Happy Anniversary Adrienne + Brad!

Happy Anniversary to Adrienne & Brad! We provided coordination, florals, linens and lighting for this unforgettable event! They had a beautiful Catholic church ceremony followed by a tented lakeside reception. Such a fun and special day to be a part of! Happy anniversary y'all, and cheers to many more! 

Adrienne & Brad

July 23

  

Planning Tips :: 5 Ways a Wedding Planner Can Save You Money $$$

I'm on a mission these days to let everyone know what a wedding planner actually does. It's not really like the movies portray, and it's not something you can do in a couple hours over the weekend. It's a lot of moving parts, a lot of vendors to coordinate, a lot of different expenses and payment schedules...it's one of the biggest events of your entire life, so why not hire the assistance of a professional? When you're selling home, you should hire in a realtor. When you need legal advice, you should hire a lawyer. When you're getting married, you should hire a planner.

While yes, there are surely brides out there who are capable in more ways than one of planning their own wedding. It's not a matter of if you're able to or not....it's a matter of having connections and experience in the industry. A planner doesn't make the decisions for you and call the shots. We simply research and present you the options that fit with your budget and needs...then you make the decision. We're not here to take over, we're here to help make the experience more pleasurable! 

Venue :: Sparrow Creek Ranch :: Photo :: Whitney Bowman Photography

Table Settings :: Borrowed Treasures and Michéll Events

Planning + Coordination :: Michéll Events

 

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1. Contracts & Hidden Fees

All venues and vendors will have you sign a contract. That's just good business. Most couples will just pay a deposit and sign on the dotted line because they love what they see. Be sure to read the fine print in each contract. I've seen sticker shock at several small details included in the contract that weren't questioned until it was too late. Here are a couple examples of things you can avoid by hiring a planner and having them oversee the details in your vendor contracts: 

~Some venues/vendors charge a cake cutting fee. I've cut a cake before for a bride who found out it would cost $150 to have it cut at the last minute. She thought it was included in what she paid, but it wasn't and they didn't add it. It was all right there in her contract, but she didn't completely read through the end and was taken by surprise when it came time to cut the cake.

~Some vendors require that you provide a meal for them while they provide services for you throughout the day/evening. Make sure you know who requires meals and who doesn't, it should all be noted in their contracts. It's never fun to scramble at the last minute to cover extra meals with the caterer and endure the extra last minute expense and stress.

Photo :: The Mamones

Venue :: Chapel Creek Ranch

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2. Wholesale Accounts

I'm licensed with the state of Texas to re-sale, which means I'm eligible to shop at wholesalers and not pay sales tax. Not to mention, when you buy from a wholesaler and buy in bulk, the price is generally significantly less. Take advantage of the fact that your planner should have these accounts available to help with wedding purchases you need to make. Michéll Events can offer many products by using our accounts to help out! 

Flowers & Petals by Michéll Events

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3. Discounts With Vendors

As someone who's been in business for ten years, I've developed relationships with vendors through working with them. When we see a bride in need of each other's services, we recommend and refer them to each other. We trust the working relationship we have with each other and we appreciate working with each other. In many of these cases, vendors will offer discounts when recommending and referring clients back and forth. Take advantage of the knowledge your planner has from working with so many local vendors on a regular basis.

Photo :: Lucero Cervantes Photography

Venue :: Sparrow Creek Ranch

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4. Discounted Flowers, Linens & Décor

I know some planners offer this, but not all. At Michéll Events we include event design in our menu of services, which includes floral design and a large inventory of décor rental items. We have accounts with floral wholesalers and can buy in small amounts or in bulk for wholesale prices. This works out perfectly for the bride who's on a restricted floral budget, or for the bride who wants to DIY the flowers herself and needs a market to buy them. The same thing applies to other décor needed for a wedding. If you want linens, lanterns, candles, table cards, table numbers, favors, edible treats, backdrops, lighting....let us use our network to save you money across the board!

Centerpieces, Chargers, Candles, Linens

& Chair Sashes from Michéll Events

5. Overtime

Overtime will destroy the budget with every vendor involved. Make sure things are planned and double checked in advance so you don't have to run late on wedding day and endure additional expenses. What happens in the event of overtime should be listed in the contract for every vendor it applies to. Make a schedule for the day and have your planner/coordinator ensure things stay on schedule and avoid overtime charges.

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Keep these things in mind when debating on whether a planner is for you or not. The #1 important thing to look for when hiring a planner is how you mesh with them. We offer a free consult with every bride/couple to chat about what you want, what we can offer, and discuss your wedding details. This will give the couple a chance to see if we're on the same level. If your personalities don't vibe, it will be a difficult process after you book with them. Planning a wedding is a very personal experience, and we always like how our clients feel like family while we're working with them. A close relationship is important! Conversation should be easy, visions should be shared easily, and a planner should be able to answer your questions without hesitation.

Because we know there are so many brides planning their own weddings these days, we created this planning package just for them. The "DIY Bride's Planning Package" includes everything needed to plan your wedding from checklists, budget worksheets and tips, vendor recommendations and booking tips, sample schedules and itineraries, along with a meeting with a planner to ask questions and go over all the details beginning to end. This is our way of helping the DIY brides avoid the costly mistakes that sneak up when planning a wedding! The DIY package is currently on special for $299 (Regular $399) - click here to see the DIY package details!

Happy planning, y'all!

#DIY :: Free Printable Wedding Reception Banners

SUPPLIES:

• 8.5″ x 11″ Light Colored Cardstock
• Scissors or Paper Trimmer
• Hole Punch
• Yarn or Ribbon
• Home Printer
• FREE banner files at the end of the post

Download the free banner designs at the end of the post by clicking on the links. Print onto 8.5″ x 11″ cardstock in your choice of color, then cut each banner tile out using scissors or a paper trimmer.

We’re sharing both arrow directions, so pick the one you need and cut it out. If you don’t know where you’re going to hang them, simply cut out both arrow directions to make the choice the day of!

If you’re using the fabulous Crop-a-Dile hole punch you’ll be able to punch holes through all of the tiles at one time! Add holes right on the floral/black line.

String on yard or ribbon.

Click here for the Cocktails Banner
Click here for the Ceremony Banner
Click here for the Reception Banner

See the original post on Something Turquoise.

DIY :: Framed Photo Table Numbers

I've always loved this idea for table numbers at a wedding reception! While having your engagement photos done, have some photos taken holding different number signs. Have them printed either in color or black and white, depending on your style, and frame them to use on each table as the table number. Work with your photographer to get creative with the photos and incorporate your style, theme, colors and personality!

Photo Credits: Our Love Nest

Planning Tips :: Remember These Details!

When planning a wedding, there are a lot of details to remember and it's possible to overlook some of them in the planning process. Countless times I've heard of brides in a panic the day before the wedding because they forgot flower girl petals, a guest book, a cake knife, etc...

Here's a good list to go by so you don't forget one of those needed details for your wedding...

Printed Materials
Save the Date Cards
Invitations and Envelopes
Postage
Ceremony Programs
Escort Cards
Place Cards
Table Numbers
Menu Cards
Thank You Cards
Favor Boxes/Tags
Calligraphy
Personalized Cocktail Napkins

Attire & Accessories
Bride's Dress
Headpiece/Veil
Bride's Shoes
Lingerie/Undergarments
Jewelry
Groom's Tuxedo or Suit
Groom's Accessories
Alterations & Cleaning

Photo by Danielle Luc Photography

Entertainment
Pre-Ceremony Music
Ceremony Music
Cocktail Hour Music
Reception Music
Specialty Entertainment

Photo by Z Media

Photography/Videography
Engagement Photos
Photographer's Package
Wedding Album
Parent's Albums
Additional Prints
Videographer's Package
Video/DVD Copies
Photo Booth

Flowers/Décor
Ceremony Decorations
Bride's Bouquet
Maid of Honor/Bridesmaids Bouquets
Flower Girl Accessories
Corsages
Boutonnieres
Reception Centerpieces
Table Linens
Lighting

Ceremony/Reception
Wedding Planner
Ceremony Location
Officiant
Marriage License
Reception Site
Food/Waitstaff
Wedding Cake
Groom's Cake
Cake Knife/Server (Generally Engraved)
Bar/Bartenders
Rentals

Transportation
Couple's Transportation
Bridal Party Transportation
Guest Transportation
Parking
Tips

Photo by Terra Sol Studio

Gifts/Favors/Misc
Maid/Matron of Honor Gift
Bridesmaids Gifts
Best Man's Gift
Groomsmen's Gifts
Child Attendant's Gifts
Couples Gifts for Each Other
Parent's Gifts
Hotel Welcome Baskets
Bathroom Convenience Baskets
Favors
Ring Pillow
Guest Book & Pens
Card Box

25 Classic Father-Daughter Dance Songs

Looking for suggestions for your Father-Daughter dance? Here are a few popular suggestions from all genres of music:

Photo by LMAC Photography

John Mayer - Daughters

Fleetwood Mac - Landslide
Billy Joel - Lullaby
Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father
Stevie Wonder - Isn't She Lovely
Paul Simon - Father and Daughter
Frank Sinatra - I Wish You Love
Darius Rucker - It Won't Be Like This For Long
Natalie and Nat King Cole - Unforgettable
Celine Dion - Because You Loved Me
The Temptations - My Girl
London Wainwright - Daughter
Edwin McCain - Walk With You
The Beatles - In My Life
Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight
Steven Curtis Chapman - Cinderella
Rascal Flatts - My Wish
Bob Carlisle - Butterfly Kisses
Louie Armstrong - What a Wonderful World
Heartland - I Loved Her First
Tim McGraw - My Little Girl
Bruce Springsteen - When You Need Me
Eric Clapton - My Father's Eyes
Billy Joel - Just The Way You Are
Michael Buble - Daddy's Little Girl

Photo by Lambert Photographs

Happy Anniversary :: Heather + Nick

Heather + Nick

October 4

Heather loves golf, Nick loves baseball, and their wedding carried a Purdue theme for their alma mater. This sports themed event was an all around great time! It totally represented who they were, and I loved that! Plus, the desserts were amazing...not only did they have a wedding cake, but they had a Purdue groom's cake plus ice cream cakes! Score! Heather was absolutely beautiful, and her beaming smile lit up the day! It was an elegant event for a super adorable couple! Happy Anniversary Heather + Nick!