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!

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.

Gorgeous wedding program from Gourmet Invitations

We’ve cracked open the vault to help you with your planning this wedding season!

This week’s download is a ceremony program planner that will help you list all of the important information for our ceremony program.  Having all of your information at-a-glance will help you keep the names,  proper spellings, and other information on your program.  Use additional space to notate any memorials that you wish to include.

Enjoy!

Happy Downloading!

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.

We’ve cracked open the vault to help you with your planning this wedding season!

Photo :: Wildflower Linen

This week’s download is a linen workup sheet that will help you keep track of the linens  you are considering for your wedding.  You can take note of the linens you like, its size, how many you will need and where at your wedding it will be used.

This workup sheet is great to use if you want to send them to linen providers to receive a quote or to check against when the delivery is received.

Happy Downloading!

Linen Workup Sheet

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!  Now, it can be made just a little bit easier with Papier Bags by Saskia Diez which will be available in select retail stores and on the online shop next month.  Saskia Diez is a world renowned jeweler who will now grace the world with her eco-friendly luggage. 

According to Trendhunter, the bags are made from synthetic paper, etched with sterling silver and are recyclable, waterproof and almost impossible to tear. 

It is no secret that I absolutely L-O-V-E crème brûlée.  (Seriously, it’s unnatural)

When checking my stats, I noticed a lot of people were looking for crème brûlée inspiration boards.  I figured that a lot were attracted because of my fake crème brûlée recipe and our moodboard section.  I decided to take a stab at it, focusing on all of the things that crème brûlée represents to me.

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.  The linen samples are from BBJ:  Buttercup Lamour (the custard), Antique Gold Sparkle Sheer and Espresso Bichon Runner (the carmelized sugar).  When I think of crème brûlée, I think of very rich and full flavors.  It was only fitting that flowers like red ranunculus and ivory mystique roses would be incorporated into the centerpieces.  When paired with this gorgeous fluted vase from Country Living, the look is simple, yet elegant.  The low vase resembled ramekins used when cooking this decadent dessert.  Its coloring will pop against the warmth of the linens.  Those same warm colors are incorporated into the textured invitations and the pillar candles which produce an amber glow for the event.  The gorgeous bridesmaid’s dress from Dillards also ties in those colors and textures.

Très delish!

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

I loved all of the emotion (and attitude!) from their special day. It was like being there and enjoying the party along with them.

And wait until you hear about the menu! The ladies spared no expense– it was like reading something out of Top Chef!

How did you choose your venue?
When we decided to have the ceremony in Chicago we knew we wanted something that reflected our urban South Side Chicago roots.  Before we told many people about the ceremony, a friend of Joy’s mom told us about a party she went to in this loft space and we thought it might be cool to check out.  The minute we walked into the space that was it.  We just knew that this was the place we would be getting married.  It fit our style and budget perfectly and they were used to throwing music industry parties not weddings, which was great because we wanted it to be a great big party, not a stuffy conventional wedding.

I know you loved the food at your wedding, can you share your menu?
Guacamole con Totopos
Avocado puree with chile serrano, cilantro, tomatoes and crispy tortilla chips
Camarón en Jicama
Shrimp wrapped with sliced jícama and Mexican cocktail sauce
Empanada Potosinas
Empanadas stuffed with asadero cheese and fresco cheese, corn, poblano rajas; chile de árbol-tomatillo salsa
Salbutes de Pollo
“Little tostadas” topped with achiote marinated chicken, pickled purple onions, black beans and sour cream
Taquitos Tronadores
Crispy taquitos stuffed with potato mash, asadero cheese, tomato sofrito; chipotle salsa and fresco cheese
Scallop Ceviche

What was the hardest part of planning?
Not having a planner! We discussed having a day of coordinator but Joy was not too keen on that idea and our budget was limited. I work part time and Joy works beyond full time so I put my time and previous event experience to work. It was so hard because getting married is one of the most emotional times in a persons life.  Add those emotions to the stress of vendor research, selection, negotiating, decor design, and trying not to loose my mind at the same time. Then December was a busy month for me as a makeup artist so I only had 4 days off that month before the rehearsal.    I was a basket case with the tendency to not show my emotions so by the day of I had a permanent stress ball in the middle of my back and an ugly case of hives on my face.  Thank goodness Joy’s mom took over the rehearsal dinner responsibilities and my corporate event planner mother handled the day of. Without our mothers, Joy’s loving encouragement, and my best friends/attendants antics I would have made Bridezilla look like a CareBear.

What was your favorite part of the day?
I had the most insane day! It was 63 degrees in December in Chicago, my hairstylist got stuck in 0% visibility fog, I had hives completely covering my face, and I couldn’t remember my vows. The best part though, was the ceremony.  The moment I fell in love with Joy last February, she could read every thought and emotion on my face and a few weeks before that she predicted we would get married. Our vows recaptured and enhanced those moments one hundred fold and created an incredible bond before God between us.

You must dish about the honeymoon!
Ooooooh, New Orleans was just fat!  The whole honeymoon was centered around food and liquor.  Nothing beats the 25 cent martinis and turtle soup for lunch at Commander’s Palace and Cafe Adelaide.  Our hotel was in the Warehouse Arts district, so as an artist I was in heaven and loved visiting all of the galleries with Joy.  Emeril’s was a block away and somehow I had the best pad thai in the place that created Creole food, go figure. We watched the New Years fireworks from our hotel window with a half bottle of Moet and got to experience the French Quarter the night before the Sugar Bowl which was totally bananas!

We wish we had made it to the Ninth Ward more, but we got to see the Lower 9th ward leg of the citywide Prospect.1 art exhibition.  It is amazing and disheartening to see that although much of the rest of the city was thriving but the Lower 9th is still reeling from Katrina.  Houses still had the markers from the first days after Katrina and many were in varied states of disrepair and the residents, artists, and musicians are still scattered.

New Orleans just has this great vibe to it and we’re toying with the ideas of moving there in a few years.

Venue- Pressure Point Recording Studio :: Cake by Bittersweet Bakery :: Flowers by Fragrant Design :: Photography by Kelsie Kliner :: Food by Adobo Grill ::