Posted by: Always Planned

This blog post is a crossover between being for the bride during her planning and being for the wedding professionals of the world.

Being a small business owner I can tell you that there are moments of great achievement, complete chaos, stress, happiness and utter excitement, sometimes within minutes of each other. Much like a bride is during her planning process, a small business owner can feel so overwhelmed that it could bring them to tears and so joyful that they could scream, typically from the same issue.

One of the biggest issues that overwhelm and stress small business owners out is money. This is also something that can stress out a bride during her planning…. see where I am going with this?

Every wedding professional should require a NON-Refundable Retainer or Payment at the time your agreement or contract is signed. If you (wedding vendor) do not have an agreement or contract in writing then WHAT ARE YOU THINKING????

Why is this important for the Bride? Well it means that you legally have something in writing stating exactly what you are getting on your wedding day, what your requirements are and how that vendor works. I highly suggest you keep all of your contracts in a binder or folder and all in the same place. This will make it a ton easier for you once you turn it over to a planner or when you are planning out the details of your day. The retainer means your date is just that – yours. Most wedding professionals will only take one wedding per date and the last thing you want is to lose that amazing (photographer, florist, planner, designer, venue, etc) to another bride who was smart enough to put down her retainer or initial payment early.

Why is this important for the Wedding Professional? Because things happen every day. Couples break up, family members get sick, brides change their mind, dates change and sometimes personalities clash. Most of the time you are fine, but on those rare occasions when something happens, it only makes business sense to have a NON-refundable retainer to cover any work you have lost, the date you cannot replace and the staff you still have to pay. There are a ton of expenses involved in meeting with couples and meeting their needs – office/marketing/rent/utilities/etc. That’s a whole different story.

Anyway – sometimes something inspires me to educate brides and vendors. In the end we love what we do, but it is a business and sometimes people forget that.

xoxo, Rayna

Posted by: Always Planned

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Just wanted to update you all about Simply Love Studio’s Bridal Benchmark Series that is beginning NEXT WEEK, Wednesday, September 14^th!!! Many of you already may know, but Simply Love Studio is an incredible complimentary resource for any bride who may need help finding a vendor, venue or just about anything else to make your wedding fabulous! Bridal Benchmark Series is a 6-Week Complimentary Educational Series for Brides! Each event will prep you for your upcoming day and give you a chance to meet vendors and find new resources for your big day! Many of our highly recommended, talented vendors will be here to answer questions for you and show you what they are made of!

Oh and did I mention there are PRIZES involved?!?

There will be weekly prizes at each individual event but for Brides who attend all 6 evenings, you will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $1250 floral credit for your wedding from A Perfect Posy! How much better can it get?!

The girls here at Simply Love Studio and Always Planned would LOVE to invite you to come out, enjoy yourselves and hopefully find some great resources for your wedding!

Click on the Picture Above and it will take you straight to the Facebook Event Page where you can RSVP and contact us about the event!

Posted by: Always Planned

They say that everything is bigger in Texas, so with our groom and his family being from Texas you know this is not your average rehearsal dinner.  We definitely set the bar with this one!

We were contacted several months ago by Nancy, the groom’s mother, and instantly hit it off.  Since there would be a lot of guests traveling from all over the United States and the fact that Nancy lives in Texas she definitely wanted to make the rehearsal dinner a true Kentucky experience.   We started with a masculine color palate, and added intimate details and special touches to personalize this fun and unique rehearsal dinner. Photos by the ever so fabulous Nina Mullins Photography.

Event Planner: Always Planned
Videographer: First String Media
Caterer: South-Van Events
Florist: A Perfect Posy working with Curtis Grace and Associates
Venue: Headley-Whitney Museum
DJ: Fresh Beats

LOVE the fabulous linens from La Tavola Linen

Posted by: Always Planned

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a HUGE advocate for amazing photographs.  We seriously build our timelines around whatever the photographer wants and give them enough time to be creative.  Let’s just say that if you see a photographer spotlighted here – they must be super fabulous!

I met Jeremy at the wedding professional conference, Eventology, last year.  When he told me that he specialized in Awesome, I knew we would hit it off and we have been great friends ever since.  Check out a few of his images!

Jeremy Gilliam is a destination wedding photographer and travels to any location around the world. This is totally awesome and means that wherever you are or whatever location you decide upon you have have the most amazing, romantic and ultra-fabulous images that swiftly become the most gorgeous heirlooms and should instantly go on your largest wall!  I know, I went on and on there for a moment.   Anyway, you get my point.  He really does specialize in Awesome! Investments for his services begin at $4,500.  I totally think he is worth every penny!

You will always here me say that great design deserves a great photographer.  We love working with Jeremy!  Stay tuned for special collections involving Always Planned, A Perfect Posy and of course Jeremy!

All types of presents require nice words of thanks in reply, even if you hate the gift.  Yet, it is extremely easy to get stuck with blank cards and blank minds.  Below are some tips we found in Brides Magazine that we love!

1.  Corral Your Supplies-  Stay organized and keep all your supplies in one place.

2.  Love Your Pens-  You want to make this fun! To do this, buy pens that are comfortable and fun to write with.  No one likes the hand cramp!

3.  Make it a Contest-  Set a specific amount of time and see how many each of you can finish.  The winner gets something special…

4.  Keep it Short-  Buying smaller cards allows you to make your note short and sweet.  Possibly make a template with different options to reduce the amount of creativity required for each note.

5.  Go With Whom You Know-  There is no use in the bride writing the thank you note for the Best Man.  This is not personal or genuine.  Keep the friends and family members in separate stacks to keep the notes personal.

6.  Act Alone-  Two signatures at the bottom is not required at all.  You should each write your own letters and reference the other in the note.  Example: “John and I cannot wait to show it off in our home – we will think of you every time we see it.”

Good luck and remember to make it fun, fast, and heartfelt!!