If you are getting married anytime between January 2010 and March 2010, you are in for a great post holiday gift from Dreams & Designs!
Please contact me to talk about your wedding day setup and coordination needs and inquire about $50 off services.
*This special does not apply to weddings already booked. This special is subject to change and is based on availability.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Winter Weddings 2010
Surprisingly, winter weddings for 2010 are not nearly as busy as 2009. Which makes me sad...I love winter weddings! Probably more so than your typical planner. There's just something about the sunshine on the snow as a backdrop, the early evening dusk and the faux furs that so many brides wear now. There's an element of class that I can never quite explain to people. Of course, the weather is always unpredictable, but here in WI, when isn't it?!
I'm hoping some last minute planning needs has my email inbox filling up because right now I just don't have my winter fill!
Stay tuned for a FUN and unique wedding that I'm setting up a week from today. It is sure to raise some eyebrows...in a good way! The reception is being held at Cuvee, located in the Historic Third Ward of Milwaukee. It is a fabulous space with some quirky areas to work with, but this bride has it all figured out. I can't wait to see it all come together!
I hope everyone is enjoying an extended holiday weekend and giving Thanks for all that you are fortunate to have. It has been quite a year for Dreams & Designs and I'm excited to see what the upcoming year has in store.
I'm hoping some last minute planning needs has my email inbox filling up because right now I just don't have my winter fill!
Stay tuned for a FUN and unique wedding that I'm setting up a week from today. It is sure to raise some eyebrows...in a good way! The reception is being held at Cuvee, located in the Historic Third Ward of Milwaukee. It is a fabulous space with some quirky areas to work with, but this bride has it all figured out. I can't wait to see it all come together!
I hope everyone is enjoying an extended holiday weekend and giving Thanks for all that you are fortunate to have. It has been quite a year for Dreams & Designs and I'm excited to see what the upcoming year has in store.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Finally. A Post.
MIA. Again. Don't ask, I'm not sure where the time goes or why on earth I can't manage to post to my blog, but can spend endless hours doing nothing on Facebook. Yes, I'm that girl. I'll admit it.
It's October. Which means, it is high season for Weddings in Wisconsin. So many people are surprised that this is the second most popular month to get married in Wisconsin (behind June), but it all makes sense. The colors are in the process of changing, the weather is (supposed to be) nice, you're pretty much guaranteed to not sweat in your gown at 100 degrees nor are you most likely not going to get caught in a blizzard. But yet every year, those last minute inquiries come in for Day of Coordination a month before October and brides are SO surprised that someone else is getting married on THEIR wedding day and that I'm already booked. If you want a coordinator for October, I would suggest jumping on it a year in advance.
Two weekends ago, I had the great pleasure of doing a wedding at the Delafield Hotel. It really is a gorgeous location, overlooking much of the quaint town. Waukesha Floral outdid themselves with this event also. It was a magical blend of white flowers that towered over half the tables. So pretty. The only sore spot was that the venue booked back to back events so there was literally an hour or so to get this room broken down and set up for the wedding. It always makes me nervous, but it always gets done.
This coming weekend is going to be FAB.U.LOUS. Amanda & Charley are getting hitched. They are one of the most awesome couples ever. I have helped them for the past year or more (I can't believe it's been that long!) and I honestly can't even believe that it's already here. They will be saying their vows in their backyard overlooking Lake Michigan on a deck that Charley built. Then they will be off to the Villa Filomena downtown Milwaukee for a unique reception with stations and an array of seating arrangements. Think cocktail reception and not sit down dinner. Saz's will be catering so its guaranteed to be good. I'm in the middle of finalizing all of their details today and hope to have every single vendor confirmed by tomorrow. This is always crunch time. But with amazing vendors on board for this event, there's not much to have to worry about. Such a nice feeling!
Stay tuned for a recap of this wedding for sure! I promise!
Oh, one more thing. A wedding that I did was featured on Style Me Pretty. Check it out. I did all of their setup and I must say that Jeremy Lawson captured it perfectly!
And one other thing! Profile Magazine is talking with me to do a feature editorial on Dreams & Designs. So much fun!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
New Logo
Yes, I've been MIA.....again. But I have good explanations. An explanation that came in a 5lb package with 10 perfect fingers and 10 perfect toes. Forgive me now?
For now....Dreams & Designs is revamping it's image. More hip, more edgy, more something. A new logo was the start and thanks to Keara Harris Designs, I had a tough time choosing with all the awesome designs she came up with. But this one was the winner. I'm in the process of editing my contracts, info sheets, collateral right now and eventually the website will get a major facelift. A facelift that has been needed for a very long time now. But I'm trying to find the most economical way to have it done and would like to give the job to someone local as well.
It's late and for the first time, I'm typing a blog post with an infant in my arms, so you'll have to be patient and wait for the next post in the days to come. It's the tipoff to wedding season afterall so there is plenty to write about!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
My Little Secret
Not that I don't have enough going on in my life right now, but I do have a tiny little secret that I'm ready to reveal. I've only tossed this around with my mother, and whimsically at best.
I'm thinking......of.......writing a book. With a lot of help of course. Because, well, I don't write. I love to write (ask every single teacher I have ever had) and used to be really good at it, but now? Eh...not so much. I'm 31 and gave up on my writing dreams and ambitions a good 13 years ago.
However, I have stories. LOTS of great stories. Wedding stories of course! And who doesn't like to read about weddings? Especially the nitty gritty behind the scenes tales. Everyone loves a good train wreck.
Now, I fully realize that the plethora of wedding books and guides are out there for the masses to consume. So, I need an angle that's different. I think I might have it, but I can't blow that little secret here of course.
My other dilemma is that it's probably not the smartest career move to be telling tales of weddings past when I'm still fully engaged in my business. As I've said before, I've had some crazies where the stories are miles long, but for the most part I've had the BEST brides ever. I mean that. To this day some of them have turned into true friendships for which I am going to be forever grateful. However, even the best of the best have some stories involved! Actually, my friend Stacey who started out as one of my Fall 2007 brides probably has some of the best stories ever of her wedding planning days and the big day itself. But what if you weren't my friend and you found a story in a book that was clearly about your wedding day (names withheld of course)? How would you feel? Maybe I have too much compassion in me or something, but it's the only thing holding me back. I don't want to hurt feelings. The business side of it is obvious too....who wants to hire the wedding planner that writes a book about you?
So, weigh in. What do you think? Perhaps I start tackling this monster project and just see where it goes. It's not like a book can be written in a short amount of time. It will be a long process at best and due to the angle I think I want to aim for, it may take even longer.
Dreams. Ambitions. Goals. I'm surprised sometimes that my DNA doesn't just explode from some of my attempts.
I'm thinking......of.......writing a book. With a lot of help of course. Because, well, I don't write. I love to write (ask every single teacher I have ever had) and used to be really good at it, but now? Eh...not so much. I'm 31 and gave up on my writing dreams and ambitions a good 13 years ago.
However, I have stories. LOTS of great stories. Wedding stories of course! And who doesn't like to read about weddings? Especially the nitty gritty behind the scenes tales. Everyone loves a good train wreck.
Now, I fully realize that the plethora of wedding books and guides are out there for the masses to consume. So, I need an angle that's different. I think I might have it, but I can't blow that little secret here of course.
My other dilemma is that it's probably not the smartest career move to be telling tales of weddings past when I'm still fully engaged in my business. As I've said before, I've had some crazies where the stories are miles long, but for the most part I've had the BEST brides ever. I mean that. To this day some of them have turned into true friendships for which I am going to be forever grateful. However, even the best of the best have some stories involved! Actually, my friend Stacey who started out as one of my Fall 2007 brides probably has some of the best stories ever of her wedding planning days and the big day itself. But what if you weren't my friend and you found a story in a book that was clearly about your wedding day (names withheld of course)? How would you feel? Maybe I have too much compassion in me or something, but it's the only thing holding me back. I don't want to hurt feelings. The business side of it is obvious too....who wants to hire the wedding planner that writes a book about you?
So, weigh in. What do you think? Perhaps I start tackling this monster project and just see where it goes. It's not like a book can be written in a short amount of time. It will be a long process at best and due to the angle I think I want to aim for, it may take even longer.
Dreams. Ambitions. Goals. I'm surprised sometimes that my DNA doesn't just explode from some of my attempts.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Economic Crisis or Coincidence?
Alright my fellow Wedding Planners...have you been hit by the economic crunch?
I have.
But perhaps not in the way you would think. Inquiries are still coming in and I suspect that they will be heavy as usual as Christmas and New Year's and Valentine's proposals come in flurries over the next few months. Brides and grooms alike are still booking services for as far out as 2011!
However, I'm not getting paid. No, I haven't become a non-profit Wedding Planner or anything like that. I have had a very relaxed payment process with my clients. Half down is required to reserve their date and choice of services. The other half is due on or before the wedding date. I would say 90% of my clients choose to pay the day of. Until recently. The wedding date comes and goes and I get no payment. Which means I show up, do all of the required work, and leave without receiving the other half of the payment. Now, sometimes the check shows up in my mailbox immediately following because they either forgot the day of (understandably) or things were just too crazy busy to collect the payment. Other times once a week rolls by I send an invoice and typically I am paid right away.
Not these days. Right now I have 4 clients with outstanding balances for weddings I have already serviced. One of which is almost $500. All in all this Wedding Planner is missing out on $1000 worth of payments right now. That is not a comfortable place to be and a place that I have never been before. I have offered payment plans, made collection calls, sent multiple invoices that now include late fees...you name it.
So, coincidence with the economy or just pure dumb luck? Either way, my contracts now require that second half of the payment due within 3 business days of the event. It's not something I ever wanted to do, but unfortunately, that is what it has come to. I've talked to other wedding vendors and I know of 2 photographers and 3 DJ's that are waiting on much more money than I am. So, I am not alone, but it is just sad.
Brides & Grooms...if you know you aren't going to be able to pay your wedding vendors on the day of your wedding, please let us know. I'm sure most of us will be willing to work out a payment plan so that you can have the day you dreamed of. But trying to scam us, not returning our calls, and lying to us is not the way to get it done. It will more than likely end up in a collections or a small claims suit. That's not the type of reminder you want for your special day!
With that, I'm off to send more invoices and pray to the Wedding Vendor Gods.
I have.
But perhaps not in the way you would think. Inquiries are still coming in and I suspect that they will be heavy as usual as Christmas and New Year's and Valentine's proposals come in flurries over the next few months. Brides and grooms alike are still booking services for as far out as 2011!
However, I'm not getting paid. No, I haven't become a non-profit Wedding Planner or anything like that. I have had a very relaxed payment process with my clients. Half down is required to reserve their date and choice of services. The other half is due on or before the wedding date. I would say 90% of my clients choose to pay the day of. Until recently. The wedding date comes and goes and I get no payment. Which means I show up, do all of the required work, and leave without receiving the other half of the payment. Now, sometimes the check shows up in my mailbox immediately following because they either forgot the day of (understandably) or things were just too crazy busy to collect the payment. Other times once a week rolls by I send an invoice and typically I am paid right away.
Not these days. Right now I have 4 clients with outstanding balances for weddings I have already serviced. One of which is almost $500. All in all this Wedding Planner is missing out on $1000 worth of payments right now. That is not a comfortable place to be and a place that I have never been before. I have offered payment plans, made collection calls, sent multiple invoices that now include late fees...you name it.
So, coincidence with the economy or just pure dumb luck? Either way, my contracts now require that second half of the payment due within 3 business days of the event. It's not something I ever wanted to do, but unfortunately, that is what it has come to. I've talked to other wedding vendors and I know of 2 photographers and 3 DJ's that are waiting on much more money than I am. So, I am not alone, but it is just sad.
Brides & Grooms...if you know you aren't going to be able to pay your wedding vendors on the day of your wedding, please let us know. I'm sure most of us will be willing to work out a payment plan so that you can have the day you dreamed of. But trying to scam us, not returning our calls, and lying to us is not the way to get it done. It will more than likely end up in a collections or a small claims suit. That's not the type of reminder you want for your special day!
With that, I'm off to send more invoices and pray to the Wedding Vendor Gods.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
I Moved
Just to another home, but moving is tough! I bought a house in the perfect neighborhood. The house is far from perfect, but slowly but surely I intend to make it my own little world of home perfection. I guess I should get unpacked and organized first.
My wedding business is officed out of my home. It just doesn't pay for me to have overhead by leasing out an actual off-site office and this decision to be home-based has never affected my business. So, it remains. However....I almost feel like I moved two different things. My home and my work. My work is still boxed up though. I did manage to con my brother into putting together my desk for me and arranging it exactly where I wanted it in my office. That part is done! My part though? The part that includes unpacking multiple wedding client folders, calendars, binders, etc? That's not exactly even started. I keep justifying it by saying "I don't have any more weddings this month so nothing is too pertinent." Wrong. It's ALL pertinent! Now! I've given myself a deadline of Sunday night to at least get organized in this new fancy office of mine. And by organized, let me just clarify that to me that means unpacked and a desk in order. I'll cut myself some slack for getting pictures hung. :)
Here's to a brand new office that is HUGE and has convinced me already that I will be the Wedding Planner Extraordinaire. All due to the office of course.
My wedding business is officed out of my home. It just doesn't pay for me to have overhead by leasing out an actual off-site office and this decision to be home-based has never affected my business. So, it remains. However....I almost feel like I moved two different things. My home and my work. My work is still boxed up though. I did manage to con my brother into putting together my desk for me and arranging it exactly where I wanted it in my office. That part is done! My part though? The part that includes unpacking multiple wedding client folders, calendars, binders, etc? That's not exactly even started. I keep justifying it by saying "I don't have any more weddings this month so nothing is too pertinent." Wrong. It's ALL pertinent! Now! I've given myself a deadline of Sunday night to at least get organized in this new fancy office of mine. And by organized, let me just clarify that to me that means unpacked and a desk in order. I'll cut myself some slack for getting pictures hung. :)
Here's to a brand new office that is HUGE and has convinced me already that I will be the Wedding Planner Extraordinaire. All due to the office of course.
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