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WEDDING BELLS!
may 2011
issue 5 | |
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Keeping the Summer Events Ceremonial and Organized
It’s 8:15 a.m. in London; 3:15 a.m. in Ann Arbor, Michigan; and 12:15 a.m. in San Francisco, California, and over 2 billion people are assembling, either in front of their televisions or logging on to the internet or gathering outside the royal palace in London to watch in awe as Kate and William profess their love for one another...
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| Kate & William | It was an amazing wedding to witness, with many details to capture the eye, from the all-important dress that Kate wore, to the horse-drawn carriage, to the flowers. Many of those viewers were likely brides-to-be themselves. Watching in suspense, trying to get ideas for her own wedding, any bride-to-be is sure to have her hands full already, and she certainly does not have (nor is likely able to afford) the wedding planners that Kate had for her wedding.
Therefore, in view of the wedding season that is now upon us, The Betty Brigade is happy to share some expertise in event planning. Though the focus of these pointers will be largely on wedding planning, they are also helpful for anyone planning a large event, such as a family reunion or even a retirement party. |
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Let's Plan a Party!
First and foremost, almost any bride will tell you that the three most important details you should begin with for the wedding are the dress, the venue, and, of course, the food. Some might even say there is a fourth essential element—the music. However, before you begin anything, you should start out on the best-organized foot.
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Starting Organized Helps You Stay Organized
Get a binder to help you keep track of all your potential vendors and details for your big day. Organize your binder using several dividers with pockets, labeling them for each category, such as Dress, Wedding Venue, Reception Venue, and Music. Inside each section, insert sheets with a list of questions you would like to ask your potential vendors you intend to interview. Create approximately three columns to the right of the questions for answers from each vendor. This allows you to see a side-by-side comparison to help you select the best choice for your needs.
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| Brenda & flower girls |
“This book was by far the most helpful bundle of papers I had when I was planning my wedding for last autumn,” says Bona Fide Betty, Brenda, writer of this issue of the Betty Blast.
Amber, our Administrative Betty, who is in the throes of planning her wedding for this October, also created her own binder: “In each section, I have all of my notes and pictures I have pulled from magazines, signed contracts, and any other information that I need. I chose to make my own binder instead of purchasing one so I could customize it to my needs.” |
Money, Money, Money
The cost of a wedding is enough to make anyone, bride or groom, want to go off and elope, especially these days. However, most of us like the idea of celebrating such a meaningful event with our loved ones, and they, too, would be disappointed not to see the bride and groom proclaim their love for each other. So, before you go out and start signing contracts and buying wedding essentials willy nilly, you should plan your budget. Done right, a budget helps you track your money easily and allows you to notice if you are going over budget, or you've got some room to add a couple more guests to your list.
Here’s what Amber is doing: “I made a budget spreadsheet in Excel to keep track of spending. I have a column for ‘estimated cost’ and a column for ‘actual cost’. This has helped me keep track of what we are spending and also what we still need to pay for.” She’s got the right idea.
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The Perfect Dress
Finding the right dress for many women can be a daunting task. There are hundreds, if not thousands of dresses to choose from out there. Starting this step early on is essential to help you eliminate the style you want or don't want. It will also allow time for special ordering of your dress and having it altered to fit just perfectly. A bride will feel a tremendous amount of worry lifted once she has found her dress, and she now has a clearer vision in her mind of her wedding day.
Where to Wed, Where to Dance
The venue of where you marry and where you have the reception should come around the same time as finding your dress. As Amber puts it, “Your venue can help to form your theme or style for your wedding. For instance, we are getting married at The Palmer House, which is known for its unique architecture. It was built in 1952, so my dress and other aspects of our wedding have a vintage feel to it.”
Similarly, Brenda got married and had her reception at Weller's in Saline. "This building used to be a Henry Ford factory and has a 1920s theme."
Eat, Dance, and Be Merry!
The next big step or steps to think about and knock off your list are the food and beverage service and musical entertainment. After sitting through your wedding ceremony, your guests are likely to be
parched and starved. Providing them with a few small appetizers is important, along with some free beverages. Having a fully open bar may not be in your budget, but there should be some basics such as soda and water available at no charge. Remember, how the food and beverages are served is usually less important than having good food and beverages; simpler is often better.
When the eating is done, your guests will want to dance. Getting a good DJ or band that will also emcee the reception can make or break your reception. If no one's dancing, then people will be more likely to leave early. A good DJ will know how to get people out there and moving! You don’t have to spend a lot on your entertainment. The trick is searching early to find the right person or group that fits your style before they are all snatched up. |
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Some Other Tips
Once you’ve got all the big stuff out of the way, the rest just follows suit, and the stress is less. Amber also suggests The Knot and Get Married as helpful websites. “They have several planning tools and local vendor suggestions. The Knot publishes a special Michigan issue, which features local vendors and venues.”
If you don't have a wedding planner, you may want to enlist a friend or co-worker to make sure things go smoothly so you don’t have to worry about why the cake hasn’t arrived yet. Just give him or her a list of all the vendors’ names and contact information and when they are expected to arrive. Have your helper arrive early and stay until the end.
Last But Not Least... Go enjoy your honeymoon!
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The Betty Brigade 2008 Hogback Rd., Suite 2
Ann Arbor Michigan48105
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