Crate & Barrel $100k Ultimate Wedding Contest

Crate & Barrel and Daily Candy are hosting a contest to win a $100,000 Ultimate Wedding planned and designed by celebrity planner Jo Gartin. Here are their other prizes:

2nd Prize One $7500 Crate and Barrel Shop Card.

3rd Prize One $2500 Crate and Barrel Shop Card.

Honorable Mention 15 winners will each receive a $1000 Crate and Barrel Shop Card.

Popular Vote Winner The highest vote–getter will receive a $500 Crate and Barrel Shop Card.

Not bad! Who couldn’t use a gift card from Crate & Barrel?  Contest ends March 31, 2010.

Good luck! Vicky

Punk Rock Bride Giveaway & Special Offer

Remember our visit with Stephanie of Punk Rock Bride?

To celebrate the launch of her 2010 collection, Stephanie is throwing a party! She is giving 10 ladies tickets to the launch party and 20% off any dress!

To enter the giveaway, go to A Foxy Wedding blog!

Good luck, Vicky

Bialek’s Music Showcases 2/27-2/28

You are cordially invited to attend one of the following Bridal Shows below to meet Bialek’s Music, as well as some other great vendors! After you decide which show you’d like to attend, please email them at info@bialeksmusic.com to RSVP.

Saturday, February 27th

Ft. Belvoir Officers Club – 11:00am-1:30pm – FREE! Must reply to RSVP
Featuring Invitation Band and DJ Debbie Bulles

Sunday, February 28th

Marriott Crystal City – 11:00am-3:00pm – FREE! Must reply to RSVP
Featuring Mixed Company Band and DJ Michael Valenti

Marriott Crystal Gateway – 11:00am-3:00pm – FREE! Must reply to RSVP
Featuring Doctors Orders Band and Ray Bialek

Marriott Key Bridge – 11:00am-3:00pm- FREE! Must reply to RSVP
Featuring DJ Dan Goldman

R&R Caterers Tasting – 12:00pm-3:00pm
Featuring DJ Brennan Sullivan
Located at the Harbour View Event Center
13200 Marina Way
Woodbridge, VA 22191

Marriott Metro Center – 11:00am-3:00pm
Featuring Harpist Gail Shanta

Newly Engaged Starter Guide Part 4: Keys to Success

Go back and read Part 1 (Words of Wisdom),  Part 2 (the Big Picture), and Part 3 (Money).

Maybe a better title for this post is How to Plan a Wedding without Killing Each Other? All jokes aside, weddings bring out the best and worst in people probably because everything about it is so emotionally charged.

Here are my Top 5 Keys to Successful Wedding Planning:

1. Prioritize. We talked about prioritizing when discussing the wedding budget and assigning more budget to those items that are on the top of your list. It does not stop with budgeting money. Prioritizing also applies to your time – so spending more time on planning your higher priority items and less time, if any at all, on those you don’t care as much about. On the less important items, trust the professionals that you hired and let them handle it. The bottom line here is that you don’t have a limitless budget and you don’t have a lot of time and you are not the Energizer Bunny. You want to make your budget and time work as efficiently for you as possible.
2. Compromise. It takes two to be in a marriage and that begins when you start planning your wedding. There are two of you, two opinions and two sets of priorities. Chances are you will not agree on everything. Be ready to pick your battles.
3. Organize. Planning a wedding is a big project with many pieces. It can all get out of control really quickly so it is crucial that you get organized and stay organized. Whether you do it electronically or using binder/folder system, select a method that will help you corral all the information packages, proposals and contracts you will be receiving. Set up a separate email account for wedding related emails to keep them from being mixed up with your other emails. When you purchase items for your wedding, designate a box/area/room for these items.
4. Communicate. Communication is extremely important, not only with each other but with your family, friends and the wedding professionals you hire. Your vendors will appreciate you expressing your expectations and concerns. It allows us to do our job better and to provide you with better service. As a wedding planner, I get phone calls frequently from brides and grooms alike venting about each other or about a family member, and I find myself ending many of those conversations with “have you told this person what you just told me?” If you try to communicate and you hit an impasse, you might need to seek an impartial third party to help. I have had clients who attend pre-martial or couples counseling while planning their weddings and they have all said that those sessions were helpful.
5. Perspective. Constantly remind yourselves what this wedding is all about. Like it or not, it is not about finding that perfect favor to give to your guests. Amidst all the planning, you can easily lose yourselves. I suggest having date nights or even weekend getaways where you are forbidden to talk about the wedding and decompress a bit.

Now that you are all prepared to plan your wedding, be sure to subscribe to our blog for more helpful tips. Looking for practical information? Want to read about the behind the scenes at read weddings? Want to know the truth about a vendor? Be sure to read our series of Real Weddings. As always, we are here to help so contact us!

Have fun! Vicky

Band Showcase with Elan Artists

Tuesday February 23rd, 2010  7:30PM prompt start
Omega Studios – Rockville

Featured bands:  Nation & Truth Groove
Elan Artists Bands Recently Featured In Martha Stewart Weddings 15th Anniversary Issue…
Hear your areas top dance bands perform live.  Each band performs a cross section of music from classics to contemporary.  Hip, sophisticated, and affordable.  Our bands personalize each performance and have zero cheese factor.  Meet band leaders and musicians directly and get a feeling for style, personality and quality. 
Email us to check band availability for your date.  RSVP is strongly requested.
Omega Studios
5609 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20852
888.800.3526 or rsvp@elanartists.com
Admission Free – RSVP Requested

www.dancebandshowcase.com

Preview groups at www.elanartists.com