Live Painting & Wedding Day Portraits a hot trend for 2022-2023 Weddings

 

             Live Painting & Wedding Day Portraits

The ban on live music at weddings forced couples to come up with more creative entertainment options for their guests during the pandemic, including live painters, wedding portrait artists and caricaturists! Not only does this addition serve as a talking point for your guests, but the resulting drawing or painting serves as a keepsake for you and your guests, and even doubles as a wedding favour! There are some great variations of these artists and their work to choose from.  I have even had some local and not so local artists reach out to me to refer them to my wedding clients. Oh, and if there's an artist you love that hasn't worked a wedding before, it's worth approaching them for a quote - they may be happy to oblige!  This is so cool to see in person and a great source of both conversation and entertainment for you and your guests that helps makes your wedding more memorable and special.

  

#livepainting #weddingpainting #weddingfavours #weddingideas #2022weddingtrends #modernwedding #paintingwedding #blessedevents 

For more information or wedding ideas check out www.blessedeventsca.org 

Top Wedding Cake Tips

 The wedding cake.  No one told me when I was planning my wedding 19 years ago that choosing my wedding cake would be so involved and difficult.  I just thought it would be fun!  I will share some tips to think about when choosing your wedding cake that no one told me.  

1.  Delivery- Cake delivery takes a little coordination.  Complex cakes might not be delivered ready to go and all set up.  Make sure that there's enough time and space in case assembly needs to take place at your venue.  Refrigeration is also something to consider.

2.  Get Flavor Prices-Choosing different flavors for different layers sounds good, but could be costly.  Remember guests don't get to pick their piece of cake usually so pick your favorite two flavors.  

3.  Mind Your Flowers- If you use fresh flowers to adorn your cake, make sure they are sturdy and can withstand hours of being in the open, potentially under lights without wilting.  Your florist will know the best options and may even add stem reinforcements or other tricks.  Also double check with your florist to make sure all flowers that touch the cake have NOT been sprayed with pesticides.

4.  Find Ways to Save- If you are working with a tight budget there are some tips to save money.  Stay away from complex designs, custom designs, handmade sugar flowers, unnecessary tiers.  Another trend couples are doing to save money is having a smaller cake on display for the cake cutting, and a larger sheet simple sheet cake in the kitchen to be cut and served to guests.  This way they get the best of both worlds and save a little money as well.

5.  Size Matters- So three standard tiers serves about a 100 guests, your cake designer will be able to guide you in size and guest count.  If you will have a desert table or candy bar or other sweets as well as cake for guests you will want to take that into consideration as well.  Again if budget is a factor, then opt for a smaller cake if other sweets will be available to guests.

Remember not everyone has a sweet tooth and may not eat desert.  This is a wedding not a kids birthday party.  Have fun, be creative and enjoy.

#weddingcake #desertbar #weddingtips #bridetobe #weddingplanning #caketasting #vanillacake #chocolatecake #weddingreception 

12 Wedding Budget Tips

Planning a wedding should be a fun time, meeting with florists and playing with all the gorgeous flowers, tasting cakes and canape.  However, the minute you mention the word "wedding" prices sore, vendors get pushy and it can get overwhelming.  When you are working with a wedding budget it is important to stick to that budget.  Budget does not equal cheap.  Get that right out of your head now.  There are plenty of weddings I have been a part of that were completed on a budget and they were just lovely, beautiful even and no one filed bankruptcy.  So let's go over some helpful tips when working with a wedding budget.

Top 12 budget saving tips:

1.  CUT DOWN- Cut down your guest list- Instead of inviting every person who has ever been in your or your parent's address book, invite those closest to you, who you have shared memories with.  For example invite 100 people instead of 150, that 50 person difference will make a big impact on your budget.  cut down your dinner courses, instead of serving an elaborate 5 course plated meal for your guests, serve 3 courses.  

2.  BE FLEXIBLE- Offer a limited bar; beer, wine and soft drinks, or beer, wine and a coffee bar with fancy options for coffee.

3.  PICK & CHOOSE- Pick and choose where to spend the bulk of your budget.  If you indulge in a designer dress, then instead of a faraway tropical honeymoon, stay more local, shop for deals.  You can choose a fancy mini cake for you and your groom to cut and eat, and serve your guests a sheet cake from the kitchen, that way you still get the admiration of a beautiful cake without the big expense when not everyone will eat cake.

4. PUT IT OFF- Put off some of the more expensive options such as getting silver wedding bands instead of platinum and then upgrade to platinum or white gold on your 1st anniversary.  Schedule a honeymoon that is more low key and closer to home and then plan a dream vacation for your 1st or 3rd wedding anniversary.

5. DO IT YOURSELF- Help yourself out and make your own ceremony programs or wedding favors, table cards or even some of the centerpieces for the crafty bride.  Save the bigger details for the pros, especially if you get in over your head, but there are plenty of ways to get involved and help yourself out.

6.  CONSIDER ANOTHER DAY BUT SATURDAY- Many venues charge the most for a Saturday evening wedding.  Friday is another option, or even Sunday brunch or mid-day and evening if it isn't a church wedding.  Some venues even hold weddings on Thursday evenings.  This can be tricky when dealing with work schedules but it does offer a smaller price and is something to think about.

7.  STAY IN SEASON- Keep your flower choices in season as much as your can and this will save big time on your budget.  OFF-SEASON times of the year are another option for lowing your venue costs, you will want to stay away from April, May, June, September, October.

8.  STAY LOCAL- Local flowers, local cuisine, local vendors, if you keep local this will save on import costs or delivery, every little bit counts.

9.   REPURPOSE FLOWERS- Take the ceremony flowers from the church to the reception, there is no shame in this, you can also talk to the couple getting married directly after you if there is one and see if you guys can share the costs of the flowers at the ceremony.

10.  SIGNATURE COCKTAIL- Instead of an open bar you can serve a minimal bar and focus on the signature cocktail that uses less liquor or less expensive liquor which will give you more for your money.

11.  BUY YOUR OWN ALCOHOL- If your caterer or venue will allow, you may be able to bring in your own alcohol from like Costco instead of paying a flat rate for a bar tab, some will work a deal allowing you to buy your own top shelf.  Something can be better than nothing.

12.  PACKAGE DEALS- Always ask about package deals, if you are having your wedding at a hotel, they will often have package deals especially when blocks of rooms are booked for wedding guests.  Your stationary can be ordered in a package deal, some venues offer in-house options for their caterers, DJs, photographers, etc.  Always ask about a package deal.

These are just a few budget saving tips, there are so many ways to cut down wedding costs and still have an amazing wedding.  You can always contact us at Blessed Events for more budget saving tips.