Newly Engaged? Getting Started

'Tis the season for engagements. CONGRATULATIONS to those of you who have just made the committment.

Some questions you may be asking....

What to do first?
Locate and book your ceremony and reception sites - your wedding date may be 18 months away, but if possible get your deposit down on your chosen location. Details can be taken care of later.

Next start by booking a good wedding coordinator. A good coordinator will not take over, they will assist you with bring your vision to fruition. Well worth the money, but do ask for and DO CHECK references.

Start looking for vendors - Your coordinator will have a list of qualified and verified vendors they should be able to recommend. If you aren't utilizing a coordinator at this stage, then ask friends and past brides for recommendations. Again, check references. Meet with each vendors (try to keep your list to 3 vendors per category to keep it manageable). If you get a "warm fuzzy feeling" then you know you've found the right one. It's very important that you feel comfortable with each vendor as they are handling one of the most important days of your life!

Be prepared to put 50% deposit down with most vendors. Keep in mind this is probably a non-refundable deposit.

Once you have the above mentioned things in place, you are ready to start with the details.

For a complete guide to planning your wedding, check out my book, WEDDING PLANNING GUIDE, A Bride's Workbook. It's available through my website www.weddingsbytanya.com.

HAPPY PLANNING! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Must Have for the Newly Engaged

'Tis the season for engagements! My WEDDING PLANNING GUIDE, A Bride's Workbook, makes a wonderful engagement gift or Christmas present. It's been touted as being the easiest guide on the market to use. It's in 3-ring binder form, full of great information and plenty of room for adding your own info and notes. Be prepared when going to meet with prospective vendors. Have the questions to ask at your finger tips.

For more information or to order, go to www.weddingsbytanya.com or call 303-779-0395. We accept cash and checks. For a bigger savings, combine the guide with the DVD - The Art of Wedding Coordination.

Don't want to wear a veil?

For the bride, who may be getting remarried, more mature, or just doesn't want to wear a veil, you might consider flowers.



Flowers can be worn in the hair as a hair band, wreath, or a beautiful single flower behind your ear. They not only add a romantic note to your wedding, but they can also add color.



Flowers add so much to a wedding. Consider carrying a single flower, having a wrap made of flowers around your shoulders, carry a "kissing ball" or maybe having your groom present you with a single rose once you reach the altar.



Did you know that in the Victorian times, flowers actually would spell out messages? Gentlemen would give specific flowers to show love, friendship etc. A bride might carry the flowers that "spelled" I love you.



Need more ideas? I help my brides come up with unique ideas and something that will make their wedding their own. Reach me through tanya@weddingsbytanya.com or visit my website at http://www.weddingsbytanya.com/. (I'm happy to work with you no matter where you are. I'm available to travel.)

Attendant selection tip

Dec. 3, 2007
'Tis the season for engagements! Newely engaged ladies tend to rush to the phone, call all their best friends and ask everyone to be in the wedding party. Before you do this consider the following:
1) Can she afford to be an attendant
Can she afford the dress, travel and lodging?
2) Do all the girls get along?
3) Are any of the girls "prima-donnas"? (This can cause a lot of problems for you.)
4) You don't have to have an equal number on each side.
5) Yes, you can have a man on the bride's side and a woman on the groom's.

Happy planning! You'll find more tips like these on my website http://www.weddingsbytanya.com/.

Planning your wedding

It's the time of year when many couples get engaged and don't know how or where to begin. The planning of a wedding can be extremely intemidating to anyone, especially if you've never planned this large a function.

That's where a wedding coordinator/designer can be a life saver. Not only do we have access to the best vendors and venues, but we take the burden off you and your family so you can enjoy the party.

To help with wedding planning, I'm offering the same DVD to brides that I use when I teach my course The Art of Wedding Coordination. It is 4 1/2 hrs. of information that will help prepare you for vendor interviews, selecting stationary for the wedding; what to expect at the rehearsal etc. It works very nicely with the WEDDING PLANNING GUIDE, A Bride's Workbook, both of which can be ordered through my website www.weddingsbytanya.com.

For the secondtime or more mature bride, who has everything they need to set up a household, consider a Surprise Wedding. Turn the tables on your guests! They'll have a great time and you won't have to wonder where to store that third toaster!

For more information check out my website or email me at tporterweddsetc@hotmail.com.

I do only a limited number of weddings a year to give my clients the very best in personal service and never more than one a year. I'm happy to take your calls and appointments afterhours and evenings to fit your schedule. Have questions? Give me a call!