Back from Chicago

My sister-in-law's wedding was absolutely beautiful, and I had so much fun coordinating the event! We've also had the Kansas City reception, which was equally wonderful. I have updated pictures on my website. To check them out go here:

http://alleneventdesigns.weebly.com/allen-rickard-wedding.html

Here is a sneak preview...

Been awhile...

Just wanted to drop a note to those who follow the blog that I am not lost! Just gearing up for another wedding next weekend, and have been talking with a few other brides-to-be.

I love those last few days before a wedding, although most consider those the most stressful. It's just nice seeing all the work come together for this one, beautiful event. This one is especially near and dear to my heart as it is my sister-in-laws nuptials. She is flying in from India, getting married in Chicago, honeymooning in Kansas...and Thailand, and then heading back to India. A whirlwind of a December, but much looking forward to it. The planning has been challenging from out of state for all parties involved, but in the end all details have fit together perfectly. Looking forward to coordinating your big day, Gabe. Much love to you both.

Wordle!

This is a wordle photo over my website. It takes the words used on the page and makes a word cloud. The most used words then become larger than the others. Just another fun website to check out. www.wordle.net.

Chicago Skylines, A-line Skirts, and Silk Draperies

So this past weekend was spent jetting around Chicago with my husband on a wedding weekend extraordinaire! I was running various errands for the beautiful bride in whatever she needed.

The Weekend Of:

Thursday was spent making table numbers and seating cards for the guests. Friday we were there when the couple got their marriage license, documenting the momentous occasion with numerous pictures for them. Saturday commenced the countdown to the big event with the rehearsal. Things ran very smoothly at the rehearsal; everyone fell right into line where they were supposed to be and what they were to be doing. Things really started to come together at that moment. As the chair cover company starting decorating each chair, with what could be considered art rather than just a chair cover, you could envision the beauty of the day to follow. The rehearsal came to a smooth conclusion, and the bridal party and out-of-town guests boarded a super bus for the rehearsal dinner at Maggiano's. It was delicious food, intimate setting, and good laughs amongst all of the guests. You could see just how much everyone loved the bride and groom in every story that was shared that night.

The Day Of:

Sunday morning began with helping the bride get ready at The Embassy Suites Downtown Lakefront. Once the bride and groom we're dressed, prepped, and ready they had their "first look" down in the lobby next to a beautiful, cascading fountain. Then the bride, groom, bride's mother, photographer, videographer, and myself proceeded to run about downtown Chicago getting all of the best pictures that we could of the soon to be newlyweds. I would hop out of the car, carefully carry the bride's train so no dirt would harm the gorgeous gown, and then the bride and groom would pose with Michigan Avenue, "the bean", Trump Tower, etc. I have to say I have never seen a more skilled photographer or videographer. Their skills with their individual talents are not to be rivaled. When we returned to the hotel it was time for a quick makeup/hair touch up, and then down to the ballroom for last minute bridal party pictures. There were new traditions that I experienced in this wedding, that I hadn't seen before since it was a Jewish ceremony. For instance, they sign a Ketubah (Jewish marriage license) prior to the ceremony in a ceremony all of it's own. They also stand under the Chuppah with the bridal party surrounding the Chuppah, instead of standing in a diagonal to the bride and groom as in most ceremonies. The room itself was beyond gorgeous! Beautiful eggplant and gold colors everywhere, silk drapes leading down the aisle from one pillar to the next. On each pillar was a tall, slender vase with Calla lilies and other white blossoms in each. The vases were each lit with it's own blue LED light, so the room just popped with elegance. The same ballroom where the ceremony was held was transformed into the reception site as well, while the guests were enjoying a beautiful cocktail hour in the foyer. Everywhere you looked: tuxes, silk dresses, white and purple flowers, gold tones, and of course their signature pomegranate martinis being passed by waiters with sushi rolls and petite Chicago-style hot dogs. The menu at the reception was just as nice with to die for dishes that included glazed salmon, two wedding cake options, and a salad that was just as pretty as it was delicious. The best part of the reception was probably when the bride and groom were held up on chairs and paraded about the dance floor in true Jewish tradition. The warmth, love, and beauty of this event was top-notch. Here's to the bride and groom! Mazel Tov!

Check out pictures of the event at:

http://alleneventdesigns.weebly.com
Look under "Snapshots".

Busy Busy

Just got back on Monday from Chicago, where I coordinated and was in a very elegant wedding. It's been so crazy lately with wedding preparations for this and other brides that I hadn't had a chance to write in over a month! I'm almost too busy to be writing now! I wanted to let you all know that the website has had some updates and pictures from the latest wedding added to it! Check it out at:

http://alleneventdesigns.weebly.com/

If you are one who checks this site regularly (or irregularly), drop me a line or leave a comment! I'd love to see who gets on here!

One last thing, for any brides out there currently in the planning process email me at alleneventdesigns@gmail.com if you would like a complimentary consultation. We can see where you are in the planning process, what services I could offer you, and see if a wedding planner would be a good fit for your needs.

A Black Tie Affair to Remember

So last night I coordinated a wedding that in itself was dressed to the nines. People dressed in their best, white flowers waterfalling over every surface, and even the chairs were dressed in their best! It was an absolutely gorgeous event, and I am so glad I had the chance to coordinate this event! You could almost feel a warm glow emanating from all those in attendance: so happy to be there, the couple so in love, and everyone smiling every way you turn. The colors were black, white, and pale green with the theme of "A Perfect Pear (Pair)". Pears were floating in each of the three vases on the tables, hydrangea bunches everywhere, white roses, pearls in stephanotis, and floor length gowns followed by tuxedos everywhere. The church was in Kansas City, Kansas following with a reception at The Hilton President downtown. The bride's dress was a gorgeous mermaid cut with a detachable train from Ida's. Check out my website in the next couple of days for pictures of the beautiful event. http://alleneventdesigns.weebly.com/snapshots.html The pictures I took could not do the event justice though, but the videographer has offered to give me a copy of the wedding as he shot it. Hopefully I will be able to upload part of that to the website as well. Looking forward to the next wedding oer Labor Day Weekend!

A Day in the Life...

I thought I might share what a typical day looks like during peak wedding season for me, just in case you were wondering what my job actually entails.

~Wake up
~Check email
~Call three different vendors to confirm upcoming wedding plans
~Take another call from a vendor about changes
~Work on the timeline for one wedding
~Add songs to another bride's ceremony and reception plan
~Eat lunch
~Email back two brides about their questions
~Email another bride about her updated to-do list
~Finish working on reception layout for one of the brides
~Proof one brides menu and program wording
~Email bride about suggestions for vendors
~Eat dinner
~Say that I'm done for the day, but end up working on more timelines
~Go to bed

I really love this job! I hope everyone finds a job they love to do, because I really understand that saying now, "If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life." It's not work, it's something I get to do!


Also, don't forget to check out my new website at: http://alleneventdesigns.weebly.com/



I thought I would also share with you a few of my favorite things that I've found or been given by some of my brides:

This is a photo wall created by a bride for her guests to utilize at the rehearsal (http://www.kissthegroom.com/). It's a wood wall covered in wallpaper, and the pictures are from the bride and groom's family weddings. There are three cut-outs covered with empty frames. Then the guests can stick their heads in any of the three openings for a photo-op:



I love the use of ostrich feathers in bouquets, and two of my current weddings are doing shades of purple and plums so I thought I share this particular bouquet:



Before every bride's big day they have a "Must Shoot" list for their photographer. These are the pictures they have to have from the wedding day. This was one of my favorites when I was getting married, from another bride's getting ready shoot. She's just so beautiful and calm looking, right before she puts on her dress.




The last two photos were from www.theknot.com.

WEBSITE IS UP!

Check out the Allen Event Designs website at:

http://alleneventdesigns.weebly.com/

Prices and inclusions are located on the website, and pictures will continual be added as well. Make sure to check it out and see what's going on at Allen Event Designs!

Weddings!

As the summer is now in full swing, I've been a bit slow in updating the blog. The various wedding preparations are going wonderfully, and I always get excited as another wedding approaches! I also enjoy the multiple aspects of the planning process. The bride and groom who are just starting out, the ones who are in the full swing of planning, and the ones who are down to the last minute details. The colors, the gowns, the decor, the flowers, the diamonds! I believe I have one of the best jobs in the world, because I get to plan the best day of people's lives!

If you are looking for a wedding planner, let me know! I would be happy to find a plan that fits with your wedding and budget. Just email me at alleneventdesigns@blogspot.com.

Summer Weddings - Not too Late to Book!

Many brides are planning their wedding for the coming summer months, and you may well be one of those brides. If you are, and you are beginning to think that it's a bit overwhelming as the days tick down, let me step in and help you out! I offer a "Weekend Of" package that gives you so much more than just a "weekend of". I will meet with you to coordinate plans, keep in regular communication via email/phone with updates, take care of any needed communication with vendors or bridal party members, and this is all in addition to the actual rehearsal, wedding, and reception coordination.

If this is something you may be interested in, email me at alleneventdesigns@gmail.com. I can also get you into contact with bride's I've worked with, so you can hear for yourself about the work I do and the effort I will put forth.

I will work hard for your wedding, because I treat each wedding as if it were my own. It will be well-planned and orchestrated, and then one day when you look back it you will have nothing but positive memories of your perfect day.

About the business...

Allen Event Designs is geared towards helping brides plan the wedding of their dreams. The planning process may seem a bit overwhelming, but I am here to take away the stress and pressure so you can enjoy your wonderful engagement. I am skilled at vendor interviews, organizing time lines, keeping brides on budget, personalizing the day-of schedule, and making sure that the week your wedding arrives the only thing you have to think about is marrying the man of your dreams. Contact me for more information: alleneventdesigns@gmail.com.

Bridal Tips for Budgeting

As most bride's are on a budget, you can save money by doing several things:

DO's:
~Plan your wedding outside of "high season"- In the fall or winter venues can come at cheaper prices, and with the holiday season decorations may already be provided (wreaths, candles, Christmas/twinkle lights, etc.)

~Ask people you know who are skilled at certain tasks rather than booking an expensive vendor. For instance, if your Uncle Clive is really good at photographry, see if he'll do your engagement photos. If they turn out great, you may ask if he'll do the wedding day photography. Or maybe your cousin is a great baker, see if she could do the wedding cake. She could have a trial run at it first, and see how the bridal shower cake turns out.

~Haggle on price and inclusions before signing a contract. Right now with the economic crisis, vendors are desperate to book brides, as much as you are desperate to save money. Although they may stand firm on the price, see if they'll throw in some extras for free. (i.e. - the caterer might give an extra free appetizer or free carbonated beverages, the photographer could give you a print album AND a CD of all the pictures taken, the reception site might throw in some added decor they own like candles, lights, mirrow squares, hurrican glasses, etc.)

~When talking to vendors (like the reception site) just say you are throwing a party for x amount of guests, what would the rental space cost? Sometimes prices are skyrocketted just because it's for a wedding.

~If you have a year or more before the wedding, see if the decor you want for that particular season goes on sale right as that time is ending. For instance, I had a winter wedding, and as soon as New Year's/Valentine's rolled around all the winter decor went on sale, so I was able to purchase it a year out, store it in the basement, and then I had great looking, cheap decor at the ceremony and reception.

DO NOT's:
~Don't ask people to give money only as a present. Wedding registries are acceptable as a way to show people the items you would like, but saying you only want money is tacky and holds no class. If you need money only, prehaps revisiting the wedding budget would be in order. Remember you can always return items after the wedding if it is necessary.

~Don't throw a pot-luck wedding. Guests should not be expected to bring a gift AND their own food. If the budget is tight on the food portion, look into doing an appetizer buffet or check other caterer's prices.

~Don't let the wedding stress you out. The budget is there as a guideline, so that after the wedding you don't stress about being broke with your spouse. Remember, the wedding lasts one day, but the marriage will last a lifetime. Start it off on the right foot!

Blog vs. Wedding Planning

I think I found it took more time to figure out how to work a blog, than it takes to plan a wedding! I think I have got it under control though, and have it looking they way I want now. No more regular blog template for me, I am stepping out of the blog box!

Last weekend I spent some time with one of my brides going over the monthly to-do list, and we had a great time. Her wedding is out-of-town, and so we went over out-of-state requirements for marriage licenses and how/when those would be taken care of. I will be flying in three days before her wedding to make sure she is staying relaxed and calm, and taking care of the last minute details before the "I Do's" are said. Looking forward to it!

Remember if you have any questions, or would like a complimentary consultation email me at alleneventdesigns@gmail.com.

Just the Beginning

Welcome to Allen Event Designs. I started wedding planning when a friend asked me to plan her big day, because of my reputation for organization. Since the start of that planning process almost two years ago, I have begun to plan weddings as more than just a hobby. Brides and vendors alike have commented that they have never seen someone pay as close attention to detail as I do, and I pride myself on that fact for two reasons. One, everyone loves surprises, but not on a day as important as your wedding day. Two, this day should be everything you've ever imagined and I can make that happen. I plan primarily in the Kansas City area, but I am willing to travel. In fact, I'm currently planning one wedding taking place in the heart of Chicago. If you have any questions, or would like to meet for a complimentary consultation please email me at alleneventdesigns@gmail.com.