Charlotte Wedding Bosses: Make Your Wedding Meaningful Issue 1

WWW.CHARLOTTEWEDDINGBOSSES.COM

ISSUE N0. 2

MAKE T H E

P R E M I E R E

G U I D E

T O

A

M E A N I N G F U L

&

E P I C

W E D D I N G

D A Y

YOUR WEDDING MEANINGFUL

CONSIDER WHAT MATTERS MOST

HIRING THE RIGHT ONES

DON'T FORGET TO TAKE IT IN

And not what matters most in the wedding world..what matters most to YOU!

That means making sure your team has your back!

AKA our tips on making time to take a 'break' and actually experience your day!

PHOTOGRAPHED BY WEDDINGS BY BLUESKY

MEET THE BOSSES ARTICLES

Rev. Rebecca Nagy An Award-winning wedding Officiant, Reverend Nagy is also a Certified Pastoral Counselor/Spiritual Director, Motivational Speaker, Author,

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featured

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Tip #1

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Your'e engaged

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Top 3

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Tip #2

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Tip #3

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Block it off

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Planner Tips

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Boss Officiant

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Engaged, now?

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Video?

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Dress shopping

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Perfect venue

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Quiet

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Boudoir WTW

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Feel gorgeous

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Cake Shopping

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Planner Advice

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Venue Tips

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Florist Advice

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Cake planning

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Core 4

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Dual Purpose

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Touch-up Tips

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Custom Design

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Definitions

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Venue Advice

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Hiring a DJ

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Connection

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Directory

Meditation Coach, and Spiritual Teacher.

Bespoke Designs Bespoke Designs is a wedding invitation design studio creating modern classics.We love all things paper, innovative timeless designs and high craftsmanship.

Bluebird Bridal Bluebird Bridal is a small, female owned boutique specializing in both unique traditional wedding gowns, tuxedos, and little white dresses.Â

Weddings by Bluesky Meet Elly 1/2 of of BLUESKY-an all female photography team who celebrate the lives of unstoppable

ON THE COVER Photographs: Weddings by Bluesky

women and the people who love them.

Carolina DJ Professionals We're an award-winning Hall of Fame DJ service with 5-stars, over 1,000 reviews, and ranked asTop-10 in the US

CE Rentals Call me the “Linen Connoisseur”.

Colors, textures, designs–your vision becomes my masterpiece.

More Beatty Photography

Charlotte City Club The Charlotte City Club is a renowned Platinum Club of America located in the heart of Uptown offering expansive and panoramic views of the City.

Hampton Inn & Suites The Hampton Inn & Suites SouthPark stands as the focal point in Phillips Place, a beautiful Europeans tyle boutique village located just south of Uptown Charlotte in an area called SouthPark

Jackie Fogartie Events Jackie Fogartie is the owner and Lead Planner of Jackie Fogartie Events, a full-service wedding planning company with close to a decade of experience in the Charlotte area.

Megan Oliveri Feeling beautiful on your wedding day without lifting a finger, is exactly what you deserve and need right now!At MOA we pride ourselves on being with you every step of the way.

Sky's the Limit Bridal Sweets Cake design incorporates all of the skill and eye it takes to make it on Madison ave...but now, I apply that talent and skill to make your wedding cake!

Split Second Sound Originally from Long Island, New York, owners Vinny and Diane Esposito called the Queen City home in 1999.

Split Second Sound has grown into the premiere DJ company in Charlotte and surrounding areas.

Whitehead Manor Whitehead Manor is a unique historic venue that blends the charm of the old south with the latest in modern conveniences.

Bungalow 1325 A sweet little bridal suite, located just outside of Uptown in Plaza Midwood.

Designed to be photographed!

QUESTION

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DOES THIS MATTER TO ME? AKA NOT JUST A BOX CHECK ITEM

TIP #1 MAKE IT MEANINGFUL

CONSIDER WHAT ACTUALLY MATTERS MOST TO YOU! After 15 years as photographers--one thing that is abundantly clear is the very ‘best’ weddings -are the ones that just uniquely feel like they belong to the two people getting married.

You know the ones--as you leave you think: “That was just so Kristen and John!!”

So how do you do this for your own wedding day and begin your own legacy in a way that feels ‘just so the two of you?’

YOU'RE ENGAGED! So what do most couples do as soon as they get engaged? They announce it! … and with that starts the advice.

Lots of it.

So if you are like most people you’re next step is to google it. Perfect, right? Now I have a checklist I’m all set.

Except…

Most couples haven’t stopped to consider first is What actually matters to us?

So what if before you start checking boxes you ask yourself that question? (Is it things like, ‘not being seen before the wedding’, ‘having 300 people attend’, ‘sit down formal dinner’ or even… ‘wearing white’ (Did you know not every bride does?;-) ...or something altogether different.

Our advice is to start by getting clear about what matters most to BOTH of you!

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Top three questions to ask yourself and your fiancé Written by Elly Kinne

What do we want our wedding day to FEEL like?

Example: ‘we want to feel relaxed, happy and want to deeply connect with those around us.’

What do we want to say about it after it’s all said and done?

Example: ‘Everyone had a great time, had time to connect, that it was the happiest day of our lives. ‘ We felt truly supported and loved in our choice to spend the rest of our lives together. And, maybe: Also, we have the most amazing photographs to cherish from it.’ hint: hint;-) What’s MOST important to you? What’s most important to my fiancé?

Example: ‘On our wedding day it MOST important we spend quality time with all of our guests, and that our guests had a relaxing and fun experience. That we had time to enjoy it. That I felt beautiful, the scene was beautiful.’

This may mean you consider opting for an intimate wedding vs 300 guests.

For you finance- it may be: Example: ‘On our wedding day I want to show her I love her in my own way. But after the ceremony-we want to have FUN. To make sure the reception is a really fantastic party! Music is very important to me as is amazing food.’

This could mean you each write your vows that feel just. like. You. and spend some time really interviewing bands that cater to your music choice and sense of atmosphere. Along with a caterer that specializes in weddings for gourmet palettes...or amazing cheese burgers. It’s all up to you!

Want some more tips on how to make your wedding uniquely yours? Head to www.weddingsbybluesky.com and sign up to receive your very own copy of ‘The Ultimate Guide to Meaningful and Epic Wedding.’

QUESTION

2

HOW DO I TAKE IT IN? AKA REMEMBER YOUR DAY

TIP #2 MAKE TIME FOR EACH OTHER

SCHEDULE SMALL “BREAKS” ON YOUR WEDDING DAY TO TAKE IT IN “My wedding was a blur.”

We hear that a lot.

One reason is couples try to cram everything into a small amount of time.

Whether they are trying to follow a venue restraint or cut down on cost. On paper it looks like more than enough time, but in reality, it’s usually not.

MAKE YOUR WEDDING MEANINGFUL | ISSUE NO. 1

SOME POSSIBLE TIMES TO CREATE A ‘TAKEIT-ALL-IN’ BREAK” Some tips on how to be more present and actually remember your special day--AKA: Actually schedule time to take it in. Take time to simply process what has happened or what’s about to happen.

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RIGHT AFTER YOU GET DRESSED

RIGHT AFTER THE CEREMONY

DURING YOUR RECEPTION

This can be a really special time to schedule a few sweet moments with parents/your wedding party. Even a moment with yourself as you’ve never seen yourself all dressed up as a bride (‘the day is finally here kind of moment + wow I’m beautiful’)

After you’ve hugged and greeted everyone, possible did a receiving line

Schedule some time after the main formalities during dancing and meangingling. Sneak away. Just the two of you.

QUESTION

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WHAT IF IT RAINS? ROLL WITH IT!

TIP #3 DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

ROLL WITH IT ON YOUR WEDDING DAY! Plan, plan, plan, but roll with it on your wedding day - take on that everything is supposed to happen the way it does.

You’ve invested so much into this day. You’ve planned every little detail. You have an awesome timeline, amazing vendors, and fabulous loved ones by your side.

It’s. time. to. let. go.

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Some of the most memorable (and favorite moments for clients in retrospect) are the unexpected moments.

The moment it started raining during portraits and we all ran inside… then took epic photos of you two cuddled up together under the awning. Listening to the peaceful sounds of rain together, embracing and it was an epic photo to remember it by… allowing us photographers to capture that moment.

PLUS: PRO TIP: Rain… is actually pretty magical in photographs-promise. Not only can we get epic photos in the rain, but something happens in the crowd too.

Everyone seems to “let their hair down” so-to-speak, and let go of their inhibitions.

They dance more, laugh more, and will certainly never forget that wedding.

(Both of our owners had weddings that included rain and wouldn't change it for anything!)

But these types of genuinely joyful/hilarious/meaningful moments...often only happen if you roll with it.

You’ve finalized your guest list, booked your ceremony spot, selected your reception venue and so many other logistics are coming together. So where will all of your guests stay? It’s important to keep your wedding guests’ needs in mind when looking for the perfect hotel for them to lay their head each night. Keep these tips in mind as you plan your hotel accommodations:

BLOCK IT OFF 101

Consider the location. The chosen hotel should be close to the wedding events, primarily the reception. But should also be close to restaurants, shopping or interesting places to walk to nearby.

What is included with each guestroom? Breakfast, Wi-Fi, Valet Parking? The more that is included, the more value there is.

Written by Hampton Inn & Suites

Will your hotel provide a shuttle?

Depending on where the venue is, some do offer transportation to and from the venue either complimentary or for a small fee.

BOSS ADVICE

Make sure to ask how many guests their shuttle can fit at one NOMADIC | 24 time.

MAKE YOUR WEDDING MEANINGFUL | ISSUE NO. 1

Always remember that the hotel salesperson who is helping you with your room block is there for you!

Is there enough parking? Is there a fee? For your guest who are driving in into town, parking is an important consideration.

What are the group rates for weddings? Are there any special rates associated with your wedding reception venue?

Clearly communicate the room-block deadline. Not only will guests miss out on a discounted rate, but they might not be able to book a room at all, especially in peak seasons or holiday weekends.

The release date for your room block is usually three or four weeks before the event.

Read the fine print! Some hotels require a percentage of rooms booked to fulfil the discounted rate (also called an attrition clause).

You don’t want to pay for empty rooms.

Does a hotel’s package include a hospitality room?

This is a private space where guests can gather to relax in between events.

Are there Bride and Groom benefits? Ask if your package could include a “get ready room” or a complimentary or discounted suite for the bride and groom for their wedding night.

How do guests book their rooms? Will the hotel provide a link just for your group to share on your website? Is there special number to call and code to use for the discount? Make sure you collect this information and share it on your save the date and invitations Who has made reservations? Some hotel chains offer on-line options for brides and grooms and/or planners to look up reservations on-line. Make sure you ask how this is handled at each hotel you speak with.

Welcome bags or boxes are always a great idea! Some suggested items for these bags would be; an agenda of the weekend events, beverages, snacks, gum/mints, “what to do” magazines and local items. Be sure to check the hotel’s policy on delivering or handing out bags as there may be a fee.

Always remember that the hotel salesperson who is helping you with your room block is there for you! He or she will help you answer any questions you may have or to help with any special requests along the way.

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5 STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL PLANNING Written by Tina Sheets of A Simple Affair Events

Photo by Lauren Friday

When couples first come to us they have LOTS of questions, let’s face it, they are usually already overwhelmed by all the decisions that need to be made. One of the very first questions we receive is “What is all this going to cost?”

While we know it is important to establish a budget for your special day everyone’s budget is different as well as everyone’s interest and desires. Here’s our practical advice on tackling the budget question and the approach we take with each of our couples:

1.

Determine a budget for your day. Set down with your fiancé, family or whomever may be contributing to your day to determine a realistic number that everyone feels comfortable with.

According to tradition, the bride’s parents are expected to pay for the wedding and the groom’s parents for the rehearsal dinner. But today, many are breaking tradition with couples paying fully or partly for their own wedding. The national average cost of a wedding is $28,657, excluding honeymoon according to a 2018 report from The Knot.

MAKE YOUR WEDDING MEANINGFUL | ISSUE NO. 1

Photo by Angela Tucker

...take a break from planning and remember why you two are getting married in the first place.

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Once you have determined your wedding budget, pick your top 3 most important elements for your day. These things are often different for every couple so begin by thinking about what those important items are to you.

If it helps, start by thinking of 3 words that best describes your day…maybe it’s amazing food, a beautiful backdrop or kick a$$ entertainment. Thinking of descriptive words for your day can help to you determine what items are most important to you!

After you have picked your top 3 most important items, it’s time to shop and retain those vendors first! That super talented baker you’ve been following on Instagram or that amazing band that you’ve been dying to have at your wedding probably won’t stay available for long.

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Now that you have determined your top 3 items, you can then access a value to each of those categories. Knowing that these items are super important to you allows you the ability to allocate a larger percentage of your overall wedding budget to these categories.

Remember that quality has a cost, so if one of your top 3 items happens to be amazing keepsake images from your day, remember that experienced, highly sought after photographer that has years of experience is going to cost more than a newer photographer just getting started.

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Lastly, be flexible and open minded with the other aspects of your day and remember we can’t always have it all. In today’s world unless you are a self-made millionaire or a celebrity, we all have limits. Be prepared to make some cuts to other areas in order to accommodate your priorities.

Maybe you have to eliminate that late-night food truck or you have to scale down the chandelier of flowers hanging over the dance floor. Knowing that you WERE able to have the 3 most important elements of your day makes the other items not so important after all.

Planning a wedding is full of important decisions that you will have to be make and can often be stressful.

When you can, take a break from planning and remember why you two are getting married in the first place. In the end it’s not all about the flowers, the 10piece band or the late-night biscuit bar. It’s about the love you have for each other, the journey you two are embarking on together and being able to share that with your family and friends is the BEST part!

Photo by Weddings by Bluesky The must have check list for a boss wedding officiant:

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A

BOSS

OFFICIANT

1. An experienced professional minister who has been seminary ordained (ministers ordained online are not authorized to officiate weddings in NC or VA) 2. A professional officiant who respects your beliefs and lifestyle 3. A wedding minister who is open to your ideas, easygoing, flexible, caring, and with whom you feel comfortable and can relate to easily 4. A wedding minister who is authentic, professional, organized, and trustworthy 5. A minister who believes your ceremony should be about your beliefs and feelings and invites you to participate in the creation of your ceremony

Written by Reverend Rebecca Nagy

6. An officiant who delivers your ceremony on your wedding day with confidence and grace – with a bit of fun and laugher thrown in!

7. A wedding minister who handles last-minute changes without getting ruffled

BOSS ADVICE

8. A minister who is a team player with your other NOMADIC | vendors

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6 THINGS TO DO AFTER YOU GET ENGAGED Written by Crystal Govan with Fabulously Created Events Photo by Ineje Photo

1.

Breathe: Take in joy of the moment. Enjoy some time of realizing that you are about to soon marry the love of your life. Pop some champagne with your fiancé, friends, and family and celebrate!

Savor the moment!

2.

Budget: If your plan is to have a wedding, discuss with your fiancé what you both can contribute to your special day. Also speak to any key contributors such as your parents to determine what they may be contributing to your wedding day.

3.

Hire a professional Wedding Planner: You don’t purchase a car without insurance; therefore, don’t plan your special day without having someone to property guide you through the process. Think of a planner as “your insurance” in planning a monumental day. A full-service wedding planner is your greatest asset. From beginning to end, your wedding planner will be key in crafting your vision. From finding the perfect venue, styling your dream wedding, hiring vendors that fit your style and budget to coordinating events leading up to the wedding.

Your wedding planner will help set things in motion.

Photo by Inije Photography

MAKE YOUR WEDDING MEANINGFUL | ISSUE NO. 1

Photo by Weddings by Bluesky

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Draft a Potential Guest List: At a high level, draft list of potential guest list. This will be vital for key factors in the beginning planning stages.

Start Venue Searching: Now that you have a clear budget, your planner will be able to suggest venues within your budget and vision. Let your venue selection drive your date. It’s okay to have a general time frame in mind of when you would like to get married however we suggest falling in love with your venue first and then picking from the available dates the venue has open.

5.

Breakdown Your Budget: Now that you have an estimated total dollar amount from the conversation with your fiancé and key contributors, sit down with your planner and go line by line of “how” you want to allocate your money. This is where your planner is key as they will be able to help you break down your budget based on market, priority, and vision.

Photo by Weddings by Bluesky

DO I NEED

VIDEO? FROM CROWN ALLEY FILMS

Tip/Advice: Written by Alan Daly

BOSS ADVICE

Some people aren’t sure if they want a video or not, but as any wedding planner will confirm; the number one regret among brides who didn't book a videographer is they wish they had. “Cos once the wedding day is over, photos and video is all you have.

NOMADIC

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FINDING THE PERFECT VENUE FOR YOU Written by Keegan McGowan with Whitehead Manor Photo by Ineje Photo

1.

It’s Never Too Early to Start Looking.

The best venues often book their most popular dates a year or more out. If you have a specific date on your mind then it may be smart to start touring and getting info as soon as possible. Most venues will allow you to put some type of temporary hold on a date while you are trying to decide on the best fit for you (take advantage of that!). We know that finding the perfect date can be stressful, but with a little early planning you can get the perfect venue on the perfect date.

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Ask What Your Venue Will Do for You Day Of! Some venues may just unlock the door for you and send you on your way. It’s important to find out how hands on (or off) your potential venue is. The next question you may need to ask yourself is, what do I want from my venue partner? It’s a good idea to make sure that your venue will be there to support you and help make your special day a successful one. Some good questions to ask of your venue might be – Will there be a venue manager onsite to rely on? Will there be staff onsite to setup and assist throughout the day?

Look at pictures, ask for pictures, take pictures!

You may not be able to tour your venue during the time of year your wedding will be taking place – so the best gauge for look and aesthetic of your potential venue may be to look at photos.

Instagram, Wedding Wire/The Knot, Google Search, and Facebook are all great places for this. You can also ask your potential venue for some pictures of what things like set-ups or receptions may look like.

This could also be a great way to get an idea of what photographers you might want to work with or what type of aesthetic you want from a photographer. And don’t forget to take pictures for yourself when you tour to look back to later when making final decisions.

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Ask for a Venue’s Preferred Vendor List.

Many of the best venues have been working in the wedding industry for a long time – so they have a very good gauge on the best vendors and can vouch for people that have experience in the industry as well as working at their venue.

This will help you get a good idea of what other costs may be involved and help you narrow your budget down to what is most important to you.

Start talking to Caterers.

Often the first step in planning a wedding is either finding a venue or finding a caterer – both great places to start as these are usually the largest chunks of your wedding budget. See which caterers work well with your potential venue and vice-versa. it’s important to know that your venue and caterer can work together and create a stunning and seamless event.

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THANKFUL FOR THE QUIET Written by Jennifer Lowery of CE Rentals

The wonderful world of events has come to a screeching halt these days. Thank goodness for the micro weddings, graduations, intimate family gatherings and just the good ole’ “thinking outside the box” ideas that are keeping many of our industry friends afloat right now. Watching the news, keeping up to date with our pandemic, politics and such can be a downer for sure – but we as event professionals always seem to “look on the bright side”, probably because most of us are natural born problem solvers. We do it with a smile as well.

With all that said let’s focus on the positive side of our situation…relationships. Throughout the history of business relationships; building, nurturing, and maintaining has always been a top priority in theory.

Although many businesses have touted high standards in this area their day-to-day actions have not lined up. Even some of the top companies in the US whose mission statements boast about their customer service/relationships have become so engrossed in the bottom line they have pushed “relationships” to the back burner. Well, the time is now.

Our cell phones aren’t ringing nearly as much; emails aren’t filling our inbox nearly as fast, and our days aren’t nearly as stressed (in the same ways obviously). We are scheduling zoom meetings with fun activities to help cope with the absence of these devices – “the quiet”. What does the quiet mean for us on a personal and professional level? Learning to live in the quiet can be an odd, difficult and lonely but also a very awakening period. It’s a time to review our values and the types of relationships we long for with others. Honesty, support, compassion, loyalty, and many other positive attributes of a great relationship.

As a future bride or groom what type of relationship do you want from your vendors? How do you want to be spoken to? How do you want your feelings to be considered? Do you want a mutually respectful relationship; one that is based on honesty and not simply price? And how do you want to feel once your event is over?

It’s a different world out here. Relationships are key and we know this now more than ever. The small intimate events are keeping our employees working, our industry running, and we appreciate them so very much. Every single client makes the difference in our future success and should be valued as such.

Let us relish in “the quiet”, reevaluate our personal and professional responsibilities, desires, and goals.

The time for truly connecting with our brides & grooms is now.

So here is my tip for you: if your vendor is not providing the real connection move on. Find another.

Let the right ones guide you through this amazing yet uncharted water. I can promise you that if you really focus on finding the “right” vendor instead of the “least expensive” or “most popular” vendor you will ultimately have the experience you’ve always dreamed of…and may end up with a few life long friends in the process.

Thank you for listening. The quiet has been a beautiful time for me as I hope it has been for you. If you need any rentals for your event, I invite you to come play! Let’s schedule a play date in our showroom and create beautiful things together.

So you’ve decided to do a boudoir shoot for your groom to be, or maybe you are just doing a little research to make your final decision. Either way, here you will learn some great ideas on what to wear and/or incorporate into your photo shoot.

1.

Bring your bridal accessories.

Your veil, wedding shoes, garter, wedding day lingerie, jewelry and even your wedding gown can make for a great prop for bridal boudoir photos.

2.

White and ivory lingerie definitely say bridal and are great to bring but also bring a variety of color!

This will give your book a mix of images without it being so monochromatic.

3.

Bring something that belongs to your guy, it can be one of his button down shirts, t-shirt, jacket or even his wedding day attire.

4.

Have your wedding florist make a fresh bouquet of flowers for your photo shoot, strategically placed it can make for a great prop. Flower pedals can also make for a pretty backdrop for a few pictures.

5.

Thigh highs and stockings are super sexy and even if you have never worn them before they are highly recommended for your shoot! Don’t forget to pick up a garter belt to go along with your thigh highs.

6.

Think outside the box when choosing what to bring. Imagine what your photographer could do if you brought a few yards of extra tulle or pretty lace fabric.

10 tips on what to wear for your bridal boudoir photo shoot Written and photographed

by Critsey Rowe of Couture Boudoir

MAKE YOUR WEDDING MEANINGFUL | ISSUE NO. 1

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Not all items need to be lingerie, look though your closet and maybe bring that pencil skirt he loves for you to wear. Pair it with a bra and boom you have an unexpected outfit for your boudoir shoot. This works for lots of items - bra + jeans, cute tee + panties, sheer blouse + thongs and etc...

8.

Shop your besties closet too, remember that sequin top she has? That would look amazing paired with fishnet stockings! She might even have some killer heels you may want to snag while you are at it.

9.

Let’s not forget heels? High heels can set the scene. The higher the better. Be sure to have at least one pair of closed toe heels to wear with your stockings/ thigh highs.

10.

Jewelry and accessories, long necklaces or unique pieces of jewelry an be cool props for your photo shoot. Long earrings and bracelets are great as well. Try to pick items that pair well with the outfits you are bringing.

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HOW TO FEEL GORGEOUS ON YOUR WEDDING DAY

extensions will help make your wedding day hair fuller. We do recommend waiting to buy your extensions until after you colored your hair- to ensure the extensions match your hair.

Written by Sissy Duncan of Hello Gorgeous Beauty Lounge

At Hello Gorgeous Beauty Lounge- we get asked a lot on how to best prep for wedding day hair & makeup. Here are a few tips that we like to recommend to our Hello Gorgeous Brides on how to achieve your best look on your wedding day.

If you want to achieve a Gorgeous Bridal Glow for your wedding- We recommend starting as early as you can to start a skin regimen that will help achieve glowing skin. Getting Professional Facials to help slough off any dry patchiness is ideal. Your facialist will also customize your daily routines to help you achieve your skin goals with products that you can do at home.

Another Tip we like to share with our Brides, if you are wanting full voluminous hair or a hairstyle that requires more hair than what is on your head. We recommend getting Clip in Extensions to add that volume and fullness that you desire. Popping in those

Spray Tanning or Salon Tanning should be tried at least 2 months before wedding day to make sure you are pleased with the color. We also recommend wearing a white Shirt to see if the spray tan transfers to the shirt after 2 days of being spray tan. This is a great way to know if you want to be spray tanned for the wedding day or not.

Any waxing’s, lash extensions and nails (If you choose to do these) should be tried at least a month or two before the wedding day to make sure you like the look and that you would not have any allergic reactions to any of these services.

Day of the Wedding- we always tell our brides and their wedding party to come with clean unwashed hair that is already dried for styling- unless their hair does better dirty. We recommend washing your hair the day before.

These are just some of our favorite tips to share with our Hello Gorgeous Brides on how to best prep and prepare for their wedding day.

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WEDDING CAKE SHOPPING TIPS Written by Lisa Toohey of Cake Expressions by Lisa

Looking for the perfect wedding cake but don’t know where to start? Hopefully these tips will get you going down the right path!

1.

Find a few local cake artists on social and start following them. See who’s style speaks to you and fits in with your vision. Do they have good reviews? What are the reviews saying? They should be beautiful, professionally finished cakes that also taste good!

2.

Set a budget. If the cake is one of your “must have” items, budget accordingly by cutting back in another area. If it’s not at the top of your list, that’s fine too, but you don’t want to waste your time going to someone who’s starting price is above what you’re willing to spend. Don’t be afraid to share your budget with your baker. It will definitely help them to steer you in the right direction design wise!

Photo by Radiant Photography

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A little creative freedom can go a long way so they can create a unique cake just for you!

3.

Once you have your budget and wedding vision finalized (style, theme, colors, location booked), it’s time to start making appointments for consultations and tastings. Some bakers may charge for this, others do not. If they charge it’s generally a small fee, and if you do book with them they might apply that to your balance due. At the meeting you should be prepared with a few ideas of what you like, but please use this for inspiration only. Cake artists are exactly that-artists. A little creative freedom can go a long way so they can create a unique cake just for you!

4.

Choosing flavors. Please, please, please remember-this is YOUR day! Everything about it is a reflection of you and your spouse to be and what you’d like to present to your guests.

Don’t be afraid to try something new and different. If you love the spice cake or the passion fruit filling go for it! Who’s to say others won’t also? Feel like you have to play it safe-include 1 tier with a simple flavor profile and have fun with all the others! Your cake can have as many flavors in it as there are tiers.

5.

Let’s talk frosting. You know-that good stuff on the outside.

Basically there are 2 options-buttercream or rolled fondant.

I already know what you’re thinking, but you may have a wrong impression of the latter. Fondant, when done correctly, can be quite yummy! If the cake styles you’re leaning towards are all buttercream, then nothing to worry about. But if your dream cake has to be done with fondant don’t fear-it can still taste amazing! First, ask if your baker ices the cake with buttercream first. They should. Then ask what kind of fondant they use. There are some very good brands out there (Satin Ice is #1, Fondarific is good too).

Non-professionals might use the Wilton variety which honestly does taste like plastic. Some bakers may even make their own. Don’t be afraid to ask if you can sample a little bit. You might be surprised!

6.

Weather. Yes, you do need to think about this sometimes.

For summer weddings that are at an indoor location with air conditioning you’re good to go. For outdoor venues that have no more than a covering and some fans, be upfront with bakers your contact. Some might not take a chance and will not make your cake. Remember butter gets very soft at 80F, and starts to melt 90F. In this case fondant cakes are a better bet, but no matter what you’ll need a good plan coordinated with your baker for these conditions.

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7.

The cake table and placement. Nothing makes a cake artist sadder than having to setup their masterpiece in a dark corner on a table with a basic tablecloth. You really do want your cake front and center for all to see! This is one of the highlights of your wedding, so be sure to make it shine. You can have spotlights or uplighting around. A special linen to coordinate with the design will pull it all together. Think about what else will go on the table-champagne bucket and glasses, pretty cutting knife and server, toss bouquet, votive candles, etc. And don’t forget the cake stand. Your baker may have options of stands you can use or rent, or your venue might have just want you need. The only thing you don’t want to do is have the cake directly on the table.

The stand is one of those simple items that literally takes your cake to the next level!

8.

To save or not to save? The top tier that is. First ask if the top tier is included in the guest count, or are you able to save it for your first anniversary. At your wedding your might not get to have an actual slice of cake (although you really should!). If taking the top tier home I recommend cutting it in half and freezing both pieces. When you return from your honeymoon go ahead and enjoy half of your cake while it’s still fairly fresh. Then on your anniversary you can have fun with the tradition of still having a bite of your wedding cake to celebrate that first year together.

Photo by Yah Photography

I hope some of these tips will be helpful.

Happy cake planning!

1.

Pinterest should be used for inspiration. Use it as a tool to fine tune your vision and get ideas, but overall, make your wedding unique to YOU! 2.

The size of your guest list is the biggest factor that will affect your overall wedding budget. Keep that in mind when creating your guest list!

3.

Check your contracts very carefully before signing.

Make sure they have the correct date, time, names and location included.

4.

Don’t be afraid to do something non-traditional at your ceremony or reception.

Want to walk down the aisle on your own? Prefer a brunch wedding to an evening wedding? Go for it!

5.

Leave room for incidentals.

Whether it’s tipping vendors, a tent in case of rain, or the many other last minute expenses, there will always be unexpected costs when planning a wedding.

Top 5 Wedding Planning Tips Written Jackie Fogartie

Written by Charlotte City Club

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VENUE ADVICE

YOU HAVE TO TRUST YOUR VENUE COORDINATOR (AND COMPROMISE WHEN THEY TELL YOU TOO!) The venue coordinator knows the space best!

They are here to guide you throughout the planning process. Trust in their knowledge and expertise of the space to know what will work and look the best on your perfect day. They will always put their best foot forward for you but they also have to do what works best for them and their team. You do not want to sacrifice service or quality because you need to squeeze that extra table in the ballroom that truly doesn’t fit or request a room flip from ceremony to reception in an unrealistic time.

PINTEREST IN NOT ALWAYS REALISTIC! Pinterest has become quite the phenomenon. It is a fantastic platform for ideas and inspirations but can be quite gray in what is doable or not.

You need to look at themes and venue selection cohesively. Your venue coordinator will always welcome any visual representation of what you are looking to do on your wedding day but understanding that exact replication can’t always be done due to venue limitations or simply budget restrictions. If you are also going for a specific theme (i.e. beachy/nautical, rustic, barn chic), chose your venue accordingly. For instance trying to replicate a rustic, barn theme in a modern City Chic venue isn’t impossible but at what cost are you looking to spend to transform the space to match your pinterest board?

CHOOSE THE RIGHT MENU FOR YOU! This is YOUR wedding day. Any decisions made regarding your wedding day need to be what is best for you and your fiancé. This can get tricky when planning a menu. You know your guests the best. Having an in-house culinary team allows us the amazing ability to customize your entire menu. If you know amongst your guests, that you will have a lot of similar dietary restrictions, your venue’s culinary team can often times create one specific meal that could satisfy all those that are gluten free, dairy free, vegan and vegetarian. This will be most beneficial if you are choosing to serve a plated meal. In which case you notate on your invitation selection (i.e. chicken, beef or vegan/vegetarian) allowing those guests to select that specific meal. A plated meal often meals you will have escort cards that notate what each guest is too receive, allowing the venue’s service team to easily find the guests with the dietary restriction. Choosing to offer stations or displayed reception items could also be a really great option if you know you will have a few restrictive guests as this option allows them to create their own plate knowing what they can or cannot eat. You wouldn’t necessarily need to notate this on your invitations since nothing will need to be selected and the food will all be clearly labeled so the guests can know exactly what is off limits or not.

This is not to say that any guests that reach out to you with specific needs is not to be ignored.

Your venue coordinator welcomes knowing dietary restrictions prior to your wedding day so we can effectively communicate with our culinary team and to avoid any delays on serving the guests night of.

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UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A VENUE EVENT CO-ORDINATOR AND A PLANNER As a venue, we are so excited and honored to be apart of your wedding day. The venue is one of your biggest decisions you make and we want to ensue everything goes off without a hitch! As a full-service venue event coordinator, we are there throughout the planning process, helping you select your food and beverage offerings, floor-plan design, pulling together all of your vendors and ensuring things run properly day of. This is especially prudent if you host both your ceremony and reception with us, in which case a day of coordinator is not fully necessary since we will be handling the two main events happening that day. However, if you host your ceremony in one place and then host your reception in a venue off-site, having a day-off coordinator will be helpful since we are not contracted to assist you in venues other than our own. A day-of coordinator is someone whom you do not need throughout the planning process until the day of your wedding to help manage the events for the day. Again this is most helpful for the venue event coordinator when the ceremony and reception are hosted in two different places. The communication between the day of coordinator and venue event coordinator will be key. However, if you will need advice, support and design inspiration throughout your planning process, than a wedding planner would be recommended to you. Again, as a full-service venue coordinator we can handle all that happens under our roof, but if you need someone to make decisions regarding your band, join you on your cake tasting or need assistance for your overall wedding theme and design, a wedding planner would be best for you. Like a day-of coordinator, we will work in conjunction with the wedding planner to ensure all runs smoothly on your wedding day. You are in great hands no matter the direction you choose to go in!

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FLORIST TIPS Co-written by Karen of Lily Greenthumbs and Melissa of What's up buttercup

1.

Start with a color palate and a feel When you are starting to plan the décor side of your wedding, it is so hard NOT to go down the Pinterest rabbit hole. Trust me, I've been there too! So here's my advice for you...if you know a color palate that you love and a feel you want to convey through your décor, you are in good shape. Everything else is details. Don't feel like you need to have everything figured out when you meet with your designer. They will guide you through the process and help you create the feel you desire. We as designers can often see the common threads through your pins even if it is hard for you to. We've got you!

2.

Don't get hung up on a certain flower The global flower market has evolved so much in the past decade. Flowers that would “never” be available in the summer, like tulips, are now available all year round! Different countries around the world who never produced flowers as a domestic export are now shipping cut flowers everywhere. It really is incredible! However, there are flowers that simply don't ship well and ones that straight up might not be available during the season of your wedding. Instead of getting hung up on one specific flower, focus on overall style, shape and texture of your blooms. Your designer will help guide you to blooms that will best fit for your season (and budget!) to give you the overall feel you're looking for.

Photo by Ryan and Alyssa Photography

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3.

Focus on focal pieces Instead of being concerned about flowers everywhere, focus your budget on high impact areas. Trust me on this one, your guests will most likely remember an over the top head table than they would tall arrangements on every single table. Pick two or three areas to blow your design out of the water, and simplify the rest. What is most important to you? Where will you spend the most time? Those are the places to start first.

4.

Hire a designer you trust...and TRUST them!

I know I speak for designers everywhere when I say that the designs I'm most proud of are the ones that the bride has allowed me the freedom to simply create. With that freedom, we can truly create something spectacular for you. When you are interviewing potential designers, make sure that you select someone based on trust rather than simply price. The freedom that you will feel knowing you have hired a designer that you trust to bring your vision to life is worth its weight in gold!

Photo by Charlotte Wedding Collective

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5 TIPS WHEN PLANNING YOUR CAKE Written by Sky's the Limit Bridal Sweets

1. ...Relax!

This part of wedding planning is a lot of fun.

Serve yourself a glass of wine, a cup of yummy coffee, relaxing tea...get comfy.

Collect your colors, invitation, inspiration photos in a format that is easily accessible.

Pinterest, albums on your cell phone/tablet, files on Dropbox...whatever is easy for you to access at any time..so keep it on the cloud.

2.

Enjoy Pick all of your favorite cakes. Pick cakes you cannot stand!

This will all be very helpful when you meet with your cake designer.

Remember this, you don't need to have all of the answers when you meet....just an idea! Or if you a more of an "A" personality, then go ahead and have it all worked out. The main thing is to enjoy the process.

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3.

Research Ask around and look around for a few bakers to call.

Look at their work and reviews. A stellar reputation will be easy to spot. Make sure that your baker is Licensed with the Dept of Agriculture and Insured.

Yes, these things matter quite a bit. Taking the time to become licensed and and spending the funds for business insurance spell out Responsibilty and Commitment.

4.

Meet & Sample Grooms love this part!

Meet with your cake designer and sample the goodies! All the while, they should explain their process, guide you with flavor pairings, sketch your cake a few ways as needed and answer your questions to your satisfaction. They should also give you an estimate for your cake. Sometimes, if the cake or dessert table are complex or include variations, they might send it shortly after your meeting.

5.

Book your cake!

Choose your designer/baker and give them the good news.

You will have crossed another thing of that planning list...Yay!

Photo by Weddings by Bluesky

THE CORE

FOUR FROM YOUR CAROLINA PANTHERS DJ

Written by The Split Second Sound Family

BOSS ADVICE

The Split Second Sound Family shares their core 4 tips for your special day:

1.

Determine your top three vendors When beginning to plan your big day, determine your top three vendors in order of importance to you. For example: venue, entertainment, caterer. This will give you a starting point and help you prioritize your budget.

2.

Hire a professional to ensure that your wedding goes off without a hitch! Split Second Sound guarantees that we will be there for your wedding by assigning a back-up DJ. We always bring back-up equipment as well, just to be safe.

Photo by Weddings by Bluesky

3.

THE CORE

FOUR FROM YOUR CAROLINA PANTHERS DJ

Written by The Split Second Sound Family

BOSS ADVICE

When should you book a DJ? If your date falls within prime wedding season, we suggest one year in advance. If it's within the off-season, 6-8 months. Even though we have a wide selection of DJs, they book up quickly! Since we give our couples the option of choosing their own DJ, we want to make sure that they are able to book their first choice.

4.

Insurance, insurance, insurance.

You wouldn't buy a car or a house without insurance, so why should your wedding vendors be any different? Split Second Sound holds two $1 million liability policies to cover your event. We are also the ONLY DJ company in Charlotte that has workman's compensation. Many venues will not allow clients to book vendors that are not licensed NOMADIC | 24 and insured.

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5 BEST THINGS THAT CAN HAVE DUAL PURPOSES AT YOUR WEDDING written by Creative Solutions After planning a wedding, there is nothing worse than seeing the details that you excruciatingly mulled over for months be used for 15 minutes and then never seen again. Working closely with many brides over the years, we’ve seen the good and the bad of “doubling up”, so we’ve gathered a list of 5 BEST things that can have dual purposes at your wedding – meaning you can save the brainpower and maybe even a little money along the way!

1.

Use your ceremony flowers and décor for your reception space A florist bill can be one of the most expensive you’ll receive for a wedding, so using your flowers in more than one way can be a huge help. Bridesmaids bouquets can also be used as centerpieces, large floral arrangements used around your altar can be transformed into statement pieces on your bar, and lanterns displayed down your aisle can be placed around outdoor seating or scattered around the entrance into your reception space.

PHOTO WHITNEY PHOTO

Photo by Ryan and Alyssa Photography

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2.

Make your dessert or late-night snack act as your favor Save a few hundred dollars by prepackaging your dessert or late-night snack for guests to either eat during the event or to take with them!

Think pre-made s’mores, popcorn, candy bags, etc. that are labeled with something cute that ties in your monogram, date or wedding hashtag.

3.

Use your favorite yard game as your guest book Everyone loves a good yard game and you don’t want to skip out on reading well wishes from your guests, so why not combine them?

Giant jenga and cornhole, two of the most popular games, act as the perfect canvas for your guests to sign their names and say how much they love you. After everyone has signed, leave the games out for everyone to play! (Just be sure to use a pen, marker, or paint that is non-smudge and durable!)

4.

Use your ceremony backdrop as a photo op for guests If your ceremony and reception are taking place at the same location, convert your ceremony backdrop to a “photo booth” location, decked out with disposable cameras or polaroid cameras for guests to strike a pose. Bring in a sign that let’s guests know to come back over and enjoy the beautiful set up for themselves… and maybe you will get to keep a few photos as well!

5.

Use glowsticks as props for dancing and your exit

Photo by Amelia James

Mid-way through dancing, once everyone is in full party mode, hand out glow sticks to add a fun pop of color to your photos. These glowsticks can also be used to illuminate your exit into the world as a married couple!

Kailey Faith Photography Flowers by What's Up Buttercup

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MUST HAVES FOR MAKEUP TOUCH-UPS written by Megan Oliveri

Makeup touch ups on your wedding day are inevitable! With all of the hugs, kisses and dancing, I want to make sure that you know exactly what to do when it’s time for a quick touch up to stay looking your best for photos.

1.Lip Color!

This is by far the most important; lipstick is the first thing that will fade. I always recommend purchasing a lipstick that can be your wedding day color. This way the artist can use it to apply during the application, you can have it for touch ups during the day and you will have it for a couple years thereafter. It will always bring back memories because it was your special wedding day lip color!

2.Powder!

Powder is the best touch up kit add on for my oily skin babes; my favorite for wedding days is the MAC Studio Fix Powder. Using a thin piece of toilet tissue, gently blot away excess oils. Be mindful of the forehead, on and around the nose and the chin.

After you blot, apply a light dusting of powder over the area to help further control oils and blend the makeup.

3. Moisture Spray!

This is the important for my dry skin brides. Using a moisture spray periodically throughout the day will help bring the life back into your makeup. Start by gently patting away, with a clean finger, any creasing & dry patches. Make sure that you’re at least 6 inches from the face and gently spray! My favorites to use for this are Urban Decay All Nighter if you’re looking for more of a setting spray and Rose Water if you’re just looking for more hydration.

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5 TIPS FOR WORKING WITH A CUSTOM DESIGN STUDIO written by Bespoke Designs Wedding Stationary...it's not just paper.

1. Budget Everything looks aaa-mazing on Pinterest and Instagram. Trust us, we’re nuts about them too. Coming up with a budget to create that gorgeousness can be a challenge. We encourage you to work with your planner to develop your budget.It is super helpful for you to have command of the general number, and then we will knowhow far we can stretch our creativity.Don’t worry if you’re not absolutely certain what you want: we’ll make sure you put your hands on lots of samples and understand the different printing processes.We use a dynamic estimating platform so we can create options for you and you can decide where to save and where to splurge. It’s transparent and stress free.

Photo by Ryan and Alyssa Photography

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2. The Look We think about your wedding stationery in three phases: save the date, invitation suite, day of details. We love to be involved in the design process at the very beginning and carry our ideas all the way down to the matches and napkins. Yes, we can have more fun on the save the date and use your engagement photo.

No, it does not have to match your invitation (or your bridesmaid dresses). But, it all should look totally cohesive! We think about your wedding weekend as a fully branded group of events and want to make sure your guests know you’ve thought of every little detail.

3. Etiquette We know! That word automatically makes you think about your grandma and saying please and thank you and yes ma’am. She’s wonderful, of course; but wedding etiquette is way more than just navigating please and thank you. We are here to help you with invitation wording: how do I keep it formal but fresh? If casually chic etiquette is more your jam, we’ll make sure it’s still done correctly. What if we have to consider an update or postponement? Yes, we’ve got you covered there, too. You’ve got a team of experts here to rely on.

4. Not Just Paper As a graphic design studio, we create art that begins with your invitations and then blossoms out from there. We may start with a wax seal duogram (each of your first initials) on the invitations, and then it develops into a shared monogram on your cocktail napkins.

We can also create a custom aisle runner, large scale seating charts, graphics for the dance floor, a billboard (…ok, just sayin’).

5. Art? What about a custom art? Yes, yes and yes!

Sunset at the beach, the historic venue, the amazing rare blossom that your florist is going to use in your bouquet, the lace from your mother’s veil…just the idea of these gives us total goosebumps. We’re all about creating this kind of magic and bringing your wedding visions to life.

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WEDDING DEFINITIONS Written by Canopy at Hilton

1.

How-To Guide on Reading a Wedding Contract: It's not every day that couples work closely with contracts, so when it comes to the logistics, it can be overwhelming to look at. Endless questions may race through your mind, but we are here to put an end to a daunting task! Here are a few definitions to get your through the complex verbiage!

2.

Cancellation Clause: As a client, you are guaranteeing that your event will provide the total anticipated revenue to the vendor. Should you have to cancel your wedding voluntarily, without impossibility circumstances, you will be held accountable to pay total anticipated revenue of your wedding discussed in your contract.

3.

Concessions: When negotiating agreements, there is potential for additional services offered by vendors. The contract should list in detail the services that were agreed upon between client and vendor.

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4.

7.

Deposits:

Governing Law:

Vendors often have a deposit due when signing an agreement. This will guarantee your date and the services the vendor will provide. The initial deposit made is often nonrefundable, starting as low as 10% as high as 50% of your estimated costs. Upon your deposit, the date is secure and the venue or vendor is yours for your wedding day.

This clause indicates that each party accepts that the agreement will be interpreted to the laws of the state in which the vendor is located. The clause will take effect if anything goes awry during the event or if there is an occurrence that would lead to a legal dispute.

8.

Impossibility:

5.

Failure to Perform: This insures the client in the case the vendor, does not complete the job as contracted.

When planning a wedding, details are a top priority! Both parties need to make sure that they understand what is expected from one another.

This clause can also be referred to as the force majeure. It is better known as an “act of god�. The clause will guarantee that no party can be held accountable for state of emergencies, war, government regulations and, you guessed it, pandemics! These are unforeseeable events that are created by nature or even a catastrophe that would prevent the fulfillment of the agreement.

9.

6.

Indemnification:

Gratuity:

The indemnification, also known as a hold harmless provision, is a clause in the agreement where each party is responsible for the compensation of the other party for any harm or loss that could transpire from the agreement.

This term refers to the monetary tip required by a venue or vendor for their employees who provide services at your wedding. Gratuity values can vary from each vendor, but don’t hesitate to ask which percentages are issued to each department!

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Venue Advice FROM FOUNDERS HALL

1 Having a solid rain plan in place for your wedding day is key!

And even better - an indoor wedding truly takes the stress out of your day weather-wise and can help ease those nerves. With North Carolina's unpredictable weather, it is always a good idea to have a back up plan! Not having to deal with the elements on your big day can help you focus on what is truly important

3 Trusting your vendors – once you’ve chosen your vendor ‘dream team’, trust them to help answer all of those ‘what if’ questions you may have. Truth is, they have probably been through many of those situations already and have the knowledge to help you navigate difficult scenarios in your planning process. There was a reason you connected with your specific vendors, so trust that they’ve got your back and will do everything they can to make your day amazing!

2 Tasting through your wedding menu before your special day is imperative!

If a great meal is important to you, make sure you know your caterers process for a menu tasting. At Founders Hall, we allow you + 3 others to come taste through different menu options to choose your ideal wedding meal!

Discuss your guests dietary restrictions and any special food accommodations you’d like your caterer to make in order to please your guests and give them a meal they won’t forget!

4 have open communication with your venue.

In this uncertain and unprecedented time dealing with COVID-19, it is extremely important to have open communication with your venue. Ask them early on what their rescheduling policy is and how they are handling moving dates, so that you can start planning your next steps accordingly. If you are feeling nervous about your wedding date, be open with your venue contact and let them know! We are all in this together and keeping the lines of communication open is always a good idea!

Photo by Weddings by Bluesky

Venue Advice FROM THE MINT MUSEUM

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Take-aways: 1.

ALWAYS MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

2.

KNOW IF THE VENUE IS FULL SERVICE OR NOT

3.

TAKE NOTES AND PHOTOS

4.

VISIT AT THE RIGHT TIME OF DAY (AKA THE TIME OF YOUR CEREMONY)

5.

DON'T WAIT TO LONG TO DECIDE (PRIME DATES BOOK FAST)

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How to hire a DJ ADVICE FROM CAROLINA DJ PROFESSIONALS

1 Experience matters.

Ask how much experience they and their company have. The longer someone has been doing something, the more situations they've encountered and more they know how to adapt to and fix things. Not to mention, it's like practice - the more someone does something, the better they are likely going to be at it.

Especially when factoring in purpose and guidance. The more experience someone has - no matter what aspect of this industry or other career it is - the more demand they likely have. Experience carries the likelihood of greater competence, and it also can reveal character and passion through reviews, reputation and the fact they've been doing it a long time.

2 Time & Trust Ask questions about what you get for TIME from your DJ. You deserve a DJ and company who is going to invest time in getting to know you and customize your day to you, not mail in a stockstandard-stale performance. You also want to make sure you're able to meet with them as much as you need, that setup/breakdown time are included, what the travel radius is, and of course, how much time you're getting that day from the start of prelude through the sendoff. Time and trust go hand in hand. As your DJ invests time in you, you'll gain that trust in them and be comfortable on your wedding day or big event.

3

4

What equipment are they using?

How will they handle the unknown?

You may not know the brands, but do some quick research on them. EV, QSC, Shure, Sennheiser, Yamaha, and Pioneer are just a few examples of solid brands. Good equipment costs money. But it also means things sound great, and look great, on your day.

It's about both quality sound and a clean presentation.

And beyond the brand of the equipment, ask if they have backups. Good equipment isn't going to fail often, but at some point, things do fail. Like if your DJ is set up outside on a 100-degree July day. Even the best equipment is at risk. Even more than that, we've seen a guest with bad dance moves almost take out a speaker before. So if something crazy happens, will they have backup equipment and be up and running again in minutes?

If you're wondering, ask! Maybe you have divorced parents and aren't sure if, or how, to introduce them. Maybe there's that one guest you know who is going to keep requesting that one terrible song all night long...and you want to be sure your DJ isn't going to allow it. Maybe you don't want to dance an entire song with your parents but aren't sure how to end it early. Whatever the situation you're worried about, or that you want to make sure goes smoothly, ask the DJ how he or she would handle it. As we mentioned above, an experienced DJ will have been through these situations and have an answer.

Photo by Krysta Joy Photography

5 Music Music is a big part of what the DJ does, right? So you want to know what they are going to play, and how they are going to make your night pop! There are some basic questions you need to ask your DJ about music though. For starters, how involved are they in choosing the music? And are you able to have input? This is your day, right?! That sounds like an obvious question, but it's one you need to ask. It's your day, so make sure you can give as much direction as you'd like. For you, it comes down to thinking about 3 categories: MUST PLAYS, MAYBE PLAYS, DO-NOT-PLAYS. Now, if you only have a few songs you know you really want played, ask the DJ how they'll handle that. With music, you also need to know how the DJ is going to handle requests.

Requests can be a good thing or bad thing, so make sure you talk about that. And lastly, how are they going to keep people dancing? At an event, you have people of all ages, agendas, and tastes of music. So how are they going to get them on the dance floor. Again...a DJ with experience will have some answers for this.

NOW

TAKE

A

Break

....from wedding planning and take some time to connect with each other with these fun and thought provoking questions

#1

#2

#3

What is your idea of

What is your greatest

Which living person do

perfect happiness?

fear?

you most admire?

#4

#5

#6

When and where were you

If you could change one

What do you most value

happiest?

thing about yourself, what

in your friends?

would it be?

#7

#8

#9

Who is your favorite hero

Who are your heroes in

What is your present state

of fiction?

real life?

of mind?

Now that you spent some time connecting with the people you love--don't forget how important those moments are!

CHARLOTTE WEDDING BOSSES CHARLOTTE'S PREMIERE WEDDING PROFESSIONALS

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WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BOSS: Charlotte Wedding Bosses is an elite collective of some of the most talented and tenured Charlotte wedding & event professional. Members cannot simply 'buy' their spot but are selected based on a strict list of criteria, including:

- Each 'boss' has been in business for a MINIMUM of three years (most significantly more) - Must work with a minimum of 12 wedding couples per year - Must have a documentable history of dazzling clients (via a min. of 12 online reviews and peer/client references) Helping Charlotte couples love their wedding (see next page for full directory of pros)

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THE DIRECTORY Planners

Venues

A Simple Affair Events

The Mint Museum

Fabulously Created Events

Canopy by Hilton Charlotte South Park

Erin Padgett Events

Founders Hall

Kelly and Co Events

VanLandingham Estate

Honey + Thyme Events, LLC

Champagne Manor

Aisha Thomas Weddings and Events

Charlotte City Club

Jackie Fogarty Events

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Hospitality Butler

Trump National Golf Club The Duke Mansion

Photographers Weddings by Bluesky Couture Boudoir

Caterers Best Impressions Delectables by Holly La-Tea-Das Queen City Catering Something Classic

220 N. Tryon at Foundation For The Carolinas McGill Rose Garden Morehead Inn Providence Country Club Separk Mansion Whitehead Manor Holiday Inn Charlotte-Center City Hampton Inn & Suites Charlotte Catawba Falls Event Center

MAKE YOUR WEDDING MEANINGFUL | ISSUE NO. 1

THE DIRECTORY Bakers

Hair and Makeup

Cake Expressions by Lisa

Hello Gorgeous Beauty Lounge

Cheesecake Etc..

Adrian D. Howe Beauty

Cakespirations

Be Pretty

Sky's the Limit Bridal Sweets

Cali Stott Makeup Artist

Wow Factor

NL Glam Megan Oliveri

Floral Designers Chelish Moore Lily Greenthumb's Nectar New Creations Flower Co. The Place for Flowers What's Up Buttercup Willow Branch Flowers and Design

Officiants Rev. Rebecca Nagy Rev. Patrick Malloy

Boutiques Bluebird Bridals Ladies of Lineage Anjolique Classic Bride & Formals J. Majors New York Bride and Groom

MAKE YOUR WEDDING MEANINGFUL | ISSUE NO. 1

THE DIRECTORY DJ's and Bands

Videographers

Split Second Sound

Crown Alley Films

EastCoast Entertainment

Brian Bunn Films

ATG Entertainment

Timm Young

Carolina DJ Professionals Melon Belly

Paper Goods

Z Brothers Entertainment

Bespoke Designs Olive Paper

Floral Designers Chelish Moore

Rentals

Lily Greenthumb's

PCreative Solutions

Nectar

Party Reflections

New Creations Flower Co.

AFR Rentals

The Place for Flowers

Spark by Design

What's Up Buttercup

CE Rentals

Willow Branch Flowers and Design

Misc.

Bungalow 1325 Bridal Suite Kristen Hayes Custom Jewelry Wed On Canvas Live Wedding Painting