Hi All,

Yes I know it has been eons since I blogged.  But we are fixing that today with some great info.  

I am sure that this has happened to everyone...you announce your engagement and suddenly everyone you know, knows a guy who does weddings.  It could be a photographer, DJ, caterer, florist...anything, and you have an inbox full of random names and contact information.

These people are what we call Friendors..and you should run far, far away.  A Friendor is someone who may do some family photography at Christmas and now wants to photograph your wedding.  A Friendor is someone who loves to cook and loves you so they want to "gift" you the catering for your wedding.  A Friendor is someone who loves music, has a huge Itunes collection and wants to DJ your wedding.  

All of these people have two things in common:

1.  They are somehow your friend, a family friend or relative.

2.  None of these people make their living in the wedding or event industry.

Please trust only professionals to handle your wedding.   We have seen relationships ruined by the hiring of a Friendor and then the Friendor is unable to perform properly, the quality of the finished product is poor and feelings are hurt on both sides.

Tell your Friendors - that "I would much rather you enjoy our special day and be in the moment and celebrate with us."  You can give them jobs such as readings, handing out programs, helping people find their seats at dinner, helping with the rehearsal dinner and so much more.

You have one chance on your wedding day to get amazing photos, eat spectacular food, keep the crowd on the dance floor. Don't take a chance.  If you hire amateurs you will get amateur results.

Keep Friendors as your friends!

Until next week,

Remember...You Deserve a Fabuluxe Day!

Jen, Mandi, Amelia and Jan

Hello everyone!  Wow, I am so not liking this whole winter situation. For my friends and colleagues up North...I don't know how you do it.  This Florida girl is done with cold.  I have worn my boots and leggings and am now ready for my flip flops again. 

So today, I thought I would add to last week's blog about budgeting and share some common mistakes that are made when budgeting for your wedding.

1.  When looking at pricing...especially catering and venue...make sure you factor in a service charge of anywhere from 18-22% of the total and sales tax.  These numbers add up.

2. When looking at any vendor pricing ask about pick up and delivery fees, sales tax or other charges.  

3.  For invitations, postage is expensive and adds up...Plus the postage rate is about to go up again. Try to stay with standard sizes and don't forget that you have to put postate on the RSVP card envelope.

4.  Those little things that you see when you are on Etsy or at Michaels or Hobby Lobby, kill your budget.  Because $50 here and $20 there and $100 here are suddenly $1,000 and you have no idea what you got for $1,000.  

5. Don't forget to budget for your officiant.  The person marrying you gets paid too.  

6.  Tips - always have cash on the night of the wedding to tip your vendors.  My general rule is to tip anyone you think did an exceptional job for you.  This includes photographer, videographer, DJ, band, valet, officiant, etc.  You can add extra tip to your catering bill as well. You won't believe how much your vendors appreciate you tipping them.

7.  DIY can sometimes be more expensive than hiring someone to do the work.  Especially, if you are not crafty and don't budget enough time to do all of your DIY projects. 

So be informed, don't forget the small things and remember EVERYONE has a budget.  It is the size of your budget that you need to remember and be smart to stay within your budget.

Have a great week!  We will be at PGA National this week for Alexa and Brett's spectacular, blinged out wedding.

Jen

Hi All, Hope everyone is well.  We have been super busy with weddings this fall!  Can't believe it is November already and that Thanksgiving is next week.  Where does the time go?!

The music will set the tone and the mood for the different aspects of the ceremony and reception or any party.  The music should become part of the overall theme of the day and will help set the tone, mood and atmosphere.

Then there is the question of whether or not to go with a DJ or a Live Band for the reception and what about the ceremony music?  It can get rather overwhelming.

We love the idea of a string quartet or a musical trio during the ceremony.  There is something so timeless and elegant about it.  How about the violinist strolling through your cocktail hour and taking requests from the guests?  Such a sophisticated feel for the day.
Do you want the high energy of a DJ but don’t want the cheesy stuff…(can’t imagine why not everyone wants the chicken dance at their wedding..lol).  This is not a problem.  Don’t be scared of having a DJ because you don’t want some of the crazy group dances.  A good DJ has a meeting with you before the wedding and will go over everything…what is acceptable, what is not acceptable, what types of music do you like, how to pronounce every one’s names correctly, are there any anniversaries or birthdays that you want to acknowledge, etc.  A good DJ can judge the mood of the crowd and knows when to kick up it a notch or when to slow things down.  A good DJ  doesn’t take over the party, but helps create the party.

  A live band can really ramp up a party!  Before hiring any band see if you can watch them in person somewhere.  Have them send you links to videos and definitely speak with past clients.  Recently we worked with an amazing band that had the party going and the dancefloor was never empty.  Check out the Jerry Wayne Band.  Holy cow, this band was fabulous!  This coming weekend we are working with another amazing band  Beth and Command Performance  If your budget allows a band is a huge crowd pleaser and they can create an energy like nothing else you have seen.

Then there is the question of an IPOD or IPAD for your musical selections.  This NOT recommended by us.  Yes you will have a variety of music being played…but that is it.  There is no one to make announcements such as time for the cake, first dance, mother/son dance, father/daughter dance.  No one is working with the flow of the event or checking the mood of the guests.  

Definitely choose your music carefully and feel free to reach out to us with any questions.

Jen, Mandi and Amelia
www.fabuluxeevents.com
561-254-2041
Jennifer@fabuluxeevents.com

Hi All,

Do you ever wonder what other brides think when they are guests at weddings?  When planning your own wedding it is amazing the things that you notice when attending a wedding or other event.  So, it seemed like a great idea to share some feedback and solutions that we have gathered from past and current brides. 

1.  Guest List too big - This one is really important.  Only invite the number of guests that you can comfortably afford to feed and entertain.  No guest wants to feel like they are being "cheaped out" at a wedding...don't make your guests pay $3 for a soda...don't make your guests feel like they can only take one appetizer.  Keep the guest list in line with the type of wedding you want.

2.  Religious Ceremonies - Let's face it, weddings these days are multi-ethnic, multi-faith events with guests from very diverse backgrounds.  We want to you to have a ceremony that reflects your religious beliefs.  Just make sure that it does not become a sermon or that the officiant does not try to convert everyone to your faith.  Keep the lines of communication open with your officiant while planning your ceremony.

3.  Personalized vows - There is something so intimate and special about creating your own personal vows and sharing them with your future spouse in front all of your friends and family.  Just remember to keep the inside jokes and personal comments to a minimum.  Those are secrets best kept between the two of you.

4.  Slideshows - Incorporating family photos of family members can be really special and touching.  But, long slideshows tend to bore people and they know that the slideshow is being used to kill time while you and your new spouse are taking pictures after the ceremony. 

5.  Favors - We love favors.  They tell your guests that you appreciate them being part of such an important day.   They don't have to be expensive or elaborate, but they do have to be thoughtful. 

6.  Indoor/Outdoor - Outdoor ceremonies are some of the most lovely.  Think about the time of year and time of day of your ceremony.  In most locations, and outdoor ceremony at 1PM in July is going to be HOT, HOT, HOT.

7.  Music - Nothing says PARTY like great music.  Talking with your DJ and planning a varied selection of music to be played at your reception will keep the dance floor full and appeal to everyone.  Grandma and Grandpa may not be fans of "F... You" by CeeLo Green.

8.  DJ - If you choose to do an IPOD reception (which we do NOT recommend).  Make sure you have someone to EMCEE your day. Otherwise no one will know when it is time to cut the cake, toss the bouquet or hear the toasts.

9.  The Waiting Game - Nothing upsets guests more than having to wait hours between the ceremony and reception or for food and beverages to be served during the cocktail hour and reception.  Talk out the timeline with your wedding planner (and if you don't have a professional wedding planner you can talk out the timeline with your mom or maid of honor).

10.  Finally - BE ON TIME.  This is the complaint we hear most often.  You have many people who have come to spend the day with you.  It shows respect for them when you are on time.

We hope that you find these tips helpful.  Please post other wedding do's and don'ts in our comments section.  We love to hear what you have to say!

Have a great day.

Jen, Mandi, Amelia
561-254-2041
jennifer@fabuluxeevents.com
www.fabuluxevents.com