Monday, May 2, 2016
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
You and Your Wedding Budget
I know how exciting it is to be engaged and planning a wedding. Your mind is swirling with visions of fairy tales, glamour, love and lace. And it is so easy to just start shopping right away! But take a breath and don't spend any more money until you and your groom or your parents (whomever is helping to pay for the wedding) sit down and work out your wedding budget.
It's really easy to go overboard and blow your budget, and you don't want to start your new married life in debt or with your parents in debt. So with that said here's a little guideline to help you get started.
This is just an estimate and every wedding is customized, so please keep that in mind when setting your budget.
50% of your budget goes to your reception, this includes: catering, reception venue, the cake, rentals, bar, entertainment.
10% of your budget goes to the attire, your gown, grooms tux, if you are paying for flower girls dress
10% of your budget goes to music, the music at your ceremony and reception
10% of your budget goes to photography/videography
10% of your budget goes to decorations and flowers
5% of your budget goes to the ceremony, this includes the minister's fee or church or venue rental
5% of your budget goes to invitations and guest details, this could include guest transportation
As stated before this is all subject to change and personality of each couple, this is just an idea of the average costs and budget.
Other fees and expenses to keep in mind are:
-taxes
-delivery/setup&breakdown costs
- service charges
-standard tips
-overtime
You can have the wedding of your dreams on a budget, you just have to know how to negotiate, be flexible and read your contracts thoroughly.
Please feel free to contact us here at Blessed Events anytime for any questions we are happy to help. We LOVE weddings.
Kathryn
Blessed Events
www.blessedevents.us
email-kathryndavis76@yahoo.com
951-415-8628
It's really easy to go overboard and blow your budget, and you don't want to start your new married life in debt or with your parents in debt. So with that said here's a little guideline to help you get started.
This is just an estimate and every wedding is customized, so please keep that in mind when setting your budget.
50% of your budget goes to your reception, this includes: catering, reception venue, the cake, rentals, bar, entertainment.
10% of your budget goes to the attire, your gown, grooms tux, if you are paying for flower girls dress
10% of your budget goes to music, the music at your ceremony and reception
10% of your budget goes to photography/videography
10% of your budget goes to decorations and flowers
5% of your budget goes to the ceremony, this includes the minister's fee or church or venue rental
5% of your budget goes to invitations and guest details, this could include guest transportation
As stated before this is all subject to change and personality of each couple, this is just an idea of the average costs and budget.
Other fees and expenses to keep in mind are:
-taxes
-delivery/setup&breakdown costs
- service charges
-standard tips
-overtime
You can have the wedding of your dreams on a budget, you just have to know how to negotiate, be flexible and read your contracts thoroughly. Please feel free to contact us here at Blessed Events anytime for any questions we are happy to help. We LOVE weddings.
Kathryn
Blessed Events
www.blessedevents.us
email-kathryndavis76@yahoo.com
951-415-8628
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Top Wedding Ceremony Tips
Hello brides and grooms!
I have a new wedding tip for you. This one comes from the heart and I can attest to these tips as a wedding minister. This tip is about your wedding ceremony. This is the beginning of the wedding and can set the tone for your reception and even your marriage. I have noticed that the couples who have the cute and funny ceremonies seem to have the longer and happier marriages. One reason for that is the importance of laughter and fun in a marriage. I firmly believe you have to be able to have fun with your spouse, if you can't be silly and have fun or be child like and goofy as well as being partners and in love with your spouse then you might need to rethink your match.
Let's get on with some tips.
1. Keep your vows simple. Whether you choose to repeat traditional vows or write your own you don't want your guests sitting there looking at their watches wondering when the party is going to start. If you are writing your vows make them personal (but not too personal, we don't want to hear about bathroom stuff) and sweet and under 3 minutes. And if you can help it at all don't wait until the last minute to write your vows, writing them the week before or week of the wedding is fine.
2. Make a program. Now this is something that not all couples do and it can be due to budget or preference. But I can tell you that I have heard from a lot of guests that they like having a program, especially for longer weddings and especially destination weddings. It also makes for a nice souvenir.
3. Schedule a rehearsal. I feel pretty strongly about this, it really makes everyone in the wedding party feel so much more secure and less nervous for the "Big Day" as they get a run through with a rehearsal. Everyone needs to see the layout and know where to stand, where to walk and so forth and this includes the minister. I personally prefer to schedule a rehearsal for a wedding I am officiating especially if it is a location that I have not been to yet. A rehearsal is always a good idea.
4. Invite your officiant. It is always nice to receive an invitation to the wedding reception for myself and my husband or a plus one. I often decline when I get an invitation on the day of the wedding because I have already made plans with my family after the wedding or scheduled an appointment, but had I known ahead I could have stayed longer.
5. Don't forget to include both sides of the families. Even though your wedding day is about you and your groom, it is good to listen to your families and their wishes. You and your groom can take that information and decide together how it will play out, and remember you cannot please everyone and ultimately it is your day.
Remember to enjoy this most special of days.
Kathryn
Blessed Events
I have a new wedding tip for you. This one comes from the heart and I can attest to these tips as a wedding minister. This tip is about your wedding ceremony. This is the beginning of the wedding and can set the tone for your reception and even your marriage. I have noticed that the couples who have the cute and funny ceremonies seem to have the longer and happier marriages. One reason for that is the importance of laughter and fun in a marriage. I firmly believe you have to be able to have fun with your spouse, if you can't be silly and have fun or be child like and goofy as well as being partners and in love with your spouse then you might need to rethink your match.
Let's get on with some tips.
1. Keep your vows simple. Whether you choose to repeat traditional vows or write your own you don't want your guests sitting there looking at their watches wondering when the party is going to start. If you are writing your vows make them personal (but not too personal, we don't want to hear about bathroom stuff) and sweet and under 3 minutes. And if you can help it at all don't wait until the last minute to write your vows, writing them the week before or week of the wedding is fine.
2. Make a program. Now this is something that not all couples do and it can be due to budget or preference. But I can tell you that I have heard from a lot of guests that they like having a program, especially for longer weddings and especially destination weddings. It also makes for a nice souvenir.
3. Schedule a rehearsal. I feel pretty strongly about this, it really makes everyone in the wedding party feel so much more secure and less nervous for the "Big Day" as they get a run through with a rehearsal. Everyone needs to see the layout and know where to stand, where to walk and so forth and this includes the minister. I personally prefer to schedule a rehearsal for a wedding I am officiating especially if it is a location that I have not been to yet. A rehearsal is always a good idea.
4. Invite your officiant. It is always nice to receive an invitation to the wedding reception for myself and my husband or a plus one. I often decline when I get an invitation on the day of the wedding because I have already made plans with my family after the wedding or scheduled an appointment, but had I known ahead I could have stayed longer.
5. Don't forget to include both sides of the families. Even though your wedding day is about you and your groom, it is good to listen to your families and their wishes. You and your groom can take that information and decide together how it will play out, and remember you cannot please everyone and ultimately it is your day.
Remember to enjoy this most special of days.
Kathryn
Blessed Events
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Engagement party planning
Engagement parties are fantastic! There are so many reasons why throwing an engagement party is a good idea for the newly engaged couple. It can serve as a practice for planning the wedding, it allows an opportunity for people who can't or you don't plan on inviting to the wedding to share your joy at the engagement party, it can be any theme you want!
Not to mention the purpose of an engagement party—usually scheduled no later than three months after the big announcement—can be threefold: to share the news of your imminent union with future wedding guests, to introduce your families to each other, and to celebrate the impending celebration. Tradition has it that the bride's parents host the initial gathering, but the groom's parents can then throw their own party, or both sets can come together to host the fete, it can be thrown by anyone.
As you decide, here are five things the hosts should keep in mind:
1. Don't rush into an engagement party and don't wait too long either. Getting engaged is thrilling and yet overwhelming. Plan to have an engagement party two to four months after the question was popped. That gives you the chance to envision your eventual wedding—a crucial element to consider when deciding on the type of event to throw.
2. This gives you an idea of the size of the wedding guest list. Everyone who's invited to the engagement party should ultimately be invited to the wedding. Otherwise, guests might wonder what they did at the engagement party to insult you! That said, if you decide to host your own wedding and keep the list small and you want to throw an extravagant engagement party, go for it. Just be sure to let people know that the wedding will be small so no feelings will be hurt when guests aren't invited to the wedding. If you're worried that your friends will think you want to have a big bash solely to garner gifts, include a nice note in the invitation that requests no presents.
3. Register for gifts before the engagement party. This allows guests to get a good idea of what the bride and groom need as well as allows guests who can't attend the wedding send a gift earlier. This also gives the bride one less item on your wedding check list hanging over her head and can be updated as you go along.
4. Don't forget to breathe and make some down time to yourself. Wedding planning can be exhausting for all involved. Don't lose sight of your relationships with those around you. Men don't seem to care about all the girly fun frilly and fluffy conversations we like to talk about, but the men around you love and support you and are still involved in the process too. Don't let the wedding get bigger than your love for your family.
5. Keep a hawk's eye on your budget! It is essential to consider unexpected prices or fees to come up when planning a wedding. It is very wise to consider a cushion in your budget to help ease the pain of inflated prices, or unexpected prices that can and often do occur.
Please feel free to contact Kathryn, owner of Blessed Events with any questions.
Not to mention the purpose of an engagement party—usually scheduled no later than three months after the big announcement—can be threefold: to share the news of your imminent union with future wedding guests, to introduce your families to each other, and to celebrate the impending celebration. Tradition has it that the bride's parents host the initial gathering, but the groom's parents can then throw their own party, or both sets can come together to host the fete, it can be thrown by anyone.
As you decide, here are five things the hosts should keep in mind:
1. Don't rush into an engagement party and don't wait too long either. Getting engaged is thrilling and yet overwhelming. Plan to have an engagement party two to four months after the question was popped. That gives you the chance to envision your eventual wedding—a crucial element to consider when deciding on the type of event to throw.
2. This gives you an idea of the size of the wedding guest list. Everyone who's invited to the engagement party should ultimately be invited to the wedding. Otherwise, guests might wonder what they did at the engagement party to insult you! That said, if you decide to host your own wedding and keep the list small and you want to throw an extravagant engagement party, go for it. Just be sure to let people know that the wedding will be small so no feelings will be hurt when guests aren't invited to the wedding. If you're worried that your friends will think you want to have a big bash solely to garner gifts, include a nice note in the invitation that requests no presents.
3. Register for gifts before the engagement party. This allows guests to get a good idea of what the bride and groom need as well as allows guests who can't attend the wedding send a gift earlier. This also gives the bride one less item on your wedding check list hanging over her head and can be updated as you go along.
4. Don't forget to breathe and make some down time to yourself. Wedding planning can be exhausting for all involved. Don't lose sight of your relationships with those around you. Men don't seem to care about all the girly fun frilly and fluffy conversations we like to talk about, but the men around you love and support you and are still involved in the process too. Don't let the wedding get bigger than your love for your family.
5. Keep a hawk's eye on your budget! It is essential to consider unexpected prices or fees to come up when planning a wedding. It is very wise to consider a cushion in your budget to help ease the pain of inflated prices, or unexpected prices that can and often do occur.
Please feel free to contact Kathryn, owner of Blessed Events with any questions.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
The big Question- How to propose to your girlfriend
Guys don't usually spend their time dreaming about asking the princess of their dreams to marry them they way we girls do from a young age. However both boys and girls have the Disney Fairytale library of movies for inspiration in the proposal and wedding department. (totally not reliable in the marriage department though, realistically life is a roller coaster not fairytale)
So for my guys out there here some info to help you along as you ponder forever with your true love.
Surprise her! Most women like surprises, and who doesn't like surprise jewelry? Even if you two go engagement ring shopping together and or she has picked out her ring, that leaves the rest of the proposal up to you. Surprise her on the day, the how, when, where is all up to you.
Be thoughtful! Be thoughtful in your proposal, don't just ask her on a dirty subway train or while waiting in line for drive through food. Select a place that is romantic, or special to the two of you, a place that captures your story.
Financials! Remember the average engagement ring equals the sum of 2 months salary. If you want to go bigger than that, then remember to start saving either for lump sum, or layaway, credit. But be responsible about how much you are paying for an engagement ring.
Get her input! Listen to your girlfriend when she points at rings as you walk along the jewelry store cases. Does she like emerald cut, rose gold, single stone, or cluster? Ask the women in your life to give you some tips on current trends and what your girlfriend has said around them. This is a ring she will wear for the rest of her life, you want her to love it, you would hate to put so much effort into an elaborate proposal for her to not like her ring.
Be true! Don't be cheesy. Don't do what every other guy has done either. If you are thinking of surprising her with her ring in desert at dinner, make it unique. Also be safe, there are more trips to the emergency room for swallowed rings then you would think.
The where! Again keep it true to you and your relationship, don't pick the top of the Empire States building because that's what your best friend did or you saw it in some old romantic movie unless it really works for you. Pick a place that means something to the both of you.
Most importantly breathe! and Enjoy this lovely important time!
So for my guys out there here some info to help you along as you ponder forever with your true love.
Surprise her! Most women like surprises, and who doesn't like surprise jewelry? Even if you two go engagement ring shopping together and or she has picked out her ring, that leaves the rest of the proposal up to you. Surprise her on the day, the how, when, where is all up to you.
Be thoughtful! Be thoughtful in your proposal, don't just ask her on a dirty subway train or while waiting in line for drive through food. Select a place that is romantic, or special to the two of you, a place that captures your story.
Financials! Remember the average engagement ring equals the sum of 2 months salary. If you want to go bigger than that, then remember to start saving either for lump sum, or layaway, credit. But be responsible about how much you are paying for an engagement ring.
Get her input! Listen to your girlfriend when she points at rings as you walk along the jewelry store cases. Does she like emerald cut, rose gold, single stone, or cluster? Ask the women in your life to give you some tips on current trends and what your girlfriend has said around them. This is a ring she will wear for the rest of her life, you want her to love it, you would hate to put so much effort into an elaborate proposal for her to not like her ring.
Be true! Don't be cheesy. Don't do what every other guy has done either. If you are thinking of surprising her with her ring in desert at dinner, make it unique. Also be safe, there are more trips to the emergency room for swallowed rings then you would think.
The where! Again keep it true to you and your relationship, don't pick the top of the Empire States building because that's what your best friend did or you saw it in some old romantic movie unless it really works for you. Pick a place that means something to the both of you.
Most importantly breathe! and Enjoy this lovely important time!
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