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From award shows to conventions, everybody loves a nice swag bag, gift set, or whatever you want to call it. The packaging doesn’t matter, though. It’s what’s on the inside that counts and will show your girls how much you appreciate them. You can find lots of pre-filled bags, boxes, and kits, like this personalized wooden box from Etsy. Or maybe you need a little something to help pop the question. Available from Amazon, this elegant gift set helps you ask “Will you be my bridesmaid?” in style. Sometimes, though, a pre-filled gift set might lack some of the personal touches that make any bridesmaid-to-be blush. Why not start with a blank canvas and make your own gift-filled masterpiece? A great place to start is with this hand-dyed canvas bag from Minted. Choose your wedding colors for an added touch.  Photo by Terje Sollie from Pexels In the past, brides we’ve worked with love packing these items in their own, personalized gift sets. Makeup Equal parts thoughtful and practical, gifting makeup to your bridal party is a great way to show your girls you’re thinking about them. At the same time, you’ll be giving everyone the gift of a much-needed touch-up during the big day. Go for something practical, like this extra large setting spray from Urban decay Cosmetics, which can help neutralize all the sweat and, let’s face it, tears that will no doubt plague the big day. Or go for an always useful compact mirror with a personal touch from Etsy. And last but not least, how about a stylish bag to put it all in? Try this quilted velvet bag from The Knot. Glassware/alcohol The run-up to the big day can be hectic. Give your girls the chance to unwind with a cocktail-ready gift set. Make each one of your bridesmaids feel extra special by including a bottle of their favorite spirit. Add some champagne flutes or tumblers to ensure your crew is sipping in style. Try this dazzling flask set from Lasting Impressions Engraving, or put a twist on your open bar with these fun Etsy stickers. Stationery Here’s another cute but practical gift solution. A journal or notebook with a personalized cover isn’t just thoughtful; it’s a great way to encourage your bridal party to take notes. There will be a lot to remember, after all. This Wrap and write” gift set from Bridesmaid Boutique features a comfortable shawl and a personalized journal, blending style with practicality. Candy We’ll keep this one short and sweet: everybody loves a little treat now and then. Bring the goodies with a personalized candy cone and let the good times roll. Flip flops You might be wondering what flip flops are doing on this list. Well, if you have ever been a bridesmaid, you’re probably nodding your head in agreement right now. Trust us, there’s nothing quite like switching to a comfy pair of flip flops after a long day of rocking heels. Your bridesmaids (and their aching feet) will thank you. Jewelry If everyone in your wedding party is wearing the same kind of dress, some extra bling might be just the thing to say “I appreciate you.” Whether it’s something flashy you’re looking for, or maybe something a little more personal, some shining surprises include this necklace from Etsy, a dainty bracelet (also from Etsy), and this bespoke plate bracelet from Gorjana. Getting Ready Ware Getting dolled up for a wedding can take a long time. Do your flock a solid and keep them comfortable through it all. Some cozy options include this Pajama set from Flora Nikrooz, or this customizable, comfort-filled set from Etsy complete with robe, champagne flutes and hair ties. Spa Favors Last but certainly not least, you may want a way for your favorite ladies to de-stress. With so many spa-themed gift sets, you’re bound to find the perfect way to pamper your girlfriends. Whether you choose this Reset & Refresh skincare set from Nordstrom, or this spa set full of rejuvenating bath salts from Amazon, your relaxed bridesmaids will surely thank you.  Photo by Jonathan Borba from Pexels Be sure to check back for more planning tips & advice and follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date with our recent events and inspo. Let’s Unleash Together!
#austinweddingplanner #austinluxuryevents #austineventplanner #austinwedding #multiculturalweddingplanner #austintexasweddings #eventsunleashed #bridesmaidsgifts #bridesmaidswagbags #bridesmaids #weddingplanningtips #weddingplanningadvice #weddingplanning #weddingtipsandadvice Post written by Des Delgadillo for Events Unleashed.
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With so many items to bring and a major importance to remember every single one– Events Unleashed has your back with a list of things to pack for your wedding day!  Photo by Olenka Sergienko from Pexels Must-Haves
Special Items to Remember
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Be sure to check back for more planning tips & advice and follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date with our recent events and inspo. Let’s Unleash Together! #austinweddingplanner #austinluxuryevents #austineventplanner #austinwedding #multiculturalweddingplanner #austintexasweddings #eventsunleashed #weddingchecklist #weddingpackinglist #weddingdaychecklist #weddingplanningtips #weddingplanningadvice #weddingplanning #weddingtipsandadvice Post written by Kaley M. for Events Unleashed. Want your guests to leave you a special message on your big day... but in a special way? Events Unleashed has got you covered on 10 guest book alternatives that will help create a more unique experience on your wedding day.  #1: For The Record Have your guests record there attendance by signing in on a vintage record player.  #2: Illustrated Couples Portrait How amazing would it be to look back on an illustrated picture of you and your husband or wife-to-be with all of your loved one's well wishes? Very amazing! We love how Miss Design Berry illustrates the portrait of the couple in their wedding attire, it makes it even more special!  #3: Heart Shaped Puzzle We love the idea of guests signing in on a heart-shaped (because the day is all about love, right?!) wooden puzzle piece, then adding their piece into the puzzle.  #4: Jenga Get guests involved by having them sign in on a jenga piece and help build the tower!  #5: Message in a Bottle Okay maybe you can't have a genie in a bottle... but you can have your loved ones leave you a special message in a bottle! Bonus: have a cute date night by going through all of the letters together after the wedding.  #6: Drop Box We love this unique drop box frame that allows guests to sign a heart and drop it into the box.  #7: Adventure Begins Globe We love this globe with customized calligraphy on it that reads "So The Adventure Begins". Guests can sign around the globe, creating a cherishable piece of decor.  #8: Polaroid Guest Book We love that this guest book idea leaves you with a sweet note and photo of your loved ones! Have your guests snap a polaroid, sign it, and stick it in your guest book for long lasting memories.  #9: Last Name Wood Sign How cute and modern is this wooden sign customized with the couple's last name? Have your guests sign around the name for a sweet, memorable "guest book"!  #10: Typewriter Sign In I mean... seriously?! How cool would it be for your guests to sign in by typing you a heartfelt message on a typewriter? Very cool. We hope you were able to find some inspiration from these 10 wedding guest book alternative ideas. Be sure to check back for more planning tips & advice and follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date with our recent events and inspo. Let’s Unleash Together! #austinweddingplanner #austinluxuryevents #austineventplanner #austinwedding #multiculturalweddingplanner #austintexasweddings #eventsunleashed #weddingguestbooks #weddingguestbookalternatives #uniqueguestbooks #guestbookideas #guestbookalternatives #uniquewedding #weddingplanningtips #weddingplanningadvice #weddingplanning #austindestinationwedding #atxwedding #weddingtipsandadvice Post written by Kaley M. for Events Unleashed. Last week, we explored the most important questions to ask before booking a professional wedding DJ. But what if a professional just isn’t in the cards? This week we explore how to do it yourself. You DJ your own wedding? It might sound counterintuitive. After all, just last week you thought a turntable and a Lazy Susan were the same thing, and now you're thinking about handling the ones-and-twos for the biggest day of your life. Scratching a DJ from your wedding day budget leaves wiggle room for the truly important things. Most professional wedding DJ's start at about $1,000, meaning you can save quite the chunk of change by hunkering down and doing it yourself. But how can you do a job that someone charges $1,000 and up to do? And on the biggest day of your life, no less?  Photo by Moose Photos from Pexels 1. Rent the Equipment Yes, you still have to rent equipment. It may seem easy to just plug a laptop or phone in via an auxiliary cord or bluetooth connection. Trust us, it's not going to be a great celebration if you do it this way. Probably the most daunting (and expensive) step, finding the equipment suitable for your wedding day situation includes asking yourself a few very important questions: How many guests will be at the wedding? You don't want a speaker system set up for 100 guests when you have 200 at the event. Make sure everyone is able to enjoy the music with your speaker setup and your music selections (we'll get into those later). Will the wedding take place indoors or outdoors? Sometimes indoor weddings provide certain acoustics that help speaker systems sound louder than they actually are, but that's not the case for outdoor weddings. For instance, setting up your Google Home or Amazon Echo might sound fabulous in your home, but it might leave a little something to be desired in an outdoor setting. Do you require a microphone? The answer to this one should be yes 99 percent of the time. Even if you don't have an emcee for your event (see below), a microphone is the ultimate way to relay important messages to your guests, such as signaling the start of an important dance, or letting them know that you're about to cut the cake, or that the bar is closing in 10 minutes. When considering a microphone, also make sure to specify if you prefer one with or without a wire. wireless mics are a great addition to most celebrations, allowing whoever is speaking to walk around as well. But sometimes radio signals can interfere with the wireless output, leading to some not so pleasant noise. When in doubt, reach out to your venue's management and ask how wireless microphones fare in their venue. What kind of cables do I need to make my equipment work? XLR? RCA? VGA? So many weird acronyms, so little time! You don't want to set up all your equipment on the day of and find that you're missing one very important wire. Make sure to research your desired setup to learn exactly what you need to make it happen. When in doubt, renting from tried and true audio experts still ends up costing less than hiring a DJ. An Austin-area company we recommend for any audio-related needs is Loudmouth Rentals. 2. Decide on your service of choice Back in the day, we all kept our favorite songs on our computers or phones so we could bust them out whenever we felt like it. But these days, most people find it easier and cheaper to keep their tunes on a cloud music service like Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music. These subscription services offer virtually any song you can think of and give you the ability to add the songs to custom playlists. All three of the services mentioned also support what's called Crossfading, which means the service will try and transition your music so there's never any dead air -- a handy trick for killer parties. All of these music services also allow you to save songs to your device for offline listening, something you should most definitely do. We'll explore why in a bit. 3. Curate with care So you're all signed up with your music streaming service of choice. We get it; having every song imaginable at your fingertips can be a little much. Take a few minutes and enjoy that power. Now it's time to start curating playlists for your big day. Remember, if you're doing it right, you should ideally afford yourself weeks to months to get your playlists just right. If your time is limited, just perform a search for "wedding" or anything close to it. You'll be surprised how many couples create public playlists and then just leave them for anyone to use. There are two different variables worth considering while you create your playlist, and one extra tip to make sure your playlists are perfect. Different parts of the day It's a good idea to create playlists for the different parts of your wedding day. For example, maybe you want a relaxing classical playlist while your guests are being seated, but you'll probably want something very different come open dancing time. If you have one already, use your order of ceremony to help identify the moments you want to have musical accompaniment. Your guests It's your day, but you want your guests to have a good time, right? The easiest way to do that is to include music everyone will enjoy. The best way to satisfy everyone is to incorporate music from different decades. Thankfully, technology comes to the rescue again. Most streaming services include lists of songs by decade, and wedding songs by decade are readily available with a quick Google search. Get the balance just right and you'll have grandparents dancing with cousins, uncles dancing with in-laws, neighbors dancing with mailmen (must be one heck of a wedding), and so on. Get some pre-party feedback Sit with people you trust and see what they think of your music selections. All of the music services mentioned here support playlist sharing. That means you can even get that precious feedback without having to leave your house. 4. Test, test, and test again Whether you ask a professional musician, an amateur singer songwriter, or a keynote speaker, they'll all give you the same advice: Things break down. That's why testing your setup is the most important step we could possibly share with you. Set a day to visit your venue and set up your equipment as if it's the real thing. Play some jams, make some announcements, and get an overall understanding of how it all works. If something doesn't work, you'll have a chance to troubleshoot and be ready for the real thing. This one sounds optional, but it couldn't be more important. 5. Consider using an emcee Oftentimes, a professional wedding dJ doubles as an emcee, making announcements and introductions when necessary. Since you'll be busy getting married and having an all-around awesome time, emceeing your own wedding might not be at the top of your priorities. Thankfully, emceeing is an easy job. Remember that microphone and order of ceremony we mentioned earlier? Just provide both to a trusted friend or family member. Explain to them which events are the most important to you and when the announcements need to be made, as well as any extra information you want to share. Generally, the more you share, the more prepared your emcee will be. And all that's left for you to do is dance, dance, and dance. Bonus: download all of your songs to your device How many of your movie nights have been ruined by buffering? Don't let buffering ruin your wedding, too. Buffering occurs when an internet connection can't handle the data being used. This usually happens when you're watching videos, playing games, or streaming music. Thankfully, most music streaming services offer an option to save playlists for "offline listening." Simply put, the playlists you select are downloaded directly to your device, so you can play all your music without being at the internet's mercy.  Photo by TranStudios Photography & Video from Pexels Are there any other tips you think future DIY wedding DJ's should know? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow us on Instagram @eventsunleashed.
#austintexaswedding #austinweddingplanner #atxweddingplanner #eventsunleashed #weddingadvice #weddingtips #weddingtipsandadvice #weddingplanningtips #weddingdj #diydj #weddingemcee Post Written by Des Delgadillo for Events Unleashed  Photo by Caio Resende from Pexels Music is the lifeblood of any celebration. So it's only natural that you put your wedding day tunes in the hands of a professional DJ who knows all the songs you like (and more importantly, the ones you don't). DJ's are a great get for wedding ceremonies and receptions alike because:
But just like songs, records, and Spotify playlists, no two DJ's are alike. Here are some helpful questions to help cut through the noise and find a wedding DJ who will bring some much needed harmony to your special day. 1. What is their wedding DJ experience? Hiring a regular ol' DJ with no wedding experience is like being half asleep and pouring orange juice on your cereal. You're going to be very surprised, and not in a fun way. A professional wedding DJ may come at a higher price, but you're paying for their wealth of knowledge when it comes to the topic at hand. A wedding DJ knows how to stick to her cues, keep the crowd energy up, and keep the proceedings moving along at a good pace. These are attributes you will most likely not find in a club DJ or someone who is just starting out. 2. What are your favorite wedding songs? It's simple, but this question goes a long way in finding out if you and your DJ's tastes match up. If you're truly dealing with a pro, conflicting tastes shouldn't matter; your DJ should cater to your tastes and those of your guests. Still, it's always a great boost to your confidence if you know you have someone whose musical opinions you can trust behind the turntables. What are your least favorite wedding songs? We get it. Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" is a really nice song. It has also been played at more weddings than we'd care to count. Learn early if your DJ leans heavily on these cliche wedding songs or if she plans on keeping the sounds fresh. Make sure also to provide your DJ with a pair of lists -- one of songs that you absolutely want played, and one with songs you absolutely don't want played. Does the "Cha Cha Slide" grate on your every nerve? Then put it on the second list and none of your wedding guests wil have to "Charlie Brown,: whatever that is. 3. On a scale of 1-5, what is your level of crowd interaction? Like most things on your wedding planning journey, this one is a matter of taste. You may want a DJ who is reserved and just plays the music. But you may want someone who is lively, engaging the crowd and making event-related announcements along the way. Just make sure you know your DJ's style before booking. Nobody wants a DJ practicing their stand-up comedy routine in between songs. Make sure to ask your DJ-to-be for a sample before you book them. This could be a mixtape, video clip, or anything that gives you a flavor for their style. 4. What is your policy concerning guest song requests? When a party gets going, sometimes your guests will want to hear a song that isn't on the list. Be prepared to ask your DJ how they plan on handling this situation. Some DJ's will not take requests, while others are happy to do so as long as the song is appropriate and in line with the songs you requested beforehand. Still others will only do so if the song matches the kind of energy they're going for. Every DJ is different, so be sure to learn their process for this before you put pen to paper. 5. Are you using turntables or a computer? Sometimes, a DJ is more of a fella with a laptop and some wires. While some might think that's totally fine, be aware of what the DJ is charging. Chances are, if they are just bringing a laptop to the event, you could probably control the music yourself and just cut out the middle man.  Photo by Marlene Leppänen from Pexels Sometimes, a DJ just isn’t in the budget. It happens. Next time, we’ll show you how to DIY DJ your own wedding while still getting to enjoy every moment.
Remember, help booking DJ's, florists, cake decorators, and anything else you might need for your wedding day is just a free consultation away. Click here to book yours today. #austinweddingplanner #atxweddingplanner #atxweddings #austinweddings #austinluxuryweddings #austineventplanner #atxeventplanner #engaged #weddingadvice #weddingtips #weddingplanningtips #weddingplanning #weddingDJ #DJadvice #weddinginspo #eventsunleashed Post Written by Des Delgadillo for Events Unleashed The greatest thing about love is that there are no rules. Love is an endless, limitless feeling that can hit you at any time or place. There are no deadlines for when you can or should fall in love. Falling in love can happen at ANY age.  Photo by Git Stephen Gitau from Pexels Every Love Story Is Unique There is no one size fits all story when it comes to loving someone. Some couples are friends for years before they realize it’s something more. Some couples fall in love immediately. Some meet as teens but fall in love in their 50s. Knowing this, there is no reason we should rush to find our perfect love story. The differences in everyone’s journey is what makes love such a beautiful and unique feeling. "I feel as though the older we get - the closer we become to one another. I'm not sure if it’s from finding a deep level of acceptance within each-other - or even within ourselves - but whatever it is... I love it.” - Ranata Suzuki Why There Is No Rush Love happening later in life is okay. In fact, it’s oftentimes amazing. Here’s a few reasons why:
 Photo by Clem Onojeghuo from Pexels Love is not subject to any age, so release yourself from any deadlines or worry. Sit back, relax, and let love happen at the perfect time— for you!
Be sure to check back for more planning tips & advice and follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date with our recent events and inspo. Let’s Unleash Together! #austinweddingplanner #austinluxuryevents #austineventplanner #austinwedding #multiculturalweddingplanner #austintexasweddings #eventsunleashed #weddingplanningtips #weddingplanningadvice #weddingplanningbudget #weddingplanning #austindestinationwedding #atxwedding #weddingtipsandadvice #planningtips #olderbrides #maturebrides #oldercouples #loveatanyage Post written by Kaley M. for Events Unleashed. Planning a wedding is a big commitment of both time and money, that often comes with a lot of stress. Considering most weddings take a year of planning, countless hours, phone calls, and possible headaches– hiring a planner gives you peace of mind knowing all the details and logistics are being taken care of for you. We believe letting the planner take all the work off of your hands, allows you to be fully present and enjoy your engagement and wedding. Trust us, being stressed out by wedding planning instead of blissfully enjoying being engaged is no fun! Here are some of our top benefits and reasons why investing in a wedding planner is so worth it:  Planners Are Well Connected Planners oftentimes have connections with local vendors. They will usually have a tried and true list of vendors that they know to do business well. Maybe you have your heart set on a certain caterer, but your planner knows that caterer has shown up late to two weddings she’s planned. Information like this could save you a lot of time, money, and headaches. Planners Know What To Expect It’s hard to come up with a realistic budget when you don’t know the normal, industry pricing for wedding vendors. Wedding planners know the pricing, allowing them to come up with a realistic budget and help you stick to it. If they don’t know the price off the top of their head, they save you the headache of trying to find it out yourself. Planners Keep Things Stress-free Planners act as your vendor point-of-contact, which is awesome! No busy couple wants to be bothered by multiple vendors coming to the bride and groom suites asking last-minute questions- and no vendor wants to have to bother the couple. Your wedding planner will conduct all communication with them, so you won’t have to think twice about things running smoothly. Planners Are There To Support You Some couples are hesitant to planners because they want to be heavily involved in the planning or worry that the planner may take over their vision. Don’t worry, planners are here to support your vision and your vision only! A planner’s job is to support the bride and groom, reduce stress, offer knowledge, and enhance the overall wedding experience. Planners Save Relationships Although it may be tempting to let your aunt or a friend plan your wedding, it may not always be the best option. Planning a wedding can be stressful and you don’t want any tension created as a result of the stress. Also, when the person has a personal connection to you, they may be more inclined to push what they think is right, even if it’s unintentional. Planners want you and all of your family and friends to enjoy the event! Planners Can Save You Money Having built-in relationships with vendors, wedding planners can help to make sure you’re getting the best value for your money. Wedding planners are often repeat customers to the local vendors so maintaining a positive working relationship is important to both parties. We all know the saying “It’s not what you know. It’s who you know”.  Photo by Joshua Dwain A wedding planner can definitely play a big role in reducing and eliminating worry or anxiety leading up to your wedding day. Giving clients peace of mind is a big goal for wedding planners. An investment in a professional planner is one step closer to achieving your dream wedding.
Be sure to check back for more planning tips & advice and follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date with our recent events and inspo. Let’s Unleash Together! #austinweddingplanner #austinluxuryevents #austineventplanner #austinwedding #weddingplannerbenefits #austintexasweddings #eventsunleashed #weddingplanningtips #weddingplanningadvice #weddingplanningbudget #weddingplanning #atxwedding #weddingplanningadvice #planningtips #weddingexpenses #weddingplanner Post and Video by Kaley M. for Events Unleashed. |
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