In today’s economy, is there a need for a wedding planner?
Save Time With a Planner
In today’s economy, is there a need for a wedding planner?
(ARA) – Weddings can be one of life’s biggest expenses. In the current economic climate, it’s no surprise that couples are looking for ways to cut down the costs.
“Most people are so busy that they don’t have time to plan an event with everything else they have going on in their lives,” says Deborah Wallace, instructor with the Event Management Diploma Program at The Art Institute of Vancouver, who thinks it’s important to see time as a precious commodity, as opposed to just dollars.
Wallace reflects that it can be difficult to explain the time saving as a justification to couples; for example, it’s easier to explain to a company how much they would save in staff wages through hiring a professional to plan an event. “It’s hard to make this clear for a bride and groom,” she says. “A company knows what their employee’s time is worth, but what are your friends’ and family’s time worth?”
Wallace also questions the wisdom of asking loved ones to help out with those important wedding responsibilities, such as picking out linen or choosing the flowers. “It can turn a celebration into a stressful experience for the helpers, who feel like they’re working while everyone else is enjoying the festivities,” she says.
“People spend a huge amount on weddings, and often the Wedding Planner is actually a fraction of the overall costs,” says Amy Alto, whose company, Clear the Floor, organizes first dances for wedding parties. Wedding Planners can actually help couples save some much-needed dollars, through discounts with suppliers and services they use regularly. In Alto’s experience, the Wedding Planner will also tend to get the best service from vendors for their client. “The planners give them a lot of business, so you can feel confident that your cake will arrive on time and the flowers will be fresh,” she says.
Mike Granek (CSEP), academic director for the Event Management Diploma Program at The Art Institute of Vancouver, suggests that training as an event planner can provide the skills needed to plan weddings and leave career options wider. Transferable skills, such as project management, financial management, customer service and risk management, are all used in planning a wedding. For example, managing a stressed or sensitive bride takes customer service skills, and financial planning helps to keep all the wedding costs within budget.
Richard Markel, director of the Association for Wedding Professionals International, doesn’t predict a slowdown in the increasing numbers of wedding planners anytime soon. He estimates that there are currently 60,000 professionally registered wedding planners in the US.
So is there a need for wedding planners? “Absolutely,” says Granek. “There are always people wanting to get married. As long as there are people getting married, there will be a need for wedding planners.”
To learn more The Art Institutes schools, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Secrets every bride can use to make her wedding unique
Unique Wedding Decorations
Secrets every bride can use to make her wedding unique
(ARA) – Every bride-to-be dreams of putting her unique stamp on her wedding day. Blending her chosen wedding colors into many of the occasion’s elements is just the first step toward a creative and beautiful event. Brides in gorgeous gowns, bridesmaids and groomsmen decked out in the wedding party’s colors and striking flowers are the perfect accompaniment to the colorful landscape of the summer and fall wedding seasons.
Selecting the perfect ways to feature wedding colors is a very personal representation of the bride and groom. If you’re a bride-to-be, picture homemade jewelry embellishing your wedding dress, table decorations that match your wedding theme and colors perfectly, or all your guests looking over unique programs that you made at your kitchen table.
“Making wedding decorations or even gifts for the wedding party allows you to put a lot of creativity and personality into the project. And, because you made it yourself, you’ll have a customized, one-of-a-kind item that perfectly matches your wedding and its decor,” says Courtney Talkington, manager of education and inspiration for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. “Another idea for your DIY wedding is to involve your family, friends and wedding party in making the projects, allowing everyone to be included in the fun and creativity.”
Using a centuries-old technique of quilling is one way to create a homemade necklace with a unique look in beautiful colors. Not only does the rolled paper look beautiful in decorative flower shapes, it’s also a great way to incorporate keepsakes such as ticket stubs or love letters from the dating and engagement years into meaningful, wearable art. Are you new to quilling? Quilling classes will be offered at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores starting in September.
Quilled memory necklace
Supplies and tools:
Thin paper strips for quilling: scrapbook papers, ticket stubs, old love letters and other paper mementos
Quilling tool
X-Acto knife and cutting mat
Tacky glue
1 spool tiger tail
1 package each of 3 mm and 4 mm Blue Moon glass pearl beads
1 clasp set
Crimp beads
Crimp tool
Bent-nose pliers
Wire cutter
2 6 mm jump rings
1/4 yard Tulle
1/4 yard of 1/4 inch wide Organdy ribbon
Hand sewing needle
Thread
Optional book: “The Art of Paper Quilling, Designing Handcrafted Gifts and Cards”
Directions:
1. Using paper strips for quilling, make several flower shapes in various sizes and colors. Set aside.
2. Cut two pieces of tiger tail about 12 inches long.
3. Attach one end of one tiger tail strand to clasp using crimp bead and crimp tool. Trim excess wire.
4. String glass pearl beads for about 8 to 9 inches.
5. Attach one jump ring to opposite end using a crimp bead and crimp tool. Trim excess wire. Set aside.
6. Repeat steps three to five for second tiger tail strand.
7. Cut two pieces of tiger tail – one 8 inches long and another 10 inches long.
8. Attach tiger tail strands to jump ring. Adjust the 8 inch strand to measure approximately 6 inches and the 10 inch strand to measure approximately 8 inches.
9. Lay paper flowers out on work surface so they fit nicely between the two pearl strands and on top of the two tiger tail strands.
10. Cut two pieces of tulle slightly larger than your flower layout, following the outline of the flower shapes. Cut two large strips of tulle – about 3/4 inches wide and 3 inches long – to tie onto necklace at the sides.
11. Sandwich the two tiger tail wires between the tulle. Hand stitch the tulle together close to the tiger tail wire.
12. Tie the tulle onto the necklace at jump rings. Trim tulle to desired length.
13. Cut two pieces of organdy ribbon each 2 1/2 inches long. Tie onto necklace at jump rings. Trim.
14. Glue paper flower in place on top of the tulle following desired layout. Let dry.
15. Add glass pearl beads to flower centers. Let dry.
If you’re looking for something for your guests to take home with them, consider designing your wedding programs with a keepsake envelope. The directions below use fall burgundy colors, but feel free to mix and match the colors to personalize the program to your wedding.
Personalized wedding program
Supplies and tools:
8 1/2 inches by 11 inches of Burgundy suede cardstock
12 inches by 12 inches of Black Magic cardstock, black/red two-sided
12 inches by 12 inches of Burgundy suede paper
Lime green cardstock
12 inches by 12 inches Vellum sheets, translucent clouds
2 shades of purple, narrow ribbon
5 round beads, grape
5 seed beads, grape
Silver leaf charm
Silver “Follow your heart” charm
5 headpins
2 jump rings
Silver heart brad
20-gauge Silver wire
Grape leaf template
Paper trimmer and scissors
Corner rounder
Hole punches, regular and large
Vellum tape
Adhesive dot runner or glue stick
Jewelry tools: wire cutter, round-nose and chain-nose pliers
Computer (to generate text)
Ruler and stylus (or bone folder)
Directions
1. Cut burgundy suede cardstock 5 1/2 inches by 12 inches. Score 4 inches up from bottom edge and fold, using ruler and stylus, to create a pocket. If left and right edges are not quite even, trim them now, up to 1/2 inch total. Punch top four corners of folded pocket with corner rounder.
2. Using included pattern, trace a grape leaf on the back of the pocket flap and cut out with scissors. Print the bride’s and groom’s names and wedding date on vellum, so that it will fit the leaf shape. Attach the vellum to the inside of the pocket with adhesive dot runner. Attach a panel of lime green cardstock behind the vellum for a subtle green hue. Cut a thin strip of burgundy suede cardstock to fit behind top of pocket. Round corners and attach so the back side of the paper is visible behind the suede pocket. Using large hole punch, punch a notch on the left and right sides, using photo as guide for securing ribbon.
3. Print vellum panels with wedding information, no wider than 4 1/4 inches. Mount on burgundy suede paper and Black Magic cardstock; round top right corner of vellum.
4. To create bead grape cluster, string a green seed bead on a headpin, followed by a round green bead. Make six to eight. Create a wrapped loop at the end of each. Curl one end of 20-gauge wire and string on grapes and leaf charm. Create a wrapped loop.
5. Wrap narrow purple ribbons around the wedding program pocket and tie in a knot to the right of the leaf cut-out. Slip the bead cluster onto a jump ring and attach over the knot. Tie the ribbon, catching the jump ring, to prevent it from sliding. Attach the “Follow your heart” charm to a second jump ring and attach it to the first jump ring.
6. Punch a hole through all three layers of the program and insert a silver heart brad.
“There are so many ways to take your wedding from mainstream to magnificent” advises Talkington. “A little inspiration is all you need to incorporate your ideas into the wedding of your dreams.”
For additional ideas for unique ways to personalize your wedding through crafts, visit www.joann.com/wedding.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Plan for the Wedding and for Life in any Economy
Ways to Save
(ARA) – Planning for a wedding can be tough, especially when money is tight. But as you make your way through the mile-long checklist of things for the big day, have you thought about life after the wedding? Whether this is your first or second wedding, your dream wedding or a spontaneous ceremony, the financial implications of sharing a lifetime with another person last long after the “I do’s.”
To ensure happiness and financial security in any economy, you should be thinking about your financial future today. And, the good news is that taking the necessary steps to a sound financial future is not as complicated as you might think. Here are some things to discuss as a couple, as suggested by financial experts at SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc:
1) Come up with a Budget
You may have your own budget, but now you are planning income and expenses for two. If you combine your income and expenses, you will need to combine your budgets as well.
Be prudent with your spending. Write down everything each of you spends per month and cut back on non-essentials. Take into account housing, food, utilities and transportation, as well as student loans, credit card balances, car payments, taxes and if applicable, alimony and child support. For further tips on creating a sustainable budget read “Become Your Own Financial Advisor: Tips on Planning a Budget and Sticking to It” at www.sbliusa.com.
2) Begin an Emergency Fund
An emergency fund helps ensure that you and your partner are secure should something happen, such as a job loss or serious health issue. You should agree on how much you want to save for a “rainy day.” It’s a smart idea to save between 5 and 10 percent of your salary in a joint savings account. To avoid the temptation to spend your savings, consider having the money automatically transferred from your checking accounts. Aim to save 3 to 6 months of living expenses.
3) Purchase Life Insurance
According to a study conducted by LIMRA International 48 million Americans either, don’t own life insurance and believe they should, or own life insurance and believe they need more. Purchasing life insurance will give you the peace of mind of knowing your loved ones will have money to help maintain their standard of living should anything happen to you. To access a variety of financial information and tools, as well as to learn more about life insurance and get a free quote, speak with the experts at SBLI USA.
4) Create a Plan for the Future
Take the time to create a written financial plan with clear goals. The plan should include specific and realistic steps to achieve your dreams, including buying a home, starting a family, taking vacations and retirement. Decide what additional investments you’d like to make apart from your regular savings such as maximizing your 401(k) or IRA contributions.
Using financial planning software, such as Quicken, can help with keeping track of your expenses and investments. Decide what your tax filing status will be for the year. Make sure you consider the difference between married filing separate versus joint filing, based upon your particular circumstances. Consult your tax advisor if you are unsure.
5) Pay Down Debt
Credit card debt is the number one obstacle to a secure financial future, and knowing both of your credit scores is essential. You’re allowed one free credit check annually with each of the major credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. Order reports and go through and correct any inaccuracies. This will help you both get a loan at a lower rate when it comes time to borrow money for a house, car or other major purchase.
Getting married is an opportunity to get a fresh start on your financial well being. These types of wealth-building efforts are extremely beneficial, and create a solid foundation to a long, happy marriage.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Stretch Your Wedding Budget by Renting
Rent To Save
(ARA) – Engaged couples long for a wedding day that will be unique and memorable, but in these tough economic times many are becoming more cautious about how they plan and spend their budget.
According to The Wedding Report, a research company that tracks wedding spending in the United States, the average cost of a wedding in 2008 was $21,814. That is a 24 percent decline over the 2007 average of $28,704. This decline doesn’t mean you can’t have exactly what you want on your big day to create your dream wedding.
“You can rent almost anything you need to make your wedding match your vision,” says Christine Wehrman, executive vice president and chief executive officer of the American Rental Association (ARA), the global trade association for the rental industry. “By renting items for your wedding, you have access to products that may have otherwise been too expensive in large quantities. You can get exactly what you want at a price that meets your budget.”
Choose linens that match your wedding colors, or go for classic white to offset the color of your centerpieces. Linens can be rented in a variety of colors and textiles, and add a touch of elegance to every space. Create drama without adding cost by creating a monochromatic design for your table.
Centerpieces can be elegant or casual, depending on your style. Mix tall and short clear vases to add depth to your table and save money on large floral arrangements. Or choose a variety of candleholders to create a vintage-inspired look and a romantic, low-light atmosphere.
Planning an outdoor wedding? Tents can transform any setting into striking surroundings for your big day. ARA member rental businesses have a variety of tents to create the venue, as well as everything you need to make it beautiful and comfortable.
Large tents and elegant canopies come in a variety of colors and styles. Many come with cathedral ceilings, windows or even clear tops — allowing guests to catch a glimpse of a dramatic sunset or a sparkling night sky.
Many ARA member rental stores offer personalized service through their Certified Event Rental Professionals (CERPs) who are specially trained to help you choose the right rentals to make your dream wedding come to fruition. Most offer on-site support the day of your wedding, and that’s a day you’ll be looking for all the support you can get!
You can also rely on the expertise of your ARA member rental store professionals before you book your venue. They can help you assess the potential site for things like power accessibility, ground water issues or overhead power lines that may interfere with your vision of a tall tent, among other situations.
The wonderful experience and memories of your wedding day will be yours to own forever. And everything else? Well, that you can rent! To find your local ARA member rental store, visit www.RentalHQ.com, the world’s largest rental store locator. You can search by geographic location and by the specific type of equipment you are looking to rent.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Prepare a Wedding Budget and Determine Who Will Pay for Each Item
Who will pay?
11 Months Before Your Wedding
If it weren’t for the cost of a wedding, there would likely be a lot less stress. Weddings while magical can be a very costly affair. This is the most important day of your life and it will likely be the most expensive day as well. Before you panic and think that all hope is lost in planning your dream wedding, take a deep breath and recognize that preparing a wedding budget can not only be helpful but also allow you to keep your priorities in line.
First and foremost you need to sit down with your beloved and decide how much money you have to work with. This is important to do as a couple and will help you to properly assign amounts to each element in the wedding planning. You also want to consider if you think you’ll get any money from family members, but don’t count on it in your overall wedding budget. As you begin planning out your wedding budget, you want to decide on the elements that are the most important to you. If you absolutely must have a particular setting or a specific reception venue, then you want to make that the absolute priority for your wedding day. If having high quality photos is a must have item, then you’ll want to budget more for your photography needs. It helps to list out each category that you could possibly spend money on within your wedding planning, and then decide as a couple what takes priority.
Once you have a priority list, you can start shopping around and gather information on costs for each item. Your budget in each category may change, but keep to a range whenever possible. Doing some research online to understand the average cost of some of the wedding day “must have items” is a great idea. You can visit our sample budget at Brideminders.comcan help you to assign budget amounts and stick within the ranges set along the way. The budget is definitely one of the more stressful elements in your wedding planning, but setting one at the very beginning will help you to determine your priorities and ensure that you don’t go broke in your wedding planning.
Asking close family members for monetary help with your wedding planning can be a touchy subject. Hopefully the parents or other family members approach you, but if not it’s important not to have any set expectations. If uncertain what to have parents pay for upon offering, you can always go with the classics such as the groom’s parents pay for the bar and rehearsal dinner while the bride’s pay for the venue, meal, and dress. You can make it easy and take the sum of money offered and apply it to one important aspect of the wedding day or a few smaller ones. If offered any money, be sure to discuss expectations graciously with those providing the gift and apply it to something that they are happy to be a part of.
Dream Weddings are Possible, Even on a Budget
Dream Weddings are Possible, Even on a Budget
(ARA) – Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, one you have probably spent years dreaming about. When color-coordinated linens, a beautiful outdoor tent and elaborate candelabras are your vision, don’t let your budget confine your imagination.
Your dream wedding can be possible, no matter how much you have to spend, when you rent from an American Rental Association (ARA) member rental store.
Planning your wedding should be fun, not frustrating, but the number of decisions can be overwhelming, especially when trying to find the most cost-effective solutions. Use the expert guidance of a rental store professional to help you find your way through the details.
Once you have determined the location of your event, search for a local ARA member rental store. The rental experts often know exactly what the venue will provide and what you will need to rent. They can point out the unique items available for rent, things that you may not have considered, and the little things you may forget about, like salt and pepper shakers.
Your ARA member rental store is a great place to discover the latest in wedding trends. Leave it to them to learn what is new in chair and table settings and designs, barware, cake stands, tents, food stations and more. They can tell you about the newest items available to make your special day stand out from the rest.
Some unique items that are available for rent and that can help make your day exceptional include:
* Slush machines used to create delicious fruit smoothies and frozen specialty drinks.
* Outdoor heaters to keep your guests perfectly comfortable.
* Chiller tables to serve drinks or specialty food items.
* Popcorn machines to give your guests a fun carnival treat.
* Chair covers and table linens in an array of colors to help make your place settings unforgettable.
* Dance floors that will transform any space into a party.
* Stanchions (posts and fencings) to direct your guests where to go.
Many ARA member rental stores provide even more custom service through their Certified Event Rental Professionals (CERPs) who are trained to help you choose the right rentals to make your dream wedding a reality. Most offer on-site support the day of your wedding, and that’s the day you’ll be looking for all the support you can get!
The wonderful experience and memories of your wedding day will be yours to own forever. For most everything else? Well, that you can rent. To find your local ARA member rental store, visit www.RentalHQ.com, the world’s largest rental store locator. You can search by geographic location and by the specific type of equipment you are looking to rent.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Before Your ‘I Do’s,’ Do Financial Review First
Before Your ‘I Do’s,’ Do Financial Review First
(ARA) – One thing you can definitely say about the current credit crunch – it sure isn’t romantic. But for couples about to exchange “I do’s,” a clear understanding of each other’s credit history as singles, and how they will use credit as a couple, is vital to ensure their future wedded bliss.
All signs point to the reality that credit is likely to be difficult to get for a while, even for those with good credit scores. Getting married is a life-changing event that will impact your credit rating. It’s important for couples to be open and honest with each other about their credit histories, credit-use habits and plans for using future credit.
Credit has become an integral part of the American institution of marriage. If you are newlyweds, you’ll likely require credit to fund some of your basic needs and dreams – from buying your first house to financing the minivan you’ll need to transport the big family you plan to have. Your blended credit rating will decide how easy or difficult it is to secure those loans at favorable rates.
So how can you prevent the credit crunch from putting the squeeze on your plans for building a life together? Here are some basic tips:
First, exchange credit reports. As a single person, your credit score was a private matter between you and the people you borrowed money from. When you’re married, your credit history becomes linked to your spouse’s and he or she deserves to know ahead of time how you rate with lenders. Knowing what’s on your credit report is the first vital step toward reaching your personal financial goals as a couple. Get a copy of your credit report at www.FreeCreditReport.com and present it to your intended.
Next, set mutual priorities and goals. If you both have significant debt, perhaps your goal will be to pay that off before incurring any new debt. Pool your earnings to pay off the highest interest debts first – his $9,000 credit card debt may actually cost you more in interest each month than her $14,000 auto loan.
If you both are relatively debt-free, good for you. You can turn your attention to setting savings and spending priorities, including saving for a down payment on a house (the low-rate, zero-down loan is virtually extinct), putting money aside for your retirement or building up your cushion of savings in case the economy gets worse and one of you loses a job. Decide which priority is highest on your list, agree on a time frame for reaching that goal and organize a game plan for getting there.
It’s important to have these discussions before the wedding. You’ll both enjoy your big day more knowing you’re on the same page regarding your financial future.
It is easy to check your credit reports. Web sites like www.FreeCreditReport.com allow you to get your credit report and credit score which gives you more control over your personal finances.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Wedding Planning on a Budget
Wedding Planning on a Budget
(ARA) – As a bride, once your Prince Charming has popped the question and placed the perfect princess cut on your left hand, the last thing you’re thinking about is a budget. You’ve fantasized about your perfect day since childhood and money was never an object. But how are you going to afford that?
While you don’t want to sacrifice your dream wedding, you also don’t want to demolish your savings. Fortunately, you can still have your cake and eat it too … without paying full price.
Here are some expert tips to stay budget-friendly for your big day.
Propose a budget:
Discussing finances is never easy, but it’s an essential conversation before planning your wedding. Traditionally, the bride’s family provides a significant financial contribution, so find out what type of funding you might be receiving from this source. However, more and more couples are going it alone these days, so work with your fiance to establish a budget and decide how much each of you can afford to contribute. Decide together what’s worth splurging on and where you can save. If a designer dress is a must, consider hiring a D.J. or loading up an iPod instead of a 10-piece band. Don’t forget that communication is key — stay open, honest and committed to your budget.
Commit to research:
Since you’re planning your wedding on a budget, you might find that a wedding planner is an expense you can’t afford. Instead of hiring outside help, make a list or find a wedding checklist of everything you need to purchase and arrange before your big day. Once you have established exactly what you want, research, research, research. Never buy an item or hire a vendor without doing your homework. Make sure to check out user reviews and read vendor profiles online. A great resource for researching vendors is OneWed.com where you can browse thousands of vendor ratings and reviews from brides across the country. The site has the largest local vendor database available so you can find the all of the services you need in your “I do” destination.
Be a Cyber-bride:
It’s a little known fact that everything found in brick and mortar stores can be bought online, often for less. Lucky for the budgeting bride, online couponing sites are available to provide coupon codes for a number of online merchants. Just go to Google and type in a retailer name and coupon code for a list of resources. Deals range from deep discounts to free shipping — saving you major cash. Think bridesmaids gifts, rehearsal dinner dress, thank-you notes, party favors, table decorations and much more.
Spread the love:
Once you’ve said “I do,” cut the cake and tossed the bouquet, it’s off to the honeymoon. And since everyone loves newlyweds, take advantage of your newly married status for vacation perks and fun freebies. Start by calling your hotel in advance and letting them know you’ll be coming for your honeymoon — they might be motivated to upgrade your room or throw in a romantic surprise. Don’t forget to share your good news at airline counters, restaurants and any other trip destinations. More often than not, you’ll receive special treatment in the spirit of celebration … and after planning a wedding, you deserve it!
For more information about wedding budget planning, visit www.OneWed.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
