Wedding Planner & Your Wedding Budget

Kiss Your Budget Goodbye Without the Help of a Wedding Coordinator

A common question among many brides: "Should I hire a wedding planner?" And the answer is yes! 

Whether you're planning a month or months in advance; you only benefit on the day of your wedding. Who wouldn't want a wedding professional on their side to handle all the logistics. Many see hiring a planner as an added expense, but the reality is that its a savings in every aspect of your wedding day!  

The reality remains: timing is everything! Parents and couples may hire a wedding planner based upon all the details involved for a successful wedding day. Hiring a wedding planner provides another opportunity to the family to enjoy their day that much more. Above all, hiring a wedding coordinator saves! It saves money, saves energy and equally important; it saves time.

Wedding coordinators are working to assist with every detail from your initial meeting up to the departure for the honeymoon. They will assist you with your budget, vendor referrals, negotiating contracts, and focus on the theme you have encrypted as your special day.

We all know planning a wedding is an enormous task and undoubtedly stressful. It's important that you are able to place emphasis on the positive highlights and why this day is important. Enjoy the moments that lead up to the wedding.

Your next question may be: How do I find the right wedding planner?
Key factors: Don’t hire the first person you meet who says she once planned a wedding for her brother, sister, cousin, or aunt. Ask friends or family members that have recently married, search various associations or through online resources. Just remember, a wedding planner should be professional and trained. A true wedding planner does not plan weddings on the side. It's their career. You want to make sure you feel comfortable and this individual is working for you. Many brides have felt as if they were working along side their new best friend. It should be a great experience.

There are independent event coordinators who work alone, and there are those who have turned it into a larger business. Some coordinator businesses include a full service event, wedding coordinating and might even have a store associated which may have everything from wedding invitations to wedding accessories.

I urge all brides to utilize a wedding planner, so that at the end of the day, you can be among those that say, "I don't know how I could have gotten through the day without you!"

KIRSTEN + MIKE:: MARRIED: DURHAM, NC

Scheer Hammock Wedding

OMG! There is a first for everything, and let me expound on the word first! There will be no other wedding celebration like Kristen and Mike's. In one word: CREATIVE!

Kristen and Mike are two of the most creative people we have ever worked with and truly the pleasure was all ours to be able to experience such a unique celebration. This wedding was indescribable. From the proposal, through the planning process and to execution on the day. All we can do is share their day through snapshots; it's all creativity. It stapled a new level of imagination to our experience! Not to mention the way the Courtney Potter Photography was able to capture each moment on film. 

The focus for their day in their words was simply "we wanted a wedding that was not traditional, so we just did what we thought would sound fun and meaningful to us. We loved the idea of playing games with our friends and families and spending as much time with them that we could. Other weddings we had gone to, we barely spent any time with the bride and groom and we really wanted everyone to feel like their treck to come see us get married meant that we really got to spend quality time together. Having a potluck style dinner allowed us to share the food we love with our families and made people feel like they were really a part of our wedding day."

"When we were planning this, a lot of our ideas came way ahead of our realization that we actually had to execute things - so as the wedding got closer we realized that having a day-of wedding planner would be essential so that we could enjoy and relax and not stress about how it was all going to come together."

It was an unforgettable day and we got the opportunity to work with great vendors! 

Venue: Spruce Pine Lodge

Cake: Miel Bons Bons

Coordinator: It's a Bridal Thing Too

Photographer: Courtney Potter Weddings

Florals: Wild Scallions Farms

JOLENE + CHRIS:: MARRIED: CHARLOTTE, NC

Hrinda Taylor Wedding

Words can't describe the marriage celebration on this day in May. There were tears of joy, contagious smiles, and lots of laughter. Unforgettable moments... Not to mention the flower girl not making it down the aisle. All was well, the bride made it down! And was absolutely gorgeous. 

Jolene and Chris were surrounded by friends and family with the love and support to last a lifetime. This couple was definitely meant to be together. Anyone could feel the love they share for another. It was genuine, it was unique and is just enough to surpass the test of time. 

We wish them all the happiness for the years to come! 

Officiant: Andrea Smith

Florals: Braswell Interiors

Wedding Coordination: It's a Bridal Thing Too

Reception: Maggiano's Southpark

SIZZLING STYLES FOR OUR THE ENTIRE BRIDAL PARTY

New Collections Added to Our Spring Edition by Alexia Designs

Spring is on the way and so are new spring styles! We all know that brides love to look stunning on their wedding. But who's to think that bridesmaids don't have that same thought? Without upstaging the bride of course.

Our intimate boutique offers a wide selection of bridesmaid dresses that offer elegance, value and fashion. We are delighted to offer our signature collection by Alexia Designs. Their designs have received much recognition, attention and awards. We were excited to release to you our fall collections. We are even more estactic to share new styles added to the spring edition!

Alexia Designs defines attractive, luxurious, elegance, extraordinary, irresistible and affordable. Shop the different collections of Alexia Designs. Every wedding should have its unique touch! That's why our intimate boutique only offers the best.

See Our Sneak Peak Below and Schedule your bridal party appointment today!

New Engagement? Ready for 5 Important Tips

5 Very Relevant Tips for Newly Engaged Couples

Getting engaged is undoubtedly a blissful time and memory for couples, but many couples can get overwhelmed by the wedding checklists and all of the decisions that they have to make in the months to come. We wanted to highlight a few tips from our experience working with other couples and from having the pleasure of walking the aisle. Not to mention, we have learned in working with other brides to be; in a short note, they to felt challenged by the planning process. You're not alone. 

For our planning team, helping brides organize their memorable occasion by providing not only gorgeous real wedding photos, but professional vendor recommendations that we have had the pleasure of working along side, and resourceful online wedding portals. Her are a few pointers to help make the engagement period as enjoyable and stress-free as possible:

Photo Credit: JT Photography

Tip #1. Embrace the moment!

So many couples rush into planning mode right away without taking the time to jut enjoy the engagement. Regardless of whether you are planning a 12-week or a 12-month engagement, you have time, and you only get to experience this once. So breathe.

Tip #2. Set the boundaries.

When you do start the planning process, it is important that you have a sit-down with all parties involved and go over the big picture that you have in mind; from everyone's responsibility to budget. Note: Communication and Organization are essential. Not only does this help everyone get on the same page, but it also avoids future conflicts.

Tip #3. It’s all about the two of you. And that's okay! 

Too many couples that I speak with say they lose sight of this and get wrapped up in trying to make everyone else happy but themselves. Remember this is your wedding. As harsh as it may sound, you have to come to terms with the fact that you are not going to please everyone. But that's okay because you have set the boundaries.

Tip #4. Prioritize.

Budget or no budget; make your checklist and prioritize it with whats most important to you.

Tip #5. Photographs are memories to last a lifetime.

Choose a photographer that is able to capture your day. Hire a professional not a friend. You'll find it very helpful to take engagement photos before the big day so that the photographer gets a sense of you as a couple.