in return.
If you don't have a friend who bakes cakes, go to a local community college. See if they have an up and coming cake decorator in their midst's. They are sure to want to take the opportunity and bake a dream wedding cake for you. Tell them you will recommend them to all your friends and guests, this would be a great form of advertising for them. Plus it would be a wonderful way to start up a cake decorating business.
When making plans for your cake you want to make sure that the theme and style of your cake matches the wedding dress and location. If you are having a traditional church wedding and dress, then make sure your cakes style is that of traditional wedding cakes.
The Wedding cakes have changed over the years. At one time traditional wedding cakes were fruit cakes, covered in fondant, marzipan and icing. Today many cakes are sponge cakes filled with cream and decorated lavishly.
They be adorned with flowers, ribbons and even mini photos depicting how the happy couple met, photos of their engagement and more. Many bride and grooms still like the traditional figurine on top. Others prefer to replace this with a vase of fresh flowers or some other memorable item.
The cost is an important part of your wedding plans, so don't forget to set aside enough money for it. As well be sure to order it well in advance. If you are planning on using a popular bakery, plan and order ahead as you might find they are booked months in advance.
As you can see you do have choices. From having it made at a professional bakery to having a close friend or student cake decorator bake it for you. No matter which you choose you can be assured of having a beautiful wedding cakes as your reception centerpiece.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Howard
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