02

Jan

Farewell 2011, Bring on 2012!

General // No Comments

WOW! 2011 was an amazing year for us here at Always Planned. Here is a brief recap….

We Designed and Planned!  We helped 19 gorgeous couples plan and design their perfect wedding celebrations and/or fabulous rehearsal dinners.

We Moved!  We moved into a much larger studio with warehouse space – big enough for all of our decor, rentals, glassware and plenty of workspace for our floral division A Perfect Posy.  With our current client list for 2012 we may need more space!

We traveled!  We started the year off with a trip to Las Vegas for the Idea Factory.  Mallory and I traveled to a combined 5 Sandals Resorts and 1 Beaches Resort, and ended the year with a fun cabin trip to Asheville, NC to visit the Biltmore for Christmas – and it SNOWED while we were there!

We Grew!  We have had some great interns throughout the years and this year was no exception.  So it worked out perfectly that we add our latest intern Stephanie to the team as a permanent fixture!  We are still figuring out all of the details, but you will definitely see more of Stephanie.

We Gave!  This year we sponsored Christmas for 34 young girls from the Hope Hill Children’s Home.  What an amazing blessing it was to be a part of their Christmas celebration.  I will never forget those girls.  We have vowed to continue each year and will increase our donation/involvement as we continue to grow.

We Loved!  We loved every magical moment we had the honor to be a part of.   We laughed (almost) every day we were together, If you know us this will come as no surprise.  We genuinely love what we do and being able to do it together as a family and team.

CHEERS TO 2011 – may the good memories last a lifetime and the bad fade away like the pages in a calendar.

HIP, HIP, HOORAY it’s 2012!  We are excited, ecstatic and ever so ready for the new adventures ahead.  Bring on 2012!

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10

Sep

Wedding Vendor Deposits

Corporate, vendors, weddings // No Comments

This blog post is a crossover between being for the bride during her planning and being for the wedding professionals of the world.

Being a small business owner I can tell you that there are moments of great achievement, complete chaos, stress, happiness and utter excitement, sometimes within minutes of each other.  Much like a bride is during her planning process, a small business owner can feel so overwhelmed that it could bring them to tears and so joyful that they could scream, typically from the same issue.

One of the biggest issues that overwhelm and stress small business owners out is money.  This is also something that can stress out a bride during her planning…. see where I am going with this?

Every wedding professional should require a NON-Refundable Retainer or Payment at the time your agreement or contract is signed.  If you (wedding vendor) do not have an agreement or contract in writing then WHAT ARE YOU THINKING????

Why is this important for the Bride?  Well it means that you legally have something in writing stating exactly what you are getting on your wedding day, what your requirements are and how that vendor works.  I highly suggest you keep all of your contracts in a binder or folder and all in the same place.  This will make it a ton easier for you once you turn it over to a planner or when you are planning out the details of your day.  The retainer means your date is just that – yours.  Most wedding professionals will only take one wedding per date and the last thing you want is to lose that amazing (photographer, florist, planner, designer, venue, etc) to another bride who was smart enough to put down her retainer or initial payment early.

Why is this important for the Wedding Professional?  Because things happen every day.  Couples break up, family members get sick, brides change their mind, dates change and sometimes personalities clash.  Most of the time you are fine, but on those rare occasions when something happens, it only makes business sense to have a NON-refundable retainer to cover any work you have lost, the date you cannot replace and the staff you still have to pay.  There are a ton of expenses involved in meeting with couples and meeting their needs – office/marketing/rent/utilities/etc.  That’s a whole different story.

Anyway – sometimes something inspires me to educate brides and vendors.  In the end we love what we do, but it is a business and sometimes people forget that.

xoxo, Rayna

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06

Sep

eos = yum!

Corporate, General, honeymoons, weddings // No Comments

Every bride knows that on her wedding day it is vital that her skin be soft and silky smooth and her lips be utterly kissable.  Mallory and I are always trying out the latest in products and services so we can report back to our brides.  We recently discovered eos and must admit, we are in love.  First they got us with the adorable packaging of their lip balm, then we tried their lotions and shaving creams.

I love the fruity fragrance and Mallory loves how cute they are!  It’s a win-win for everyone and the price is great too!  Easy to find at Walmart, Target,Walgreens or online at evolutionsofsmooth.com.   This line of products make great gifts for your bridesmaids and the perfect stocking stuffer for the upcoming holidays!

Make Hands Happy
Say goodbye to dry, chapped hands forever and smooth on the eos Everyday Hand Lotion.  These handy lotions, available in Everyday (floral) or Cucumber, leave skin feeling soft, supple and healthy long after you apply it. Dermatologist tested.  Hypoallergenic.  Paraben-free.
Key Ingredients:
  • Aloe
  • Oat
  • Shea butter
  • Vitamin E & C
Price: $3.99 (each)
Smile Like You Mean It
Can a lip balm make you smile? We think so. That’s why we invented this one. The eos lip balm smooth sphere is 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petrolatum free. Packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil, eos keeps your lips moist, soft and sensationally smooth.
Flavors include:
  • summer fruit
  • emon drop spf 15
  • strawberry sorbet
  • honeysuckle honeydew
  • medicated tangerine
  • sweet mint
Price: $3.29 (each)

See Ya, Stubbles
eos, Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream is the ultimate in soothing, smoothing and shaving.  Made with natural aloe, oat, shea butter and antioxidant vitamins E and C, this non-foaming cream boosts skin’s moisture level and keeps it silky & soft long after you’re done shaving. So moisturizing, you can shave wet or dry. Paraben-free.
Scents include:
Price: $3.49 (each)
Smooth On
The eos lip balm smooth stick is 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petrolatum free. Packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil, eos keeps your lips moist, soft and sensationally smooth.
Key Benefits
  • Long-lasting moisture
  • Shea butter & vitamin E
  • Paraben-free
  • Petrolatum-free
  • Phthalate-free
Flavors include:
  • vanilla bean
  • pomegranate raspberry
  • sweet mint
Price: $3.29 (each)
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23

Aug

Vendor Selection

weddings // No Comments

I wanted to touch base with you on the importance of choosing the right wedding professionals for your big day.  Andrew and I got married over six years ago and I still think back to my wedding day and LOVE it!  Yes, there are a few minor things I would change, but it was the wedding vendors I selected that make me smile.  From where we got married (Talon Winery) to our florist (Crist Creona) to the food (Thompson’s Catering) and everything in between – all are vital to how smooth your wedding day goes.  The most important to me was our photographer, Frank Becker with The Time Photography.  He was the only photographer we met with and I instantly felt comfortable with him.  His genuine personality, incredible talent and honest approach made him the only choice I was interested in, and in my mind I hired him on the spot.

When you search for your perfect wedding vendors I cannot stress to you enough that you feel confident and comfortable with your selections.  I love when my bride hires me first – it gives me the chance to help them find the perfect vendor for their style, budget and personality.  You only get one chance to make the memories that will last a lifetime.

I think back to my wedding day often and what I remember is not how the food tasted (although it was yummy!), but I remember laughing with my dad right before I walked down the aisle, hugging Andrew’s grandmother at the reception, spending the morning with my mom, watching my new husband play the drums while I danced in the background and I will forever remember my amazing photographer saying “What do you think about doing some cool photos in the barn door?”.  That one photo will forever make me look back on my wedding day and make me feel so beautiful.  :)

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26

Jul

July 29th – Andover Bridal Show!

General, weddings // No Comments

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19

Jul

Always Planned is looking for Fall 2011 Interns!

General // No Comments

Are you or someone you know interested in our Fall Intern Program?  This could be the opportunity you have been waiting for.  By joining our dynamic team you could advance your career, earn college credit or gain experience in an industry with amazing advantages, even more amazing people and be involved in some of the areas most stylish and unique events.  It’s not all fun and games.  We work, we work hard, and as a intern you will have to do the not so fun stuff like organizing, filing, making calls and shopping.  Somehow I always seem to work in the shopping angle!

If you apply, here are some important details:

  • Do not call or send an inquiry via our website.  Clients and vendors call me and potential clients submit an inquiry on my site.  If you want to be associated with Always Planned you must MAIL OR EMAIL ME your cover letter and your resume. No exception.
  • This is a NON-Paid position.  It is best suited for someone working towards a college degree and who will receive credit for the hours or for someone wanting to break into the wedding/event field.
  • You MUST be fun, energetic, organized, detail oriented, creative and patient.  If this is not you- please look into other intern opportunities.

Please send your resume and a short note to Rayna at rayna@alwaysplanned.com.  Always Planned is a great company to work for and I look forward to meeting you soon!

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08

Jul

Rehearsal Dinner – AP Style!

General, vendors, weddings // No Comments

They say that everything is bigger in Texas, so with our groom and his family being from Texas you know this is not your average rehearsal dinner.  We definitely set the bar with this one!

We were contacted several months ago by Nancy, the groom’s mother, and instantly hit it off.  Since there would be a lot of guests traveling from all over the United States and the fact that Nancy lives in Texas she definitely wanted to make the rehearsal dinner a true Kentucky experience.   We started with a masculine color palate, and added intimate details and special touches to personalize this fun and unique rehearsal dinner. Photos by the ever so fabulous Nina Mullins Photography.

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Event Planner: Always Planned
Videographer: First String Media
Caterer: South-Van Events
Florist: A Perfect Posy working with Curtis Grace and Associates
Venue: Headley-Whitney Museum
DJ: Fresh Beats

 

 

LOVE the fabulous linens from La Tavola Linen

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16

Jun

Unique Lexington Area Venues

Uncategorized // No Comments

Looking for a fabulous, swanky and totally different location for your wedding ceremony and/or reception?  I have a few awesome suggestions for you in and near Lexington. Of course I added a fun chart – for those of you still planning.  The lower the number the less value, higher number is more value.

Photo by the oh so fabulous Frank Becker with The Time Photography.

The Aviation Museum of Kentucky

Cool factor: 5+

Cost: 2-

Flexibility with space: 3

Perfect Couple:  This fun and quirky venue is for the stylish couple looking for an event to remember.  Maybe you like to travel, love flying or just looking for something outside the box.  The Aviation Museum of Kentucky could be the perfect venue!!

Gasper River Retreat, Bowling Green

Cool Factor: 3

Cost: 2-

Flexibility with space: 4

Perfect Couple:  This is the perfect place for the relaxed couple.  Laid back and down to earth couples looking for an outdoor location with tons of options and flexibility for indoor receptions and rain plans.

Chapel at the Apple Patch, Crestwood

Cool Factor: 3

Cost: 1

Flexibility with space: 3

Perfect Couple:  Peaceful and utterly romantic.  This adorable chapel is totally lovely and perfect for guest lists under 80.

Photo by Shaun Ring Photography

Lexington Opera House, Lexington

Cool Factor: 4+

Cost: 4

Flexibility with space: 4

Perfect Couple:  This is the perfect place for the relaxed couple.  Laid back and down to earth couples looking for an outdoor location with tons of options and flexibility for indoor receptions and rain plans.

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08

Jun

Vendor Spotlight – Jeremy Gilliam

vendors, weddings // 1 Comment

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a HUGE advocate for amazing photographs.  We seriously build our timelines around whatever the photographer wants and give them enough time to be creative.  Let’s just say that if you see a photographer spotlighted here – they must be super fabulous!

I met Jeremy at the wedding professional conference, Eventology, last year.  When he told me that he specialized in Awesome, I knew we would hit it off and we have been great friends ever since.  Check out a few of his images!

Jeremy Gilliam is a destination wedding photographer and travels to any location around the world. This is totally awesome and means that wherever you are or whatever location you decide upon you have have the most amazing, romantic and ultra-fabulous images that swiftly become the most gorgeous heirlooms and should instantly go on your largest wall!  I know, I went on and on there for a moment.   Anyway, you get my point.  He really does specialize in Awesome! Investments for his services begin at $4,500.  I totally think he is worth every penny!

You will always here me say that great design deserves a great photographer.  We love working with Jeremy!  Stay tuned for special collections involving Always Planned, A Perfect Posy and of course Jeremy!

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06

Jun

Job Opening!!! – Accountant

Uncategorized // No Comments

Attention to all of you CPA’s, Accountant’s and Bookkeeper’s – we are looking for someone who is fun, honest and ultra fabulous with numbers.  If you love keeping track of receipts, accounts receivable and all of the things that go along with that then we may have a position for you!

Here are the details:

Educations/Experience:  Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, economics or a related field and at least one year of general fund accounting experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job as listed above.

Skills:

  • Maintaining accurate financial records and preparing clear and accurate reports for informational, auditing and operational use;
  • Reconciling accounts, records, reports and journals;
  • Preparing financial and/or auditor statements, schedules and reports;
  • Interpreting, applying and explaining complex laws, codes, regulations and ordinances;
  • Reviewing and verifying accuracy of data;
  • Maintaining accounting records for special accounts and projects;
  • Making sound, independent judgments within established polices and procedures;
  • Organizing own work, setting priorities and meeting critical deadlines; and
  • Creating monthly, quarterly and annual budgets.

Excellent communication skills a must.  You must be self motivated, self starter and ready to get things accomplished.   You can create your own schedule and work from home.  You must have your own computer, programs, etc.

If you have what it takes to keep my finances on track then send your resume, references and cover letter to Rayna at rayna@alwaysplanned.com.  Interviews will begin immediately.

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