Grooms Must Do Wedding Calendar
Grooms come in two basic types. Type A has approached wedding planning with enthusiasm, readily checking out reception venues, offering an opinion on invitation designs, and compiling well-thought-out wine lists. Type B hasn't done anything wedding-related since the proposal. Guys, if you're an A, congrats and don't stop the momentum; there's still a lot to do. If you're a B and want to upgrade, check out the calendar below, with its list of must-do and optional groom's duties.
12 Months Before
Propose. OK, hopefully you have done that already, or you wouldn't be reading (or being forced to read) this blog.
Tell your parents. They like her already, so how tough could this be?
Talk numbers. Who's going to pay for the wedding? Her parents, yours, the two of you, or some combination of the above? Discuss it with all relevant parties. Be honest, be brave, and be real.
9 Months Before
Visit the officiant with your fiancée. The officiant is the man or woman who will marry you and possibly give you premarital counseling.
Write half of the guest list. Your fiancée knows your closest friends and relatives, but what about Cousin Robert from Chicago. Write down a wish list of everyone you would like to invite; plan on whittling it down later when you compare notes.
Register for gifts. You'll be dining off the plates and drinking from the glasses for the rest of your life, too, so unless you don't mind staring at pink china for a few decades, offer an opinion if your fiancée gets too girly with her choices. Think of this as your opportunity to pick out things you both like.
Choose your best man and ushers. Pick people with whom you have a strong bond.
Go see photographers, caterers, bakers, and the rest. Do it because you love her—and because you might get some free food and cake.
6 Months Before
Arrange the honeymoon. Think about places that have always fascinated you. Consider your hobbies when look for a place.
3 Months Before
Figure out your clothes. The guys in your wedding party wear the same thing you do. If it's a tuxedo or morning coat, you all need to be fitted. E-mail everyone the details: store name and address, when to go, what to order.
Shop for wedding rings. Guys, you do get one of these.
Deal with the rehearsal dinner. If you're following tradition, this meal's on you or your parents. Ask your fiancée if she has a restaurant in mind.
Sign up for dance lessons. Get a few moves down and you'll feel okay when 200 pairs of eyes are staring at you.
1 Month Before
Write the vows. This is the ultimate way to personalize your ceremony.
2 Weeks Before
Get the marriage license. This is usually issued by your local county clerk. Call first to see what, if any, special paperwork you need, such as blood tests (log on to www.usmarriagelaws.com). Don't put this off—most states have a one- to five-day waiting period between the time the license is issued and the marriage ceremony.
Day before the Wedding
Grooming. Get your hair cut, trim your beard, or get a manicure. Do whatever you need to do to look your best that day.
Day of the Wedding
Greet your guest during the receiving line.
Perform the first dance.
Do a slow dance with each mom.
Make a toast. Grab the mike and say a brief and heartfelt thanks to your bride, her parents, your parents, and the guests.
Showing posts with label proposal assistance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label proposal assistance. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
10 Hidden Wedding Costs
1. Band Equipment
Why it's hidden The cost of the band includes fees for the musicians' time and the minimum amount of equipment needed. If your reception space is extra-large, then additional speakers and microphones could possibly be required to project the best sound quality.
The cost Anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars
How to avoid it Before booking your band or DJ, you need to clearly explain the layout of the space (or have them check it out, if they're willing) so the vendors know exactly what they're working with. If they want to add in extra equipment, you should have them explain why it's necessary before you sign a contract or agree to pay for anything else.
2. Postage Stamps
Why it's hidden Stationers don't advertise the shipping costs; if they did, you might decide to go with simpler (read: cheaper) invites.
The cost Oversized, awkwardly shaped and bulky invitations will most often run you as much as $2 each to mail.
How to avoid it Skip the fancy boxed invitations and multilayer cards, which can bulk up quickly and cost a lot more than you bargained for.
3. Gown Alterations
Why it's hidden Dresses are pretty pricey and stores don't want to scare away clients by listing alterations as part of the total cost.
The cost A simple hem can be less than $100, but completely rebuilding a bodice or moving zippers can send the price soaring.
How to avoid it Ask about what the store charges for every alteration you may need before you purchase the gown. If it's too much, don't be afraid to take your dress to a less expensive seamstress to have alterations done.
4. Photo/Video Overtime
Why it's hidden Your photo and video pros are booked for just a certain amount of time, so if your wedding runs a little longer than you expected, they'll charge per hour.
The cost Starting at $250 per hour
How to avoid it When planning the day, factor in extra time for getting dressed and taking photos. You'll get a realistic sense of how long everything should take. Refer to this itinerary when booking your photo/video vendors.
5. Welcome-Bag Delivery
Why it's hidden Most hotels don't factor in a welcome-bag delivery fee when you block rooms. And they may fail to mention the rate unless you ask -- they'll just add it to your final bill. Inquire within; they may even charge you a fee for holding the welcome bags if you drop them off before the guests arrive!
The cost Up to $7 per bag
How to avoid it During the booking process, ask about the hotel's policy on receiving and delivering welcome bags to guests' rooms. It may be free or cheaper if they hand the bags out at the counter as guests check in. If you don't want the extra charge, you can distribute them at the rehearsal dinner.
6. Rental Transport
Why it's hidden You'd assume that the rental companies would include these extra fees in the per-item costs (do they honestly think you're going to fit 150 chiavari chairs in your own car?), but surprisingly, they don't.
The cost From $50 up to more than $500
How to avoid it Ask the rental company what their shipping and packaging fees are up front -- if the cost is too high for your budget, shop around a bit. You just might find that you'll actually save some money by renting items from a more expensive company that includes delivery costs at no extra charge.
7. Taxes
Why it's hidden Even though these aren't exactly hidden -- we all know that there are taxes on almost everything -- most couples don't think about how much they'll end up owing during the planning process.
The cost This will depend on the total amount of money you're spending as well as the location of the event (taxes vary in different areas).
How to avoid it There's no getting around paying taxes, but paying the entire bill in one lump sum can help lower the overall price, especially in the winter when vendors have fewer weddings to cover their bills.
8. Cake-Cutting Fee
Why it's hidden If you use the cake provided by your reception site, the charge is typically wrapped into the cost. Going with an outside baker can jack up the price. Why? Because your venue's workers are responsible for slicing and serving each piece, then cleaning the dishes. This means more work for their staff!
The cost From $2 to $5 per guest
How to avoid it Go with the site's cake baker. Don't worry: They'll likely be able to work with your vision. If you're set on a particular cake baker, then call your venue and find out what the fee is before you sign a contract.
9. Coat Check
Why it's hidden When you book your venue in the summer, it's easy to forget just how cold it'll be in winter months like December.
The cost The damage starts at around $200.
How to avoid it Union rules may dictate the number of people who are required to work the coat check (and the amount they get paid). Have a good approximation of your total guest count when you book the coat checkers.
10. Gratuities
Why it's hidden Many couples often think that the "service charge" is a tip for the event staff when it's actually an additional fee that the catering halls charge. For what? To cover their own cost for hiring servers.
The cost Typically 15 to 20 percent of the event's total food and drink fee
How to avoid it Once you get the proposed fee, add the service charge percentage so it's already accounted for before the event. The last thing you want is to get hit with an unexpectedly huge bill that just about breaks the bank.
Charity Designer Events
Events That Exceed Your Expectations, Every time!!
1-877-SOW-IN-2-U
1-877-769-4628 ext. 200
www.cdevents.biz
Email: info@cdevents.biz
1. Band Equipment
Why it's hidden The cost of the band includes fees for the musicians' time and the minimum amount of equipment needed. If your reception space is extra-large, then additional speakers and microphones could possibly be required to project the best sound quality.
The cost Anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars
How to avoid it Before booking your band or DJ, you need to clearly explain the layout of the space (or have them check it out, if they're willing) so the vendors know exactly what they're working with. If they want to add in extra equipment, you should have them explain why it's necessary before you sign a contract or agree to pay for anything else.
2. Postage Stamps
Why it's hidden Stationers don't advertise the shipping costs; if they did, you might decide to go with simpler (read: cheaper) invites.
The cost Oversized, awkwardly shaped and bulky invitations will most often run you as much as $2 each to mail.
How to avoid it Skip the fancy boxed invitations and multilayer cards, which can bulk up quickly and cost a lot more than you bargained for.
3. Gown Alterations
Why it's hidden Dresses are pretty pricey and stores don't want to scare away clients by listing alterations as part of the total cost.
The cost A simple hem can be less than $100, but completely rebuilding a bodice or moving zippers can send the price soaring.
How to avoid it Ask about what the store charges for every alteration you may need before you purchase the gown. If it's too much, don't be afraid to take your dress to a less expensive seamstress to have alterations done.
4. Photo/Video Overtime
Why it's hidden Your photo and video pros are booked for just a certain amount of time, so if your wedding runs a little longer than you expected, they'll charge per hour.
The cost Starting at $250 per hour
How to avoid it When planning the day, factor in extra time for getting dressed and taking photos. You'll get a realistic sense of how long everything should take. Refer to this itinerary when booking your photo/video vendors.
5. Welcome-Bag Delivery
Why it's hidden Most hotels don't factor in a welcome-bag delivery fee when you block rooms. And they may fail to mention the rate unless you ask -- they'll just add it to your final bill. Inquire within; they may even charge you a fee for holding the welcome bags if you drop them off before the guests arrive!
The cost Up to $7 per bag
How to avoid it During the booking process, ask about the hotel's policy on receiving and delivering welcome bags to guests' rooms. It may be free or cheaper if they hand the bags out at the counter as guests check in. If you don't want the extra charge, you can distribute them at the rehearsal dinner.
6. Rental Transport
Why it's hidden You'd assume that the rental companies would include these extra fees in the per-item costs (do they honestly think you're going to fit 150 chiavari chairs in your own car?), but surprisingly, they don't.
The cost From $50 up to more than $500
How to avoid it Ask the rental company what their shipping and packaging fees are up front -- if the cost is too high for your budget, shop around a bit. You just might find that you'll actually save some money by renting items from a more expensive company that includes delivery costs at no extra charge.
7. Taxes
Why it's hidden Even though these aren't exactly hidden -- we all know that there are taxes on almost everything -- most couples don't think about how much they'll end up owing during the planning process.
The cost This will depend on the total amount of money you're spending as well as the location of the event (taxes vary in different areas).
How to avoid it There's no getting around paying taxes, but paying the entire bill in one lump sum can help lower the overall price, especially in the winter when vendors have fewer weddings to cover their bills.
8. Cake-Cutting Fee
Why it's hidden If you use the cake provided by your reception site, the charge is typically wrapped into the cost. Going with an outside baker can jack up the price. Why? Because your venue's workers are responsible for slicing and serving each piece, then cleaning the dishes. This means more work for their staff!
The cost From $2 to $5 per guest
How to avoid it Go with the site's cake baker. Don't worry: They'll likely be able to work with your vision. If you're set on a particular cake baker, then call your venue and find out what the fee is before you sign a contract.
9. Coat Check
Why it's hidden When you book your venue in the summer, it's easy to forget just how cold it'll be in winter months like December.
The cost The damage starts at around $200.
How to avoid it Union rules may dictate the number of people who are required to work the coat check (and the amount they get paid). Have a good approximation of your total guest count when you book the coat checkers.
10. Gratuities
Why it's hidden Many couples often think that the "service charge" is a tip for the event staff when it's actually an additional fee that the catering halls charge. For what? To cover their own cost for hiring servers.
The cost Typically 15 to 20 percent of the event's total food and drink fee
How to avoid it Once you get the proposed fee, add the service charge percentage so it's already accounted for before the event. The last thing you want is to get hit with an unexpectedly huge bill that just about breaks the bank.
Charity Designer Events
Events That Exceed Your Expectations, Every time!!
1-877-SOW-IN-2-U
1-877-769-4628 ext. 200
www.cdevents.biz
Email: info@cdevents.biz
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Why Hire A Wedding Coordinator?
Why Hire A Wedding Coordinator?
As couples begin thinking about their wedding, they are often confused as to how much to spend, where to obtain specialized services, and how to choose vendors. These worries often mount as quickly as the cost of the wedding. After the euphoria wears off and the reality settles in, it's shocking to discover of how much preparation is involved. Couples are faced with decisions about everything from invitation wording to planning their honeymoon. Couples often find they want experienced professional help.
Not long ago, a wedding coordinator was thought of as a luxury, only used by the wealthy. Now a coordinator is essential to the well planned affair. It is no longer "trendy" to engage a coordinator. Being experienced in negotiating contracts with caterers, florists, photographers, and other suppliers, the coordinator saves valuable time and money. The coordinator can take advantage of discounts not available to private parties and avoid costly mistakes, while turning your dreams into reality.
The average wedding can take more than two hundred fifty hours just to plan. With today's hectic lifestyles, you may not have time to compare all the options, making sure you get the best deal, and make sure all the details are in place.
Wedding coordinators are not here to make decisions for you, but to guide and assist you in making informed decisions. Their training, knowledge, and experience will turn your dreams and expectations into reality. They want you to host a beautiful and distinctive event which you can enjoy.
A wedding coordinator will save you time and enable you to get the most for your money! A wedding coordinator can serve in many other capacities. They can act as the family counselor for apprehensive brides and the mothers, a wedding coordinator can become as close as your best friend.
How do you know you're hiring the right coordinator?
Trust is important in any relationship. You should feel completely comfortable with the coordinator and feel assured that he or she completely understands what your needs are. Your personalities should match. It's important to find out how long the coordinator has been in business. Be careful of coordinators who are not members of any professional organization. These organizations have a code of ethics that the consultant must follow in order to be a member, some also require some sort of continuing education each year to stay a member.
Do You Need a Coordinator?
We're not going to tell you the answer to that because we can't. Only you know if you need one or not. Will you be getting help from others around you, your mother, bridesmaids, fiancé, friends or will you have to do it all by yourself. Can you do it by yourself? Do you want to plan your wedding by yourself? Only you know.
As couples begin thinking about their wedding, they are often confused as to how much to spend, where to obtain specialized services, and how to choose vendors. These worries often mount as quickly as the cost of the wedding. After the euphoria wears off and the reality settles in, it's shocking to discover of how much preparation is involved. Couples are faced with decisions about everything from invitation wording to planning their honeymoon. Couples often find they want experienced professional help.
Not long ago, a wedding coordinator was thought of as a luxury, only used by the wealthy. Now a coordinator is essential to the well planned affair. It is no longer "trendy" to engage a coordinator. Being experienced in negotiating contracts with caterers, florists, photographers, and other suppliers, the coordinator saves valuable time and money. The coordinator can take advantage of discounts not available to private parties and avoid costly mistakes, while turning your dreams into reality.
The average wedding can take more than two hundred fifty hours just to plan. With today's hectic lifestyles, you may not have time to compare all the options, making sure you get the best deal, and make sure all the details are in place.
Wedding coordinators are not here to make decisions for you, but to guide and assist you in making informed decisions. Their training, knowledge, and experience will turn your dreams and expectations into reality. They want you to host a beautiful and distinctive event which you can enjoy.
A wedding coordinator will save you time and enable you to get the most for your money! A wedding coordinator can serve in many other capacities. They can act as the family counselor for apprehensive brides and the mothers, a wedding coordinator can become as close as your best friend.
How do you know you're hiring the right coordinator?
Trust is important in any relationship. You should feel completely comfortable with the coordinator and feel assured that he or she completely understands what your needs are. Your personalities should match. It's important to find out how long the coordinator has been in business. Be careful of coordinators who are not members of any professional organization. These organizations have a code of ethics that the consultant must follow in order to be a member, some also require some sort of continuing education each year to stay a member.
Do You Need a Coordinator?
We're not going to tell you the answer to that because we can't. Only you know if you need one or not. Will you be getting help from others around you, your mother, bridesmaids, fiancé, friends or will you have to do it all by yourself. Can you do it by yourself? Do you want to plan your wedding by yourself? Only you know.
What Can a Wedding Coordinator Do For Me?
The list is long but here are a few of the duties you can expect:
* Help you to create the type of wedding you want. With that knowledge you'll be able to pick your venue, vendors, color scheme, theme, music, etc.
* Help you create a budget sheet and keep track of where your money is going and how much is still owing.
* Help keep you on your budget and not go over...too much!!
* Suggest vendors that fit your budget and ideas.
* Make a wedding planning schedule so that you know what you've done and what still needs to be done.
* In most cases a coordinator can save you money because of their connection in the industry.
* Take care of any emergencies that arise.
* Create a wedding day schedule.
Charity Designer Events Events That Exceed Your Expectations, Every time!! 1-877-SOW-IN-2-U 1-877-769-4628 Email: info@cdevents.biz
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