Under $1,000: Ceremony Decorations

As a planner, I am often faced with budget challenges for every event, especially for weddings. One of the most recent challenges was coming up with an over the top ceremony look for under $1000. This has prompted me to begin thinking about what ideas I could come up with for under $1000. We are adding this segment to our blog. We will come up with a DIY project that you can do that will make your wedding look wonderfully dreamy for a great price!

The look described below is a romantic look for a wedding that is inside and also in the winter or evening. The wow effect is created with massive amounts of candle light. You don’t have to go crazy with the candles, Dollar store candles burn just the same! A nice glass to put the candles in and a ribbon or colored water to catch the lights of the candles and the setting sun really give a romantic and welcoming sense of ambiance to any ceremony space. The best part is that all the candles can be re-purposed to be used during cocktail hour or the reception as room lighting or even center pieces. Use your imagination and get creative!

To create a beautiful ceremony look for under $1000 you will need.

• Fresh rose petals  2 pack per side of the aisle = 4 packages of petals ($170 x2)$340
• Aisle Runner from the original runner company = $300
• Ribbon $40
• 75 stems of fresh roses in bulk at $100
• Vases $96 (for 96 vases) 58 tall 48 short
• Pillar candles (4 for $1) 20
• Votive in bulk for (12 for $1) 10

{Total $906}

Links below to the vendors where you can find the items listed above.

http://www.wholeblossoms.com/

http://originalrunners.com/index.htm

http://www.dollartree.com/floral-decor/vases-bowls-containers/Crystal-Cylinder-Vase/202c203c203p9889/index.pro

http://www.dollartree.com/floral-decor/Wholesale-Bulk-Candles-Holders-Votives/Luminessence-Unscented-White-Votive-Candles-4-ct-Packs/202c205c205p294320/index.pro

What's Up With: Wedding cake

Many couples are into being creative with wedding cake designs. They have the cake because you have to have a cake, but someone recently asked me a question… Wedding cake, what’s up with that?

Wedding cake is known to have many different origins: Per some research I find that there are three major veins in the history of wedding cake.

1-In Rome, bread was broken over a bride’s head to symbolize good fortune for the couple.
2-Also in England, cakes were stacked high and a bride and groom would have to kiss over the cake to ensure a successful and prosperous relationship and life. Somehow those two traditions linked together and bread was stacked and the bride and groom had to kiss over that without knocking the rolls down.
3-Another tradition was a bride’s pie in which a ring was normally hidden in the pie and if a single woman found the ring she would be next to get married.

Some other elements to the wedding cake is the color. Traditionally wedding cakes are white symbolizing virginity and purity. Also the traditional cake cutting shows togetherness of the couple and the feeding of each other represent providing for each other.

All these elements added to the wedding cake we have today! We have moved past a traditional cake to adding colors and jewels and ribbons and other decorations. Also, many elect to represent these traditions other ways like cutting pies, or breaking donuts, even exchanging cupcakes.

Whatever you choose to do, make sure it represents you and your commitment to each other. For more wedding cake ideas and alternatives, continue to check out our blog!

Happy Planning,
{Olivia}

Precise Events Gets A Facelift

So we have had the same website for awhile now. It was just one of those standard sites you could get anywhere. While it was clear and easy to read, I felt it lacked pzazz! So now, after months of data migration, PE gets a facelift!

We have expanded our services, we have updated our blog and are blogging weekly now, we have fresh new look to go with fresh ideas from added staff to the company! Also, we are not only focusing on personal events but also branching out more by way of corporate events as well.

I hope you enjoy the change!
Happy Planning,
{Olivia}

Know Your Event Worth: Negotiation Tips

Many times clients come to me after they have already started the planning process. While many of them are doing well, the majority have over shot their budget and agreed to vendor prices that are astronomical. Of course we recommend working with a planner from the beginning but if hiring a full service planner is out of the budget, invest in a Getting Started type package. It helps ground you and get started with negotiating within your budget.

If you are going out on your own without professional planning assistance, you've better know your Event Worth. So what is the tip to knowing your event worth? Realize that while your budget maybe be a stretch for you, every vendor does not work with clients on a budget and they participate in many events each year. So you have to know what your event is worth to each vendor you are working with.  Here are 5 tips to maximizing your event worth:

1. Are your dates flexible? If so, off seasons (like winter in Philadelphia or after Labor Day at the shore are great times to capitalize on venues trying to book less busy or undesirable days.
2. Is there a detail that is less important to you? If you "kind of" want videography but must have the best photographer you can afford, then why not choose a vendor for videography that is new to the business. They are normally less expensive, and would give your more options/services because you are giving them a chance... hey even the best vendors had to start as newbies at some point!
3. Choose a smaller venue for smaller events: While the very large and extremely massive venues do have an appeal, your event is worth more to a smaller boutique venue where your guests will get that personalized services and attention that a larger venue will not be provide.
4. Know your budget: If you budget $5k for florist budget, research vendors where $4k would be a good budget, this way if you find an add-on that you would love to have, you do not have to pass up.
5. Don't be afraid to ask for other options: When you find a venue or vendor that you love and their packages aren't right for you, don't be afraid to ask for what you want. For example, many venues have a set menu for buffet and sitdown meals, but if you want something less formal and for a lower cost, then you need to just go right out and ask for it.

As always, we are around to help you with more tips! Contact us if you are interested!
Happy Planning,
{Olivia}