Budgets, Checklists, Timelines | OneWed

Wedding Budget Out of Control? 5 Ways to Get it Back on Track

Azure — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:36:08 -0500

Special to OneWed by Susan Alexander-Shapiro from BravoBride.com

When you start planning your wedding, the wedding expense usually comes to mind. After you begin searching for your wedding dress, the cake, wedding flowers, wedding photographer and all the other dozens of details that go into a wedding you may quickly realize that your wedding budget has officially spun out of control. Not to worry! We have 5 ways to help you get your budget back on track while still making your wedding memorable and very special.

1. It’s a number’s game
While it’s a hard task; one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep costs down is to invite fewer guests. Although it would be nice to invite your Mom’s third cousin who met you once when you were a baby, she probably doesn’t need to attend your wedding. Yes, this may offend some people but you can politely explain that you are keeping your wedding small and only inviting immediate family and very close friends. With the average cost of $80 per wedding guest, you can see how quickly the budget can balloon by inviting too many people.

2. Once loved Wedding Items
There are a lot of items you have to buy for a wedding such as your dress, accessories, wedding bands and even decorations. Many of these items will be barely used and only for a few hours so consider buying some used wedding items. Not only is it good for your wallet and budget but it’s earth friendly too.

3. Check Please
Many couples are getting married later in life and may already have the type of household items that would be part of a wedding registry. A new trend is to use a cash gift registry such as DepositAGift.com. With a cash gift registry you can use the money you receive for your honeymoon, a down payment towards a house or to help pay for your wedding costs. Using a service like this can definitely keep your budget in check.

4 Get By With a Little Help From Your Friends
Do you have talented friends? Use their expertise! You can quickly cut wedding costs by asking your graphic designer friend to help create your wedding invitations or ask your cousin’s girlfriend with the great voice to sing at your wedding ceremony. Not only is this cost effective but it makes your wedding that much more personal and hopefully your friends will be flattered to be a part of your big day.

5. Know What Your Spending
An easy way to keep your budget in line is to know what you’re spending. It’s easy to go overboard when you lose track of everything you’ve ordered, put a deposit down on and still need to buy. Many websites like OneWed.com have very helpful wedding budget tools that you can access anytime online. Use these tools when you’re shopping and planning and let the numbers help you decide what’s really important and what you can do without.

Planning a wedding is a huge yet rewarding task. With a little bit of creativity and help your wedding budget can easily stay on track so you can focus on having fun and enjoying your big day.

Book the Best Wedding Vendors with 6 Simple Tips

Azure — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:44:06 -0500

He finally asked. You said yes. You’ve shared the news with your family, friends, and the world of Twitter and updated your Facebook status to engaged. Now the fun part begins – the wedding planning! You’ve bought every bridal book in town, subscribed to 50 wedding blogs (including OneWed’s Savvy Scoop bridal blog), and have asked those close to you for recommendations on wedding vendors. But how can you find quality vendors, within your budget, that are perfect for your unique event? Keep reading.

1. Hire a wedding planner if your budget allows! In addition to helping manage your time and stress levels, they’re one of your best resources for finding good vendors. Their reputation depends on your happiness with how the wedding turns out, so they shouldn’t recommend an unprofessional or second-rate vendor. And while hiring a wedding planner isn’t cheap, they can often leverage their connections to get you deals, which could mean better vendors for you while keeping within your budget.

2. Meet with a minimum of three of each type of vendor, and never sign a contract at the initial meeting. Sure, your best friend’s cousin’s dog sitter used them and loved them, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best fit for you. Meet with a few and then take some time to compare and contrast at home. Make sure they fit your style, budget and personality better than any other vendor before you sign with them.

3. Don’t waste time asking a vendor for a referral. When you apply for a job, would you ever give a bad reference? Then why would a vendor give you less-than-perfect referrals? If you have the time, feel free to follow up with referrals, but you aren’t going to get much insight from them. So how do you know they’ll be good if you don’t ask for referrals? Check out our next tip.

4. Google Stalk!! You did it with your fiancé when you first started dating, now it’s time to do it with your vendors. Get the real scoop on what former clients think on the web. OneWed’s Local Wedding Vendor Directory is a great place for this; newlyweds come to OneWed to post ratings and reviews (just like Yelp!) on the vendors they hired. Many a bride has been saved from hiring a shady vendor thanks to our honest reviews from past brides. Once you’ve seen the bad and the ugly, check out the top-rated wedding vendors in your local area. But don’t just stop there! See what others are tweeting, blogging and posting too.

5. Make sure you like the person as well as the service, especially for vendors who will be present at the wedding (photographer, videographer, DJ, etc). Your wedding photographer and videographer will be with you throughout the day, and you’ll be listening to the DJ for most of the reception. Make sure you like them and that they make you feel comfortable, that way they’ll contribute to the enjoyment of your wedding day journey.

6. Organization is key once you’ve started meeting with potential vendors, and our Wedding Vendor Manager lets you keep track of them all. Bookmark your favorites as you search, and keep important notes (price quotes, follow-up dates, etc.) once you meet with each vendor.

Conquer Your Wedding Budget in 5 Simple Steps

Azure — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:31:37 -0500

Special to OneWed by John Scrofano, CEO of OneWed.com and Nearlyweds.com

Usually the editorial staff doesn’t let me near the blog (smart of them). But they knew that their boring CEO was actually a closet finance geek who loves nothing more than a cool rainy Seattle evening with a mug of mint tea, a fuzzy fleece blanket, and a spreadsheet.

Making budgets make sense to people who are terrified of stuff like this is something I love to do – and I have pioneered a unique way of conquering the wedding budget. In 2010, we polled brides-to-be and learned that wedding budgeting was the #1 point of stress in the wedding planning process. So I am delighted to make sure that isn’t the case for you!

Here is my official starter list for conquering your wedding budget:

1. Focus on the Marriage: Your wedding is about your marriage, not how much money you spend on your wedding. Take a deep breath and remember that you can plan a deeply meaningful wedding on your budget. I have yet to meet someone who has been married for 20 years say “I wished I had spent twice as much on my wedding!”

2. THE BIGGEST SECRET: PRIORITIZE: Make a list of the 3 most important [budget related] elements of your wedding, and have your fiancé do the same. Talk through each must-have element and come to a consensus on what's most important to both of you. Then allocate funds accordingly! If you are on a $20,000 wedding budget and an amazing wedding photographer is #1 on your priority list, then go for the gold and book that $6,000 wedding photographer! And since hiring a cheap photographer is one of the most common regrets expressed by newlyweds, take a cue and don't skimp on the photography. You'd be shocked at how much money is spent on things that don’t matter to the nearlyweds or their wedding guests. So just prioritize your must-haves to avoid falling into this trap.

3. Set a Maximum Spend, Then Take it Down a Notch: With your fiance, determine the maximum dollar amount you want to spend, then set your wedding budget 20% below that max. Be absolutely disciplined to sticking to that 20% lower number, since a few incidentals and surprises will make that 20% disappear in no time.

4. Use a Priority-Based Budget Planner Tool: Check out the priority-based budget planner spreadsheet I created just for you! It’s a fantastic tool you can access from any computer or smartphone, and it's totally customizable to fit your wedding needs and budget. Here is a link to the budget planner spreadsheet - use it, share it with your fiancé, parents, friends, whomever. Honeymoon and wedding jewelry expenses are typically left off budget lists, so don’t forget to add these items to your budget spreadsheet.

5. Once You've Prioritized, Allocate the Budget: AFTER prioritizing items and BEFORE shopping, allocate chunks of your total budget to individual items. By budgeting before shopping, you'll...
1) Set Your Expectations- you aren’t test driving a Lexus (and getting your heart set on it) when your budget allows for a used Honda.
2) Stick to Your Priorities- allocating your budget before shopping forces you to stick to your pre-determined top priorities.

Follow these five principles and budgeting won’t be your #1 wedding planning stressor!

John Scrofano (CEO of OneWed.com & Nearlyweds.com)

5 Holiday-Inspired DIY Wedding Flower Projects- Part Deux

Azure — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 10:58:17 -0500

Special to OneWed by Lisa W. for FiftyFlowers.com

We already broke down how to create 5 of the fabulous holiday-inspired DIY wedding flower projects. And today, we've got the how to's on the remaining 5!

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 6- Fresh Flower-Adorned Ring Bearer Pillow
Materials
• Small, round pillow
• Two stems Spray roses
• Straight pins
• Floral shears
Ring Bearer Pillow How-To
• Snip ten roses just below the bloom and leaving no stem.
• Arrange your roses on top of the pillow, before pinning, until you are happy with the design. We created a triad of roses spraying out.
• To secure the roses onto the pillow, insert straight pins directly into the center of the flower. Secure by pinning through the stem as well. Insert as many pins as needed to secure the blooms and your design.

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 7- Rose Petal Wedding Ceremony Aisle
Materials
• 6000 fresh rose petals or 100 cups for a 20 foot aisle.
• Aisle runner
• Double-sided foam tape
Rose Petal Aisle How-To
• Sketch out the design for your rose petal aisle. The most simple design would be to line each side of the aisle runner. Ideas for the center of the aisle are a monogram, swirls or shapes inspired by your theme.
• Roll out the aisle runner and secure to the floor with double sided foam tape.
• Begin decorating! Grab a handful of petals and create a border up each side of the aisle.
Rose Petal Aisle Top Tip- Rose petal aisle are one of the most efficient ways to decorate. You can be the designer but SAFETY FIRST! Be sure to strongly secure the aisle runner to the floor so that no one trips down the aisle.

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 8- Fragrant and Elegant Hair Flowers
Materials
• Spray Roses
• Hypericum berry
• Floral shears
• 24 gauge floral wire
• Floral tape
• Bobby pins
Hair Flowers How-To
• Snip three spray roses leaving a 3 inch stem on each.
• Cut a sprig of hypericum berry with a 3 inch stem.
• Bundle the roses and the sprig of hypericum berry in your hand and arrange so that the blooms are beautifully framed by the berries. Be sure that the blooms are lying flat and not making a round shape.
• When you are happy with the position of the flowers, secure the stems by wrapping a piece of floral wire around to secure the stems. Cut off the extra wire.
• Wrap the stems with floral tape to secure.
• Secure the bundle in the hair with bobby pins.
• To store the completed hair piece, mist with water and place in a cool room.

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 9- Mini Wedding Cakes with Fresh Flowers
Materials
• Cupcakes
• Spray roses
• Drinking Straws
• Scissors
Mini Wedding Cakes How-To
• Cut drinking straws into 1 inch lengths. Flowers can alter flavor so we use the straws to keep the stems from touching the cake.
• Cut the spray roses leaving about 1 inch of stem.
• Insert a straw into each cake.
• Insert bloom into the straw, set on a platter or stand and serve.
Mini Wedding Cakes Top Tip- If your mini wedding cakes are covered with fondant, use a crochet needle or ice pick to poke a hole before inserting the straw.

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 10- Floral Hand Binding for Wedding Ceremony
Materials
• 30” length of Decorative Rope, with or without tassels
• Two stems Spray Roses
• Moss Covered Wire
• 24 gauge floral wire sticks
• Wire cutters and floral shears
Floral Hand Binding How-To
• Cut the decorative rope to approximately 30 inch length.
• Cut the moss covered wire to the same length as the rope and then wrap the rope around the wire and secure at each end.
• Take a stem of spray roses and snip off 4 of the most beautiful open blooms you can find. Snip each just below the neck.
• Take a piece of floral wire and insert through the stem. Wrap around to secure the wire. Then trim wire to 5 inches. Repeat this for each flower.
• Attach two of the rose heads in the very center of the rope by winding the floral wire around the moss covered wire. This two flowers together will sit on top of your bound hands and symbolize the joining of two.
• Then attach a rose on each end of the rope to symbolize each of you as individuals.
Floral Hand Binding Top Tip- During the wedding ceremony, the officiant will wrap the rose to bind your hands. Choose a poem, verse or special song to play to enjoy this beautiful moment.

A special thanks to all the fabulous wedding pros who helped make this very merry photo shoot happen!
Wedding Flowers: FiftyFlowers.com
Creative Direction and Styling: Lisa Waddington, Shindig Creative
Photographer: John Unrue
Videographer, Lighting: Mark LeGrand, Pro One Video
Linens, Rentals, Desserts, Cocktail and Coffee Design: Puff ‘n Stuff Catering
Hair & Makeup: About Face
Bridal Fashion: The Collection
Groom's Tuxedo: Absolutely Fitting
Stationery Calligraphy: Samira Gast
Handmade Candy Canes: Altamarie’s Candies

Holiday-Inspired Wedding Decor- 5 DIY Wedding Flowers Projects

Azure — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 09:41:32 -0500

Last week, we featured a festive holiday-inspired red and green wedding with 10 simple DIY wedding flower projects from FiftyFlowers! Today we've got the step-by-step how to on DIY'ing the first 5 fabulous wedding flower projects. And later this week, we'll walk you through the next 5!

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 1- Luxurious and Holiday-Inspired Amaryllis Bridal Bouquet
Materials Needed
• Three stems of Amaryllis with fully open blooms – we used a combination of Candy Cane and Red varieties.
• Floral shears
• 24 gauge floral wire
• Floral tape
• Ribbon
• Pearl head pins
• A vase
Amaryllis Bridal Bouquet How-To
• Remove any dead leaves from the base of the flowers and snip off the stamen to eliminate staining from pollen residue. Gently wash the flowers if there is any pollen on the petals.
• Bundle the Amaryllis stalks in your hand and arrange so that the trumpet blooms are facing outward.
• When you are happy with the position of the blooms, secure the stalks with a piece of floral wire and cut the extra wire.
• Wrap the stalks together, over the wire, with 2-3 inches of floral tape to secure.
• Cut the ribbon and wrap around the stalks to cover the floral tape. Secure the ribbon in place with pearl head pins.
• Cut each Amaryllis stalk on a 45 degree angle about 2-3 inches below the bottom of the ribbon.
• Store the completed bouquet in a vase with enough water to cover the bottom of the stems.
Amaryllis Bridal Bouquet Top Tip- Amaryllis takes extra time for buds to open. Remember to allow up to 7 days for flowers to fully open.

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 2- Amaryllis Groom's Boutonniere, to Compliment the Bride's Signature Flower
Materials Needed
• One closed Amaryllis bud
• One stem Hypericum berry
• Floral shears
• 24 gauge floral wire
• Floral tape
• Ribbon
• Pearl head pin
Amaryllis Groom's Boutonniere How-To
• Bundle the Amaryllis bud and a sprig of hypericum berry in your hand and arrange so that the bud is framed by the berries.
• When you are happy with the position of the flowers, secure the stems by wrapping a piece of floral wire around. Cut off the extra wire.
• Trim the stems to 2-3 inches length.
• Wrap the stems with floral tape to secure. Roll up the stem to create a curl at the base of the boutonniere.
• Secure the boutonniere in place with a pearl head pin.
• To store the completed boutonniere, mist with water and place in a cool room.

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 3- Whimsical, One-of-a-Kind Berry Bridesmaid Bouquet
Materials Needed
• Two bunches of Hypericum berry, approximately 10 stems per bunch.
• Floral shears
• 24 gauge floral wire
• Floral tape
• Ribbon
• Pearl head pins
• A vase
Berry Bridesmaid Bouquet How-To
• Remove lower leaves from each stem of Hypericum berry.
• Bundle the stems in your hand and arrange the bouquet. Start with a cluster of three stems. Then add another ring of stems, placing the tops of the berries just below the berries you already have in place. This will create a full, bouquet of berries and minimize seeing stems when you are done.
• When you are happy with the position of the berries, secure the stems with a piece of floral wire and cut the extra wire.
• Wrap the stems with 2-3 inches of floral tape, over the wire, to secure.
• Cut the ribbon and wrap around the stems to cover the floral tape. Secure the ribbon in place with pearl head pins.
• Cut each stem straight across about 2-3 inches below the bottom of the ribbon.
• Store the completed bouquet in a vase with enough water to cover the bottom of the stems.
Berry Bridemaid Bouquet Top Tip- Hypericum Berry are available year-round in a variety of colors and last a long time, a great option for DIY flowers.

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 4- Floral Toasting Flutes to Make Your First Toast Even More Beautiful
Materials Needed
• Toasting Flutes
• Moss Covered Wire
• 24 gauge floral wire sticks
• One stem Spray Roses
• Shears and Wire Cutters
Floral Toasting Flutes How-To
• Wrap the moss covered wire around the base of the glass and secure it by twisting end over end.
• Wind the wire up and around the glass until you get to the top. Give yourself and inch of extra length and then cut the wire. Using the extra tightly secure the wire be wrapping it around itself
• Take a stem of spray roses and snip off the most beautiful open bloom you can find. Snip just below the neck.
• Take a piece of floral wire and insert through the stem. Wrap around to secure the wire.
• Slide the wire underneath the moss covered wire and wrap to secure.
• Adjust the bloom so it’s facing upward. Add champagne and toast!
Floral Toasting Flutes Top Tip-- This project idea works well with any tiny flower blooms or buds.
*Psst... check out this super helpful video with complete DIY steps and instructions!

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 5- A Pretty Floral Necklace
Materials Needed
• A wire choker that's a solid ring around the neck
• One stem of spray roses
• 24 gauge floral wire sticks
• Wire cutters
• Floral shears
Floral Necklace How-To
• Take the stem of spray roses and snip off one of the most beautiful open blooms you can find. Snip just below the neck so the stem can be easily hidden behind the flower.
• Take a piece of the floral wire and insert through the bulbous part of the stem as if you are threading a needle. Wrap around the wire to secure and cut the wire to about 5 inches.
• Attach the flower to the choker by wrapping the wire around. Adjust the flower bloom so it points forward.
Floral Necklace Top Tip-- For an alternate look, attach the flower and wire to a velvet ribbon tied around your neck as a choker.

Don't forget to check back to learn how to recreate 5 more holiday-inspired DIY wedding flower projects! And a special thanks to our friends, the talented team of wedding professionals who helped us create the very MARRY Inspiration photo shoot:
Wedding Flowers: FiftyFlowers.com
Creative Direction and Styling: Lisa Waddington, Shindig Creative
Photographer: John Unrue
Videographer, Lighting: Mark LeGrand, Pro One Video
Linens, Rentals, Desserts, Cocktail and Coffee Design: Puff ‘n Stuff Catering
Hair & Makeup: About Face
Bridal Fashion: The Collection
Groom's Tuxedo: Absolutely Fitting
Stationery Calligraphy: Samira Gast
Handmade Candy Canes: Altamarie’s Candies

DIY Wedding Cake Perfect For Any Special Occasion: Rich Red Velvet

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:25:01 -0400

Special to OneWed by David Guas, author of DamGoodSweet

On the heels of his critically acclaimed, James Beard- and IACP-nominated cookbook, Dam Good Sweet, Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth New Orleans Style, chef David Guas is gearing up to launch his first retail outlet, Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery. A nostalgic tribute to his New Orleans, Louisiana hometown, this "homey, deep South café" is opening soon in the Courthouse neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia. But until then, read on to learn how to make your very own Red Velvet Cake, down South style!

What You'll Need (recipe for one 9-inch cake)
- For the cake -
2 sticks plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 cups plus 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
1⁄2 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking soda
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1 (1-pound) box light brown sugar (about 21⁄4 cups)
3 tablespoons red food coloring
2 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 3⁄4 cups buttermilk

- For the frosting -
1 1⁄4 pounds cream cheese, at room temperature
2 1⁄2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (2-pound) bag confectioners’ sugar (about 7 1⁄4 cups)

How To Make The Cake
Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch cake pans with 1 tablespoon of butter each. Add 2 tablespoons of the flour to each pan and shake the pans to coat the bottom and sides. Tap out the excess flour and set the pans aside.

Sift the remaining 3 cups of flour with the cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a large bowl if using a hand mixer) cream the remaining butter with the brown sugar, food coloring, and vanilla on low to combine. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat until aerated and pale, about 2 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium and add the eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly between each addition and using a rubber spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary. Reduce the speed to low and add one-third of the dry ingredients followed by half of the buttermilk. Repeat, finishing with the final third of the dry mix. Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl and divide the batter between the two prepared cake pans, spreading it out as evenly as possible.

Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean and the center of the cake resists slight pressure, about 40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes, and then run a paring knife around the edges of each pan to release the cake from the sides; invert the cakes onto the cooling rack. Cool for 1 hour, and then wrap each cake in plastic wrap for at least a few hours.

How To Make The Frosting
Beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together in the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a large bowl if using a hand mixer) on low speed to combine. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until aerated and light, about 2 minutes. Stop the mixer and add a few cups of the confectioners’ sugar, incorporating it into the cream cheese mixture on low speed until combined. Repeat with the remaining sugar, adding it to the mixer in two additions. Once all of the sugar is added, increase the speed to medium-high and beat until fluffy, about 1 minute.

Now It's Time To Assemble!
Unwrap the cake layers. Slice off the rounded top 1/8 inch of each cake and place the trimmed-away portion in the bowl of a food processor. Slice each cake in half horizontally (you’ll end up with 4 layers), working over a baking sheet to catch any crumb. Add the crumbs to the food processor and pulse until fine.

Place one cake layer on a cake round or large plate (make sure that the diameter of the plate is at least 1 inch larger than the cake). Use an offset spatula to evenly spread a heaping 3/4 cup of frosting on the first cake layer. Repeat with the remaining three cake layers, ending with a bottom half of a cake on top, browned-side up (so you don’t get cake crumbs in the frosting). Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake (the sides don’t have to look perfect—you’re going to cover them with cake crumbs anyway). Gently press a handful of the reserved crumbs into the side of the cake until all of the sides are evenly coated. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

David Guas TIP: You can make the cake layers up to 3 days in advance. The filled and frosted cake keeps for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Let it stand at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before slicing.

Top Tips: A Checklist for Hiring Your Wedding Day Performers

Marta — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:30:03 -0400

Special to OneWed from Drew of GigMasters.com

The days just before your event can be among the most stressful you’ll ever experience. You’re busy worrying about caterers, the five-day forecast, the potential of your uncle giving one of his famous embarrassing speeches and any number of other possible calamities.

GigMasters, the experts in hiring event entertainment, have tips to keep you organized and (relatively) stress free.

One way in which GigMasters alleviates your stress is with our Pre-Event Checklist. We send this comprehensive list to every client and performer five days before the event, to make sure both parties are on the same page. This checklist covers ten vital points that you should consider in the days leading up to your event:

1. CONTRACTS – GigMasters offers a standard contract template at no additional charge. We recommend that all clients and performers sign a contract so you can rest easy. Whether you use our contract or create your own, be sure you both have copies of the dated and signed contract. We even recommend that you bring a copy of the contract with you to the event just in case!

2. DIRECTIONS – Performers are not mind readers (well, our psychics are), the better directions you provide the more likely that they will arrive on time. Make sure to give your performer the address, phone number and website URL of the venue well in advance.

3. VENUE SPECIFICS - Venue specifics such as outlet locations, stage setup, etc. should be discussed in detail.

4. WEATHER – Nobody wants to think about it, but rain/weather contingencies should be discussed and agreed upon if applicable. No performer wants to risk damaging their expensive and beloved equipment, so it’s important that you talk about the worst case weather scenarios, as scary as they may be.

5. PLAY LIST – If you are hiring musicians it is important for them to know what you would like them to play ahead of time so that they can rehearse and create a set list.

6. CLOTHING – Tuxes or T-shirts? Performer attire should be discussed and agreed upon in advance.

7. FOOD/DRINK – Are you providing food and drinks for your entertainer? Are you ok with them consuming alcohol or would you rather they abstain?

8. OVERTIME - Overtime rates should be discussed and agreed upon in advance in case you are not ready for the fun to stop.

9. FINAL PAYMENT - Final payment arrangements including method of payment (cash, cashier's check, etc.) should be discussed and agreed upon in advance, to avoid any confusion and potential embarrassment.

10. CONTACT INFO – You should already have it by now, but just to be sure, GigMasters sends the performer’s contact information to the client and vice versa five days prior to the event.

While we won’t claim that we can completely cure you of your event stress – our goal is to keep the entertainment portion of your party under control. If only we could say the same about your relatives!

Helpful Links
Find great wedding day performers

Your Wedding Budget: Is It Protected?

Azure — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:12:14 -0400

Special to OneWed by WedSafe Wedding Insurance

Despite the economic turnaround that is apparently underway, there are still a number of risks that couples face when placing significant sums of money in the hands of wedding vendors well in advance of their wedding date. We've seen a number of issues arise with all types of wedding vendors who have accepted deposits or full payment, but who did not show up or complete the services they were contracted for.

Even the most reputable and well-intentioned vendors can find themselves with financial or other types of problems. Whenever you write a check as payment to a wedding vendor, ask yourself what would happen if they could not fulfill their obligations. And while taking steps such as using a credit card and researching your vendors thoroughly can minimize the risk of loss, there is still a serious financial exposure that you face.

Wedding Insurance should be an important component of every bride’s budget, no matter how modest or extravagant their plans may be. Event Cancellation Insurance can provide reimbursement for losses due to bankrupt or no-show vendors. Policies can be purchased far in advance of your wedding date, and it is highly recommended to protect yourself as soon as you begin placing deposits with vendors.

Here are some key things to keep in mind as you research:

There are essentially two kinds of insurance that applies to couples planning their wedding:

• Wedding Cancellation/Postponement Insurance - This coverage offers financial reimbursement to the host for unforeseen events that force the cancellation or postponement of your wedding. As mentioned earlier, it can also provide financial protection against lost deposits from no-show or bankrupt vendors.

• Wedding Liability Insurance - This type of coverage is required by many venues, and they often ask to be named as an additional insured on the policy. Wedding Liability Insurance provides protection against claims arising out of the wedding, where an injury occurs or property is damaged and responsibility is alleged to fall on the host for the injury or damage.

Remember, not all coverage is the same. Policies and their terms, conditions and exclusions can vary tremendously. Since there are so many variables, first find a company that specializes in wedding insurance and is highly regarded in the industry. Establish your wedding budget and include a line for wedding insurance. You can quickly and easily obtain an instant online quote, with no obligation, for coverage that you select for your situation.

Weddings are among the most significant investment that any of us will make into one single day of our lives. Wedding insurance offers a very cost-effective way to protect that investment.

For more detailed information on protecting your wedding budget, visit WedSafe.com

Robbin Montero: Why Do Weddings Cost So Much?

Marta — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:38:50 -0500

Special to OneWed from Robbin Montero of A Dream Wedding

One of the biggest hurdles for parents planning a child's wedding is that thirty years may have passed since the parent last planned a wedding. To say things have changed in that time is an understatement. Back then, brides were often unaware of the costs and the mother of the bride often made all the plans.

To give perspective, I often tell couples and their parents to consider the cost of medium-priced cars then and now. Then, a car cost about $3,500, the same as the cost of a wedding. Today, a wedding with all the trimmings still costs the same as a mid-priced new car, which can be around $25,000 to 50,000, depending on the locale.

Calculating the scope of expenses
Before you argue that sounds like too much money, remember the cost of the wedding is much more than the ceremony location and food and beverage expenses. Couples frequently underestimate their wedding expenses by calculating only the cost of the reception. The cost of an officiant to marry them, the ceremony music, reception music, flowers for the ceremony and reception, invitations, and announcements are significant expenses that cannot be overlooked. There’s also transportation, a wedding dress, tuxedos, a wedding cake, a photographer, a videographer, party favors, and the rehearsal dinner. Regardless who will bear these costs, they are all factored into the total cost of a wedding.

Though often not figured directly into wedding expenses, I’m sure the bride does not consider the costs of hair styling, make-up, manicures and other personal services in preparation for her to look her best to be minor incidentals. They are also real expenses unique to the wedding party, which will have many such extras.

Couples are also prone to miscalculating the number of guests. Some costs (wedding dress, ceremony, reception music, photography, flowers, for example) remain the same regardless how many guests attend. Many of the costs of a wedding are the same whether you will have 50 or 500 guests. Known as “hard costs”, they will be spread over the number of guests. Food, beverages, cake, rental equipment, and favors are among the costs that vary with the number of guests.

Choices that can cost or save
Most weddings take place between April and October, with the majority being scheduled for summer. Couples may pay a premium for popular sites and services during busy wedding season. Since most weddings take place on weekends, they may also bear extra labor expenses.

Many vendors only get to book weddings on weekends and, often, only one wedding per day. Vendors have a limited time to make their money. They don’t work weddings seven days a week. High-demand photographers, bakers and florists are able to charge premium rates that can inflate your expenses. Any bride who can consider booking her wedding on “off” days –Fridays, Sundays or mid-week– can explore favorable pricing opportunities.

Naturally, the cost of doing business varies by location and region. Metropolitan areas, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and New York City, are much more expensive places to marry than Kansas City, Missouri. California and New York also have a relatively high cost of doing business, as do popular destination cities commonly selected for weddings.

If you stop to think about all that goes into planning a beautiful wedding, and the number of vendors who will contribute to the day, it is easy to see why weddings cost so much. This is not like any other party you’ve hosted. However, if you decide what is most important to you before you commit to purchases, you can make choices that will help keep the cost of your dream wedding in line.

“Stress Free, Leave the Details to Me,” is the tried and true philosophy of Robbin Montero, California Wine Country wedding planning expert and owner of A Dream Wedding. Robbin is the premier wedding planner in the Northern California Wine Country, transforming any vision into the perfectly designed wedding creation. Robbin and her weddings have been featured in The Knot, Brides, Elite Magazine, Your Wedding Day and Vine Napa/Sonoma magazines, and ImportantOccasions.com. Travel & Leisure magazine calls Robbin, “The expert wedding planner in the California Wine Country.” www.a-dreamwedding.com

Ask the Experts: Wedding Day Timeline

Marta — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:28:04 -0500

Ask the Experts is our weekly column where real couples get their questions about weddings and wedding planning answered.

If you have a question for our panel of experts, write asktheexperts@onewed.com

This week, a bride writes:
My fiancé brought up a good question while we were at my cousin's wedding brunch. What do the bride and groom typically do between the ceremony and the luncheon? I think it's a time for pictures but is there something else? He got me thinking...

Jeff of Blackbird Images says:
I’m biased but I think that’s definitely photo time. Most of our clients say the one thing they would do differently (looking back) is allow even more time for photos of themselves… 20 years from now the images you’ll care most about are the ones of you and your spouse on your wedding day. The time between ceremony and reception is the only time you really have for doing that right. I’m sure there are tons of creative things you can do with the time… but isn’t that what your honeymoon is for?

Melissa of Stylish Blooms says:
This is a great question. Pictures are typically done between the ceremony and reception. If both are held at the same spot typically a cocktail hour would be held so that pictures can be taken efficiently. The time that you spend between the ceremony and reception is up to you. If you are not doing pictures you and your new groom could stop off at your favorite park or spot and spend some time alone. Just keep in mind that you do not want to keep your guest waiting to long for you longer than an 1/2 hour from the start time of your reception.

Brandi of All Events Planned says:
The bride and groom do take a massive amount of photos in that time. There are hours of photos that can be taken in different locations, different styles, different settings you could really spend the entire day taking photos, with the right photographer.

If you don’t want a million shots or if you are only planning a short amount of photography time, you can take this time out to do something together, as husband & wife. Maybe there is a special location where you two first met or where he proposed.

Go there and share some special alone time with each other, just relaxing and enjoying the company of your new spouse. Sometimes it is even good to stop for a snack when you have some free time. As the bride & groom, you can get caught up in your reception forget to eat enough while you are there. A special meal could be prepared for you at your reception hall or stop at your favorite restaurant or have some snacks for the limo ride. The options are endless, it is your free time to spend however you’d like but I definitely think you’ll want to do something extra special since you will always remember that time together.

OneWed’s Wedding Maven says:
In the Jewish tradition, the bride and groom go from the ceremony to a private location. Giving the bride and groom privacy is taken so seriously that they usually assign one or two friends to act as guards, preventing anyone from disturbing the couple. Traditionally, this time was used to consummate the marriage. Today, most couples simply use it to take a few minutes to reconnect with each other. Since Jewish brides and grooms are not supposed to eat before the wedding, most couples also ask the caterer to have a plate of food sent to the room beforehand.

About the Experts:
Brandi Hamerstone is the owner & senior wedding planner for All Events Planned. In her nine years of experience in the wedding industry, she has planned over 300 weddings.

Melissa Bonoffksi of Stylish Blooms in Bristol CT holds an A.A.S In floriculture and has over 13 years of design experience.

Jeff Haden is President of BlackBird Images, wedding photographers based in Harrisonburg, VA. Not only is he a well-respected and talented photographer, but has also gained recognition as a ghostwriter. http://www.onewed.com/vendor/1040029