Hey there! It's almost Friday.  Hope everyone has spectacular weekend plans!

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.  

Best,

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

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