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Category Archives: Wedding Resources

Posts on vendors and other wedding professionals, including guest bloggers

The Art of Budget Planning: Tips to Get You Started!

Thursday, September 2, 2010 Posted in Wedding Resources

In continuation with my guest blog series, I’m happy to welcome back NJ wedding planner Carina Castro of Luxe Events. Carina’s insight and expertise helps her client’s achieve the wedding of their dreams.

“The Art of Budget Planning: Tips to Get You Started!”

by Carina Castro

old rolls royce outside of a catholic church in NJ

The dreaded “B” word. The one part of wedding planning that is no fun – budgeting! Once you’ve decided on what you can spend and whether or not family will be pitching in, you’ll need to work out a budget plan — preferably before meeting any vendors. It’s all too often that brides fall in love with a venue only to find out it is way out of their budget.

Here are some tips to help you as you and your fiance crunch your wedding day numbers:

Knowledge is power. In order for your budgeting to work, it has to be realistic. Find out what local vendors charge for their services. You can’t base your budget on what your parents paid for their photographer 25 years ago or what your friend in the Midwest paid for her entire wedding. You may quickly realize that your original budget is not realistic. Adjust your budget after getting the estimates.

Focus on what matters most. Decide what’s most important for you and your fiance and allocate your resources accordingly. If you are “foodies,” your focus will be on selecting a great caterer and menu that you and your guests will enjoy. If you love to dance (like I do!), then hiring the right DJ and selecting the play list will be one of your top priorities. Listing your top priorities will keep the focus on what matters most to you. You can then find ways to cut back on the remaining list items.

Stay organized. You will quickly realize that staying organized during your wedding planning will make life easier. Download a wedding budget spreadsheet or create your own. If you’re using a template, remember all the items listed are just a guide.

Taxes/Tips. Forgetting to account for tax and tips can throw off your budget. When getting service quotes, make sure to ask if tax is already included and find out what their tipping policies are. These may not be included in your final price, but either way, it will avoid surprises later on.

Don’t count on wedding gifts. Many couples make decisions that ultimately put them over their budget, in hopes that they will make their money back with their wedding gifts. However, it almost never works out that way and at best, you’ll be making half of it back.

Budgeting, like dieting, is never fun. It requires a watchful eye on our spending and usually means we have to make sacrifices along the way. However, there’s more to lose by not paying attention to the numbers. Being clear about what you have to spend and how you will use your resources is empowering and will make it that much easier to ensure you still have money for life after your wedding!

Want to use this article in your e-zine or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement:

Event Planning Entrepreneur Carina Castro publishes the “Luxe Events” bi-weekly e-zine. Get your *FREE report: “How to Plan a Luxe Wedding for Less: 5 Simple Ways to Cut Costs” at www.LuxeEventsNJ.com

About Carina Castro

Carina Castro is an Organizational Psychologist and owner of Luxe Events. She works with busy NJ and NYC brides and keeps them stress-free throughout their wedding planning process and on their wedding day, so they can relax and enjoy the moment.

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Top Ten Tips for Hiring a Tip Top Bridal Makeup Artist

Thursday, August 26, 2010 Posted in Wedding Resources

In continuation with my guest blog series, NYC Bridal Makeup Artist Nicole Lundy shares her top ten tips for hiring a tip top bridal makeup artist.

Top Ten Tips for Hiring a Tip Top Bridal Makeup Artist

by Nicole Lundy

Your Wedding Day is all about you…The Bride!

It’s your day to be radiant and glowing with love for the new chapter in your life. Women include their wedding day as one of the most important events in their lifetime and rightfully so! It is a coming of age into woman-hood.

So, now it’s time to plan. Where do you start? You need this vendor and that vendor and the list grows and grows.

What about your makeup? You think to yourself, “I want to be glowing and flawless!” So, who do you hire for this important task? Where do you find this great makeup artist? How do you know if this makeup artist is perfect for you?

beutiful Indian bride on her wedding day No need to worry. Use these tips and you will be sure to find the perfect makeup Artist for your big day.

1. Get Recommendations
Get recommendations from your other wedding vendors as they may have worked with great Bridal Makeup Artists in other weddings. Photographers, Wedding Planners and Hairstylists are the top 3 vendors that would know great artists.

2. Use Local Resources
Local resources, such as, bridal magazines, bridal websites and bridal expos are very valuable for finding quality bridal vendors such as a Bridal Makeup Artists.

3. Ask he/she on how they got started as a Makeup Artist
Makeup artists start in a variety of industries and gain specific skills. If your makeup artist worked in fashion, then he/she will have a great grasp on how colors work together and will choose colors that blend well with your complexion and also complement each other. If your makeup artist worked at a makeup counter, then he/she will have extensive hands-on experience working with a myriad of skin types, face shapes, and complexions. If your makeup artist worked in film, he/she will have an understanding of lighting and chances are your makeup will photograph well.

4. Ask he/she on what education/training they received for Makeup Artistry
This is very important to find out. Makeup Artists do not have to be licensed to set up shop, so essentially anybody can call themselves a makeup artist. Ask probing questions such as, Are you a certified artist? How long have you been providing makeup services for brides? How many brides do you service per year? What other makeup services do you provide?

5. Book Makeup Artist at least 3 Months before Wedding and Book a Trial
Give yourself time to find the perfect Makeup Artist for you. Browse through websites, social networks and the web to create your top lists of artist to contact.

6. Show Pictures of Looks that you love at your Bridal Trial
Tear pictures from magazines or print pictures from the web of makeup looks that you love. Collect them to show your makeup artist at your Bridal Trial. Your makeup artist should go through each look with you and give his/her recommendations. The trial should end with you ‘loving’ your new look. Make sure that your makeup artist has face charts and notes to re-create your look on your wedding day.

7. Do you like him/her?
Your makeup artist will be playing an important role in one of your most important days. They will probably be in your room when you are getting ready and will be one of the first people to see you in your dress. Make sure that you enjoy being in their presence.

8. Don’t skimp on quality
Professional Makeup Artists use the best quality brands. The main reason being is that it lasts the entire day. If you choose to hire a makeup artist then make sure hire one with quality skills and quality products. It is worth the investment.

9. Sign a Contract
It is highly recommended for you to sign a contract with your Makeup Artist that you are hiring and have everything in writing such as, price, date, # of people being serviced, location. Signing a contract may also mean paying a deposit to secure the date and time which of course, is very important.

10. Get the Timing Right
Schedule your Wedding Day appointment for about 3 hours before the event so that you are not rushed. You should give your makeup time to be perfected and a chance to settle.

About Nicole

Nicole Lundy is the Senior Makeup Artist at NeLani Skincare & Cosmetics in the NYC Tri-state who is passionate about helping women ‘unleash’ their flawless beauty. NeLani Skincare & Cosmetics is a Makeup Artistry company, servicing, Celebrities, Fashion Shows, Weddings, Film, Print, Television and many other types of occasions. Find out more at www.NeLaniCosmetics.com

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Let’s Hear It For The Boy

Tuesday, August 10, 2010 Posted in Wedding Resources

In continuation with my guest blog series, I’m please to introduce to you, wedding & event coordinator, Regina Cialone Alaimo of Cloud Nove Events. Regina Cialone Alaimo shares some tips on how to get the perfect guy in your life more involved in planning the wedding of your dreams.

groom with groomsmen at church

Let’s Hear It For The Boy

By Regina Cialone Alaimo

You’ve met the perfect guy, he’s finally popped the question, and now you’re sporting a gorgeous engagement ring on your finger. What’s next? Most likely if you’re planning your own wedding, you’ve got list after list of things to do. And, you’re feeling a little stressed and overwhelmed with all of the decisions and tasks in front of you. You know that getting your future husband to help with the wedding planning will take some pressure off of you, AND it will help improve communication and team work… but you can’t get him away from the Wii remote for 10 minutes!

Sound somewhat familiar? Don’t worry; there are plenty of ways to engage your fiancé in the planning process. At first, give him short, specific instructions for small tasks, and eventually you can build your way up to “booking the honeymoon” after he feels more comfortable and involved. Here are some ideas for you to get started:

Can’t pry him away from his computer or iphone? Great! Turn that passion into productivity and ask him to build your wedding website, create your DVD slideshow for the reception, or keep family members up to date with wedding festivities by writing a wedding blog.

Your registry – many couples are adding nontraditional items to their registry, like flat screen TVs, camcorders, or even tools. Remind your fiancé that he doesn’t have to actually go to the store to register; he can just add items that he’d like from the comfort of his home computer. Also, and I’ve learned this from experience, do not underestimate the joy a man gets out of holding the scanning gun while you register. Ladies, you may control the remote – but let your fiancé control the registry gun!

Food and alcohol… now THERE are two ideas a man can get behind! Ask your groom to accompany you to your menu and cake tasting (he may even want to pick out the cake topper). Find out what his wine preferences are – or suggest he hosts a wine tasting night with his friends to help pick your selections.

Price line negotiator… OK, maybe he’s not running around like William Shatner, but if your soon-to-be husband has good negotiating skills why not ask him to work out the prices with vendors, and see what kinds of “extras” or discounts he can persuade them to throw in for you.

This one may seem obvious, but worthy of mention – your big day transportation. Take your fiancé along to visit various showcases and check out the fleet. He may impress you with his knowledge on the difference between the Bentley Arnage and Flying Spur, and will definitely enjoy checking out the Hummer or Tuxedo navigator stretch.

If it has to do with the guys – groomsmen gifts, tuxedos, gifts for Dad – involve your fiancé. And, if he’s familiar with your wedding location, ask him to create a list of things to do, good places to eat and fun bars in your area to include in your out-of-town guest welcome bags.

Share resources with your husband, like Craig Michael’s book, Thirty to Wife: The Tell-All Groom’s Guide to Weddings-How to Get Hitched Without Losing Your Mind or Your Fiancée. Or send your hubby-to-be a link to Groom 411. This is a humorous and informative site created by the same guy who authored the book above. He’s determined to help other men not make the same mistakes he made when planning his wedding. There are facts, articles, interactive lists, and tools to use – including the (in)decision-o-matic – you’ve got to see this!

Remember that just because he isn’t as excited about peonies as you are, doesn’t mean that he isn’t interested in the wedding. A lack of initiative doesn’t always mean a lack of interest. However, a little motivation could help. I read an article where a groom said that for every item he crossed off his to-do list, his wife bought him a new gadget from Home Depot. Tools can be persuading; so can freshly baked brownies, a romantic night in, and a little acknowledgment and praise. In summary, a little bribery can go a long way to crossing items off that wedding to-do list!

© 2009 Cloud Nove Events. Want to use this article in your E-zine or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement: Wedding planner Regina Cialone publishes the “Cloud Nove Events” e-zine. Sign up to receive it in your Inbox bi-weekly at www.cloudnoveevents.com

event coordinator regina cialone alaimo About Cloud Nove Events:

NY event coordinator, Regina Cialone Alaimo, offers more than ten years’ experience in planning all types of celebrations including weddings, baby and bridal showers, engagement parties, christenings, corporate affairs, fundraisers, and entertainment events in New York City and Long Island.

A proud member of the Association of Bridal Consultants, she understands that planning an event can be overwhelming, and is honored to share her resources, guidance, expertise and dedication to help make your dreams a reality. With her great sense of humor, she’s ready to keep you smiling and stress-free through your wedding planning process.

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The Successful Wedding Photographer Published by Photopreneur

Tuesday, July 6, 2010 Posted in Wedding Resources

I recently got my copy of The Successful Wedding Photographer book by Photopreneur, and proceeded to read all 285 pages in one weekend! I couldn’t put it down, because it’s always great to learn how other wedding photographers approach their businesses. I feel extremely grateful to have had my wedding photography business feature in the book, it’s a great honor.

For today’s post, I have an interview with Photopreneur spokesperson, Scott Baradell, regarding The Successful Wedding Photographer.

african american bride in limo, on way to wedding ceremony

Q: How did the idea for The Successful Wedding Photographer develop?
A: The Photopreneur blog (http://blogs.photopreneur.com/) has long been one of the Web’s top resources for photographers of all experience and skill levels who are looking for new and creative ways to make money with photography. Wedding photography is one of the hottest opportunities for photographers today, but also one of the most competitive. So we thought we’d lend our expertise to teach photographers how to stand out from the pack and carve out their own business.

Q: Who is this book for?
A: This book is for anyone with an eye for an image, skill with their camera and the idea of building a business out of their love for photography. If you are an amateur who wants to go pro, or a pro who wants to get better at marketing and using the Web to secure more bookings, this book is for you.

Q: What are some of the lessons and topics explored in this book?
A: We cover everything from winning referral and repeat business to creating a Web site that converts visitors into bookings and building a personal brand though social networking. Beyond shooting the wedding itself, we explore other ways to make money from your work, such as selling your work through stock photo sites and offering wedding photography workshops.

Q: What separates The Successful Wedding Photographer from other wedding photography books?
A: Two things: first, it is focused on extremely practical advice – for example, walking you step by step through strategies to improve your search position with Google and draw more traffic to your site. It also focuses on the new tools that successful wedding photographers should be using today, such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Flickr.

Q: Why do you think The Successful Wedding Photographer has done so well in presales?
A: Everyone with a digital camera and a Web site today can call themselves a photographer – which means that making money from photography is very much about being a smart, aggressive marketer. You can’t just take pictures, post them on your Web site and hope people will want to hire you to shoot their wedding ceremony; you have to go out and get the business.

Q: How does this book fit in to the Photopreneur repertoire?
A: We’ve already had one very successful book, 99 Ways to Make Money from Your Photos and we expect to offer books with this kind of practical advice regularly going forward. We have the best focus group in the world for determining our subject matter – our thousands of readers.