Save or Spluge

So you are engaged and now planning the wedding.  You are looking at dates and venues and wondering how much it will all cost.  Well there is GOOD NEWS.  As you plan your budget we have a few tips for you. 

1. First thing is to pick the one or two items you want to splurge on.
2. Make a list of all the things you will need.  (we can help you create this list as it will differ for each couple)
3. Put these items in order of importance.
4. Decide which things you can cut back on. (Maybe you don't need 3 signature drinks)
5. Decide which areas you can do yourself and which you need to hire out to the professionals.
6. Start researching and watch for deals.
7. While the idea of a large wedding might entice you it can quickly add up. Think about it this way. Per person food alone for a good buffet can run you between $30-60 per person.  Plus there are appetizers, drinks and desserts.  Then there is the added cost of tables, chairs, linens, plateware & decorations.  Some of these may be added into your venue or catering packages, Others may not. So that 200 person wedding can cost a lot more than that 125 person wedding and may make it so that you are unable to splurge on the items you really want.

There are also additional tips that can help you with deciding on what to save on and what to splurge on.

1. When picking the items you want to splurge on pick the things that mean the most to you.  If you really HAVE to have a specific dress then use that as your splurge.  If it is an amazing cake and great food pick that.  Just keep in mind that you can not splurge on everything.

2. Make a list of things that you really want for your wedding.  Remembering that you do not need everything that everyone else has had.  You may not want a photo booth or tons of flowers on your table.  You may instead want candles and other decor on your tables and want to spend a little more on videography instead of a photo booth.

3. Create your importance list.  You may have things you put at the very bottom that you are ok not doing in case you run out of money.  But at least this way you have a list to work from and helps to make sure that you spend your money on the things you really want.

4. What can you cut back on?  Do you really NEED 3 passed appetizers?  Can you get away with 2?  Do you need a full bar or instead can you do 2 signature drinks with beer and wine?  Talk to your florist, they can usually suggest a flower that can be supplemented to help cut back on some of the cost or help recommend ways you can use your ceremony flowers for your reception as well.

5. What can you do yourself?  What needs to be done by professionals.  Favors - You can usually do on the more budget friendly side and can be done by yourself.  You can also do some of your decor by yourself and sometimes you can do your programs.  Biggest thing to remember is that some things you think you can do yourself may not be a cost savings.  If you are inexperienced or do not know what things cost from different vendors you may not be saving yourself time.  With Favors our biggest cost saver is this - Make the favor something consumable.  These are the most popular ones and the ones we very rarely have left over.  And unless you want them at each persons seat you do not need to have one for every person who RSVP'd to your wedding.  Someone may not attend at the last minute, Couples may only take 1, Parents may not want their children to have one, and so on.  It is ok to only make 75 for a guest count of 100, otherwise at the end of the night you may end up looking at 25-30 extras that you spent good money on.

Most importantly, Even if you don't think it is in your budget sit down and chat with a wedding planner.  An experienced knowledgable planner can help guide you thru the process and direct you towards the right vendors and ideas that will be within your budget.

Thanks for reading today's blog article.

Lisa Marie

Events by Lisa Marie

Eventsbylisamarie.com

503-830-7779

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Fall Back

Yes it is that time of year again.  This is your friendly reminder that on Sunday Morning November 2nd at 2 AM it is time to turn your clocks BACK 1 hour.

Or Better yet? Do it Saturday night before you go to bed.  This will allow you to get an extra hour of sleep and your clock will be showing the correct time when you wake up. :)

So Happy Fall Back time.

Events by Lisa Marie

503-830-7779

Eventsbylisamarie.com

10 Things to do 4 - 6 weeks before your wedding

This is an exciting time.  Many of you are planning a summer wedding.  Below is a list of 10 things we want you to think about doing 4 -6 weeks before your wedding. Trust me all of them are easy, not stressful and very beneficial.  :)

1. Sunscreen/Chapstick - With the sun, comes the burn.  The last thing you want for your wedding is peeling skin or rough lips.  Remember to start wearing your sunscreen (if you aren't already) and a chapstick with an SPF of at least 15 in it daily.  Event Cosmetics has a great SPF chapstick.

2. Spray tan - Many brides want to have a little color on their wedding day.  Our tip is to not lay out in the sun as it is bad for your skin and instead try an all natural spray tan or bronzer.  Doing this 6 weeks before your wedding gives you a chance to try a color/darkness and if it doesn't work you have time to buff it off.

3. BUFF - make sure that you use either a sugar scrub or buff in the shower weekly.  Keep dead, dry skin all buffed off so that you have soft, touchable, glowing skin on your wedding day.  (plus it is a healthy routine to have)

4. Lotion - Find a lotion that makes you feel good.  Something that doesn't make you feel sticky, greasy or sweaty.  Personally, we like Aveeno and it is something that can be found at most major stores.

5. Lift Weights - If you aren't already start a workout for your arms.  You want sexy arms in your dress right?  Check out our Fitness board on Pinterest.  However, do not start any MAJOR new workout routines.  Last minute alterations can be really difficult if you lose too much weight.  Just firm and tone up those muscles. :)

6. WATER, WATER & more WATER - Hydrated Skin is Glowing Skin.  If you are having a summer wedding it will be hot, so make sure you increase your water intake weeks before the wedding day.  This will allow you to have beautiful hydrated skin.  It will also help you not overeat, help flushout your system, increase metabolism and best of all help your skin look nice and healthy.

7. Facial - We all know that some days you go to bed with makeup on.  So at the 6 week mark go get a facial.  This will allow you to really get clean glowing skin and not have breakouts on your wedding day.  (ps some people will break out about 2 weeks after a facial but doing this 6 weeks before the wedding will allow time for it all)

8. Final Dress Fitting - If you are needing alterations, your final dress fitting could come anywhere from 4-8 weeks before your wedding.  Make sure you schedule this time in to your weeks.  Still looking for someone to do those alterations?  Call Custom Fit to You.

9. Hair cut (and color) - 4 weeks is about the closest you want to do this.  Regardless of if you are getting it cut or trimmed, 4 weeks gives you enough time to have it still looking fresh but not so close to the big day that it doesn't work with your dream hairstyle (see below)  Check out one of our favorites Urban Colorz Salon

10. Final Hair/Trial Run - Some people like doing this as far as 12 weeks before the wedding.  However depending on your hairstyle you may want to do it as close as 4 weeks.  This allows time for it to grow out if you want it longer.  If you have your final cut and color at 4-6 weeks this will give your stylist an opportunity to do your final trial run with your new cut and color. :)

Ok there you have it, 10 things we think you should do at the 4-6 week mark of your wedding. 

Thanks for reading

Events by Lisa Marie

Lisa Marie, Meranda, Summer, Cortney & Emily

eventsbylisamarie.com

503-830-7779

Art of Weddings!

We are so excited and have been finalizing the last few details for our display at this years Art of Wedding Bridal Show.  It is a swankier kind of affair with lots of amazing wedding professionals for you to meet and chat with. 

If you are engaged and planning your wedding you don't want to miss this event.  There will be a fashion show featuring Michelle DeCourcy and it will all take place at the beautiful Gerding Theater at the Armory, Portland Center Stage

This amazingly fun show has been around for 10 years and celebrating big this year. Below is a picture from last year showing some of the amazing wedding professionals all set up.

Get your tickets now for only $8 when you use code PCS. :)  And come see the Events by Lisa Marie table, let us know you read our blog and get a special gift.

Looking forward to seeing you This Wednesday!  :)

Events by Lisa Marie

eventsbylisamarie.com

503-830-7779

It's Time! Time to SPRING Forward! March 8th

Every year we do two things that can often derail your day!  We "fall back" in the fall and we "spring forward" in the spring!  Well that time has come, the time when you set your clocks ahead 1 hour before crawling into bed on Saturday night.

 

And don't forget about ALL your clocks.  Make sure you update your car, bedroom alarm clocks, clocks in your office, all your watches and any other clock you may not see on a regular basis.  This is also a great time of year to check/change your batteries in your smoke detectors.  Make it a point to do this the same time of year every year and then you won't forget when you did it last. :) 

So Saturday March 8th turn your clocks ahead 1 hour before heading to bed!

Events by Lisa Marie

eventsbylisamarie.com

503-830-7779

info@eventsbylisamarie.com

YOU GOT ENGAGED!!!!!

It is so exciting when you get engaged.  There are a lot of things that you need to think about, people to meet, and things to do.  So why not come to the Charlotte's Weddings and More Open House!

You can meet some top notch wedding professionals who can help guide you thru the process of how to start, where to look and what to do. Plus enter for a chance to win all sorts of discounts!

Invitations, RSVP cards and Stamps

Hello wedding planning couples!

We hope that you are having a great time planning your wedding.  As you begin to get a bit closer to selecting your invitations for your wedding there are a few things you need to know...

1. The price of stamps will be going up on January 26, 2014. This means you need to make sure you get the right stamps for your invites.

2. Even the price of a postcard stamp is going up.

3. Make sure you are aware of odd shaped invitations and RSVP cards.  They are not priced the same.

4. We all LOVE the adorable wedding, heart, and kiss stamps. But, if you buy them before the price increase (or already have them) and intend on using them after January 26th, you will need to add extra postage.  Save yourself some money and get some forever stamps!

Here is a breakdown of the cost impact to you:

If you have 150 people you are inviting, this means you are probably going to send out around 80 invitations (some will be couples but some may be singles).

80 invitations at the current rate of .46 is $36.80
80 RSVP cards (if using a postcard) current rate .33 is $26.40
80 Thank You cards at the current rate is $36.80

Total spent on postage is $100.00 (keep in mind this is a basic invitation size/weight and postcard RSVP card)

80 invitations at the new rate of .49 is $39.20
80 RSVP cards (if using a postcard) new rate .34 is $27.20
80 Thank You cards at the new rate is $39.20

Total spent on postage at the new rate beginning on Sunday the 26th is $105.60

Keep in mind this does not include postage for your rehearsal dinner invites or Thank You cards for bridal shower gifts.  So, while it may seem like a small amount of money, it will begin to add up. And $10 here and $10 there makes a huge difference. 

So you may be asking "what now?" Well head on down to your local store or post office and buy some forever stamps.  You pay the current rate and can save some money.

Thanks for reading and we hope you found this helpful.

Lisa Marie

Eventsbylisamarie.com

503-830-7779

PS when writing your text on your invitations make sure to spell out the date properly. It is two thousand fourteen.  It would not be two thousand and fourteen. :)