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

  

Venue Tour :: The Springs (Denton) :: The Lodge

This afternoon I went to take a tour of this lovely place! I have a wedding coming up there on June 17th, so I did the final walkthrough and setup details today.

I absolutely love the light from the windows. It creates a gorgeous reflection on the floor. The fireplace is a beautiful focal point for the lodge, and the staircase is quite grand as well. The seating areas are comfy and lovely, and the patio has some amazing views!

I must also say, this place has it together! The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, they have so much valuable information available right at their fingertips, and they're very helpful with ideas and tips for getting the best out of their venue. I can't wait to see this wedding on the 17th!

Website :: www.thespringsevents.com

Facebook :: The Springs (Denton)

Instagram :: @springsvenue

Photos from The Springs (Denton) Facebook Page

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!

Venue Spotlight :: Where Dreams Come True Venue in Tioga

I had a lovely afternoon! I drove out to Tioga to see Where Dreams Come True Venue. It's such a lovely place! The owner Lisa Jones is so gracious and takes such care of the property! We had lunch while we talked about biz....it was a lovely lunch and a informational chat!

Where Dreams Come True Venue has beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces for both ceremony and reception. Plus, when you rent the venue you get it for 3 days! They only host one event per weekend so there is no other traffic there other than yours. That means you can have the location for your rehearsal dinner or any pre-events, plenty of time to setup on the day of, and plenty of time for clean up without rushing. I love that!

They have lovely spaces for both the ladies and the gents to get ready, plenty of space for dressing and hair/makeup, and gorgeous bathroom areas available. The place is decorated from top to bottom with special touches...Lisa did it all, and she is an amazing decorator!

I highly suggest visiting for a tour! It's very unique and one of a kind venue that's perfect for small romantic weddings! Give Lisa a call to set up a visit! See their website and links below to for photos and more information.

Instagram :: @wheredreamscometruevenue

Facebook :: @wheredreamscometruevenue

Website :: www.wheredreamscometruevenue.com

Such a lovely greeting!! :)

  

Thank you for the lovely lunch and meeting, Lisa! :) The Scrabble touch was awesome!!

Venue Spotlight :: Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas

Today I had the opportunity to tour the Longhorn Ballroom and see the renovated event space! I visited back in April while the renovations were going on, and I have to say the finished product is amazing! If you love music history or country + western, this venue should be right up your alley! Longhorn is the oldest ballroom in north Texas, and a lot of the original wood, signs and materials were used in the renovations.

Some of the all-time music greats have played right here on this stage! How memorable would it be to get married right where the Sex Pistols played? Or George Jones? Or Selena? This place really is a local legend!

Longhorn Ballroom can seat up to 1200 guests, so it's not a small space by any means. It can be sectioned off for events like a wedding....ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner & dancing....and there are many spaces available for each. There's the classic Longhorn stage that would be great for ceremonies, an outdoor space by the water that is in the process of clearing, and the perfect bar space for rehearsal dinners! Give them a call to take a tour and see the newly renovated amazing piece of Dallas history!

Website :: www.longhornballroom.com

Instagram :: @longhornballroom

Facebook :: @LonghornBallroom

Twitter :: @longhorn_Dallas

  

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