Saving for the Future

OK, lets face it, weddings can be expensive! However, there are lots of ways you can save for the wedding and lots of things you can do to help with the cost.

First step is to remember that it is your wedding and you should pick a theme, style or look that really represents the two of you.  There are a million images of amazing weddings out there and lots of things to fall in love with.  Many of which can make you over spend.  Make sure you take a step back and think if it is really something you WANT or just something you think is pretty.

Below are a few things you can do to save some extra money for your wedding, honeymoon or first house.  (or whatever you want to use it for)

1. When you use cash, drop all your change into a jar. If you spend $7.65 at lunch, leave a $2 tip and pay with a $20 bill you have $10.35 left.  Put the $10 back in your wallet and drop the $.35 in the jar.  Do this for a full month and see how much money you spend.

2. Eat out one less time a week.  Either lunch or dinner.  If it is lunch make a little extra dinner the night before so that you have some leftovers.  This can save you on average $7 a week.  If you typically eat out 3 or 4 times a week for lunch you can save yourself about $20 a month.

3. Drink more water.  It is free.  If you go for an afternoon coffee or pop or even just order a drink like Ice Tea or Lemonade with your meals you can save anywhere from $2-6 per drink.  Imagine if you went for 10 lunches a month and didn't order a drink and instead just ordered water you could save on the low end $20 a month.

4. Evaluate how you spend money at the grocery store. Use coupons! Even if it is just for one or two items.  The money you can save is amazing.  There are a lot of programs you can use to help like coupons.com.  Additionally, check into the stores you shop at the most for their rewards cards.  Safeway has a mobile App and Fred Meyer has a rewards card where you can add manufacture coupons to your card and do not have to clip them.  This saves you extra time in trying to remember to take them with you.

5. Use CASH! I know this may sound funny but set up a budget for all your non essential monthly expenses.  put together 4 envelopes and if your budget is $400 for the month put five (5) $20 bills in each envelope.  At the end of the week whatever is left put in the money jar! Don't roll it to the next month and Don't steal for the next month.  If you run out on Thursday make due.  Eat at home, don't buy that Starbucks, Dutch Brothers or other coffee drink.  Remember the above post about water? :) 

6. Walk!!  It is amazing how much time we spend driving around.  Walk to lunch if there is a place close by, walk to the store or instead of driving somewhere like a movie theater go for a walk with your sweetheart. It will save you some time, money and gives you a workout. :)

7. Errands - Stop on the way home from work to pick up groceries and plan out your day so that you can run all your errands at the same time.  Instead of doing 1 day try to schedule a full day on the weekend and get them all done at once.

Most importantly really look at what you are buying.  Do you NEED that item?  Can you pay for it out of your monthly budget or will it take 2 or 3?  Money doesn't grow on trees so it is good to sleep on bigger purchases.  If a day or two later you still want it and can afford it without hurting your budget then go for it.  :)

Need additional help creating a budget for your wedding?  Schedule a consultation with us and we can go over some tips and tricks.  There are lots of ways out there to save your budget during your wedding planning process as well as ways to save money and get a few more of the items you would like.  So lets chat. :)  

Life is about enjoying but not about going into debt.  So enjoy the beauty in life.

Lisa Marie

Eventsbylisamarie.com

503-830-7779

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Portland Oregon Event and Wedding Planner. 

Terminology

Since 2009 we have been using the term "Wedding Specialist" and "Event Specialist" instead of coordinator or planner.  Sometimes people ask us why we use the word Specialist.  So I thought I would write a post about it and explain why we have chosen to use one word over another.

Specialist - Per the Websters Dictionary means - One who specializes in a particular occupation, practice or branch of learning.

Our Specialists are just that.  We specialize in knowing how to plan and organize your wedding or event, how to work with your budget so that you have a realistic view of what is important and where to splurge, we KNOW the professionals in the industry that will mesh well with you and your personality as well as fit within your budget, we can take your vision and know without much research how to make it happen.  We keep up to date on trends, finds, ideas and styles so that you can rest assured that your wedding or event will be all you want it to be.

We Specialize in knowing where to go to find the unique items you want to help make your vision come true.  We are true Professionals who have committed time and energy into learning the things we need to know so that we can be a Specialist in our field.  We are NOT photographers, florist, caters, filmmaker, we are your wedding Specialist or event Specialist. You work with the above professionals as they are the specialists in THEIR field.

Yes we do Plan your wedding or event and YES we do Coordinate your wedding or event however, we Specialize in doing this in the absolute best possible way, as well as, making your vision become a reality.  Do we plan or coordinate a wedding or event we see?  No we plan and coordinate a wedding or event YOU see.

While the term Specialist is not widely used in the industry it is one we have been using.  And yes on our marketing material we also use wedding coordinators/planner and event coordinator/planner.  But we prefer Specialist.

Royal Wedding or my Own Wedding?

Recently while chatting with one of our brides we were asked about music.  Our bride, Amanda, was talking about how she was trying to pick music for the ceremony and was getting lots of "help" from others.  They are not having a very typical wedding and taking out some of the more traditional elements to create a wedding that reflects their personality.  One of her questions was "Do I have to use the music everyone else says we NEED to play?"  my answer "NO"  and yes I did almost shout it at her. 

Your wedding day is about you, the two of you.  It should be a reflection of your love and desire to spend your life together, thus being a reflection of your personalities.  It is ok to deviate from what others have done, it is ok to NOT do what your parents did and it is OK to NOT have a trendy wedding or a wedding like the Royal Wedding.  What Will and Kate did is not what works for every couple.

Do I think some aspects of the Royal Wedding will become trendy, YES for sure.  Some people will want to have a wedding similar to what the Royal Couple had and some will fall in love with some of the elegant looks that were created for the wedding.  Such as the floral arrangements all white in color and smaller bouquets.  Or maybe they will like the sleek look of the dress Pippa, Kate's sister, wore, they may want their guests to wear fun hats.  Do I think these will be some of the popular trends? Yes I do but gradually and it may take time as I think many brides will take little aspects.  However, I will still tell my clients that it is ok to NOT do what is trendy, to instead do what you feel represents you, as a couple.  Afterall, its your wedding, your pictures, your video and your day to commit your life to the one you love.

Photo credit oregonlive 

Happy Wedding Planning

Lisa Marie

Owner/Specialist

Events by Lisa Marie

503-830-7779

But it's too LATE to hire a wedding coordinator

Part of my job as a wedding specialist/coordinator is to educate others about what we do.  Can you have a wedding without hiring a wedding coordinator?  YES.  Do you want to.... that is the true question.  And NO it is NEVER to late to hire us unless it is after the wedding.

Our job is to make your life easier, stress free, the planning and actual wedding FUN and to ensure it goes the way YOU, our clients, want it to go.  Many times a couple will think "oh our wedding is just a few weeks away it's to late to hire someone"  Well no, this is still a good time to meet with us and we can make sure you have everything completed, and suggest how, what and where to get the last few details, then make sure it all comes together.


We recently signed a couple that was a referral from TWO of our past clients.  They had been telling her for months that she needed to call us.  She thought "we don't need someone they have an onsite coordinator"  Then, she realized there is a difference and met with us 18 days before the wedding.  She was lucky, we had her date open and she signed right away.  We have had two meetings to discuss all the details they are planning, find out what still needs to be done, (they are still working on transportation and a few other details) and get an understanding of their vision. 

Now in only a week and a half her wedding will go as planned and they are now less stressed, because she listened to her friends and decided to hire someone, us.  It is NEVER TO LATE.  Give us a call and see if your date is available. 

PS don't get us wrong you can always hire us at the beginning of the planning process as well but some people get to the end and think it is too late.

Lisa Marie, Summer, Taylor and Alycia

Events by Lisa Marie

503-830-7779

Registering for your wedding - Part II

Recently we did a post on registering for your wedding gifts.  OK great NOW WHAT???  This is a big question for many.  It starts with things like, Do I put those cards in my invites?  What about the shower invites?  What do I do if we get multiple of the same thing?  Below we have outlined many of the questions couple will ask or be confused about.

1. Upon finishing your registry you will be given cards or at least asked if you want them.  You do not need them so opt out of getting them.

2. If I don't get the cards how do people know where we are registered?  Add your registries to your wedding web page, map enclosed in the wedding/shower invitation or people will ask your parents or wedding party.

3. When can we open gifts mailed to us?  Open them as they arrive and write your thank you note for them right away.  Sign it with your maiden name and mail it (only use your married name on gifts opened after the wedding).  This lets the sender know it has arrived and you can get a few thank you notes out of the way.

4. What do we do if we get two of something?  Hopefully this will not happen if you didn't register for two of the same thing at two different places.  With any luck you will not get duplicates but if you do it is ok to return one.  Hopefully you are given a gift receipt for it and can exchange it for something else.

5. If you are sent a gift of money make sure you deposit it right away.  When you write your thank you note tell them how you plan to use the money.  If you plan to save up all the wedding money and use it for a down payment on a house, remodel work, honeymoon or anything else let them know.  Your family and friends will enjoy knowing how the money was used.

Here are a few tips for at the Wedding

1. Have two sided tape at the gift table.  Your attendant can tape down the card to the gift so it doesn't get separated.
2. Have a basket for cards.  It will keep them all together and you will not have to worry about any getting lost.
3. Have the best man or maid of honor take them to your place or the place you will open them.

Happy Wedding Planning

Lisa Marie

Owner/Specialist

Events by Lisa Marie

503-830-7779

We still have openings for September and October of this year.  And don't forget to check out our facebook page at www.facebook.com/eventsbylisamarie

Keeping up to date?

Make sure you are following us on facebook to stay up to date with all the upcoming events, trends, colors and other happenings around town.  Its also a good way to hear about updated in our world and great professionals we like to recommend and meet with.  Planning your own wedding?  We just may be the perfect Wedding Planner for you.  Make sure you contact us now for your complimentary consultation and lots of great planning material. 

And for you, little summer inspiration

 www.facebook.com/eventsbylisamarie

www.eventsbylisamarie.com

info@eventsbylisamarie.com

503-830-7779

Don't Delay, Call Today!

Complimentary Consultations

Did you know that we offer complimentary consultations?  Yep, that's right you can sit down with us and chat about your event at no expense to you.  This gives you an opportunity to get to know us before deciding if you would like to book us, however we are confident that once you meet us, see our portfolio and hear how we plan to implement your vision you will want to book us right away.  So don't Delay call Today!

Contact us at our primary number 503-830-7779, email us at info@eventsbylisamarie.com and don't forget to check out our facebook page at www.facebook.com/eventsbylisamarie

Lisa Marie

Events by Lisa Marie

Wedding and Event Specialist

http://www.eventsbylisamarie.com/

503-830-7779