#OurDayNotYours #WeddingsUplugged

Even Real Time is almost too late. Technology and social media has enabled us to expand our reach and it has it’s advantages.  However, when it is not used properly and with permission, it could turn what is supposed to be one of the happiest days of your lives, into a nightmare.

Being proactive and making a decision about if you will allow guest to use cell phones and social media during your wedding ceremony has now become a norm to manage when planning a wedding.  It seems like no big deal, until the Maid of Honor posts a picture of the Bride in her wedding dress before the wedding…while the Groom is a few rooms away passing time on social media and sees the picture that she posted.  That’s a No-No!

Unplugged: Disadvantages of Using Technology & Social Media at Your Wedding

1. Be Present!: Your guest are so distracted trying to record the moment that they miss actually “being presence” for it. Don’t feel guilty. Be excited about them not being distracted, but able to clap, laugh, cry, and simply share in the moment, instead of clicking and posting.  You can also include a note in the ceremony program that reads something like this:
   

   Thank you for taking the time to be witnesses of our vows and the beginning of our marriage. We invite you to be truly present at our ceremony, and respectfully request that all cameras and phones be turned off. Please feel free to share photos at our reception only. Please use hashtag #Mr&MrsPowerCouple

2. Excuse Me: Everyone wants the best angel.  If they have it, then that means that your grandmother missed it, because they were blocking her view.
3. Money Shot: You pay a professional to get the money shots!  Empower them to ask your guest to be seated if they get in the way.  You would hate to have the back for cousin Pete’s head in the middle of “you may now kiss your bride!”

Plug In & Turn Up: Advantages and Ways to Maximize the Use of Technology & Social Media

1. #HashTag!  Go all out!  From the save-the-date announcement through the honeymoon, create a hash tag and ask your guest to use it every time the post something.  This will allow you to search and remember the day while relaxing on the beach or by the pool on your honeymoon.
2. Talk About It!  Communicate the rules desires to your guest prior to the wedding.    Talk about it on your wedding website, Put it in the program, have the Hostess announce it as people come arrive, and even have the Officiant make a brief announcement.
3. They Were There?: The day will go by so fast! We used to use disposable camera for this reason, but now everyone has a high definition camera in their pockets.  Allowing your guest to talk pictures and post them, provides a perspective that you would not have experienced otherwise.

Whichever works for you, with a little planning and communication, you can incorporate technology into your #EpicDay or request that your guest to remove all distractions to be present for one of the most intimate moments of your life.

EventsByEpic.com | Info@EventsByEpic.com | 630.492.0077

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30 Unexpected Wedding Costs Brides Forget to Budget For

Sticking to your budget is one of the trickiest parts of planning a wedding — especially because there are so many hidden costs.

By: Kristen O’Gorman Klein (Bridal Guide)

To help you out, we checked in with wedding vendors and financial experts across the country to uncover the top items that couples forget to think about when allocating their wedding finances. Read More

Bridal Guide: 101 Best Wedding Budget Tips

Don’t break the bank! Follow our guide to all things financially savvy.

1. Create a comparison chart to track what’s included in the price for each venue you’re considering. One company may not include linens and the cake, for example, while another company does.

2. Many public spaces, like parks or the local village green, may be available to rent at a low fee. However, if the space is not equipped to handle events, you’ll have to rent everything from napkins to tables and chairs. Make sure you come out ahead!

3. Choose an unusual venue, such as an aquarium, a zoo, a gallery or an historical site. Site fees are not high and you’ll save on decor because the venue already supplies ambience. But the same caveat goes as for public spaces: Figure in what you’ll have to spend on rentals.

4. Hold your ceremony and your reception in the same place. You’ll save yourselves multiple site fees as well as transportation from one location to the other.

5. If you belong to a community organization or to the military, you may have access, at low cost, to a venue belonging to them.

6. Don’t forget your alma mater—these usually rent for a few hundred dollars.

7. Depending on your venue, you may not need to decorate extensively. If you marry outdoors at a winery, for example, there’s not much you’ll need to add to the gorgeous vineyard backdrop.

8. Rent a vacation home. Even if the owners charge you a week’s worth of rent for the day, it may still be equal to or less than renting a traditional reception venue.

9. If a family member has a scenic property, find out if you can hold your wedding there. One couple held their wedding on the Wyoming ranch where the groom had grown up. Unique and cost-conscious!

10. If you’re a city-dweller, leave town for your wedding. One Boston bride saved more than $50 per person by holding her wedding in Burlington, Vermont.

11. For a garden wedding, look into renting an historic mansion; many of these have gardens that are included in the deal. You may find, as did one couple, that the mansion they rented had no time limit, and the fee was less than half a hall rental.

12. Look for reception packages. Holding your event at a venue that provides catering and food-service items will save you quite a bit of money on rentals.

13. Save on your rehearsal dinner site by throwing a backyard barbecue or a picnic in a local park—both of which will cost you less than a dinner in a restaurant. (These may be more fun too!)

14. Accept a post-wedding brunch at a relative’s home as a wedding gift. You may find that in lieu of a gift, a friend or relative will be thrilled to host this event in their home.

15. Trim the length of your reception. Even doing three hours instead of four or five will save you money. Trust us, everyone will enjoy themselves just as much.

16. Determine early on what you can spend and stick to it. One rule of thumb: Food, beverage and venue should come to half of your budget.

17. Most venues charge a premium for Saturday night. Hold your reception on a Thursday, Friday or Sunday night. An afternoon wedding will cost less than an evening one, as will a Sunday brunch.

18. Consider the season— you’re likely to get a better price for a venue in January than you would for the same spot in June.

19. What about a destination wedding? Because the guest list will be smaller, a wedding away may cost less than a traditional event held in your hometown.

20. Think small. Check into bed and breakfast venues in your area and place firm limits on your guest list.

21. When you’re deciding between an indoor or outdoor space, figure in the cost of a tent rental—if it rains, a tent is worth every penny.

Source: http://www.bridalguide.com/planning/wedding-budget/101-best-wedding-budget-tips

10 Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Vendors

Take Recommendations Lightly

A friend’s good word goes far, but there is no one caterer, band, or florist perfect for everyone. Compatibility is key: Do you have the same taste and temperament as the advice-giver? If not , proceed with caution. And never use all of the same vendors that a friend did — it can leave your wedding feeling like a repeat.

Let Your Passions Drive Your Priorities

Arm yourself and your fiancé with notebooks, and spend a week recording anything you encounter that grabs you, whether it’s a color on a sign, a song on the radio, or a dessert at a restaurant. Then compare notes. Does food dominate your list? Did he jot down only song titles? You’ll see on paper what matters, so you can budget for the most important.

Create a Guest List That Reflects Real Life

When you’re narrowing down the invites, think about your present (and future) relationships rather than the past. Is this someone you want in your life in 20 years? If so, invite that person. The others are negotiable.

Chat with Recent Clients

Once you’ve edited the list of potential vendors, ask to talk to a few of the couples they’ve worked with in the past year. It doesn’t matter if a bride 10 years ago loved someone; their staff and resources have likely changed since then.

Note Your First Impressions

Be aware of how potential vendors deal with your initial contact: How do they react, how quickly do they respond, and how do they conduct themselves? If a band tells you to come to a wedding to check them out, it ’s a hint that they may invite strangers to your event, so make sure they understand that your day is for invitees only.

See Beyond Your Own Style

Look for a diverse portfolio when you’re hiring any vendor. You want to see a body of work with a consistent level of quality — not a one-trick pony who can only do, say, boho. You might not like a Glee-centric birthday party, but if the work can still wow you, imagine what the vendor could do with a theme you love.

Know When Familiarity is a Good Fit

In some cases, a vendor having an existing relationship with a venue can be a big plus. They’ll already know about any shortcomings — like if the space needs a generator or is challenging to load into — and how to work around them. Alternatively, if you’re having doubts about your vendor, you can ask the venue manager about her experience with them. Questions about how they treat people behind the scenes and if they handle stress well can tell you a lot. With a photographer, though, the first time at a location can be charmed. Someone who’s seeing a space with fresh eyes may bring more spontaneity than a lensman who’s already shot the same backdrop for 10 other couples.

Hire People Who Accept Your Budget

Whether you’re in for $9,000 or $9 million, find a team that will creatively rise to the occasion. The best will be able to suggest savvy budget-trimming swaps. So if you’re asking for pricey peonies when they’re out of season, a resourceful florist might suggest lush, fully opened garden roses instead.

Look For a Team Player

You want to collaborate with someone who will listen and create an event that isn’t just beautiful but reflects you two as a couple. For instance, skip a barn wedding with cowboy boots if neither of you has ever ridden a horse. When your future children look at your wedding album and ask, “Why did you get that cake?” you’ll be able to say, “Your dad and I used to go to this great restaurant and…” The right vendor will create moments where your guests think, “This is so Jane and John!”

Don’t Be Afraid to Walk Away

When you’re not happy with a vendor, wait until you can articulate your concerns in a non-emotional way. Express the problem, and then ask for a solution. Depending on how they react, it may make sense to part ways. If you have a contract, you’ll likely have to pay a fee, but it may be worth it to move on to someone who’s a better fit.

Transend the Traditional: Unconventional Registry Ideas

ReBlog: Transend the Traditional: Unconventional Registry Ideas

How many other brides out there only registered at the conventional retail stores for their wedding? I wish I would have gone a more unconventional route in the beginning, but it’s never too late to give your guests other gifting options!

Here are 10 unconventional registry ideas I found while giving my registration page on a website a nice uplift!

1. Honeyfund – Register for all things related to your honeymoon…Things like a romantic dinner, surf lessons, activities in the area. Let your guests feel like they are contributing to your amazing honeymoon experience. They can also contribute money to the flight, hotel/resort accommodations, shopping, etc.

2. Ask each guest to bring something memorable like a book or movie they love. Have them sign it and add it to your collection.

3. Register at Home Depot! They have a registry too! Have your guests contribute to remodeling a new home or building that deck you always wanted. Or you can register at Down Payment Dreamsand guests can contribute to your future dream home!

4. Card Avenue lets you sign up for gift cards! That way, your guests know exactly what you want.

5. Don’t forget about Simple Registry where you can register for anything.

6. My Registry lets you register from any store on the internet comprised into one easy location.

7. Guests can create their own wine specifically for you through Bottlenotes!

8. Etsy has such unique and amazing things! I actually got part of my bridal thank you gifts and my wedding favors from Etsy (exact details will be in a later post)! They have a registry too!

9. Want to give back to the community? The I Do Foundation allows couples to create a charity that allows guests to contribute to a charitable and great cause (secure online donations directly to the charity)!

10. Spa certificates!! Set up a link on your wedding website for Spa Finder or allow guests to book a spa or massage for you and your partner at your honeymoon resort!

Good luck beauties!

Romance Bride

Courtesy of http://www.Sassychicagobrides.com