Engagement Photo taken by the wonderful girls at Bend The Light Photography
Congratulations to Courtney & Nick!
September 24, 2010
San Antonio, TX
Thanks for letting us be a part of your day!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Are you considering a wedding website?
Engagement photo taken by the remarkable Jenny at Jenny DeMarco Photography
Do you have a wedding website? If so, go you! If not, you should seriously consider one! Other than it being a new and fun way for you to showcase your wedding, it can save you some money!
Instead of bulking up your invites with accommodation information, you can simply direct guests to your wedding website and link to the reservation site. You can even have people RSVP for multiple events. Wondering how many people will be able to make it to your Rehearsal Dinner? What about the Morning-After Brunch? Invited guests can RSVP from your website. You can also limit who can RSVP for different events. How handy is that?
If you provide the address of each of your venues, guests can even pre-program their GPS for directions. That way they don't have to fumble around looking for the invite insert.
On the fun and cutesy side, you can share all sorts of information about you and the love of your life! How did you meet? What about the proposal? You can share wedding party information and maybe a few mug shots. That way your wedding party feels like an important part of your wedding… not just someone in matching attire!
The website is also a great place to update any changes. Did you register somewhere new? Did you block another hotel for your guests? If so, you can make all changes here and your guests can immediately access it!
Struggling with your wedding website? Check out the newest completed website, made by one of our very-own brides here! Heather did a great job listing pertinent information about the wedding but also shared lots of personal information about the two of them. Now, distant relatives and friends from the past can do a quick update on what they've been up to and learn more about her wedding!
For more information about wedding websites, ask your planner or do a simple Google search. Don't have time to keep one up? Ask your planner how Your Wedding, Your Way can manage your wedding website for you!
With Love,
~Your Wedding, Planner
Thursday, September 16, 2010
In a time of "me," they said "What about them?"
I wrote this earlier this year, following the natural disaster in Haiti. Thought I would finally share it...
"We all know that your wedding is a time when you can *tastefully* say "What about me?!" Usually (sans input from your financial backers) you get to pick everything down to the color of your toenail polish. You take hard-earned money and allow yourself to splurge as much as possible. You spend every cent of that money on flowers, catering, decor and shoes. If there's some left over, you allow yourself to splurge on the professional lighting that surprisingly didn't cost too much and a second "party" dress for the dancing.
But today's news on CNN brought me to tears.
Back Story:
What some of you may or may not know, this wedding planner *me* had a very low-key wedding. My husband and I had to replace the engine, transmission, thermostat and other odds and ends on my car about six months before the wedding. So our budget dropped drastically, seemingly overnight. To make up for that, we had to cut many things from our wedding, things I had spent a lot of time dreaming and planning about. Things I meticuously spent hours color coordinating and organzing in order to make "my" day as wonderful as I had always wanted. All of that went out the window the second a metal pingpong ball started popping around in my engine. I was devastated to say the last. I considered everything from the JP to Vegas for our wedding. But alas, after a few days of "poor poor me" I jumped on doing what I could with the budget that I had. My husband and I had a beautiful morning wedding overlooking the Texas Hill Country and a lunch reception, sans alcohol and dancing. It wasn't the dream I had originally had, but our family members stepped up where they could and donated their time and money to help us work out what we could. Above all, it left us with beautiful photos and beautiful marriage to boot!
Current Story:
A couple in Minneasota said goodbye to part of their wedding budet as well. It happened Sunday. No metal pingpong balls jumping around in their engine. No transmission failing to switch gears. No house burning down. No dog that needs surgery. No natural disaster... at least not for them. This couple sat down and read the newspaper on Sunday morning. It continued to teach them about the devastation in Haiti. Their hearts, just as ours, continued to break. That's when it hit them. In one morning they decided to donate 25% of their wedding budget to a charity that is aiding the victims in Haiti.
How. Awesome. Is. That?
How often in our lives do we have $10 - $20 thousand dollars sitting around. How often do you have even $1000 dollars to donate? How often do we even donate $100? What about $50? I don't know about you, but I don't exactly swim in money on a daily basis and when I do have extra cash, I find it easier to treat myself to a new pair of jeans than seek out a worthy charity.
This couple, originally working with a humble budget of $10,000 decided to donate 25% of it to people they didn't know. People in another country. People who needed it more than them.
Again I say...
How. Awesome. Is. That?
See the video here: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2010/01/19/dnt.wedding.funds.to.haiti.kare?hpt=T2
My thoughts:
In no way I am saying that everyone needs to do the same. In no way am I soliciting donations or saying that you must make a donation now. I am saying this, however. If you feel an urge to help, realize that your wedding budget can be a portal to provide that help.
Sit down and look over your budget. Think about where you can cut corners. Maybe provide simplier favors? Instead of catering your desert bar, let your Grandmother make her famous SnickerDoodle Cookies and your aunt, her brownies. Tap into the endless networks of DIY ideas on the internet. Talk to your sister, your friend or your wedding planner about ways to cut back without sacrificing your style or dreams.
But if you feel the urge to help... don't ignore it. And don't ignore the plethora of places to donate and help. Yes, Haiti needs it. But there are organizations in your state, in your city and even your immediate community that could probably use some help. As your wedding planner I promsie, the day of your wedding you won't notice that your favors weren't the ooberly cute/expensive ones you found on the popular wedding website. But you and your hubby can smile because you listened to your hearts and made a decision together to help. And just thinking about that makes my heart smile for you.
I started a beautiful marriage overlooking the Texas Hill Country. But how much more beautiful could that morning have been knowing that I made decisions to scale back our wedding because I provided meals for people who were hungry, shelter for those who had none or a book for a child who didn't own one?"
With Love,
~Your Wedding Planner
http://www.ywywaustin.com/
"We all know that your wedding is a time when you can *tastefully* say "What about me?!" Usually (sans input from your financial backers) you get to pick everything down to the color of your toenail polish. You take hard-earned money and allow yourself to splurge as much as possible. You spend every cent of that money on flowers, catering, decor and shoes. If there's some left over, you allow yourself to splurge on the professional lighting that surprisingly didn't cost too much and a second "party" dress for the dancing.
But today's news on CNN brought me to tears.
Back Story:
What some of you may or may not know, this wedding planner *me* had a very low-key wedding. My husband and I had to replace the engine, transmission, thermostat and other odds and ends on my car about six months before the wedding. So our budget dropped drastically, seemingly overnight. To make up for that, we had to cut many things from our wedding, things I had spent a lot of time dreaming and planning about. Things I meticuously spent hours color coordinating and organzing in order to make "my" day as wonderful as I had always wanted. All of that went out the window the second a metal pingpong ball started popping around in my engine. I was devastated to say the last. I considered everything from the JP to Vegas for our wedding. But alas, after a few days of "poor poor me" I jumped on doing what I could with the budget that I had. My husband and I had a beautiful morning wedding overlooking the Texas Hill Country and a lunch reception, sans alcohol and dancing. It wasn't the dream I had originally had, but our family members stepped up where they could and donated their time and money to help us work out what we could. Above all, it left us with beautiful photos and beautiful marriage to boot!
Current Story:
A couple in Minneasota said goodbye to part of their wedding budet as well. It happened Sunday. No metal pingpong balls jumping around in their engine. No transmission failing to switch gears. No house burning down. No dog that needs surgery. No natural disaster... at least not for them. This couple sat down and read the newspaper on Sunday morning. It continued to teach them about the devastation in Haiti. Their hearts, just as ours, continued to break. That's when it hit them. In one morning they decided to donate 25% of their wedding budget to a charity that is aiding the victims in Haiti.
How. Awesome. Is. That?
How often in our lives do we have $10 - $20 thousand dollars sitting around. How often do you have even $1000 dollars to donate? How often do we even donate $100? What about $50? I don't know about you, but I don't exactly swim in money on a daily basis and when I do have extra cash, I find it easier to treat myself to a new pair of jeans than seek out a worthy charity.
This couple, originally working with a humble budget of $10,000 decided to donate 25% of it to people they didn't know. People in another country. People who needed it more than them.
Again I say...
How. Awesome. Is. That?
See the video here: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2010/01/19/dnt.wedding.funds.to.haiti.kare?hpt=T2
My thoughts:
In no way I am saying that everyone needs to do the same. In no way am I soliciting donations or saying that you must make a donation now. I am saying this, however. If you feel an urge to help, realize that your wedding budget can be a portal to provide that help.
Sit down and look over your budget. Think about where you can cut corners. Maybe provide simplier favors? Instead of catering your desert bar, let your Grandmother make her famous SnickerDoodle Cookies and your aunt, her brownies. Tap into the endless networks of DIY ideas on the internet. Talk to your sister, your friend or your wedding planner about ways to cut back without sacrificing your style or dreams.
But if you feel the urge to help... don't ignore it. And don't ignore the plethora of places to donate and help. Yes, Haiti needs it. But there are organizations in your state, in your city and even your immediate community that could probably use some help. As your wedding planner I promsie, the day of your wedding you won't notice that your favors weren't the ooberly cute/expensive ones you found on the popular wedding website. But you and your hubby can smile because you listened to your hearts and made a decision together to help. And just thinking about that makes my heart smile for you.
I started a beautiful marriage overlooking the Texas Hill Country. But how much more beautiful could that morning have been knowing that I made decisions to scale back our wedding because I provided meals for people who were hungry, shelter for those who had none or a book for a child who didn't own one?"
With Love,
~Your Wedding Planner
http://www.ywywaustin.com/
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Coti and Dan are married!
Hey Everyone!
I just came across J. Cota Photography's blog, hoping to see some photos of Coti & Dan's wedding! Coti & Dan were married on July 24th and we were so happy they chose us for their Day-Of Coordination. This couple knew how to have fun and wanted all of their guests to have it as well! Well guys... you were definitely successful!
These photo's came out AMAZING! Check them out for yourself below. For more of Coti & Dan's wedding, click here. For more about J. Cota Photography check out their website, here!
With Love,
~Your Wedding Planner
I just came across J. Cota Photography's blog, hoping to see some photos of Coti & Dan's wedding! Coti & Dan were married on July 24th and we were so happy they chose us for their Day-Of Coordination. This couple knew how to have fun and wanted all of their guests to have it as well! Well guys... you were definitely successful!
These photo's came out AMAZING! Check them out for yourself below. For more of Coti & Dan's wedding, click here. For more about J. Cota Photography check out their website, here!
With Love,
~Your Wedding Planner
Friday, September 10, 2010
Internship Program Starts October 1st!
Do you have an eye for details? Do you operate well under pressure? Can you work hard to provide superior customer service to clients? Do you have a special talent with flowers, DIY projects, vendor coordination or fasion trends? Are you interested in working in an ever-changing industry? If so, then event coordination may be for you!
Your Wedding, Your Way is excited about rolling out our new internship program in October 2010! Students and graduates from all over central Texas have been contacting us about potential job opportunities and we are happy to say that the opportunity is here!
Following a successful internship and company evaluation, we will be offering job opportunities to promising interns who wish to pursue the event planning industry! Not interested in a long-term career? That's okay! We have programs for students who are only looking to fulfill college requirements.
Our internships are unpaind but are a great way to get your feet wet in the industry and see if it's right for you! The hours are flexible with your schedule, but will likely require some evening and weekend work. Through our intern-email notification program, you will be notified of each week's opportunities. Then you tell us if you're interested in any of the opportunities available. It's as simple as that!
If you're interested, the first step is to fill out an internship application. Once we receive your application, we will work with you to schedule an interview with two staff members. After final review of all applicants, internships will be offered to selected candidates.
To apply for an internship, send a letter of interest to interns@ywywaustin.com.
With Love,
Your Wedding Planner
Your Wedding, Your Way is excited about rolling out our new internship program in October 2010! Students and graduates from all over central Texas have been contacting us about potential job opportunities and we are happy to say that the opportunity is here!
Following a successful internship and company evaluation, we will be offering job opportunities to promising interns who wish to pursue the event planning industry! Not interested in a long-term career? That's okay! We have programs for students who are only looking to fulfill college requirements.
Our internships are unpaind but are a great way to get your feet wet in the industry and see if it's right for you! The hours are flexible with your schedule, but will likely require some evening and weekend work. Through our intern-email notification program, you will be notified of each week's opportunities. Then you tell us if you're interested in any of the opportunities available. It's as simple as that!
If you're interested, the first step is to fill out an internship application. Once we receive your application, we will work with you to schedule an interview with two staff members. After final review of all applicants, internships will be offered to selected candidates.
To apply for an internship, send a letter of interest to interns@ywywaustin.com.
With Love,
Your Wedding Planner
Friday, August 27, 2010
Lead Assistant Roxanne, Gone Model!
On August 11th, Roxanne and I were at the Weddings Unveiled event at the Mansion at Judges' Hill. If you're unfamiliar with Weddings Unveiled, they offer intimate bridal shows that service between 100-150 guests. That gives you, the bride, plenty of time to talk in depth with vendors to see if they are what you're looking for! When large crowds and long lines aren't your thing, Weddings Unveiled is definitely where you want to be when you're doing your wedding shopping! The ladies over there had some nice things to say about us and also shared some of the details about our services. Check out what they had to say here!
In addition to food, vendors and live music, Melange Bridal put on a bridal show to showcase some of the newest fashions. Unfortunately, one of their models weren't able to make it to the show and at the last minute, they snatched up our beautiful assistant Roxanne! She rocked that wedding dress like it was no one's business! Many thanks to Sabrina Nicole Photography for these great shots!
For all of you that we met and visited with at Weddings Unveiled, THANK YOU for stopping by our booth!
With Love
~Your Wedding Planner
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Hiring a Wedding Planner
Remember when we all dreamed about double weddings? I know Allison (my bff in 2nd grade) and I had plans to extend our playground wedding dreams to real life as soon as we both found our dream men.
Well, just as our friendship has grown and changed since 2nd grade so has the vision of what I wanted my wedding day to be. And you can bet your paycheck that I did NOT have a double wedding. It was MY day! How many days can we say that without looking totally crazy? Not many! It's the one day I can do what I want with colors, tables, food, music, attire, cake, flowers and decor. It's all up to me!
Wait, what? All of that is up to me?! But, I work full time! I have responsibilities, plus I have no idea where to start! Who can help?!
If that sounds like you, then it's time to get a wedding planner! As a planner myself, I know that the people in my profession are capable of helping ease the stress that accompanies your wedding planning process.
Did you catch that? Your Wedding. That's right, this day is your day! If you have visions of what you want on your day, make sure the planner you hire will listen! So often, planners have a vision of how your wedding needs to look. Some even know what vendors you will use before you ever sign on the dotted light. Beware of these planners!
It's good for your planner to have an arsenal of vendors and information about them. It's good for your planner to share creative ideas about the decor and layout of your wedding. But it is BAD for your planner to take complete creative control over your wedding: unless that's what you want, of course.
Most of us however, want to know that our ridiculous love of jelly beans can be incorporated into our wedding tastefully, instead of being completely written off by our planner. I've seen it on the wedding shows. I've seen glamorous high-quality planners step in and completely take over someone's wedding. But in the process they erase all creative input from the bride & groom. Don't let this happen to you! It's your wedding afterall. Make sure you get it your way!
That is why the wedding specialists at Your Wedding, Your Way in Austin, TX are dedicated to helping you create the wedding that you want. We promise we will never take over your wedding vision. We will only guide, organize and advise as we go through the planning process. In the end, the decisions are always your choice and you will never have to worry that your creative bug will be smashed by hoity-toity know-it-all planners.
Remember at Your Wedding, Your Way we believe: It's your wedding. Have it your way!
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