Proposing Dreams Wedding & Events

10 Questions from Wedding Guests You Don't Need to Answer

I am friends with The Knot on Facebook and today’s status update was this article -  

Love it!! Here are the Wedding Problems: 10 Questions from Wedding Guests You Don't Need to Answer along with my thoughts about each one!

 

1. How much is the wedding reception costing you?

**Unless it’s your very best friend who is also planning her wedding and needs to know if she’s getting ripped off then this person is just being nosy! And honestly.... your BFF could be too! Tread lightly – it’s no ones business unless they are paying the bill or your planner who is monitoring the bills.

2. Can you make sure not to set your date for [insert date here] -- I have a vacation already planned!

**Bon Voage!! Hope you enjoy your vacation! No one should be setting stipulations on your wedding date. Maybe a siblings wedding, graduation, or due date – things that would truly prevent your closest family from being there or having to make a decision on which to attend.

3. What table am I sitting at?

**The one with chairs! The one I put you at! The one in the back hall with the dusty lampshade! The one where you are served good food and conversation! The one I paid for! These are all acceptable answers to that question.

4. Why didn't you invite [insert name here]?

**Well occationally this isn’t a bad thing a) maybe your actually did forget someone b) maybe their invite got lost in the mail and you didn’t even know it c)maybe you didn’t know so and so had been seeing a new guy for 6 months and he should have been invited. But if you knew all this and chose not to invite someone for your own reasons, then that is all the Nosy Nancy needs to know. If it’s the uninvited themselves asking – answer as honestly as possible, or blame it on the space allowance, the budget, whatever.

5. Is this really a "white wedding"?

**HA! LOL!! Do people really ask this question?? UM, geez I don’t even know if I have a smart arse come back or if I would just look at them and say “Really? Honestly? Really? You’re going to ask me that?” Then shake my head and walk away!

6. How many carats is that ring anyway?

Oh come on your jealous I mean curious girlfriends are going to ask that question! And you are going to proudly tell them the answer!

7. Who's your favorite bridesmaid?

Just them all they are your favorite. That’s what I plan to do with my kids!

8. Did you get that idea from my wedding?

Yes, matter of fact I did. You should be honored I liked anything from your tacky wedding!

9. Are you paying for any of this?

Well actually we robbed a bank, sold some blood and organs, and pawned Steve’s grandmothers furniture but yeah we’re paying for it.

10. Don't you think the six-tiered wedding cake is a bit much?

No way, we have cake for every birthday between now and next year – want some?

All kidding aside, don’t get wrapped up in rude questions or comments! Answer honestly and without emotion when you need to and confront someone if it’s becoming a problem. Simply say “Listen, I really enjoy sharing my wedding details with you but you’re bumming me out! Please if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”

Got a rude question from a wedding guest? Share it with us…

The Wedding Design Studio - Grand Opening!!

Mark your calendars.  You don’t want to miss it.  After many months of planning, Proposing Dreams is excited to announce the grand opening of The Wedding Design Studio.  Located in the heart of Maplewood, The Wedding Design Studio is a comprehensive studio offering brides complimentary access to an extensive vault of wedding resources including the portfolios of our handpicked wedding professionals, each carefully chosen based on their reputation for flawless style, innovative spirit and integrity.

Our grand opening will be celebrated with a three day open house on December 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.  Mingle with St. Louis’ most in demand wedding professionals, browse inspiring portfolios and view the latest in table top design and couture wedding décor.  Open house bonuses will run throughout the three day event including a magazine swap, color sample sets and free planning advice with a Proposing Dreams coordinator.  Hours for the Open House are Tuesday, Dec. 1^st and Thursday, Dec. 3^rd, 12pm to 5pm, and Wednesday, December 2^nd, 12pm to 6pm with followed by a happy hour from 6pm to 7pm with complimentary drinks, hors d’oeuvres and giveaways!

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

 

New Song I like....

I heard this on the radio this morning on my way in to the Studio and thought that lyrically it works for both a first dance and mother-son dance - check it out!!

Martina McBride - I Just Call You Mine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcZoNBngAnM

Thinking "inside" the Box: Guestbook

 

 

There is a new trend for guest books that does not include your mother’s traditional guest book. You know the one I am talking about a guest book with lines for the guest to just sign their names. If you are looking to for one outside of that box, you need to checkout this box by  Etsy seller Tara Lee of Cut the Cake Designs. This shop started off just selling recipe boxes but then turned them into a great fun guest box.  Each guest (or couple) have their own card to write their name and information on as well as some advice or well wishes to the newlyweds.  After the wedding, the newlyweds are displaying the boxes in their homes or offices and have a very cute address book. The Guest Box is custom designed and can take one day to two weeks to create.  Tara works with you, the bride, to design the box according to your wedding, color preferences, personality, home décor, pretty much anything you would like. She does have some premade designs to choose from as well, and if you are in a rush to get the Guest Box, she has rush order option that will get your box to you in half the time, of course you have to choose one of 14 options (which is a lot of options for a rush order if you ask me).

Not only does Tara make these fabulous guest boxes, but she also does invitations as well. Tara has been featured in Bride Colorado magazine (fall/winter 09) for her invitations.  Tara also belongs to a group called the Etsy Wedding Team. This is a talented team of individuals who create fabulously unique wedding items.   To be a part of this team more half of your items for sale must be dedicated to weddings.  Since the group was formed the team votes to accept or deny new members.  So if you are still looking for a fun and functional guest book, please check Tara at Cut the Cake Designs out.

 

Open House for The Wedding Design Studio!

If you are reading this blog you are probably planning a wedding and do we have some great news for you!

Proposing Dreams Wedding and Events is excited to announce the opening of The Wedding Design Studio; a comprehensive studio offering brides complimentary access to an extensive vault of wedding resources.  A concept seen around the country, but not yet in St. Louis… until now!

The Wedding Design Studio is a haven, a creative stomping ground, if you will, for brides to escape, kick back, and have fun planning their wedding.  Guests may browse our professional member portfolios, bridal magazines, color swatches, planning and etiquette books, and so much more!  Special events will include open houses hosted by top wedding professionals, cake tastings, mini bridal shows and networking parties with local vendors.

 

Planning a wedding should be fun, not stressful…  we’re here to make that happen! And the best part.....it's all FREE!! No where else in St. Louis can you get professional advice and access to such amazing tools with no pressure and no cost to you.

 

See more online at www.theweddingdesignstudiostl.com and please come by and check us out!

 

Bridal Open House for The Wedding Design Studio! Join us for our open house on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 from 4:00pm-8:00pm (happy hour from 5:00-6:00 with drinks and snacks) at 3520-1 Greenwood Blvd. Maplewood, Mo. 63143.  We’re looking forward to seeing you!

 

 

Here are a few photos from our Professionals Open House, excuse my lack of photography talents:

Table Display by Aries Co

Centerpiece by Sisters Flowers

Table Stationery by Dickey Designs

Hightop Table and New High Chivaris from Aries Co

 

A little snack display by Proposing Dreams

 

Our comfy couch area

back of the Studio - that's our little office behind the screen.

 

Information Central - 40 Categories with 10 amazing wedding professional in each!

 

 

Disc Jockey's vs The Must Play List

The average wedding reception timeline goes like this:
6:00-7:00 Cocktail Hour
7:00-7:30 Announcements, Cake Cutting, Toasts, Blessing
7:30-8:30 Dinner
8:30-11:00 Party

So that translates to this:
60 min cocktail music (at an average of 3 min per song) = 20 songs
No music during announcements
60 min of dinner  music (at an average of 3 min per song) = 20 songs
150 min of dancing music (at an average of 3 min per song) = 50 songs

Why am I telling you all of this?? Because if you pick 50-90 songs you have selected every song played at your reception, which is absolutely not necessary!! You hired a professional DJ not only to play the music (any monkey can do that) but to entertain your guests! Let them do their JOB!! Select your first dance, and other signature dances. Then select 5-10 MUST PLAYS, and 5-10 DO NOT PLAYS and then leave it to the pros!!

Nothing can kill a dancefloor like a must play list that doesn’t fit your guests tastes or style. I know, I know it’s YOUR wedding but to be amazing hosts you should be entertaining everyone at your wedding. That is just what a great professional DJ can do!

So now that I have given you all the facts about having a dj, here are my TOP 10 dj’s in St. Louis (in alphabetical order because I love them all) call one and leave it to them:

A Rockin DJ www.arockindj.com
Arch DJ www.archdj.com
Block Rockin Beats www.brbeats.com
CJ's DJ's  www.cjsdiscjockeyservice.com
First Class Weddings www.music4weddings.com
Fullhouse Productions www.fullhouseproductions.com
Millenium Music www.milleniummusic.net
Night Magic www.nightmagicentertainment.com
Over the Top DJ www.overthetopdj.com
Rockstar DJ www.rockstardjstl.com **updated**

It’s an Etsy thing……

While we love all our local vendors and always suggest them first to our clients, sometimes we are not able to find the perfect piece for them. Thus enters Etsy.  As more and more people want to make their weddings unique, many of them are turning to Etsy for those unique items. You can find anything from wedding invitations to hair clips to button bouquets. Anything you want you can find on Etsy and if you can’t find it you can create a post to request someone to make it (this is called alchemy. I plan to do a post just on this topic in the future). If you have that one piece that you feel is missing from your wedding day décor, you really need to check Etsy out.

 

1. Megan Earrings (Rylee G Jewelry) 2.Hydrangea Hair Pins (Meadowbelle Market) 3.Personalized Wedding Sign (The Wooden Owl’s Shop) 4. Cherry Blossom Stationery (Your Style Invitations) 5.Luminary Table Numbers (Made for You Just by Me) 6.Pearl Necklace (heartNsoul) 7.Garters (Perfect Garter) 8. Monogram Ring Pillow (Artful Beginnings)

More and more I am hearing about people wanting to spend money at the local small business with the economy being rough. Etsy even has the option to search for local shops. Some of the vendors will allow free local pick up as well, which is always a bonus.

 

1. Daffodil Invite (P.S. Paper Goods) 2. Bridal Necklace and Earrings (Sekhmets Treasures) 3. Orchid Hair Comb (The Honeycomb)

So take the time to check Etsy out if you have not already because you might find that WOW factor for your wedding there. Also make sure you check back because I am going to tour the Etsy world and search for cool and unique wedding items. So you never know I might find you that perfect missing piece.

Today's To Do's

WOW!! I have been BUSY!!! Hence the lack of blog activity but we're coming back!!

So just for today here is a look at my to-do list:

Answer all emails

Clear out trash emails

Getting appointments made for next week

Get DH's schedule in my day planner for future reference

Make Cassie's to-do list

Write PD Newsletter to Coordinators

Get my own past reviews and the other gals past reviews together

 

Contact Amanda about shortened letter for *secret project*

Make a few follow-up calls for *secret project*

Schedule party for *secret project*

Get all information ready for the launch of *secret project*

 

Order items for client

Go get rest of client's invites

Pay for client's cake

Move appt time with client for Friday

Send out 3 new client bids and return calls from yesterday

 

Work on tententen website updates

Set Schedule for tententen Top 3 Finalist

Get images and videos from yesterday's wild ride

 

Update other websites

Put on Twitter and Facebook badges

 

Tweet this post

 

Get shower, get dressed, possibly buy new dress for tonight's The Knot Industry Party

Take son to in-laws as DH is working since 9:00pm last night to 1:00pm today he'll need to sleep before going back in tonight at 9:00 but then we have the whole weekend off!

 

Go grocery shopping for camping trip this weekend

Pack for camping trip this weekend

Get the last of Mason's stuff for school

Balance check book

Clean house

Do laundry

Schedule next ultrasound after referring to DH's schedule so he can be there

 

and I'm sure so much more!!

 

Better get on it!!!

 

I write this not just to tell you how busy life can get but to show you that making lists can make your planning and day in general much less stressful and ultimately more successful in completing your tasks!!

First 10 steps to planning your wedding…..by Sabrina Torti

1) Propose or be proposed to....this is a given right??

2) Announce to family and friends that you are engaged - enjoy the celebration before the planning begins.

3) Talk with parents about finances! Where will they come from, who wants to contribute what - THIS IS IMPORTANT!! No one should start planning without a budget. Try to get a dollar amount rather than – I will pay for "blank" - This will allow you to retain control over aspects of the planning. Be realistic about what you can afford to contribute.

4) Talk about time of year for the wedding, are there dates you can't have a wedding?

4a) If you can - book a wedding planner!! A planner can save you time, stress and costly mistakes.

5) Select the wedding party and ask them to be in the wedding. Talk with each other about the number of attendants you would like to have.

6) Start the guest list, with names not just guessing the number of people you think will be invited. It might be way higher or lower than you think. You also don't want to fall in love with a location that you can't fit in, can't afford because of your number of guests or would swallow your guests because it's too big.
7) Look into locations. Ceremony and reception venues can determine the date based on availability. Also

like before, you don't want to fall in love with something you can't afford or later find out that your budget is blown because the guest list has grown and the per person cost is more that you should have locked into.
8) Once the venues are selected, finalize the wedding date.

9) Start researching vendors, in order of importance to you. Don't assume anything will be available or easy to get. If you have the money for deposits - lock em' in. Some of the online budget sheets have breakdowns of what percentages go where, but I don't always find this the case. Remember if photography is most important book what reasonable (see following chart) but if you really want one that is out of the budget range, then you must give up something that you aren't as concerned with having. It's about balancing what you want with what you can afford. This goes for anything. If food or location is most important then maybe you’ll have to have DJ rather than a band.

10) Start a wedding binder, tracking all information found, received, collected. Tracking all payments made or to be made. It will become your wedding world.

WEDDING COORDINATOR     5.0%
JEWELER                             5.0%
WEDDING ATTIRE                5.0%
HAIR & MAKE-UP                  1.0%
WEDDING PARTY GIFTS         1.0%
CEREMONY                          2.0%
RECEPTION                         40.0%
FLORIST                             9.0%
STATIONARY                       5.0%
PHOTOGRAPHY                   10.0%
VIDEO                               5.0%
RECEPTION MUSIC              3.0%
WEDDING CAKE                   2.0%
ACCOMATIONS                    2.0%
TRANSPORTATION               5.0%
                                      100.0%

Maid of Honor vs. the train

I always take a moment to tell the Maid of Honor that yes while she’s on the altar her chore is to tidy up the train occasionally but it is not her sole responsibility and really it can be very distracting.

Some Maids of Honor take this task to a whole new level and “fix” more than necessary. Believe me guest will remember less about a slightly skewed train than your backside bent over for all to see the 45 times as you “fixed” the train.

Honestly there is really only one time that the train should need fixing and that is if the bride leaves her spot and returns. It will follow her up the aisle and to her place just fine. If she just turned from side to side or stands and kneels it’s ok. If she just has a small sweep train it’s going to move with her. So, to all the Maids of Honor and future brides, remember the train will be fine and the focus should be on the ceremony not the dress or heaven forbid your backside.

Side note to that – I also show my brides the best way to carry their own train when walking. It makes it so much easier as you know when you are going to stop and start and what speed you want to walk at – otherwise you have a tether attached to you that could just cause more problems.

Lastly while I’m on the dress topic – don’t be afraid to pick up your dress when climbing stairs. That includes the ones at the altar. I would rather you hiked it up (not that much) to show a little leg than risk falling up or down the stairs.

Best Wishes & Happy Planning – more practical tips and wedding reviews coming!