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Archive for the ‘planning’ Category
Wedding Style Inspiration
Friday, March 20th, 2009Kid’s Activities at Weddings
Wednesday, March 18th, 2009
Ideas to keep kids occupied at your wedding:
- Give children their own space. Create a fun children’s table with toys, games and snacks. Hire a babysitter to keep them entertained.
- Give them their own favor bags with small toys and kid friendly snacks. The dollar bins at Target and Oriental Trading have great options for inexpensive toys.
- Have your caterer or venue create a children’s buffet complete with mac n’ cheese, corn dogs, mini pizzas, ice cream novelties and cupcakes.
- A basket with coloring books and crayons are a simple way to keep children happy. We have personalized wedding day coloring books that we make for our client’s weddings. They are always a hit with kids and parents.
Don’t forget to add highchairs to your rental order if you are inviting children to the wedding. The parents will greatly appreciate this gesture.
Debbie Orwat, Colorado Wedding Planner
Save the Date Events
Destination Wedding in Colorado
Thursday, March 12th, 2009
Five reasons to have a destination wedding:
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Your family and in-laws will get to know each other very well (this is usually a good thing but not always)
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You will spend much more time with your guests since you are on vacation with all of them
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You can save money by incorporating your wedding and honeymoon into one event
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In Colorado, you can ski down the aisle…not something you can do just anywhere
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It’s neutral territory instead of being in your hometown vs. his hometown
Debbie Orwat, Colorado Wedding Planner
Blog Birthday Today!
Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
Our blog is officially 2 years old! Here are some of the most popular posts from the past:
Debbie Orwat, Colorado Wedding Planner
Brunch Wedding
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009
Why not have a brunch wedding? A 10am sunny, outside wedding ceremony, a cocktail half-hour with mimosas on the deck followed by an over-the-top brunch. What’s not to love? With beautiful mountain surroundings, you don’t need much decor or lighting, brunch is typically the least expensive meal to serve, entertainment can be a strolling violinist and you will have your choice of venues, even on a Saturday in the summer.
Your guests can enjoy the afternoon with their friends and family then everyone can head out for an evening of drinks and dancing. Wouldn’t you like to be a guest at this kind of wedding?
Debbie Orwat, Colorado Wedding Planner
Save the Date Events
Wedding Budget Communication
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
We just read a great article about how brides and grooms deal with personal finances and the wedding budget. Why not have a financial counselor help you during your engagement and marriage? You can read the article here.
Seating Chart or Seating Cards
Monday, February 23rd, 2009
What’s the difference between seating cards and a seating chart? Does it matter?
First, ask yourself a series of question to help determine what your best option is:
Are you serving a plated meal with various selections for your guests to choose from?
If so, steer clear of the seating chart because you’ll need to distinguish their selections on the seating card for the servers or catering staff. A special ribbon color, paper color or other marking on the seating card is a simple way to show the guest’s dinner choice.
Do you have limited seating, or the exact number of tables you’ll need for your guests?
If so, you’ll need to consider some kind of table chart or seating cards because you’re guests will usually leave a seat or two open at their tables and that can’t happen if you are limited.
Are you only reserving a few tables for your guests?
While we don’t recommend this option, some brides and grooms don’t want to deal with seating details. If you have open seating, you want to make sure your parents and grandparents sit closest to you which means you will need to have a few reserved signs at those tables in advance. It is also important to reserve a table or two for your bridal party and their guests.
There are other questions and circumstances for seating cards vs a seating chart but these are a few of the most important considerations.
Debbie Orwat, Colorado Wedding Planner
Save the Date Events
2009 Wedding Trends - Part Three
Friday, February 20th, 2009
Today is the final post in our three part series on 2009 wedding trends. We’ve adapted these for Colorado weddings. You can read part one here and part two here.
Wedding Logos - These are still hot into 2009. Graphic elements create a unified look for your wedding stationery and can be anything from a mountain scene to a bird, to a non-traditional graphical element. They may reflect the location of the wedding, the wedding theme, or one of the bride and groom’s favorite hobbies.
Bar Stations - Wine will always be in style. Bar chefs are all the rage, creating “Signature drinks” for the bride and groom. Champagne bars are a big trend right now…pick your favorite bottles of bubbly and don’t forget the mixers such as Chambord, Midori, pomegranate and pineapple juice. Guests will have a blast making their own signature cocktails. Along with the vintage craze, “vintage” cocktails are back as well. Make sure your bartenders know how to make the perfect Manhattan and Sidecar.
Late Night Snacks - Guests need a little pick-me-up as the night goes on. Gourmet popcorn or french fries served in brown paper cups or mini Chinese food containers, after dinner cheese boards, tray passed sweets like cheesecake lollipops, mini ice cream sandwiches, mini root beer floats, and warm chocolate chip cookies with ice cream shots.
We are incorporating many of these fun trends in our 2009 weddings. Want to learn how you can incorporate these details to make an unforgettable wedding? Give us a call or send an email today. We would love to hear from you!
2009 Wedding Trends - Part Two
Monday, February 16th, 2009
This is the second part of our three part series on 2009 wedding trends, adapted for Colorado.
Color Combos & Patterns - Pastels are out, rich colors are in. Navy, orange with dark ruby reds, plum, and amber are hot colors for 2009 weddings. Chocolate brown is still a great color to include in your palette but black and grey are coming back strong this year. Bronzes and coppers are popular metallic choices. Patterns such as toile, florals, and damask are HUGE this year.
Tapas and Sample Stations - Tasting bars for cocktail hour are a huge hit for weddings. Paired wine and cheese stations are educational and fun for guests. More than half of our couples from 2008 opted for fun dinner stations instead of the more traditional sit-down dinner or buffet. And guess what? Their guests LOVED it!
Stay tuned for the final part in this series on 2009 wedding trends! You don’t want to miss the best part.
Debbie Orwat, Colorado Wedding Planner
Save the Date Events
2009 Wedding Trends - Part One
Wednesday, February 11th, 2009
This is the first of our three part series on 2009 wedding trends, adapted to fit Colorado. Here they are!
Outdoor Weddings - Barns, backyards, mountain tops, tents. Outdoor settings in Colorado are a must for your ceremony. The natural beauty of the mountains doesn’t require much decor.
Vintage Inspired - This is a popular theme for a few of our 2009 weddings. Vintage cake toppers, white milk glass vases, mis-matched china, vintage napkins … the options are endless.
Local and Organic Farm Produce, Eggs and Meats - Luckily we have a variety of options for this in Colorado and many caterers can accommodate this request.
One “Buzz” Detail - that one item or detail that keeps guests talking for years. Whether you incorporate your mom’s secret chocolate chip cookies, a salsa dance class at your rehearsal or a champagne station in the restroom, there are always new ideas to create that “wow” factor for your guests.
You don’t want to miss the rest of this series on 2009 wedding trends. You can subscribe to our blog here.
Debbie Orwat, Colorado Wedding Planner
Save the Date Events
Bachelor and Bachelorette Party Idea
Monday, February 9th, 2009
How can you not laugh about these? For a bachelor or bachelorette party, these would be fantastic and fun. You can purchase them here.
Debbie Orwat, Colorado Wedding Planner
Wedding Planning Tips - Recap
Friday, February 6th, 2009
If you are new to our blog, here are a few links to recent posts with wedding planning tips:
Top Wedding Complaints from Guests
Wedding Coordinator and Venue Coordinator - know the difference
Quick Ideas for Eco Friendly Weddings
Debbie Orwat, Colorado Wedding Planner
Save the Date Events
How Wedding Planners Work
Monday, February 2nd, 2009
How does it work to have a wedding planner? Brides sometimes think that having a planner means they don’t get to do anything and the planner makes all the decisions. This couldn’t be further from the truth. For myself and many other wonderful Colorado wedding planners, we take the time to learn what wedding planning tasks you want to be part of (cake tastings, design meetings, catering tastings) and what you don’t want to deal with (managing the budget, pulling all your ideas together, arranging transportation, confirming the rental orders). The bride and groom always have the final decision. We want you to have the wedding of YOUR dreams (not our dreams!). Here are a few tips on how most professional wedding planners do business.
Pricing - most planners charge either a flat rate, hourly rate or a percentage of the wedding budget. Save the Date Events uses a combination of flat rate and hourly, depending on what our client needs.
Logistics - We can be present at all of your vendor meetings, some of your vendors meetings or none of them! Some planners choose to attend a certain number of meetings while other planners insist on being at every single one. There is no right or wrong answer. It depends on what the bride and groom feel comfortable with. Also, if you are having a destination wedding, your planner will usually act as your representative at most vendor meetings.
Vendor Relationships and Payments - Planners work with you to find the best vendors who fit your style and budget. The bride and groom make the final decision, sign the vendor contract and pay the deposit to the vendor. This is how we work at Save the Date Events. We are your advocate during vendor meetings, keep track of your vendor payments and only recommend the absolute best vendors to fit your style and budget. Once you make a final decision on the vendor, you sign the contract and pay the vendor directly. Then we work with your vendors on the wedding day logistics and details of their service.
Debbie Orwat, Colorado Wedding Planner
Save the Date Events
Choosing Your Wedding Vendors
Friday, January 30th, 2009
During the planning process, many couples get caught up in the to-do list and timing of choosing their vendors. While it is important to check off your long list of wedding planning items, it is more important to take the time to find the right person for you. You don’t want to choose the cheapest planner or the photographer who has great work but isn’t a good personality fit for you. I am a big believer in getting your vendors under contract quickly if you are having a Saturday wedding in the summer but I also stress to my clients to take the time to get to know the person, not just their work before signing the contract.
You will have many emotional ups and downs, moments of insanity and will sometimes second guess your decisions during the planning process. It is so important that you choose vendors who will be by your side and ease your fears along the way. You don’t need to best friends with your vendors but you should have good chemistry with them and mesh well with their temperament. Don’t feel guilty if someone looks great on paper and you love their work but don’t feel like your personalities work well together. For example, if you are a shy person, especially in front of a camera, you need a photographer who can bring out your personality and make you feel comfortable. A photographer with a shy personality is not going to be a good fit for you no matter how good his work is.
I encourage clients to choose the vendors they feel completely comfortable with and who they trust 100% to do the best job for them. Many of us would much rather have a potential client turn down our services from the very beginning than to spend months and months in a relationship with a couple who doesn’t trust us.
Debbie Orwat, Colorado Wedding Planner
Save the Date Events
Five Reasons to Hire a Professional Videographer for your Wedding
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009
1. Uncle Joe or Cousin Eddy may video your wedding for free but what happens when they run out of tape, the battery dies during your ceremony, or they are drinking at the bar during the cake cutting. I think you get the idea here.
2. If you do decide to have a friend or relative video your wedding, chances are that the tape will sit unwatched for years because you don’t have a finished DVD that is interesting to watch. Are you going to connect the camcorder to your TV every time you want to watch the tape? Probably not.
3. Grandma and Grandpa. Unfortunately, they won’t be with you forever. How lovely to watch them dance at your wedding AND have that moment forever captured on your wedding video.
4. Being a bride and groom is the busiest day of your life. There will be many things happening at your wedding that you simply will not know about. Having it captured on video and seeing it later is priceless.
5. Capturing the moments that photography can’t such as the first dance song, the best man’s speech, and your father giving the dinner blessing. I am not advocating that you should hire a videographer instead of a photographer. But I am saying that before you toss out the idea of hiring a videographer,consider what is most important to you now and in the future.
Your wedding video and your wedding photographs appreciate in value as the years go by. The ability to revisit those moments on your first, fifth or 50th wedding anniversary may be more valuable than you think.
Wedding videography in Denver typically starts around $1000 and can go up to $10,000 or more.
Wedding videography in Denver typically starts around $1000 and can go up to $10,000 or more.
Debbie Orwat, Colorado Wedding Planner
Do’s and Don’ts of your Mountain Wedding - Part Three
Monday, January 19th, 2009
Today is the last part of our series on the do’s and don’ts of mountain weddings. You can read part one here and part two here.
Expert Help - Don’t go it alone. Never plan a destination wedding completely on your own. In doing so, you are risking disappointments like your cake not showing up, choosing the less-than-ideal location, your flowers being late, etc. Consider hiring a professional experienced planner who has your best interests in mind. The time and peace of mind you receive will be well worth the expense.
Trust Your Expert Help - Once you hire your planner and vendors, trust them. You’ve found the best vendors to handle your day. Trust your judgment and their guidance, especially in a location where you may or may not have visited. While things like what time the sun sets behind the mountains and the effects of altitude may not be of concern to you, it will definitely be on the mind of your wedding planner as well as your other vendors, who are ultimately there to ensure you have a flawless wedding day.
This post wraps up our three part series on mountain weddings. Feel free to add your advice and experience in the comments. Don’t miss out on expert wedding planning advice, subscribe here.
Do’s and Don’ts of your Mountain Wedding - Part Two
Monday, January 12th, 2009
Today is the second of our three part series on mountain weddings. We are focusing on the do’s and don’ts of mountain weddings in Colorado. Whether you have lived in Colorado your whole life or are having a destination wedding here, there are unique circumstances and logistics for mountain weddings. You can read the first part of the series here.
Your Decor - Please wind proof your décor. When creating place cards, favors and other décor for your mountain celebration, keep in mind that the wind can be your enemy at an outside ceremony and reception. You can personalize and wind proof these details with a little creativity. If tall centerpieces are your dream, have the florist secure the centerpieces to a heavy object such as a larger mirror.
Altitude - Some guest won’t even notice the change in altitude while others may feel sick when they land in Denver. Inform your guests about the effects of altitude, especially if you are having a high-mountain wedding and alcohol.
Embrace the culture - Mountain life is like no other. Don’t be afraid to incorporate aspen bark, leaves, pinecones and other rustic details into your wedding. If the groom is an avid skier, make a mountain out of your groom’s cake. If you both love to mountain bike, have a graphic designer create a monogram reflecting your hobby.
Subscribe here so you don’t miss the last part of our series on mountain weddings in Colorado.
Do’s and Don’ts For Your Mountain Wedding - Part One
Monday, January 5th, 2009
For the next three Mondays, we are focusing on the do’s and don’ts of mountain weddings in Colorado. Whether you have lived in Colorado your whole life or are having a destination wedding here, there are unique circumstances and logistics for mountain weddings.
Hair and Make-up - Be realistic about your hair and makeup options. While a mountain wedding can be a dream come true, wind, cold and rain can do damage to hair and makeup. When planning a mountain wedding, take the elements into consideration before choosing your hair style. For an outdoor ceremony, seriously consider an updo. This tried and true style will keep you looking polished all night. If you are determined to wear your locks down, invest in a stylist to spend the day with you touching up your makeup and hair so you do not have a tangled and messy hairstyle by the time you enter the reception.
Your Guests - Do plan to entertain your guests. A mountain wedding is definitely more work than a wedding in Denver or in your hometown. You are not only inviting guests to your wedding, but you have also invited them on vacation. Plan activities at the ski resort, a welcome reception complete with smores, an easy day hike or other simple activities where your guests can spend time with you without breaking their budget.
Wedding Week Activities - On the other hand, don’t feel obligated to plan every minute. Guests are on vacation too. Do provide them with activity options and a short itinerary for the week so they know where to find you. However, definitely allow them time to explore on their own. Your wedding website is a good place to list local activities for your guests.
Guest List - Don’t expect everyone you invite to attend. Traveling is expensive, especially to some of the mountain towns in Colorado. Because of this, expect a certain percentage of your guests to decline your invite. While this can be initially disappointing, it will make for a much more intimate celebration.
Today is the first of our three part series. You can subscribe here so you don’t miss out on this valuable advice.
Marley As Your Ring Bearer?
Friday, January 2nd, 2009
I don’t know about other states, but here in Colorado having your dog as your ring bearer is just as common as having your niece as the flower girl. Here are few words of wisdom if you are considering this.
1. Check with your ceremony site for rules. Obviously if you are getting married in a church, you probably won’t have Fido with you. Many venues automatically include a rule in the contract that dogs are not allowed. In our experience, some venues will change the contract for you to allow your beloved pup to be part of the ceremony.
2. Assign a designated person to transport your dog to and from the ceremony. This should be a person who your dog knows very well and is comfortable with. I do not recommend having your dog at the reception. With all the food and strangers, it is not the best situation for your pet or for your guests.
3. Evaluate your dog before making a final decision. If your dog is Nervous Nelly around big groups of people or pees every time she gets excited, having her in the ceremony might not be a good choice. Consider how she acts around others, in strange places and when you are in her view but can’t give her attention.
4. Consider other ways to include your dog in the wedding festivities. If you don’t think your pup will be able to carry out her duties without causing undo stress to both of you, arrange to have photos taken with her before the ceremony or have her around at the post wedding BBQ.
5. This may sound trivial but please do not attach your real wedding bands to your furry child. Sure you can have her walk down the aisle (on a leash) but keep those rings in the best man’s pocket until the officiant requests them during the ceremony. You never know when a deer, bird or random squirrel will appear and cause your dog to run off with the rings.
We update our blog numerous times per week with valuable expert tips and advice. Subscribe here so you don’t miss out!
Newly Engaged?
Friday, December 26th, 2008
BIG congratulations to the couples who just got engaged! Here are your top to-do’s (after you call every person you know to spread the good news):
1. Hire your wedding planner - this should be you first step. An experienced wedding planner can be a huge asset while you are looking at venues. Decor ideas, logistics and price crunching by an experienced professional will help you find the venue that best fits your style, budget and your vision. At Save the Date Events, we have visited or worked at over 200 venues in Colorado. We tour venues every month to keep the most current venue database for our clients.
2. Decide on the date or month of your wedding - If you are set on a particular date and it is a Saturday in May-September, you will have a more difficult time finding the perfect venue that isn’t already booked. If you have some flexibility with the date, you will have more options available to you.
3. Budget - you need a rough estimate before you start looking at wedding venues.
4. Get your venue booked - Unfortunately, you aren’t the only couple looking for a wedding venue right now. Over 5000 couples who just got engaged this month will be looking at venues in Colorado in the next few months.
We would love the opportunity to meet with you, hear about your wedding ideas and see how we might be able to assist in creating your dream wedding day. Give us a call today!
