Something to Do It All – When Christy, her mother and I went shopping for wedding planning books and budget ideas, we found plenty on the market.  However, they were not consolidated.  Everything we found were parts to the puzzle, but were in individual formats.  We found books on planning and bought one that I mentioned earlier.  Christy still says it has been a fantastic help since it was full of checklists and pages to keep track of individual items.  We also found many excel budget forms that would work for specific items.  But none of them worked together.  They were all individual forms that worked fine, but made you do extra work to see the whole picture.  So, I wanted to design a planner and budget form that would work for all of Christy’s needs.

Wedding Planner and Budget – I took all the good ideas I found and incorporated them into an excel spreadsheet called Wedding Planner and Budget so she had one place to keep track of everything.  Included were her Guest Registry, her Showers, her complete Budget and some Planning Suggestions from various checklist forms.

Originally it was an off chute from my Meetings Made Easy – Budget Spreadsheet for Meetings.  Using the basic layout, I changed the budgeting information to provide a basis for Christy to plan her wedding.  It has been a work in process with Christy and my wife giving me suggestions on additional items needed to help her out.

Backing Up to The Cloud – As changes were made, new spreadsheet copies were uploaded to my mobil me cloud and both Christy in Franklin and Helen and I in Knoxville were able to make changes and add updates.  Then the new spreadsheet was renamed and sent back up to the cloud for the next person to see what was going on and how the budget was working.  We dated each change with the current date plus initials of the person making the change.  For example  “Wedding Planner 3 28 11 CC.”  Then if I made a change to the format on 3/29/11 I would rename it “Wedding Planner 3 29 11 GC.”  In each case it was easy to tell if any changes had been made and who made the changes or updates.

Since it has worked so well, I am going to explain how it works and what it covers.

Master Budget Page – The spreadsheet has a master budget page which serves a twofold purpose.  First, it contains a summary of all the donor funding and also a summary of the various expense sheets.  All the totals are set up in a manner so the Bride-to-Be can instantly see the amount she has to spend, what expenses she has budgeted, how much she has spent and how much money she has left that she can spend before she runs out of money.  It could not be any easier.

Second, this page has hyper-links that make it easy to find and immediately be transferred to the Guest List page, Shower page or Expense Sheet page needed.  Then once on the specific sheet there are links back to the Master Budget page.

Wedding Planner and Budget

Guest Registry – The first part of the spreadsheet that Christy used was the Guest Registry form.  We discussed it earlier where Christy, Bryan plus my wife and I put together the names for the guest list.  First, there needed to be an easy way of compiling the information and then there needed to be an easy way of adding names, plus an easy way of changing names and address information.  This we accomplished with a spreadsheet to compile all the information.

Second, once the names were complete, Christy also wanted a means to record RSVP’s, Gifts Received and a place to keep track of Thank You’s Sent.  So, additional columns were added to help her out.

This guest list has since been used to give to her Calligrapher.  Once done, all she had to do was print it out and hand it over to a friend that wanted to do the calligraphy as her wedding gift to Christy and Bryan.

Christy also wanted to be able to sort, so that capability was also added.  In one of her sorts, she listed in the RSVP column all the guests that would be part of the rehearsal dinner by putting “RD” in the cell.  Then she was able to sort the list and see how many she had marked “RD.”  The sorting also worked for showers.  She marked the persons going to her first shower with the letter “S” and sorted the whole list.  All the guests with the letter “S” were grouped together and were easy to copy to the Shower 1 sheet.

Showers – Additional sheets were added for showers using the same basic set up as the Guest Registry.  Since most of the persons going to showers would already be on the main guest list, the shower form was designed to be the same.  That way, Christy could just copy their names to the shower page and the person sending out invitations would have all the information readily at hand.

Keeping Track of Shower Gifts – As we discussed in the “Couples Shower” section, Christy and Bryan received many gifts.  Since she had a form already set up for that shower, it also had columns for “Gifts Received” and “Thank You’s Sent.”  So, it was easy to just add the gifts received to her shower form and then mark on it when she sent out her thank you notes.  There was no need to duplicate information or set up a separate form. The spreadsheet was there for the Couples Shower and Christy has used two more of the sheets for her upcoming second and third showers.  In this way, she can keep track of who attended and the gifts received from each shower.

Sometimes a girlfriend might go to several showers, so keeping a form for each shower makes it easy for Christy to keep a record of everything and not get confused.

Wedding Budget – Some brides are lucky and have parents that can put on weddings of choice with no regard to spending limits.  However, most brides have to work within guidelines.  So, having a budget form is a must.  Being able to project expenses and then keep track of them are a necessity.  But, is every bride aware of the potential costs?  After helping Christy plan for her wedding, I can say she was not in the loop for all the expenses and I was definitely not aware of the fine details.

So, the “Wedding Budget” portion of the spreadsheet started somewhat simple, yet we found that it had to change many times over the course of the planning process.  As we go along, we will discuss some starting points and some items that needed to be changed.

How Much Do I Have to Spend? – That question was the magic question for the whole planning process and it gave us a starting point.  When Christy asked “how much do I have to spend,” both my wife and I were not ready to give an answer.  So, all I could say was my wife and I would talk and once we agree on a number then we would let her know.  Fortunately, both my wife and I had the same number in mind and we were able to get back with Christy quickly and see a smile on her face.  She was happy with the projected spending limit, but not really aware of the expenses in front of her.

So, for budgeting purposes, I had added a row to insert “Donor” funding.  Initially that was one total to be submitted by my wife and I.  Later we found out that there needed to be more options for Christy since she would be contributing some funding and Bryan also had some groom’s expenses to include in the overall budget process.

Sheets for Types of Expenses – There are lots of expenses involved in a wedding and the numbers can get confusing if the bride does not have a method to keep track of them.  So, the easiest way was to separate the expenses by category and keep track of the expenses related to that category, in one place.

Hence, the budget sheets were all designed to look alike, yet cover different segments of the wedding process.  First was a sheet for the ceremony itself, then one for the reception.  Those two were first on our list and Christy has used them the most.

Additional sheets covered the bride’s attire, groom’s attire, invitations/printing, gifts, wedding night, wedding consultation, limo/transportation, photography/videography and other expenses.  Also, a sheet for rehearsal dinner was included.

Planning Suggestions

Planning Suggestions – As part of each sheet, I wanted to make sure Christy did not forget anything, so I researched many different wedding expense lists and came up with items for each sheet to give her ideas.  They were only a starting point and she used some, changed some and deleted some.  But, the point was that she had a reference tool for each section.  So, as she was planning her wedding and estimating her expenses, she was able to put them in the right categories.  If she saw a planning suggestion that she had not thought about, then she was able to research the potential expense and include it in her estimated budget line.

What Does the Groom Pay For? -  The groom does have some expenses and the traditional expenses were also listed on the individual sheets.  That way it was easy for the bride to know her portion and the potential expenses that should be paid by the groom.

Keeping Track of Expenses – In addition to estimating expenses in a line item budget and coming up with a figure to work with, it was equally important to keep track of actual expenses.  So, the excel budget format included a column for actual numbers.

As expenses were paid, it was easy to list the type of expense and the amount paid for that item.  Also, if the payment was only a partial payment, there was a column called “Final Payment Date” to mark down when the final payment was due.

The budgeted expenses could be compared with the actual expenses and the bride could see if she was on track to meet budget or if there might be some cuts to be made.

Problem – How Does the Bride-to-Be Keep Track of Her Expenses? – Christy was working on maintaining her budget and marking down all her expenses, but encountered a problem she did not know how to handle.  She had asked us how much she could spend and had entered that amount in the Donor column.  Christy was listing all her expenses, but had a few specific items that she had planned on paying herself and wanted to keep track of them.  But, there was no place on the budget sheet to list them.

So, after some brain storming, the decision was to add more columns for additional Donors.  With the additional Donor columns in place she was able to add her name as a Donor and keep track of the expenses she wanted to pay for without messing up all the budgeted calculations, related to money from Mom and Dad.

New Budget Spreadsheet starts like this:

Budget Spreadsheet after a few Donors have been added:

Groom’s Expenses – Notice above where Bryan’s name has been added as a donor, since he will have some expenses and might want to keep track of them.

Ease in Movement – Links – Working with individual spreadsheets can be a hassle and that is one of the reasons for this Wedding Planner & Budget.  By combining everything into one spreadsheet, all Christy had to do was pull up the latest saved copy and make her changes.  She did not have to pull up one spreadsheet for her Guest List, one spreadsheet for each shower and individual spreadsheets for each expense item.

But, to still make it easier to get from the Master Budget to each expense sheet and Guest List, hyperlinks were added to the spreadsheet.  The only need, going from one sheet to the next, was to click on the links.  Each expense sheet includes a link on the Master Budget page and each expense sheet has a link called “Back to Master Budget.”

Overview – Christy has utilized her Wedding Planner and Budget most every night since she got engaged.  It has been the one tool to list everything in her planning process.  After making the changes she needed to keep her own expenses, the additional columns for Donors and Actual Expenses have allowed her to see the overall plan at one time.  She knows the specific amount of expenses she has spent from my wife’s and my contributions and can also keep track of her own contributions.  As she entered the expenses, she was able see if she was on budget, was over budget or below budget.  But the main point was that she knew exactly where she was at all times.

Part XIII will discuss another Shower

My daughter got engaged over Christmas and I started writing a series titled “Wedding Planning – Christy and Bryan.”  It was designed to give brides a perspective from a professional meeting planner, yet one not versed in wedding planning. Recently I received some nice feedback from a friend that is a Professional Wedding and Event Coordinator.  Here are her comments plus a few budget planning tips.

Greg,

I’m enjoying reading all about the wedding written from  the father of the bride’s perspective. I usually get it from the mother of the bride or the bride herself. Interesting to hear it from a male point of view. You were right on with your comments as to budget. I liked the fact that your daughter had that conversation with you and her mother about what you all were willing to spend before she started any of the planning. It’s so important to know exactly how much you have to work with before you start making commitments to vendors. When working with a couple on budget, I begin by assigning a percentage of the total amount they have to spend to each category of particulars to be included in the wedding. The higher the priority, the higher the percentage. Percentages aren’t set in stone and can be adjusted. But remember if you spend extra money in one area you must remember to take it out of another.  As a planner it’s my job to keep you on budget!

It’s a great idea to set up a separate account for wedding expenses. A spread sheet is a must for accounting for each individual expenditure and I fine yours very comprehensive and easy to use.

Budget

The most successful events are planned with a well thought out budget!

Example for a $20,000 budget

Reception                  44%     $8,800

Photographer             10%     $2,000

Flowers                      8%     $1,600

Attire                         8%     $1,600

Ceremony                   7%     $1,400

Entertainment              5%     $1,000

Wedding consultant       5%     $1,000

Cake                          4%       $800

Invitations                  3%       $600

Transportation             3%       $600

Gifts/Favors                2%       $400

Misc                          1%        $200

Total                       100%   $20,000

Each percentage represents what part of your total budget should be spent on each particular of your wedding. Percentages should be adjusted according to what is most important to you. Remember if you spend extra money in one area you must remember to take it out of another to stay on budget.

Happy planning!

Dolores

Soiree Events LLC
Dolores J. Tipton
Wedding & Event Coordinator
4815 Kingston Pike, Suite 106
Knoxville, TN 37919
865.803.6917
865.690.8135 fax
www.soireeeventstn.com
soireeeventsTN.blogspot.com

I just wanted to thank Dolores for her nice comments and some great points about wedding budgets.

After doing their gift registry, it was time to sit back and enjoy the fruits of their time registering for gifts and enjoy their first shower.  Christy has many friends and a four of her girlfriends decided to do a “Couples” shower for them.  The nice part about the couples shower was that not only could her girlfriends attend, but spouses or dates could also come and have a good time.

Setting it Up – The shower was hosted by Maghen, currently living in Chicago, Shona, recently married and now residing in Edmonton Canada, plus Jenny and Jennifer from the Franklin area.  All were long time friends and were also part of the wedding party. They had a vision of hosting a “Couple’s” shower for Christy and Bryan at Arrington Vineyards, which was the location of Christy and Bryan’s first date.

Background – One of Christy’s friends knew Bryan’s sister-in-law and while talking, it was determined that the two needed to meet, so both were invited to a gathering on a friday night.  It went well and Christy was having a birthday party the next night at Arrington Vineyards, so Bryan was invited to Christy’s party and that became a special place. Hence, Christy’s girlfriends decided that Arrington Vineyards should be the place for their “Couple’s” party.

Secret Location – However, the girls wanted to keep the location a secret from Christy and Bryan, so announcements were sent out stating were it would be, but everyone was to keep it a secret from the engaged couple.  Here is a copy of the invitation.

Invitation List - Christy has been using the Wedding Planner and Budget form that I developed to do her guest list and the Planner also has several sheets designed to help for shower lists, so by marking the lists in a special way for this shower, Christy was able to copy all the names and addresses onto the “Couple’s” shower list.  That made it easy for her girlfriends to send out invitations.

Getting There – Since the location had been kept secret, my wife and I drove Christy and Bryan to the shower.  Christy had guessed the location, but no one would confirm it to her, so we started driving towards Arrington Vine yards and Christy said she knew her guess was right.  However, part way there I intentionally took a wrong turn.  It took us away from Arrington, but only a short exit.  But, it was enough to at least put some doubts in her mind for a couple of minutes.

Arrington Vineyards – As stated on their web site:  “Founded by Kix Brooks, Arrington Vineyards is located 25 minutes south of Nashville among the beautiful hills of Arrington, Tennessee. We invite you to come experience our award-winning wines, spectacular vineyard views from our covered deck, and breathtaking sunsets.”  However, in addition to selling wonderful wine, they offer a beautiful place to enjoy a picnic on a hillside.  All you have to do is bring your own food and then buy the wine from Arrington Vineyards.

They offer wine tasting inside, in a two story tasting lodge with covered decks filled with tables and plenty of space to relax and enjoy the scenery.  If the decks are full, then families can find tables scattered around the hillside or just find a place to put out a blanket.  Most weekend evenings will also find a band playing for everyone’s enjoyment.

Special Events – This being a special event and at a time where the weather was cold and lightly raining, one entire covered deck was set aside for the party.  Plastic sheeting was in place to separate the party from the elements and Arrington Vineyards provided portable heaters to help with the temperature.  It was still cool and coats were still kept on, but it made for a nice cozy event.

Christy’s girlfriends did it up right.  They had decorations on the tables, bottles of wine available for everyone and food set up at one end of the deck.  The menu consisted of lasagna, a green salad with caesar dressing, spinach dip with chips, rolls and punch for those that wanted something non-alcoholic.  To finish it off, dessert consisted of mini cupcakes made by GiGi’s and they were decadent.  Two kinds were offered.  One was a white cupcake with a chocolate tiered topping and the other was chocolate with a white tiered topping.  Neither fit my diet menu, but no one could resist.  Most guests had several cupcakes each.  Bryan had seven.

Serving up the Lasagna to Christy and Bryan

Christy and Bryan Enjoying their Couple's Shower Dinner

Bonding Time – After the meal, it was time to relax and just enjoy the wine with friends, family and guests.  Both sets of parents were at the shower along with brothers, sister’s-in-laws and special friends.  My guess had the attendance around fifty from both the bride’s side and the groom’s side.  All enjoyed the food and especially the wine.

Shower Gifts – After relaxing for awhile, it was time to start opening gifts.  Jenny, Shona, Meghan and Jennifer stood up and officially welcomed everyone to the shower and then Christy and Bryan sat down to open all their gifts.  Gifts were handed to the young couple and Meghan recorded who sent each gift.  To make it easier on Christy, thank you envelopes were on the gift table and each guest was asked to fill out their own name and address.  That way it was easier for the couple to send out “Thank You’s” later in the week.  All Christy had to do was enter the gift received on her shower list and mark that she had sent out the thank you note.

Jenny, Shona, Meghan & Jennifer Toasting "The Engaged Couple"

As you might imagine, gifts were plentiful at the shower.  They had gifts from Kohl’s, Bed Bath and Beyond and even a couple from Home Depot.  Christy got eight sets of Fiesta ware in the colors she requested and was excited.  In addition, she received several platters and assorted small dishes for their kitchen.

Opening Gifts - Two Sets of Fiesta Ware

For her bedroom and bathroom they received some assorted towels and the complete bed set they requested in their gift registry.  Also, there were an assortment of other small items from their gift list.

Now for Bryan, the surprise of the night was the compound mitre saw that he put on his list.  It was one of the more expensive items and was a really nice surprise.  Also from the Home Depot list were some plastic clamps that he will be able to add to his workbench.  So, the question is what project does he start first?

Christy and her Girlfriends

Couples Shower Ends at Arrington Vineyards – The night was still young, but time had ended at Arrington Vineyards since closing time was eight o’clock in March.  So, it was time to pack up the gifts and leave, but not everyone was ready to end it for the night.  Hence, the party moved back to Christy’s condo.  Goodbye’s were said to those who had some distance to travel and Thank You’s were extended for the gifts, friendship and well wishes.

Back to Condo – Since I was the driver to the shower, I also became the designated driver back to Christy’s condo.  Now, neither the bride-to-be or the groom-to-be were too far along, but this way neither had to worry about driving.  So, with a vehicle packed with gifts, we headed back to the condo.

After reaching the condo, we found more snacks and everyone just relaxed in the living room.  It was warmer, the couch was more comfortable and all were able to just enjoy talking about the upcoming wedding.  Not all came back to the condo, but close family and the girlfriends that put on the shower came back.  We had a good time.

Back at Christy's Condo - Relaxing

Thank You Gifts for Christy’s Girlfriends – As we relaxed in the living room, Christy  handed out gifts to the girlfriends that put on the party for her.  She personalized each gift.

Christy's Maid of Honor - Meghan shows her Gift

Calling it a Night – By the end of the evening, the clock had turned to a new day and we were all ready for bed, but Christy and Bryan had enjoyed themselves immensely.  It was their first shower and the girls had planned it well, prepared great food, offered wine for all, topped it off with superb mini cupcakes and the gifts were plentiful.  What a great start for their new home.  Both Christy and Bryan had smiles on their faces all night long and it was a totally fun filled evening.  But there were more showers to come.

Part XII will discuss More Planning

Most of the planning is over and now is time to take a short pause to enjoy their first shower. But, before discussing the shower, let us talk about getting ready for gifts.

Registering for Gifts – Christy and Bryan both have homes and have some household items that will work when they move into his home after the wedding, but the time has come to compile several wish lists to include kitchen ware, towels, bedding and tools.

Wish Lists – So, instead of just combining households, setting up a Gift Registry at several stores means they get to go through the store and electrically scan items they want. As the items are scanned, they go into a digital data base which become available when requested later by their friends. The lists give a short description of the item, the number of items requested and the price per item. For example, one set of flatware may consist of 4 dinner forks, 4 salad forks, 4 knives and 4 spoons. So, if a couple wants place settings for twelve persons, they might scan in 3 sets of silverware. But, just because the items are on the list, it does not mean the couple will get them. The list is called a Gift Registry and is only their wish list.

Some couples just starting out find this as the time to get basic needs and set their sights realistically. They select flatware and kitchen items that are not priced too high, but will work for them for many years. However, if the couple already has some items that will work in the new household, then this might be a time to get that “Special China” the bride always wanted or even some “Special Crystal Glasses” for a formal occasion. Either way it is the time to put something on their lists they really want.

Once scanned in to the data base, the couple is assigned a Wedding Registry number and the list can be accessed via that number or by filling in the bride’s name, grooms name, wedding date and state.

The Men – Yes, I said tools could also be on the Gift Registry. Today’s brides and grooms can register for their wishes, her wishes and his wishes. It never used to be available for the guys, but now there are options and it makes it nice to register at Home Depot for tools, home needs or equipment that will help with the house.

We already think about he kitchen or bathroom and what would be nice for any couple, but the right tool for the “fix-it” type person might lead to some projects that will greatly enhance any house, especially first houses or fixer uppers. Also, even a basic tool set is a must around the house.

Home Depot – Christy and Bryan first went to Lowes, but for some reason unknown to them, no registry of gifts was available. So, next they tried out Home Depot and were able to register for what they wanted.

The list could not be placed on-line like several other places, but anyone requesting a list at their customer service desk could get one.

Bryan registered for several items and even included a compound mitre saw on his list. Why not think big?

Kohl’s – Christy was able to find most of her kitchenware at Kohl’s. Not only did they have the Fiesta dish-ware and platters they wanted, but Kohl’s normally runs specials on a regular basis and it would be very easy for their friends to buy what they wanted.

Kohl’s also offered an on-line gift registry so guests could see what Christy and Bryan wanted ahead of time and could order long distance if they wanted to do it on-line.

Additional items registered were kitchen towels and dish cloths plus bath towels, hand towels, washcloths and bath rugs. To get ready for their honeymoon, they even added a five piece luggage set and some carry-on luggage.

Kohl's Wedding Gift Registry

Bed Bath and Beyond – What Christy and Bryan could not find or register for at Kohl’s, they found at Bed Bath and Beyond.  If you can not find something for your house in this store, something is wrong.  Again, on-line ordering is available.

But, there was something else available that was fantastic.

Gift Checklist – Instead of going through the store and asking yourself what you want or how many of each item you want, Bed Bath and Beyond has a checklist so you can “plan before you scan.”  An example is the attached “fine dining” checklist.

So, by going to their web site and printing out a checklist, any couple can check off the items they want and quantities.  It is a perfect way to stay organized and ensure they do not miss anything.  Then, later when they have time to go to Bed Bath and Beyond’s closest store, all they have to do is follow the checklist and make their selections.

Bed Bath and Beyond Wedding Checklist

In addition to the fine dining section, there are sections for casual dining, the kitchen, the bathrooms, plus a section for home and travel.

See how easy it is to find their wish list.  Just enter “Wedding” under Select Registry Type and then enter “Christy” for First Name and “Carter” for Last Name.

Conclusion – Christy and Bryan had fun searching through stores selecting items that would make them happy in their new home.  It was a little time consuming, since each item had to be found and scanned in, but they both felt it was well worth the time and effort.  They were both looking forward to getting many gifts from their friends and relatives to fulfill both Christy’s wishes and Bryan’s wishes.  Also, it will be interesting to see if they get anything from Home Depot.

So far, three different showers have been planned for the couple and the first one is a “Couples Shower.”

Wedding Planning – Christy & Bryan Part XI – Their Couples Shower

During the planning process, Christy has been extremely busy.  It just seems that every night Christy was on an appointment with a different supplier to plan for the wedding, but it was time for a break.  It was time to get out of town and visit the parents with a goal to get a nice photo to use for one of her shower invitations.  So, off to Dad’s.

Weekend in Knoxville – Christy and Bryan left Franklin and headed to Knoxville for the weekend and got there on Friday night.  No suppliers in Knoxville, but still Christy had some photography ideas in mind.

Breakfast – After resting overnight and sleeping late, Christy got up and fixed waffles for breakfast.  She said it was nice to just relax and get up late.  However, she did not rest for long.  Christy and I had spent time at my computer last summer putting together a wedding album for her friend Shona.  It was a learning process for her and she really enjoyed seeing all the pictures in an album.  She made one large one for Shona and then made a smaller version for the other bridesmaids that were in the wedding.  By the way, almost all the pictures were the ones I took.

Photo Album from IPhoto – So, with that in mind, Christy wanted an album of pictures she had taken since first meeting Bryan.  They had been on several trips including St Louis, Knoxville and Edmonton Canada.  She wanted to compile everything and have one album with all her pictures.  Thus, the process began and she sat at my computer for most of Saturday afternoon designing and putting together a beautiful album.  My wife sat beside her and they were able to spend more time talking about wedding details.

After everyone had a chance to review the album for pictures and typos, Christy put in her order.  She was happy.

Another Engagement Picture – My daughter-in-law Kim wanted to do a shower for Christy later in the spring and wanted a photograph of Christy and Bryan to send out in the invitation.  Hence, after the album session, she and Bryan and I went outside to take some pictures.  Lucky for us it was a beautiful weekend with sunshine and temperatures in the 60’s.  Especially nice, since it had been snowy and very cold for most of December and January.  But we got lucky and were able to get in some good poses.  They had fun sitting in front of the bushes, lounging in a chair in front of our neighbors fence, clowning around by some tall maiden grass in my back yard and just enjoying each other.  So, after taking the first round of pictures, we went back inside and loaded them in my computer.

She and Bryan liked the results and said several of the pictures would work just fine for Kim’s shower announcement.  But they wanted to try a few more, so we went back out again and they had even more fun.  It’s nice to see my daughter smiling with her fiancee and just having a good time.  Since the weather was still good, we were able to take quite a few pictures before dark.  Then we went inside again and loaded up the computer.  I made a copy for Christy and she was able to take them home with her.

Here are a few of the ones she liked including a fun picture that she shared immediately with family.

Christy & Bryan's Favorite Engagement Picture

Second Favorite Picture

Just Having Some Fun in the Backyard

Engagement Web Site – After Christy got home, she also worked on a web site. TheKnot.com makes sites available for engaged couples on a complimentary basis.  They are also promoting some other vendors, so it works for them too.  Anyway, Christy and Bryan worked on it when they got home and put in information on the date of the wedding, the site, the reception, how they met and then a bunch of pictures.  Of course, they included some of the ones I took at our house.  They also updated their joint picture on Facebook.

Relaxed Weekend -  The weekend had been relaxing from the point of view that she did not meet with any wedding suppliers, but it still did not stop her from working on the wedding.  She was able to talk over some more details with my wife, made a photo album of pictures going back to her first date with Bryan and ended up with some great engagement pictures.  Plus she got some well needed sleep.  But after returning to Franklin, she had plans for more appointments.

Part X will discuss Their Gift Registry

The Bridal Show was fantastic and Christy enjoyed every minute.  It had been a long day, but she felt it had been worth it.  Now it was time to regroup and hopefully finalize some of the vendors for her wedding.

In the coming week Christy had appointments with a DJ, photographer and a cake company.  Would the time spent at the Bridal Show pay off?  She had finished some of her due diligence and now was the time to ask the right questions.

DJ – Christy had two recommendations from her hotel catering contact J.J.  One was for a DJ that she used at her wedding several years ago.  J.J. liked him because he was more laid back and less showy.  But he still put his emphasis on the wedding couple.  Unfortunately, he was already booked up for May 21st.

The other DJ that she recommended was Spangler Entertainment and my wife had also used them previously and had very favorable results.

So, after briefly meeting with them at the Bridal Show, Christy was ready to meet with them on Tuesday night.  She had some questions because Spangler was more expensive than most of the other DJ’s and Christy wanted to see if there was any way of getting a reduced price.

Web Site – In reviewing their web site, Spangler Entertainment also handles more than just DJ’s for weddings.  They specialize in DJ’s, but also furnish bands, musicians, photo booths, casino parties, themed parties and specialty lighting.  They state on their web site “Spangler Entertainment is the only DJ company in Nashville, Tennessee (and one of the few in the nation) owned by a certified wedding consultant.”

DJ Guarantee – also on their site “Our service and quality are so superior to other Nashville DJ companies that we guarantee your satisfaction with our performance.  No other Tennessee DJ company offers this guarantee.”

Appointment with Spangler Entertainment – Christy met with the representative Tuesday night.  She was professional, responsive and really knew what she was doing.  Every aspect of what they provided was explained in detail.

As listed in their web site, they offer a variety of products, but Christy had their basic wedding DJ package in mind, so after listening to the details and confirming that Spangler could do what she wanted, Christy was almost ready to sign.

Show Discounts – Many of the vendors were offering discounts at the show and Christy asked about one.  Apparently the deal for the discount was to book the DJ at the Bridal Show, so Christy was not able to get any price break.

However, being the professionals that they call themselves, their sales representative made Christy an offer to provide her with their special lighting package at no extra cost since she had met with them at the show.  So, while Christy was not able to lower her costs for the reception, she did get the benefit from the Bridal Show in the form of the lighting package.  She was pleased, felt comfortable about securing a company with many positive references that could provide two DJ’s, trained to be MC’s for weddings and could look forward to a wonderful night.

Suggestion for Show – Listen to each vendor at the Bridal Show for discounts or special offers.  Some discounts may be offered only if the bride-to-be books during the show or some may apply as long as an appointment is made during the Bridal Show for followup the next week.

Christy missed out on a price discount but still came away with an addition for her reception.  That might not happen in all cases.

DJ Contract – Spangler Entertainment prepared a contract for May 21st and required a deposit of half the money.  Christy reviewed all the details listed, signed it and gave them their deposit request.  Chalk up another vendor!

Appointment with the Photographer – Wednesday night was the time Christy had set aside to meet with Sara Gibbs, her preference for photographer.  Part of what you get from a professional photographer is not only great pictures, but a meshing of personalities.  The wedding process is trying and the wedding day can be very hectic at times trying to get everything done, especially finding lots of time for taking pictures.

So, Christy wanted to make sure she got along with Sara and that Sara could visualize what Christy had in mind.  Christy already knew her basic price structure and it would fit in her budget, but she had to make sure about her vision.

As Christy met with Sara, she felt comfortable.  Sara was from Franklin, so she had ideas for pictures that appealed to Christy.

The one picture that drew Christy to Sara showed a bride and groom posing in Franklin’s town square with Main Street in the background.  It seemed to be the location and pose that Christy visualized and would sacrifice plans and timing between ceremony and reception in order to get.

Discussions on Timing – Christy had been to several weddings where pictures took forever and wedding guests had to wait quite awhile before the bride and groom showed up at the reception.  To add to the normal wedding shots at the church, Christy wanted to build in some time during her trip from the church to the Embassy Suites for her “Downtown Franklin” picture.

Sara had a suggestion to help Christy out.  One of those suggestions was to get almost all the wedding pictures finished “before” the actual ceremony.  It seems more and more couples are allowing the photographer to do their thing ahead of time.  Granted, the groom gets to see the bride before the ceremony, but it can still be accomplished in a way that will capture expressions and smiles.

Christy and Bryan agreed that it would work for them, thus allowing more time after the ceremony for pictures in strategic locations on the way to the reception.

So, the plan would be to get ready in the morning with hair, makeup and dresses.  Then the wedding couple, bridesmaids, best men and parents would gather at the church for pictures from noon to one p.m.  The wedding would run from 2 – 2:30 p.m. and the reception would start at 4 p.m.  Built in to the time after the wedding was thirty minutes of drive time to the Embassy Suites, plus the relaxed picture time Christy wanted for her “Franklin” pose.

The vision and timing was something that Christy liked.  She felt that Sara had a plan to make her happy and to provide what Christy had visualized.

Contract Time – Once Christy and Sara had a plan in mind, Christy was ready to sign a contract.  The package that Christy wanted was not one of Sara’s pricier ones.

What Christy wanted was to have Sara take all the pictures during her wedding day and provide her with a CD that included everything.  The pictures would be cleaned up, cropped and in full resolution.

Sara would also meet with Christy and Bryan for an engagement session.  That way Sara would have time to get to know the couple prior to their wedding day.  The contracted price was $1,800.00 plus tax and did fit in her budget.

Photo Albums -  Christy did not contract for any photo albums as part of her plan.  She knew that she and I could put together anything she wanted as long as she had all the full resolution pictures on CD.

Now, plans may change and she can still get a 20% discount on photo albums as long as she orders them prior to the wedding.

Chalk up a second vendor booked this week.

Appointment for a Cake – It was a couple of days later and time for a Saturday morning appointment with The Bake Shoppe to discuss cakes.  Christy and Bryan did not have any breakfast because they were going to taste a variety of flavorful cakes.

Again, The Bake Shoppe was referred to Christy by Shona because she was extremely pleased with her work the previous year.

Christy’s theme colors were light green and light yellow, so the plan was to see what they could come up with to meet Christy’s vision.  The basic concept was to do a three tier cake with a different flavored kind of cake for each layer.  It was a hard task to taste all the varieties of cake flavors The Bake Shoppe offered, but they had to do it anyway.

After a multitude of testing, both Christy and Bryan were well satisfied with their options and decided that three different kinds would work.  That way their would be choices of cake for everyone at the wedding reception.

The outside of the cake would be white with round decorations in light green and light yellow based on a picture they were shown.  Christy was happy.

Groom’s Cake – After figuring out the plan for the main cake, it was on to Bryan’s cake.  They wanted to do something different that would represent his interests and still look great sitting next to the wedding cake.  Their contact was superb in guiding them in the direction they wanted.  Finally they ended up with a split design featuring a couple of both their sports interests.  Exact details will be provided later.

Discounts – The discount offered at the show for setting up an appointment was the offer of free cake delivery and a free groom’s cake.  So, thanks again for the Bridal Show.  Not only did the show help to give Christy ideas, but it also provided a way to get some nice discounts.

The Week’s Results – Christy had a great week.  After going to the Bridal Show, she was able to make appointments with three vendors and sign three contracts.  She did a lot in a short amount of time being able to coordinated ideas, details and contracts to make sure she was working towards her vision.  There was still plenty more to do, but she was very happy with the results of the week.

Part IX will discuss a Weekend of Engagement Pictures

The Bridal Show – Continued – After discussing the tickets, hours, entrance, who went and going in depth relative to photographers, it is time to see what Christy learned from the rest of the show.

Digital Photo Booth Rentals – Last year Christy’s friend Shona was married and had a photo booth at her reception.  Each guest had photos taken in the booth and there was not one individual, couple or group that exited the booth that didn’t like the pictures. Of course, the pictures did not make it into the formal wedding albums or special frames, but they were shown to friends, fellow workers, neighbors and some relatives.  Everyone had a blast and Christy wanted to visit a few vendors.

Luckily for Christy, there were several suppliers at the bridal show and she was able to talk with with each and get an idea of costs and see examples of what they could provide.  Here is what she found out.

Options and Pricing – Most of the vendors had the same basic concept where they supply a booth based on amount of time.  For example, renting a booth for two hours would run around $675.00, four hours would run around $875.00 and six hours would run $1,000.00 or more.  Extras could include a Scrapbook and Double Prints around $250.00.

The Way it Works – A portable booth is set up where couples, friends and exhibitionists can “in the privacy of the booth,” let their emotions out.  All participants enter the booth and press a start button that takes four pictures of the group.  The pictures are instantly generated onto a small 4” x 6” photo sheet with four pictures for each guest to keep.  Rentals include unlimited photo booth sessions.  Additionally, most  sessions include a professional photo booth attendant who is present during the entire rental period to help guests maximize their photo booth experience.

Roni and Christy at Shona's Wedding

Pictures Can Be Used as Part of a Wedding Guest Book - Guests sign a book as they leave the party booth and later pictures are added to this guest book.  The bride and groom can then look back at all their crazy guests..

At Shona’s reception, one group even amazed me.  A group of sorority sisters all squeezed into the booth and, as they were coming out, it reminded me of clowns in the circus that just kept coming out of a Volkswagen bug.  Yet, they had a ball and were super excited at the pictures generated.  Booths may vary in size and can hold up to 14 guests.

Private Web Gallery – Some digital photo booth companies provide clients with a private web gallery free of charge for an entire year!  Guests can view and share all of the photos from the event and everyone are able to order enlargements and other great products as well.  Most digital photo booth companies do not retain exclusive copyrights to your images. They provide clients with high resolution files of the prints and each individual photo on a DVD so that you may print and share your pictures whenever and wherever.

Christy Meets Supplier from Shona’s Wedding – After walking all over the show and talking with various digital booth companies, Christy found the guy that represents the Nashville area for PhotoBooths and they were able to discuss some options.  When asked if he was available, the answer was “Yes.”  Apparently photo booths are different from photographers because companies can have many booths and can still supply them on the date you want.  So, Christy tentatively said she wanted to book her date and Mike Pappas said he would send in the information to corporate and they would generate the contract.

Shona and Christy Having Fun

So, chalk up a vendor for Christy and Bryan.  They had more booths to see at the Bridal Show, but could definitely say they had accomplished at least one thing.

DJ’s or a Band – Moving on to other vendors, Christy wanted to speak with several DJ’s.  There were no bands represented at the show, but she had already eliminated them anyway.  Bands are great, but they cost more and with a limited budget, Christy felt that getting a DJ would provide her the entertainment she wanted.  They could also  be an MC for the evening and provide a variety of music for guests to enjoy.

Pricing – Christy found out that pricing for DJ’s ranged from several hundred dollars to over $1,000 depending upon their experience and what they could provide.  Most charged $500 to $750.

Kinds of DJ’s – When talking with some friends about DJ’s, Christy heard several comments.  Some liked this or that DJ based on their own perceptions of how they wanted their reception to run.  For the Bride and Groom that wanted a show, there were DJ’s that would perform, be the front man, be the MC and choreograph the reception.  In fact, they became the show.  They did their thing and the crowd danced, enjoyed themselves and had a blast.

However, some DJ’s are less on the showmanship side, but create an atmosphere that the Bride and Groom are the show and base everything they do around why the guests are there.  The whole purpose is to celebrate the wedding with the Bride and Groom.  So, if they play all the songs that are requested, feature the wedding party and showcase the Bride and Groom, they are doing their job, but not necessarily promoting just their showmanship.

Christy heard recommendations from several friends.  One liked a DJ because of the same reason that someone else disliked them.  So, what I got out of this is to find out what each DJ does and how they conduct themselves at the reception.  What does the bridal party want?  Do you want a show itself or should the emphasis be totally on the Bride and Groom?

Availability – Next came the same question, “Are you available on May 21st?”  Again, the same thing was true for the established DJ’s in the show.  If they were really good, they were already booked for many or most dates in 2011.

Spangler Entertainment – However, Christy also found out that while most DJ’s run their own show, there are some companies that train DJ’s and provide them with equipment, so they have multiple DJ’s to handle specific date requests.  One company that worked this way was Spangler Entertainment.  So, Christy listened briefly to the sales staff at the show and decided she wanted to meet with them to go into more details.  Hence, an appointment was set up for Tuesday night.  Their rates were $995.00 and a little higher than her original estimate for her budget, but they had a great reputation and friends had said to check them out.  Also, they provided two DJ’s for each event and the music and coverage would be constant for four hours.  She would find out more on Tuesday.

Honeymoon Sites – I was amazed that there were several vendors at the show promoting their sites for honeymoons.  My thoughts were focused on the wedding and the reception, but not thinking ahead and planning for the week after.  I was wrong!   What better chance to promote yourself as a destination then to show what you can do in front of brides.  I saw Christy gravitate to one booth called Sandals Resorts where she talked with them and picked up all their literature.  Remember, being visible is one of the main things and that is why vendors choose to be represented at bridal shows.  Christy also liked the idea of a warm weather destination and one that was all inclusive.

Christy and Bryan would follow up on this later.

Cakes – Other vendors could give out sales literature, but the cake companies were able to provide samples.  They constantly had brides around them sampling cakes and discussing prices.  The chef’s were the ones busy in the cake booths.  Not only were they preparing samples, but many were showing off their decorating skills.  Cakes can run the gamut from white to chocolate, from red velvet to multi-layered and all the special flavors you might want to taste.

There was no way of being hungry.  All the brides had to do was to bounce from one cake booth to the next.

So, they picked up literature in addition to the samples and got ideas on pricing.  Some even offered Bridal Show discounts for booking with them at the show or at least setting up an appointment.  The offer was to provide free delivery of the cakes and many offered a complimentary groom’s cake as part of the deal.

Christy had recommendations from Shona to go with The Bake Shoppe because she used them at her wedding last May and loved the product.  So, Christy set up an appointment for later in the week.  The plan was to meet on Saturday morning and sample more cake and discuss their wants and desires.  We will find out later what they decided.

Floral Companies – Floral designs were plentiful at the Bridal Show. From colors, to archways, to artistic designs, each floral booth created wonders for display.

It was easy for the brides to get ideas to decorate churches, reception areas, table displays and bouquets for bridesmaids.  As they went to different booths, they were able to get new and different ideas.

But, as nice as it was to see all the different showcases, Christy would still have to meet with several vendors to see if they could come up with the flowers, designs and pricing to match her dreams and budget.

She had a color scheme in mind and after walking through the show, she had a few basic ideas and questions for a couple of florists.

A Simple But Elegant Floral Arrangement

However, the budget was coming closer and closer to being finalized.  The wedding dress was over budget, the reception numbers were not getting any smaller and even the DJ was a little higher than planned.  So, the floral budget might have to be lowered to make ends meet.  Thus, creativity from the florist will be a must.  She has to come up with something that will fit a budget and still make Christy happy.

Christy enjoyed visualizing the flowers and was now ready to meet with several florists.

Event Rental Companies – If you want something to look a special way and the church or reception hall does not have it, leave no fear.  There are many event companies that can provide whatever you want.  Vendors showcased anything and everything at the show.  Displays were elegant, decorative and colorful.

They took tables, chairs plus plain areas and turned them into beautiful artistic designs.  Some partnered with floral companies to offer combinations of rental and multi-design.

Christy had a vision and that vision was rather plain and simple, but elegant.  She thought that she could come up with a plan to use simple decorations to add to the elegance of the church and the Embassy Suites for her reception.  However, had she decided on an outside wedding or had a different vision, the event companies would be able to provide her with her dream.

Keep in mind that anything is possible.  The vendors can do it if you have the budget.

Tuxedos – Christy was not planning on finalizing tuxedos at the show, but she was able to get some ideas.

She had a dress and bridesmaid dresses ordered, so it was great to walk by booths showcasing a variety of tuxes.  They came in all colors.  Some had vests.  Some had bow ties and others were using colorful dress ties.  So, Christy saw options and it would help her later.

Wedding Invitations – You can not have a bridal show without a few booths showcasing wedding invitations and Christy was able to visit a couple of booths.  She already had ideas for her invitations, but the varieties were endless.

Christy had a printer in mind and would meet with her later.  However, the brides at the show could get ideas for anything they wanted.

Limos & Transportation – One of the first pictures I took at the show was Christy and her crew in front of an old off white Rolls Royce.  It highlighted the idea that every bride and groom should leave the church in style.

Granted, it was the only limo in the show, but it created an image.  Christy knew she wanted something special, but had no specifics in mind.

She would consider options at a later time.

Miscellaneous – Christy got to see vendors in all the categories already listed, but there were many other booths.  Some showcased beauty aides, make up and personal items.  Others talked about venues, honeymoons, food and entertainment.  It was all there.

Conclusion – Christy and her “Crew” had a ball.  They stayed for the entire day and soaked it all in.  Between visiting the booths, discussing options and picking up literature, she had visualized ideas and options.

It had been a very productive day.  A commitment had been made for a digital photo booth and appointments had been made with a DJ company and a cake company.  Plus, she now had some ideas for a few other pieces of her puzzle.

But it was time to go home and rest after a long day.

Part VIII will discuss Followup from the Bridal Show

Why Go to a Bridal Show? – For the ladies, that is a no brainer.  It is a chance to see all the suppliers in one place, to get ideas, to figure out some pricing and maybe book someone to take care of your wedding.  So, Christy had marked this date on her calendar and was more than ready to go.  She had a plan and that meant spending all day looking, reviewing and talking to wedding suppliers.

What Can I Find at the Bridal Show?

Who Went? – Christy also invited my wife, Jenny, Kim and another friend Jennifer to go along.  They were all excited and wanted to see photographers, DJ’s, florists, caterers, cake makers, beauty aides, decorations and even honeymoon destination choices.

Saturday night we had been sitting around the living room watching football with my son while Christy was talking about the Bridal Show the next day.  My son just shrugged, looked at me and said, “come over any time and we could both watch the NFL Playoffs together.”  I had been planning on going to the show since I wanted to know more about the wedding suppliers, but my son was not aware of it.  He could not believe I would give up football for an afternoon at a Bridal Show.  However, my meeting planning passion took over and I went to the show.  My plan was to drive separately from the ladies and see what I wanted, then leave early.   So, not only did I get input from the ladies, but I was able to observe and get all kinds of ideas myself.

Helen, Christy, Jenny, Kim and Jennifer - The Bridal Show Crew

Show Hours and Cost – The show was scheduled to be open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and the cost was $10 if paid in advance or $12 at the door.  Christy bought the tickets ahead of time, so it was easy when we got there.  They just pulled up her name and signed her in.  Everyone was given pink wrist band to wear.  Christy also got a lanyard to hang around her neck that said “Bride.”  Later I saw another one that said “Groom.”   My wife and I did not get lanyard even though we were paying for the wedding.

Entrance – Table Decorations – The show was very popular and most guests had pre-purchased tickets.  So, after getting the wrist bands, we all had to stand in line to get into the show.  That took about fifteen minutes, but as we got closer to the entrance, we found out why.  Everyone was being funneled through one small entrance where multiple tables were set up and decorated with various designs.  Each had colorful tablecloths with colorful runners plus beautiful china with gorgeous silverware and napkins.  Floral bouquets also decorated the tables and gave the engaged couples or just brides a visual idea of what could be done at their wedding and reception.  They were all beautiful and the only question was could the young couples afford the table decorations?  Christy was on a mission and was trying to fit everything into a budget and while the decorations were gorgeous, they might not make it into the wedding.  She had some ideas and would work on that later.

Ice Carvings – Gracing the entrance was also an ice carving welcoming the brides to the show.  I looked closer because I had worked with one of the best ice carvers when I was at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel.  His name was Matt Simons and we found out that he had prepared the ice carving.  Matt was not around, but I was able to get his card and I highly recommend him for anything you need.

Entering the Show – We all entered the show at the same time and I asked all the ladies to stand still for a picture.  After that we parted ways and started strolling the rows and rows of booths.  I would see Christy signing up at the booths for give-a-ways and talking to the sales staff.  It was a slow process because she wanted to soak up as much information as possible.  Forget the internet and friends having to recommend suppliers.  At this show, she was able to see what they had, find out about their personalities and ask her main question “Are you available on May 21st?”  The answer to that question meant either moving on or spending some time talking about what they could offer her.

So, without going down each row, here is some information we both gathered by types of wedding supplier.

Photographers – To me, this was one of the more interesting suppliers to meet and discuss options.  They were all great and had set up their booths to showcase their skills.  Most had an array of pictures, gorgeous frames and beautiful wedding albums.  After meeting many of them, it seemed to be a representation of the better wedding photographers in Nashville.  I was impressed.

Photography is my passion and I have taken pictures at several weddings, but not as the hired professional.  I usually like to take the normal wedding pictures and also the pictures leading up to the event plus special ones that the photographer might not be around to take.  My pictures have even been used for the newspaper, Christmas cards and I have made several wedding books for relatives and friends.  So, while I will not be able to take pictures at Christy’s wedding, because I will be in most of the wedding party pictures, I want it done right.  Hence, lots of questions and here are some of the things I found out.

Availability -  Keep this in mind, the good photographers book up early.  They may be expensive, but what Bride does not want to have beautiful pictures from her wedding?  So, as I passed Christy and periodically asked her about photographers, she said most were already booked for May 21st.  That meant she moved on fast.  The others had a few openings, but there were so many young women in the show looking for photographers, that even if the photographer had an available date, it might not be by the end of the show or when Christy was ready to make a decision.  So, we both gathered information and hoped to be able to find the one that would work for Christy.

Wedding Packages – Each wedding photographer we met had a different wedding package or packages.  Some were for only a few hours during the wedding ceremony and some incorporated time for pictures that included pre-ceremony, engagement pictures, to rehearsal dinner and to all day events the day of the wedding.  The prices also varied from photographer to photographer, but all had base prices and  the packages increased in price as hours were increased, photo albums of various sizes were attached, large 11 x 14 plus 16 x 20 prints were offered and ownership of all finished wedding day images were included.

What I gathered from talking to the photographers was you could get what you wanted, but you definitely needed to know where your preferences lied.  If you wanted the whole elite package, you could be paying up to $7,500+ or if you only wanted minimal coverage and a DVD of master prints, you might only have to budget $750.  Here are a couple of examples of packaging.

Scoobie’s Photographic Images – The first booth we went to was Scoobie’s and he spent a lot of time talking about options.  His booth was fantastic and he showed his professionalism with the portraits he showcased in his booth.  Unfortunately, he was not available on May 21st, but still spent quite a bit of time talking about weddings.  He even gave us several other business cards of other photographers in the show that he would recommend.  It just showed me that you do not have to do it all yourself.  I am sure he gets referred back by the others when they are committed to a specific date.

Scoobie Photographic Images Booth at Show

Scoobie’s “Silver” Wedding Day Package:

Up to 12 hours coverage on your wedding day, to include Pre-Ceremony, Ceremony, Formals and Reception

* All finished Wedding day Images will be on a DVD slide show

* Ownership of all finished wedding day images on a DVD master disk

* Unlimited travel locations on the wedding day (time permitting)

* 1 Photographer, 1 Assistant

* Online viewing of al finished wedding images

* $2,800 (plus tax)

Scoobie’s “Gold” Wedding Day Package:

* Same as the “Silver Package” plus

* 1 16 x 20 print and 2 – 11 x 14 prints

* 20 Page 12 x 12 Flush Mount Coffee Table Album with 40 images

* $3,500 (plus tax)

Scoobie’s Platinum Wedding Day Package:

* Same as the “Gold Package” plus

* An Engagement Session

* 1 Hour engagement session

* All finished engagement images on a DVD slide show

* Ownership of all finished engagement images on DVD master disk

* 5 – 8 x 10 engagement prints

* Engagement images displayed at the reception on a LCD monitor.

* $3,800 (plus tax)

Albums:   (all with 40 images)

* 20  Page 12 x 12 Flush Mount Coffee Table Album – $700 + tax

* 20  Page 10 x 10 Flush Mount Coffee Table Album – $500 + tax

* 20  Page   8 x 8   Flush Mount Coffee Table Album – $300 + tax

* 20  Page   5 x 5   Flush Mount Coffee Table Album – $200 + tax

As you can see, they offer quite a range in pricing and as the packages increase, they start adding some Albums.  Other albums are available for parents and friends if they want to order them.

Christy and Bryan were still researching various options, but it did help getting the range in pricing to put in their budget.  But they also found other packages that were lower and others that were higher.  Another photographer that spent time with us was Ben Skipper.  He was extremely cordial, but also was committed on Christy’s date.  Here are some of his packages without going into extreme detail.

Skipper Photography Wedding Packages:

* EPIC Adventure            -  $7,500 plus tax

* Legendary Adventure  - $4,500 plus tax

* Heroic Adventure         – $3,400 plus tax

* Explorer Adventure      - $2,500 plus tax

The packages range from 8 to 10 to 12 hours of Wedding Day Coverage.  Some packages offer DVD’s of all images.  Others offer from 100 to 250 Prints in a Keepsake Image Box.  One package offers a Contemporary Leather Album and other options at additional prices include Engagement Sessions, Pre-Bridal Sessions, Post Bridal Sessions and special 16 x 20 Art Prints.

However, most of those packages from Scoobie and Skipper sounded great, but Christy had some questions since she had already gone over her budget on her dress.  Hence, we also found some other photographers with lower priced packages.

Studio M Wedding Packages:

* Diamond - $3,200

* Gold          - $2,400

* Silver        - $1,800

* Saffire       – $1,400

* Ruby         – $1,200

* Emerald    - $   750

As you can see, the packages varied.  They contained similar features on the high end to other packages already quoted, but had some simple packages also.  The Emerald Package at $750 contained one photographer, 3 hours of coverage, a Disk of Digital Negatives and Online Posting of Images.

Sara Gibbs Photography – However after talking to over ten different photographers, Christy wanted to talk with Sara Gibbs.  Sara had a satellite office in Lillie Belle’s where Christy saw some portraits when doing a site visit.  One specific photo caught Christy’s eye.  It showcased a bride and groom posed on the square in downtown Franklin with mainstreet in the background.

So, while my wife was talking with a sales person at Lillie Belle’s booth that she knew, they discussed photographers and found out that Sara Gibbs had an open date on May 21st.  Christy was exited because she loved Sara’s picture, so they set up an appointment for Tuesday night.  Sara’s packages started around $1,800 and her basic package interested Christy.  It did not include all the bells and whistles of some of the other packages, but did include a DVD and Christy knew that I could put together a photo book for her and save some money.

The Tuesday appointment and final decision on Christy’s photographer came later in the week.

That ended the information on the photographers from the Bridal Show.

Part VII will continue with the rest of the Bridal Show.

It is Wedding Dress Time - That means time for the ladies to take over and for fathers and fiancees to find something else to do.  So, this is the weekend to look for Christy’s wedding dress and her bridesmaid’s dresses.  Can she find “The Dress,” one that every bride has always dreamed about?  Also, from a budget point of view, will it fit into her fixed budget?

Can I Find the Dress of My Dreams?

Friday Night at David’s Bridal – My wife and Christy started the search for “The Wedding Dress” on friday night.  Assisting in the process was our daughter-in-law Kim, one of her best friends Jenny and Jenny’s mother, who is like a second mother to Christy.  By the way, Kim and Jenny are also Bridesmaids.

They had a 6:30 p.m. appointment time and planned to try on dresses for a couple of hours and then Bryan and I would join them for pizza afterward.  So, obviously, we heard all about the venture over beer and pizza.

Whether or not they end up buying a dress there, they had fun.  Christy tried on about twenty dresses.  After awhile, she had narrowed the search down to a few styles that she liked and the “crew” just kept bringing her dresses to try on.  Some were her size and some were larger sizes that had to be clipped back to see what they might look like if ordered.

Christy even had Kim and Jenny try on some bridesmaid dresses and found one that they both looked good in, the color fit Christy’s theme and the dress was priced right.

Staff – Helpful or Pushy – The person from David’s Bridal working with Christy was great and supportive.  Her name was Rachel.  She guided her but was not pushy.  However, towards the end of trying on dresses, another sales person, not to be named, came over and started “Closing” which turned off Christy.  One comment made was “what’s the problem, she has tried on many pretty dresses?”  All along Christy was planning to visit several places and did not appreciate pushy sales techniques being used.

Shopping Suggestion – I do not know whether or not the sales staff were on commission, but that might be a question to ask at the front end of the appointment.

Friday Dress Results – At the end of the evening Christy liked two dresses.  She had a preference for one and everyone agreed that she looked beautiful in it.  However, it was pricy for her budget and if she decided on that one, something would have to give or be eliminated from the wedding to fit in the overall budget.

The other dress that she liked, but not quite as much, also looked good on her according to my wife.  But, it was not as expensive and would work better in her plan.

So, friday night was fun, exciting for the ladies, but they had more plans and an appointment for Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

Saturday Dresses at Village Bridal – Last year Christy had accompanied another friend, Shona, to search for a wedding dress.  They went to Village Bridal near downtown Nashville.  It was a very small shop with less than seventy-five dresses, but Shona found the dress she wanted.  So, Christy wanted to go there also.

Staff – Professional but Strong – Since we talked about the previous sales person, let me tell you about the owner of Village Bridal.  Elizabeth is a true professional that buys most of her dresses from Europe.  Per Shona, she is a magnificent seamstress, she knows what looks good on the brides and does not hesitate to say what she thinks.  Her heritage is Russian and they are straight shooters.  But, as my wife stated “we have been to Romania and they have some of the directness that Elizabeth has, so her personality should not be a problem.”

She will tell you if you look good in a dress , but also tell you immediately to take the dress off if she feels it is not right for you.  So, some mothers and brides can not handle working with such a sales person.

Anyway, Christy, my wife and Jenny arrived at 10 a.m. for the appointment and started picking out a few dresses.  On one wall were some lower priced dresses and the other side was more expensive.

Christy went to the less expensive dresses first and picked out one or two, but swallowed hard and went to the other side to pick out some more from the more expensive dresses.

Trying on the Dresses – She went to the back dressing room with the help of Jenny and decided to try on a dress from the expensive side that she really liked.  It was plain, simple, but really elegant.  As Jenny was zipping her up, it fit like a glove.

My wife Helen was waiting in the main room for the show of dresses to begin when Christy entered the room “beaming from ear to ear.” Not only did the dress fit her, it looked fabulous, it made Christy feel fantastic and to see Christy’s shining face made my wife cry.

Everyone including the owner said this was “The Dress” for Christy.  But, Elizabeth said Christy had to try on the others just to confirm to herself that she had picked out “Her” wedding dress.

So, after trying on the others, Christy was sure she wanted this dress.

The Problem – However, the dress she had liked best at David’s Bridal was higher than she had budgeted and this one was not less expensive.  It was more expensive causing some serious questions to arise about how to fill in the rest of her wedding needs with less money.

But, after finding the right dress, Christy was ecstatic and willing to compromise some on DJ, photographer, flowers and other items.  The smile on her face told the whole story.  The dress was ordered.

The Veil and Jewelry – Christy did not find the veil to go with the dress and since the owner knew Christy had gone over the budget from her comments, she even recommended searching on-line for the veil.  Now, that is truly a professional looking out for a bride rather than pushing the issue with some expensive veils.  What Elizabeth does have is a passion to get it right for the bride.

Christy later checked out some web sites and was able to find a veil that would compliment the dress, yet was considerably less expensive.

Her sister-in-law Kim also showed her the tiara she used and offered it to Christy for the wedding.  That along with some jewelry that Kim offered would not only make Christy look great, it helped with some costs, since the dress was more expensive than originally intended.

Lessons from a Father on Wedding Dress Prices – I found it interesting listening to the dress shopping stories.  Price needs to be a factor, but it is not the only factor.  Having a beaming bride is more important!

Lessons about Shopping – Find not only a store that has options, but a sales staff that will work with you.  Christy had liked the dress on friday night, but it was not one that said “Buy me now!”  On Saturday, the seamstress owner at Village Bridal told her why.  After looking at the dress from a picture Christy had taken the night before, Elizabeth said the reason it was not the perfect fit was because of the design.  It was too high waisted, which caused it to not fall smoothly over her hips.  When Christy took another look, she totally agreed.  So, while Elizabeth might seem brash to some customers because she tells it as she sees it, both Christy and Shona ended up with dresses from her store.  They fit, were beautiful and both were happy.  Find a sales person that has your best interest in mind or find another sales person that does.

Rest of the Day – Christy was happy with the dress she had ordered, but they had plenty of time to do some more shopping.  That entailed looking for more bridesmaid dresses, other veil opportunities and a dress for my wife.  They looked, but did not find anything else that day.

Saturday Results – The day had been productive, a dress had been ordered, they were tired, but the weekend was not over.  There was one more day to the weekend and it was to include the Bridal Show in Nashville at the Convention Center.  Could they find anything else at the show to help Christy with her wedding plans?

Part VI will take you through her adventure at the Bridal Show.

Three steps have passed with Christy and Bryan making it past the “Engagement,” the “How Do We Start?” phase and “The Search for Sites.”  Now it is time to find a ceremony location , the minister and hopefully coordinate those with their preferred choice of date.

So, can the search for a ceremony location be fruitful since the tentative wedding plans are only four to five months out?  Let’s look at what they found out.

Ceremony Locations – It was time to brainstorm again.  Since Christy was not a member of a church, she wanted to keep an open mind about where she and Bryan might get married.  Options that were available were outside wedding venues, wedding chapels, the hotel ballroom, and local churches.  All have their pros and cons depending upon numbers, timing and location.

Outside Weddings – Tap Root Farm was an option when Christy originally looked for a reception venues.  Tap Root also has a 1907 built mansion across from the hillside reception venue.  The ceremony could be set close to the mansion, but involved setting up chairs for all the guests.  That would work, but again, the question of a backup for the outside wedding comes up.  Rental fees would run around $700 plus chairs and decorations.  A unique venue, especially when partnered with a following reception across the street, which was previously discussed.

Christy also attended a wedding ceremony that was on Douglas Lake near Gatlinburg.  It was on a pontoon boat which limited the number of guests to less than fifteen.  In fact, Christy and a few others had to watch the ceremony from another boat.  Again unique, but way too small a venue even if they could find something similar close to Franklin.

Wedding Chapels – Small self contained wedding chapels are beautiful because they are specifically designed for intimate weddings.  I opened Opryland Hotel and passed a wedding chapel every day going to work for twelve years.  It is called Bridal Path Wedding Chapel and their maximum is 125 for a wedding.  When I called and talked with one of their representatives, she offered to send me an email with all the options and costs.  In reviewing what they offered, I was impressed and would definitely recommend them for weddings with guest lists that range from just the Bride and Groom to slightly over 100 guests.  They listed options that would make it easy for any bride.  They also offered packages that included  a decorated chapel, candle lit ceremony, music, lighting of the unity candle, various photo albums from a professional photographer, videography, limousine service and a nice reception package.  It is up to you to choose the package that fit your budget.

Bridal Path Wedding Chapel

However, Christy and Bryan’s guest list quickly eliminated them as an option.

Hotel Ballroom – While churches are the first choice for most brides, hotel ballrooms will also work.  It is very easy to set up a room with decorations for a ceremony and then the reception can be held in the same facility.  Guests never have to leave, so it becomes quick and easy.  If given a few minutes after the ceremony, walls can be pulled, tables moved and chairs rearranged to make a larger reception area.  Obviously, not a church setting, but one that might work if Christy and Bryan just had to have May 21st and their search for a church on that day becomes futile.  Events Plus Nashville decorated the ballroom at the Embassy Suites Hotel, picture below.  I have worked with them many times and can highly recommend their work.

Embassy Suites Hotel Decorated by Events Plus Incorporated

Church Options – Christy and Bryan had attended a couple of churches in and around the Franklin – Nashville area, but they wanted to explore all options.  So, they started making phone calls and checking out web sites to see what might also be available.  Numbers were still in the 175- 225 range, so most churches would work.  But, would they have any restrictions?

Member versus Non-Member – As they researched churches, there seemed to be several restrictions.  The first was membership.  Several churches would allow only members to get married in their church.  If they did allow non-members to be married, it was sometimes only at the okay of the minister or preacher.  He would schedule an interview with the couple and only after that interview would he say yes or no.  Also, the okay might be subject to pre-marital counseling.

Church Ceremony Expenses – The research into ceremony venues also allowed Christy and Bryan to find out various costs involved with the church ceremonies.  It seems that size, location and demand also factor into church availability.  Membership did give young couples the right to get married in the church, but they still had to pay for the site while non-members either were told “No” or they paid a higher fee.  One church rate was $500 for members while another church charged $1,000+ for being a member.  Non-member rates ran $1,000 to $1,500+.  Those quotes were only for the facility.

Minister – Preacher Fees – Also included in most of the scheduled church packages were fees for the officiants.  Most were $100 to several hundred dollars, but included pre-marital counseling.  A special note, pre-marital counseling makes a difference when applying for a marriage license in Tennessee.  The marriage license is $98.50, but couples that complete a four hour marriage counseling course by a qualified counselor or minister pay only $38.50.  (Note – both the officiant and marriage license fees are paid for by the groom.)

Custodial Charges – Every place had a custodial fee to clean up the facility after the ceremony.  Fees averaged around $100.

Total Church Fees – So, most church weddings ran from $750 to $2,000+ for use of the chapel, the minister and the custodial cleanup.

Help from Friends – Christy had attended church with one of her bridesmaids many times.  She had gone for bible study, various church services and special Christmas services.  So, it was time to take Bryan for a visit to get his opinion.  The location was near Franklin and fairly close to their choice of reception at the Embassy Suites and it was a beautiful new church, so it would be perfect for their ceremony.  Christy even had a good friendship with the minister.

Hence, after looking at reception venues during the week, it was time on Sunday morning to take Bryan to church.

Well, they both agreed after Sunday morning at the church that it would be their first choice.  Bryan even liked the minister who said he better treat her right.  But even thought they wanted the church, they had to wait.  Apparently the church had a staff person that coordinated weddings and she was at a conference for a couple of days.  That was a hard couple of days.

Relief and a Set Date – It really helps to have friends, especially ones that helped start the church.  So, Christy’s friend did the ground work, the minister okayed the member rate for the engaged couple and “Yes” the date of May 21st was available.  To hold the date, the church needed a deposit of $200.  That was paid by Christy’s friend, to which Christy reimbursed her and then my wife and I reimbursed Christy.

Now, they had a church and a hold on the reception for May 21st.

Relief - A Set Date with a Church and Reception Booked

It was really hard to believe because it was only four and a half months out and to find a church and reception venue that were their first choices on their preferred date just did not seem possible.  A confirmation email went to J.J. at the Embassy Suites that Christy and Bryan wanted May 21st, but only two sections of the ballroom.  The guest list still needed some work, but they both thought 5,000 square feet of ballroom space would work.  It would  also give them the freedom to spend a little more per guest rather than less per person with that extra section of the ballroom.

Christy and Bryan were pleased.  They had a date for the wedding.  Friends could be told to set aside the date.  Potential visitors from out of town could make plans and now the couple could start with a few more details, but how?

Wedding Dress -Bridal Show – They say timing is everything, so fortunately a large Bridal Showcase was going to be in Nashville the following weekend, at the Nashville Convention Center.  So, that weekend starts and ends with the ladies.

Part V will showcase “The Wedding Dress”