What is a Trunk Show anyway?

It’s a special event at which a wedding dress designer (or representative from the company) visits a bridal boutique on a set day with his or her selection of or entire line of new dresses. Brides schedule appointments to try on the dresses and meet with the designer or their representative.  There is often a special incentive during the show for that particular designer, so take advantage of the unique dresses and the savings available.

Why should you attend a Trunk Show?

Since most bridal salons often only carry a few dresses from a select group of designers, trunk shows allow customers the opportunity to see and try on dresses that they wouldn’t ordinarily see at that store. If you find a dress you like during a designer trunk show, ask if the store carries it. If they don’t find out how you can order that particular gown at the show and what possible savings there are!

It is a Win – Win!  The Brides benefit and the shop benefits.

The bride benefits because she has the opportunity to talk to or about the actual designer and their designs.  Brides can discuss the gowns they like and any changes she may want to make to the one she’s considering for herself. It is an opportunity for Brides to select from Dresses that are not held in stock.  There by making their gown selection unique. Designers and shops benefit because they get to watch brides try on their gowns and listen to their comments. It’s a great opportunity for them to learn directly from the consumer what they’re doing right — and wrong! The bridal salon benefits because it gets to show — and possibly sell — dresses that aren’t part of its regular stock.

Your opportunity to attend a Fantastic Trunk Show at Michelle’s Bridal and Tuxedo Feb 16-18.  Simple Elegance Events and Wedding Designs will be there too!  You can shop for a fantastic gown and talk to our consultants on how to make your day,  “Dream Wedding not a Nightmare.”  We will be offering some fantastic deals ourselves that weekend and a very nice bag of goodies.

February 16-18 is Essense of Australia. We will be receiving approx. 30 additional gowns for brides to shop from during the show. Michelle’s will also be offering a 15% off any Essense dress ordered during the show.   They always have treats there too provided by Cakes by Lori.

Ask yourself, “How do I feel when I am in this space?”  “How was I treated by the staff, not just the one booking the venue?”

Have you attended weddings there before?  What was it like?  The Food?  The Staff?  The Room?  The Bathrooms-yes the Bathrooms, were they clean throughout the night?

We wanted to provide you with an overview of the Reception Venues in the Champaign/Urbana area.

One of the most unique and beautiful Venues in the area can be found just a outside of Chanpaign in Monticella, Allerton Park and Retreat Center

Allerton is a 1500-acre woodland, garden, meadow, and prairie landscape that surrounds the Allerton Mansion which was once the private estate of Robert Henry Allerton.   It is  composed of several major elements. The core of the estate features an English-inspired manor house, a reflecting pond, an approximately 10-acre meadow, and a series of formal sculpture gardens, breathtaking to say the least.

You can choose to do a ceremony alone or ceremony-reception.

Lovely Reception in the Mansion at Allerton

Garden/Outdoor Rental Fees  Reception Cost is Additional but here is an idea of the cost for just a ceremony.

Three-hour rental, 9AM–12PM    $600

Three-hour rental, 1–4 PM            $800

Three-hour rental, 5–8 PM            $800

Mansion/Indoor Rental Fees

Three-hour rental Saturday or Sunday $3,000

Weekdays $2,250

Six-hour rental   Saturday or Sunday $5,500

Weekdays $4,750

Additional 1-hour rental  $850

For Mansion events there is a  minimum purchase of $8,000 for all Saturday rentals.   These minimums can be met by a combination of facility rental fees and catering costs.

Allerton has its own catering and prices depend upon the menu you choose, they can average $39/person to $69/person and up (this is just an estimate, exact pricing must be attained after choosing your menu and bar options.  The figures provided are to give you an idea of a rough cost.)  There is an 18% Gratuity and 6.25% Tax.

Contact Pam Glosser  217-333-3287 extension 133 or you can email her at  AllertonWeddings@illinois.edu  Pam is lovely to work with and she will do everything she can to make sure you are happy.

Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you have read the fine print!

Read before you Sign!  What a concept!

Great info from a colleague I met at a Bridal Conference with Natalie Bradley, Lia Moore. She generously allowed me to publish her article.

Thanks Lia!

“Staying Out of Hot Water…Understanding Vendor Contracts”

by Lia Moore

The Contract – Covers You Covers Me!
Too often brides and grooms, ok mainly brides, are so excited to find wedding vendors and venues they fall in love with that they sign contracts without fully understanding what they are getting into. Vendor contracts are designed to keep everyone involved on the same page. They outline the services provided by the DJ, Florist, or Reception Hall, in addition to what your responsibility is as the client (payment schedules, meals for vendors, etc). Contracts come in all forms, from proper “English” to more common American language, so if there is something you don’t understand get it clarified! Remember, your choice vendors want to make you happy, so don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Cash, Check or Charge
“How will you be paying for it? Cash, check or charge?” is an extremely familiar phrase to us whenever we are shopping. So, when shopping through the perfect vendor’s contract, make sure to spend some time in the “payment” section. Here you will find all the necessities to ensure your vendor shows up on the day of your wedding.

Because your wedding is a major expense, it is only natural that you know how much you’ll be dishing out in order to stick to your wedding budget. Things to look for:

1. Base cost for products or services
2. Schedule for payments (when are you expected to make each installment)
3. Who are you paying (where do you send the check and who is it made out to)
4. What methods of payment are accepted (cash, personal check, cashier’s check, or credit card)
5. Late Payments (what are the late payment penalties)
6. Retainers and Deposits (if you cancel, is your retainer or deposit refundable)

“You can have it your way”
Many years ago, Burger King was famous for this slogan. “You can have it your way!” was Burger Kings’ terms of service for their clients who walked through the door looking for a meal. Likewise, your caterer, florist, and photographer will have terms of service included in their contracts as well. You wedding date, the time frame for their services (how many hours), and vendor expectations are all things to pay attention to when reading through your service terms.

Helpful hint! before committing any “timing” services with your day-of vendors, make sure you’ve clarified and know time specifics for you venue. You don’t want you photographers 8 hour shift to start 2 hours before the venue will allow him in to photograph the location, or you will end up missing precious photos at the end of the night.
You’re Just a Call Away
You must, let me repeat, MUST be diligent to gather all the phone numbers and emails for your vendors. In your contract, the best contact numbers should be listed. And when booking services, like your limousine, make sure to request the name and phone number of your drive be provided prior to your wedding day. In the case of DJ services, they often work with numerous DJs, so make sure your preferred DJ is listed in your contract for your wedding date, so you don’t end up with one of his/her associates instead.
The most important thing to remember is to get everything that is important to you in writing in the contract. Make sure that both you and the vendor are comfortable with the terms, services, and agreements of the contract, to avoid any last minute surprises. Finally, any changes or modifications made on the contract should be done in writing not verbally.

Your Couture Bride Assignment:

1. Take the time with your vendor to walk through the contract prior to signing. This give you the opportunity to ask questions and the vendor to point out anything that is particularly important. If you don’t have the time, take it home to read and schedule another time to follow up with any question.
2. Additional cost are easily over looked. Find out how many assistants, security guards, valet, or staff are required to be at the event and if they are included in your price. Accessories and equipment are other expenses that can sneak up on you. The hair stylist may not provide hair accessories you want to include, the make-up artist may not provide fake eyelashes, the photographer may have an extra cost for additional albums, or the limo chauffeur may charge extra for champagne. For vendors who will be with you through the course of the day, check their service for meal requirements (you’ll need to keep this in mind when giving your final count to the venue or caterer).
3. You will want to know how many hours you are paying for the vendor, how many hours of actual services you expect, what exactly is included in their services, and if needed, set-up and clean-up time is included in the price. When booking “limited” hour vendors, count backwards from the last important element of the day you want them to be in attendance for to calculate a good start time.
4. Specifics between vendor vary, depend on what you are looking for. If you are unsure about a contract or whether it encompasses everything you want, I encourage you to consult a lawyer or get advice from your wedding planner. Your wedding planner has seen hundreds of these contracts and knows what to look for based on your needs.

© 2009-2010 Full Circle Eventi, LLC..
Want to use this article in your E-zine or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement:

Event Design entrepreneur Lia Moore publishes the “Couture Bride Circle” weekly e-zine. Get your F*REE report: “5 Designer Secrets to AVOID the Dreaded Cookie Cutter Wedding!” at www.FullCircleEventi.com

2011 Nichole Hayes, http://www.simpleeleganceeventsandweddings.com/ Want to use this article in your E-zine or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement: Event Planning entrepreneur Nichole Hayes with Simple Elegance Events and Wedding Designs publishes this weekly e-zine. Get your FREE “My Dream Wedding without the Nightmare” at http://www.simpleeleganceeventsandweddings.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nichole_Hayes

Sure it Rained! Of Course the temperature dropped 10 degrees! The Simple Elegance Team ran around like maniacs to make sure in spite of it all our couple was happy!

Ok, did you do it? Did you and your loved one sit down and talk about the big bad budget? Look people if you don’t set a budget you cannot plan smart. Without a budget you’re like a boat without an oar, “Our thoughts create our reality — where we put our focus is the direction we tend to go. Peter McWilliams,” “One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular. Anthony Robbins”

What other little saying can I come up with to help you see how important this is? SET ONE, that’s it. Here is a site where you can download a free excel spreadsheet to keep track of all you expenses! I love this thing. I am so glad I found it. It is one of the first things I send to all our brides http://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/wedding-budget.html Yes I am giving away our secrets. Use this tool! Ok Our pretend couple has set a budget of $30,000 for 300 guests.

• Start thinking about the overall style and theme of your reception. Again I will say you need a focal point to help you in the sea of ideas. Your colors, your font of your invitations, the flowers you like (make sure you can afford them Oh yeah the concept of budget again!,) traditional, non traditional…. If you were one of our Brides this is the time you would meet with our Decor Designers, Julie, Kathi, and Miranda.

Your Wedding Dream Team Ade, Miranda, Julie, Our Bride and Groom, Margaret, Mary, and Kathi

Miranda and Julie will talk with you about Designing the perfect day and how to do it. Watch for their advice! You don’t want to miss that.

• Set the date and locations Here is some advice I love from Al’s Formal Wear

Dates Available

• If your heart is set on a specific location such as a church or reception site, you’ll need to check right away. Popular venues book far in advance, and I am talking far. Some are up to 2 or more years in advance, so call them as soon as possible to get a sense of dates they have available.
• Keep in mind that when you have the ceremony at one location and the reception at another, you’ll need to coordinate availability at both sites.
• Pull your work calendar and your fiancé’s so you can schedule time for the wedding and honeymoon. Many people have jobs in which there is a “busy season” so you’ll want to avoid work conflicts.

Holidays

• Many venues host more than just weddings, so they’ll book up for holiday parties as well. CAUTION, some venues may charge extra during holidays make sure you check with your venue for any added costs
• You may elect to hold your wedding during a holiday, such as Labor Day, because you and your family will have additional time off work in order to travel and visit.
• During holidays, such as Christmas, many venues put up additional decorations and floral arrangements, so you can take advantage of this and save money in your budget.

Special Dates

• Keep in mind special dates of your parents and not so special dates – lots of parents do not want their children getting married on the date of marriages that didn’t last – and believe me, you want to keep the folks happy so they’ll pick up the tab!

Vacation Time

• Plan around vacation time available for your and your soon-to-be spouse because you want a nice long honeymoon and you don’t want to have to rush! Trust me, you’ll need the rest after the wedding planning!

Relatives’ Birthdays

• If someone in your family or your fiancé’s family is having an important birthday, such as their 50th, you’ll want to select another date so that you don’t compete with their celebration.

• Reserve the ceremony site Reserve this first before the reception, why? Well reception sites can do several weddings at a time, Churches and Synogogues cannot. So, before you put money down on a reception site make sure the Church you went to as a little girl, where your Grandparents and your parents were married is available.
• Reserve reception site This is a biggy! This will play into your budget big time. So with our budget set out we can begin our search!

STAY TUNED AS WE GET QUOTES ON 2012 PRICES FOR POPULAR CHAMPAIGN/URBANA RECEPTION SITES

Our couple wants something different so we are going to look at

• Block Hotel accommodations for out–of–town guests. We like to book hotels near things like food, shopping. Keep that in mind when blocking rooms. Note: The rooms will only be held until thirty days BEFORE the wedding. Make sure your guests know that so when they call the week of the wedding and the rate is higher or there are no rooms they will not yell at the desk clerk.   I-Hotel and the Hilton Garden Inn are  Fanatastic! Great Locations for out of town guests, lovely staff. Let them know we sent you!
  
• Book your hotel room for your wedding night and pre wedding night. It is wise to book a room at a different hotel than the one your guests are staying at, unless you don’t mind eating breakfast with them the next day.
• Select your wedding party attendants. This can be tricky. You cannot have everyone in your wedding! Be selective. I thought the Knot had some great advice on Bridesmaid and their duties check it out when considering who you pick. Will they be helpful or problematic?
• Send your engagement notice to your local newspaper. Be sure to get multiple copies of the newspaper in order to send to grandparents and family members. DO NOT INCLUDE THE DATE OF YOUR WEDDING it is sad but often homes are broken into when the names of the families and the wedding dates are put in the paper. Yes they can look up the address and of course no one will be home because they will be at their daughter’s wedding! CAUTION!!!

Wow that is alot of information! See you Tomorrow!

2012 Margaret Moore, www.simpleeleganceeventsandweddings.com
Want to use this article in your E-zine or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement:

Event Planning entrepreneur Margaret Moore with Simple Elegance Events and Wedding Designs publishes this weekly e-zine. Get your FREE “My Dream Wedding without the Nightmare” at www.simpleeleganceventsandweddings.com

You can get an individualized outline from Weddingwire.com or theknot.com

or you can be one our clients and receive a personal website with all your planning tools at your fingertips and planners behind the scenes keeping it all together for you!

Planning Tools 12 Months – Details of What to Do

April 6, 2013 Jones/Smith Planning Tools

Upon Engagement

• Talk with your fiancé and all parents or family members you choose to involve regarding budget, style, size of event, location, time of year and attendees.
• Determine whether or not you would like to hire an event planner to assist in all the research and planning details. (your other option is a partial, or day–of coordinator—which can be hired at a later date)
• Start thinking about the overall style and theme of your reception.
• .
• Begin researching and visiting reception sites.
• Set the date and locations; reserve the ceremony site, reception site, and accommodations for out–of–town guests.
• Book your hotel room for your wedding night and pre wedding night.
• Select your wedding party attendants.
• Send your engagement notice to your local newspaper. Be sure to get multiple copies of the newspaper in order to send to grandparents and family members.

By April 04, 2012 or sooner:

• Start researching and booking your wedding vendors.
• Research these major planning details, determine your style and vision and start creating the perfect event –
  • Catering (if not provided by your reception venue)
  • Ceremony (if he/she is not already part of your ceremony site)
  • Flowers
  • Music
  • Photography
  • Cakes (if not provided by your reception venue or caterer)
  • Dresses
  • Stationery & Invitations
  • Transportation
  • Favors & Gifts
• Interview and begin booking your vendors. Concentrate on booking major vendors such as the caterer, officiant, florist, musicians photographer and baker first. Visit our Local Resources section for a list of the top wedding vendors in your area.

Between April 04, 2012 and June 06, 2012:

• Start shopping for your wedding gown, bridesmaids’ dresses and accessories. Visit our Local Resources section for bridal boutiques in your area.
• Research the honeymoon. (This is a great task for the groom!)
• Create gift registries at your local department stores. Many registries are also available online for those guests purchasing gifts out of town.
• Discuss plans for any bridal showers, engagement or bachelorette parties with your close friends and relatives.
• Schedule the ceremony rehearsal, rehearsal dinner and departure brunch.
• Begin gathering names and addresses and compile your guest list.
• Shop for wedding invitations and stationery.

Between June 06, 2012 and September 09, 2012:

• Order your wedding dress
• Decide on your bridesmaids dresses and obtain ordering instructions and deadlines from the store or boutique.
• Finalize your guest list and send “Save the Date” cards with hotel information to guests. (remember that everyone who receives a save–the–date will be invited to the wedding)
• Call your facility coordinator or catering director to schedule the menu tasting.
• If preferred, hire an event planner to assist with final details and “day of” procedures. Review our portfolio of your area’s top planners in our Local Resources section.

By November 11, 2012:

• Reserve the honeymoon and book flights. (remember passports if needed)
• Book all wedding day transportation.
• Choose and book a hair and make–up artist for your wedding day. Visit our Local Resourcessection for recommendations.
• Reserve the groom’s and attendants’ tuxedos at a local tuxedo shop.
• Shop for favors, attendant gifts and items for welcome baskets.
• Order invitations.
• Schedule the bridesmaids’ luncheon.
• Order wedding rings.
• If preferred, sign up for dance lessons.
• Purchase any last accessories—stockings, lingerie, etc.
• Make appointment for first dress fitting.
• If preferred, hire a calligrapher and submit wording information so he/she can begin envelopes.                                   

By January 01, 2013:

• Finalize and confirm with your florist all flower arrangements, bouquets, and boutonnieres.
• Finalize and confirm special song selections and play lists with ceremony and reception musicians.
• Finalize and confirm requested shots and with your photographer.
• Plan all ceremonial events with the clergy member, including any music, readings and vows.
• Write your wedding vows and any speeches if you wish. Consult our Readings and Speechessection for inspiration.
• Shop for honeymoon outfits.
• Mail invitations, being sure to use proper postage.
• Call your wedding coordinator, catering director, and reception facility manager with an estimated guest count.

By February 02, 2013:

• Print programs for the ceremony.
• Mail rehearsal/rehearsal dinner invitations.
• Pick up the wedding rings and double check the fit.
• Try out hairstyle and make–up.
• Log RSVP’s as they come in for meal choices.
• Send wedding announcement to local newspaper.
• Contact the wedding coordinator about hotel room blocks, confirm reservations for appropriate guests.
• Assemble visitor gift baskets to place in the hotel rooms of those traveling from out–of–town. Remember to include directions from the hotel to the ceremony and reception site.
• Schedule final dress fitting. Make sure bridesmaids have done the same.
• Get name change forms if you plan to change your name.

30 Days Before

• Most room blocks will no longer be held after this date. Be sure that all visitors have confirmed their room reservations.
• Begin preparing place cards and table cards.
• Apply for marriage license. Different states have different policies. You will get a marriage license in the county in which you are married, regardless of where you and your fiancé actually live.
• Confirm schedule, arrival times and any other arrangements with all vendors. It may be helpful to fax directions, contact numbers and the day’s itinerary to all vendors.
• Confirm honeymoon reservations: including flights, hotel accommodations, and any rental cars.
• Contact wedding coordinator, catering manager, and facility manager with initial meal choices.

10 Days Before

• Make final facility rental payment.
• Confirm tuxedo arrangements.
• Begin packing for honeymoon.
• Pick up your dress and break in your shoes.
• Confirm rehearsal arrangements with bridal party.
• Contact wedding coordinator, catering manager, and facility manager with final guest count estimate.
• Schedule time to drop off favors, place cards, seating chart etc.

3 Days Before

• Make a check–list of final things to remember.
• Drop off favors, place cards, seating chart etc.
• Contact wedding coordinator, catering manager, and facility manager with final guest count, entrée choices, and clear any outstanding payments.

1 Day Before

• Complete packing for honeymoon, prepare to check into your hotel.
• Take some time to relax at some point during the day, and think about something besides the wedding.
• Drink plenty of fluids—especially in the summer—and avoid sodium.
• Attend the rehearsal ceremony and rehearsal dinner.
• Get to bed early and get some rest.

Day of the Wedding

• Eat a good breakfast with family and friends.
• Enjoy any pre–wedding primping.
• Put wedding announcements in the mail.
• Relax and enjoy your day.
• urces section.

By November 11, 2012:

• Reserve the honeymoon and book flights. (remember passports if needed)
• Book all wedding day transportation. Choose and book a hair and make–up artist for your wedding day. Visit our Local Resources section for recommendations.
• Reserve the groom’s and attendants’ tuxedos at a local tuxedo shop.
• Shop for favors, attendant gifts and items for welcome baskets.
• Order invitations.
• Schedule the bridesmaids’ luncheon.
• Order wedding rings.
• If preferred, sign up for dance lessons.
• Purchase any last accessories—stockings, lingerie, etc.
• Make appointment for first dress fitting.
• If preferred, hire a calligrapher and submit wording information so he/she can begin envelopes. Access calligraphers in your area in our Local Resources section.

By January 01, 2013:

• Finalize and confirm with your florist all flower arrangements, bouquets, and boutonnieres.
• Finalize and confirm special song selections and play lists with ceremony and reception musicians.
• Finalize and confirm requested shots and with your photographer.
• Plan all ceremonial events with the clergy member, including any music, readings and vows.
• Write your wedding vows and any speeches if you wish.
• Shop for honeymoon outfits.
• Mail invitations, being sure to use proper postage.
• Call your wedding coordinator, catering director, and reception facility manager with an estimated guest count.

By February 02, 2013:

• Print programs for the ceremony.
• Mail rehearsal/rehearsal dinner invitations.
• Pick up the wedding rings and double check the fit.
• Try out hairstyle and make–up.
• Log RSVP’s as they come in for meal choices.
• Send wedding announcement to local newspaper.
• Contact the wedding coordinator about hotel room blocks, confirm reservations for appropriate guests.
• Assemble visitor gift baskets to place in the hotel rooms of those traveling from out–of–town. Remember to include directions from the hotel to the ceremony and reception site.
• Schedule final dress fitting. Make sure bridesmaids have done the same.
• Get name change forms if you plan to change your name.

30 Days Before

• Most room blocks will no longer be held after this date. Be sure that all visitors have confirmed their room reservations.
• Begin preparing place cards and table cards.
• Apply for marriage license. Different states have different policies. You will get a marriage license in the county in which you are married, regardless of where you and your fiancé actually live.
• Confirm schedule, arrival times and any other arrangements with all vendors. It may be helpful to fax directions, contact numbers and the day’s itinerary to all vendors.
• Confirm honeymoon reservations: including flights, hotel accommodations, and any rental cars.
• Contact wedding coordinator, catering manager, and facility manager with initial meal choices.

10 Days Before

• Make final facility rental payment.
• Confirm tuxedo arrangements.
• Begin packing for honeymoon.
• Pick up your dress and break in your shoes.
• Confirm rehearsal arrangements with bridal party.
• Contact wedding coordinator, catering manager, and facility manager with final guest count estimate.
• Schedule time to drop off favors, place cards, seating chart etc.

3 Days Before

• Make a check–list of final things to remember.
• Drop off favors, place cards, seating chart etc.
• Contact wedding coordinator, catering manager, and facility manager with final guest count, entrée choices, and clear any outstanding payments.

1 Day Before

• Complete packing for honeymoon, prepare to check into your hotel.
• Take some time to relax at some point during the day, and think about something besides the wedding.
• Drink plenty of fluids—especially in the summer—and avoid sodium.
• Attend the rehearsal ceremony and rehearsal dinner.
• Get to bed early and get some rest.

Day of the Wedding

• Eat a good breakfast with family and friends.
• Enjoy any pre–wedding primping.
• Put wedding announcements in the mail.
• Relax and enjoy your day.

2011 Margaret Moore, www.simpleeleganceeventsandweddings.com
Want to use this article in your E-zine or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement:

Event Planning entrepreneur Margaret Moore with Simple Elegance Events and Wedding Designs publishes this weekly e-zine. Get your FREE “My Dream Wedding without the Nightmare” at www.simpleeleganceventsandweddings.com

Word of Advice!

Keep it in perspective.

Ok Champaign Brides this month is for you.  Yes we have worked at gathering wedding  information for you!  Enjoy the month of February but most of all enjoy life!

The most important thing about this whole experience is the fact that you have found a love so great that you want to make it your life. This is about two families joining together. As the years go by the anxiety of the guest list, cost of the decor you want, the disagreement with your maid of honor or your new sister in law will all fade into the past. You will learn so much about your spouse, things you love and things you hate. It is the combination of these things that made you fall in love in the first place. You won’t change each other but hopefully you will polish each other, so that twenty years from now your love literally is so much brighter than the day you were married.

OK I will get off my soapbox. Let’s get started.   You can find tons of wedding sites like

You can check out our Reviews on Wedding Wire

You can create your own Wedding Website on

http://www.weddingwire.com/

http://www.theknot.com/

The list goes on forever… I personally like Wedding Wire as it includes Central Illinois. We are sometimes forgotten out here in the cornfields. We are not Chicago and We are not St. Louis but we are somebody… You can build your own personal wedding website. They have all kinds of tools to keep you on track. If you are planning this yourself, my advice is use one of these!

There are also quite a few really nice local websites that you can gather information on vendors, here are the links check them out.

http://www.centralillinoisweddings.com/

http://www.bnweddings.com/

http://www.behindeverybride.com/

http://www.centralillinoisweddingplanner.com/

Ok let’s break this down to doable things.

You’re Engaged Now what?

• Talk with your fiancé and all parents or family members. I would suggest meeting with your family members separate and asking them what they think and how they can help.
• Talk about budget, style, size of event, location, time of year and attendees. Our Budget planner can help you decide how to allocate your expenses.

You need to talk things over with all who are involved in the wedding. Budget will be the most important and the most volatile.   It is so important to be realistic. You do not want to start out your life in debt! So find out how your are going to pay for this.

The fact is that today’s weddings are expensive. The average cost of a wedding in the United States is around $25,000-30,000!

Who pays for what? You can find so much information on wedding etiquette by a simple Google Search.

The following is a list of wedding costs customarily paid by the Bride’s parents:

Tradition holds that the Bride’s parents pay for the reception but today’s wedding trends are changing, it is important to be aware of long-lasting trends, especially those in the area of paying for a wedding.

Why did the Bride’s parents get stuck with the expense? It probably originated from the ancient tradition of paying a large dowry to attract a good husband, hopefully this is not true and you are a match made in heaven not the bank.

Over the years, this tradition transformed into a more “updated” version, but the concept remained, the bride’s parents paid for the wedding.

The following is a list of wedding costs customarily paid by the groom’s parents:

• Rehearsal dinner

The rehearsal dinner is customarily paid for by the parents of the groom. Typically everyone who was at the rehearsal should be invited to the rehearsal dinner. This includes, but is not limited to, the bride, groom, parents of both, grandparents of both, the officiate and his/her spouse, siblings and their spouses or partners, etc. It might also include out of town guests or close friends but this is discretionary

• Reception Beverages (i.e. alcohol at the bar)

The bride’s parents cover the expense of the reception which includes food and drinks, however, the groom’s parents are expected to pay for the drinks at the bar.

Once you have talked things over and you see where you are financially it is time to set a budget. Yes I said

B U D G E T, budget!

If you go at this blindly you will spend so much more than you ever thought possible. It is painful but

JUST DO IT!

OK, yes we are planners I am not just bringing this up to get you to hire us. It is an important factor in your day. If you can do it great, if not that is fine. Do realize you must have help during the process and especially the rehearsal and day of! The last thing you want to do on the day of your wedding is run around trying to figure out how to put down the aisle runner……. You can visit our Services page and see if this is something you would like to do. There are quite a few planners here in Central Illinois. Here are a few links, Yes I am going to tell you about my competition. These are the ones I know and they have a great reputation like us.

Here are their links

Nuptiae in the Champaign area http://www.nuptiae.com/

So Chic in Peoria http://www.so-chic.com/weddings.html

• Determine whether or not you would like to hire an event planner to assist in all the research and planning details. (your other option is a partial, or day–of coordinator—which can be hired at a later date)
• Why hire a planner-yes there is an expense but let me tell you you will save time and money. Planners can do wonders. They can get you things you never thought you would have at your wedding. They can ask the questions you won’t ask, like what can you do for me…. can you include…. Wheeling and dealing that is the job of the planner. So you think it over. Weigh the options the pros and cons and then make your decision.

• Start thinking about the overall style and theme of your reception. You can search our blogs for ideas.  In fact I just did a blog on “Themed Weddings,” read it you just might find some information that will help you tie your day together.  Browse our site, our blog, and our Facebook.  Start researching and visiting reception sites. Our Local Wedding Resources section will help you determine the local facilities that meet your needs.

This is where the dreaming comes in… since you were three years old you have thought about this day. Now you can go through thousands of books, websites, blogs (this is a great site http://www.bridetide.com/ ) pretty soon it is like looking at wallpaper books.. Try not to go crazy.

Think about what appeals to you. On our first meeting with our brides we have a few questions to help them find out who they are as a couple and what is their vision.

Here are the secret questions:

Describe Your Personal Style In 3 Words Or Less.

Describe the vision for your Wedding Day.

How would your Guests describe it?

Describe your personality.

How would you describe your Fiancé’s personality?

What are your Hobbies and Interests?

Describe the vision for your Wedding Day?

How would your Guests describe it?

These questions will help you see where you want to go. You will say things like simple, elegant. Some will say I want bling and more bling! Are you Traditional or non-traditional?  It will influence the theme of your wedding and the atmosphere you want to create. I am not saying have a theme wedding. I am saying that your wedding should tell a story about you and your fiancé. The things that you include should reflect you as a couple but also your past. You know a wedding is a story of two lives becoming one. How do want that story to play out? By getting a focal point it will help you in so many decisions, from table cloths, invitations, favors and yes the B word Budget!

So Call your family, make time to get together and talk guest list, likes and dislikes, talk about the date but most of all you will have to talk about the Money!

Well Until Tomorrow!

2011 Margaret Moore, www.simpleeleganceeventsandweddings.com
Want to use this article in your E-zine or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement:

Event Planning entrepreneur Margaret Moore with Simple Elegance Events and Wedding Designs publishes this weekly e-zine. Get your FREE “My Dream Wedding without the Nightmare” at www.simpleeleganceventsandweddings.com

We had a great time at the Rialto Square Theater in Joliet.  I will say meeting David Tutera was exciting.  There was a definite buzz  in the air, you could just feel it.  Brides were gathering information, tasting the samples, and finding the deals.  It is an exciting time planning a wedding but it is also a sobering one as well.  I guess if you have unlimited funds it may not be that tough but for the real world it is a bit of a concern.  There is plenty of sticker shock as you start to plan one of the most important days of your life.

There is so much tied up into this day.  Your dreams, things you want, thing your Mom wants, things your fiance wants, things his Mom wants….not to mention the emotions of everyone.

What to do, what to do???

Focus!  I think there is so much to glean from shows like “My Fair Wedding”,  “Say Yes to the Dress”, “Cake Boss”… You can find so much inspiration from these and sites like Weddingwire.com and Theknot.com.  Unfortunatley, I think that the focus of a wedding gets lost.  Yes the day should be special but what makes this day special?

What makes this day special is not the flowers, not the chivari chairs, not the uplighting…   This stuff is fluff and we love fluff.   Don’t get me wrong I want my brides to have the most beautiful wedding they ever dreamed of but what I want more for them is to have the most wonderful life they ever thought possible.   Planning a wedding is the beginning of  a new life.  There will be decisions to be made and compromises to be handled.  You will have to cope with other people’s feelings.

I hate to break it to you this wedding is NOT all about the Bride.  Personally, I think that is the most selfish thing anyone can say, “It’s my day, it is all about me.”  There is trouble on the horizon with that mindset.   So, be careful while you plan.  Please focus on the most important thing, which is your relationship with your soon to be spouse and your families.   This involves learning to be tactful.  Learning when to speak and when not to speak.   I am not saying to get bowled over by other people making decision for your wedding day, I am saying learn people skills.  How you handle these issues that come up during this process will say alot for how you will handle things in your marriage.  Worry about that!  You can learn to communicate with your fiance on how to work things out together.  What a concept – working at things TOGETHER!  The planning process can bring you closer or it can cause you all kinds of problems that will continue to follow you as the days go by.

I think we get swept away with the excitement and we want that “Fair Wedding.”  That is great as long as you keep the focus on your relationship as future husband and wife.  This will keep your wedding on track working together with a plan you both agree on.

So may you find happiness as you plan your wedding but may you be wonderfully happy in your marriage all the days of your life.

The word inspire means to move  or to influence someone.  Will your day inspire someone?  Will it move your guests emotionally?  Will it influence people’s thoughts and emotions?

We spent this weekend in Joliet at the Rialto Square Theatre for a Bridal show featuring David Tutera.  I will say it was inspiring.  If you have been reading my Blog you know that I am a fairly emotional person.  My brides know that for sure.  I think it is important to find meaning in pretty much everything I do.  I believe our lives should touch others and other people’s lives should touch us.

I was moved when I walked into the Rialto on Saturday afternoon.  I stepped through the door and a flood of memories rushed through my head.  I spent my childhood in this theater.  I saw Bambi, Snow White, Cinderella, ….. all at the Rialto. I walked with my daughter Mary up to the balcony area as I told her the stories of how we would run up these stairs so we could sit in the cool Balcony.  In my mind I could see my twin sister run by as my cousin Artie and I hid behind a planter.  We  had such fun in this place.   It made me smile and setting up seemed like a breeze.  If you have never been to the Rialto you truly need to go, it is breathtaking.  The architecture..oh my word… it is a beautiful historic place.

Our Booth at the Rialto Theatre

Weddings here are gorgeous, just plain gorgeous.

The Bridal show was packed with eager, bright eyed Brides.  We could barely keep up with the girls coming by… the air was buzzing with excitement and anticipation.  These girls were getting married and David Tutera was coming.  Oh my word everyone was high on David this last Sunday.

 So, I started thinking what makes this man so loved?  Why are these Brides going absolutley crazy over him.  I love “My Fair Wedding”, who doesn’t, right!  I will say though that I worry that some Brides  minimize their day when it can’t be as over the top as in “My Fair Wedding.”   So, what is it that girls get out of watching this show?  I made myself think about why I watch it.  I love to see the ideas, the color combinations, …. but it is more than that.  It is watching a dream come true..the little girl with a dream…meaning that’s it.  David Tutera is making someone’s dream come true.. that is what draws me.  I have a tendency to be a dreamer, a reach for the sky kind of person most of you who know me will say, “yeah that’s Margaret.”

I am grateful to be a dreamer!  Dreamers give color to a black and white world.  They inspire.  I’d like to think I inspire people for the better.  I love my Simple Elegance team, Mary, Julie, Miranda, Nichole, and Amber and of course our interns Kelly, Taylor, and Kayla.  We inspire each other.  We are dreamers and we each add our own unique flair  but the day of a wedding we are dream makers.  That is what makes us do weddings.  We may not be able to give you a $200,000 weding but we want so desperately for our Brides to be happy and we work at making it happen.  I know Justin of Star Talent must kringe sometimes when I call and say, “Justin I’ve got this Bride she is so sweet.  Her Budget is… what can we do for her,  inevitably Justin always finds a way to make it work for me.  He’s a dreamer too.  It is funny I can hear Kelly Lyle chuckle as I tell him the story of a bride and then ask what can we do to make this happen for her?  He always makes it work.  He’s a dreamer too.  I guess I have surrounded myself with dreamers like Justin, Kelly, Mark Romine,Karen Bridges, Joe Beck, Maryann of the Burr House, Zack Hileman with his handsome horse Randy, Eldon from Forget Me Not,  Michelle from Michelle’s (Obviously), Janice from Adore, Shellie at Let’s Party…….the list goes on.    We are dreamers.  Everyone wants to be Cinderella or Prince Charming.  I will say it feels good to be a dreamer.  So at the end of a long wedding day the Simple Elegance team will look at each other and say “We did it again!”  We are tired but as we pack up the empty ballroom it is the hug from the Bride and Groom and the smile they gave us as they said goodbye that inspire us.

So you may not be able to have the $100,000 reception venue or the thousands of dollars worth of flowers, or even a Designer gown but you have your inspiration at your side.  You have the meaning in your life, the one that will stand next to you, the one holding your hand and looking in your eyes as you say “I Do.”  Focus on that inspiration and your will have more than a “Fair Wedding,” you will have a long and happy life.  You will grow old with a love that will inspire you all those days.

The Wedding Gallery Group with David

So we believe in dreams, that is why we are moved by David Tutera, he gives someone a dream.

DREAM

INSPIRE

I love it!

Wow,  imagine winning a $13,450 wedding package!  Gabrielle did!  It was a fantastic evening. WBNQ was there for a live broadcast.  It was fun doing little interviews for the radio.  We felt like stars!  The brides especially enjoyed the stressfree atmosphere.   What a concept being able to take your time talking to quality wedding vendors.  No sales pitch, no rushing from one vendor to another like a typical Bridal show.  Just a very nice evening at “The Wedding Gallery.”

The “Wedding Gallery,”  the vendors that were there,  along with the brides enjoyed the event so much that we are going to have an “Open House” on February 29th from 4pm-8pm.   We would love to see as many brides come and enjoy a relaxing few hours talking with some of Bloomington’s Finest Wedding Vendors.

Events will be announced through our Blog and email newsletter that we send out every Tuesday.  If you want to be invited please make sure you fill out the invitation.

Event Schedule

February 29, 2012 Open House

March 14, 2102   DJ, uplighting and Videography Workshop  How do you hire a DJ?  Why is videography so expensive?  What is uplighting?

March 28, 2012 How to Plan a Dream Wedding instead of a Nightmare by Simple Elegance.

April 11, 2012  Wedding Photography the mystery about How to hire a photographer and the packages they have.

Don’t miss these events.  You can ask questions, and get a better understanding of what is involved in pricing, set up, the How To’s.

Our Grand Opening

There was Randy eating carrots and taking people for rides from Hileman Carriage

A Carriage Ride

The shop was a buzz off Brides and Grooms.  It was a casual atmosphere with Harp music provided by Rex Moore.

Harpist Rex Moore

The girls were ecstatic about the gowns from Adore Bridal Shop in Morton.

Taking time to talk to Adore Bridal Shop

2011 Margaret Moore, www.simpleeleganceeventsandweddings.com
Want to use this article in your E-zine or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement:

Event Planning entrepreneur Margaret Moore with Simple Elegance Events and Wedding Designs publishes this weekly e-zine. Get your FREE  “My Dream Wedding without the Nightmare”  at www.simpleeleganceventsandweddings.com