December 2, 2009
· Filed under Wedding Planning Tips, Weddings on a budget · Tagged ct wedding planner, how much do weddings cost in connecticut, wedding planner
Perhaps the most important thing that must be done when you are ready to begin planning your wedding is to first create your budget. Your budget is important because it is almost impossible to know what you can afford for each aspect of the wedding if you don’t give yourself a limit to the overall spending costs. For most people, creating the budget is the hardest job to do because you want to have the nicest and most memorable wedding that you can afford.
Not sure how much to spend on your wedding? Here’s a breakdown of average wedding costs for the state by region*:
Hartford – $9,900 – $16,500
New Haven – $23,700-$39,500
Fairfield – $46,800 – $78,000
Manchester – $19,100-$31,800
*Wedding cost or average spent based on spending of other brides and grooms not wedding vendor prices. Where is your money going? Here’s a rough breakdown:
Reception – 50%
Wedding Attire – 10%
Photo/Video – 15%
Music - 8%
Flowers/Decor – 6%
Stationary – 3%
Transportation – 3%
Miscellaneous (Gifts, Rings) - 5%
Note that most estimates do not include the honeymoon!
Pricing provided by: http://www.elegala.com/go/planning_tools/view/wedding_cost_search/
November 30, 2009
· Filed under Engagements, Planning Tips · Tagged ct wedding planner, Engagements, how to plan a wedding
For engagements that is! What’s an engagement announcement, you ask? Simply put, it’s a card or letter mailed out by the bride-to-be or the bride-to-be’s parents (and sometimes by the groom-to-be’s parents) that lets the world know that so-and-so is engaged to be married. While there is nothing wrong with calling or sending an email, many couples or their relatives simply prefer to go the old fashioned route. Make sure you only send engagement announcements to those who will be invited to your wedding, so it is a good idea to get your list together before sending out the E-notice! We have a great selection of invitations/engagement announcements and can also help you with the wording, so don’t hesitate to ask!
November 25, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized
Have a wonderful and safe holiday – our office will be closed until Monday, November 30th!
November 19, 2009
· Filed under Planning Tips, Wedding Planning Tips, Weddings on a budget
If a four or five-hour open bar is not within your budget, there are plenty of less-costly alternatives that won’t offend your guests:
- Offer beer, wine and soda only.
- Offer a full bar during cocktail hour then have beer and wine for the rest of the evening.
- Decide on one type of drink to serve – either a specialty cocktail, champagne, or one type of beer or wine. Most venues will charge significantly less to serve only one type of alcoholic beverage.
- Bring your own! There are plenty of venues that do not have liquor licenses and will allow couples to bring in their own. Anything unopened can be returned for a full refund after the wedding.
- Work with your caterer to have it based on consumption rather than per person open bar.
- Invite less people to your wedding. This is the most effective way to cut wedding costs across the board.
November 18, 2009
· Filed under Planning Tips, Wedding Planning Tips, Weddings on a budget · Tagged wedding planning stress
We don’t have to tell you that planning a wedding is stressful. Between money, time, families and general expectations, most engaged couples areready to pull out their hair at one point or another. Planning a wedding is supposed to be the happiest time of your life – and you want it to be – yet planning a wedding is like working a second job. You have to find the time to tend to a multitude of details as part of an already busy schedule while managing vendors, family anxieties and demands, your groom, your emotions and an array of tricky wedding dynamics.
This is where Always and Forever comes into play. A wedding planner can help alleviate that stress. Since money is such an easy thing to fight about, make sure you sit down at the beginning of the process, agree on how much money you’re going to spend, and stick to it! Wedding planners can help you stay within your budget! Lastly, remember to step back and realize, the most important part of the day is not the day itself … but that you walked down that aisle and into the arms of the person you love … the one you look forward to building your life with. We offer a variety of services to help you in any planning stage. Please call us today to schedule your free intitial consultation
November 16, 2009
· Filed under Decor, Uncategorized · Tagged wedding planner, wadsworth mansion, cranberry centerpieces, fall centerpieces, winter centerpieces, connecticut wedding planner, connecticut florist
Datura, A Modern Garden
Not only do cranberries serve a great purpose of being an antioxidant they are fabulous when used in centerpieces. We attending the Wadsworth Mansion Fashion Show yesterday and talked with Toni from Datura, A Modern Garden. He mentioned how great cranberries were in centerpieces and they are relatively an inexpensive way to show a pop of color. Tony thank you for your great creations – as always they are wonderful! Here are some other great cranberry inspired centerpieces….
November 12, 2009
· Filed under Bridal Shows, Uncategorized · Tagged connecticut fashion shows, connecticut wedding planners, ct wedding planner, unique wedding locations, wadsworth mansion
Stop by our booth this Sunday at the Wadsworth Mansion Fashion Show!! Space can be reserved by calling the Mansion at 860-347-1064, or by e-mailing events@wadsworthmansion.com. Space is limited, reserve your spot today!
November 11, 2009
· Filed under Flowers, Uncategorized · Tagged fall wedding flowers, fall wedding ideas, wedding planners
Fall is probably one of our favorite (if not our favoritest) season for weddings. I was fortunate enough to be married in the fall and the colors are just so inspiring. So this post is strictly dedicated to the beautiful fall flowers. Here are a few flower that are in season in the fall: Aster , Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Marigold, Statice, Zinnia, Dried Leaves, Gerbera Daisies and Sunflowers
No matter your tastes, the surprising abundance of autumn flowers is sure to insure you can design the perfect bouquet for your fall wedding. We work with great floral designers – so give us a call today!
Photos- Living Fresh, Martha Stewart and May Wedding Flowers
November 10, 2009
· Filed under Wedding Planning Tips · Tagged engagement ring, how to announce your engagement, wedding planners, Wedding Planning Tips
Approximately 1/3 of all engagements for the entire year take place over the holiday season. That amounts to nearly one million couples! The reason for this is that the holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, present an abundance of opportunities for memorable proposals to take place. With prime proposal season being upon us this is a perfect time to enlist the help of a professional! Call us today to schedule your free consultation and we’ll stear you in the right direction to planning the wedding of your dreams!
November 5, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged connecticut event planners, connecticut wedding planners, party planners, thanksgiving wedding themes, wedding favors
Nothing says Thanksgiving better than home baked goods. Homemade goodies like fudge, candy apples or jams presented in festive packaging always go over well.
Fill a burlap bag with cofee beans, bulbs or any treats you desire – tie a label with your monogram or weddign date on the top
Miniature bottles of maple syrup are always a hit.
Miniature wood crates lined with straw and filled with pumpkin candies are a perfect touch.
