Hi All,

We are starting this week with some great info on what we call a FRIENDOR - A friend that also is a vendor...and it can be tricky!

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 and Lara

Happy 2019!!

 We are excited to see what the new year brings! So many people got engaged over the holidays but now you are thinking...Holy Cow, what do I do now!

It seems like all of the sudden everyone is asking you things like

• "When is the Wedding" 
• "What is Your Theme"  
• "Who is in the Wedding"  
• "Can I Bring a Date"
• "I Have a Friend who is a ______ (Photographer, baker, officiant, florist, etc)"  
• "I Have 15 Dietary Restrictions...that won't be a problem will it"

So the first thing to do is take a deep breath...this will all be ok.  Here are some reminders and Top 10 things to do 

• Enjoy the Moments - Being engaged is special, take the time to stare at your ring for hours, flip through wedding magazines, and dare I say it, spend time on Pinterest (just don't get sucked into the Pinterest vortex!)
• Decide on things you like and don't like - find your style.  

Don't forget Date Nights and Exercise!

And most important of all...

Remember why you are doing all of this...to celebrate your love and commitment to each other!

Here are our Top 10 things to do now that you are engaged.

1.  Decide what kind of wedding you want - Destination Wedding, Formal Wedding, Casual Wedding at the Beach, Something Rustic, Something Classic

2.  If you don't live near your families, decide where you will hold the wedding.

3.  Have an open, honest conversation with both families about any money they be contributing to the wedding, what costs you are expected to cover, how you are to use funds contributed by your families.  This one is hard and stressful...but better to get it out in the open and avoid conflict later on down the line.

4.  Start you guest list - Be realistic - if you haven't spoken with, emailed or seen these people in over a year - seriously think about whether they need to be invited - this includes distant family. And remember the size of the venue you select will impact the size of the guest list.

5.  Decide what time of year you want to get married - know the busy times of year in your area, check for popular dates, dates that are important to your family (birthdays, milestones, etc), holidays, festival dates (in West Palm - Sunfest, BoatShow, Tree Lighting, etc).

6.  Choose your wedding party - and no, you don't have to have the same number of bridesmaids and groomsmen and yes, you can have bridesmen and groomsladies.

7.  Select your venue.  But don't visit more than 2-3 venues in one day.  It's overwhelming, confusing and tiring.

8.  Get your engagement ring appraised and insured.  This one isn't fun but it is necessary!

9.  Start refining your budget by category.

10.  HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER!!! No matter what level of planning you hire (full planning, partial planning, month of coordination) you have just hired someone to give you Peace of Mind and you can't put a pricetag on that item!

At Fabuluxe Events we have 3 Different Levels of Planning.  Our goal is for you and you family to feel like guests at your own wedding.  When you hire us you are buying peace of mind!

Happy Planning!

Jen

561-254-2041

jennifer@Fabuluxeevents.com

We have all been to weddings and events and we wonder...what the heck is wrong with some of these guests?!  So, I decided  to make a list of "Good Guest Rules."

Good Guest Rules

1.  Be on time - not too early and definitely not late.  We will not let you into the ceremony if the processional is still happening.   And when we do let you in, you will have to sit in the back.

2.  Do NOT take photos during the ceremony - We have had to move people out of the aisle so that the wedding party can walk down, grooms have been unable to see their brides as they walk down the aisle because of people leaning in with their phones or tablets.  Be in the moment.  It is an important ceremony...and take tons of photos at cocktails and the reception!

3.  Dress Appropriately - If the invitation says formal or black tie please wear formal or black tie.  If the invitation says resort chic or beach casual then khakis are appropriate.  Jeans are NEVER appropriate unless it is specifically stated on the invitation.

4.  Do not drink to excess - Just because there is an open bar doesn't mean you have to drink all of the alcohol...enough said.

5.  If you RSVP that you are attending, attend the event unless it is a major emergency (Like calling 911 emergency).  The couple has paid several hundred dollars for your meal, etc.   It is disrespectful to not show because you just didn't feel like it that day.

6.  If you are a female guest - Do NOT wear white.  The only time this is appropriate is if it is specifically stated by the couple that this is a black and white or all white wedding and they have noted the attire on the invitation or their website.

7.  Don't ask for a To-Go Box of your dinner - TACKY...

8.  Don't be rude to the waitstaff, or other wedding professionals.  Everyone has a job to do and wants to do it to the best of their abilities.  Sometimes, though you may have to wait a moment or two for your request to be filled.

9.  Have a great time and enjoy the celebration with the couple. 

After all a wedding is a celebration of two people in love making a lifetime committment to each other!  Have fun with it and make lifelong memories!

Photo Credit:  Shea Christine Photography