Hi Y'all!  So we all know that wedding planning is super stressful in the best of times.  Now in the middle of a global pandemic, wedding stress gets a little crazier.

The rules for gatherings are in a constant state of flux.  Guests may or may not want to travel to your wedding.  And even attending a wedding is a life or death decision for some people with health risks.  Top that all off with changes in food service, availability of some items such as special flowers, additional lead time needed for ordering items.  It's enough to make you want to pull your hair out...well don't do that!  We have some tips for saving your sanity while planning your wedding during these crazy times.

1.  Take at least one day each week and make it a NO WEDDING day.  That means no talking about the wedding, no stalking instagram and pinterest, calling your wedding vendors.  NO WEDDING related items.

2.  Date Night - Remember why you are getting married.  Date night may look different right now and that is ok - make dinner together, go for a long walk, watch a movie you haven't seen, binge watch your favorite tv show together, "netflix and chill" is always a great option!

3.  Set boundaries with family and friends.  It's ok not to want to talk about the wedding every waking moment.  And even though they usually have the best of intentions..it's ok to step back.

4.  Let your wedding planner help you!  Your wedding planner is going to have the most up to date information on venue guidelines, federal, state and local rules, travel restrictions and more.  Your wedding planner is a huge resource of information.

5.  Self-care - this could be something different for everyone - a hot bubble bath, an exercise class (virtually or in-person), girls night out, a mani/pedi, a massage, binge watching Gilmore Girls for the 100th time.  Whatever works. 

Recently this wedding planner was looking for something to help with stress, that could be done at home, and it didn't cost a fortune.  

I stumbled across Yoga with Adriene and can you imagine how excited I was when I saw that she had a pre-wedding yoga practice.  I am still working through all of her beginner videos, and videos for neck and shoulders. 

There are 13 practices all designed to help with the unique stress and anxiety associated with wedding planning.  Click the link below to check it out.

Yoga for Anyone Planning a Wedding!

*please note that I have not received any compensation for sharing these videos, nor is it an official endorsement.  It's just something that I found that may help!

 6.  Talk to a licensed therapist or counselor.  It is ok to reach out for help.  We are living in unprecedented times.  And during this strange time, you are trying to plan your dream wedding.  Sometimes, a neutral, third-party can help you sort through some of "noise".  My therapist has been on zoom-speed dial since lockdown in early March.

7.  Turn off the news and stay off social media...Covid will be here for a while.  Your planner will keep you updated. Constant watching of the news and "doom-scrolling" wont suddenly change things.  

8.  Take up a new hobby.  Coloring books, virtual painting classes, reading a new book, petting your dog or cat, journaling, knitting...all receive rave reviews for helping calm stress and anxiety.

It's so important to take care of yourself while wedding planning in normal times.  Well, we aren't in normal times, so taking care of yourself becomes even more important!

Stay well my friends!

Jen

So, recently we were asked to style and curate a photoshoot celebrating a 25th Wedding Anniversary.  It was such an honor, because the "bride" celebrating is the owner of Bacio Bacio Bridal in Wellington.  When someone in our industry trusts us with their personal celebrations, it is one of the highest compliments we can ever receive.

Lenyce and Al got married in Key West 25 years ago.  And let me just say that they are still like newlyweds.  The love that they share is inspiring.  The love they have for their family is inspiring.  And it was so much FUN for us to plan this celebration photo shoot for them.  We hope you enjoy the photos as much as we do!

A HUGE Thank you to everyone involved for making this happen!

Venue:  The Ben West Palm Beach

Photographer:  Krystal Capone Photography

Al's Suit:  The Tux Shop Palm Beach

Lenyce's Dress:  Bacio Bacio; Watters Design

Hair and Accessories:  Phairis Luxury

Make Up: Make Up Artistry by Diana Escobar

Cake:  Johnson's Custom Cakes

Chargers, Linens, Glassware:  Atlas Event Rental

Calligraphy and Engraving:  Calligraphy by Michelle B

Clutch Purse:  CloeNoelDesigns

Styling and Planning:  Fabuluxe Events

Hi Out there!  It's been a hot minute since we blogged.  But we have some gorgeousness to share with you today! 

Karina and Matt had a romantic and elegant wedding at the amazing Boca Resort.  It was such an honor to be involved in their wedding day...and they are two of the NICEST people you will ever meet.  We loved their inter-faith ceremony and how the combined the faiths of both families.  The dancefloor was jamming all night because Rock with U was in the house!  And the decor by Xquisite Events was the perfect combination of romantic and elegant!

A huge thank you to the entire vendor team:

Venue:  Boca Raton Resort and Spa

Photographer:  Alain Martinez Photo (lead photographer - Melanie)

Hair/Make Up:  Kiss This Make Up

Entertainment:  Rock With U

Decor: Xquisite Events

Wedding Planning: Fabuluxe Events

We always say it takes a village to make a wedding happen!   It's a blessing to work with such incredible wedding professionals.  And learn from people we haven't worked with before!  

Have a great Monday Y'all!

xoxo

The Fabuluxe Girls - Jen, Mandi, Lara, Nikki

Hello out there!  I hope everyone had an amazing Valentine's Day and is enjoying this fabulous time of year.

So, we are in the middle of engagement season and the topic of budget is a big issue for newly engaged couples.  It can be awkward, uncomfortable and daunting to talk about budget when planning the wedding of your dreams.  

First and foremost...EVERYONE HAS A BUDGET.  Whether your budget is $10,000 or $100,000 it is still a budget and your ideas will need to fit within those parameters.

So here are some tips for handling the budget discussion.

1.  Sit down with both sets of parents.  Ask what, if anything, they are able to contribute. Sometimes it is a dollar amount. Sometimes they will say, I want to pay for photography or flowers up to a certain dollar amount.  But be up front and ask the questions.

2.  Talk honestly as a couple.  What can you two afford to contribute to the wedding expenses?  Be honest...Do NOT go into major debt to plan a wedding.  It is not a competition.  It is a wedding celebrating two people in love making a lifelong committment to each other.  

3.  Have realistic expectations.  You may have to sacrifice in some categories to get what you really want in other categories.    You can not have surf and turf, open-premium bar and a live band for 150 on $5,000...so something will have to give.  Be realistic.

4.  Set priorities.  If photography is a priority get the best possible photographer you feel comfortable paying.  If food is a priorty stretch the food budget and lower another category.  

5.  Carefully watch your guest list.  Less guests = less money.  It is that simple.  So Uncle Joe, three times removed does not have to be on the guest list if no one in your family has seen him since Reagan was President. 

6. Hire only professional wedding vendors, with wedding experience.  It will cost you far more in time and effort if you hire someone who is not a pro or let a family member handle certain things. 

7. Hire a fantastic Wedding Planner, like Fabuluxe Events.  Wedding planners will know which vendors and venues will fit your budget. They can help you negotiate contracts.  They can keep you on-track and sane during the process and that my friends, is priceless.

So remember, EVERYONE IS WORKING WITH A BUDGET.  They key is being realistic and honest about it from the very beginning.

And remember,
You Deserve a FABULUXE Day!
Jen
jennifer@fabuluxeevents.com 
561-254-2041 

You're engaged!  And all things wedding planning are starting...yay!  There is a rush to start doing things...anything.  When I got married that started with running out and buying the latest issues of all the bridal magazines and spending hours going through every page.  Times have changed!  Now you might even have a "Wedding Pinterest Board" before you even get engaged.

Take a deep breath and know that wedding planning has it ups and downs.  There are times when it seems like all you do is plan, plan, plan.  Go to meetings, look up vendors online and then try to make decisions.  Then there are times when you aren't having to do quite as much.  That's ok.  

First things first...determine a budget and who is paying or contributing to the budget.

Then select your venue and your date.  

Next up photography and decor.

Save the dates need to go out 6 months ahead of the wedding.

Make sure you order your wedding dress at least 6-8 months prior to the wedding.

Then maybe take a couple of weeks off.  Continue to live your life.  Go on date night.  Remember why you are doing all of this wedding planning!

You don't have to be doing wedding stuff 24/7.

Enjoy the peaks and valleys of wedding planning.

There are so many great moments to enjoy during this process:

1.  Finding your dress and sharing that moment with Mom 

2.  Taking your engagement photos and having fun with your fiance and the photographer - this is a great getting to know you session between you and your photographer!

3.  The tasting with your caterer or venue is one my favorites...Who doesn't love an amazing meal?!

The whole point is just to be "in the moments" as they happen.  Remember what the reason for all of it is. And the rest will all start to come together!

Cheers!