18

Jan

Must Do! Love-it!

General // No Comments

One of the first things I did when I got married over three years ago was look into life insurance.

Sounds crazy I know, no one likes to think about death and especially at the happiest times in your life like getting married or having children.  The happiest times in your life should motivate you to take care of the ones you love by providing life insurance.  Life is so precious and we should live each day to the fullest, while appreciating the moments we have.  Consider taking care of your family with insurance.

Commonwealth Central Insurance offers every type of insurance you could need for personal or business.  They provide excellent customer service, competitive rates and a friendly face all while giving you the honesty you deserve.  I know both Phillip Hunt and Trish Goff personally and I have loved my experience working with both of them.  Just one of the reason’s I am adding them to our Love-It! folder.  Call them today for your free no-obigation insurance quote. (502) 570-1313

It’s one of the best things you could do for the ones you love.

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30

Dec

COLOR! Love-it!

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Most of you may already know that I love color!  Lately I have been into neutrals, but these fabulous blogs bring me out of my state of boredom and into a color overload.  My all-time favorite color is Turqouise (and most other shades of blue).  You may be redecorating, re-arranging, planning an event or wedding or just simply looking for something in a certain color.  Whatever reason you may have – you simply must check out these colorific blogs!  Already added to my Love-it folder!

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12

Dec

Vendor Etiquette

Corporate, vendors, weddings // No Comments

Your fabulous wedding would not be as fabulous if your caterer showed up late, your photographer was hungry and grumpy or your band showed up unprepared.  You have worked very hard to make sure you selected the perfect vendors for your style and budget.  The most important thing you can do for your vendors is treat them with respect.  Here are some simple guidelines we live by when it comes to vendors.  If you do not have a bridal consultant or wedding planner then delegate someone to handle all of the needs your vendor may have.

  • Feed your vendors.  While it is not necessary to feed them the $60pp filet or salmon it is standard to provide food for your vendors. Also, be sure to provide drinks for your vendors (no alcohol necessary, but water, tea or soda is nice).
  • Talk with your vendors.  Your wedding takes months to plan, and sometimes years.  Having the right vendors makes all of the difference, but you still have to inform your vendors.  Make a list of songs to play, photos to capture and serving rules.  You get the idea.
  • Gift your vendors.  This may sound like a crazy idea- but why not include your vendor in the festivities.  Wedding vendors sometimes have 40-50 weddings a year, make yours standout by giving your vendor the same favor given to your guests or if there is a vendor you have make a connection with be sure to show it.  As a vendor I can say that even the smallest gifts mean so much.  One of my favorite brides gave me a beautiful broach that matched her dress- I will always treasure it.
  • Thank your vendors.  Be sure to send a Thank You note to your vendors.  I know that as a new bride you have so many people to thank, but everyone raved about the cake, the DJ, the organization of your bridal consultant, etc it is only standard to send a handwritten thank you note.

There you have it.  Seriously it takes so little to say “Thank You” to your vendors and trust me- they appreciate it and it will show during your event.

Of course the best compliment is a referral.  Wedding and event vendors thrive on word of mouth advertising and sometimes it is the only form of advertising they have. That’s why I am adding this to my Love-It!! folder.

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06

Dec

A Romantic All-Inclusive Honeymoon! Love-it!

General, weddings // No Comments

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!

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05

Nov

Your Bridal Registry – Love-it!

General, weddings // No Comments

Getting married is such an exciting time.  Not only do you get to marry the man of your dreams in the perfect ceremony that reflects your personalities, but you get tons of nice gifts!  I know that is not the reason you got engaged.  But you have to admit that the very first wedding gift you receive is such an exciting moment.  Almost like it makes it official – you have the ring and you have told your family and friends the big news but when that first beautifully wrapped gift to the future Mr. and Mrs. arrives is just makes it real.

After the romantic proposal and the big announcement the next step (after calling a fabulous wedding planner, of course) is setting up your registry.  The ideal time to register is 6-8 months before your wedding, always keep in mind that seasonal items will likely not be around in 3-4 months so do not include anything seasonal, on clearance or discontinued.  If you simply MUST have those items it is best to purchase those yourself or wait until you receive a gift card to your store of choice.  Speaking of….

Where to register?  I always suggest 2-3 locations and a variety of pricepoints.  Everyone loves Crate and Barrell but not everyone plans on spending so much for a wedding gift.  Also, if several of your guests will be traveling from out of town be sure to include at least one store with a location in their area or one that offers online shopping.  In Kentucky, I always like Macy’s, Bed Bath and Beyond and either Target or Wal-mart.  This selection should be easily accessible for your guests.

Another note:  Do not register for multiple items, even if it is the same item at a different store.  You may find something you would really love to receive, but two or three of those fab red “egg slicers” is just too many.  ;)

Keep in mind that your guests are just that- a guest, and in no way are they required to bring a gift.  Always be appreciative no matter what you receive, and grateful that so many people love you and your fiance enough to share your special day.

Gift registries are also great for anniversaries, new homes and babies.  Another reason we Love-it!

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28

Oct

A VERY productive week!

General, vendors, weddings // 1 Comment

I am so excited about this blog entry!  There are a few new/renovated venues I MUST tell you about.

King Room

Last week I went to the Hyatt downtown Lexington and was amazed with the renovated suites, rooms and ballrooms as well as the amazing food.  I have become a food snob lately.  I was spoiled at the Hyatt with a variety of stations, my fav. was the pasta bar and the banana’s foster!  As we toured the new suites with the plasma tv’s and bose surround sound I was secretly wishing I could be one of those people that actually live in a hotel, order room service for dinner and grab a Starbucks in the morning as the valet grabs my car.  Hey, a girl can dream!

OK, now to Monday.  I have a fantastic new couple and we are in search for the perfect venue for their wedding.  When we met the previous week I had mentioned the UK Boone Center.  I have been dying to check this place out since their Millions of dollars renovations.  I was definitely not disappointed on Monday when we arrived! There is a private parking lot right behind the main entrance and a large patio on the side.  As we walked in, we all realized this was the perfect place for their hip reception.  The entry room has a grand piano with views of the interior patio.  The patio is perfect!  With doors and windows that open from all four sides letting your guests mingle in and out of the main hall, entry room, dining room and the bar/lounge.   The menu looked fantastic as well.  You must be a member or be sponsored by a member to host an event here.  Not a UK student/alum/faculty, not a problem – Always Planned is eligible to become a member!

On to tonight – I could not wait until tomorrow to post this…… ;)

Derae & Friends Catering had their open house tonight for their new venue – I know!!!  It was fabulous and I am so excited for Always Planned to do an event here!!  Keene Run Clubhouse in located on Harrodsburg Rd. just outside of Man O War Blvd.  The food was delicious – as usual, and the atmosphere was grand.  There are a few main areas available for use.  The main bar was beautiful, the dining hall was romantic and there was a tented area with a live band (I am a HUGE sucker for a live band – Love them!!!).  Each area was decorated for different kind of events, the large tent setup was for a wedding with small cakes on each table.

As if all of that was not enough – I ran into some of the area’s most fabulous vendors.  Just to mention a few.

OK, enough for tonight.  Until next time, have a fabulous evening!

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24

Oct

Bluefly – Love-it!

General, weddings // 1 Comment

I am oh so excited about this website.  I have been a fan of bluefly.com for a while now because of their amazing deals on designer fashions.  Well ladies and gentlemen……. they now have Wedding 2.0!  Fantastic selections for bridesmaids, groomsmen and even guests by designers suchs as Amsale ,  Vera Wang , Laundry , BCBGMAXAZRIA , Carmen Marc Valvo, Nanette Lepore, Betsey Johnson and more at 40% off!

I could look at this site all day long!!  So if you have an event to go to (wedding, New Year’s, whatever..), you’re in a wedding or you are the bride looking for your bridal party, you must check out bluefly.com.

Fashion, designers and good prices… that’s the reason we Love-it!

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24

Oct

Did I mention we do gift bags?

Corporate, weddings // 1 Comment

Fall is our busiest time of year for weddings.  This year has been no different and many of our fabulous weddings have been customized by Always Planned.  The wedding of Mary and Billy had many adorable personalized items and their gift bags carried the theme.  Here are some pics and details.

Included in gift bags:

Homemade cookies, two KY bourbon balls, 2 Ale-8′s, 1 Bottle of KY Wine and opener, 2 bags of chips, Directions to venue, Lexington, KY Visiter’s Guide, Tops In Lex Magazine, an area restaurant guide and a personalized notecard from Mary and Billy.  All in green bags with pink/green tissue paper and pink with green dot ribbon.

If you are interested in custom gift bags for your guests, bridal party or out of town guests be sure to give us a call.  Always Planned will gather all items, assemble your bags and deliver them to the designated hotels or venue.

Custom gift bags… another one of the many things we have in our Love-it folder!

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05

Oct

Go Green! Love-it…

Uncategorized // No Comments

Amazon has a fantastic new service called Amazon Green.  A great new service offering products for those with the world in mind.  Everything from Reusable Tote bags to Fluorescent Bulbs, a Scotts Push Mower and even toilet paper!  Andrew and I are thinking about a new programmable thermostat, to help with the huge heating bill this winter.  There is even a blog to go with the new site.

You may not know that I am already a huge fan of recycling, but I am also on the “green” bandwagon and a HUGE fan of Amazon.com.  Filing this to my “Love-it” folder. ;)

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02

Oct

Vintage Tuxes – Love it!

Uncategorized // No Comments

Andrew and I have been working on our Halloween costumes for this year’s party.  As we were looking at vintage tuxedos on Ebay, it occurred to me.  Why not add a little interest to your upcoming wedding or event and go with a vintage style.  I found one particular Ebayer that has tons of great styles and colors to choose from.  Yes, I said colors!  Everything from white to blue to green and everything in between.  I have been a huge fan of the tan suits and this one is even better.  File this away in my “love-it” folder!

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