To Dollar Dance or not to Dollar Dance?

I received a survey yesterday from one of the major bridal magazines on wedding trends. It definitely got me to thinking about this past year and some of the trends I've noticed personally here in Kansas City. One of the changing trends is the dollar dance...

To those unfamiliar, the dollar dance is held typically after any symbolic dances (couple's first dance, father/daughter dance, mother/son dance, you get the point). Guests line up to pay a dollar to dance with the bride and/or groom. The maid/matron of honor and best man are the first in line and then stay to collect the money and control the line. It's a great way for the guests to get a little face time with the couple (especially if there wasn't a receiving line) and for the couple to get a little extra spending money for the honeymoon. Sounds great, right?

In the changing times and depressed economy, couples are more and more opting out of the traditional dollar dance. Some feel as though people have already purchased a gift, probably attended showers/engagement parties, and sometimes traveled great distances to attend their wedding--all on their own dime. Therefore, they feel greedy asking for more money. On the flip side, some of the best pictures from the reception can be captured during this tradition. How often do you see the groomsmen lining up to get to dance with the groom? And don't forget the pictures of the kids dancing with the bride.

So, how can we "save" this tradition? One option is to place note cards and a small golf pencil at each place setting. In order to get to dance with the bride or groom, the guests must write a piece of advice or well wishes on the note card and present it to the honor attendants before they get their dance with either member of the happy couple. All the note cards can be collected and placed into a scrapbook for the couple. Tradition saved and no money changes hands. This also works well when one side of the family wants to uphold the tradition and the side feels it's tacky.

If you have any other ideas, please let me know! I'm always collecting thoughts for my future brides!

Until next time,

Annie

Why should you hire a wedding planner? Part 2

Another reason to hire a coordinator...bottom line, we can save couples money. We know the vendors and we know how the best value for your money. We can point the couple to the least expensive options for providing their guests the experience they have dreamed of.

Until next time...

Annie

Perfect September Wedding

I had the pleasure of both officiating and coordinating a wonderful little ceremony this weekend. The bride and groom wanted to get married on the anniversary of the day they met, September 18, 2008. However with this job, he never truly knows when he will be home. When he found out on September 11th that he would be home on the 18th, he reached out to me to help him make it happen. He made a beautiful wooden archway. I wrote their service, provided the cake, champagne, table, and photographer. She purchased a wedding gown off the rack from David's Bridal. They got married in the middle of his family farm on an old stone bridge the covered wagons used. It was a beautiful day for this perfect couple. It was truly my pleasure to help them.

Weddings don't have to be huge. They don't have to cost a fortune. They don't have to have a wedding party of 20 people or even 300 guests. They can be just as beautiful and done simply.

Thank you again, Mercadies and Kreg, for allowing me the privilege. And congratulations again!

Until next time...

A

Why should you hire a wedding planner? Part 1

Why should you hire a wedding planner? Regardless of whether you hire a planner for the whole process or just for the day of, the planner is your wedding gift to yourself! The planner can simply provide peace of mind that the details of your day will come together without your constant presence. The bride (and her entourage) can enjoy the morning getting hair and make-up done while drinking mimosas, without wondering is the ceremony venue is open, appropriate temperature, and being decorated. Just one example of why you need a planner...

Until next time...

Annie

Is the cake that important? ABSOLUTELY!

A couple of friends that have recently attended weddings have remarked to me that the cakes were less than par...VERY LESS THAN PAR. I can only assume these brides did not attend cake tastings, either because they trusted the baker or they didn't care. I've actually heard mothers of the bride say, "no one eats the cake any more." Well, if you serve a bad cake, of course no one's going to eat it. It is not only about how the cake looks but also how the cake tastes. I recommend all brides attend cake tastings. Try several flavor combinations, be adventurous!

As for how the cake looks, if you can, provide your baker a picture closest to how you want the cake to be decorated and structured. Also, provide them a swatch of the colors you want.

Additionally, when it comes to your cake and baker, take into consideration your venue in choosing the structure of your cake. For example, if your venue doesn't have an elevator and your reception is not on the ground floor, choose a cake that can be assembled on site. Your baker will thank you!

Until next time,

Annie

And we are LIVE!

Events by Annie is LIVE! We are up and running. I would like to thank my husband (a.k.a. my IT department and Tier II support) for helping me get my website designed and posted. If you haven't seen it, check it out, http://www.eventsbyannie.com.

What's going on this weekend? Mia's Bridal Shop in Olathe is hosting a Mia Solano trunk show. For more information, http://www.miasbridal.com.

A friendly reminder, Brides Against Breast Cancer is bringing their gown sale to Paola, August 19-21. The event is being held at Evergreen Events, located at 15 West Wea Street. Get a remarkable dress at an amazing price and help make wishes come true. They are still looking for volunteers. Check out the website for more information! http://www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org/

Bridal Fairs!

It's the Bridal Fair season! Everyone is hitting the bridal fairs, trying to find the most unique (and still cost effective) wedding options in Kansas City. I attended one on Saturday at the Overland Park Convention Center. Too bad the Center didn't have an attractive booth there. I thought the Marriott and Holiday Inns had more impact. All the food tasted was good and the cakes divine. It seems this year the new novelty for weddings is the photobooth. At first I was a skeptic, but after seeing it in action, I'm a fan! If anyone out there, needs any assistance selecting a vendor or needs referrals, please let me know. Thanks all! Until next time...

Biggest Upcoming Bridal Fairs:
The Big Reveal: September 12th, Downtown/Crossroads District
Perfect Wedding Guide Fall 2010 Bridal Show: September 19th, Overland Park Convention Center

For more:
http://kansas-city.perfectweddingguide.com/events/bridal-shows/

Welcome!

Welcome all!

After helping plan the weddings of many of my family and friends, I have decided to take the leap. I am starting my own wedding planning business. At first, I'm looking for brides that need help coordinating the day of the wedding events, i.e. taking delivering of flowers, helping set up food, let the DJ in, line up the wedding party for the ceremony, help remind the couple of reception events, etc. If you know of any one interested in these services, please let me know. I will be branching out to full service in the coming months. Thanks so much for taking the time to read my blog. The website is coming!

A