Be A Less Stressed Bride

Bowtie Bags: Planning on making welcome gift bags for your out of town wedding guests? Save tons of time and stress with Bowtie Bags, a new company that will assemble and ship out welcome bags to the hotels that your guests are staying at. Choose what goes inside and what colors for the bags, and they’ll be on their merry way. No more making multiple trips to Costco for chips, water and Advil last minute.

Postable: It will make your life that much easier. Send your custom link and have them enter their addresses online. With the click of a button, create excel address charts, labels, and even send thank you cards post-wedding. It’s genius (and free). Check it out here.

Get a pre-packed emergency kit: Leave the stress of packing an emergency to Pinch Provisions. Their Bridetastic Deluxe Wedding Emergency Kit ($75) includes 101 wedding day essentials like bobby pinks, stain treating towelettes, clear nail polish, a drinking straw, and even extra wedding bands in case you misplace the original ones.

Let Facebook pick your wedding date: Unsure of when you want to get married? TIME created a new Facebook app that measures the median age of your married friends and will tell you when you should get hitched based on this information. The app only counts friends who've listed their birth date in their profile for now, so don’t take it too seriously! Check it out here.

Use a stylist from Weddington Way: If you’re not sure what bridesmaid dress colors or styles to go with, let Weddington Way work their magic. A stylist will personally view your Pinterest wedding page and pull dresses based on your inspiration and present them to you. It’s basically like having your very own (and free) virtual stylist.

Rent your wedding dress: If you’re dying for a designer gown but on a shoestring budget, no worries. Rent The Runway just launched an actual shop within the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas. Rent designer gowns from Narciso Rodriguez, Badgley Mischka, Nicole Miller, Erin Fetherston and more for a fraction of the price (we’re talking $125 to $225!!), and they’ll even dry clean the dress after you wear it. Book an appointment here. You can also order online and pick up in-store.

Uber discount codes for guests: If you’re getting married in a city, use Uber instead of stressing about renting a shuttle. There are always promotional discount codes online, so add this as a mode of transportation to your wed site. Guests will download the app and conveniently be able to book a car wherever they are, so no more trying to figure out 20 different pick up and drop off locations. Read more about Uber here.

Download WeddingSite app: This new UK-based app will help you do everything from stay on budget to manage dietary restrictions from guests. The developers consulted with 54,000 brides to find out what tools they most wanted and used in order to create the perfect app. Download it for free here

Destress here

Look 10lbs Thinner on Your Wedding Day (With and Without Exercise)

Sign up for a race: Kill two birds with one stone: relieve stress and lose weight. Signing up for a 5k or 10k is an easy way to whip yourself into shape, as you have to stick to a training routine in order to complete the race. Check out Active.com to see a list of races in your area.

Contour your face: Your face will be the focal point for all pictures, so if you’re concerned about it looking a bit chubby, contour it with makeup. You can make your face look thinner, cheekbones stand out more, make your nose look longer, and so on. Check out these easy steps from Cosmopolitan here. It’s the quickest fix to make yourself appear thinner.

Try a 3-5 day juice cleanse: While juice cleanses are not intended for weight loss, most people tend to shed anywhere from 3+ pounds over the course of a few days. It’s a great way to jump start your body and will also give you tons of energy (you’ll need it for your big day!).

Try the wedding dress workout: Fitness expert Franci Cohen developed different workout routines based on what kind of dress you’ll be wearing. Whether you’re wearing a mermaid dress and need to get your midriff in tip top shape, or are going with a backless gown and need your back to look amazing, she’s got you covered with targeted exercises. Check them all out here, and go with the option that best fits your needs.

Try Zerona laser fat removal: If can’t seem to shed those last few pounds, try Zerona, a new non-invasive laser method of zapping fat. There’s recovery time and no pain associated with the procedure. Do this three weeks prior to your big day to help shave off a few inches from problem areas such as the waist, stomach and thighs. Find a local treatment center here.

Use toning cream: While these creams won’t magically make you skinny overnight, they’ll definitely help tone your skin. In other words, say goodbye to flabby skin, which will make a huge different in photos. 

Get a faux tan: A spray tan can make you look way slimmer than you actually are. To get the best results, try out a few different formulas prior to your wedding to find the perfect shade. Book an appointment for a final spray tan 24 to 48 hours before your big day.

Get amazing shapewear: Not all shapewear is created equal, so it’s best to try on a few different brands and styles before purchasing anything. Buy a few things to try on underneath your dress, and keep the tags on so you can return the ones that don’t work. The last thing you want is for the garments to create a bulge in the wrong spot (aka the infamous boob bulge).

Snack throughout the day: Keep healthy snacks in your purse to munch on throughout the day. This will keep you from inhaling way more food than you should when you sit down for a meal, which will help you shed pounds. Apples, carrots, celery and peanut butter, trail mix and lightly salted popcorn are all great options.

Choose the right headpiece: When searching for a veil or headpiece, opt for one with height to balance a wide face. If you have a more narrow face, choose a style with volume at the sides. They’ll even you out, which is a super quick fix to make you look more tall and lean.

Focus on your arms: If you’re wearing a strapless dress, the only think you really need to worry about is your arms. And if they’re in good shape, you’ll look amazing. To get them wedding ready in just 8 weeks, do tricep exercises daily. Check out fitness guru Amanda Russell‘s steps here.

Accentuate your waist: Wearing a belt or sash will emphasize your waistline, and will make you appear thinner. You’ll need to test it out on your natural waistline, under your bust or across your dropped waistline first to find the most flattering place.

Wear heels: They might not be the most comfortable solution, but wearing heels is a quick solution to make yourself appear thinner. They’ll trick the eye into spreading your weight over your new, taller frame. Tip: if you hate stilettos, opt for a wedge heel that’s no more than three inches tall.

See the slideshow here.

More Ways To Score Wedding Freebies

Play Nice.  It makes sense that vendors reward the clients they most enjoy working with, so be sure to play nice with everyone during the planning process. “Many vendors will throw in freebies during the last weeks before the wedding to couples they really like,” says Sharon Naylor, wedding expert and author of The Bride’s Guide to Freebies.

Lay it all on the line. Honesty is always the best policy, so tell your vendors you’re on a tight budget right away. Naylor suggests saying something like, “We’d love to get any budget-stretchers possible, and we know you’ll help us do it in style.”

Place multiple orders. If you’ll be using the same vendor for multiple occasions (for example, ordering cakes for the bridal shower, engagement party and wedding reception), be sure to let them know and think about placing all of the orders at the same time. The repeat business is a great incentive for vendors to step up and offer upgrades.

Ask about overstock. Vendors often have storerooms filled with items left over from previous weddings (or canceled events) that you can get for free or at a reduced rate, says Naylor.

Stationery. There’s really no reason to pay for any of your wedding stationery because there are so many good free printables around the Web that allow you to customize and print yourself. 

Request changes to your package. Some vendors will work with a couple to make changes to their wedding package if possible, replacing something you don’t need or want with something that better fits into your vision. For example, you can replace those two carving stations at the cocktail hour with the sushi station you’ve been coveting, or opt out of a video package for extra time with your wedding photographer or more prints for your album.

Use social media to your advantage. Following your favorite vendors on Twitter or liking them on Facebook can make you privy to sales, contests and more. It can also be a good way to build a relationship with a vendor before you officially begin the planning process

Accept a no with grace. Vendors want to make their brides happy, but certain factors are sometimes out of their control. So if your request for a discount or freebie is denied, be sure to thank them for considering it and move on. Throwing a tantrum or turning into a nag won’t get you what you want and can ultimately damage your relationship with the vendor.

Read the full article at: http://www.shefinds.com/2014/9-ways-to-get-freebies-for-your-wedding/

Free Birthday Party Invitation Printables

Plan a friends event or your own with ease and style using free birthday party invitation templates. When planning a party, there are plenty of other items you can spend money on; invitation templates are not one of them. If you choose to purchase a boxed invitation kit from most retailers it will come with software templates that are downloadable or within the kit; if you choose to put your own creative invitations together the following collection of sites are ones you should visit.

[1.] Orange You Lucky Blog

[2.] Draw Pilgrim

[3.] Disney

[4.]  One Charming Party

[5.]   How To Nest For Less

[6.]  Catch My Party

[7.]   Hostess With The Mostess

[8.]  DIY Invitations

[9.]  Celebrations

 [10.]  evite

As we always encourage, be kind and respectful to the freebies on these sites and their owners so they continue to be free for everyone!!

Hydrangea Hype

Spring will be arriving soon (fingers crossed) and a large array of different flowers will be available for bouquets. One of the most popular, yet most tedious to handle, is the late spring blooming hydrangeas.  The follow are some helpful hits to remember when adding hydrangeas to your bouquets and everyday settings. 

Choosing The Right Blooms: Look for flowers that have fully opened and feel slightly papery to the touch. They will last longer when cut. Use one bloom color or mix varying shades.

Cutting: Snip stems early in the morning, cut at an angle above a leaf bud. Place your stems in a bucket of cool water immediately after cutting.

Conditioning Cut Stems: Heat water until almost boiling, remove from heat and wait five minutes. Dip stem ends in hot water for 30 seconds before arranging in cool water.

Create Your Displays: Use moist floral foam to keep the stems in place if needed.

A Little Party Planning Speed Dating

Hello Friends! We've picked a few questions that are asked to us quite a bit, so we're going to play a little speed dating so that you can get to know us better. If you have a question not answered, ask us in the comments!

Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

We plan the entire array of events which allows us to make each unique and draw different planning techniques to best compliment what the client wants and needs. As a business and each of our individual planners have planned events from $500 to events in the $100Ks. You won't have to worry about a thing as we dazzle your guests from beginning to end.

What do you like most about your job?

Getting to be a part of peoples special days and events. Everyone loves a party, and we get to throw them for a living, what honestly could be better than that!

What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

Cost is always a big thought in everyone's mind. Not necessarily how much will it cost, but how to be sure they're getting the most for the money that they are spending not only with us but with the vendors we coordinate with.

What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

That its hard work but we love it. We will get done what you want and need us to, you don't have to yell at us. We PROMISE!!

If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

Everyone asks us what the big secret when it comes to planning, and it sounds corny, but its love. We love what we do, its not just business as usual or for the money. As a team we're happy to get up everyday and do this or we just wouldn't do. That shows through when it comes to our work.

Do you have a favorite story from your work?

From a business standpoint it would be the wedding we booked 6 other events at. Personally the moment that all made us 'awww' was a stoic groom that we had. He gave his bride a pretty good ribbing for how emotional she always was. The day of she was doing pretty good, we didn't have too many tears. However, when she turned the corner to walk down the aisle and he caught sight of her, it was him who was the emotional one. It tugged at our heart strings.

How did you decide to get in your line of work?

All of us come from different backgrounds and that's what our big secret is. Each person does what they do best and that's why it works so well!

What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

Do your homework and ask the right questions. if you don't know the 'right questions', ask us! We'll tell you what you need to ask whether you hire us or not.

Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

We do the largest number of weddings and major milestone birthday parties but we do any kind of event you can imagine.

Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

We're proud of all our events! We can't pick just one!

What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

Pinterest is a huge deal in our world right now. We know that brides see tons of things they love on there, but we encourage them to build off the ideas so we make it their own.

If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

Our pricing system isn't complicated at all, we base our pricing on the budget for your event!

If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

Contact the company that best fits your personality and get in the door with them. You can never EVER EVER be a planner on your own! It takes a team!

What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

Budget and have starting point ideas of what you want.

What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

We have a whole list of the 'right questions' you should be asking when it comes to hiring a planner or coordinator and we're happy to provide them whether you hire us or not.

What is your greatest strength?

We are a true team that combines our different backgrounds to make us unstoppable in being able to create exactly what you want.

What are you currently working on improving?

Being able to travel further that our current 200 miles to create the best events based on the requests we receive.

A Party Planning Check List

At least once a month we get that frantic phone call, someone has just plain run out of time and their event is a week, even days away! We love to and a happy to help everyone we can, like seeing a good pair of shoes, we just can't say no! 

If you're looking to give a go at planning your event, print out the checklist below to hold your hand along the way! This is a great list for an event that doesn't require long booking times on vendors, venues, etc and is approximately a month out.

Three Weeks Out

[ ] Make An Invitation List

For large parties, invite 20% more than you can fit. Typically only 70-80% of those invited show up to the event

[ ] Decide On A Theme, If You Want One

Make, buy, borrow any decor you may need to fit the theme.

[ ] Send Invitations

Mail, e-mail and phone invitations are acceptable, depending on the event.

[ ] Plan The Menu

Assemble the recipes, if you're going DIY choose items that can be prepared in advance, perhaps even frozen, with just warming and assembling required on party day. Make a list of how far in advance each can be made, and compile a shopping list. Place an order with your local delicatessen or bakery, as needed.

[ ] Line Up Any Help You May Need

Consider hiring your favorite party planners for day-of coordination, or locals with experience  to help with pre- or post party cleaning or to pass drinks or appetizers, replenish buffet food, tidy up, and generally take some weight off your shoulders.

Two Weeks Out

[ ] Clean Any Place Settings You'll Be Using
Clean! Clean! Clean! * Sparkle! Sparkle! Sparkle!

[ ] Come Up With A Playlist
The music should be appropriate and sufficient to last throughout the party.

[ ] Do A First Round Of Grocery Shopping And Cooking

Prepare any dishes that can be frozen and keep well.

One Week Before

[ ] Clean The Venue Thoroughly

This way, you’ll need only a quick once-over before the party. (This applies if the party is at your house!)

[ ] Set the stage.

Arrange the furniture as you’ll want it for the party, making sure that guests can move easily from one part of your layout to another. Designate a coffee table or side table for coffee and dessert, if you’ll be serving them. Tuck away things that will be in the way, precious items that might get broken (or even be taken), and any clutter. Figure out the lighting: Using low-wattage bulbs or candlelight will create the right mood.

[ ] Take inventory of cookware and serving dishes.

If you don’t have enough for every dish you’re serving, consider purchasing inexpensive pieces from a discount or thrift store. Label each dish with a Post-it so you’ll remember what you plan to use it for at party time.

[ ] Stock the bar.

Plan three bottles of wine for every four people, three to four cocktails per guest for a two- to three-hour cocktail party.

Three Days Before

[ ] Notify The Neighbors

Let them know you are having a party; especially if you expect it to be large, loud and parking-intensive

[ ] Begin Decorating

Anything you can put up now, do it! It will take stress off you day of and you'll discover anything you might have forgotten.

[ ] Check The Medicine Cabinet

Remove any personal items you don't want guest so see.

[ ] Set Up A Cleaning Station

Place a box of salt or box of baking soda, Wine Away (red wine stain remover), club soda, paper towels, and a couple of rags in a wicker basket, then store a few in strategic places in case a nasty spill occurs.

[ ] Arrange A Place For Coats

Make space in a closet and fill it with hangers. You could also choose a bed for coats (make sure the room is especially tidy and free of valuables, so you won’t need to worry about them), or purchase an inexpensive portable garment rack.

[ ] Finish Grocery Shopping

Make a detailed cooking schedule for your remaining dishes

One Day Before

[ ] Set Up Tables, Buffet, etc.

[ ] Buy And Arrange Flowers

[ ] Finish As Much Cooking As You Can

[ ] Give Your Venue The Final Once-Over

Day Of The Party

[ ] Finish any last-minute cooking.

This should be absolutely minimal!

[ ] Place chairs.

Don’t worry about having enough seating for everyone; fewer seats will encourage mingling.

[ ] Display food.

One to two hours before guests arrive, set out appetizers and snacks that won’t spoil., wrapping them tightly. Tear off the wrap when the first guest rings the doorbell.

[ ] Greet guests as they arrive.

Things should be organized so you’re free to mingle, not tied to the kitchen.