The Bride's Last Hoorah!

 

10 Easy Steps on How to Plan her Bachelorette Party!

                You have been honored with the title of “Bridesmaid” or even “Maid-of-Honor”.  With this title I’m sure that you have been busy helping her pick out the perfect dress, picking out your own dress, and maybe have even gone to a few tastings.  Yes these items are very important, but the most important responsibility in the Bride’s eyes, is planning her Bachelorette Party! Stuck on how to plan this special, fun & crazy night?  I have listed out ten easy steps that will make planning a lot less stressful and will guarantee that the Bride will have the time of her life!

1. Whose in the Bridal Party?

Knowing who is in the Bridal Party will definitely be the first step! Request a list of the Bridal Party and their contact information from the Bride.  Also, ask the Bride who she wants there.  A lot of the time the Bride will want other close friends, family members and maybe even her and her fiancé’s mothers. 

2.   Decide the Theme!

This is the fun part!  Being one of her Bridesmaids means that you and the others know her the best.  Knowing her personality and what her favorite things are can help you decide what you would like the theme to be. Also, remember to consider your guests when choosing the theme.  Some might not as be comfortable in certain situations as others may be.  With this all being said, here are some examples of Bachelorette Party Themes:

·         Summer/ Themed: Beach, Pool, Spa Day

·         The Year She Was Born: If she was born in the 80s, have an 80s themed Bachelorette Party

·         Pretty in Pink

·         Las Vegas: Whether your in Vegas or want your theme to be Las Vegas, either way will guarantee a great time for all!

3.  Discuss Budget with the Wedding party Ahead of Time

This information is key.  Include all costs involved during the whole event, including food, travel & cover chargers!  You do not want to plan an extravagant day/night and then come to realize that everyone is not on the same page as you regarding the budget.  You will either end up wasting a lot of time or you may even be stuck with the bill!

4. Decide on the date & location of the event

Know that you know the theme and everyone’s budget, it is now time to choose your location(s) and the date.  Availability will most likely determine your date! Just remember not to schedule the event the night before important days: the bridal shower, engagement photos and definitely not right before the Wedding day!

5. Transportation

Transportation is something that is forgotten quite often.  Knowing where you’re going and how you’re getting there is key.  Since alcohol is most likely involved, make sure you plan ahead and hire a form of transportation.  Transportation options can range from limos, buses and trolleys.  Make sure to secure transportation early, it books up fast!

6.  The Bride’s Accessories

The Bride will want everyone to know that she is the Bride the night of her Bachelorette Party! So make sure to purchase fun wedding accessories for her to wear so everyone will know it’s her special night.  These accessories can be anything including a sparkly tiara, a sash or even a wedding veil!  Also, consider the other ladies attending the party!  They may also want to wear something special to stand out from the crowd, like a feather boa!

7.  Don’t Forget the Themed Décor!

Whatever theme you choose needs to have plenty of décor!  We highly recommend Pinterest for great and fun décor ideas!

8. Games, Games & More Games!

Games are the best part of the Bachelorette Party!  Make sure to come up with plenty of games for you, the Bride and the other guests to play!  These games can be scheduled any time you have down time.  Examples of fun games can be found all over the internet, but here are some I love and suggest:

·         A Scavenger Hunt: Played throughout the day/night

·         Bride Trivia: Either who knows the Bride Best or if the Bride knows the Groom Quiz

·         Pin the tail on the Male: You Get the Hint

9. Don’t Forget to Invite Your Guests

Be sure to purchase invitations  that match the theme of the party and make sure to send them out to give guests enough time to RSVP and free their schedules!  Also, if this is a surprise for the bride, remind your guests that it is a surprise and inform them of any cover fees or costs that they will need to come up with.

10. Pay Ahead

Ask your guests to pay ahead of time for all of the Bachelorette Party Expenses.  To make things less confusing and easier for you, ask that your guests pay in cash… This way it will be easier to pay your vendor/venue the day of and you won’t have to sort through checks/credit cards.   

When planning this amazing night for one of your dearest friends/family members, just have fun with it!  Like I previously said, just remember to consider their personality, the guests and what they would love to do, and I guarantee she will have the best time and remember it for the rest of her life! 

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),

Olivia

2014 Top 5 Theme Wedding Trends

From the simple and savvy, to the grand and dramatic, 2014 weddings seem to cover all realms of themes and the Brides themselves.  Newly engaged and not sure what to do? Well not to worry, we have the Top 5 Wedding Theme Trends for 2014 that might spark an idea for your dream day!

Vintage Is Here To Stay

That’s right!  The vintage theme is still going strong in 2014!  The simple, savvy and very creative Brides have kept this theme trending and are doing it better than ever!  With the elegance of the neutral tones, the simplicity of the venue, and the unique use of old furniture and props, who could blame a Bride for choosing this breathtaking theme for their very own wedding day.  Vintage Weddings bring together the old and the new, and that is something everyone can appreciate!

 Bohemian Chic

2014 Bride’s seem to be in love with the whimsical details of a Bohemian themed wedding.  From the flowing dresses and the floral headpieces, to the use of wild flowers and neutral tones, the relaxed bride and groom are grasping this theme and running with it. 

With the Bohemian Chic theme, it may be very simple to find your venue… just go exploring!  Whether it is in the middle of a forest or a large open field, Bohemian Brides are taking these spots that are not commonly used, and creating them into a beautiful and unique space.  With touches of lace, neutral tones, floral and candlelight, a blank canvas can turn into a masterpiece.

 Rustic/Country

The Brides this year are really going with neutral tones and simplicity for their wedding and that doesn’t fall short for the Rustic/Country theme that is still trending!  The old rustic barn combined with neutral tones, lighting, lace and floral really brings an element of romance that not many themes capture.  As you see below, the old rustic barn can bring a bride’s vision to life, no matter how she pictures it!    

Bright and Beautiful

With Chicago being the “frozen tundra” this year, Brides are overwhelmingly excited for their summer wedding and are doing it with very vibrant colors!  Every color in the rainbow is being used in the brightest way and it is making us desire the warm temperatures of summer!  Everything from the linen and floral, to the dresses and props, these blues, oranges, pinks, yellows and greens are being used in a spectacular way!   Trust us, with these bright combinations, this will be something you or your guests will never forget!

Drama, Drama, Drama

Want that WOW factor?  Well this year, Brides are making every detail something to WOW about.  And how are they doing this you ask?  Oversized floral (trees even), crystals everywhere, lighting strung from the ceiling and bold dark tones will do the trick!  Even the venue itself will awe the guests!  Grand ballrooms with high ceilings, spaces filled with oversized windows that unveil a breathtaking view, and elegant tents that are thin enough to see the stars are some dramatic venues to consider if this theme fits you!  The Dramatic Theme makes a bold statement and it entails a lot of detail, but if done right, it can turn into the dream wedding you have always envisioned.   

BBFN,

Olivia 

For our Bride: The Balancing and Making Your Dream Wedding Come True

Being a bride is a balancing act in many ways. One of the toughest jobs you have is to keep all of the decision makers involved in your wedding happy. You have to establish priorities as a couple, and decide on what means the most to you. Then…

You need to figure out who else will be contributing to your wedding budget, and what spoken or unspoken expectations come with that financial contribution. Even if there are not immediately spoken expectations, they are there. Your father may be making a small contribution and seem laid back (but he assumes you want him to walk you down the aisle), your grandmother may want to pay for your gown (as long as it’s not strapless), mother may tell you that she trusts you to select a menu (as long as it doesn’t include fish), and his mother may make a passing comment that she knows a photographer (but what she is not saying is that she fully expects you to use said photographer).

Here are a few tips to help you navigate these tricky waters:

• Start the conversation early – the earlier you start to talk about each person’s vision for your wedding, the better. This gives you the most amount of time to find common ground.
• It is your day, be careful how often you assert that – everyone wants you to be happy with your wedding day. The memories will be most vivid for the two of you. BUT, you will surely earn the title of Bridezilla if you overuse that statement.
• Be prepared to make concessions – as you and your fiancé decide what is most important to you, also start to think about areas that you are willing to bend to keep people happy.
• Listen to others’ wishes – while you may be exhausted of listening to others opinions, you never know when someone will offer up a suggestion that you truly are excited about.

The old cliché is true, you can’t keep all of the people happy, all of the time. It is definitely in your best interest to figure out which people are most important for you to please, at least some of the time.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),

Olivia

Why an Event Coordinator is Worth the Investment

They are pushy, overbearing, want to work with only certain vendors and spend extra money. These are some of the fears of hiring a Wedding Planner.  Are they overrated??  Absolutely NOT.  These days, with a busy lifestyle and overwhelming resources on how to plan your wedding, you need the savvy planner, that can guide you through the production of planning a stunning wedding.  Does it take a rocket scientist to plan a wedding? No. But it does require skills and knowledge, and most importantly, resources to bring your wedding vision to a fairytale ending.  A bride that has a wedding budget of at least $20,000 must invest in, at the minimum, a Day of Coordinator, so that she, her groom and their families can enjoy their celebration of marriage.  For those brides that need a branded event, with each detail reflecting the couple’s personality, a complete planning package is worth its weight in gold.

Ladies, wedding planners are no longer a luxury, but a much needed investment into your wedding celebration.  Still curious about those things you have heard about planners? I am going to tackle some of the urban legends about “The Wedding Planner”:

Are planners overbearing and pushy?

Planners keep themselves on the cutting edge of the wedding trends.  They want to amaze you with their talent and wow your guests.  Not all trends can fit into a couple’s budget.  So clearly define your expectation and your budget.  Sit back, relax and let your planner showcase all that can fit into your budget.  But keep in mind, not all ideas may reflect your wedding vision.  For some couples this is the time to express this to the planner, and as necessary reevaluate their wants and needs within the realistic parameters of their budget.

This one I hear all the time, my venue has a wedding coordinator so there really is no need for me to spend additional money hiring a planner.

Catering/Venue Managers are wonderful people and do an excellent job.  They know their particular venue inside out.  However, they do work for the venue, and work within the job responsibility of the venue.  They are a great resource for preferred vendors but are not able to analyze your vision and budget to match you with the right vendors.  Depending on the size of the venue, they may be working with multiple brides on the same day.  Just as you hired a photographer that is working for you and only taking your perfect wedding pictures, a planner works in your best interest to deliver perfect wedding memories.

It is not possible for just one person to organize and coordinate multiple event team partners for your event.  It requires organization and leadership skills to direct and produce a wedding.  A good wedding planning company will provide you with event support, skilled assistants and a back up planner for your peace of mind.  So make sure to do your research and ask the right questions.  Your planner will be your best friend and will cry as she queues you to walk down the aisle.

Until next week!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now)

 Olivia