22

Sep

In Jamaica!!

General // No Comments

This year has been the year of traveling!  Conferences, weddings and vacations have taken us all over the United States and Mexico in 2009 and now off to JAMAICA!

Why you ask??  Well Always Planned is in the process of becoming a Certified Sandals Luxury-Inclusive Specialist!   Of course we have to check out the resorts so we know exactly the best one for your honeymoon or weddingmoon.  To do that we are off to JAMAICA!  Amber and I will return on Monday Sept. 28, 2009 and we will have tons and tons of great details and pics to show you.  As well as our honest opinion about these wonderful resorts.  Stay tuned!

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18

Sep

You get what you pay for…

vendors // 2 Comments

I love a good bargain! I will be the first to admit that I love to shop and when I get an email or text about the latest sale over at Macy’s I am in my car before I can finish reading it. No joke. Now while I admit I may have a shopping “issue”, I will say that one thing I have learned is that Quality far exceeds the value of Quantity. What does this mean? Well if I pay $100 for a designer pair of jeans that will last me 3-4 seasons, this is a much better deal than paying $35-50 for a low-end pair of jeans every year. The same thing applies to every aspect of your life. I admit there are some great bargins out there right now! Especially on designer goods- which when taken care of will pay for itself over time.

So I ask, why would you skimp on the most important day of your life? A Quality wedding vendor can and will save you time, money and worry. When you purchase a designer handbag you do not worry about the threading coming undone, but you may if you skimp and buy the knockoff. Understand?

Everyone knows that the economy is not in the best place right now, but this is not a time to “bargain” with your wedding vendors. It is time to know and appreciate their value. You would never think to ask Gucci for a discount on their latest and most popular design. Nor would you ask Macy’s if you can receive an additional discount because you got there first.

Realize that every wedding vendor does this because they love the business AND because they have a family to support, business expenses to cover and other employees that must be paid.

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08

Sep

Always Planned means perks!

weddings // No Comments

OK – so why has the Always Planned blog been so sparse lately??  Well, its wedding season of course!  Wedding season in Kentucky means April to October, with little to no break in between.  So while our blog has been feeling neglected, our clients have not.  I wanted to take a couple of minutes to mention some benefits of working with Always Planned.

You become part of an elite client list – our clients are treated like royalty, no matter who you are or where you are from.  You will receive a personalized approach to planning your wedding.  We truly love what we do and it shows!

Budget Monitoring*:
Weddings are expensive!  We are in the know when it comes to vendor discounts, new vendors = inexpensive, great low cost ideas, alternate flower options, and more.  You will receive detailed budget reviews and outlines throughout your planning process.  By taking your real life situations into account we can easily adjust your overall budget to meet your needs while still giving you the wedding you have dreamed of.

Event Design*:
Your personalized event design is where we take your ideas, style and personalities and create a flawless wedding and reception that is a true reflection of your relationship.  Every wedding has a general theme – it may be vintage romance,very Kentucky, southern, modern or simply your colors.  But there is always an overall idea or theme.

Extras:

Don’t forget about lunch and Mimosa’s! – We always make it a point to pick up lunch and your favorite drinks for a lunchtime break from hair and makeup.  It’s a perfect pick-me-up before pictures start.

Honeymoon Suite! – Always Planned will not only check you into your suite but we drop off your bags, decorate it perfectly and make sure you have some of your wedding cake waiting for you.  The next morning, if needed, we will be there to pick up your dress and take back your tux.

Gifts! – We always take your gifts and put them into the designated car, usually your Mom or Dad’s – and put all of your cards into one large envelope.  A lot of our newlyweds love to take the cards with them.  The extra cash allows for them to splurge on their honeymoon.

Speaking of Honeymoon! – Your Always Planned luxury level of service does not have to end on your wedding day.  We are also Sandals Luxury Included Honeymoon representatives.  The ultimate honeymoon experience!

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If you have ever read our blog before or have been to an Always Planned wedding or event then you know that we are all about cake!  Seriously we love it!  Just something about the beautiful tastey treats covered covered in delicate designs complete with flowers (yet another thing we love) and decoration. Then there is the actual cake.  So many flavors and fillings and oh my goodness yumminess.  We love it!  We are thrilled to work with so many different bakeries throughout Lexington, Louisville and the surrounding areas.

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If you are shopping for a wedding cake, or any cake for that matter, then you simply must check out some of these amazing cake designers we have had the pleasure to work with.  Something to keep in mind – not only will your cake look good, but it will taste as good as it looks!

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Always Planned is in the midst of wedding planning chaos and of course loving it!  Sorry for any delays in our posts.  We are sure you will be thrilled with the upcoming weddings we are planning.  Here is a small sample of a mid September wedding at Talon Winery.  We do love it there and I must say that this bride is truly an Always Planned bride!  She is fun, romantic and stylish!  Just check out her custom made boutonnieres from Oh My Deer Handmade!  Don’t they just scream FUN!  We will, of course, have a detailed posting after her amazing wedding.  Stay tuned!

OhMyDeerHandmade Bouts

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When I met with Lindsey and her mom, Tommie, in January I knew this wedding was going to be special!  Lindsey described the beautiful garden wedding she desired in an array of pinks.  Her stunning venue, The Headley-Whitney Museum, screamed of an outdoor Kentucky Garden Wedding.  Lindsey wanted something different, unique and fun!  Always Planned took Lindsey’s style and personality along with the beautiful setting of the Headley-Whitney Museum and created a flawless outdoor garden wedding and tent reception that definitely was different, unique and fun!  Just what she wanted!   I could not be happier with the results!

Lindsey and Jayson are still on their honeymoon, but the rave reviews have just been pouring in.  We can’t stop blushing!

Rayna,
Everyone I’ve talked to says this was the best wedding they’d ever been to and I attribute that to you and the rest of the Always Panned team, Thank You.  -  Jeff Minnick

With the help of the amazing Rayna and her Always Planned team, the Headley Whitney was transformed into an exquisite wedding where every detail was just perfect. I would recommend Rayna to all of our amazing brides!   -  Josh Merideth, Bella Grace Studios

Here are the details:

Now for the pictures!!  Be sure to check out http://bellagraceclients.com/blog/ for the more pictures!

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Always Planned had 75 lanterns scattered throughout Lindsey’s reception and for her centerpieces.  What an impact!  If you are interested in renting our lanterns, just give us a  call!

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July 25 seems like it was so long ago!  Hard to believe we are now into August.  Katie and Len were so much fun to work with and we cannot be happier for them.  Here are some images their wonderful photographer, Rebecca Ruth Photography, captured.  Enjoy!

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This is the exact picture I envisioned when we put the monogram on the floor! Perfect!

This is the exact picture I envisioned when we put the monogram on the dance floor! Perfect!

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Who doesn’t love a good deal?  Every year Always Planned participates in select bridal shows throughout the area.  At each of these shows we offer our potential clients special pricing.  Well this year we are announcing that our 2009 pricing will remain in effect for 2010 AND if that wasn’t enough we are also throwing in a FREE Ultimate Planning Guide by Mindy Weiss for all Modern and Romantic Bride Packages!

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Ladies- this book is LOADED with 25 different tabbed sections and is ideal to add all of your Always Planned – Planning Process Sheets to it.  What a stylish way to keep track of every detail for your upcoming wedding!

2009 Pricing will remain in effect for all remaining 2009 dates and any 2010 date reserved before October 1, 2009.   So hurry- call us today to schedule your complimentary consultation!

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One thing I have neglected to mention is that Mallory and Kyle decided on a photographer that I simply adore!  All of these amazing images are from a dear friend of mine, Shaun Ring.

Rayna and Shaun

Shaun and I grew up together in Mt. Sterling and I have several fond memories of us in High School.

A note to Shaun – I cherish that we are both doing what we love, and I am honored to be in the same industry as you.  Not only are you an amazing photographer but you are a dear friend.  I will never let you forget the songs you wrote in high school ;) , the time my car overheated in Winchester (when we HAD to get ice cream) and the countless times you played the guitar on my patio.  Those memories always bring a smile to my face!

Ok- so now you have seen some of the fantastic details from Mallory’s wedding.  Isn’t she BEAUTIFUL!  Mallory now lives in Shelbyville with her new husband.  If you are getting married in the Louisville area – she would love the opportunity to chat with you about your upcoming wedding.  Schedule your complimentary consultation today!

Since this was an Always Planned wedding – in it’s truest sense.  I thought it was only fitting to show some fun pics of the AP team!  Enjoy!

Amber and Rayna

Wedding Bustle

The AP Team

Mallory and Rayna

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Details… details… and more details.  The wedding and reception of Mallory and Kyle Part 2.

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Mallory 01

Mallory and Kyle

Entrance

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For even more awesome details – check out the slideshow from Shaun Ring Photography!

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