Is the Economy changing your wedding plans?

The average wedding cost in 2009 was $28,385. This average is less than a 5% decrease than 2008 weddings.

Most 2010 brides are cutting back in several ways, but they are still planning a wedding that will be unforgetable! Know where to cut and where to spend!

Here are some ways to cut costs without cutting quality:

Rethink the guest list

Invite close family and friends. Don't feel obligated to invite distant relatives that you're not close to. It's also OK to not invite co-workers that you don’t regularly hang out with.

Floral

Use more candles and fewer flowers. Use smaller containers, which require fewer flowers to fill. Ask your florist which flowers will give you the same look for less.

Alcohol

Give fewer options- beer, wine, signature drink. Open the bar after dinner to minimize the amount of time guests are drinking.

Music
Fewer musicians costs less money. Hire one string (harp or violin) rather than a trio or quartet. Select a band with fewer members. Have the band start after dinner is served to minimize the amount of time they are on your money clock.

Linens and chairs
Have a love of specialty linens and chavari chairs? Use them sparingly. Use them for the head tables only rather than on every table.

Play the numbers
Who says you have to have one per person? Not every guest will take a program or even a favor. Rule of thumb is to have programs for 75% and favors for 85%. By the time you’re ready to leave, many of your guests will have already left. Provide send away items (birdseed, bubbles) for 75% of your RSVP.

Don't nix the coordinator!
I may be a little biased, but seriously- do hire a coordinator. A professional coordinator will save you time and money. They have connections and knowledge that will save you money. Often their knowledge can save you their fee!

You can have a beautiful wedding, even on a budget!

Planner Girl:)

Trash the Dress Session

Trash the dress sessions occur after the wedding. They are a great way to get photos that you would not do prior to the wedding. They often result in grass stains, water spots, etc. on the dress! Some brides really push the envelope and truely trash the dress. For example, by diving into ponds, dragging it behind a car, and other activities that leave little hope for recovery of the dress!

Here are some photos from a recent trash the dress session. Jennie has offered some tips from her experience! The session was at Honeysuckle Hills with photography by Regina Woods.

"Remember to bring bug spray if you are planning on being outdoors"

"Let your photographer be creative"

"The water was so cold!"

"Got just a little wet!"

"This is your chance to get the photos you didn't get at the wedding. Don't be afraid to let the photographer know what you want!"
 
 
 
 
Wear it and then... keep it, trash it, sell it, or pass it forward!
Planner Girl:)

It's time to order the tuxedos

Selecting your Formal Wear is easier than ever- there’s even an app for that!

Ever After is an affiliate of Walker's Formal Wear. We believe in Walker's because of their color selection, customer service, reasonable prices, convenient inventory, and they don't nickel and dime our groomsmen with fees!

Ways to check out formal wear

1) Go online

2) Stop by a local store
3) Ever After Brides can look through our catalog complete with color swatches

4) Look up the free app on your iPhone or iPod Touch. Meridian owns Walker's Formal Wear.

Things to do:

Select your colors
Select the style (based on time of day, location, etc.)
Make an appointment to go by the store
At the store, get measured, try on your selection, submit your order, and put down a deposit
Send in the groomsmen to get measured and put down their deposits
Make an appointment to pick up the tuxedos 1-2 days prior to the wedding. The guys will try on the tuxes, alterations will be made for free, and then the guys can take the tuxedo with them.

Submit your order 3 months prior to your wedding. This will relieve the stress of waiting until the last minute. It also gives your groomsmen time to stop by at their convenience. If your groomsmen are out of town, they can stop by any local formal wear store to get measured. Most stores will measure them for free.



Ever After provides tuxedo service with our packages. We will help with color selection, set up meetings, and return the tuxedos following the wedding!

Dress your man in style!
Planner Girl:)

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Name change made easy!

We have the secret to changing your name easily!
It's called MissNowMrs!

88.6% of brides change their names in some way. It's estimated that it takes 13 hours to complete the name change process (filling out forms, running errands, filing forms, etc.).

MissNowMrs can help with 3 easy steps! Read Reviews from brides.

1) Organize: Answer general questions about yourself (i.e., name, birth date, license number, banks, credit cards, etc)

2) Forms: Your answers will be used to auto complete forms needed for name change. You will have a chance to proof the forms and print them.

3) File: Print your forms with a detailed filing instruction sheet that includes how to submit the forms, fees, office locations/addresses, as well as insider tips on how to file the easiest way possible

The process is completely secure and guaranteed or you can receive your money back!

The cost is $29.95.

Get started now!
Planner Girl:)

Selecting your Wedding Entertainment

How do you choose between a trio or quartet? Is a DJ more your style?

A trio or quartet will be more expensive than a single string (harp or violin). But a trio or quartet will give more options and a fuller sound. Visit Lake Terrace Trio (Above) for music samples and pricing!

Take note that some string instruments will not play when the temperature is less than 60 degrees or over 90 degrees. So, consider your ceremony location and the time of year.

Pricing for bands are much more expensive than a DJ, because you have to pay several band members verses one DJ. Also, the set up is less complicated. Local prices do not vary too much. Be skeptical of someone willing to work for a lot less than others. You often get what you pay for when it comes to DJs. We love Knox Vegas DJs (Above)!







Here's a checklist for selecting a Disc Jockey for your wedding.
Are they willing to make introductions and announcements?
Will they work the microphone so that the announcements are not too loud or muffled?
Do they blend songs rather than cutting them off in the middle?
They should control the volume, so that it doesn’t vary too much up and down.
Are they good at reading the crowd? They should know the songs that fill the dance floor and avoid songs that clear it out!
A professional will talk to you in advance to learn your style and song selections. You should also take time to learn their style. Ask how much they interact with the crowd and their theory on the DJ’s role. Be sure it matches your vision for your day!

We love Knox Vegas DJs, Gary Loe Productions, and Jim Ogle of Speical Notes. They are all true professionals and meet all of our criteria and then some!

Get Down and have fun!
Planner Girl:)

Knoxville's Newest Venue: Castleton Farms

There’s a new venue in town!

Knoxville has an abundance of wonderful wedding venues! The Smoky Mountains make a great backdrop for destination weddings. But, Knoxville has gardens, historic homes, convention centers, country clubs, quaint churches, venues that overlook the lake and river. The list goes on.

Castleton Farms is the newest addition to Knoxville’s fine venues. Casleton Farms is nestled in Loudon, TN. Here are a few juicy facts!

Patios, gardens, and statues, oh my!
Onsite Spa and Salon
Luxurious Menus

108 acres of rolling pasture

A magnificent Greek Revival Antebellum Manor
Overnight stays are allowed
Intricate landscaping
Jeffersonian-style Grecian gazebo

The Pool
Fireworks
Waldorf Photographic Art Included!







 
 
 
 
Enjoy Luxury!
Planner Girl:)

Unique Vendors

When you get engaged, your first priority is to hire your vendors... coordinator, caterer, photographer, cake baker, florist, etc.


But, there are some other vendors that you should consider!

Marble Slab Catering
Did you know that Marble Slab caterers for weddings? They bring the slab, the flavors, and the mix ins to you! Even adults become like kids again when it’s their turn to pick their flavors and mix ins! It’s a great substitute for the groom’s cake or a dessert bar!

Photo Booth
Guests can sit individually or in groups. Some photo booth companies have props for guests to use. Pictures are printed for guests to take home. Duplicates can be placed in a scrapbook and signed by guests at the wedding. In my experience, guests love a photo booth. It’s nostalgic!

Caricatures
This is a fun way to bring entertainment to your wedding! Have the service ready as guests arrive or during the cocktail hour. Guests will love the memory! They make great favors!



Think outside of the box! Your guests will love it!
Planner Girl:)