Fab Find Friday: Guestbook Boxes

This afternoon while strolling the 'Net, I came across these fab Guestbook Boxes by Cut the Cake Designs. When it comes to planning an event, I love to find fresh, new ideas to present to my clients. These guestbook boxes present a unique twist on the traditional guestbook. As an added bonus: They can be customized to coordinate with your event's theme/color!

For more information, check out the Cut the Cake by Tara Lee etsy store. Happy Friday!!!

Fab Find Friday: Two Birds Bridesmaids

I decided to start a weekly feature on the blog, titled Fab Find Friday, where I will showcase some of the fabulous steals, deals, and ideas that I come across in the wedding world each week. What better way is there to end a long and often hectic work week than to find a great bargain or new idea for your wedding, right?! I know...I'm excited too! So let's get the ball rolling with this week's Fab Find: Two Birds Bridesmaids Dresses!

So, I was up late the other night watching the Style Network's My Fair Wedding with David Tutera. He absolutely HATED her choice in bridesmaids dresses, mostly because the fit was sooo unflattering. Solution: Two Birds Bridesmaids Dresses. These awesome convertible dresses come in several different styles and colors and can tied in different variations to create the most flattering look for each body type. The best part is, because the dress can be converted into different styles, it can be worn again and again! Gone are the days of having to buy an expensive dress that will sit in the closet collecting dust, waiting on an opportunity to see the light of day again. The downside: the price! Ranging from $270 - $395, it's pretty darn pricey. But when you factor in the amount of use you'll get from this one dress, it might just be worth the price!

As a bridesmaid in a friend's upcoming wedding, I can sum up my own personal experience with dress shopping in one word: FRUSTRATING. Myself and the other girls are very different in size, so finding ONE dress that would flatter all of our body types was definitely a challenge. Then we decided to stick to the color scheme and length designated by the bride and each choose a style that we thought would compliment our body type. In the end, that was the best option, but had I discovered Two Birds Bridesmaids dresses before we purchased our gowns, I think the girls and I would have made a $270 investment to save a whole lot of time and aggravation!

For more information on this fabulosity, check out the website http://www.twobirdsbridesmaid.com/. It features lots of photos, a how-to section, and ordering info (sorry my Cali lovelies...they're in NY).

Stay tuned for another Fab Find next week...

Ten Money-Saving Tips For Your Wedding

Let's face it: times are hard, and with the average cost of a wedding nearing the $30,000 mark (not including the engagement ring or honeymoon), it's no wonder couples everywhere are trying to figure out ways to save money when it comes to planning their big day. With the state of the current economy, many vendors are lowering their prices and offering deep discounts on many of their services. However, if you are still fretting over the looming price tag of your pending nuptials, try one, or several of the following tried and true money-saving tips to help keep you out of the poor house after the wedding:

1. Slash the Guestlist - By trimming the guest list, you will significantly reduce catering costs, as well as cut down on the cost of invitations, centerpieces, rentals, etc.

2. Shop Sample Sales - You may be able to score a designer gown at a fraction of the cost.

3. Weekday/Off-Peak Wedding - Saturday is the most popular and most expensive day to hold a wedding. Many venues offer a much cheaper rate for choosing a weekday or Sunday date. Discounts are also usually available during off peak season (Nov-Mar).

4. DIY- If you're not afraid to get your hands dirty, you possess a creative bone in your body, and if time permits, be a do-it-yourself diva and take on a few wedding-related projects.

5. Ditch the Open Bar - Open bars can be super pricey. Instead, opt to serve beer, wine, and one signature drink.

6. Choose flowers that are in Season: Your florist should be able to work with you to find an inexpensive alternative to a flower that may be out of season.

7. Choose a non-floral centerpiece: Candles? Fruit? Faux Feathers? Oh, the possibilities are endless...don't limit yourself.

8. Single Location: Hold the ceremony and reception in one location. This eliminates a second site fee and cuts out travel costs imposed by vendors (and your guests will thank-you for eliminating extra work and driving for them!).

9. Daytime Reception: Lunch prices are usually much less than dinner since it is based on smaller portion sizes, and less alcohol is usually consumed during the day.

10. Limit Courses: Simply put: less courses=less money spent.

I hope these tips are helpful when you begin the exciting journey of planning the biggest day of your life. Remember, you'll want to have money left over for the honeymoon!

Bridal Emergency Kit: Don't Leave Home Without It!

photo source: www.msandmrs.com

No matter how much careful planning is done, there is always a chance that an unforeseen occurence can come up on your wedding day: a stain on your gown, a pounding headache that will not go away, or (gasp!) in all your haste to make it to the ceremony on time, you realize, just as you're stepping out of the limo, you forgot to put on deoderant!!! But if you come prepared, those last minute issues that arise doesn't always have to spell D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R. That is where a Bridal Emrgecy Kit comes in handy. Equipped with any and everything you can think of to rescue you from life's unfortunate happenings, this little baby is a must-have on your wedding day.

A smart wedding planner will always have one on hand...and if you're planning and executing your big day on your own, one of the best decisions you could make would be to prepare an emeregency kit.

Here is what's in mine:

- Safety Pins
- Bobby Pins
- Elastic Hair Bands
- Comb & Brush
- Hair Spray
- Gel
- Makeup Brushes
- Manicure Kit
- Mini Sewing Kit
- Eyeglass Repair Kit
- Scissors
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste
- Floss
- Breath Mints
- Gum
- Vaseline
- Lotion
- Deoderant
- Visine Eye Wash
- Tampons/Pads
- Advil
- Tylenol
- Alka Seltzer
- Tums
- Day/Nyquil
- Cough Drops
- Razors/Shaving Cream
- Lint Remover
- Tide-To-Go Stain Remover Pen

Platinum Touch Events comes equipped with a Bridal Emergency Kit to every event. It is my experience that at least one, if not many of the items included, will need to be used at some point during the event. The way I see it, it is better to be prepared than to wait for a problem to rear it's ugly head before coming up with a solution!

Don't have time to prepare your own kit? Check out the following links:

http://www.msandmrs.com/

http://www.withyouinmindinc.com/

Happy Planning!

Venue Spotlight: Greystone Estate

Last month, I had the pleasure of coordinating a wedding at the historic national landmark, Greystone Estate. At my first walk-through of this venue, I was absolutely blown away by it's beauty. With it's breathtaking views and unique garden setting, it is a wonderful choice if you are thinking of having an outdoor wedding. There are so many ceremony and reception sites located on the grounds of the mansion (events are held outdoors only) that it's kind of hard to choose just one since they are all equally charming. I personally fell in love with the Formal Gardens, with it's perfectly manicured grass area surrounded by gorgeous white blooms and slated walkways.

As beautiful as this place is, it doesn't come without a price...and that price is the WARDEN that is the City of Beverly Hills. Please be prepared to do your research on all of the rules, regulations, stipulations, can-and-cannot-do's that have been mandated by the city (and trust me, there are a LOT of them!!!). If you make it out alive, there is no way you will not have an amazingly gorgeous wedding. This place really requires minimal or no fancy decor, as it's stylish and natural ambience provides all the refreshing beauty you will need.

The stairway leading to the Inner Courtyard.

Look at the beautiful greenery surrounding the courtyard...simply stunning!

Colorful blooms add to the appeal.

Can you just imagine your bride/groom waiting for you at the end of this aisle?!

Minimal to no fancy decor required!

A view from the outside.

Fresh blooms line the terrace.

Natural beauty and historic charm.

Gorgeous!

All photos courtesy of Toki Cavener Photography.

It's Been A While...

Yes, it has definitely been a while since my last post, but for very good reasons. I have been working on some pretty exciting things for PTE. I am most pleased to announce that after dealing with some pretty shady, and flaky web and graphic designers (can you say take your money then fall off the face of the planet; or see your project all the way to the end, then fall off the face of the planet! SIGH!!!), that the website is live and kicking (http://www.aplatinumtouchevent.com/).

I am still working out the logistics for the PTE Launch Party, am working on a FABULOUS party for THE most adorable soon-to-be two year old twin girls (shameless plug for my lil sweeties Aaliya & Alexis), and a wonderful wedding for a dear friend of mine in January. Needless to say, I have been B-U-S-Y! But I am making it my mission to post more frequently and not neglect you again. Until next time, here are a few cliff hanger photos of PTE couple Josh & Candy's October 12th Wedding (more details and photos coming soon):

All photos courtesy of American Marriage the Movie...check out their Facebook Fan Page for more info on the documentary.

And the winner is...

I've been searching for the perfect venue to host the Platinum Touch Events launch party, and after quite a bit of searching, I think I have found the perfect location: The Custom Hotel. This swanky hotel, once called the Furama, is just minutes away from LAX airport. The party will be held in the Hopscotch Pool Bar & Grill, a sleek lounge area that overlooks the pool deck below. It features four private cabanas, an outdoor firepit, and has a wonderful modern design. Over the next couple of weeks I will be providing full details for the event. Stay tuned!