Journey to the aisle........Andrea & Luke

It was a warm November afternoon last year when I received a phone call from a lovely girl named Andrea that was interested in hiring a wedding planner for her June nuptials. As usual we discussed a few things over the phone and we then proceeded to make an appointment to meet that week. The evening I went to the Jackson household to discuss all things weddings I was greeted by her lovely mother Roslyn who was quite excited at the prospect of her little girl getting married but a little trepidation had crept in regarding the enormity of this great undertaking. 

Not knowing the Jackson family at this point I was definitely greeted with warmth and was looking forward to working with them. Charlie the cat made an appearance that day but was quite aloof with this new person that entered into his house (more of him later)It was not until our meeting progressed and we were delving into all things weddings when out of nowhere I was the "target" of their male budgie who instantly knew there was a new female in the house and proceeded to literally check me out by flying straight towards me like a missile (and anyone who knows me knows that birds flying about my head or anything flapping around my head freaks me out ~ just a tad!) and with Andrea & Roslyn not knowing whether to laugh or cry at this point it was clear that by surviving this attack I was the person for the job : ) 

Fast forward a few months (christmas & new year) and we are now in 2012 and it was all steam ahead....Andrea had at this point a pretty hectic schedule with her work and having graduated uni with a degree in nursing her workload and schedule was pretty full on. After a few months of wedding work had commenced I finally I got to meet the groom Luke. He was so lovely as are "all my grooms" that working with him would be a breeze and it was : ) Andrea was definitely in charge when it came to the wedding but allowed Luke to choose the limousine and the DJ (heehee!) We tried to have his input when we first started the stationery journey but poor Luke got outvoted time & time again ~ needless to say he was a great sport and his main priority was making sure Andrea was always happy!


With flowers picked, church selected, limousine chosen by Luke & DJ chosen by two of them and photography done it was now time for their pre-wedding portrait which was taken at Trigg beach followed a tasty snack at the Trigg Island Cafe.

Before we knew it, wedding day was soon upon us and we were all rather excited that all the hard work was coming to fruition ~ here are a few little sneaky pics of what the girls were up to in the morning!

 

This is just a priceless picture of Charlie the Cat making it known that he knew exactly what was going on, hiding in the brides gown bag as a silent protest : )

Andrea & Luke finally exchanged vows at St Johns Lutheran Church in Northbridge with Pastor Darren officiating.


Below are some sneaky pics of the reception & of the yummy wedding cake!

Wishing you all happy planning and hope you have enjoyed some sneaky pics from Andrea & Luke's wedding.

PS: the professional ones will be on there way soon, so stay tuned!

Wedding Pictures of Jayde & Aaron

Well, it's been about 2 months since Jayde & Aaron exchanged vows at the lovely Caversham House ~ Swan Valley back on the 1st April and I am pleased to finally share some of the pictures that were taken by the talented Jen & Richard from Albedo Photography. 
The first couple of pictures were taken at the lovely Brookleigh Estate in the Swan Valley where the bride and bridesmaids got ready on wedding day.

These colourful pictures were taken at Caversham House

Taken inside the Marquee @ Caversham House with DJ Stephen

For those of you that read my previous blog post this is the famous "robot head"

Finally, this great telling picture pretty much sums up what a long day it had been for their cute little daughter Teliah

Remember to always.......Honour ~ Love ~ Cherish & Plan

Wishing you all happy planning.......Natalie

Journey to the Aisle............Jayde & Aaron

This couples journey with Carte Blanche Wedding Design began when I first received a ph call from the brides sister who lived in Tom Price on New Years Eve 2011. From that moment I knew I had my work cut out for me as we only had 3 months to organise this wedding and with the groom working away at times ,the bride having a 2 year old & her family living up north it had to be "all hands" on deck with this one!

After our initial consultation down in Waikiki it was clear to me that the bride was going to be very hands on ~ which is great; however with such a short time frame decisions had to be made pretty quickly! So with that in mind I set about finding a celebrant. I had approached one of my celebrants that I was using for another one of my weddings; but unfortunately she was booked, so what to do? It was quite by coincidence that Ann Lord had emailed me that week or so to meet me as a potential colleague and low and behold she was available for that date and so began the wedding process and a friendship with Ann!


As I mentioned earlier, with Jayde being a "very hands" on bride to be she undertook some of what was on our to do list with gusto! By this stage the couple had already chosen Caversham House ~ a venue I had not worked at before so was excited to meet a new place in the Swan Valley. As time ticked away with the festive season we were well on our way to wedding day creeping upon us. Jayde was quite particular with what she wanted and was relentless in her pursuit of "perfection". By this stage it was up to me to basically fill in the blanks and get the show on the road!


With all suppliers/vendors booked for the big day it was time to get the show on the road with our rehearsal to be held at the Hidden Gardens ~Caversham House. Having a rehearsal with a 2yr old in tow was quite interesting to say the least but we managed! We did in fact get a little scare when we nearly lost the celebrant Ann, when she tripped over her sandal on one of the many step limestone steps leading to the ceremony site ~ however in true "trooper" style, she managed to dust herself off and off we went :)


The day of the wedding was April Fool's day and yes lots of jokes got bandied around ~ much to the brides dismay! The bridal party got ready at the lovely Brookleigh Resort in the Swan Valley and for a while there it was touch and go with the weather; which was beginning to worry the bride a bit ~ but hey not even a few raindrops could have dampened the impending nuptials and as they say" the show must go on"!


I saw the limo finally turn up at Caversham House and as I eventually spoke to the groomsmen they all told me that the groom was rather anxious ~ an affliction often felt by some at this time, nevertheless after having a little nip of "courage" all was good :) It was now time for the bride to arrive and the ceremony to begin. 2yr old Teliah was cute as a button but as most of you would know 2yr olds kind of run on their own schedule and that she did; although it did make the ceremony more personal!

One thing I must mention was the fabulous food! Here is a picture I took of the delicious morsel that quickly passed my lips ~ yum:) This entree was: Exmouth Prawns served with marie rose sauce, avocado timbale, lemon dressing & melba toast ~ just delish!

After having quite a delicious meal it was time for the revelry to be underway with DJ Stephen calling some of the games that were quite hilarious which definitely got the crowd moving! However I must not be remiss in mentioning that to my surprise and I can safely say that of the guests and staff at Caversham we were all in awe as the song played by the group LMFAO "sexy & I know it" came on; the bride strutted out  gown & all onto the dancefloor with her groom wearing the robot head shown in the video clip ~ it was hilarious to say the least and cannot wait to get the pictures from the photographers to show you all ~ a memorable moment for sure.


Well, what can I say except that this wedding was rather interesting and having it done in 3mths was a feat but happy to report Jayde & Aaron rode into the sunset to begin their life as husband and wife with a honeymoon in Port Douglas for 10 days.


Until next time..............remember to always


Honour~ Love~Cherish & PLAN

Journey to the aisle........Joanne & Kirk

Well, where to begin!


Our collective journey began back in early 2011. As a planner I have the pleasure & privilege of meeting lovely couples that are beginning their wedding plans and don't know where to start and just need a helping hand. At this meeting I was met with such excitement and eagerness that I couldn't wait to start work on my couples wedding plans.


Here is a little of the back story: Due to "my" grooms working commitments and time spent away from his adoring fiancee and cherubic little daughter it was quite clear that they were in need of a wedding planner. After having our first meeting we were all set to get the ball rolling, however work for the groom became a little unsettled and wedding plans were put on the back burner and my assistance in their day became shelved momentarily.

Fast forward a few months and out of the blue they contacted me and said all was good with the "grooms" work and they were ready to start the wedding planning journey. It was with such fervour that the work began and having a delightful couple like them to work with it made it quite easy to get things moving along :)


For Joanne having the assistance of a wedding planner served to be invaluable due to Kirk working away and her immediate family based in Victoria; so with that in mind I felt that my role as a wedding planner sometimes changed to being a sounding board as well as being a friend - both roles I take quite seriously :)


As the wedding process got underway it was a great pleasure to be able to introduce them to my contacts which are some of Perth's finest wedding industry professionals and with this bevy of choice it definitely became one of excitement & joy as we explored various options that were in line with their vision. 


With Kirk away it was a up to Joanne to narrow the selection down and it was then and only then that we presented these to the groom when he was in town. It was wonderful to see that all of Joanne's selections were in line with what she thought Kirk would like which only proved that these 2 were definitely in sync when it came to all things weddings! At this point I must not be remiss in mentioning that having a very "involved groom was a refreshing take on wedding preparations; it was great to see a groom having a voice amongst the females & that working up north was no excuse for him to participate:) 


As our to-do-list slowly began to dwindle & the months just kept flying by it was quite clear that the wedding day was fast approaching. Once the selections were made with decor, cake, transport, DJ and dress I think the reality of it all hit home once they saw their wedding invitations in black & white; as it is then they were faced with the reality of the wedding actually taking place. It's a funny thing actually, that despite going through the motions of picking suppliers it kind of doesn't hit you until you see it in print. I distinctly remember Joanne squealing with absolute delight after 2 particular moments, one was when she chose her dress and the other when the wedding invitations were done.


I must mention our suppliers; correction "our dream team" that have been nothing but exemplary & the best in accommodating appointments to tailor in the grooms work schedule and they are all as excited as we are that the day is finally here :)) It has been a dream to work with professionals that still manage to get excited as we do when planning weddings!


As a planner I must admit that certain things become routine because as you all know after all, it is second nature to know when to book things, to coordinate colour schemes, to recommend the right suppliers, organise rehearsals etc, but the most personal moment for me is seeing the journey I see my couples go through and the transformation of them as individuals & as a couple by working together on their joint project. Inadvertently by working and planning on their wedding they are already learning the art of compromise & communication some fundamental & key things that await them as they approach married life.


Last Friday was our rehearsal at Sandalford and what a rehearsal it was! We were blessed with the presence of the charismatic Bodie Norman (grooms brother & best man) who had us in lots of laughter & who gave our celebrant Colleen a run for her money (however if the truth be told she held her own quite well!!) Some of Kirk's family were also in attendance which was quite handy as they did well in filling in for the absent bridal party members.


With that said, after months of preparations, countless emails, phone calls & appointments I can quite confidently say that their wedding day is upon us in 2 more sleeps and I couldn't be happier to be a part of this couple's day. Tissues will be at the ready for Friday as everyone sheds some happy tears  (oh and yes & that will definitely include the planner who will be covering her peepers with some dark sunnies & perhaps having a sniffle or two in the back row:))


I will be posting some wedding pics when they come to hand as well as a new blog post detailing the festivities of the wedding.


Wishing you all happy planning :)


Natalie xxx

Wedding Planner Post holiday wedding tips

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you all & may 2012 be filled with lots of love, happiness and joy! 


After all the pre & post christmas parties and the new year revelry many couples have started 2012 newly engaged & are eagerly jumping on the internet and searching through countless wedding websites for anything and everything weddings! After slightly coming down from "cloud nine" and looking at your gorgeous sparkler that happens to have taken up residence on your left hand, you are left wondering "Now what?" 


First things first, if you know what you want but have trouble putting it all together a planner is what you need! If you are stretched for time or require some assistance on particular areas of your wedding a planner can also be of service. What I tend to do as a wedding planner is tackle the budget first & foremost. As you cautiously enter the world of weddings you will quickly learn about how establishing a budget at the beginning of the journey will hold you in good stead and you will be able to have & set realistic expectations. This will probably be the single most expensive event you will ever pay for and if you have never been exposed to the price tag of a typical wedding you may be a little shocked. 


The main purpose/objective of having a planner or the assistance of one is so they are able to use their contacts & get the most value out of the dollars you have to spend. Depending on the size of your guest list the most expensive area of a wedding is generally the reception so, being creative and controlled with your spending in other areas of your wedding and making creative choices you'll be able to have a great wedding that is totally you and fits your personality budget.


To quote Colin Cowie's general philosophy: "My general philosophy is to do five things really well instead of 10 things poorly. The priorities are different for each couple. Some may know they want to splurge on the food and venue and not care much for professional photography or entertainment. Others may want to splurge on an open bar, but go DIY with decorations. Whatever your preference, be sure to decide together what you're willing to invest in and what can be cut back. As long as you're both honest about what's really important to you now, there will be fewer surprises (and arguments) in the future"


So as you can see wedding planner/event stylist to the stars also reminds us all to be clear with the budget and decide on what you as the couple consider to be "non negotiable" so that you may be able to have the wedding you have always wanted without the "financial stress".


Remember to always.......Honour ~ Love ~ Cherish & PLAN

A couples to do list before hiring a planner.....

I know it had been a while since I last posted on my blog, however being knee deep into wedding season I had completely been remiss of the time lag and for that I do apologise. I thought it also timely that I write about this topic since I have been receiving loads of enquiries even as far as 2014, yes you heard correctly ~ so here we go.

Congratulations, you're engaged! Before your head starts spinning with thoughts of the perfect centrepiece, a dress to die for or what choice of cake to select ~ take a step back. When choosing the right wedding planner, she will be able to guide you through the process of making your day personal, execute your dreams flawlessly and help you to make decisions that are representative of you and your relationship in every way. A planner's job, amongst other things, is to get into your brain, understand your needs and desires and make them a reality. Just remember they can't do that unless you first do your homework! Below are a few things I call my "non negotiables". These are steps that should be addressed and discussed as early in the planning process as possible & if you spend a bit of time on them, it will not only streamline the process of planning your wedding, but enable you to avoid many of the speed bumps that brides commonly trip over.

1.The guest list. You don't need to get every little detail at this stage of the game, but focus on putting pen to paper to determine an actual guest count. This is essential in searching for locations that make sense. You don't want to consider locations that hold 150 if you have 200 guests. Make sure you talk to your parents and get their lists, as well. Try to include an alternate list for people who you will undoubtedly run into at some stage whom you have completely overlooked.

2. Determine a budget. (this is definitely close to my heart!) As your planner we are responsible to let you know whether the budget you decide upon is realistic, but you need a starting place for that to happen. Discuss the finances with your fiancé and parents, and find out up front what each party is contributing. Wedding budgets can spiral out of control, but having a number in mind will prevent you from looking at items that don't make sense and help prevent that from happening. You don't want to get your heart set on items that aren't in your financial comfort zone.

3. Discuss the tone of your wedding. What & How would you like your guests to feel at your wedding? How formal/informal would like the day or evening to be? Is the focus a sophisticated multi-course dinner or a high energy dance party? This will impact just about every decision you make, and it's best to start thinking about it.

4. Discuss the big items with your fianceé. It's amazing how many couples start planning a wedding without going over even the basics together. Getting on the same page from the beginning will prevent arguments down the road.Communication is key!

5. Location, location, location. Where is your wedding taking place? Is the ceremony in a house or church or at the same place as the reception? Is this a destination wedding or in your capital city? Will you need additional transport organised for guests? Is it a place that is convenient for the majority of your guests?

If you take the time to figure out these basic items before you hire a planner, you will be able to give your wedding professional the tools that they need to begin planning a wedding that is specific to your needs. It will help to eliminate false expectations and get you on track for a smooth planning experience. Once you have these items ironed out, you will be ready to plan your wedding ~ have loads of fun and get knee deep into the entire process.

So just remember that you always must......Honour ~ Love ~ Cherish & PLAN

CBWD "Bridal Shower" launch......

Firstly, let me say that this project has been a labour of love for me for the longest time; months in fact & having it fine tuned to the point where I felt comfortable enough to present this has been a great source of relief!

I am so pleased to announce this new & fabulous extension of our wedding planning business and being able to cater to all brides/maids of honour etc that are looking at hosting a bridal shower. Having a place from where to start has been a sense of some frustration for some so it was definitely time to get this started!

Understanding what brides need & want has always been & always will be the reason why I will endeavour to find the ways to try and make the entire wedding planning & now "bridal shower" planning process an experience to enjoy from beginning to end. What Carte Blanche Wedding Design has devised in the bridal shower process is a way of being able to affectionately "bundle" & create a no fuss solution to having a lovely time with your girlfriends.

We have also been fortunate to have on board wonderful support from some wedding industry professionals as well so immersing ourselves into this transition has been exceptionally smooth sailing.

I look forward to presenting this to all clients, current & prospective with the hope that you will enjoy what we have come up with, knowing that we are able to customise your exclusive "bridal shower". 

Our website is in the process of being updated so stay tuned for a more comprehensive & delightful menu of bridal shower options. We invite you to contact us for more information on : natalie@carteblancheweddings.com.au 

As always remember to ..........Honour ~ Love ~ Cherish & PLAN

Cost Effective Bridal Shower Ideas

As we all know, when it comes to planning any sort of party, get together, event or any other name we choose to call a collection of people socialising in the one setting, this generally means money. Don't get confused with the word "cost effective" either, thinking it means "cheap" it doesn't!! This just means that there is an alternative way of hosting your friends & family by adding that personal touch which usually tends to mean that little bit more. With weddings costing more than what they used to, brides & grooms being more money conscious it is important to address these concerns by coming up with some fun alternative ways of entertaining your guests & still remain with a little bit of integrity (before the drinks kick in, at least ;-)


Classy Cocktail Party

Why not throw a cocktail party in a friend's house so you can save serious cash.There are oodles of ways to keep it classy.You can get a variety of cheeses or a fabulous cheese tower,beautiful breads, flavoured oils and specialty dips. You can really make it interesting, by serving some colourful, sexy drinks, like a cosmo or be more adventurous by making up some signature cocktails.


High Tea

Show off your worldliness by hosting an afternoon high tea, so you can keep food light and to a minimum. You can serve a variety of teas for everyone to sample along with scones,finger sandwiches & those delicious petit fours. Why not check out flea markets/vintage stores for wonderful old teacups, saucers, and teapots. It's even more interesting when they don't match.


Recipe Shower

Probably the most inexpensive idea is a recipe shower. Everyone else does the cooking, taking much of the work and cost off of you. The bride and groom then get oodles of great recipes to use in their new life together & perhaps add some cooking inspiration to the mix. A recipe card can be sent to each guest with their invitation where guests are then asked to make a favorite dish and bring it, along with its recipe.

You might choose to have each guest say a bit about the recipe and what it has meant to her over the years. For example, Aunty Jo can bring the recipe for the roast beef that she and Uncle Bob ate on the night he proposed, and share the story with everyone. A fantastic way to integrate all your guests & make some new memories from the old ones.


Cutting Corners on the Extras

You'd be surprised at how the little things add up (maybe not!), so for the invitations, why not get in touch with your creative crafty side ; buy some specialty stationery & use your computer if you are that way inclined or DIY invites from a reputable stationer. A great idea is to put a crossword puzzle on the invitation with questions about the bride and groom. You can include questions like 'where did the bride go to school,' or 'what is the bride/groom's favourite drink'.These small touches make the invitations quite unique, so they're not just boring, and also manages to add that little bit of "je nais se quoi" by involving your guests that extra bit more.


Just remember that what really matters when you're planning a shower is the thought, love, and personality you put into it, not how much money you spent.




Happy Planning & remember to always.......Honour ~ Love ~ Cherish & PLAN

Times are changing.......

It has been a while since I last blogged & I have been meaning to write about some of the changes I have been experiencing as a planner. The world of weddings as we know it has always been about the fantasy, the glitz & glamour, & when you pick up a wedding magazine/subscribe to a wedding blog etc you are blown away by the price of weddings, and the pure extravagance of the entire event. The carrot is dangled & before you know it you are immersed into the world of weddings; especially the ones that seem to have that elusive "unlimited budget" ~ one should be so lucky :-)

My mantra has always been and always will be: "let us work on your wedding & you work on your relationship". Too often I see couples, placing so much unneeded pressure on themselves to have the perfect wedding reception; and what they are missing out on is the ability to enjoy the wedding planning journey & the one of self discovery. Let's face it, this is usually the only time in your life that you will ever stage such a big event; so why not enjoy the experience & leave the details to the professionals. 

With more & more couples working together on financing their wedding; this has now become the foundation for the couple to learn to work together & reach compromises which means the wedding is becoming more about the relationship and less about an extravagant party; the way it should be! All the stresses associated with hosting such an event has always been the catalyst for "couples" transforming into people they are not.

So in short, enjoy the planning process ~ these days with couples working longer hours (to subsequently fund the wedding) the convenience of having a planner has now become quintessentially the 'secret weapon' for the couple’s sanity. So do yourselves a favour and focus on your relationship first & foremost and let the wedding be a reflection of what it is you hold dear.

Wishing you all happy planning.......Natalie xx

Pre-wedding angst

It's one of the subjects that we go all through when planning a big event like a wedding. As soon as the ring is on the finger and the date set, we become so obsessed about everything to do with the wedding that we sometimes neglect the most important thing and that is "our relationship". As a wedding planner, I like to use this motto when working with my brides....."we take care of the wedding" and "you take care of your marriage"!

You never expected the downside: glaring at each other in bridal registry departments, screaming matches over the wedding guest list. The engagement period can be a minefield of hot topics that can trigger huge blowouts sometimes a seating plan is not just a seating plan.

At the end of the day it isn't about the wedding as such you should worry about, it's the marriage that is really important! Below is a list of the most common prewedding blowouts and how to resolve them.


Family
"His family's guest list is getting longer and longer every day, and they're not even chipping in for the wedding."

This argument can sometimes be "a prototype for future financial dealings." The best advice would be to discuss things rationally and be business like with your approach. You could also suggest the breakdown of both families costings and ask the question: "What can we do to limit the cost and will/can your family chip in?" Sometimes a less invasive approach can be the way to go.Throughout this process there maybe some underlying issues so be on the lookout for conflicts like these as the respective partner may have a greater sense of obligation to their parents that the wedding be a certain way. It's a good way to try and find that balance of "fairness & balance" without offending anyone. 


Groom Involvement
"He doesn't even seem to care about the colour of the table linens"

You could be expecting too much: He's a guy after all!  Most men are clueless when it comes to design and decor." This doesn't mean that you should give up on including him, however. "Find out what he is interested in and encourage him to participate in that part.


Money
You're spending loads of money on your dress and your groom would like to spend some of that cash on the honeymoon.

The problem here is that this problem is fairly one sided, and really "what entitles you to spend huge amounts of money on the wedding dress,anyway? This needs to be an equitable deal. At least the honeymoon is something you'll both enjoy. Sit down with him, like two adults, and work out the finances of the wedding together."


Religion
"Why isn't he making an effort to understand my tradition/religion?"

If handled calmly and sensitively, a discussion like this can be an opportunity to get to know yourself and your partner better just by getting clear about what these traditions mean and say about each other.


Decor
He wants dark green ink on the invitation; you want pale green. He wants candles on the tables; you think they look silly. 


Both of you need to share the power and decision-making regarding wedding plans. Decide on priorities by having each person rate on a scale of one to ten the importance of each detail. Remember, it's good practice to learn early on how to prioritise, negotiate, and compromise. These skills will come in very handy later on.


Bridezilla Behaviour
He says, "Who is this detail-obsessed, wedding-magazine-reading woman and where is the girl who used to sit with me watching the footy?"

Your guy may have a point. "If the wedding has become more important than your relationship, that's a warning sign. Yes, you want a lovely wedding, but not at the expense of your relationship. After all, what's the point? Keep your future in mind."

Wedding Budget Blues......or.......Wedding Budget Bliss?

TACKLING THE WEDDING BUDGET
Quite a contradiction in terms, right! Well it is; it's the kind of thing that can bring both blues or bliss (personally I would opt for the bliss, as I think most couples would!) but to achieve this we must be realistic every step of the way. There is nothing wrong with having a "dream wedding" providing it is within your budget. 
                                
After meeting with a couple and discussing their "perfect day" I am often the one who has to bring the subject of money up and it's quite funny to me that as a planner this is the part of the wedding planning process that we tend to lose the "bride to be" for a while, it begins with the rolling of the eyes, the heavy sighing and the automatic flipping of "another" bridal/wedding magazine that has mysteriously appeared! However it is the "groom to be" who becomes attentive and is quite astonished as to what things actually cost when it comes to all things weddings, the furrowing of the brow becomes more visible particularly if he/they are shouldering the the entire bill or at least quite a big chunk of it. 


I really try to tackle this subject very tactfully as people tend to get quite defensive when discussing money, and let's face it ~ it's never really the right time to bring it up! My approach is to be non partial and make sure they get "the best value" for money and hopefully have some money left over for the honeymoon! It's all about being creative and making that hard working dollar stretch as far as it can go as well as trying not to lose the style and class that is synonymous with hiring me as their planner. 


Ideas of a fantasy wedding are often brought down to earth by the issue of money so it is important to discuss this pretty much after the engagement; because as any bride to be would know as soon as you get engaged on come the blinkers and its "wedding mode" all the way till you walk down the aisle. Setting a budget for your wedding is the second thing you need to do after the engagement. Your budget will be determined by the style of your wedding, number of guests and the type of reception you are wanting to have. Everything you do from now on will affect your wedding budget. By keeping accurate records/receipts of wedding expenses as you go along it will help you stay within your budget.


HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR BUDGET
As part of the many services my company provides budget preparation is fast becoming one of the things I assist couples with the most, aside from on the day coordination etc. I suggest to my couples that you both discuss what is important to each of you separately and try to find common ground  and then to decide what will be the area that you wish to spend a higher % of the budget on. The reception generally takes 40 -50% of the budget with the remainder of the funds being allocated to your priorities.


HIDDEN COSTS
Un-budgeted costs an result in unexpected higher wedding bills and being aware of the "details" will help avoid any hidden costs. Things to keep in mind are: corkage fees cakeage fee (fee for cutting and serving cake at the venue), any late fees to suppliers, church/celebrant fees and parking costs associated with guests attending your wedding etc.


WHO PAYS FOR WHAT
Today there are no rules about who pays for what. Times have changed and what it really comes down to is the financial ability of the bride & groom and their families.Don't be afraid to discuss money so early in the planning process as this will hold you in good stead when dealing with financial issues in married life (and boy there are plenty!) Establish good communication with your partner and family if they are contributing to the wedding and always be truthful about your financial situation. Often couples find it difficult to discuss money with their parents, however in the long run if they are willing to contribute it's best to know up front so everyone is on the same page.

                                               
My aim for writing this blog was so that all couples can enjoy the wedding planning process, open the lines of communication when it comes to finances and by discussing this "taboo" subject of a "wedding budget" we can avoid the pitfalls of the "wedding budget blues" and have "wedding budget bliss" instead ;)


Happy planning...........Natalie

Vintage vs Retro vs Antique

Lots of brides to be use the word "vintage" fairly loosely these days to describe the look they are trying to achieve; however I often wonder if they actually mean "retro" or "antique". To try and de-mystify this dilemma I have decided to blog about this topic because as a planner it's my role to understand what it is they really want so I am able to translate that into their ideal wedding theme.

VINTAGE

If you decide to plan for a wedding that is inspired by the Roaring 20's, 30's etc my advice would be to get into that 1920's flapper fashion by dressing in a drop waist vintage beaded french lace will capture old time romance & accessorise with vintage crystal and diamond brooches. For the guys a suit with tails and top hat will compliment the bride just perfectly. Styling your vintage themed event with touches such as feathers, birdcages with silk flowers, venetian mirrors and candlelight will set the reception shimmering. You can even add antique silver bowls filled with flowers as centrepieces and have vintage cars as your transportation.                                                          

RETRO

When planning a "retro" style themed wedding, think about "all-american classic", "1950's rock'n'roll", "Happy Days" era of bobby socks and the big full tea length skirt, with the big  1950's cadillac.

ANTIQUE

This period is generally referred to as the Edwardian or Victorian Era. With this in mind, it's best to describe this theme as rich, romantic, old fashioned etc. Colours that are generally used are those in the pastel palette; ivory,pink,gold etc.Intricate victorian lace, beading and pearls are at the heart of this romantic wedding theme which just shouts "pretty & romantic".

I hope I have been able to at least shed some light on this topic and by having a clearer understanding of what each terminology is you will be able to exactly describe to your wedding planner/supplier what it is you want and get the wedding of your dreams with your own personality shining through.

Happy Planning..............Natalie

Little Red Riding Hood Wedding Inspiration

Growing up in a family that loved reading (and I mean really "love") was a tradition I wholeheartedly embraced and it became a part of who I am so it was inevitable that I be a fan of the written word. I was always fascinated how you could immerse yourself in a world of mystery, history, fantasy or romance and be transported to another place and time without having to leave your room. This is where as a planner it is crucial that you be able to be see inspiration and have imagination when no-one else does.

Which leads me to the newest movie that has hit the cinemas: "Little Red Riding Hood". Having been quite familiar with this classic tale, I found it quite refreshing that there is some wedding inspiration that can be take from it, despite the dark and ominous storyline surrounding it. The robust and decadent colour palette of black & red may not scream wedding to some, but if done correctly it can say "decadent & romantic". 

Pictures by Tab MacCausland

Always remember that you can take inspiration from anywhere , be it a fairy tale or not and by putting your own personal twist, ensures that it is all about you.

Happy Planning.................Natalie

Hearts Desire

Hmmm......what does this mean? Could it mean your dream wedding? Could it mean all your dreams coming true for your special day? Well sort of........this blog is about wanting everything possible thing and not really paying for it! How is this possible you may ask? Well the answer is easy.....I'm writing about tips for your Bridal Registry. Where you can literally shop till you drop and not pay a cent - not a bad deal, hey.

Creating a wedding gift registry can be a daunting task, so I've assembled the best advice to get you started.....

1. Have a PLAN 

Firstly draw up a list of what you want and what you need. Don't be afraid to choose larger, expensive items as it gives guests a chance to buy a group gift. Select gifts that cater for different budgets. Give guests plenty of choices at different price points.

2. Go back to BASICS

Move through the store thinking of each room of the house. List essentials including: glassware, dinnerware, towels and bedlinen.

3. Adding a touch of FUN & LUXE

Popularity  of Wedgewood & Royal Doulton is growing as designs become more modern. Wii consoles are also finding their way on a number of registries, its fun and both bride & groom can play. If travel is a priority to the couple, luxe luggage can also be included.

4. Living together

Don't worry this is a chance to either complete a set of dinner plates, glasses or upgrade to more sophisticated homewares

TOP 10 Wedding Gifts

• Coffee Machine
• Wine decanters
• Formal Cutlery set
• Set of LUXE wine glasses
• Pots & Pan set
• Digital camera/video
• Complete formal dinner set
• Set of quality cook books
• Gift Voucher for Couples Day Spa
• Cooking class voucher for bride & groom

I hope this these handy tips make shopping for wedding gifts loads of fun and hope that you get everything in your wish list!

Happy Planning.................Natalie