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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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Do you know what type of wedding band your fiancè wants? How involved in the process would your fiancè like to be? Is he/she the type to be ok with whatever you get or can afford, or does he/she want that diamond “bling-bling” like yours? To my surprise, my fiancè explained to me with a straight face the type of ring he wanted. “You got diamonds, so why shouldn’t I,” he asked? It was a good question…but man, I was thinking I could get away with spending less than $100.00 on his wedding band. Oops, was I wrong! Let’s break down some important things to consider when it comes to wedding bands, so you won’t make the wrong assumption as I did!  Photo by Alex Hussein from Pexels Price One of the first and most important things to consider when it comes to wedding band shopping is how much you’re willing to spend. Establishing a budget before going ring shopping will help set realistic expectations and ensure you don’t overspend. Look There are A LOT of different styles when it comes to a wedding band. Once you have a price in mind, you can narrow down rings based on the look. You can get ring inspiration from looking at jewelers online or in person, or on Pinterest, of course. The photos below show just a few styles of rings for men and women, but these aren’t even close to all— remember there are different colors too!  Photo From Bridal Musings  Photo from With Clarity Upgrades
Consider saving some money while in the midst of wedding planning by going with a cheaper priced ring (this doesn’t always mean you have to compromise on the look). Set a goal with your partner to upgrade to your dream bands on a future anniversary. Whichever ring you and your partner decide to go with, they will be the right ones for you. There is no right choice when it comes to wedding bands, as they are a personal symbol of love. Remember, communication with your partner is key, even with something as simple as wedding bands! Good luck & happy planning! 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 #weddingbands #weddingrings #howtochoosearing #weddingbudget #weddingbudgeting #austindestinationwedding #atxwedding #weddingtipsandadvice #planningtips #weddingexpenses Post written by Kaley M. for Events Unleashed. Have you heard of an unplugged ceremony? In this social media era, we all are a little guilty of too much screen time. So much so that it's almost second nature to post every aspect of your day online, from grabbing your morning coffee to posting your nighttime face mask. Kinda crazy eh? This is why we love unplugged ceremonies. Let us break it down below!  Photo from Cody & Allison Photography Your Photographer (and Videographer) Will Thank You Although you love your Aunt Gina— the photographer won't like her very much when she jumps in front of his camera to take a picture with her phone. Asking your guests kindly to keep their devices away helps reduce distractions for the professionals. It's also a plus that when you look back at your wedding video and ceremony photos, you will see all your loved ones faces looking at you, and not their phones. Guests Will Be Fully In The Moment When the phones and cameras are put away, guests can truly enjoy the message from the pastor or officiant, watch you commit yourself to your love, and cheer as you have your first kiss— all without distraction. Going 'unplugged' allows guests to truly embrace the moment.  Photo from The Wedding Playbook How To Deal With Disappointment from Guests
Your guests might not be thrilled to hear that you want them to keep their phones away, so here our are suggestions for dealing with guest disappointment: Consider having only the intimate ceremony unplugged. Allow guests to take pictures and videos at the reception. You'll have fun the next morning looking back at your friend's Instagram stories of you all dancing all night! Consider renting a photo booth for the reception. This is great especially if you want your ceremony and reception unplugged. This allows guests to have some memories to take home with them. Let guests know you will share the photos. They may not be as disappointed if you let everyone know that you will share the photos once receiving them back from the photographer. And remember... This is your big day. Whether you allow phones the whole day, only at reception, or not at all— it's your wedding! Ultimately guests should respect your wishes. 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! #eventsunleashed #unpluggedwedding #unpluggedceremony #unpluggedceremonies #weddingtips #weddingadvice #weddingplanning #austindestinationwedding #atxwedding #weddingplanner #austinweddingplanner #austinluxuryevents #austineventplanner #austinwedding Post written by Kaley M. for Events Unleashed. People come into your life for different reasons, at different seasons. When one gets the opportunity to learn what didn’t work in previous relationships, the stronger the foundation can be made with a future love. Although the end of one love may hurt, the lessons learned from the past are life-lasting and beneficial when a new love is found. Here are our favorite lessons from the Last Go Round!  Photo by Cameron Stow on Unsplash Take Your Time Taking your time with love is important. Choosing who you want to spend forever with isn’t an easy task. There is no need to rush to find the right “one” for you because there is no age limit on love. Being patient will bring great rewards. What’s Meant to Be Will Be You can’t force something to work, no matter how hard you try. Both parties have to equally put in the work for love to flourish. Love will work when it’s meant to work. There is Strength in Forgiving To truly move on in life, forgiveness is essential. When past wrongs are forgiven, we are free to live life at ease. Living without resentment for former relationships allow you to be more open with new ones.  Photo by Jasmine Wallace Carter from Pexels Love gives many experiences and life lessons. Look at previous relationships as positives that will help guide you when finding your everlasting love. Putting no limit or timeline on love can ensure that when the right love does hit you— it will be worth the wait!
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! #eventsunleashed #austinweddingplanner #austineventplanner #multiculturalweddingplanner #austinwedding #atxwedding #weddingplanning #planningtips #olderbrides #maturebrides #oldercouples #loveatanyage #lessonsfromthelastgoround #relationshipadvide Post written by Kaley M. for Events Unleashed. Nothing shows your bridal party that you appreciate them like a gift! It can be challenging to find something not only affordable but also unique for such special people in your lives. Want to stand out with a different way to thank your bridal party while not breaking the bank? We’ve got you covered with our 2020 picks for unique and affordable wedding party gifts! Tickets for a Local Activity or Attraction Why not give your bridal party a fun experience as a gift? If there is an affordable local activity in your area, it may be a great idea to gift everyone with a ticket. Live in Austin? Kayaking at The Rowing Dock is a great idea! Champagne Gummy Bears C’mon, how cute are these?! They are easy to DIY or order pre-made ones online. Your wedding party will thank you for these yummy treats to snack on during the wedding weekend! Try these Jack Daniel infused gummies for the groomsmen!  Photo From The Suburban Soapbox Customized Phone Case Personalizing a gift is always a great way to show that you care. Phone cases are one of those items that we always want a new one of, but never really get around to getting one. Your bridal party probably won’t be expecting this at all, but will definitely be happy about it! Make sure to find out what kind of phone everyone because, not everyone has an iPhone! Leather Card Hold with Playing Cards This sleek leather card holder that comes with playing cards is a perfect gift, especially for groomsmen. These playing cards are the perfect addition to any coffee table!  Spa Treatment or Gift Card It’s 2020, it’s all about self-love and self-care baby! Giving the gift of pampering is a gift that will not disappoint! A Bottle of Their Favorite Liquor This seems kind of simple, but the fact that you have taken the time to learn each bridal party member’s favorite drink instead of getting a one-size-fits-all pick will show that you truly care! Wrap up each drink with cute wrapping (throw in a monogrammed bow if you want to get fancy) and you will have one happy bridal party. Polaroid Camera Polaroid Cameras are one of those things you didn’t know you needed until you get one! These FujiFilm Instax Mini’s come in multiple colors and are the perfect size for carrying around in a purse or even a large pocket! They often have coupons for them on sites like Amazon, so be sure to check before purchasing.  Photo From Urban Outfitters One on One Time
Nothing says thank you like scheduling some time to take each bridesmaid out for a coffee on you. Grooms can take their groomsmen out for a cold beer and a genuine thanks. Nothing beats one on one time with close friends, and it’s a sure way to show your appreciation! We hope you found some inspiration for what gifts to get your Bride Tribe and Groom’s Crew leading up to the big day! Good luck & happy planning! 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 #weddingbudget #weddingbudgeting #austindestinationwedding #atxwedding #weddingfavors #bridalpartygifts #bridesmaidgifts #groomsmengifts #weddingtipsandadvice #planningtips #weddingexpenses #weddingthankyougifts Post written by Kaley M. for Events Unleashed. Let’s face it, weddings are more expensive now than ever before. The average US wedding now costs $35,329! That’s a whole lot of money for only two people to come up with. There is no shame in asking family and friends to help support this cost (remember-- the families used to be the ones who foot the bill for this special day). Asking for money from friends and family for your wedding doesn't have to be difficult at all. Follow these easy steps to make sure that you do it the right way.  Photo by Oleg Magni from Pexels Step One Identify with your partner who you want to ask and why. Think about the people that are closest to you, that you highly respect, and know want to support you and your fiancé. You might be surprised at how much others want to see you have a spectacular wedding. Step Two Come up with a plan to ask. In-person: Inviting friends and family over to discuss your plans for the wedding may help them see your vision and increase their chances of assisting you. Over the phone: For friends and family that don’t live nearby, asking over the phone is much more realistic than in-person. Take the time to call those that you plan on asking. Tip: Write out a short script that you can read so that you don’t get flustered while trying to make your request. By Mail: Never underestimate the power of a handwritten letter. Not only will it make the person you’re asking feel special, but it also conveys how important the request is to you. Virtually: Consider emailing your friends and family your request. You can include the overall cost and what you plan on doing with the funds so that they see you have a clear and reasonable plan. Step Three Ask! It could sound something like, “We want to properly manage our expectations as we move towards the planning phase of our wedding. We would like to know if you plan on contributing to our needs for our special day. We have/haven't spoke about this before, but I want to make sure we’re all on the same page.” Step Four Don’t Get Discouraged and Get Creative! Sometimes your friends and family may want to help but can’t afford it. If you know that someone would like to help but can’t financially, you may want to see if they can help by offering their time or skills. If you know one of your family members can bake, ask if they will make the desserts for your wedding if you supply the ingredients. You can even get creative by asking family and friends for a “donation” towards your big day in place of any upcoming birthday or holiday gifts. Don’t be discouraged if you get a couple no’s, because the one person that says yes may contribute in more ways than you could imagine. There are endless ways to reach your magical wedding goals! Good luck and happy planning!  Photo by Abie ZeroSix 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 #weddingplanningtips #weddingplanningadvice #weddingplanningbudget #weddingplanning #weddingbudget #weddingbudgeting #austindestinationwedding #atxwedding #weddingvenues #venuetips #weddingtipsandadvice #planningtips #weddingexpenses #howtoaskforweddingsupport #weddingcontributions Post written by Kaley M. for Events Unleashed. For your wedding, you deserve the best VALUE for your money. Negotiating for your big day is the best way to understand costs and get the best value. Notice that we didn't say you should have the CHEAPEST anything, after all, you get what you pay for.  Photo by energepic.com from Pexels Keep In Mind Vendors Are People Too When you negotiate for your wedding with vendors, please keep in mind that the people you are negotiating with aren't driving $100K cars or living in million-dollar homes or mansions. They are moms, dads, sisters, and friends who have turned their passions into a businesses. It may seem nerve-wracking to question the vendor’s service or price for goods, but remember that the vendors need big days like yours to keep their businesses thriving. When you negotiate to get the best value and not the cheapest price, you and the vendor will be happy. How To Negotiate Negotiating with a wedding vendor may sound something like: “In evaluating our budget and reviewing the quote, it looks like this falls outside of our budget by approximately $___X___. Are there requests that we have selected that take us over budget that we should re-consider? Are there areas that we could make adjustments to help it fit within our budget?” Most vendors are happy to work with you when you keep the line of communication open. Negotiating doesn’t have to be scary and shouldn’t feel like a battle. Be clear about your budget and precise about your needs and you will be negotiating like a BOSS in no time.  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 #weddingplanningtips #weddingplanningadvice #weddingplanningbudget #weddingplanning #negotiating #negotiatingwithvendors #weddingbudget #weddingbudgeting #austindestinationwedding #atxwedding #weddingvenues #venuetips #weddingtipsandadvice #planningtips #weddingexpenses #askingforweddingcontributions Post written by Kaley M. for Events Unleashed. Love can hit you at any time. You can be graduating high school and meet them at the local pizza place. Or maybe you’re pulling an all-nighter for the big proposal at work and run into the love of your life at a late-night coffee shop. Since love is so unexpected and atypical, brides shouldn’t have to feel like they need to be either. Love can happen at any age, and to be honest, older brides got it going on! Here are our top 5 reasons why older brides are the ISH!  Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels Wisdom in Wedding Decisions Wedding planning is full of decision-making. While some brides may be unsure of what they truly want their wedding to look like, older brides have the wisdom and tried-and-true opinions to know what they want and how they want it. No Problem Saying No Often times when planning a wedding, brides feel the need to please everyone around them: loved ones, soon-to-be family, friends, and people donating to the wedding fund. That pressure can lead to brides saying yes to choices they don’t actually agree with. However, older brides have enough life experience to understand that it is their day and focus on pleasing themselves. They also have the maturity to silence egos and keep a grip on the planning methods. In short, older brides take care of business! Flexibility Just like anything else, sometimes Plan A doesn’t work out in life. Older brides understand this, so going into the wedding they keep an open mind and are typically more flexible with coming up with alternatives. And usually, the wedding turns out even better than they imagined! Reliable Income Older brides have been working long enough to have built up a pretty hefty special event fund. So, the wedding can be “nothing is off-limits” fabulous! Open bar? We’ll be there! Uniqueness Older brides have the freedom to break from tradition and design their wedding to look like whatever they want. Their wedding dress can be a peach jumpsuit or a white ball gown. They can have a large-scale wedding in their hometown or a destination wedding on a beach in Latin America. Older brides are primed and seasoned enough to have a wedding that’s out of this world.  Photo by Katherine Hanlon on Unsplash So if you find yourself in the category of “older bride”, no worries or frets. You have a true advantage when it comes to planning and achieving the wedding of your wildest dreams!
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 #negotiating #negotiatingwithvendors #weddingbudget #weddingbudgeting #austindestinationwedding #atxwedding #weddingvenues #venuetips #weddingtipsandadvice #planningtips #weddingexpenses #askingforweddingcontributions #olderbrides #maturebrides Post written by Kaley M. for Events Unleashed.  Photo by Tae Fuller from Pexels Let’s be honest… you may have considered your wedding budget, but with various unanticipated expenses-- it’s hard to consider ALL of what your wedding will cost you. These sneaky costs can put any wedding budget in danger. We’re here to fill you in on exactly what those costs are, so you’ll be prepared to handle your wedding budget like a BOSS. Venues can be a HUGE area where couples make big mistakes, but you don't have to. Here’s what to consider when budgeting for your wedding venue. Service Charges, Sales Tax, and Gratuity Most venues have a service charge, sales tax, and an automatic gratuity that aren’t included in the advertisted price. What you don't know can easily take you from a comfortable venue budget to an additional $2,000 to over $6,000 at your venue in no time. Make sure to ask what these charges look like at your prospective wedding venue to avoid any hiccups in your budget. Food & Beverage Minimums Some venues may have a food and beverage (F&B) minimum. This F&B minimum allows you to utilize their space as long as you guarantee that you will spend at least X amount of dollars on the food and beverage associated with the wedding. This can get tricky if you don’t truly understand what you’re guaranteeing. Let's say the F&B minimum requirement for the venue is $5,000. This amount is not the total that food and beverage will cost you. This means that you have to spend AT LEAST that $5000 on food and beverage alone. So if you have 60 guests and the menu item you want to go with is $45.00/person, you’d be at $2,700. This means you’d have to add food or beverage until you get to the minimum, even if it’s not necessarily needed. On the other hand, say you have 100 guests and the lowest menu item is $58.00/person, the total would be $5,800 and would not be reduced to the F&B minimum. In other words, the F&B minimum is just the start of the cost. The formula looks more like this: F&B minimum + Service Charge (F&B minimum * 20-25%) + Taxes (F&B minimum * 8.25%) = TOTAL VENUE COST A practical real wedding example: F&B Minimum = $5,000.00 + Service charge = 24% + Tax = 8.25% $5,000.00 + ($5,000.00 * 24%) + ($5,000.00*8.25%)= $5,000.00 + ($1,200) + ($412.50) = $6,612.00 PRO TIP: Always remeber that your food and beverage minimum is the least amount you have to spend, NOT what your actual wedding will cost.  Photo by Bashir Olawoyin from Pexels Bonus Venue Fees to Consider: 1. Bartender - Some venues require you to use their bartending services if alcohol is being served and these fees can range from $75 to $175 depending on the venue. 2. Parking/Valet - Is there self-parking for your guests? Valet might be a requirement. 3. Food Station - Ask about any hidden fees associated with food stations. 4. Cake Cutting- Some venues charge an extra fee for staff to assist with cake cutting. The more you know about hidden or unexpected fees, the easier it will be to plan, stick to, and crush your wedding budget goals. 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 #weddingbudget #weddingbudgeting #austindestinationwedding #atxwedding #weddingvenues #venuetips #weddingtipsandadvice #planningtips #weddingexpenses
Post written by Lahoma D. and Kaley M. for Events Unleashed.
Identify with your partner who you want to ask and why.
Come up with a plan to ask. As you plan to ask people for help financial help with your wedding, considering sharing the overall costs related to your big day, share your plan with the funds and the importance/value to you and your partner, allow time for input/feedback, and set your mind to be prepared for a no. Consider the following ways to ask for money:
Clearly and Concisely Ask. “We want to properly manage our expectations as we move towards the planning phase of our wedding. We would like to know if you plan on financially contributing to our needs for our special day. We have/haven't spoke about this before, but I want to make sure we’re all on the same page.” Get Creative. If they can't help financially, perhaps they can offer you their time, which can be just as valuable. Follow Up, Thank You and Acknowledge After you have a commitment or a consideration, be sure to follow up and say thank you. A phone call and handwritten note are a must. Adding them to your website or the back of a wedding program with special shout-out is a good way to show your appreciation. |
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