The top 5 stress-causing things in wedding planning from my perspective are:

1. Budget: Issues arise where there are disagreements on how to allocate the available funds, or when the amount available to spend is not sufficient for the style or services desired. To avoid this, make sure you have conversations with every person who will be contributing before you start making decisions. If you get your heart set on a lavish five-course meal in the city's swankiest venue with a guest list of 300, and then find out your budget is $10,000 - you're going to be disappointed. Know what's available to spend first, and how those contributing feel about how it gets spent, before you start planning.

2. Family: Planning and paying for weddings has shifted to fall on the couple and both sides of the family, creating more opportunities for confrontation. Additionally, "difficult" family dynamics can create a great deal of stress. This is just like to #1 - talk first, plan later. Figure out what the expectations of all the top figures are (like your parents), and do your best to be accommodating. You won't be able to make everyone happy about every aspect of your wedding, but people usually respond better to things not being as they'd like when they feel they've at least been heard. Remember, it is your wedding, but it's not just about you.

3. Unrealistic expectations: Most couples enter into wedding planning without a frame of reference for the typical cost of a wedding in their area. Therefore, they often mis- or under-estimate the amount that will be needed, or begin to make plans that will not be attainable. Do a little homework before you have that money conversation with everyone - that way, you'll have an idea of whether the rough figures are adding up or not. And, if they're not, start adjusting.

4. Vendor concerns: Couples must put a great deal of trust into each of their wedding professionals. The process of finding and hiring people to perform these services can be nerve-wracking, at best, and devastating should the vendor fail to perform as promised. In this situation, some kind of assurance of a vendor's professionalism can be invaluable. This is where L'Evento Event Resource Boutique or a qualified Wedding Consultant or Planner can really help out. We investigate and hand-select all our preferred vendors at L'Evento, so you can be certain the pros you find here will perform as agreed. An experienced planner will have an address book full of professionals with whom they've worked and were pleased with before, too.

5. Too much DIY: The trend today for many couples is to DIY their wedding - from invitations to flowers to music, couples are choosing not to hire professionals and instead do-it-themselves, sometimes to the detriment of the event. When a couple takes on too many projects, or tries to do things they are not familiar with how to do or the level of ability needed to complete, couples cause themselves additional stress in trying to complete these projects. Before planning to DIY, take stock of your own skills and those of your friends, your patience threshold, as well as the free time you have available. If you are a graphic designer by trade, then creating your own invitations makes sense. However, if your only experience with design is a two-week module on Microsoft Publisher in high school, then you may want to rethink that plan. Remember, too, that DIY projects often take more time than originally planned, so allow for that as well.

Finally, remember that we're here to help at L'Evento, in whatever way you need. From budget to design advice, to helping you find the prefect professional, we'll give you our best answer, or find someone who can!

Cheers!
Heather

Got questions? See something we missed? Comment & let us know!

This Wedding Wednesday we are featuring Brides By Demetrios. Demetrios Elias opened his first bridal boutique, Illissa Bridals of New York City, in 1980. Today, there are over 25 Brides by Demetrios store locations, including one right here in Indianapolis!

Demetrios bridal gowns allow women the widest and most versatile styles that are admired all over in the fashion world. His dress collection continues to evolve and has an assortment of lines that are available at Brides by Demetrios stores. Some of his collections include, Demetrios Couture, Ilissa, Illusions, The Princess Collections, Demetrios Evening, and a variety of others.

According to the designer, two silhouettes are "in" this year: the A-Line, with jeweled accents, and the princess look, with a full skirt and fitted bodice.

Not only does Brides by Demetrios have hundreds of wedding dresses to choose from, but you will also be surprised at the variety of bridesmaid’s dresses that could compliment your wedding gown. That perfect, just for you dress, might just be waiting for you at Brides by Demetrios!

Brides by Demetrios
4110 East 82nd Street, Suite D
Indianapolis, Indiana 46250
(317) 585-9990
www.demetriosbride.com

On January 8, 2011, Erin Hession photographed Ashley and Othmane's wedding & reception in La Jolla, California. Erin is a dedicated photographer and loves to photograph destination weddings. She is amazing at capturing every detail, personalizing your photographs to make them unique, and preserving the memories you will always cherish. Here is a selection of our personal favorites from Ashely and Othmane's wedding in La Jolla, California! Enjoy!!

Want to see more of this gorgeous wedding? Check out Erin's full blog post. And, be sure to "Like" Erin Hession Photography on Facebook for the latest scoop!

Signature drinks are all the rage - from sipping at cocktail parties to receptions, you simply can’t go wrong with a customized drink from the bride and groom! However, there are a few tips and tricks we loved from Brides Magazine that we just had to share. Keep in mind that these cocktails are supposed to be personalized to you (the couple) so think ahead about what style, liquors and garnishes you may want to feature on your big day.

Do a taste test. This is a must for any couple looking to perfect a signature drink for their big day. Sit down with a couple of your friends and a mixologist/bartender to sample some flavors, liquors and concoctions to see which one suits you best!

Be innovative. Try customizing the color, liquor or the garnishes of the signature drink to match the décor of your wedding. This makes for a fun added detail that guest will love partaking in.

Use your venue as inspiration. Do consider your location when choosing an appropriate signature drink. Having a chic, downtown wedding—how about a twist on an apple martini? Or maybe your wedding is located on the beach—choose a more fruity signature drink to compliment your surrounding area.

Have fun, in moderation. There is nothing worse than an extra rowdy guest at a wedding, so choose carefully on the amount you are serving your guests in each signature cocktail. You can modify the portion by substituting different liquors for lighter ingredients or serve them in smaller portions.

Sip and nibble. I love the idea of having a signature drink that is personalized with a mini treat. Try serving your signature drink in shot glasses with a little something to nibble on the side. Guests will not only love the fancy drink, but get to munch on something as well!

Best,
Hilary

Hope you didn’t think we forgot about the all-important honeymoon! Last week we gave you some info on non-traditional registry alternatives. We had some interest in the honeymoon registry, so it’s about to have its own blog!

Most honeymoon registries are listed on a couple’s wedding website, with pictures and information about the upcoming getaway. Locally, our own Carmel Travel Company was able to shed some light on the questions surrounding your honeymoon registry. Owner Melisa Keiser says, “I explain to our clients that a honeymoon registry is just like the registry you set up at Macy’s or Target.” The only downside is the percent that goes to the registry service. “Couples have the opportunity to decide if they will be the ones paying the percent or if the gift givers will pay it.” Check out more about Melisa and the Carmel Travel Company at: http://www.carmeltravelcompany.com

Some of the more modern approaches to the honeymoon registry have allowed guests to purchase services or activities for the couple to enjoy while they are away. For example, a couple may list their destination, resort, and a few things they are interested in participating in while honeymooning. A guest can browse the page and purchase any of the listed activities or give a general monetary gift of any amount towards the honeymoon.

Common services and activities to consider including in your honeymoon registry are:
    > Couples massages 
    > Scuba diving 
    > Elegant dining 
    > Private boat, safari, mountain, or city tours 
    > Wine tasting 
    > Spa packages 
    > Extreme sporting adventures 
    > Anything you can think of that the two of you will enjoy!

A great advantage of using an online registry is the ability to keep track of gifts to personalize those Thank-You’s. Be sure to thank your family and friends for allowing you two to partake in activities you may have otherwise gone without during your honeymoon. Those experiences will be with you forever!

Couples may see a honeymoon registry as asking for money, but a few years ago the new sensation of honeymoon registries was reviewed in The Wall Street Journal. "A honeymoon is a perfectly appropriate gift to request," says Peter Post, president of the Emily Post Institute, in Burlington, VT., a well-known etiquette think tank. "There's no objection to it from an etiquette point of view." This actually makes the gift giving process easier, more simplified for wedding guests.

Always,
Amy

These days couples are looking just about anywhere for neat and innovative décor ideas. Although some couples opt for a more traditional or contemporary theme, many couples are choosing to go with a “playful” approach when decorating. 

A trend I am currently loving are all the DIY signs, displays and chalkboards creatively spelling out the bride and groom's names, information or locations. These are not only fun to create with your future spouse, but can look really neat after they are completed. Although many brides have a specific idea on how they want to decorate their designated area, these signs, displays and chalkboards can fit in with just about any theme.

Having a rustic, flirty, partially outdoor wedding? How about beautifully written fonts on multiple sized arrows leading guests toward designated locations. These are fun and easy to create, not to mention easy to follow!

Maybe you have a tight budget and don’t want to print up menu cards? Or you want to tell all your guests something else specific - spell it out in chalk! Chalkboards are a great way to not only save a little money, but add a bit of personality to your wedding.

However you choose to decorate your wedding, these fun and creative signs and displays will surely be a topic of discussion! Materials to complete your creations can be found in a variety of places: craft stores, specialty shops, and even antique stores! Don’t forget to get your future spouse or a few of your girlfriends to join in on the fun!

Best,
Hilary

Last week we talked about the history behind traditional bridal registries. This raised some questions about the larger, contribution-style registry ideas out there. Keep reading for more information about some of these ideas and find out how to get what it is you two really want or need.

Some couples have been married before, live together before the wedding, or had the patience to let love find its way to them. These situations can mean a marriage of more than just two people, but two households! What do you do when you’re getting married, but you already have all of the material household things you typically find on a registry?

There are great non-traditional registry options for the couples that already have everything!  Some of the options are to create a honeymoon registry, a charity registry, a home down payment registry, or even a business funding registry. With secure, online registries you won’t have to handle all the envelopes on your wedding day and you can have an account of your gifts and givers to send those Thank-You’s. All of these registry options can help you, as a couple, achieve those big dreams you’re dreaming and have your friends and family to thank.

A charity registry can show your guests what charitable endeavor drives you as new couple, while allowing them to support that passion. Check out the I Do Foundation for more information on giving back, or starting a charity registry: www.idofoundation.org

A down payment registry with registered cash gifts qualify towards the down payment of a house, in accordance with FHA rules. Payments made toward a registry can make the entire process less stressful and more efficient. Be smart! Use a service that pays interest on your gift money and charges low fees for the registry services. We recommend starting with your local banker to explore the options available to you.

If you and your beloved are entrepreneurially inclined, you may be interested in establishing a business funding registry. Kickstarter is an online pledge system for funding creative projects, business ideas, or your next big company purchase. In this particular registry, Kickstarter collects money through Amazon payments and both companies will claim a percentage of the funds raised. On the flip side, they do not claim ownership over the project or work produced by the funds. For more information, or to start your own business venture, visit www.kickstarter.com

These are all great alternatives to establish a goal-setting registry and help the two of you begin with the end in mind. Don’t be afraid to try new things, new ideas, and new registries, but if you’re still unsure, feel free to ask us here at l’Evento for some gift guidance!

Always,
Amy

If you walk into a store that offers a bridal or wedding registry, some associates are happy to explain their company exchange and return policies and give you a suggested checklist of registry items. Others will simply turn you loose in their store and hope you bring them business! What you’re really there to do is get what you want, right? How did these registries become so extensive in the first place?

Bridal registries were originally started for brides to choose a china pattern and let their guests' generosity work toward completing an entire set. In 1924, when the first bridal registry was made available at Marshall Field’s the bride listed her choices of china, silver, and crystal. Years ago, although there were options for china patterns, there were not many options for your blender, toaster, or kitchen utensils. The bridal registry has now expanded to include the newest options a newlywed couple has to choose from when thinking about their household.

With so many choices for our modern-day bride there are different kinds of registries to suit your wedding, your guests, and your needs. A universal registry is able to compile all of your desired gifts, regardless of which store they are from, in one single list. A contributory registry or contribution registry allows multiple guests to contribute toward the purchase of a single, larger gift for the couple.

So, let’s figure out how to make the most of your registry, regardless of where it originates and how large it becomes. A good rule of thumb is to list two gifts for each guest or party invited to your wedding. Even if they cannot attend, guests will often send a gift. Offering a variety of high-end or costly gifts and balancing these with some that are less expensive gives your guests the freedom to choose, within their personal budgets, what they can get you.

See if this helps you develop a “scanning strategy” when the stores turn you two loose and check back next week to find out what else a registry can do for you!

Always,
Amy