BRAVO! Event & Party Rental’s Blog
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Summer Design Series
Showcasing the South – Lakeside Love
Summer is such a beautiful time here in the south. Hot, but beautiful. We have so many wonderful and romantic places to act as backdrops for weddings and parties. Whether you want a beautiful sunset wedding on the beach or a mountain reception under the stars, the south has everything you need.
Our new Design Series will be showcasing these romantic places. This week we have chosen a lakeside retreat in conjunction with Amethyst, Blush and Charcoal. These colors have been pulled from Vera Wang’s New Collection, White, which was created for David’s Bridal.
Exploiting the Expo
January means bridal shows. With all the vendors, food and fashion shows, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of it all. Here are a few tips to get everything you need from the expo:
Know who will be there
Most expos will have a list of vendors available on the website. Review the list ahead of time, and create a list of vendors that you would like to speak with. Make sure to speak with these vendors first to avoid the rush.
Check the rules for giveaways
Prizes are often given throughout the show. Find out how to qualify for the prizes and if you need to be present to win a prize. If so, try and stay throughout the entire show to increase your chances of winning.
Brides speaking with Andrea Knapp of Photographs by Andrea
Know your budget
Before planning a wedding, it’s important to know your budget and how much you can spend on each category. Ask vendors about pricing and how they can work within your budget.
Bring a camera
Bridal shows are great for getting ideas. There will be dresses, centerpieces, and much more. When you see something you like, take a picture. Later you can compile the ideas and see how they can work together.
Bring address labels
Most vendors will want your contact information for drawings, mailings, etc. Having your information printed on stickers will save you from writer’s cramp and you will have more time to explore the expo.
Make appointments
Many vendors will offer discounts to brides who schedule appointments at the bridal expo. Schedule appointments with vendors you are interested in working with. This could save you money and will keep you on track for planning your wedding.
Have fun
Bring your maid of honor or someone equally excited about your wedding. It helps to have someone to bounce ideas off of and someone to laugh with. Keep in mind that inviting too many people can be overwhelming with the contradicting opinions. Bridal shows are intended to provide a fun, easy way to meet with many vendors in one afternoon.
You’re Engaged…now what?
First and foremost Congratulations!
Enjoy your engagement! Take time to let everything sink in before you make any decisions. This is a time to celebrate being with your fiancé, so be sure to enjoy it!
Once you have taken time to enjoy this special time in your life sit down with your fiancé and everyone who will be helping financially and determine a budget and the guest list. This may be an uncomfortable conversation, but it is important to be upfront and honest with everyone involved. Find out what everyone is willing to chip in and determine a dollar amount for the budget and stick to it. This makes things so much easier while planning!
Once you determine the wedding budget, you can calculate how much can be spent on the dress, decorations, etc. An easy-to-follow worksheet is available here. This is not a strict number. You can move money between categories, but it should give you a good place to start.
Determine what ideas you are willing to spend extra money on and what you are not. Come up with a list of non-negotiable, negotiable, and unimportant ideas for your wedding. This will help you decide how to prioritize your budget.
Now that you have a dollar amount in mind start a notebook full of ideas, pictures, etc. that you want to incorporate into your wedding. Begin to price your ideas with different vendors. Meet with several different vendors and ask for references!
Deciding on a budget and sticking to it is the first step to planning a wedding that is both beautiful and stress free.
For more information on planning a wedding, plan on attending the BRAVO! Bridal Expo on Jan. 8th.
