Hey everyone!  So, life is slowly getting back to normal and that makes us so happy.  It means we get to start celebrating again.  So today we are taking a look back at Daniella and Andrew's wedding to help us remember that weddings are so beautiful and magical and everything we love!

First of all, Daniella and Andrew are two of the kindest, most fun, down to earth and all around cool people.  We had so much fun with their families and friends.  And the star of the day was the adorable, rescue dog - Daisy!  She walked down the aisle and stole the show during all of the photos!

They had a super fun rehearsal dinner at The Colony the night prior to the wedding.  Check out the cool pink "yeti" cooler filled with mini-champagne bottles.  

Andrew's aunt owns a custom clothing boutique and made all of the suits for the guys. And they were looking FABULOUS!  Danielle was looking a like dream in her dress from Lighthouse Bridal.  And her hair and make up was by the incredibly talented team at Kiss This Make Up.   Decor was designed by the amazing Nancy with Xquisite Events with linens from Atlas Event Rentals.  Everyone danced the night away and Rock with U - DJ Ricky City and the crew were on fire!

And all of this magic was captured by Jessica Bordner Photography, who is pure magic.  And the most wonderful May and Jamie from Key Moment Flims.

Daniella's Man of Honor has been her best friend since high school.  And he gave one of the best, most heartfelt wedding toasts that I have heard in over 10 years.  There were tears all around!  

It's these moments that combined into a whole day that make a wedding so special!  And we live for those moments!

We made it to February and while Coronavirus is still a challenge, we are happy to be open and working in Sunny South Florida.  We truly believe that things will continue to get better and that you can celebrate safely!

Today's topic is the dreaded "B word" - BUDGET.   It can be awkward, uncomfortable and daunting to talk about budget when planning the wedding of your dreams. 

And a quick word of advice.  Please don't start the conversation with your vendors by saying "I am on a budget".  Yes, you are.  Everyone has a budget.   A great wedding planner, like Fabuluxe Events, helps you match your vendors with your budget. 

Whether your budget is $10,000 or $100,000 or 1,000,000 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 families.  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 commitment 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 priority 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 

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

Happy Monday! Today I thought I would share some of the mistakes or pitfalls of the wedding planning process.  Just a few tips to remember when planning your big day.

1.  Remember why you are doing this....Too many people get caught up in all of the little details and stress of wedding planning.  Remember that you are marrying the love of your life.   You are committing your lives to each other in front of friends and family.  You are celebrating your love.  

2.  Don't always steer the conversation to your wedding planning...When you are with your friends and family, yes, they want to hear how it is going.  No, they don't want wedding planning to be the only topic of conversation when they are with you....plus you want to keep some of the fun details a surprise!

3.  Losing your personality in the wedding...You are celebrating the love of two people.  Let your personalities show, as individuals and as a couple.  It can be through decor, table names, food choices, song choices..but stay true to yourselves...Just because you saw it on Pinterest doesn't mean you have to do it.  Be yourself!

4.  Not hiring professional, experienced wedding professionals...This is a big one!!  You think you are getting a great deal by hiring that DJ or Photographer that's a friend of a friend who does weddings on the side...BIG MISTAKE...make sure your wedding pros are experienced in wedddings, have the appropriate licensure and insurance, can provide references.  There are horror stories all over the internet from brides who went the cheap way and it ended up costing them so much more emotionally and monetarily.

5.  Underbudgeting...Don't underestimate how quickly the small things add up...postage, garter, that cute little sign you saw on etsy, hair accessories, getting your nails done, driving around town on wedding errands (hey, gas is expensive). 

Happy Wedding Planning!

Jen, Mandi, Nikki and Lara

So you are chugging away with wedding planning and every time you bring it up the groom-to-be disappears.   How can you get him to be interested and help with the planning.

1.  Remember to talk about things other than wedding planning.  It is important to keep perspective, you are spending the rest of your life with him and that lasts much longer than one day.

2.  Find out what things are interesting to him with regard to the wedding.  A lot of grooms are interested in the food, the bar, the music...but make them look at 150 bridesmaid dresses and you may have a mutiny on your hands.  It is ok if he doesn't want to be involved in every single aspect of planning.

3.  Narrow choices to the top 3 in a category.  Do the research first and then ask his opinion on your top 3 choices. This works well for venue, invitations, favors, and color palettes.

4.  If your groom does have to go to an appointment with you, have a plan for after the appointment..Go to his favorite restaurant, promise to watch a ballgame with him, encourage him to have a guy night.  After all, you will be practicing the art of compromise for the rest of your life.

5.  Plan date nights and promise not to talk about wedding planning during your date.  

6.  Set aside time to talk about the wedding plans with no distractions.  You will get more done in less time and won't lose his attention.

7. Go back to number #1.

As always, stay true to yourself and true to the two of you as a couple.  

Remember, You Deserve a Fabuluxe Day!

Cheers,

Jen, Mandi, Nikki, Lara

jennifer@fabuluxeevents.com

561-254-2041