I am a huge lover of BBJ Linen.  I absolutely love their Design Center; it allows you to piece together the linens you like and see them set visually before you to get an idea as to how your vision will come to life.  You can work with your primary linen, coordinating linen, napkins, chair covers and ties.  Seeing complementing colors and textures will give you an idea of what your tables and/or chairs will look like.  You can print out your results for your notes and try as many combinations as you like.  With showrooms across the U.S., you can make an appointment and see the linens you’ve chosen on actual tables.

Don’t forget to use the Linen Workup Sheet in combination with this great site!

When I was blessed to attend and speak at Eventology, one of the sponsors was Gourmet Invitations. I was so impressed with place cards, escort cards and other materials Tifany contributed, I couldn’t wait to feature her for Papier Tuesday.  While looking for different sets to feature for this blog post, I was really impressed with the many ideas and styles that Gourmet Invitations offers. Be sure to check out the Gourmet Invitations Blog, as you will see that each set has its own individual story.  I loved reading each one, as it became apparent how the story influenced the concept of the design.  It was great to see how Tifany brought that out and truly made those ideas flow into the suites she created.

I love how Tifany’s creativity is never pigeon-holed into one particular design.  She is able to recreate the event vision through paper before your eyes and have it flow through out the entire invitation suite, menus, seating charts and other cards. From vintage to modern, romantic to energetic, there is no limit to what Gourmet Invitations can inspire.

I’m not the Oxy Clean guy.

There is never a “But WAIT!  There’s MORE!” moment with me.

There is no “but if you call right now, we’ll double the offer” moment.

Ever.

Just to clarify, I’m not this guy either:

I sell provide a service that includes my creativity and expertise. It does not consist of discounts.

While that’s not the “lie” that they told you outright, I feel that we should clear up a tragic misconception.  This misconception has been flagrant in the economic climate where the funds that were once set aside for your wedding have been diminished and depleted.  Everyone is looking to save money. I don’t blame you.

So, the thing that really molds my lip gloss is when the glossies and some blogs perpetuate the role of a wedding planner as a walking talking coupon code or Entertainment Book (remember how you had to sell those in school?).  I believe they say things like “A good wedding planner will save you money with her vendor relationships, who in turn will provide you with discounts”.

Oh, really? No. Not quite.

Let me tell you what a good wedding planner will do:

• A good wedding planner will never publicly or privately purport to you that she can get you exorbitant discounts.  This is something that is never guaranteed.  Unless, she is discounting her own service and pricing.
• A good wedding planner will save you money by matching you with vendors that fit against his/her stringent wedding budget and event vision criteria.  S/he already knows who to go to—s/he knows which vendors to go to for what it is you need that will be in your price range and maximize your dollar for your event vision. By doing the footwork of research, preliminary and sample orders for you, s/he has saved you time.  Which is almost the same as saving you money.
• A good wedding planner will always pass along any professional courtesies to his/her clients and refrain from taking kickbacks or markups on the client’s order.
• A good wedding planner understands that to get “the best deal” or price is relative to each particular client. The best “deal” may be a completely non-traditional workup of the menu that the caterer does not typically do, or a service or product upgrade.
• A good wedding planner has worked years for his/her vendor relationships, and continues to do so; s/he does not violate, abuse, or manipulate them in such a casual manner,as some of the antiquated wedding advice columns perceive.  S/he knows, not only as a creative professional, but a business owner, the enumerable costs of overhead, taxes, staff salaries, etc. that factors into a vendor’s pricing.  S/he appreciates when discounts are given to her clients, but knows that they are always at the vendor’s discretion, and never guaranteed.

• A good wedding planner will tell you this.

A good client will not rely on potential discounts, but can plan their wedding on a budget they can actually afford. They understand the “less is more” concept, understanding that if budget is truly an issue, the guest list may need to be cut, or the vision may need to be scaled back.

Check out other wedding planning myths you can’t afford to believe.

One of the benefits of reading wedding blogs is that you get so much insight from fellow planners and brides.  I decided to ask some of the planners I think are outstanding to share a few of their favorite tips with Fabuluxe™ readers. Be sure to check them out, too!

	“Hire vendors you trust, then let them do their jobs.”  Sara Bauleke • Bella Notte
	“Start work on your seating assignments early as this becomes a MAJOR task as you get closer to the wedding…. when you make your guest list, purchase plain white, cheap paper plates and a pack of sticky notes…..write each guests name on a sticky note and arrange them in groups by family, friends or co workers around the paper plate about 8-10 on a plate ( as most 60” round banquet tables seat 8-10).” Mark Kingsdorf • Queen of Hearts Weddings | BLOG
	“Do you dread negotiating with vendors on their prices?  Wedding vendors need to support their lives too so most aren’t willing to drop their fees just because you ask.  The best way to get a good deal is to tell the vendor what amount you’re able to spend.  Then see how they can customize their services to fit your budget.  Perhaps the photographer will knock out the parent album that you don’t need anyway.  Maybe the DJ will leave the spinning club lights at home.  Or perhaps the caterer will suggest that you skip the mini dessert buffet and only serve wedding cake.  You may be surprised at how customized your vendors will make their packages in order to earn your business.” Laura Auer • Wish Special Events | BLOG
	“Don’t get caught up in a particular shade of “pink” or “blue” when choosing your colors!  Different hues of a color will give your decor and overall wedding style that “designer” look.  Gone are the days of everything matching as well.  Bridesmaids dresses in gradient shades is a HAUTE look!” Wendy Robinson • Sacred Moment Weddings | BLOG
	“If you really want a unique wedding, stop looking for inspiration in wedding magazines.” Monica Gill •   The White Box | BLOG
	“If having an outdoor ceremony, be considerate of your bridesmaids who may be wearing heals.  Consider purchasing them Solemates It keeps them from sinking into the grass.”  Latrice Cushenberry •  Bridal Opulence Weddings and Events | BLOG
	“Keep all wedding related information in one place. Don’t have piles all over the house, and one at work, and one in the car, and don’t forget about the one that you have in the bathroom.  If you keep all of your wedding contracts, correspondence, emails, pages you’ve pulled out of magazines in one place, you will feel more organized. And if you need something, you will know exactly where it is. If your wedding consultant asks to see a copy of the contract, you know where it is – if you need to check the floral order, you know where it is.” Melissa DiStefano •  MasterPiece Weddings | BLOG
	“Consider a brunch reception if you are planning your wedding on a shoestring.”  Shanika Butts • SJB Weddings and Events | BLOG
	“Add a line item to your budget for vendors that need to receive gratuities such as limo drivers, beauticians, etc. This can add up and it is so important to account for it at the beginning.”  Saundra Hadley • Planning…Forever |  BLOG
	“Make the timeline realistic and plan for all the activities you want. For instance, if you want to take pictures before the ceremony, please don’t ask the bridal party to show up only 2 hours before the ceremony, then say “If they’re late, then they won’t be in the pictures.”In reality you are going to WAIT for them because those are your friends or MOTHER,  and you really want them to be in the photos.  Plan accordingly to avoid any tardiness, tantrums and hurt feelings.” Katasha Butler •  K.Sherrie + Co. | BLOG

Thank you to all of the planners that were so gracious with their time to participate. You all offered some wonderful tips and I know you will create more fabulous events in 2009.  Stay tuned for more tips from other wedding pros.

Perhaps you have already decided to go on a green honeymoon.  Perhaps not—but you still want to do your part to travel efficiently and in a responsible manner towards our environment.  Good on ya, mate!

I based this board’s shades around the colors in crème brûlée– the soft ivories of the custard, the golden brown of the carmelized sugar, the bright white of the whipped cream and the rich red of berries that accompanies most servings.

ben·ga·line  (bngg-ln) n.   A fabric having a crosswise ribbed effect made of silk, wool, or synthetic fibers.

Aeleise was one of the sweet brides to join us for our Virtual Soiree last year. Her ideas were beautiful, and the planners that attended the soiree were all impressed with her style and grace. Everything about Aeleise’s wedding– from the intricate details to the unique venue that had exposed brick and huge scenic windows, had us all eager to see how her event turned out. She was wonderful enough to share her pictures with us as well as give us a closer look into her planning and special day.

The mere addition of the big jewelry adds a rockstar edge to the Louboutin slingblacks and flowered halter dress.

Want a team of the hottest wedding planners to help you with your wedding? Done!