IS YOUR EVENT ECO FRIENDLY - GREEN

Having been in this profession for many years, I have traveled down many roads. One road that I am very much in support of is working with clients to plan their events around eco friendly ideas. There is a lot of waste that takes place when events, such as weddings are planned and held. I recommend that we all work together to help change this, will you?


If you are planning an event or wedding, you can do some green concepts, or go all the way green! Making your event eco friendly is not that complicated! Just takes some thought as to what you are willing to do.


As a planner, I continuously recommend to my clients to take a look at a list I have composed and give to each of them at our first meeting. Whether we meet at the very beginning, or further into their planning, it is never too late to incorporate many if these ideas.


Here are some of the suggestions that I have gathered over the years that can be applied today–


· Plan your wedding and reception in the same location.
· Keep your wedding cake simple and less wasteful – try using one small cake for ceremonial cutting and cupcakes for the guests. You can even have cupcake boxes for guests to take home a cupcake if there are left over’s.
· Use post card for rsvp – less paper, and it doesn’t require an envelope.
· Create a wedding website for rsvp and gift registry.
· Choose bridesmaids dresses that they can wear again.
· Choose fabrics that are eco-friendly.
· Blow bubbles rather than tossing rice – rice kills birds! And most churches and venues do not allow rice to be thrown. Also a note here, many places do not allow birdseed to be thrown either, attracts some unwanted birds. Always check first!
· Rent real dishes and glassware – rather than using disposable.
· Pick a local florist that uses locally grown flowers, as well as organic, if at all possible.
· Use cloth napkins rather than paper.
· Have your programs printed locally on 100% recycled paper.
· Instead of hosting a full bar, have a special drink made of organic ingredients, including organic vodka.
· If you feel you must use a save-a-date card, use something from hemp paper, and use email as much as possible.
· When deciding on what food is to be served at your reception, consult your caterer about using locally grown foods that are in season in your area.
· Donate your flowers to area nursing homes and hospitals for the patients to enjoy. But remember you will probably need to provide vases, as most florists rent their vases to you; this is their way of going green. If you prefer, compost your flowers! Or you can have them professionally preserved!
· There are many favors available that promote going green, check them out and use one of those ideas.
· Purchase wedding shoes that you will be able to use again.
· Ask your caterer in the planning stage if they will either allow you to take leftover food home with you, or if they will donate it to a local food kitchen.
· Give a reusable locally made cloth tote bag to your bridesmaids to place their items in from the dressing room!
· Instead of bouquets for the bridesmaids, give them matching clutches. They can use them again. Color coordinate them to wedding colors, have florist secure a small simple corsage to them for the ceremony. The bridesmaids will appreciate them.
· Rather than serving champagne for the toasts, have guests toast with what they are drinking. DJ can make announcement so they can get a refresher if they need before toasts.
· Serve local organic wines at the reception – check with your planner for area sources.
· Instead of a full course meal, choose a cocktail and appetizer reception – with desserts.
· Have your baker use locally grown in season berries on your cake.
· Rent tuxedos locally.
· Hire an all-digital videographer.
· Hire all local vendors.
· Give tree saplings as a favor.
· Use bees wax candles if possible.


There are many more ideas and ways to be eco friendly in the planning of your wedding or any event. These are just a few. And planning an eco friendly wedding or event is less expensive!


Happy Planning!!!!!!!!


Marilyn

WHAT'S YOUR COLOR

WEDDING COLORS AND THEME

Brides often ask when they should decide on the color scheme of their wedding and reception. My answer is at the beginning, often before you shop for your wedding dress. It is beneficial to have colors and a theme, as well as the time of the year when your wedding will be held prior to doing any shopping.

Colors will help set the tone of your wedding. Fall weddings tend to feature colors such as gold, green, burgundy, along with these fabulous colors which have been reported as the 2010 Fall Colors of choice for weddings.

Fall/Winter:
deep red
teal
violet
mocha
sage

You can take any of these colors and add accent colors to make things pop. I recommend choosing two main colors and two accent colors. White and ivory are great fillers. Picking your attendants dresses is easier if you have your color palette decided. And they do not all have to be the same color or style. Let your bridesmaids help in that decision by trying on several styles and colors. Remember you do have the final approval as it is YOUR wedding. Be sure and ask for samples of the colors when your decision is made. This will help in future planning, such as the matching of linens and flowers.

Your accent colors can be used in your flowers, as well as the vests and ties of the groomsmen. I really like using several colors rather than just staying with one color. It gives your event a more vibrant setting.

Use the same colors at your reception venue also. And this can be one in chair coverings, table linens, flowers and much more. Be creative! Florists and wedding designers have a way of making it happen! And it does not need to be expensive. Simple and elegant are often more appealing.

Ask your planner for suggestions also. Chances are they have seen these colors used before and can give you valuable input. Most planners are also talented decorators for receptions!

Make your wedding “Unique and Yours” with your choices!

WEDDING RECEPTION VENUES -picking one

SO YOU ARE PLANNING YOUR RECEPTION….

Pick your reception venue carefully!!!

Today is the day that you will be searching for that perfect venue for your wedding celebration. Always begin your search with your theme and colors in mind. Are you planning a large reception with elaborate decorations, or a small gathering with warm romantic decorations? Not every venue meets all of the needs and wants of many brides. Even the smallest detail could cause problems at the event if it was not discussed at the signing. The things listed below and further in this writing are things that wedding planners check out for you!!! And are some of the things to be aware of when looking, and before signing are:

1. Will the venue accommodate the number of guests invited?
2. Does the venue have a dance floor, or will one have to be rented, if so is that an additional charge, and how much? You might be able to rent one at a lower fee.
3. Is the décor of the venue tastefully done and will it compliment your theme and colors. Clashing colors and dirty carpets will take away from the event, and guests due notice those things.
4. Is there in house catering
5. Will they allow outside catering
6. Is there a bar at the venue, or is alcohol even allowed
7. Does the venue have tables and chairs available for use at the event – and are they in good condition, are they right for your event, will they need to be covered.
8. What does the venue provide as part of the rental (see list later in this writing).
9. Will you have to provide your own alcohol, or will they have it available to purchase.
10. Do they have adequate electrical outlets in the venue for DJ, or other music providers, lighting, etc?
11. Go over their rules and regulations
12. Do they allow candles, if so how many?
13. Is the venue handicap accessible
14. Are their adequate restrooms, and are they handicap accessible. ARE THEY CLEAN!!
15. Do they have a copy of the room layout available for you to use in planning the layout of the event
16. What time will the venue be available for your vendors to get in for set up?
17. Are there any restrictions regarding the vendors you use? Will they work with your hired planner?
18. Are there any hidden charges? (such as set up fees, cake cutting fees, etc.)
19. Is there a deposit, is it refundable?
20. Is there adequate parking for your guests?
21. Ask to see a copy of their contract, and read it!
22. ONE OF THE things that almost always comes up – is the venue CLEAN

Choosing reception venues should be an important decision in the planning of your event. It is the big party, and should be carefully planned. I know I keep saying a wedding planner can help, but they really can. They can recommend vendors, reception locations, and help you get the best for your budget dollar. Many planners have worked with other brides in reception venues you might be interested in. They know if that would be a good decision for you, and can help make it happen. Planners can also steer you away from reception venues that may not be suited for your event.

It is suggested that you visit several venues and take pictures of each. Look at the tables and chairs that will be used. See a sample of the linens, dishes and silverware they use at events such as yours. Be sure and look up (at the ceiling) and down (at the floor) – are those areas clean? Is the carpet dirty and spotted? Are the windows clean and are the window coverings all there. I recently visited a reception venue with a bride and we noticed that a couple of the drapes for the windows were missing. When we asked the venue coordinator about it, she replied “it has been like that for several years”. That was not a good sign. Your guests will notice things like dirty carpet, missing drapes, missing ceiling tiles, dirty windows (even at night). Not all of those problems can be hidden with beautiful floral arrangements, candle light or other effects.
Some venues include the use of white table linens (tablecloth, skirting where needed, and napkins), mirror tiles and votive candles. Look at each of these items and ask yourself these questions.

1. Are the coverings in good repair?
2. Do the mirror tiles have cracks or chips? Are they clean, or do they have melted wax on them?
3. If the venue provides votives, how many and what do they look, as many do not have holders, just the candles.
4. Are the napkins in good repair? Are they able to get them in colors, what is the cost?
5. Are the tablecloths square or round? So many venues use square ones, which is often hard to decorate with.
6. If they provide any chair coverings, are they clean and in good repair. Are they wrinkled?
7. Are there any hidden costs with using any of the items they offer?

Picking the reception venue that is right for you is very important. You should expect to get what you want for the prices they charge. Work with a wedding planner to see that those wants and desires are met. A planner IS experienced in helping you. Do not depend on the Venue coordinator, as they are only interested in their venue, not your wants and needs for your event.

Do not jump into the first venue you visit, check out several, take pictures of each, make a checklist for each and compare them, then go home and make the decision. You should book your reception venue 8 to 12 months from your wedding.

Happy Venue Hunting!!!!!!!!!!!!

"VENUE" WEDDING COORDINATORS

VENUES AND THEIR WEDDING STAFF

A week does not go by without me receiving a call from a frantic bride. She is looking for a wedding coordinator or planner to help her put things together. She feels she was misled by the “venue” wedding coordinator.

Many venues where the weddings and receptions are held have a “coordinator” on staff. BUT without reading through her contract the bride “assumes” that the venue coordinator will help her in doing “all” the planning for her big event.

WRONG…the norm in the venue coordinator job description is to help plan the usage of the venue and what they (venue) are to provide. The coordinator is there to make sure you follow the signed contract, and to provide only what they have agreed to in the contract.

Some venue coordinators step out of line and try to do more than they are trained for and led the rehearsal, often doing it wrong and causing a huge problem. While they may have helped with several weddings in that venue, they are not often properly trained to lead a rehearsal or get the group down the aisle properly on the day of the event.

Brides should ALWAYS ask up front what specifically the venue coordinator will be doing, ask for references on their ability to do more, and get it in writing. Make sure they are qualified, really qualified. Professional wedding planners/coordinators are trained in every aspect of wedding planning and coordination. They study different religious and cultural aspects that make some weddings unique.

I have been doing this for years and have only come across a handful of venue coordinators that actually have the training to do the rehearsal or ceremony items. Some think they do, but usually do not get it right, and the bride is very disappointed. This is her day and to have it upset by the inexperience of a venue coordinator is sad.

The venue coordinator should ALWAYS make it perfectly clear that they will not be doing any of the planning of the event with the exception of dealing with what the venue does or provides. When a bride sees the words “wedding planner” or “wedding coordinator” as part of the venue details, they feel as if that person will help in every aspect of the planning. This is wrong.
You notice that I have mentioned the same thing twice. There is a reason for that. Brides should not assume that the venue coordinator/planner is going to take the place of a real wedding planner, because doing that is asking for a problem. Ask before, not afterwards.

I will share with you now a horrible thing that happened to a bride when she assumed that the venue coordinator was taking care of things. The bride read in the contract and on their website that the venue had a wedding coordinator who would help “plan” their event “at” this venue. Nothing was in the contract about what it was exactly the venue coordinator/planner was going to provide.

So to make this shorter, but not less painful, the bride went on for a couple of months wondering how her wedding was coming along and how the planner was doing with it. She called the venue coordinator, and found out that nothing had been done, except for what the venue was to take care of…..lots of mis-communication; misunderstanding and hurt feelings followed that call. She now had to really get busy and complete the planning….panic had set in.

The moral of this story is……DO NOT assume that the venue (ceremony or reception) coordinator will take care of everything for you!!! It just doesn’t work that way. Read the contract and ask for explanations.

Venues need to be up front with clients and explain it all to them……do not lead them on to think you will do it all. There are some that will not open up and explain, so clients need to ask around, and be straight forward with their questions.

Remember brides, ask questions, read contracts and make sure you are getting what you think you are, or look elsewhere!!!

WELCOME

I want to extend my welcome to any followers of this blog. I will be posting in the next few days on topics like

1. Why you need a wedding planner, what exactly they do and how they can make your event less stressful for you.

2. What to look for in venues, whether it is for your ceremony or reception. Hidden items in the contracts.

I look forward to hearing from you. If you have a wedding related topic that you would like discussed, please feel free to let me know.