Wedding Planner Absent Without Permission

I am a bad wedding planner, no actually I'm a bad blogger - I've been away from my I Do Vow To blog for close to two months and there's no excuse - well, I take that back, I've been traveling half way around the world and back for my wedding destination business.

I conducted site inspections in Jamaica and Italy for two couples planning their weddings in these countries. The trips were a wild success and both couples are anxiously awaiting their wedding day in these exotic locations. I am making a promise to get back on track and continue to blog my advice for wedding planning with a commitment to the environment, to community and to social responsibility.

Look for weekly updates soon. Thank you for your patience with me and although I can't promise to stay home, I will promise fresh new information and ideas.

Yours in planning,

IDoVowTo

Follow me on Twitter under IDoVowTo

I Do Vow To "fill in the blank"

I Do Vow To "fill in the blank" is the title of my latest series of posts to provide couples with thought-provoking ideas or inspiration while planning their wedding.

For example, my inaugural post is "I Do Vow To...Commit to Less Wedding Waste". And there are many ways to keep that commitment. Here are my suggestions:

• Be thoughtful of the papers you chose for invitations, programs and place cards. With printing as sophisticated and precise as it is, tissue papers and extra envelopes are a waste. Rather than printing one program for every guest, double up or design your program for duel usage such as a fan in warmer weather.
• Nix the guest favor. Honestly, your guests do not expect a favor and so many end up in the trash at the end of the night. If you really love the idea of favors, make it edible or plantable. I've seen seeds and seedlings given as favors and when it came time to clean-up, not one was left.
  
• Bar packages often provide disposable plastic glassware - pay the difference and upgrade to glass. The landfills are loaded with millions of pounds of disposable, which really isn't, plastic.
  
• Use locally grown seasonal flowers for your decor. Your blooms will be fresher and in most cases cost less than flowers from Central and South America.
• Don't toss the centerpieces at the end of the night. Many florists I work with will pick-up the centerpieces at the end of the evening and deliver them to hospitals and nursing homes for further enjoyment.
• Recycle your wedding magazines by giving them to a friend. Although some of the details may become dated, many styles, designs and decor are timeless and information in the articles always helpful.
• Donate or consign your wedding dress. Brides of France in Edina and Minneapolis purchases new and used dresses and accessories.
  
• Consider lighting from a professional like AV For You for a dramatic yet cost-effective way to add punch to your ceremony or reception site.
  

If you have other ideas for less wedding waste, please comment. I will be happy to re-post in the future.

Congratulations to Andrew Vick of Vick Photography

One of my inspirations for I Do Vow To came from Andrew Vick of Vick Photography with whom I share studio space at Living Room Studios. Andrew has been volunteering generous hours of his coveted time to underprivileged kids camps across Minnesota, building homes in Guatemala, mentoring through Big Brother and sponsoring orphaned children through World Vision.

I am happy to say that last week Andrew received one of the highest honors bestowed in the wedding industry...he received Minnesota Bride's 2009 award for best photography. The competition was tough but Andrew came out on top and I say congratulations - you deserve it.

One of my goals with I Do Vow To as it relates to Fete Perfection is to increase global awareness to couples while planning their wedding. While I understand and recognize their wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime-event, it comes and goes too quickly and sadly, couples are left wishing their wedding day could live on and on.

With I Do Vow To wedding planning services, it can. For example, Andrew donates the annual cost to sponsor a child through World Vision, in the name of each couple who hires his photography services. At the first anniversary, couples can choose to continue the sponsorship of their child. So although the wedding day has passed, one child is fed, clothed and offered basic needs for an entire year and all because someone hired Andrew. To me, this is one way to honor the commitment a couple makes to each other and sharing that commitment with others.

I have said this before, but I see benevolence and selflessness playing important roles in wedding planning in the near future. Ask me how you can make a difference with your wedding. I am here to help.

Upscale DIY

I mentioned yesterday that my company Fete Perfection is being considered for a spot on a cable television program which will feature coverage of the Engage!09: Something Blue symposium occurring later this month in Grand Cayman. One of my homework assignments was to outline local trends.

One of those trends is Do It Yourself or DIY as it's called in wedding circles, but for big budget brides. I am not talking about homemade favors, centerpieces or invitations that look...well homemade. I'm talking who-would-ever-know-the-difference-because-it's-so-stylish-and-professional-looking DIY projects. One of those DIY opportunities is in our own backyard - Sadie Gardner of Sadie's Fine Floral offers classes on do-it-yourself centerpiece design and arrangements as well as the basics of bouquets, boutonniere's and corsages for the bride who truly wants a "hands on" experience.

A talented colleague in Seattle, Jody Taylor-Smith of Good Taste Events offers Good Taste Do It Yourself evenings in her design studio. Jody said the products, papers and designs that leave her studio at the end of the night are elegant, creative and most of all tasteful. She said brides of all budgets come in, but the trend is towards higher budget weddings for the pleasure of creating a memorable event and the satisfaction of a job well done.

I Do Vow To Coordinating Services

After viewing a fabulous marketing plan created by two very talented guys, I am moving forward with rolling out I Do Vow To not just as an added service to Fete Perfection but it's own entity. I can't wait to see the finished product and services but look for the I Do Vow To website and marketing materials targeting urban environmentalists that get excited about having a fabulous wedding but who are energized by making a positive difference in the lives of others long after their wedding.

I was able to preview the ad campaign which centers around I Do Vow To and can see this particular campaign will tug at heartstrings across the country. I can't wait! If all goes as planned this should be up and ready by June 21 - just before I head off to Engage:09 in the Cayman Islands.

In This Economy...part II

Last week I posted about the benefits of out-of-town wedding guests staying in a Bed & Breakfast over a hotel. With the right size wedding, this would be a great option for a ceremony and reception as well. There are many B & B's who offer these services, however do not advertise them.

Owners are wary to advertise wedding services, typically because they are a lot of work and not a lot of profit for the owner. However, many owners I have met enjoy the opportunity to be a part of such a special time in couples lives and feel they can offer very personalized services a typical venue cannot. Since most B&B's started out as private homes, the quaintness and charm of the surroundings cannot be replicated in say for example, a hotel ballroom.

Most couples I work with say they are looking for ambiance and unique surroundings with a historical perspective and I say, what about a B & B? If the guest list is under 75, many properties will hold ceremonies in the garden with a cocktail party on the wrap around porch and dinner inside.

B&B's are easy on the budget. Most properties do not charge room rental or even a set-up fee. A special catering license is needed to provide food beyond breakfast but the owners I have worked with seem content to include this fee with their food and beverage charge.

Another reason to consider a B&B is very little extra expense is needed for florals and decor. So many have beautiful lush gardens can serve as ceremony backdrops. Guests are wowed by the simple fact that your wedding is in a gorgeous setting and little else is needed to enhance it.

I'll provide a list of my most favorite B&B's in Minnesota in part III.

Minnesota Wedding Blog by Rev Tomkin Coleman

I would be a very bad wedding planner if I failed to mention how much I love working with Reverend Tomkin Coleman. Not only does he take a personalized interest in each and every couple he works with, but he is one of the most informed wedding professionals I have had the pleasure of working with.

He writes a blog "Minnesota Wedding Blog" which is a combination of Dear Abby, Jeopardy and Miss Manners on steroids. He definitely knows his stuff and I have to admit I too have looked to his blog for resources or the occasional etiquette question I couldn't answer.

So if you are looking for a truly one-of-a-kind minister to perform a personalized heartfelt ceremony, Reverend Tompkin Coleman should be your first choice. Check him out at Minnesota Wedding Minister and tell him Fete Perfection sent you. By the way, I took his photo from his blog so you can see how warm and charming he is.

Perfect Wedding Show Sunday

I spent the better part of today setting up my booth at the Perfect Wedding Show. Although I'm not finished, I have to say it looks better than I imagined. I can't give away all my secrets but I designed four very different tablescapes, all with seasonal themes.

I tried to go over-the-top on a couple of the tables while creating a toned down eclectic design on the others. I also incorporated antique refurbished chairs thanks to Melissa Stratton who rescues chairs doomed to the junk pile and breathes new life into them by refinishing, repairing and recovering these beauties.

Sadie's Fine Florals and The Late Bloomer each provided gorgeous floral designs and MBellish provided a non-floral albeit stunning eco-chic centerpiece for one of the tablescapes. I can't wait to publish the photos.

If you live in the area and can stop by, say hello to me at booth 122 at International Market Square at 275 Market Street in Minneapolis. The Perfect Wedding Show opens at 11AM and goes until 5PM. After which you will find me tearing everything down, packing it up and returning to my studio long into the night.

Local Resource = Big Savings...

...and it's eco-chic. What could be better than this?




Gosh, I'm getting ahead of myself I better explain - I'm so excited to be working with Mari Bern of MBellish a wonderful company she founded over four years ago {and ahead of the eco-friendly curve I might add} which rents unique, stylish and reusable wedding decor.

She is located in Newport {a St. Paul suburb} however will come to you with her beautiful samples which is an added bonus when you and your wedding planner are selecting linens on the other end of town and having a hard time imagining how everything will coordinate. Mari has a great sense of style and creativity which is why many of her weddings have been featured in Minnesota Bride and The Knot.

Many of these pieces can be stand-alone or MBellish-ed with flowers... they're lovely either way. Two GREEN thumbs up to Mari Bern of MBellish for her contribution to the eco-chic world of weddings and providing less wedding waste.

Winter Wedding Preparations

I wouldn't be honest if I didn't mention the fact that there can be problems with a winter wedding, but being realistic and prepared will help to relieve the stress and worries of "what if..."so here is my best advice for coping with all that can happen.

Weather is the single-most "predictable" and unavoidable force that can impact your wedding day. Airports close, flights are delayed or canceled and guests are stranded in parts unknown. There isn't anything you can do about the weather, but there are ways of protecting your investment so your day doesn't disappoint.

• Wedding insurance can be purchased for a small fee in the range of $300 to $500. If the wedding is postponed due to weather related incidents, all fees, deposits and expenses are reimbursed. WedSafe is just one of the companies that provides insurance for a variety of causes and worth so much more than the expense which is less than .01% of your entire budget.
• For guests who travel by plane, train or automobile suggest they arrive two to three days prior to the actual wedding day. This gives them a cushion in case of delays and if all goes well and there are no delays, who can argue about having a few extra days of vacation?
• Trip insurance is also a wise investment for those travelers. The policies are usually $15 to $30 depending on the details but covers canceled flights, canceled trips due to illness or accident, flight delays which result in missed flights among other things.

When locating a venue for your winter wedding, I strongly recommend one that offers valet service or will allow you to hire your own. I have encountered instances when guests chose to go home rather than find a parking spot and walk a short distance in the negative temperatures just to get to a reception, only to do this all over again at the end of the evening. Valet service allows guests to drive up to the doors and avoid the hassle of looking for a parking spot nearby. The fee averages $5 per car which is a small price to pay compared to the cost of a pre-paid dinner averaging $75 per person. The venue does not refund the cost of meals for no show guests.

Remember to give your valet staff an extra tip, especially during frigid temps or heavy snow. At the very least, welcome them in and provide hot beverages to warm up. They'll go that extra mile if you show you care about them.

All your vendors should be on a carefully prepared timeline that takes into account weather and traffic delays. A little snow on your wedding day can be beautiful but it can also cause nightmarish traffic problems. Far better to have your vendors arrive early and sit than to be rushing in late and scrambling to catch-up.

Your flowers will not last long in sub-zero temperatures, so chose carefully when considering both your florist and the flowers. Some flowers like a poinsettia will turn black almost instantly if their petals get too cold. Confirm your floral selections are somewhat hardy and also confirm they will be transported to your ceremony and reception sites in heated delivery vans by experts who care about the finished product and not just delivery staff who have a drop-off to make and they don't care how they make it.

The flowers need to be protected as much as possible so as not to subject them to the bitter cold and they need to be moved swiftly into the venue. They cannot sit outside for more than a couple minutes without being severely affected by cold.

If the thought of outdoor photos appeals to you, be prepared - a strapless gown will look stunning with a mink stole or better yet full-length faux-fur. Beautiful opera length gloves will enhance the look but help a little to keep the nip off your fingers. For the groom, coordinate a scarf in your wedding colors and add a little style by getting him a Confirm your photographer has the right equipment to shoot outdoors in freezing temperatures and take frequent breaks to warm up.

I saved the best for last - hire the professional services of Fete Perfection to deal with the unexpected problems that can arise at any wedding but especially at winter weddings. Enjoy your day knowing your consultant is quietly working behind the scenes to make your wedding day the day you always dreamed of.