WEDDING INSURANCE!!!!

What a nightmare!! About a week ago there was a huge clammor amongst wedding industry friends of mine about the sudden closure of The Georgetown Club in Georgetown, MA. They locked their doors and filed for bankruptcy protection. Employees suddenly have no job, creditors are not paid and the worst part - brides getting married that weekend and in the very near future - have no place to hold their reception. What I really hoped was that some of those brides invested in wedding insurance. In the past, this type of insurance was thought of as an unneccesary expense. In many cases it was due to their confidence that their venue is a landmark or otherwise well known facility in seeimingly good financial health. Wedding planners usually hear via the underground when some vendors or even venues are on shaky financial ground. We like to keep others in the know if they do decide to go with that vendor and make their own decisions. But, with the recent closing of the Georgetown Club, what about your florist? How about the limo company. Protection is there for couples to make sure they recoup their financials but what happens a week before your wedding and the venue closes? If you have a planner - there is always a plan B. We have the resources, we make the calls, we can negotiate a better deal and make sure you have all the information needed to make fast decisions. Get all the information you can about insurance and make a decision that is best for you. There are lots of companies to choose from and if you own your own home - check with your homeowners insurance to see if you can get a binder from them. It is reasonably priced and based on deposits, gift theft, jewelry loss, etc.. Anything can happen at a wedding - just don't let it happen to you.

Lookit those eyes!

Hey girls! Listen, I had to tell you because I thought I was going crazy. I noticed in pictures that my eyes look gi-normous and could'nt help but think - wow, look at my eye's - they are so pretty!! I am one of those people whose eyes change colors - from slate blue to green to amber-ish. I can always tell it's gonna be a good day when they're green honey!! So, anyway, today I was putting on my mascara and noticed another thing - I have way more lashes than I used to. I used to have three big patches and then a few little baby lashes in between. I was never happy with them and even contemplated buying falsies to make them more uniform but, you know, I didn't want to look like a glam goddess while shopping at the grocery store! Just being honest. Here's what I figured out - it's my new masccara! Now, I bought it because it was on sale - and I had a coupon - so there's a bonus. It's that Covergirl Exact Eyelights. I bought it in Target in the shade of Black Gold. I prefer a darker lash and this is made for my specific eye shade. I knew they would pick up the color highlights in the mascara but grow my lashes too?? Who'd have thought that was a benefit. Now, I cannot say that was the case but, honestly, I don't care. I love this stuff and my lashes look fab. Covergirl - you've done it!! And, NO, I don't get any free Covergirl stuff, nor am I a paid endorser but Hey, Covergirl - LOVE IT!

Make Money, Money!

Hey girls, here is another tip that you can use TODAY!! If you are one of those brides who has to wait to save some more cash before you can start planning your wedding - this one is for you! Did you ever think about putting your money in a short term CD? There are many levels of short term ranging from months to years as well as different levels of interest rates. But, regardless of the term, in many cases, you come out with a little more money than what you put in. Some banks will also allow you to add money to that same CD so you will be able to stay on track with your saving. Also, some have deposit caps but it is definitely worth looking into. Even if there is a cap and you have saved some more money - open another CD for a shorter term. Keep the CD's SAFE by making sure the bank is FDIC insured and lock those little bank books in a safe. Plus, the best part - you can't easily touch that cash like a regular savings account. Just in case you decide you hafta to have those awesome new _______.

Save the Dollars!

In case you didn't know, the dollar bill is on the endangered species list. With the recent economy floundering - people don't want to spend any money just in case. We know the feeling! So, that puts brides in a precarious situation because they want everything because it is sooooo cute, beautiful, perfect, {insert descriptive word here}. But, they run the calculator in their mind and put it back on the shelf. We understand what you are going through! But, did you know, that working with a planner will actually SAVE you money. Let's just choose one item out of your wedding details that everyone does for weddings - flowers. You want them, even if you are not into flowers. The groomsmen need bout's, maids need bouquets, Moms need corsages, etc. right? So, you have decided to not have flowers on the tables to save some cash. But what should we do there instead? Sure, you can put candles there but you will have to be sure you CAN use candles at the venue. You might need to put hurricanes over them to prevent a fire or get the LED tealights. So, good, that's done. But, what else is going with it - it looks too sparse. You could put some seashells around them or some silk blossoms or colored stones. Yes, that looks better. But, did you notice that you added the additional components to make it look complete? All that adds up per table. Trying to make your table look nice will still cost you money regardless of what smaller items you use. But, working with a planner, we have florists that will take what you do have to spend and use that creatively to make your table look fabulous for very little money. Our florists will use more textural items, inexpensive greens, blossoms, containers and sometimes items you wouldn't have even thought of. Our course, you don't need a planner to do that but our knowledgable florists know you need to get creative on your lowered budgets. They make your wedding special without it looking watered down. Walking into your local florist and telling them that you have a thousand to spend may make them flinch. Their package doesn't fit your budget perhaps. We tell our florists what you are working with and they make it happen. Even if you want exotic orchids! You don't need a bushel - but a few would be nice, right! There are ways, and we know them.

Bargain, Bargain, Bargain - SCORE!

So, I love to find a bargain regardless of where I am - Target, Bloomingdales and even the gas station. But, this past month has been crazy finding bargains for my three boys heading back to school. One likes the skater look, one goes for the jock wear and my littlest one - well, let's just say I like anything but white. But what I do love in white is wedding gowns. Did you know that as a planners we can find so many deals on wedding gowns and you don't have to look any further than that pricey bridal boutique. Just like your local department store changes fashions according to the seasons, bridal salons so the same. The best way to get a deal, or even a steal, is to shop the boutique during their trunk show. This is where the salon will highlight a certain designers next seasons gowns. But, here is the thing, you are getting married in the fall and they are showing the summer collection. Not to worry though! Some salons will allow you to purchase that designers fall collection during the summer show at the same discount! Many salons have that last season gown already discounted to make space for the new collection - that equals double discount!! One bride was looking for a specific Maggie Sottero gown and we were able to make sure that gown was delivered to the trunk show store so she could try it on. Of course she loved it. Yes, it was last season, yes it was discounted, yes she saved over $700. Not that I need to say more but p.s. honeys - thats $100 short of paying for your Month of Coordination with The Rare Affair! Bonus!! Now, lets see what we can do about those snazzy linens you were contemplating....