It’s funny where our inspiration comes from! On my daily Starbucks run it suddenly hit me – hugs and kisses rock! Here are some fun takes on hugs and kisses, X’s and O’s. Enjoy!
Super cute and sweet necklace from Etsy.com seller HammeringRedhead.
Seriously how freaking cute are these?? Perfect for your special man on the big day! From Etsy.com seller Numpty.
Loving this fantastic and fabulous pillow, perfect for your super swank seating arrangement! Rustic, romantic and full of hugs and kisses! From the Etsy.com seller RamonaOwenDesigns.
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OMG! I am oh so excited to bring to you Simply Love Studio, LLC. The wedding planning resource you have been waiting for! The ideal place where vendors have been pre-screened and selected based on experience, style and impeccable reputation in their fields of expertise. You can breath easy knowing that the vendors you need are all in one location. AND OF COURSE!! Always Planned is a preferred vendor!!! Check it out! Here is our cute button!
If you are a vendor and interested in becoming a preferred vendor of Simply Love Studio, LLC – click here for more details!
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Wedding invitations come in all shapes and sizes and this Over-it! post is all about your invites. Listen up!
What are we over this week?? (Just realized it has been a while since our last over-it!, eek!)
Including where your registered in your invite! - NEVER do this! Not only is it rude to assume that your guests will be getting you a gift it is tacky to tell them just where to go to get it. That being said, it is completely OK to include this information in the invitation to your couples shower or bridal shower, on your wedding website and by using word of mouth. And PLEASE NEVER EVER put on your invites that cash is requested!
Going OVERBOARD with details – I just adore those fabulous envelopement invites. You know the ones that have a little more detail than the time and place. One thing I have noticed is that some brides (and you know who you are 
go a touch overboard with the details. It is fantastic to want to include everything for your guests, just don’t do it. An invitation that sets the tone of your event is perfect. No need to include details for out of town guests (like where to eat/shop/etc.), or the details of your bridal party. Leave those details for the out of town gift bags and programs.
We are definitely over-it! So what are you over?
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Love. Where do I begin.
I have a wonderful husband that I adore and love with all of my heart!
I have a fabulous support team of family and friends that I cherish and love!
I have a career that I cannot get enough of and love every minute of it!
But when I saw this dress… my heart skipped a beat. No seriously- this dress was made for me. Granted my waist is not as small as it needs to be to fit into this fabulous frock but I have been dreaming of this dress ever since I first laid my eyes on it. The details, the color and the design! Ceil Chapman you are a masterpiece yourself and I can only dream of owning this stunning creation.
You can check out this simply stunning gown and many other vintage beauty’s at the Etsy.com store of Timeless Vixen Vintage. Go Now!
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Mallory just got married on May 23, 2009 and WOW! You can imagine how much fun it was to plan her wedding. She is so beautiful and her wedding day was perfect. We will have pictures up very soon.
1. Where are you from/background: I grew up in the small town of Carlisle, KY. Nobody really knows where that is and you wouldn’t because it is very, very small. I don’t plan on ever moving back there, but I have definitely come to respect it and proud to say that is where I grew up.. My whole family is there, so I visit very frequently. I then moved to Morehead for four years while I went school and I absolutely love that town and miss it very much. After I graduated last May, I moved to Lexington and will now be moving to Louisville next month.
2. What is your favorite …. place to shop, food, drink, etc..: I have been on a J. Crew kick here lately… I pretty much love all food. If I could eat all of the time I would, but my favorite meal is scalded lettuce, mashed potatoes, bacon, and cottage cheese with some sweet tea. I love good ol’ country cooking. My favorite drink is Cherry Coke, Dr. Pepper or Barque’s Red Cream Soda.
3. When did you start with Always Planned: May 2008!! A whole year!!
4. How did you meet Rayna: Well… one night it finally hit me that I was fixing to graduate and head out into the real world and needed to decide what I was going to do. I always had this idea that I wanted to be an event coordinator or wedding planner, so I googled wedding planners in Lexington, KY and up popped the Always Planned website. So, I started reading about Rayna and she had grew up in Mt. Sterling, not far from me.. Something about all of this gave me a good feeling, so I emailed her. She called me and told me I could do an internship and we planned to meet. We met, the interview lasted for over four hours, I hopped in her car and went to Garden Ridge and on a bridal consult, and she hired me…. as an intern. However, that didn’t last long. The next thing I knew I had my own wedding and business cards and have been around ever since. Now, she’s one of my best friends.
5. What is your specialty at events/weddings: Sometimes, I am the realistic one of the bunch. I think about codes and laws and what we really CAN do compared to what we THINK we can do.
6. Favorite part of weddings? The bride walking down the aisle and the look on the groom’s face. I cry every time.
7. Most memorable wedding? My most memorable wedding was probably Megan and Dave’s… it was definitely a learning experience, but turned out beautifully.
8. Best part of Team AP? We all are happy working together. Our job is fun, but gets very stressful, but we have such a great team that no matter how stressed we are, we get through it together and just laugh together about it… because as some points… all you can do is laugh.
9. Where do you fit in in the Future of AP? I am here all the way. I hope to get the Louisville branch started as soon as I officially get up there in June and settled in and then hopefully move back to Lexington in a few years and continue to work taking over the world with Rayna and the whole gang. 
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I adore design. When I say that – I mean coming up with the colors, concepts, floral designs and small details. I love it! Being able to do so for a living is more than a dream come true. I am inspired at the most random of things. Sometimes its my client- I want to know about my client, what they do for fun, how they dress, where they work and more. Other times it is from something I see in nature, while shopping or a random picture. So where do you get your inspiration?
Here are a few ideas of places to get inspired.
Local Book Store – it can be over-welming, but it could be the perfect place to be inspired.
Favorite Store – you already like it. Why not be inspired there.
Home Goods – MY FAVORITE! For me, it only takes one piece of glass or art to be inspired for a design or theme. Home Goods has so many fantastic things!
Nature - Go to your local park, a country field or even a zoo. Nature is all around us and is perfect for inspiration.
So the next time you need to be inspired, think outside of the box. Your inspiration is right in front of you.
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I am a true Kentucky girl – I have lived here all of my life. I love it, the people and especially the beauty. One of my life goals is to experience other cultures and visit as many countries and cities as possible. My favorite place in the world is the BEACH! It is the one place I can always go to and actually relax. If only Kentucky had a beach….
About Me -
1. Where are you from/background? Where do I start… I was born in Pikeville, KY went to elementary school in Maytown, KY and then we moved to Mt. Sterling, KY for middle and high school. I have lived in Lexington, KY since 1997.
2. What is your favorite …. place to shop, food, drink, etc.. OK- I think I should tell you that I LOVE to shop!! I love the Black Market, Feather Your Nest, Marshall’s, Nordstrom, Rue La La and more…
Fav Food- Good Bread Pudding, Chicago Style Pizza, Fruit!!
Drink- Lately I have been on a Kool-Aid kick- Cherry of course.
3. When did you start with Always Planned? Always Planned was founded in November of 2007.
5. What is your specialty at events/weddings? My specialty is the design and organization. I love coming up with new ideas and techniques. I also specialize in the customer experience- I want you to have a fabulous experience!
6. Favorite part of weddings? When my bride walks down the aisle. I swear I feel like all is right with the world! I also love the “reveal” when the couple has chosen to see each other before the ceremony and when she puts on her dress!!
7. Most memorable wedding? This is a hard one. I seriously LOVE every wedding. Other than my own wedding (of course!) – I would have to say my most memorable wedding is Lyndsay and Eric. I grew up with Lyndsay and loved being able to spend time with her planning her wedding – it felt like my sister was getting married!! (Love you Lyndsay!)
8. Best part of Team AP? How energetic and creative everyone is. We all get along so well and actually enjoy working together- it’s like we are one big happy family.
9. Where do you fit in to the future of AP? I have some pretty big dreams for Always Planned and am looking forward to achieving them!
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What are we over this week??
Bridezillas - I have honestly never had a bridezilla. Thank God! What makes you think that just because you are getting married you can treat people poorly and disrespect them. Always remember who you are and where you come from.
Staged Photography - I know your grandmother really wants that traditional photo and that’s fine. What I am talking about is when all of your photography is posed, staged and set-up. Come on, seriously. As you can tell we are all about personality! Your photographer should also have some sense of personality.
Standard Hotel Centerpieces - Almost every hotel offers a standard centerpiece. Yes ladies- it’s included in the price. Wonder why?? I have no idea- maybe a marketing tool?? Whatever the reason- there is almost no need to use the single candle on a mirror covered in a hurricane glass. Sorry… but it’s true.
We are definitely Over-it! What are you Over?
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This week we are discussing invitations for our $10,000 budget wedding. I know it has been a little while since our last budget wedding post so in case you forgot our Remaining Budget is: $5,539
We have covered the bride and groom’s attire, the linens, tables, chairs and food. We still have some big ticket items left. So lets get moving.
Invitations – your wedding invitations can be as elaborate as you want or as simple. The key is that they dictate the overall style of your event. Since our wedding is simple garden elegance and a brunch at that we need nothing more than a simply elegant invitation.
To continue with our garden theme and the colors we have chosen the Climbing Sunflowers invitation from Anne’s Bridal Bargins.
100 invites, with lined envelopes and rsvp cards all printed with return addresses – $164
Decor:
Flowers are the most often used centerpieces, however non-floral centerpieces are becoming incredibly popular. Since we are going with a summer garden theme in KY it is only fitting that we use flowers. So here are our centerpieces. A collection of roses, delphinium, sweat pea and greenery. 8 guest tables and 1 larger arrangement in a similar style for the buffet.
Floral arrangements done by Always Planned!
Total cost of reception decor: $750
Ceremony decor to consist of rose petal aisle and two large arrangements – total cost $250
Remaining Budget: $4,375
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I hope you all had a fabulous holiday and are looking forward to the new year. Here at Always Planned we are very excited about 2009 and the many fabulous events we already have planned. Here is a list of our upcoming events and for the new year.
2009 Central KY Bridal Shows to see Always Planned. (Stop by and check out our fabulous booth!)
- January 11, 2009 – Bridal Potpourri Bridal Show, Embassy Suites Lexington, KY
- February 22, 2009 – Cumulus Bridal Show, The Lexington Center Lexington, KY
- August 9, 2009 – The Diamond Event; Sponsored by Always Planned, CastlePost Versailles KY
2009 WEDDINGS!
- February 7
- April 18
- May 16
- May 23
- July 25
- September 1
- October 17
Other 2009 Events!
- March 28-31 – Chicago Bridal Market
- April 6,7,8 — Eventology Conference
- July 4 – 30th Birthday Celebration
- July 11 – Annual Reunion Celebration
- October 31 – Annual Halloween Costume Party
- November 6-9 – Annual Hen Party Celebration
As you can see our calendar is full of exciting events, and we look forward to working with you on your next corporate event, celebration, reunion or the most fabulous wedding. Call today to schedule your free consultation!
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