Events to a T

Happy belated anniversary Lisa & Aaron who were married last year on Cinco de Mayo and now have a darling little boy!

PIer 23 Photography

This weekend is Cinco de Mayo and while they may not celebrate this awesome “holiday” in Mexico. That doesn’t mean you can’t embrace it if you are having a destination wedding in Mexico or if you are having a Mexican themed wedding here in the states. The colors and spiciness of a Mexican themed wedding are amazing. I think it makes for a beautiful backdrop to any event.

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La Vita Bella Events

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Taste and Tell

Sometimes when you’ve been doing your job for so long, you forget that people may not always know how to do something that you do so often you assume that everyone knows how to do it. Opps! Securing a room block is one of those things that I do so often that I often forget it isn’t second nature to everyone. So, here are a few tips on securing your own room block.

1. Yes, you can get a cheaper rate at hotels for your guests by booking a certain number of rooms in advance.
2. No, these are not the same rates you are going to find online.
3. Call the hotel where you wish to book rooms (I suggest that it be as close to your venue as possible) and ask to speak with someone in group sales.
4. When you speak to the sales person tell them you need a wedding room block (yes, it is ok to say the word wedding, 16th birthday, wedding, bar mitzvah, it doesn’t matter, I promise!) check in date X, check out date X for X number of rooms.
5. They are likely not going to give you more than 20 rooms tops
6. Book at least two hotels if not 3 in order to give your guests a range of prices and in order to get the number of rooms you need if necessary
7. DO NOT PAY ATTRITION! This is a big one! THE biggest one. Make sure, ask, if this is a courtesy block. If it is not, then simply say no thank you. Attrition means that you will be charged a percentage of the rooms that you do not fill. There are plenty of hotels out there that will offer you a courtesy block, you need not pay attrition.
8. They may ask you if you are looking at other hotels. Tell them! Tell them that the hotel down the street is offering you a courtesy block for X and can they beat that price? They very well may try.
9. You still need to sign a contract even though you are not paying, it just locks in your room rate.
10. Ask them if they will give you a free suite for the bride and groom or at least a discount if you fill a certain number of rooms.
11. If  you fill  your rooms, make sure that they will give you more at the same rate (assuming they have them of course).
12. Ask if there is any leniency for guests checking in a day early or staying a day late. Can they extend the room block rate to them?

You will be pleasantly surprised how lovely many hotels are to work with and how easy they make things for you. Now that you have the tools, go out there and get a good rate!

L.A.M.B jazmyn sport sandal $295

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I have a client right now who just water colored her own invitations. Needless to say, I was skeptical. But they turned out so beautiful! I was so impressed! Now she has me water color obsessed! I think everything she be water colored. Water colored should be your theme! Water color everything. Ok, maybe I’m going overboard, but it is so pretty and delicate looking and subtle and springy. I want to water color every porous surface I see!

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There is no need to have one center aisle and and guests on either side. Mix it up. Have your ceremony in the round. I think it creates such an intimate feeling. Plus it looks so romantic. It certainly takes more space, but if you have the capacity for it it can be so different and special.

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Today is my 3rd wedding anniversary. And I’m going to say something possibly scandalous for a wedding planner….As I sit here thinking about my anniversary it isn’t my very lovely wedding that I am reminiscing about. That was indeed lovely and I am so so so happy that this man asked me to marry him and is my husband. But on our anniversary it isn’t at all what is on my mind. Instead I’m thinking about when he proposed and he thought to make sure all of my girlfriends could come out and celebrate with me that night. And how he bought me new boots to throw me off, even though I hadn’t at all caught on. I’m thinking about our first anniversary when we found out we were pregnant with our daughter and the birth of our daughter and the last 16 months being parents together. I’m thinking about how the gifts he gives me are always so very touchingly thoughtful (and how I can never compete!) .  I’m thinking about how much fun I have with him, how he still makes me laugh every single day, how he still smiles every time he sees me, how I miss holding his hand (because our hands are holding a baby or pushing a stroller), and how very happy he makes me and how lucky I am that he is my husband!

Having a wedding with him was fun. Having a life him is awesome. Happy Anniversary love. xo

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So HOT! Zac Posen Spring 2007

Whatever you want

It is so easy to do an eco chic wedding these days. You can still have most anything your heart desires and still make it earth friendly. There is so much waste in the event industry. Imagine if every married couple did their part to reduce the amount of waste on their wedding day. You would feel even better than you already do about your big day!

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We are excited to have Emily our gift bag guru (ok she’s been our intern, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t a gift bag guru), here to talk about what she loves to see in a gift. bag.

As if attending a wedding wasn’t fun enough in itself, being treated with a gift bag upon checking into your hotel helps set the tone for the weekend.  The gift bag says “Hey! Thanks for celebrating our love.  We are thrilled you are here.”  A gift bag is a very simple way for the bride and groom to let the guests know they appreciate their attendance.

I have attended quite a few weddings and I have compiled a list of my must-haves in a gift bag:

Water
This is a staple to any gift bag.  Water will be the most appreciated item as they won’t have to take one from the $12 dollar mini-bar.

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Chocolate
This should be a no brainer.  Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate.  It is the first thing guests will look for in their bag and typically the first thing gone from their bag.

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Coupons from a local café or coffee shop
Do a little research near the hotels where your guests are staying.  Talk to a local café and ask if they can give you a coupon for either a percentage discount or a buy-one/get-one.  Your guests will appreciate the discount and the store will appreciate the business.

Honey Nut Cheerios
Include some travel breakfast servings. Trust me, it will be consumed. Not everyone wants to go to the brunch. Not everyone can even make it to the coffee shop before they head out of town.

Sewing kit
Tiny sewing kits were meant for wedding gift bags. Dozens of guests will wind up needing a safety pin, some help with a hem, or a tiny pair of scissors.

TopB2C

Mints
I am sure your food is delicious, but it may be because it has been smothered in delicious butter and garlic.  Your guests will appreciate having packed this item in their pocket or purse.

Classy Bride

Aspirin
Include some small packets. Your wedding is the party of the year, right?  If so, then these will definitely be needed.

Map
Let your guests have a way to be familiar with the area.  If you have some down time between the ceremony and the reception, point out some local hot stops they can stop by to grab a drink.  They will appreciate the references.

Robin Egg Blue

Internet
Make sure your guests know how to access the free internet. Print out a little sheet of paper with the internet code for the hotel or the nearest Wifi spot.

And see our post earlier this week about fabulous ways to package all of this stuff!