Wedding Planner vs. Wedding Coordinator vs. Event Designer

I want to take the time to assist some brides with clarifying the difference between a wedding coordinator, wedding planner and a event designer. These terms are used interchangeably within the wedding industry, but there is a difference.

A wedding coordinator stays by your side throughout the day and night of your event. All the details that you’ve planned will be forward to your wedding coordinator to oversee that your needs are met during your wedding. They are there to tell you when things will be occurring throughout the night, such as the cake cutting, bouquet toss, toasts, cueing you down the aisle, etc. In addition, the wedding coordinator on the day of the wedding has a few duties that they pay close attention to, such as creating a timeline, setting up, and communicating with your vendors. My Bridal Budget staff personally stays until the very end of the wedding, until all of the guests are gone. There are coordinators that offer day of coordination and month and day of coordination services.

A wedding planner helps you plan your wedding from A to Z throughout your engagement. They are hired to help you with venue/vendor selection, assistance in selecting décor/ theme, attending essential vendor meetings, budget guidance, coordinating your rehearsal, and any details along the way. The wedding planner will be your bestfriend at the end of your experience. This becomes a special bond between the couple and wedding planner- it is very important that the couple is comfortable and confident in their selection for a planner. Please note that a wedding planner is simply to guide you through the process with you having the control of the choices you decide. Their expertise and experience play an essential role in pairing you with vendors to fit your budget, personality, style and needs. Many wedding planners are coordinators as well.

Typically, some planners are event designers. Event designers are perfect for a couple that just can’t articulate their own décor vision. Event designers are the crème de la crème for weddings. They are hired based on their beautiful past design projects. They’re known for taking care of your floral and linen design as well, such as centerpiece arrangements and more.

Whether you need a wedding coordinator, wedding planner or event designer, all roles can achieve a wedding that is truly you. It all depends what your needs are as well as your budget before you decide on your selection.

Vendor Spotlight-Harpist Brandee Younger

Happy New Year! I’m sure you all have had a great holiday season; now back to planning your big day. Entertainment is essential in every wedding; you and your guests will appreciate the art and sound of music. You may want to include a live musician during your ceremony, cocktail or during your reception. If you want to add a whimsical feeling in your wedding, such as having a harpist play magical tunes as you walk down the aisle- I have the perfect harpist in mind. I had the opportunity to interview the talented Brandee Younger, as well as I will be attending her live performance on Friday, January 14, 2011. If you are interested in having a harpist for your event and would like to see her live, this can be a great opportunity for you, as well as a romantic night out with your fiancé.

Q: How did you find your passion in playing the harp? How long have you been playing the harp?
A: It probably wasn't until I became a young adult that I realized that this is what I was meant to do. I have been playing for about 15 years now and over time; things really began to unfold right in front of me. I couldn't ask for anything more!

Q: What kind of events have you performed? What venues have you performed at?
A: I've performed every kind of event imaginable! Any celebration you can imagine, I've played. I have performed at many wonderful venues including Carnegie Hall, Joseph Meyerhoff Hall, Blue Note, Birdland and Iridium Jazz Clubs, the Hammerstein Ballroom-- the list goes on & on.

Q: Do you think having a live performance adds a special touch to a wedding?
A: Absolutely! A wedding happens once and the ceremony itself is the most sacred part. Having live music does not even compare to having a recorded track. There are nuances that can only happen in real life. I can't imagine having a recording of a pastor or priest conducting a wedding ceremony!

Q: What songs do you recommend for brides to play during their ceremony
A: Many brides LOVE Pachelbel's Canon. I suggest alternatives to that. Maybe something like Vivaldi's Concerto for Lute. It's beautiful and not as done as the Pachelbel, and Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Also, pieces like Brahms, Variations on a Theme by Haydn; Bach, Prelude in C & The Trumpet Voluntary all are good alternatives for the "run of the mill" pieces.

Q: Do you offer advice/suggestions in what songs compliment a bride/groom’s personality?
A: Often times, couples have songs that mean a lot to them. I once had a couple that met while Enya was playing, so it was important for them to have some Enya during their ceremony. It brought back the memories of their first meeting. Also, I play for many couples that come from different religious backgrounds, so they may not want any music related to church, so they want their personal preference. I've played Barbara Streisand, Beyonce, CeCe Winans, Bryan Adams...I think I even had to play something from Jurassic Park once before! I think I was in college then, though :-) I do suggest alternatives however, if a bride requests something I feel would sound pretty awful on the harp.

Q: What kind of genres do you play?
A: I am an oddball ;) I'm classically trained, so I play classical music, but I also play jazz, R&B, and pop styles as well.

Q: Do you play solo or do you play with ensemble?
A: Both! I play weddings solo, or duo with my flutist or trio with flute & bass, or cello. People like to change things a bit for cocktails, so we'll often have a jazz trio of harp, bass & drums for cocktail or dinner hour.

Q: How far in advance a client should book your services?
A: I prefer 6 months in advance.

Q: What upcoming events do you have in New York City, so we can see your performance?
A: January 14th at the Nabi Art Gallery! It should be a great show full of harp :-) The address is 137 West 25th St. Feel free to visit www.brandeeyounger.com for more details as the date nears.

Bridesmaid dress for a steal!

If you are having a small bridal party, such as one maid of honor in your bridal party or you don't have the time to order dresses from your bridal salon before your big day- visit your nearest mall and you may find a dress that you like.

Here is a suggestion from Jcpenney-This gorgeously Grecian one shoulder gown will help to unearth your inner goddess. This dress can compliment your purple themed wedding. It is only $89.99. Strappy sandal silver shoes or bronze shoes can look very elegant with this dress. Perfect for a holiday dress as well!

Happy Shopping!

Source: http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=SIZ&ItemID=1954406&DeptID=70656&CatID=73760&PCatID=70656&SO=0&CatSel=4294943554%7cbridesmaid&Ne=4294957900+6+5+29+3+585+596+966+1031+904+18+949&CatTyp=FEA&Dep=WOMEN&N=4294943554&Pcat=WOMEN&Cat=Wedding+Shop&Nao=0&PSO=0&CmCatId=70656|80145|73760

Holiday Fusion Drink

I visited this sushi fusion restaurant called Hashi located Inwood Manhattan. I had this great drink that was mixed with Pomengrate Juice, Absolut Pear Vodka, Mint, and simple syrup (1 part of sugar and 1 part of water). This mixology recipe is definitely a recommended signature drink for your holiday event!

Cheers and Happy Holidays!

Holiday Placecard & Wedding Favor

Looking for a great combination idea for a place card holder and a wedding favor at your holiday wedding? This snowflake placecard holder is destined to fit your winter themed table décor. Guests will enjoy this holder because they can use this as an ornament for their Christmas tree at home.

Source-http://www.momentsofelegance.com/catalog/snowflake-place-card-holderornament-p-1922.html

Budget Friendly Engagement locations in NYC

Tis the season to be in love! It’s the holidays and unexpected surprises can occur during the holiday season- such as getting engaged! If you are thinking of proposing to your girlfriend or boyfriend and can’t think of location to pop the big question, here is list of suggested engagement spots in New York City (budget-friendly locations):

1)Central Park (take a ride with your beau in a horse carriage ride)
2)Brooklyn Bridge
3)Botanical Gardens (Brooklyn or Bronx)
4)Your favorite restaurant (preferably a restaurant you and your beau went on your first date)
5)At home (decorate your home with rose petals, candles, and tune into your favorite romantic love songs)
6)Empire State Building
7)Times Square (New Years Eve)
8)Bronx Zoo
9)Coney Island (take a ride on the Wonder Wheel)
10)Rockefeller Center (pop the big question near the Rockefeller Christmas Tree
11)Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center)
12)Bryant Park (Ice Rink)
13)At your beau’s job (surprise her or him at work and pop the big question)
14)South Street Seaport
15)Circle Line Cruise (dinner cruise around the city)
16)Staten Island Ferry
17)Train Stop at the Subway (you can ask a street vendor musician to play your favorite song before you pop the question)
18)Backyard of a public school (if you are high school lovers, you may want to go back in time where you first met)

Congratulations!

Holiday Jewelry Trunk Show 12/15/10

I’d like to announce that I’m a Stylist with Stella & Dot Jewelry. In addition to my love for planning weddings, I love jewelry- nothing like a “statement” necklace to add to a dress! Stella & Dot offer a wide range of custom jewelry. Stella & Dot’s NY team in Soho creates the jewelry designs; celebrities such as Penelope Cruz & Jennifer Love Hewitt have worn these stylish collections.

Stella & Dot have a fabulous Bridal collection for you and your bridal party, as well as if you want to update your attire with trendy jewelry styles. Every season, Stella & Dot updates their collection to create fresh new looks, also half of their collection is $50 and under!

What I like about Stella & Dot is that you can host a jewelry trunk show at your home, job, anywhere and invite your girlfriends to shop and treat themselves to fabulous jewelry, also as a stylist I will bring in the fabulous jewelry and “look books” to display on your table. As a hostess you can get great perks based on your guests’ orders, such as FREE jewelry for you or maybe a nice jewelry set to give to your bridal party-Perfect way to spend girls night at your home! Or Perfect theme for your Bridal Shower – Jewelry Bridal Shower-!

Please check out the fabulous jewelry collect at www.stelladot.com/mybridalbudget Today! Contact me so you can host a trunk show at your home or become a Stylist!

SAVE THE DATE! In addition, there will be holiday trunk show on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 6:30pm. Location TBD. I will keep you posted soon! Please join us for holiday bites, and jewelry!!

Happy Shopping!