Hard to believe that it is almost July! Where does the time go?? We have been working some super fantastic weddings lately and I wanted to show off our first wedding of 2010.
Brandi and Chris were so much fun to work with when planning their wedding, and in the process we became friends! Here are a few pics from their photographer. A full post will be up very soon!
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.
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?
Always Planned hosted the June 2009 KY ABC Meeting and we had a fabulous turnout!
Lantern Centerpieces
Our meeting was held at Spindletop Hall from 11am-3pm. This was my first event to be held at Spindletop and all I can say is WOW! Of course it is stunningly georgous, but their service is equally impressive. I highly suggest you look into Spindletop Hall for your next corporate event, gala, or wedding. And as usual Always Planned can be there to make sure your event is even more fabulous!
OK on to the details. Our Speaker was Saundra Hadley, with Planning… Forever Events. She is such an amazing lady bursting with personality and knowledge. The topic of the meeting was How to Close The Deal – Sales Methods for the Wedding Industry. We had approx. 40 people in attendance and everyone from planners, florists, caterers, hotels, venues and even bakeries. Saundra did a fantastic job reaching points with everyone and showing how everything she touched on affects our business. Everyone in the industry simply MUST hear what she has to say.
We also had some wonderful event sponsors! A special THANK YOU goes out to each of you.
Also be sure to check out our photo gallery from the event. All photos by The Time Photography.
My days are filled with vendor meetings, sitting in front of the computer, arranging glassware, dreaming up new ideas and designs and so on. Most of the time I have Molly by my side. Molly is the best side-kick anyone could have! If I am stressed from too many emails or staring at a computer too long, Molly is there to snuggle up to me, roll over on my computer, or bring me a toy to throw for her. She always has the cutest look and she does the cutest things. I just wanted to share one of the little joys in my life. Hope your having a great day!
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. 
Shh… don’t tell. But I just can’t wait any longer!! I have to share just a few photos, taken by Always Planned! More to come!
This week we will discuss the venue and catering for our $10,000 budget wedding. We already mentioned that by keeping our guest list small and by doing something more personal and different we are able to save some cash. Now we are going to discuss a big portion of our budget – venue and catering.
One way to save money is to use what you already have access to. Our bride is fortunate enough to have a family member with a beautiful back yard for the ceremony which is also large enough and perfect for our brunch reception. Here are the details on rentals. Using Lilac and ivory as our colors.
Back yard- FREE!
Ceremony chairs – $165
Reception tables, chairs and linens – $475
Total Ceremony and reception rentals – $640
Now on to the food, YUM!
Bluegrass Catering offers a huge variety of menu options and will do an elegant brunch for $25 per person, including service fees and taxes. Our menu will consist of Santa Fe Eggs, Cranberry Biscuits with Turkey, Fresh Fruit, Baked Breads and Cheesecake Tarts paired perfectly with Mimosa’s!
Catering total: $1,750
Total for ceremony and reception rentals as well as catering: $2,365
Remaining Budget: $5,539
Next post will focus on invitations.
You already know that Always Planned can design and plan the wedding and reception of your dreams- why stop there? We can now assist you with your fabulous All-inclusive Sandals or Beaches Resort Wedding or Honeymoon!
How does an entire week surrounded by lush landscape, breathtaking ocean views, your very own private pool and a personal butler to take care of your every desire sound? Add to that unlimited meals at fine restaurants, all the alcoholic drinks you can handle , unlimited golf, scuba and so much more. Another perk is being able to leave your wallet in the room, all of your gratuities and taxes are already included.
It’s easy to book your fabulous honeymoon. Either click on one of the many links on our website, email us your details or call us and we can make all of the arrangements. Even if you are not using our consulting services for your event, we are delighted to help you plan your amazing honeymoon.
So click, call or email us today!
At the most recent KY Meeting of the Association of Bridal Consultants I had the pleasure of visiting the 21C Museum Hotel in Louisville, KY.
This boutique property is part of the 9,000-square-foot 21c Museum, which showcases modern works from established and emerging artists. The lobby alone doubles as a 5,000 sq. ft. gallery, and one of the hotel’s signature features is a group of 40 giant red penguins the staff moves around the property. And these aren’t just any old penguins—they are part of a collection commissioned for the 2005 Venice Biennial. The penguins were everywhere, in the guest rooms, event space and even the bathroom. Oh did I even mention the stylish bathrooms – ranked 2nd best in the nation! This amazing place was even ranked 16th in Conde Nast Traveler in the Reader’s Choice Awards. You really MUST see this place for yourself, with the everchanging art gallery, the yummy food and unique atmosphere it is hard to believe you are in Louisville, KY.
Here are some additional details from their website.
For sales inquiries related to Group Room Booking, please call us at (502) 217-6300. To inquire about space or your next event contact Banquets/Catering Department at 502-217-6312.