The New Rules of Weddings.

photo courtesy of Red Gallery Photo


This post comes to you late on a Sunday night, not because of forgetfulness. No! But because it relates to this weeks new rule. The when. Say this was Labor day weekend I might just be getting back from a wedding.

Rule #3: The When For many years weddings have taken place on Saturday night, but it has always made the most sense out of town guests can come in on Friday and attend the wedding Saturday, then go home Sunday. Very logical and still is the most likely date for most. But now as previously stated time are changing. Friday night, Sunday brunch and Sunday are now fair game as wedding dates! There is also a logic behind them most times and it is this...

For Friday night that big ticket venue would be a little less expensive. If most of your guest are within a reasonable driving distance. Then this might be a good choice for you! It is all the Oo La La of the Saturday night wedding and it gives your guests their weekend still. Or if you do have out of town guests that stay, they get a few extra days to enjoy your fair city.

For the Sunday morning brunch. This is an awesome option for a budget first off , but also it is different and unconventional. It also lends itself to a more informal setting if that is something that you are looking for. It's just a causal affair with some nice food and good company. In my opinion it is also better for smaller guest counts.

For the Sunday night. This is a rare thing indeed, but I do believe it can be done! There is that random Monday once in a blue moon that everyone has off. Labor day being my example. This night will also most likely be very budget friendly!

 So there you have rule three. Don't be tied to what is considered "normal". Do what works for you and your guests!

Happy Planning!

 xoxo, Kasey & The Bliss Girls

The New Rules of Weddings.

photo by Annie Sturgis

This week is going to have a bit of a history lesson attached! Woo hoo! ( I really liked history in school) Today for the second new rule of weddings we are going to be talking about who pays?

Traditionally the brides parents pay for the wedding. Most likely this tradtion came from waayy back in the day when girl's fathers would pay a dowry. Now you may also think that those days are long gone. But in reality it is still common practice in the South East Asian part of our world.

Now you may ask why would anyone pay the grooms family for their daughter to get married and well it was to prove that she was not just after his land and sheep! Although that may sound odd, these were also times when livestock was valuable and if your boyfriend had a lot of sheep well... your motives could be called into question. So now today, as you can see it is a practice that is still going on, although not with the same elements.  Traditionally the girl's parents have paid for most things at the wedding.

Which brings us to... Rule #2: Who pays?

In the eternal words of Bob Dylan " these times they are a changin" and as people are getting married at an average age of 26 (for women), you are in a totally different stage of life,  compared to years ago when girls were getting married at 16, 17, 19, 20.  People are waiting longer to get married, and with that age going up you, well, are growing up! At 18 years old you don't have a real job or anyway to support yourselves after you get married so of course someone else needs to help you pay.

The answer to the question of who pays is no longer such an easy black and white answer. For most brides, at an average age of 26ish, they more than likely have a real job and probably even a place of their own. So, you don't really need your parents to support you financially in your endeavors, although it can be nice. Yes, some parents will want to pay for it all and that's okay.  Others can't always help out all that much and that's okay. You just need to sit down with your fiance and talk about what you can and cannot afford on your own and decide if you want to ask for help or just plan the wedding you can afford on your own. 

Happy Planning!

xoxo, Kasey& The Bliss Girls

The New Rules of Weddings.

photo by Lang Thomas

So with 2013 already what feels like in full swing. We the Bliss girls wanted to spend the month of January talking about what we believe are the new rules of weddings. A lot has changed in the last 50 years as general note, but also in wedding world. Nothing is set in stone and your wedding day can truly be just as you imangined it to be.

New Rule #1: The sides of the bridal party do NOT have to be even!

Who is in the bridal party?  Long gone are the days of five and five where your sister ALWAYS is your maid of honor.  Now that is not to say that she can't or shouldn't be, but everyone is different. There are also no laws anywhere that say you need to have the exact same number of groomsmen as bridesmaids. Because it's the worst when you have to add your fiance's 2nd cousin because you need another girl standing up there to keep things looking even.

You don't.

Don't feel like you have to have all of these people standing up there, the two simple questions you will need to ask yourself is:

"Who do I want to stand up for me?"
"Who are the people that know me as an individual and us as a couple?"

When you answer those questions you see that the answer is right in front of you!  Those are people that you can't imagine your day without. Those are the people who should be in the bridal party and if that means you have four and he has three then it's ok. Because numbers aren't everything.

xoxo,
Kasey & The Bliss Girls

We're Featured! Inside Scoop for the Knot Ohio Spring 2012

We are always thrilled to be asked to contribute to the inside scoop for the Knot Ohio magazine Spring 2012 issue.  We were asked to share a few of our favorite hidden gem venues as well and fun additions to your wedding reception.  Take a peek below at our recommendations!

Wedding Day Advice: Take a Moment

Erin & Justin take a moment to take everything in at their North Bank Park reception

One thing I always share with my clients is to take a 10 minute time out at some point throughout the day. Just step back and take it all in - the guests enjoying themselves, the beautiful decor you've worked so hard to dream up and just be there in the moment with each other.  The day moves by so quickly, so I promise it will be a moment you'll always remember from your wedding day! 

Photo by Erlina Kim

Place cards vs. Escort cards

This is an area where there are so many options for brides and grooms to choose from, it can really make deciding what to do make your head spin!

First let’s talk about the difference between place cards and escort cards. I feel that many times people use the place cards to describe both, but really they are different and have different functions.

Escort cards are usually the cards you see in a display, set up in neat little rows or hanging on the branches of a Manzanita tree. They function of the escort card it to give the guests information about what table they have been assigned to. The card is in a way “escorting” them to their table.

 

Place cards are the cards that guests find at their seat at the assigned table. It’s designating or holding their place or assigned seat. Place cards are also used to indicate the guest specific entrée selected by the guest on their rsvp card.


When deciding to use an escort card vs place card there are several things to consider. First are your guests pre-selecting an entrée? If not then you may not need to assign a guest to a specific seat, just the table. Are you having your reception outdoors? This can impact what the place card looks like. Small cards and wind generally don’t mix very well, especially when you need them to stay in place. A favorite of ours is the menu/place card. This is a great combination because it can be color coded, the menus look great personalized with each guests name and it costs



 

We’ve giving our clients some fun alternatives to escort cards throughout the years. Here are a few we’re happy to share! 

This table top set up works great for an outdoor setting or if you are looking for something a little different than the standard cards on a table. It can also be a little bit of a cost saving as well because you’re only having to print several sheets of paper instead of 100+ cards.

This next example is better for indoor use because of the large size of the frame. It’s not particularly wind resistant.



What will you choose for your wedding?

Credits:
Photography: C Studios (1,3, 5), Red Gallery (2,4)

Tying Décor Together – Don’t Forget the Bar!

The Bar. It’s on of the places that most of your guests will visit and spend a considerable amount of time at during your wedding. It’s also one of the areas that I see getting overlooked on a consistent basis.


The bar is one area where a little thought and extra décor can go a long way. It should not only match, but be comfortable for your guests to mingle and hang out around. I’ve listed a few tips below to help guide you through he design process.
Questions to ask yourself or your event designer:

1. What would you like the bar look like? What color is it? What is it made out of?
2. Does the facility have a bar on-site? Will I need to bring my own in?
3. Will it match the rest of the cocktail or reception décor?
4. If the answer to #3 is NO then this is where you’ll want to make some changes!
5. What does the glassware look like?
6. If your venue has it’s own, can you bring in rented glassware?
7. Is there room for additional seating in this area?
Once you’ve determined what you’d like the bard to look like and how it should function, now you’ll want to talk to your venue, caterer or planner. Share with them the details about what you’d like the bar to look like, how you’d like your guests to receive their cocktails.

Adding floras to your bar are an easy way to dress it up instantly. You can do smaller arrangements to sit on the outside ends of the bar or one large statement piece that can sit on the bar back table on a raised column or base.



Ice bars can be a lot of fun and a really dramatic piece of art for your cocktail or reception space. It can be carved into any shape imaginable and lit in an array of colors. We have done custom insert pieces that were frozen into the ice as it was being made!



For outdoor weddings I really like to use solid material bars. Linens on tables tend to blow in the wind and I don’t like the guests seeing everything that gets stored under the bar tables.



Simple things like coordinated bar menus or drink stirs are simple and fun additions if doing some of the larger ideas I have mentioned above.

Yes, bringing in your own bar can be a little more costly and will take a little more logistical planning but it is so worth it!

Credits:
Photography: Arden Photography, Red Gallery, C Studio

The First Look

This is a question that most couples will be faced with during the planning process. Should you do a first look photo or wait for the groom to see you for the first time when you walk down the aisle.

It’s a tough question and the answer will impact your schedule for the entire day.
I am a huge promoter of doing a first look photo, as are most photographers I work with on a regular basis. Traditionalists will say that that’s not how it’s supposed to be but let me tell you why I support the first look. Side note – I did not do a first look at my wedding 6 ½ years ago but if I could go back and do it again, I would definitely do it!

First, it gives you and your fiance a moment that you will NEVER have again. You can hug, kiss and talk to each other and get all of the emotion out. The images captured by your photographer will be priceless and you’ll relive that moment over and over each time you look at them.

Second, now that the anticipation of the big reveal is over you can take a big sigh of relief and really be in the moment as you walk down the aisle. I think that this walk can be clouded with emotion and you will miss the little things as you take that walk down the aisle.

Third, you will have a considerable amount of time to take photos (without having to schedule a big gap of time in-between events). Now that you have more time for photos, you’ll have probably around 40%-50% more photos are that are better more photos because you weren’t rushing to take them.

You’ll have the option to mingle with your guests for a few minutes in cocktail hour or you and your fiance can steal a few more minutes for a few additional portraits.
I just had this conversation yesterday with a client and her mom. Mom was originally opposed to this idea but after hearing the above reasons and really understanding them she understood why it might be a good idea for the bride and her fiance to do this.


Check out what some brides said on our Style Me Pretty feature last month on this subject here!  What will you choose to do on your wedding day? 





Credits:
Photography: C Studios, AMANDA JULCA

Capital Style's Bride Blog - Ask The Planner Series: First Steps

Another installment in our Ask the Planner Series for the Capital Style Bride Blog is here!  Today's question is - Is there a universal planning order bride's should follow?

Capital Style Bride Blog - Expert Tips for Selecting your Wedding Colors

We love that Capital Style has asked us to contribute our expert tips to their Bride Blog! Today on the Capital Style's Bride Blog - Expert Tips we talked about selecting colors that work with your reception space.

Picking your color palette is one of the first and most difficult design decisions you’ll make when creating the overall design of your wedding.  It’s important to make sure the color palette you’re thinking about using translates well into the space you’re using for the ceremony and particularly the reception. 

I always advise my clients to pick a palette of five (5) yes, you read that right – 5 colors.  This is necessary to create depth in the colors and décor.  No one wants to see the same two colors used over and over again.  Hello prom!

Below is an example of a well-designed room.  The bride’s main color was purple but in this space, the color was lightened for the overall, bigger use of the space.  The deeper purple that the bride originally liked is used in touches on the napkins, in some of the floral pieces, and on the cupcake display.  Even the use of mixed metallics of gold and silver works so well in the room. 

It was necessary to do this to make the color scheme make the most sense and look it’s best for the reception.  As the evening went on, the lighting in the room became a more intense purple, but the transition was gradual.

 

Just beautiful! 

Thank you Candice at Jubilee Events for letting me use this room as an example for this post. Photos are courtesy of Robert & Kathleen Photographers.

It's Our 300th Post! ..and it's BIG!

I'm so excited to share today's post with you!  it's our 300th and it's a special video post from our appearance on the Gail Hogan show on Daytime Columbus on NBC 4.

I was flattered to say the least when Kristy from Capital Style asked me to join her on the show!  We talked to Gail about some of our favorite planning tips.  Take a peek!

Video courtesy of NBC4

Capital Style's Bride Blog - Ask The Planner Series

We were so thrilled to be asked to be a contributor to the Capital Style Bride Blog. You'll see weekly posts from us as well as co-hosting a video blog posts with my good friend Emilie.

Take a look at our first video blog. Today's question is why is it important to hire a professional wedding planner for your big day?

Capital Style Bride: Ask the Planner from Capital Style on Vimeo.

Thank you to Nathan at Prodigy Video for helping produce our video blogs!

Good or Great?

This week I encountered several things that inspired this post. Each time I always went back asking to myself - why would you risk so much to only be good at something instead of really focusing on what you know and be great at it instead?

After discussing this with some of my trusted friends (and shall I even say advisers) it basically comes down to two things. First, the temptation to earn money doing many things is too great to resist. Second, they do not really have a firm grasp or strong understanding of what is really involved in the "secondary or add on services" they are/want to offer. The secondary/add services being defined as any services outside of the core function of the business or organization.

In an industry like the the wedding industry, we see this happening all the time. I'm not sure why, but the trend we commonly see is either DJ's offering planning services, venues offering planning/coordination services and bridal salons offering planning services. I'm really curious to better understand why these other entities feel that adding planning services is so easy? I know that when we are fully engulfed in our wedding seasons there is absolutely no time to focus on anything else but planning/executing the event(s) at hand. I would never think of offering to bake the clients wedding cake for them because I can bake a cake or bring my ipod for my assistant to play dj. That's just ridiculous!

I think it's fair to mention that also, these vendors who offer "planning" services should know that the professional planners in the area will probably not refer clients to you for several reasons. One "poaching" as one of my colleagues call it, is much too common place. Also, you entice unsuspecting and uneducated clients, that the services included in your $300 fee is comparable to our $1500+ fee for the same package/service. I can guarantee you it is not. There is a big difference between the services we professional planners provide and what the wanna-bes provide plain and simple. I highly doubt the wanna-be/add on planners spend thousands of dollars per year bettering themselves in education, conferences and networking with other planners to ensure they are on the top of their game and not just playing one. Pricing is a whole other post that I won't go into here.

So, my advice to any bride/groom reading this out there is this: Be very careful in who you choose as your wedding planner. Don't be fooled by the "add on" planning services you see offered by vendors who's primary focus is NOT in wedding planning and coordination. Do you want someone who thought they did a super awesome job planning their own wedding and now works for a dj/venue/bridal salon planning your wedding? I think not. There are true professionals out there for a reason.

Quality & Qualified Wedding Planners Are Not Cheap

This was originally posted on my friend Tracey Kumer-Moore's online Diary (aka her blog). She's the owner of Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge. I thought she hit the nail on the head with this post. Read on and check out why you can't afford not to hire a true professional wedding planner for you wedding and know that cheap is cheap for a reason!


My friend Andy Ebon of The Wedding Marketing Blog, one of my must-reads on my blog list, posted an entry recently about a "Simple Defense Against Price Cutters".
It's a great article but it was this part that made the most impact on me. Andy writes...

"My friend, Robbie Schlosser (Magnolia Jazz Band) reminded me of an old strategy used by barbershops against their price slashing competition. Robbie recalled a barbershop sign-“Haircut $5″, and next door another shop advertised “We fix $5 haircuts”.

And then, "With haircuts, one gets a second chance. With weddings, there is no ‘do-over.’ And with some categories of wedding services, the risk of failure is simply not worth the money ’saved."

Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge can tell you right here, right now, that Wedding Consultants fall into this category! The risk you take when working with a cheap price-cutter IS going to prove to be a "penny wise, pound foolish" experience.

Generally, someone who is "cheap", not "inexpensive" or "affordable" but CHEAP is for a reason. And whether it's because they are sacrificing on either quality of product or service, do you really want to take the chance that it will be your wedding that is sacrificed. No? I didn't think so!

A Wedding Consultant with a quality business is one that, at minimum, has (or works for one that has) a valid business license and liability insurance. They posses and maintain an inventory of the proper tools to plan and direct a wedding (like keeping a stocked wedding emergency kit). In addition to skills in budget planning, logistics, etc., they took some education program to learn and comprehend the procedures and nuances of event planning and current trends and administer that advice to you to help you plan a successful event. They also understand how to direct a smoothly run wedding and handle things calmly and graciously under fire.
All these things require some investment in time and money. And yes, you will pay more for it!

I can't tell you how many times I have read horror stories of brides on various blogs that were the sorry result of choosing a cheap, newly married and sudden "Expert Day of Coordinator" they just "totally bonded with" on the "insert wedding website message board name here." So much money wasted by going for the CHEAP "buddy". Where was that buddy for you when you really needed them? It is heartbreaking to read these and worse, to hear them trying to rationalize their hurt.

If they had researched just a bit more to find the most highly qualified planner in a price range they could afford (even a well trained associate that works for a much more experienced planner) they would have learned ways to get even better value and style in their wedding for their budget, piece of mind that a professional is handling their event and a quality of service experience and you can' get that CHEAP my friends.

Don't be "penny wise and pound foolish". In this economy, your dollars are more precious than ever so ensure that you spend them WISELY with a professional who will get it right the first time!