Wedding Planners Value

DO YOU NEED A WEDDING PLANNER? | WOULD YOU REMODEL YOUR HOME WITHOUT A GENERAL CONTRACTOR? 

I don’t get it. Why would you take on a project that can cost you anywhere from $10,000 to, well, as high as you want to go without having a professional by your side?

Here is the thing, would you take on a major home remodeling project without hiring a general contractor? Of course not. I know, you are asking how are those even remotely the same. Let me ask you,

“How are they different?”

• Both have budgets in at least the 5 figure range. That is a LOT of money.
• In both instances you want a high degree of personalization. In short, you want YOUR dream to be executed.
• Both will require a long list of sub-contractors that you have most likely never dealt with before.
• Both require tight scheduling to make sure everything comes together on time and on budget.
• Both are going to have glitches and unexpected issues pop up that someone is going to have to deal with.
• The results of both are going to be with you for a long, long time.

Am I beginning to make some sense here?

All those things listed above are what a wedding planner does.

• They know which vendors are reliable and match your style.
• They help you translate your dreams to the people who are going to make them come true.
• They know all about how your venue works in terms of timing and convenience for load in.
• It is their job to keep that timeline on track so, for example, the flowers show up after the tables are set up, dinner is served hot and the MC know when to do the first dance.
• It is their job to keep all those sub-contractors working together on the right plan.
• They are there to look you right in the eye and say “Yes you can have that, but you are going to have to give up XYZ”
• They are there to handle those last-minute glitches and issues in a way that you don’t even know they happened.

There is a wealth of information online today on how to plan a wedding, but until you actually do it, you have no idea of everything involved.
Seriously, when you look at it in this light, why would you even think of not hiring a wedding planner for one of the days you are going to remember for the rest of your life.

Sure, I could watch HGTV, DIY Network, House Crashers and This Old House until my eyes bleed but one episode of Holmes on Homes or DIY Disaster will cure my ass of thinking I can remodel my kitchen on my own!

 By: Christine Boulton

Wedding Dish

Think Like A Bride

RUSTIC BARN | COUNTRY FARM | VINTAGE CHIC WEDDINGS

 WEDDING THEMES | PINTEREST

  

The most popular wedding theme seems to be Vintage Chic. Whether you are thinking of a Rustic Barn or Country Farm Wedding,  Pinterest will help you compile your desired wedding theme images and get creative ideas to help turn your vision into reality! 

View our collection at www.pinterest.com/despinacraig and follow us if you like what you see. We have collected photos of various wedding/event themes to help you get inspired!

DESTINATION WEDDING ETIQUETTE

DESTINATION WEDDINGS | ETIQUETTE

Photo taken by: delsolphotography.com

Destination wedding etiquette is far from traditional just as the "Trash The Wedding Dress Shoot" provided by destination photographers at www.delsolphotography.com as shown above.

White sand beaches and crystal blue waters are still the dream locations for destination weddings and they have grown so much over the years and today its considered very common. Here are some wedding etiquette tips for couples thinking of a destination wedding.

First off, the bridal couple does not have to pay for their guests travel expenses to the wedding location.

Guest accepting an invitation to a destination wedding means they understand the financial responsibility. Send out a save-the-date card and all detailed information should be included in the invitation. Insert reply cards that list each hosted event, and an explanation on the accommodation situation. This will help guests understand the overall structure of what is included and at the same time giving them a sense of how much of the trip they'll have to finance.

Find a good destination wedding planner or a destination wedding travel package through a travel vacation specialist, that offers airline discounts, group rates on hotel rooms.(Check out www.modernromancetravel.com Melissa Varela an amazing Vacation Specialist)

Try to formulate some type of travel plan for the guests in order for the trip to be as smooth as possible for guests to coordinate. Provide guest with as much information, offer them the airport code to the wedding destination, names of hotels, and driving distance from the wedding location.

If any guest passes or transportation is required to arrive to wedding venue, it should be arranged and paid for by the bridal couple.

The bridal couple is financially responsible for the ceremony, reception dinner, drinks as well as any other event that the bridal couple arrange for their guests. For instance the rehearsal dinner, brunch or any excursions that they have invited  guests to participate should be covered.

As for the bridal party the bridal couple is not obligated for their travel expenses. It's really important to be clear with your attendants on who's paying for what. In order to avoid any misunderstanding be specific as to what will be covered for each attendant.

Many couples want their wedding to take place in magical locations around the world however choosing the right one can be a difficult decision.  Here are the 2014 top wedding destinations in the US

·       Puerto Rico

·       Aruba

·       Curaçao

·       Cancun

·       Bahamas

·       Hawaii

·       St. Lucia

·       Key West

·       U.S. Virgin Islands

·       Riviera Maya

DESPINA CRAIG EVENTS | WEDDING SERVICES

promotion | wedding services

Ends January 30th, 2015

Despina Craig Events offers the following services:

The Month of Wedding Service, for those couples who enjoy planning their wedding and have  already secured and completed the majority of the wedding planning. Your personal wedding coordinator will step in at the final month to review all details of your contracts, work with to create your event timelines and  confirm final details. Our goal is to provide you with the peace of mind by overseeing all the details the day of and having everything come together as you envisioned. 

Wedding Event Planning and Design Services is the ultimate service for the busy couple who prefer the luxury of having an expert design, plan and execute their wedding. Our goal is to provide you with the peace of mind overseeing all the details and having everything come together as you envisioned. Creating a wedding that is unique to you by designing a personal look and feel that incorporates intimate details with your distinctive style to create unforgettable experience that will be remembered forever!

Wedding Event Design Services, is for the couple that enjoys planning all aspect of there wedding and  is looking for a professional designer to create a personalized overall wedding design that is reflective of the couple. Once the custom design has been established a proposal will be presented outlining the personalized design that meets our couples vision, once approved the execution and implementation of the design commences. If your looking for the special "WOW" factor, than this package is for you. 

Custom proposals are presented by Despina Craig Events.

despinacraigevents@gmail.com 

415.302.2054

Hawaiian Beach Theme

POSH KIDS PARTY  | Hawaiian BEACH THEME

Event Date:  May 10, 2014 by Despina Craig Events

A Hawaiian Beach Theme Pool Party was designed for an 8 year old little girl and 16 of her friends. A little girls paradise, the setting a beautiful backyard with a real rock wall pool with a slide that looked like a resort.

As guests entered they were greeted with a welcome sign.

The table was draped in a turquoise color linen with burnt orange napkins and had beautiful tropical centerpieces, white folding wooden chairs with leis for each guest.

Beautiful Tropical Centerpieces!

A Star Fish at every place setting.

The Dessert table was draped in burnt orange and turquoise linen and anchored on each end with two pineapple trees and hung in the center was a custom birthday sign. The desserts consisted of sea shell, palm tree and seahorse cookies, chocolate and vanilla beach themed cupcakes with a variety of candy and water bottles with custom labels.

Custom birthday sign designed for the birthday girl.

Beach themed chocolate birthday cake.

Chocolate and vanilla themed cupcakes were a huge hit at the party!

Candy Surfboards added the perfect touch.

Vanilla cupcake

Custom designed water labels and signs.

The Tikie Bar Menu offered Signature Drinks for the little girls and the parents. "Lulu Virgin Daiquiri", "Surfin' Charlotte Virgin" "Pina Colada Virgin" and for the parents "Mimosas".

The girls enjoyed swimming, face painting, balloon twisting and learning a Hawaiian hula dance.

 

The birthday girl surfing at Oceanside California was captured and printed on a canvas and displayed on a easel.

Vendor Credits

Rentals:  Big4partyrental

Dessert:  Despina Craig Events

Labels: Myownlabel

Posters & Canvas: Costco

Flowers: Katharina Stuart

Entertainer: Happilyeverlaughterparties

Event Planning & Design: www.despinacraigevents.com

Bridal Show

DC Events Table Display | Bridal Show

Our table display at the Brides Against Breast Cancer Wedding Gown & Bridal Show!

The Raffle Prize Give Away... "My Precious Box"

Filled with Fifty Shades of Pleasure honeymoon treats for one lucky bride!

YOUR WEDDING SHOULD BE A REFLECTION OF YOU!

DO YOU AGREE?

 Like  Despina Craig Events on "FACEBOOK"

AND

RECEIVE $150 off "Any Wedding Package"

Tie Knots

SUPER SEXY KNOTS THAT CAN'T HELP GRAB EVERYONE'S ATTENTION!

There's something about a man in a suit...but a man who knows how to tie a Eldredge or Trinity knot never ceases to get compliments.

Everyone is looking to customize their wedding, everyone wants that "unique look" we all want to wear something "different".

Many grooms are seeking out special knots to wear on their big day!

Enthusiast Alex Kransy has created videos with step by step instructions on various knot styles.

Eldredge Knot       Trinity Knot

Private Estate Birthday Celebration

40th birthday celebration  | summer solstice 

Event Date:  August 17th, 2013 by Despina Craig Events

A Summer Solstice Themed event for 80 -100 guests at a beautiful Italian style estate. The perfectly manicured gardens was the ideal setting for a 40^th Birthday Celebration in Calabasas California.  

The décor, rich color linens in burnt orange, gold’s and bronze. Cylinders filled with water and submerged with orchids, tulips, calla lilies and  floating candles. Floating flower arrangements in the pool, up-lights and pin spotting,  and mirrored displays with glass cylinders slightly filled with glass marbles and large candles through out the event, created a wonderful summer solstice themed event that was elegant romantic and magical.

Guests  were treated to signature cocktail drinks and appetizers and as they mingled through the party enjoying the celebration, while some guests enjoyed the ice luge.

A stunning structure designed in “X” shape draped in rich gold velvet fabric intertwined with cream shear,  created a  “WOW” factor transforming the back garden into a magical glamorous event for guests to dine under.

A wonderful Mediterranean style buffet was served and during dinner guests were entertained with a fire show put on by professional dancers from “Dancing with Fire”.      

During the event  guests enjoyed "Striking a Pose" at the open photo booth or lounging in the cigar bar enjoying a glass of brandy with a cigar, while some danced the night away to our DJ playing top 100 hits.

A breathtaking dessert table displayed an array of fresh fruit and mini desserts. To finish the evening off an espresso station offering latté’s, cappuccinos, or tea was a perfect way to end the night.

As guest departed they received favors, a photograph of them presented in a black slip cover and sealed with a “Thank You”.

Mismatched Bridesmaids

Mismatched bridesmaid dresses has been one of the hottest trends in weddings.  Gone are days when bridesmaids had to wear the same color and style of a dress whether it complimented them or not.  The fact is your bridesmaids may not be the same body type, or have the same skin tone, hair style or have the same fashion sense. We all have a unique personality and dress in a certain style that suits us.

I believe that allowing your bridesmaids to choose their style of gown that suits their body type and their style will make them feel comfortable, confident and is a smart idea.  The key secret to a successful mismatched bridesmaids look is to choose a dress style that incorporates your wedding color palette, and for a cohesive look select a uniform element that each bridesmaid can wear to tie it all together.

Some ideas:

• Different style of dress with the same color allows the bridesmaids individuality of style and personality shine through.
• Neutrals give mismatched dresses a more unified look than any other color.
• Looking for a distinctive look, mix long and short dresses. 
• Add a splash of color, pick the exact dress in different tones of your wedding color palette.
• Who says you have to wear a dress, choose a skirt with a different color top. 
• Choose different textures and or patterns in the same color.
• Same color dress, different accessories

This trend is one great way to personalize your wedding and have the unique style of your bridesmaids reflected in a special way.