Monday, January 5, 2015
You're Engaged, Now What? Six Steps to Take Right After Becoming Engaged
Congratulations on your engagement! This is such an exciting time in your life and you don't want to be stressed out BUT you probably are. You've been waiting for him to propose and now that he has, everything is coming at you at high-speed. Many of my clients say that they had an idea of what they wanted their wedding to look like but once they got engaged, all of that went out the window. The engagement period really should be a time to celebrate this next step in your relationship, not a time to be consumed with planning and stress. Here are six planning steps to take within the first month of your engagement that will help take away some of that stress.
1. Pick a date or two. Picking a date gives you direction in the beginning. You may have a venue in mind that you've always wanted to be married in but they may be booked on your date. If you're flexible you may find more success in booking a venue.
2. Sit down with your fiancé and put together a budget. You won't know exactly what things cost immediately but come up with a number that you are comfortable with spending. If the average cost of a wedding in your city is $55,000 but you can only spend $30,000, that's your number. Now is not the time to try to keep up with the Joneses.
3. Hire a wedding planner. It kills me when I hear people say that a friend of a friend or their aunt who "does events" is going to handle their wedding. There is so much more to planning a wedding than fluffing your dress right before you walk down the aisle. We're here to ensure that you make it TO the aisle! Figure out what the most important things are that you are looking for in a planner and while you're interviewing, keep those them in mind. Don't hire someone based solely on their Instagram account or their pricing alone. Ask for references and talk to their previous clients. If you think it's expensive to hire a professional, try hiring an amateur. Trust me on this one.
4. Find a venue. Your venue will help you determine your guest list. If your dream venue can only hold 100 people but you have at least 200 that you want to invite, keep looking. This part takes a little bit of time because you have to make appointments to see each venue. Put together a list of 3 that you like and start there.
5. Make a guest list. I always tell my clients to make 3 lists. Your first consists of your family and friends who you would put into your lifeboat if you were on a sinking ship. You have limited space on this lifeboat so make those people count. Second, make a list of the people who you would add onto your boat if there were a few extra seats. These are cousins who you talk to at Christmas time and that's it. You'd like to see them at your wedding but if they aren't there, it won't ruin your day. The final list consists of those coworkers who you see 40 hours a week and commiserate about work with but you wouldn't pick up the phone to call them after 5:00pm. Remember that you have to feed each guest and that's where a huge chunk of your budget will go. If you wouldn't pay $100 for their meal, don't invite them. Making a guest list should be taken that seriously.
6. Designate a wedding-free time-zone. As involved as your fiancé may be, he doesn't want to talk about wedding details every day for the next year. No one wants to do that, not even you. There really isn't a need to talk about your wedding every day during your engagement. That's why you hire a planner to handle all of the little details so that your relationship doesn't become all about your wedding. Remember that you still have to take care of your relationship.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Elegant Events and Occasions New Blog: Why Hire a Planner??
Elegant Events and Occasions New Blog: Why Hire a Planner??: Why do I need planner? In a word, STRESS!! Almost every bride today has had a vision of their wedding day since childhood. She sees only t...
From "I Will" to "I Do": I Can’t Afford to Pay for All My Bridesmaids’ Hair...
From "I Will" to "I Do": I Can’t Afford to Pay for All My Bridesmaids’ Hair...: I would talk to each girl, individually may be best, and find out what she is planning to do regarding hair and makeup. Some of them may g...
Friday, July 13, 2012
Why Hire a Planner??
Why do I need planner? In a word, STRESS!! Almost every bride today has had a vision of their wedding day since childhood. She sees only the beauty and the glamour of being "Queen for a Day" in her vision.
Unfortunately, to get to all of the beauty of a perfect day, it takes between 100 and 200 hours of planning. Once realized, this is when the panic sets in and the dynamics change greatly!!
Todays bride need to think:
- Do I have 100 to 200 hours to plan this wedding?
- Do I know all of the best vendors that fit my vision and my budget?
- Do I know the proper etiquette?
- Do I have the patience to deal with all of the emotional personalities that become involved in every wedding?
- Do I tolerate stress well or will I become the dreaded "Bridezilla"?
As a professional wedding planner, otherwise known as a bridal consultant or wedding coordinator, will be able to work with your budget to help you create the dream of a perfect wedding day because:
- The wedding planner is equipped to do the job FULL TIME
- The planner is trained to know all of the element necessary for your particular ceremony and reception
- The planner has worked with wedding professionals and has relationships that can often get you the best quality at a reduced price
- The planner will work with your schedule to set up vendor meetings
- The planner will set up meetings only with the vendors that meet your budgetary requirements
With all of this considered, now you can relax and concentrate on shopping for a wedding planner that will work well with you!!
Unfortunately, to get to all of the beauty of a perfect day, it takes between 100 and 200 hours of planning. Once realized, this is when the panic sets in and the dynamics change greatly!!
Todays bride need to think:
- Do I have 100 to 200 hours to plan this wedding?
- Do I know all of the best vendors that fit my vision and my budget?
- Do I know the proper etiquette?
- Do I have the patience to deal with all of the emotional personalities that become involved in every wedding?
- Do I tolerate stress well or will I become the dreaded "Bridezilla"?
As a professional wedding planner, otherwise known as a bridal consultant or wedding coordinator, will be able to work with your budget to help you create the dream of a perfect wedding day because:
- The wedding planner is equipped to do the job FULL TIME
- The planner is trained to know all of the element necessary for your particular ceremony and reception
- The planner has worked with wedding professionals and has relationships that can often get you the best quality at a reduced price
- The planner will work with your schedule to set up vendor meetings
- The planner will set up meetings only with the vendors that meet your budgetary requirements
With all of this considered, now you can relax and concentrate on shopping for a wedding planner that will work well with you!!
Friday, February 3, 2012
The Bling Event~~Sunday February 26, 2012
TO ALL BLING BRIDES...
Join us at this spectacular Bridal Show at The Elan in Lodi, NJ to support Brides Against Breast Cancer. Click on the link below to register ASAP!!
http://www.theblingevent.com/event/the-bling-event-presents-the-bling-bridal-showcase-its-all-about-the-bling/
The Bling Event Presents a BLING Bridal Showcase
for the BRIDE WHO LOVES
Are you a Bling Bride? If so join us on
Sunday, February 26, 2012
for a Luxury Bridal Showcase with BLING inspired
Dream Wedding Designs, a BLING Bridal Fashion Show and Exclusive Vendors.
FEATURING MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT BY BLANC NOIR EVENT GROUP
FREE ENGAGEMENT PORTRAIT SESSION withJOEL SIMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY!
HONEYMOON GIVEAWAY IN CABO SAN LUCAS and other exciting prizes!
$10 admission, $15 at the door
100% of ticket proceeds benefitBrides Against Breast Cancer
Join us at this spectacular Bridal Show at The Elan in Lodi, NJ to support Brides Against Breast Cancer. Click on the link below to register ASAP!!
http://www.theblingevent.com/event/the-bling-event-presents-the-bling-bridal-showcase-its-all-about-the-bling/
The Bling Event Presents a BLING Bridal Showcase
for the BRIDE WHO LOVES
Are you a Bling Bride? If so join us on
Sunday, February 26, 2012
for a Luxury Bridal Showcase with BLING inspired
Dream Wedding Designs, a BLING Bridal Fashion Show and Exclusive Vendors.
FEATURING MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT BY BLANC NOIR EVENT GROUP
FREE ENGAGEMENT PORTRAIT SESSION withJOEL SIMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY!
HONEYMOON GIVEAWAY IN CABO SAN LUCAS and other exciting prizes!
$10 admission, $15 at the door
100% of ticket proceeds benefitBrides Against Breast Cancer
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Fabulous Party for a Wonderful Charity!!!! Come join us!!!
Cocktail Party to celebrate the official launch of Wish Upon A Wedding New Jersey!
West Orange, New Jersey - 12/13/2010 - The New Jersey Chapter of Wish Upon A Wedding will celebrate its official launch with a swanky cocktail party on January 18, 2011 at The Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale from 6:30PM to 9:30PM.
The lavish and newly renovated Estate at Florentine Gardens, located at 97 Rivervale Rd in River Vale, NJ, will host the organization's posh event featuring cocktails, music, entertainment and even a few fun surprises. To help make this a truly spectacular event, New Jersey wedding and event professionals & vendors will be donating their time, products & services. Guests who wish to make a donation to the organization will receive swag bags filled with incredible discounts, samples & goodies.
Wish Upon a Wedding is the world's first nonprofit wish granting organization providing weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. Officially launched in January of 2010, Wish Upon a Wedding currently has over 16 active chapters to serve Wish Applicants and will have granted 12 wishes by the end of 2010. In addition to celebrating the inauguration of the local chapter, the WUW NJ board members hope to raise awareness and invite those within and outside of the wedding industry to get involved.
The chapter is asking for a suggested donation of $20 per person at the party. Donations will go directly towards helping to grant wishes to deserving couples. To RSVP please visit the chapters home page www.tinyurl.com/njwuwlaunch. If you are a vendor and would like to contribute to the swag bag, please contact the chapter's Marketing Chair, Marni Gold at info@customcreativecardboxes.com. For more information on the Wish Upon A Wedding organization, please visit http://wishuponawedding.org/***
West Orange, New Jersey - 12/13/2010 - The New Jersey Chapter of Wish Upon A Wedding will celebrate its official launch with a swanky cocktail party on January 18, 2011 at The Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale from 6:30PM to 9:30PM.
The lavish and newly renovated Estate at Florentine Gardens, located at 97 Rivervale Rd in River Vale, NJ, will host the organization's posh event featuring cocktails, music, entertainment and even a few fun surprises. To help make this a truly spectacular event, New Jersey wedding and event professionals & vendors will be donating their time, products & services. Guests who wish to make a donation to the organization will receive swag bags filled with incredible discounts, samples & goodies.
Wish Upon a Wedding is the world's first nonprofit wish granting organization providing weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. Officially launched in January of 2010, Wish Upon a Wedding currently has over 16 active chapters to serve Wish Applicants and will have granted 12 wishes by the end of 2010. In addition to celebrating the inauguration of the local chapter, the WUW NJ board members hope to raise awareness and invite those within and outside of the wedding industry to get involved.
The chapter is asking for a suggested donation of $20 per person at the party. Donations will go directly towards helping to grant wishes to deserving couples. To RSVP please visit the chapters home page www.tinyurl.com/njwuwlaunch. If you are a vendor and would like to contribute to the swag bag, please contact the chapter's Marketing Chair, Marni Gold at info@customcreativecardboxes.com. For more information on the Wish Upon A Wedding organization, please visit http://wishuponawedding.org/***
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Why do I need a Wedding Planner???
Why do I need planner? In a word, STRESS!! Almost every bride today has had a vision of their wedding day since childhood. She sees only the beauty and the glamour of being "Queen for a Day" in her vision.
Unfortunately, to get to all of the beauty of a perfect day, it takes between 100 and 200 hours of planning. Once realized, this is when the panic sets in and the dynamics change greatly!!
Todays bride need to think:
- Do I have 100 to 200 hours to plan this wedding?
- Do I know all of the best vendors that fit my vision and my budget?
- Do I know the proper etiquette?
- Do I have the patience to deal with all of the emotional personalities that become involved in every wedding?
- Do I tolerate stress well or will I become the dreaded "Bridezilla"?
As a professional wedding planner, otherwise known as a bridal consultant or wedding coordinator, will be able to work with your budget to help you create the dream of a perfect wedding day because:
- The wedding planner is equipped to do the job FULL TIME
- The planner is trained to know all of the element necessary for your particular ceremony and reception
- The planner has worked with wedding professionals and has relationships that can often get you the best quality at a reduced price
- The planner will work with your schedule to set up vendor meetings
- The planner will set up meetings only with the vendors that meet your budgetary requirements
With all of this considered, now you can relax and concentrate on shopping for a wedding planner that will work well with you!!
Unfortunately, to get to all of the beauty of a perfect day, it takes between 100 and 200 hours of planning. Once realized, this is when the panic sets in and the dynamics change greatly!!
Todays bride need to think:
- Do I have 100 to 200 hours to plan this wedding?
- Do I know all of the best vendors that fit my vision and my budget?
- Do I know the proper etiquette?
- Do I have the patience to deal with all of the emotional personalities that become involved in every wedding?
- Do I tolerate stress well or will I become the dreaded "Bridezilla"?
As a professional wedding planner, otherwise known as a bridal consultant or wedding coordinator, will be able to work with your budget to help you create the dream of a perfect wedding day because:
- The wedding planner is equipped to do the job FULL TIME
- The planner is trained to know all of the element necessary for your particular ceremony and reception
- The planner has worked with wedding professionals and has relationships that can often get you the best quality at a reduced price
- The planner will work with your schedule to set up vendor meetings
- The planner will set up meetings only with the vendors that meet your budgetary requirements
With all of this considered, now you can relax and concentrate on shopping for a wedding planner that will work well with you!!
Unique Memory Creations for the Bride & Groom
Elegant Events & Occasions Highly recommend this creative vendor read below and you will find why we love them !!!What makes Jamba so unique is our customized artistic approach to all of our concepts. As film makers, we approach our projects in a slightly different manner by creating a special environment and presenting couples with exciting, fun, and outside the box projects. Our goal is to offer couples a chance to be the stars of their own mini movie, whether they are doing a documentary on their relationship, or something more conceptual such as our silent film and soap opera scripts, which offer plenty of opportunities for their bridal party, friends, and family to get involved. Our team is also a lot of fun and we bring great energy with us on set making any project we do exceptionally fun! We make sure to get to know the couples we work with, which makes them feel more comfortable in their surroundings in order for us to capture their best moments.
What types of projects do you produce?
While staying true to who we are as filmmakers we offer the opportunity to shoot multiple types of projects including original video concepts for wedding couples, live event, films, music videos, and more. Please contact us for more information. We especially welcome anything that is different!
Our Current Promotion for Bridal Couples
We would love to be a part of the exciting time leading up to your wedding, by offering you the chance to be the star of your own movie! Jamba Productions lets you tell your own personal story on DVD in any way you like.Tell your own personal fairytale story of what led up to this beautiful and momentous occasion. Make a Bridal Music Video, a Documentary, a Silent Film or Soap Opera, or any other creative idea you may have. Write the script yourself, or use one of ours. Either way, it's a unique outside of the box way of bringing fun, romance, excitement and elegance to your personal story. Show it at your reception or dinner, or give copies as a gift to your bridal party. It's a perfect way to capture this most precious moment in time, and make it last forever. Jamba's brings a super creative fun spirit that makes everyone on set happy, as we dedicate ourselves to getting the best results out of every project we work on. Our style can cinematic or whimsical, but is always fun. We will truly make your vision and story stand out from the rest.We are currently offering brides a $100 spa gift certificate when locking in your date with Jamba Productions by February 1, 2011. We are excited to work with you and look forward to a free consultation with you to discuss how we can start creating the magic for your personal fairytale story. Please email us or call to set up your consultation with us!
Liz Tapia Founder
Phone: (201) 408-4933
Email: Info@JambaProductions.com Creative Video Concepts
Once Upon A Time...
http://www.jambaproductions.com/
Friday, October 1, 2010
Contillo Wedding
We had a fantastic wedding at the Colonial Inn in Norwood, NJ on Sunday September 26th, 2010. Congrats to Kim & Frank, you both deserve only the best! Thanks to Tommy & the staff for making it the perfect day. Thank you Sumar for providing the entertainment that rocked! Special thanks to GlenMar Photographers for providing these pictures and taking such good care of my bride Kim.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
HUGE Event Planning Discounts!!
Contact Elegant Events & Occasions for HUGE discounts if services are booked by March 1st 2010!!! Up to 50% off services offered, Hurry!!!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Holiday Parties
The Holiday's are approaching FAST! It's time to plan your holiday party ! Were you left in charge of planning the office party? Are you thinking of having a nice intimate family gathering for the holidays? Let us handle it all for you. Book our planning services by October 31st to receive up to 50% off our rates!! Hurry though, this wont last as December is our busiest month of all!!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
NEW WEDDING SHOW ON TLC-Casting NOW
Calling all BRIDES
HAS BEEN EXTENDED!!
TLC is looking for couples getting married by April 2010 in the NY/NJ and CT area.
Here’s your chance to WIN an all expenses paid exciting
5-star honeymoon (or first year anniversary trip)!!
TLC is looking for "brides to be" in the NY / NJ / CT areas to be featured on a new series that will premiere at the end of the year on a major cable network.
Here’s your chance to WIN an all expenses paid exciting
5-star honeymoon (or first year anniversary trip)!!
TLC is looking for "brides to be" in the NY / NJ / CT areas to be featured on a new series that will premiere at the end of the year on a major cable network.
What if you had the chance to compare notes with OTHER brides
before - during - and after your big day?
AND - have the chance to win an exciting 5 star honeymoon
(or first year anniversary trip) with all expenses paid!!
No matter what - your big day will be commemorated forever on national TV!
What a way to make an amazing memory!
On the show, you’ll be introduced to other brides that are getting married around the
same time and you will compare notes (what the planning has been like - how stressed out
you are - how excited you are that it is getting close - all the things that you encounter when
planning a wedding, etc...). You and the other brides (that we’ll introduce you to) get to
ATTEND each other’s weddings and see how everything turns out!
They are looking for ALL types of weddings - it can be over the top, fairytale, very small and intimate,themed…ANY type of wedding!
** They will not be changing anything at all about your wedding or interfering in ANY WAY!!
It will be just like they are a guest at your wedding!
And they are looking for all types of brides:
first time around, 2nd time around (or more), any age range…everyone is included!
What a wonderful way to commemorate your big day!
They need to consider the brides soon so please call them ASAP.
before - during - and after your big day?
AND - have the chance to win an exciting 5 star honeymoon
(or first year anniversary trip) with all expenses paid!!
No matter what - your big day will be commemorated forever on national TV!
What a way to make an amazing memory!
On the show, you’ll be introduced to other brides that are getting married around the
same time and you will compare notes (what the planning has been like - how stressed out
you are - how excited you are that it is getting close - all the things that you encounter when
planning a wedding, etc...). You and the other brides (that we’ll introduce you to) get to
ATTEND each other’s weddings and see how everything turns out!
They are looking for ALL types of weddings - it can be over the top, fairytale, very small and intimate,themed…ANY type of wedding!
** They will not be changing anything at all about your wedding or interfering in ANY WAY!!
It will be just like they are a guest at your wedding!
And they are looking for all types of brides:
first time around, 2nd time around (or more), any age range…everyone is included!
What a wonderful way to commemorate your big day!
They need to consider the brides soon so please call them ASAP.
**Elegant Events is offering "day of" wedding services free of charge to the winner**
(Contact us to discuss day of services at 201-684-1643)
Include your name / Phone # where you can be reached and your wedding date and location!
Email them at myweddingguest@gmail.com
If you can include a picture it would be great!
Or call Kelly at 212-505-7775 ext 106
Thank You!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tenafly 25 year High School Reunion
I had the pleasure of planning the Tenafly High School Reunion at the Woodcliff Lake Hilton this past weekend. It was a wonderful event! I want to thank Dawn and Cathy for allowing me to handle this event, it was a pleasure working with such fabulous people. Phil from the Wolves and his band were awesome and of course the staff at the Woodcliff Lake Hilton are always a pleasure to work with. Cannot forget the great work of my sister Lisa who was the photographer for the evening. She volunteered her time & services to take memorable pictures for this event!! Thanks again to everyone!!!Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Special Thanks to my Special Friends!!
I would like to thank all my special vendors for helping me make my son's 4th birthday a great success:
Party Fair for all the decorations & balloons
Tony & Mike at Lotito's
Stefanie at Cakes by Stef-WOW that's all I have to say!!!
Tommy Knucklehead for his magic
Tina Marcella the magnificent face painter
Kristen at Edible Essentials for the creative cookie favors that were delish!
To find these vendors look on my preferred vendor page on the website
Please take a look at all the pics on my home page.. More to come!!
Party Fair for all the decorations & balloons
Tony & Mike at Lotito's
Stefanie at Cakes by Stef-WOW that's all I have to say!!!
Tommy Knucklehead for his magic
Tina Marcella the magnificent face painter
Kristen at Edible Essentials for the creative cookie favors that were delish!
To find these vendors look on my preferred vendor page on the website
Please take a look at all the pics on my home page.. More to come!!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Welcome to our new Blog!!
Soon you will be updated on all the latest Event Pictures, trends and advice. We are busy, but we will always make time to give you the SCOOP!!
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