How to Select Wedding Invitations
Wedding Save the Dates and Wedding Invitation information has not changed over time with the information you need to include on them. It is the basics, letting people know the important highlights of your big day.
First, let’s chat about “Save the Dates”. These are a courtesy for those guests that are traveling or have a busy schedule and need to request off work way in advance! They can be mailed out as early to a year if you’re having a destination wedding. A local wedding, can be mailed out 6-8 months in advance.
You should start looking into Invitation options at around the 5 month mark before your big day. Make sure to discuss sunset time with your planner and photographer to have the best start time for your ceremony. They will need to be mailed out at around 2 months of the wedding date, with a 30 day RSVP from you big day.
There are several methods used that you can use for sending out invitations.
The most common and tradition is to print the invitations and mail them. If you are using a mailed back RSVP, that is double the stamp cost. If you prefer not to use the RSVP card, you can do your RSVPs by directing them to your website or use a QR code.
Most recently used has been electronic. You can create and email your invitations. You can also get the RSVP tracking as well. One of the companies that does this is GreenVelope (www.greenvelope.com).
The most important Details that you want to include on your invitations are below!
Number 1 and most importantly, you and your fiancé’s name and the date of the wedding! Below are a few other items to include:
Date and time of the ceremony and reception.
Name of the wedding venue.
Address of the wedding venue and map if possible
RSVP contact details, whether it is mail back RSVP cards or electronically done.
RSVP deadline.
Your website information if using one.
Keep in mind that if you are allowing plus 1’s, include a spot for that as well.
Top Three Things Impacting Your Wedding Budget
Your budget is one of the first things that you will sit down and discuss when planning your wedding. It can also cause the most stress during the planning process.
Below are 3 things that could affect your wedding budget and add to your wedding planning stress.
1. Where you wed. Your wedding location will play a leading role in the creation of your budget. Venues that are situated in popular areas will generally charge more than smaller venues outside of main cities. Venues also have different packages and policies that you'll need to consider. For example, some venues might require you to use their vendors, some of which might not fit in with your budget. A lot of venues also have minimum catering requirements that may go beyond your guest list. It's important to look at average costs of areas and venues before you make a final decision on where you want to get married.
2. Time of the year. Wedding seasons make a big difference to costs. Planning to get married on a Saturday in the summer? Chances are you're going to end up paying a lot more for your wedding. Look at your budget and how it fits in with the venue and location you have in mind and whether you can move your wedding to another season or day of the week to save on costs. Vendors might also be able to offer you discounts for off-peak days and seasons.
3. The number of guests. This is one area that can very easily get out of control. Your guests are going to take up a large portion of your budget so it pays to be sensible about who you're inviting. Most venues will charge you for everything from drinks and food to the chair your guest will be sitting on so think twice about inviting your aunt who you haven't seen in 2 years. Agree on how many guests you want to invite and stick to it.
If you want to stick to your wedding budget and not be in debt by the time you come back from your honeymoon, carefully plan your finances before you even begin planning your wedding. Working with a wedding planner would be an added bonus as they can help you find better prices and keep you on track financially.
Wedding Day Essentials
Your wedding day will be here before you know it! Having everything organized and your wedding day essentials taken care of, will help make your day go smoothly. While planning weddings for my couples, I always like to remind them of a few wedding day essentials.
Start off your day with a good light breakfast: Eat lightly during the day, but it is important to eat and keep hydrated. Have some granola bars or something on hand to grab while getting ready. It great to bring a cooler and bottled waters so everyone can drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Lunch for the wedding party: Depending on the time that the wedding party begins, you will want to make sure they have lunch and light snacks. Especially the bridal party if they are starting hair and makeup in the morning. You can order from Chick Fil A or a sandwich shop and have someone that’s not getting hair and makeup done bring lunch in. If you are bringing in lunch, don’t forget plates, napkins, forks, etc.
Guests arrival: During the summer months, having cold water bottles out for your guests is a great idea to help keep the cool. During colder months, having coffee or hot chocolate is always a hit with guests. They are there to support you so keep them comfortable before the ceremony starts.
Marriage License: Believe it or not, this is one of the most forgotten items! Assign someone in your wedding party or a parent to make sure that this gets to the officiant when he arrives. Sometimes, they even forget to sign it after the ceremony or before they leave!
Rings: Put your best man or maid of honor in charge of the rings. Not having a ring during the ceremony is not something you want to happen.
Catering Items: If your caterer is not bringing plates, you will need 10inch plates, that is the most common size used for weddings. Also, napkins, silverware, and cups. I also recommend bringing containers for leftover food. If the caterer does not supply these, they will have nowhere to put the leftovers and they will dispose of them.
Cake Items: You may want to make sure that you have 6" cake plates, forks, and napkins as well for cake cutting. You will need a cake severing set to cut your cake with. Don’t forget your cake topper as well.
Bar: Most bar companies requires 8oz cups. Also, check to make sure they are supplying napkins and garnishes for your drinks. Ice is also most often forgotten if the venue does not have an ice machine. You may also need coolers to store the ice in. Don’t forget those non-alcoholic drinks as well.
Packing up: As you are packing up items for the big day, label the containers or boxes so that your planner or family members can help pack them back up in the same boxes/containers at the end of the day. In a lot of cases, there are several family members and friends assisting with bringing items to the venue at the beginning of the day. Often, those members leave before the night has ended and there are not enough vehicles to transport items back at the end of the night. Make sure that those bringing items are staying to take them back with them or have a backup plan for extra help.
Your wedding will flow smoothly and be your BEST DAY EVER if you stay as organized as possible. Having a good wedding planner also helps.
How to Choose a Wedding Hair & Makeup Artist
Hair and Makeup is that personal touch and pampering on your big day that you deserve!
When choosing your Hair and Makeup Artist, be sure to check out their portfolio, work experience, and how long they been in business. As with any vendor, check out their reviews on google and facebook. Do they have a website, or just posting pictures on Instagram and facebook?
Ask questions about the sanitation and hygiene protocols for any artist you are considering. Your health is the most important!
Ask the Hair and Makeup artist what brands they use, let them know about any allergies you have or any products that you have used in the past that did not suit your skin.
Don’t choose your Hair and Makeup Artist based on pricing. Choose them based on their sanitation and hygiene protocols, portfolio and reviews. Talk with them on a zoom or phone call to get to know them. You are spending your day with them, and you want to feel comfortable with them as well.
Do a trial. A great time to choose your trial is for your bridals. If you are nervous about doing it that day, then schedule one prior to your bridals for a trial run. It is worth the investment to make sure that you feel good and that you are happy with the results.
Keep in mind that this pampering is an investment that will last forever in your photos. When you look back at your photos, you want to LOVE them. After all, this is your best day ever and you want to feel the best that you can feel and look the best you can look!
Choosing a Wedding DJ & Entertainment
Entertainment for your wedding is such a vital part of keeping the guests engaged and entertained. There are a large variety of DJs in the wedding industry that offer great services. When hiring your DJ, you must have a good vibe and communications.
Generally, most vendors, except for your coordinator/planner will not communicate much until you are closer to your date. Your DJ is most likely the last of the vendors that will schedule a call to review your song selections. They should already have the wedding day timeline from your coordinator/planner and as they follow those events, they will ask for the music that you would like.
Independent DJ’s that are single owned and will more likely be open to communications to answer any questions that arise as you are planning. Companies that have multiple DJ’s may or may not give you the option to choose the DJ within their company that will be a part of your big day. Some DJ companies don’t assign you a DJ until you are 30 days or less out from your wedding day.
It’s my opinion that you know who your DJ will be ahead of time. You want to have rapport with them and make sure you like their vibe and personality. A DJ is such a huge part of your reception and to make sure they know you two as a couple, that to me takes more Tim than just one meeting to do that.
Most DJ’s have a system for you to choose songs for all the big moments and then a Do Not Play List. It’s super important that you communicate with your DJ how you want your reception to be. Do you have a huge dancing crowd? Do you have a much younger crowd or are most of your guests older? Do you love dancing to country music? Which line dances, if any, would you want or not want played? Al these questions should be asked and taken into consideration.
DJ’s will give you ideas of song choices if you can’t think of specific songs you want. Some DJ’s will mix the dance songs right then and there as they read your group of guests. Some will just play the songs you requested. Some are very interactive, while some announce the main parts but stay behind their table for the most part. It’s your decision on which route you want to take and I can help give you several companies I’ve worked with and love.
Another note, some DJ’s have their own set up and bring everything, while others require you to provide a table and possibly a table cloth. Don’t forget to ask these questions prior to hiring them. You want the reception you’ve been dreaming of and a good DJ is a major part in that. Make sure you hire one you love so your rejection is just the way you’ve imagined it to be.
As with all vendors, you should feel comfortable before hiring them. After all, they are a part of your Best Day Ever!
How to Choose a Wedding Caterer
It is now time to think about feeding your quests. After all, everyone loves great food! First, you must decide on what type of food you want to serve. You should start selecting your caterer about 10-12 months out from your big day. There are so many caterers in the DFW area that specialize in one type of food as well as ones that offer a variety of food choices. I always suggest doing at least 2 tastings to do a fair comparison. Not to say, however, that you may fall in love with the first tasting! How do you go about selecting a cater to move forward with a tasting? First, request a quote. Compare apples to apples in what is on the menu and the number of guests you will be feeding. Compare the services they offer like serving at the buffet line and bussing at the end of dinner. Do they offer cake cutting services? Do they bring water and tea for your guest to enjoy during dinner? Do they supply dinnerware, whether it is disposable or real? Did you research them and read reviews from past clients? After you have your quotes, the next few items will ensure that you are making the right choices.
First and foremost, require a WRITTEN contract!!
Second, read the contracts!! Ask questions if you are not clear on somethings before you sign. Just because you are promised something in a conversation, if it is not in writing, then it may not happen. Food and labor should be the primary cost items. Look for additional fees, like gratuity already included and administration fees. Can you change the menu, can you reduce the headcount, what is the cancellation policy?
Third, Is the caterer you selected an actual business? Are they operating out of a health inspected commercial kitchen? Hiring a caterer that is working out of their home is not operating their business under the Health Inspection code and will not have insurance. Is the financial savings worth your guest’s health? Food tastings should be offered with every caterer.
These three items are important to ensure that you have a reputable caterer. Now on to the tasting! This is the real test. Many caterers charge for tastings and should be expected. They are taking time to prepare you food, as well as the expense of the food items. Do not rule them out just because they are charging a tasting fee. You must eat, so plan it around a mealtime.
Lastly, once you made your decision, make sure that you let the other caterer that you have chosen another caterer, don’t just ghost them!
How to Select Your Wedding Vendors
After you have chosen your wedding venue, and hopefully your planner too, it’s time to start selecting your other wedding vendors. This part can be overwhelming with all the vendors from each category, but I always recommend working on one vendor category at a time. I personally like to start with photography, but this is something I like to discuss with my couples to see what’s most important to each of them on their wedding day.
Listen to recommendations of other vendors that they have personally worked with so you can hear from them. I’ve worked with some amazing ones and some that I would prefer my couples not to have the headaches my past couples had. It’s your wedding planners job to help make your day flow smoothly and you want the best team possible for your day.
You need to do your homework on each wedding vendor. Regardless of recommendation from other vendors or brides, make sure you like their work, personality, or product. Next, read their reviews on multiple sites like The Knot, Wedding Wire, and Google. You want to compare reviews they have received and see if anything is common in the reviews. It’s not necessarily a red flag if they have one or two poor reviews but be mindful in what those poor reviews say and how the company responds to those. Don’t hire someone that you don’t feel confident in or have concerns after reading reviews.
Once you narrow down your choices, look at anything the venue may require of the wedding vendors on your day. Several venues are now requiring for all your vendors to provide proof of insurance and sign a vendor agreement. You need to let vendors know ahead of time what policies they made need to adhere to before you hire them.
In the next few weeks, we will talk about each wedding vendor category to help with choosing the perfect vendors for you big day! Stay tuned!
Why You Should Hire a Wedding Planner
Your wedding day is one of the best days of your life. It consists of all of the little (and big) things that represent you as a couple, a day for all of your friends and loved ones to enjoy and one that you’ll remember forever. There are so many aspects that you need to focus on in order to bring it all together though, which is why this can be such a stressful time for brides too.
Hiring a wedding planner can make this joyful time a little easier on your nerves. Here are a few reasons why you should consider hiring a professional planner. There are a lot of choices for wedding planners/coordinators on social media sites.
Stop for a moment before you let the $$ influence you. Prices vary with experience. Before you jump on the lowest dollar, check out how many weddings have they done? Have they worked under someone long enough to gain the experience necessary to do the job? You can find this out, hopefully, first by asking them, but also by real couple reviews. Most importantly, are they actually a business that carries insurance, can you look them up and tell that they are invested or are they a hobbyist that is doing this on the side?
Reason #1: You’ve never done this before.
Chances are you and your fiancé have not planned a wedding before. Even if you have, there are always new and exciting trends, venues, and vendors popping up so it’s never the same. Some brides feel that they can plan their own weddings because they’ve helped a sister or best friend plan theirs but planning your own wedding is completely different. A professional wedding planner is the best person to guide you through this intricate process.
Reason #2: Don’t let the stress get to you.
Planning a wedding is harder than it looks and if you are already losing sleep over your massive to-do list, hiring a wedding planner can really make the entire process much more manageable and enjoyable for you. You should be excited about your big day, not stressed and tearful. We will keep you on track with hiring vendors and make sure that you have everything you need for your big day.
Reason #3: You’re unsure about the costs involved.
I mentioned this in my last blog on Wedding Budgets. If you’re in the process of putting a budget together and would like some more guidance on what to expect based on your unique preferences, a wedding planner can be your guide. A wedding planner can offer you great insights on industry norms and trends and what you can expect. They can also really help you stick to your budget.
Reason #4: You need a push start, someone to keep you on track.
A wedding planner can help you get the ball rolling so that you can start making all the important decisions. They’ll help bring your vision together and put you in touch with vendors who can help bring your day to life. We are there to keep you on track with timing for hiring vendors.
Lastly, it helps to have someone neutral to talk to and talk through your visions and concerns you are having while going through the planning process. We don’t pass judgement and will give you the support you need! Happy Planning!
How to Start a Wedding Budget
Let us chat about Wedding Budgets…….
You are engaged; and you want to have a wedding, so where do you start?
Your budget is one of the first things that you will sit down and discuss when planning your wedding. It can also cause the most stress during the planning process. This is the most important part of the planning process. Trying to figure out what you want to spend on your big day. How do you do that if you never planned a wedding and have no idea of what vendors charge or what is the cost of items you will be needing for your big day? Hiring a wedding planner is a great start! We can help guide you through the budgeting process and assist in referring you to vendors that fit your vision and budget. We can help save money, which sometimes can pay for the cost of a planner and save you stress! Start having conversations where the funds will come from. Do you have family helping? If so, how much are they contributing? When will those funds be available to you so that you can gauge the timeframe when hiring your vendors?
So many factors need to be considered when deciding on a budget for your big day. The top 3 areas that will affect your wedding budget:
The location of your wedding. Your wedding location will play a leading role in the creation of your budget. Venues that are situated in popular areas will generally charge more than smaller venues outside of main cities. Venues also have different packages and policies that you will need to consider. For example, some venues might require you to use their vendors, some of which might not fit in with your budget. A lot of venues also have minimum catering requirements that may go beyond your guest list. It is important to look at average costs of areas and venues before you make a final decision on where you want to get married.
The time of the year and day of the week. Wedding seasons make a big difference to costs. Planning to get married on a Saturday in the summer? Chances are you are going to end up paying a lot more for your wedding. Look at your budget and how it fits in with the venue and location you have in mind and whether you can move your wedding to another season or day of the week to save on costs. Vendors might also be able to offer you discounts for off-peak days and seasons.
The number of guests that attend. This is one area that can very easily get out of control very quickly. Your guests are going to take up a large portion of your budget, so it pays to be sensible about who you are inviting. The larger your guest count, the more you will spend on food, linens, center pieces and bar. Same goes for the size of your wedding party. The larger your wedding party, the more you will spend on bouquets, boutonnieres, and gifts.
Meet Barbara Bernal, Owner + Lead Planner at Joined By Love Wedding Planning
Hi! Glad you stopped by!
If you are here looking at my website, you must be thinking about hiring a planner! That is a good thing!
Maybe you are questioning yourself, “do I really need to spend the money on a planner when I can have a friend or family member do it?”
While that is a great thought, I honestly believe that if they are your friend or family member, wouldn't you want them to enjoy the day with you?
I wholeheartedly believe in the value of what I do and what I do for you! From the minute we make contact, I take you under my wing! We become like family and I am here to help get you through this with as little stress as possible.
I am often portrayed as the Momma Bear and I wear that name proudly. While I am no replacement of your own, of course, I step in the planning process and turn your vision into reality, as there is no other day like this day!
I am so glad you stopped by and I look forward to getting to know you better!