Archive for the ‘wedding planner guide’ Category

I wish to have a useful guide to plan for a wedding in my family. Also I wish to make a full budget before hand. For this I wish to have useful tips and guidelines. Can someone suggest me a good site for finding this?

Weddings are big occasions, that often require a lot of planning, even with budgeting to create the cheapest options. Start by setting your budget. You must know how much you can actually spend so you can plan well. Then list down all the things that you will need according to priority.

There are now some online solutions, which do just a great job. A wedding planner who specializes in creating a great wedding day celebration can be the best option. You see, the wedding planner has the contacts. They know where to look to get the best of everything, and get the best prices.

Technorati Tags: Celebration, Complete Wedding Planner, Contacts, Job, Lot, Occasions, Priority, wedding budget, Wedding Day, Wedding Tips, Weddings

For some people, planning of a wedding is a complicated and daunting process but it doesn’t have to be. One way to help simplify the wedding planning process is to attend a bridal show. Attending bridal shows is one of the best ways to get ideas and locate vendors for your wedding because they put you in touch with a variety of potential vendors under one roof, allowing you to compare products, services and prices. Florists, photographers, decorators, caterers, bridal salons and more are available to you to offer their services and expert advice. Another advantage of attending bridal shows is that many vendors offer “show only” discounts or special prices for a limited time. There are several things to do and not to do when it comes to bridal show shopping. These tips are designed to help you save time and money by making the most of the bridal show “one-stop shopping” opportunity.

 
1. Register Before the Show
Admission is discounted or free if you register prior to the show.
If you are getting married in the Greater Toronto Area, visit http://www.torontobride.com/bshows.html for the show discount coupons.

2. Wear Comfortable Shoes
A show can last several hours, so dress comfortably and a wear great-fitting pair of shoes. You WILL be doing a lot of walking!

3. Return Address Labels
Bring address labels to use when signing up for vendor mailing lists or prizes. Use the stickers rather than filling out the entry forms.

4. Pick up a wedding planner
Most bridal shows offer a variety of wedding books and planners. For the Greater Toronto Area, Wedding Resources Planner and Guide (http://www.torontobride.com) is an excellent choice. Keep the planner in hand for reference and recording notes on the vendors as you make your way through the show.

5. Get organized
Make a list of vendors you still need beforehand. Once you arrive at the show, visit those vendors first.

6. Ask Questions
Bring a list of questions to ask the bridal vendors. They are there to help you. Jot down any price quotes or tips they may have to offer.

7. Act decisively.
An advantage of attending bridal shows is that many vendors offer “show only” discounts or special prices for a limited time. Bring your checkbook, you may want to book a service or give a deposit to hold a date.

Don’t wait any longer than two or three days following the show to sort through and organize all vendor materials accumulated from the event. Nothing is worse than assuming you can take your time and discovering what you want is no longer available because you procrastinated. Many vendors become completely booked within two weeks following the show, so make contact as soon as possible.

Kathy T.
http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/tips-for-brides-attending-bridal-shows-690339.html

Technorati Tags: Bridal Salons, Bridal Show, Bridal Shows, Brides, Comfortable Shoes, Decorators, Discount Coupons, Expert Advice, Fitting Pair, Greater Toronto Area, Limited Time, Photographers, Planners, Return Address Labels, Stickers, Time And Money, Wedding Books, Wedding Planner, Wedding Planning, Wedding Resources

What is an Event?

An event is not just a mere happening. It is a powerful communication medium with which you can enthuse, amaze, persuade, unite a group or in fact, with which you can accomplish any public relations purpose you set. Well executed, it can and should be a milestone in your life or that of your company. Planning and executing an Event is both an artistic, creative endeavor and one that requires the utmost precision in engineering all of its parts and sequences. It also requires relentless insistence on quality and the upholding of a high standard. Its success depends on the artistic and organizational skills of the event planner working tightly with its customer in creating the event, planning it, selecting all of its elements down to the last detail, and then… making it all happen.

Envisioned Product & Message

The first step the event planner and customer must do is to envision the event in full. It is necessary to get a complete picture of what one wants the event to be like, look like, feel like for the guests or delegates, and what result one is trying to effect and/or what message one is trying to get across. Naming the result and message very precisely is crucial. Without this in mind, the choosing of event venue, agenda, designing of the set, lighting or decorations, and many details could end up betraying the very purpose of the event. Examples of envisioned results could be: for a corporate party that all employees feel they are part of a great and valuable team, proud to be a part of it, and renew their commitment to the company and its goals. The product of a Fundraiser could be a lot of donations of course, but also its attendees reassured that they are contributing to a great and valuable cause, feeling privileged to be part of this endeavor, and willing to contribute even more. The product of a wedding could be for the bride and groom, family and friends to experience a one in a lifetime moment, be awestruck by it, emotionally impacted, foresee together the best possible future, and of course to have a very good time. The envisioned result of a product launch would be that the attendees want to buy the product, use it, market it further, and have trust in you and in the product. So depending on the type of event, the Event Planner and customer should name together the envisioned result they want the event to result in, as well as its message. The planning of each part and detail of the event will have to align and integrate with this message or envisioned result.

Event Planning

Prediction & Sequences

At this stage the event planner in coordination with the customer names all the parts of the event, all of its sequences, and all required suppliers. The Event Agenda is the exact sequence of actions that will take place from beginning to end. Working it out in detail enables one to visualize the event fully and thus predict any and all details which could otherwise go overlooked. How will the guests get there? Should we supply transportations, maps, you name it. What about parking? What happens when the guests enter the venue? For a congress they would sometimes need name tags, in another event you would have a guest list with a reception set up. What happens then? How do they get drinks? Where are the bathrooms? Where do they sit? How comfortable does it need to be? How do we get their feedback when they leave? These are very few of many questions which get answered. Each of the needed suppliers is chosen based on their ability to meet the demand of the customer, be of the required quality and within the event budget. The event planner will have experience with event suppliers and will therefore be able to choose those that are reliable and proven.

Integration & Quality

There again all parts need to integrate one with another in terms of style, standard, and align to the message and envisioned result. Of course higher quality is often more expensive. A good event planner will put a lot of work in finding the best options of quality versus price for the customer, and most often will get deals that only a professional gets. This is why in many cases, using an event planner is not, in the final count, an additional expense. However, in deciding the required quality and to still meet one’s budget one should evaluate the choice of items against the result and message which was envisioned. Replacing an expensive laser show with fireworks could for instance create the same impact and save a lot on the budget. On the other hand, replacing fabric table cloth by paper cloth could significantly lower the effect of the decorations and menu and degrade one’s message. A good event planner will help and guide the customer in making all these decisions and in meeting his budget.

Event Production

Leadership & Team Spirit

The event planner will be the central coordination point with all concerned suppliers to ensure that everything comes off exactly as planned. Good event planners have excellent relationships with their suppliers who work hard to retain the work opportunities they get from the planning company. Good event planners also have excellent leadership qualities in getting everyone to execute their part of the event. They make everyone get along and work as a team. It can be a lot of fun to prepare an event and should be.

Integrity

The integrity and professionalism of each supplier is of the utmost importance. Your event planner should be able to guarantee these to you when choosing the suppliers. The event planner ensures the suppliers perform their task exactly and demonstrate integrity and honesty. This is one of the most valuable services which the event planner provides you, as without it, you could find yourself dealing with logistics and details of the event when you should be preparing yourself to lecture, to get married, or whatever the case might be. The event planner is dedicated to taking care of everything so you do not have to worry about it.

Customer Care & Service Orientation

Events can be complicated matters with many parts and details. Things can also come up at the last minute, which need to be cared for. You as the customer, should be undistracted throughout and should something unpredicted come up, the event planner should do its best to resolve whatever it is, make things appear or disappear. If it comes up at a Congress that it is the birthday of one of the delegates and you want a cake to appear during the lunch, your event planner will take care of it. You suddenly require a security set up for a VIP attendee; the event planner will have the needed contacts to accommodate this rapidly. Of course all should be done to predict each and every requirement way in advance. However should such emergencies come up, having an event planner makes all the difference and allows you to remain undistracted… and a good event planner will take the challenge and meet it.

After the Event

Where feasible and appropriate it is always good to collect feedback from your guests or attendees. This is often neglected but should be done. Whether in the form or surveys, a guest book placed at reception, or by asking around elegantly, one should find out to if one achieved his purpose and to what degree. For instance, the attendees of a product launch should be surveyed as to how they feel about the product and what use they will have of it. This can be key in planning the next step for the customer to take in marketing his product. The attendees of a seminar or congress should similarly get surveyed and can help determine the orientation of a following event. It is part of the professionalism of the event planner to take all such feedback into account to improve where need be, consolidate trust in suppliers, or where appropriate, reutilize successful formats. Good video footage and photography is most often a must. As one small example of many things which can be required after an event; “Thank you” cards for anyone who particularly went out of their way or performed competently can be handled by the event planner. There again a good event planner will help you take care of all the “after event” details and make sure everything is completed to your satisfaction.

Lastly, as a professional in this field for many years, I cannot begin to tell you how much fun it is and how much satisfaction I have in creating and organizing events with and for my customers. Again, an event is not “something that comes and goes” but a powerful communication weapon which well executed can and should be a milestone in your life or that of your company.

Naomi Tavor
http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/how-to-produce-an-event-115445.html

Technorati Tags: Amp, Attendees, Bride And Groom, Communication Medium, Creative Endeavor, Delegates, Event Planner, Family And Friends, Fundraiser, Groom Family, Insistence, Last Detail, Lifetime Moment, Milestone, One In A Lifetime, Organizational Skills, Public Relations, Sequences, Utmost Precision, Valuable Team

I’m interested in becoming a Wedding planner, and I’m just not really sure where to start. Do you have to be certified or go to school to become a planner, or is it something you can just develop on ones own? If someone can help me and guide me to some websites for references and help me go in the right direction i would love it. Thanks!

A woman sees her wedding day as quite possibly the most important and memorable day of her entire life. There are what seem to be a million details involved in the planning of every wedding. A wedding planner is a professional hired to help the bride create the wedding of her dreams. If you have ever thought of becoming a wedding planner yourself, here are a few guidelines explaining how to become a wedding planner.

Is it hard to fulfill the basic needs on how to become a wedding planner?

A wedding planner has the job of taking the stress and the details of the bride’s wedding day and making them her own so that the bride is free to simply enjoy the festivities leading up to the wedding day. A wedding planner must be detail oriented, possess excellent organizational skills, be willing to work long hours, and have the ability to work very well with everyone from the bride and her family to the photographer and florist.

Wedding planners need to be capable of handling any situation that arises. You will need to be able to soothe a frantic bride, as well as assure family members and friends that everything is running smoothly. It can sometimes feel like you are juggling several issues at one time, especially on the actual wedding day. It is also crucial for a wedding planner to not only look professional, but to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of receiving others’ trust (and money). Does the basic requirements on how to become a wedding planner scares you? Well, don’t be.

A wedding planner manages all of the legwork involved with the wedding ceremony and reception based on the couples’ wishes. You will be responsible for making all of the contacts, securing contracts and prices for services, and for making sure it all comes together on the day of the wedding.

Before launching a career in this field of expertise, it is important to have some insight on how to become a wedding planner. A bridal consultant training course is essential for anyone considering the occupation of a wedding planner. Styles of weddings today incorporate a wide range of expectations, tradition, and customs.

You will need to be educated on different styles and types of wedding ceremonies, which will require extensive research on your part. Plan on continuing your education once you have begun working your business. Trends for weddings are constantly changing and in order to be marketable, you will need to be up on all the current ones.

Once you have begun taking your courses on how to become a wedding planner, you will want to register your business. Most cities, counties or states will require at the very least a business name and a license to operate. Once those two requirements have been met and approved, design a business card with your information and begin marketing your wedding planning services.

Launch a website advertising the services you offer as a wedding planner. Brides today are extremely busy. Instead of spending valuable time on the telephone or looking through the phone book, the first place they will look for a wedding planner is online. A physical office where the bride and groom can meet with you is essential, even if it is in a separate place within your home at first.

As you learn about how to become a wedding planner, two of the most important considerations are to have an attorney and to purchase business insurance. This way, you and your business are protected if unfortunate accidents occur.

Technorati Tags: Becoming A Wedding Planner, Couples, Dreams, Family Members, Family Photographer, Festivities, Florist, Frantic Bride, How To Become A Wedding Planner, Job, Legwork, Love Woman, Money, Organizational Skills, Photographer Wedding, Right Direction, Stress, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Day, Wedding Planners

I’m interested in becoming a Wedding planner, and I’m just not really sure where to start. Do you have to be certified or go to school to become a planner, or is it something you can just develop on ones own? If someone can help me and guide me to some websites for references and help me go in the right direction i would love it. Thanks!

Do you have a love for wedding and have many plans and ideas on how a perfect wedding should be like? Why not consider being a wedding planner? A wedding is a wonderful event and helping others to plan this wonderful event is a very meaningful job.

A wedding planner need to have an eye for details because if anything goes wrong during the preparation for the wedding, things will turn ugly on the actual wedding day itself. However, the chance to catch the event of a lifetime and the salary are very rewarding. If you feel that you are up for the challenge then read on to find out how to become a wedding planner!

Let’s take up the challenge!

1. Bridal Consultant Course. You will need to take up a course to learn to how to become a professional wedding consultant to provide the best services for the newly-wed couple or soon to be wed couple.

2. Register your Business. You will need to license your business before you can offer your services. Think of a business name as well as the design of your name card. Name cards are always a good way to advertise yourself so remember to carry a few with you wherever you go!

3. Advertising. Think of the ways you can advertise. If you have cash to spare, you can always try advertising on bridal magazines. If you do not have enough cash to spare, the internet is always a good way to advertise your services, either advertise on job sites or your country’s local forum.

4. Website. A well and professional designed website is a good way to advertise your services. It is best to place all the information on the internet so that they will have a clearer idea on what type of consulting you provide. People nowadays are too busy that is why an online webpage is a good way for them to view the information.

5. Location. A good location is always the success of your business. You will need an office so that your business will look more professional. It is recommended to place a computer, printer and fax at your office. High speed internet connection is good too, it would be bad if your webpage hangs when you are trying to show you client some things.

6. Legalities. Insurance, just in case anything happens.

7. Join associations. Join professional bridal associations or online forums and expand your contacts. The more people know about you, the better it is, as that means a higher chance you will get a job.

Since this is a business, it is best to have some knowledge on business to fall back on. If you are afraid to venture on your own, you can always join wedding planner agencies and become one of their planners to gain some experience.

All the best…

Technorati Tags: Becoming A Wedding Planner, Bridal Consultant, Bridal Magazines, Business Name, Challenge 1, Helping Others, How To Become A Wedding Planner, Lifetime, Local Forum, Love, Meaningful Job, Name Cards, Professional Wedding Consultant, Right Direction, Salary, Wedding Day, Wedding Planer, Wedding Things