Time once again to share another recipe that was brought to our attention.
The Smooth Groove for Two
In a blender, combine bananas, frozen strawberries, yogurt and milk. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.
* You can also substitute blueberries and peaches in place of the strawberries.
This makes for a wonderful on the run breakfast. Let us know what you think. Also, if you have a recipe you would like to share simply e-mail us at ps.wedding.vendors@gmail.com
As an event planner the biggest myth that I try to dispel is that we are only "for the rich people". In reality, if you want to save money in the process of planning for your wedding, it's a good idea to hire an event planner!
We can get discounts that we in turn pass on to our clients with very few exceptions. In my case, the only time I might keep some of that discount is when I have less than three months notice to plan a wedding or if the guest list is over 250, depending on the time of the year. These discounts can range from 5%-20% on average. When you think of how many vendors it takes for a wedding, that can be a lot of savings!
We save you more than money. The obvious things that come to mind are time and stress. Sometimes what you don't know can truly hurt you, if you are not lucky.
One bride that I was hired by later on in the planning process as a one-day coordinator, had chosen a venue that had chairs that were black. They felt very strongly due to cultural considerations, that they didn't want the color black to be in their wedding. She had ordered chair covers and sashes to the tune of over $600. When I did a review of the venue, I knew from looking at the chairs that it would be a rare day that you would find a chair cover to fit those chairs!
If you want to think of an equivalent picture, think about trying on a pair of jeans several sizes smaller than what you fit into now! The chair covers that had been ordered didn't even go half way down the back of the chair! The solution ended up being renting wooden chairs that had seat cushions to match one of the wedding colors. The best part? They were less expensive than chair covers and sashes, and she was very fortunate that the chair cover vendor returned her money!
If not, imagine that much money going down the drain! The worst part would've been, in this situation, that the black chairs would not have been covered. In some cultures the color black is strictly for times of mourning or thought to bring back luck.
Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional member Janis Flagg of Greatest of Days Event & Wedding Planning. You can also find her on Facebook.
,,, for your wedding
The number of wedding photographers in the Puget Sound is staggering! Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you will make. The photos of your wedding will preserve your memories, not only for you but it will tell your wedding story to future generations - your children, etc. Don’t trust these precious memories to just anyone!
So, how do you find the right photographer for your wedding?
Ask your married friends for referrals! Ask them about their photographer! If they were happy with their photographer, chances are you will be too. Check out the photographers website, their online portfolio and see if they have any reviews of their services.
Meet with a couple of photographers. Find 2-3 photographers that you liked based on the style of their work. Don’t overwhelm yourself with more as it can just make it more confusing and non productive. When looking at their work can you visualize yourself in the photographs? What is their primary style? Photojournalistic? Posed? Artistic? Other? If they only show posed photographs ask to see samples of candid shots that capture the various moments of the day. It is a lot more challenging to get the exposure right when capturing moments as they happen than when the photographer is in control as in a posed shot.
Be prepared to ask the photographer questions. How many hours are covered? Will the Photographer who captured the samples you were shown be the one who photographs your wedding? Do they edit the photos? Is there a limit of photos you receive? Do you get a CD with full resolution images? Many provide you with a CD of reduced resolution that are only good for sharing online not for making prints. Do they have back up equipment? Are they prepared for the unexpected?
Wedding experience, there are many photographers who only photograph a couple weddings a year and work in another field the rest of the time, others do a few weddings with their primary business focus being on portraits in a studio. The more experienced a photographer is with weddings, the better for you as you are hiring a professional who knows all the ins and outs of a wedding. They are alert to all the nuances of a wedding and are prepared to quickly react and photograph all the emotions and love of the day.
Warning signs of the inexperienced photographer… Looking at their sample photographs, are they over saturated so the colors remind you of a comic book? Are they over exposed so even though you can tell it was a nice sunny day the sky looks milk white? Do they use an excessive amount of black and white? Black and white photos have their own appeal but often photographers will try to hide an over exposed photo by converting it to black and white.
Other things to consider. Are you comfortable with your photographer? Remember they will be shadowing you ALL day. You want someone you are comfortable around. They don’t need to be your best friend but you want someone leaves you feeling secure and relaxed so you don’t have that added stress on your wedding date. When you are comfortable, some of the best photos are the candid behind the scenes photos.
Beware of inexpensive photographers. If someone offers to shoot your wedding for a few hundred dollars it’s probably because they are inexperienced. They are trying to buy experience. The more experienced the better the odds that they will know how to deal with the lighting at your venue, how to deal with different family situations, and how to stay balanced if things go crazy. There are many good photographers who are inexperienced and deserve the opportunity. However, do you really want to take that chance with your wedding memories? Once the day is over the main thing you will have to commemorate it will be the photographs so don’t scrimp on saving those precious memories!
You don’t always get what you pay for. Just because they charge a lot is no assurance of quality work. Ask to see an album or a proof book showing a wedding from start to finish rather than just images hand picked by the photographer from various weddings. They should have enough good quality photos to tell the story of the wedding from start to finish.
Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional members: Monica & Sonny Allshouse of Family Affair Photography. You can also find them on Facebook.
Think of your wedding invitations as a preview of your wedding ceremony on paper. Your wedding invitation conveys more than just the date, time and place of your ceremony, but also the theme and feel of your wedding.
Elegant or shimmery paper; ribbon accents or photos; raised, flat or engraved print and lined envelopes or pockets give your guests clues as to how formal or informal your ceremony will be. The look and feel of your invitation tells your guests a little more about your personalities and your tastes.
Choosing invitations can be daunting. The choices and options are vast. Take your time and keep these ideas in mind when shopping for invitations:
1. Before ordering (or making) invitations, take the time to visit an invitation dealer who has invitation albums you can browse. There are all kinds of online invitation companies. While most of the online invitation companies offer samples of their invitations few brides take the time to order samples. And an online image of an invitation doesn’t really convey how that invitation feels. When you can actually see an invitation, you’ll have a better sense of how your guests will react when they receive your invitation.
2. Give yourself plenty of time to order your invitations. The rule of thumb is to mail your invitations 6-8 weeks before your wedding. I recommend you order your invitations about 4 months before your wedding. Allow yourself time to see and share a proof of your invitation. Keep in mind that most invitation printers can take up to 5 working days to complete the printing of your order. And regular group shipping can take up to a week. Then consider how much time it will take you to address your invitations before you can get them in the mail.
3. Keep an open mind when shopping for invitations. It’s great to have an idea of your perfect invitation in mind when you come to a dealer’s shop, but take the time to look at the albums so you don’t miss out on invitations you had never seen that might even be better than the ones you imagined.
4. Don’t think you can’t afford professionally printed invitations. It’s possible to get 100 professionally printed (raised print) invitations for around $30. Wedding magazines often feature very high end invitations, but the majority of invitations are very reasonably priced.
5. Take advantage of the online proofing tools available from most invitation companies. You can play with different wording options, type styles and even ink colors. Compare and contrast your favorites with your wording.
6. Don’t get talked into purchasing enclosure cards you might not need. Almost all brides need Invitations and Respond Cards; sometimes it’s important to also order other enclosure cards. An experienced dealer will be able to help you determine the best invitation package to suit your needs.
Have fun researching and selecting your invitations and when you come across your perfect invitation, you’ll know it. And you’ll be able to cross a big item off your to do list!
Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional member: Judi Brown of Getting Personal Imprinting LLC, they can also be found on Facebook.
This is the first in a series for our newlyweds or nearly weds in the kitchen. Here you will find recipes designed for two. If you have a special recipe you want to share please feel free to submit it to PSWeddingPro@gmail.com.
Oh so 'Easy & Good Mexican-rice' Chicken
In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Saute mushrooms.
Combine mushrooms, sour cream, cheese, salsa, rice, and chicken. Place in a greased casserole dish.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 35 minutes
Happy cooking and check back for more wedding planning information, inspiration and yes, even recipes.
Let’s take this question and divide it into two respects--
In one respect, the question, “why is something so expensive,” is often rhetorical in nature, and could be applied to any wedding vendor category, or to new cars, or even to fine wine. We’ll get back to that idea in a moment.
In another respect, in our new global economy there are real factors affecting the supply of flowers on the market, as well as the channels through which people buy flowers. The result is that people are beginning to think that florists are “expensive.”
With the flexibility if internet shopping, people are now able to purchase “grower-direct” flowers. Additionally, the influx of South American-grown roses into the U.S. has driven down the price people expect to pay for roses. Both of these trends has hurt independent flower shops, and created the question in the consumers’ mind, “Am I getting what I pay for when I buy from a florist?” And, “Can I get the same thing from a warehouse store?”
By the end of this blog-post, I hope that your perspective will be broadened somewhat.
First, the rhetorical question: Why is any bridal-related product so expensive? You can buy bridal satin at a fabric store for less than $10 a yard, so why does the dress cost $1,000? Why is it so expensive to rent a limousine? Why should I pay hundreds of dollars for a DJ when I have a perfectly good iPod? Why do I hire a professional photographer when Uncle Merle has a decent digital camera and a tripod?
The simple answer to the question of expense -- for flowers or any other professional service you hire for your wedding -- is that your purchase is a return on a professional’s investment of time, effort, expense, expertise, education, skill, energy and spirit applied toward doing excellent work for you, so that you may have a beautiful, joy-filled, stress-free wedding. The money you spend on wedding flowers, or your bridal gown, or limousine, or photography, or professional music entertainer will help provide food and shelter for those, your fellow human-beings.
Plus, it stimulates the economy.
Now, back to flowers.
Most people, unless they know a florist fairly well, or are related to one -- will never witness the amount of effort and sheer strength of will it takes to pull together a sizable array of beautifully designed flowers, from the largest of ceremony bouquets to the ring bearer’s tiniest boutonniere, delivered in perfect condition, to the bride’s specifications, on deadline, with a smile.
Professional florists do this week in and week out. Our job is to listen to you, help to clarify your thinking, and also respect and honor your vision, and do our best to make your wedding dreams come true with flowers and decorations. We often do it with very limited budgets.
And once the wedding flowers are delivered, and installed perfectly in place, we head home exhausted -- usually plopped down on the couch, useless to our loving families who’ve been patiently waiting for us to have some time for them!
The reality is that no bride can have magazine-perfect flowers for her wedding unless she hires a competent professional.
Last June, I designed the flowers for a morning wedding at a local military chapel. The chapel was booked immediately following for a noon wedding, so I could see the flowers coming and going.
My bride, Jamie, knew precisely what she wanted. She chose a cascading bouquet of pristine white Phaleanopsis Orchids, which I delicately bound together and manipulated to perfectly display each blossom, without bruising any of their tender petals. I finished the creation by entwining the stems with lush white double faced bridal satin ribbon, accented with pearls and gemstones. Then I babied that precious bouquet until I could lay it into her hands. No kidding. My darling husband drove to the chapel, so that I could keep her bouquet safe on my lap.
I applied similar, appropriate care to all of the other floral pieces that I created for Jamie’s wedding and reception. It’s about striving for perfection. Every bride dreams of this day, and wants it to be perfect. My role is to be picky, and to take on all the stress, and to care in such a way that all I touch and bring to her wedding will be as close to earthly perfection as possible.
Jamie had thousands of satin rose petals all over her aisle. Knowing that the chapel needed readying for the next wedding, I returned to help the wedding coordinator clean up the petals.
Well, the next bridal entourage arrived on the scene, and I didn’t need to ask where they got their wedding flowers, because the look mega-phoned, “Costco.” The bridal and attendant bouquets resembled the rounds of roses in the refrigerated shelving units. An hour and a half before the wedding, the flower girls were already worrying their little bouquets to death. Nobody was there to see to it that the corsages and boutonnieres were pinned onto the right people. The pew bows were amateurishly handmade.
I rarely get a glimpse of “you get what you pay for,” but I did that day. And it made me sad. The Costco bride was probably happy with her flowers. I don’t know. I didn’t ask. But I know that she didn’t receive the quality of flowers, or experience the level of care and service that I provide to my brides.
Most assuredly, Jamie got what she wanted for her wedding flowers. She definitely got what she paid for.
Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional member: Julia Miller of Julia's Floral. To see more images and learn more about flowers you can also find Julia on Facebook.
1) Stay organized. Don’t wait until the last minute to do your favors or print your programs if you are making them yourself. Keep a well organized file or folder with records of what is done and what still needs finishing. Have a designated place in your home to store all your wedding information and materials. You won’t waste time looking for items related to your wedding. Use a check list and mark off the items you have accomplished already. Take satisfaction in the fact that the list is getting shorter and see how much you have done!
2) Ask for help. Yes, you have done the amazing job of organizing and planning your day, perhaps with little help from others. You do not have to do it alone. Delegate what does not have to be done by you personally. People feel good when they can contribute. Accept offers to do things for you. You deserve it! Your Maid of Honor or bridesmaids will enjoy being involved with some of those final projects. Ask your groom to help you with some of the things you know he might enjoy (maybe booking the limo, picking his favorite songs for the song list for the DJ, selecting the micro brews for the reception bar, your slide show technicalities, etc.) Hire a wedding coordinator to handle the areas for which you need expert help.
3) Take care of yourself. Stay hydrated - make sure you drink enough water. Not only does this keep you healthy but it will help make your skin look great for your wedding day. Eat as healthy as you possibly can. Add a few more fruits and veggies to your meals. Have your morning cup of coffee but don’t let your caffeine or sugar intake increase too much. These will make you jittery and then more tired. Get enough sleep. If you have a lot of things on your mind that are keeping you up, write them down and vow to handle these the next day. Exercise releases chemicals in your body called endorphins which helps you feel more relaxed and actually feel happier. It is true!
4) Plan each day for some non wedding time. Your groom will appreciate this! Take at least one hour every day that you do not talk about the wedding, work on the wedding or think about the wedding. Plan a date with your groom and make anything wedding related a forbidden topic during your date. Watch a favorite movie or TV show. Pamper yourself with an activity you enjoy. Take the dog for a walk and get some exercise.
5) Let go. As the day approaches, start focusing on what the day is really about: marrying your groom, the man you fell in love with. Yes, your dress, the flowers, the cake and the food is all important. Yes, you have spent a lot of money and effort to make this day happen. You want it all to be perfect! These are all totally normal wishes. Sometimes an unexpected or unplanned moment is what a couple remembers and cherishes most about their wedding years later. Most of what you want will probably happen smoothly on your day. In the end, the wedding day is only one first day in your whole long marriage. Have fun and enjoy it.
All of these are simple and basic common sense. When we get stressed and overwhelmed, we tend to forget the simple stuff. I hope these tips help to bring you back to the basics and to become a more relaxed, happy and calm bride
Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member: Nancy Skipton of Simply Celebrations. You can learn more about her services on her website and on Facebook.
