4 Ways to Relieve Wedding Planning Stress

The day he proposed was probably one of the greatest moments in your life...you looked him in the eye and squealed "Yes" with no hesitation! Fast forward a few weeks after the initial shock and excitement has calmed down, and the actual planning of the big day has started.  Since you've most likely never done this before, you had NO IDEA how much time and energy would be needed to meet the demands of planning your nuptials.  On top of that, you still have your everyday obligations to work, school, family, etc. (Insert scream here).

Before you start pulling your hair out, Stop. Breathe. Relax.

Wedding planning should be a fun and memorable experience.  Don't let the stress of planning your big day ruin that experience for you.  Here are 4 great ways to relieve wedding planning stress:

 1. Hire a Wedding Planner - Ok, I might be a little biased, but one thing is for sure: hiring an experienced and professional wedding planner is a sure fire way to help relieve wedding planning stress.  The key words here are experienced and professional.  The right planner will put your mind ate ease in knowing things are being taken care of properly and on schedule.  Relieving yourself of some of the more stressful tasks, such as researching vendors, staying on top of your budget, trying to figure out floor plans, etc. can free up more of your time to do the fun activities like shopping for your dress!

2. Date Night - Constantly being in "serious wedding planning mode" can put a damper on your romantic life.  It is important to not get so wrapped up that you forget to make time for your significant other.  Schedule  regular date nights and get out and enjoy one another.  After all, that is what married life is about: enjoying spending your life with the one you plan to spend the remainder of it with!

3. Spa Day - Gather up your bridesmaids and schedule a day of pampering!.  A soothing massage, mani/pedi, and/or facial will not only soothe your body, but your mind as well.  The relaxing atmosphere will more than likely make you forget about your wedding planning woes.

Source

           4. "Wine" Down - Sometimes it's the little things in life that bring us the most pleasure.  Relaxing with a glass of wine at the end of a long and stressful day is a great way to relax and unwind.  Curling up with a good book or renting a movie you've been wanting to see while sipping on a glass of wine is the ultimate relaxing night in.  Not a wine drinker? No problem, a nice cup of hot chocolate or tea works as well.

What are some other great ways you can think of to help relieve wedding planning stress? Please leave a comment below.

Platinum Touch Events V-Log #1

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

I've been entertaining the idea of doing a V-Log (video blog) for quite awhile now, but I never got around to it...mainly because (gasp!) I'm a little bit camera shy!  But, I have so many things that I've been wanting to share and a regular ol' blog post just won't do sometimes, lol!

Please excuse the fact that the video is a little off center (hey, cut me some slack...it's my first time for goodness sakes lol...but I promise, it's going to get better :).  I just wanted to take a moment to personally introduce myself to my readers...you know, so you can put a face/voice to the name.

So, without further ado...check out my very first V-Log post...

In future V-log entries, I will be answering all of your burning wedding/event planning questions and even providing a few how-to/DIY videos.  I'm very excited about this new aspect of the blog, and I hope you enjoy the content that I am working hard to bring you. 

To make this a truly helpful experience, I'd love to hear your feedback on my first V-Log post.  Please include any topics that you would like for me to cover in future posts.

Thanks for following along with me on this journey, and I'll see you on the next video!

Wish Upon a Wedding

Wish Upon a Wedding is the world's first non-profit wedding wish granting organization for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances.  The organization's focus is to bring joy to these couples by giving them the wedding of their dreams without thought to the challenges they are facing in life.

In it's first year, Wish Upon a Wedding (WUW) has managed to open more than a dozen chapters to serve Wish applicants.  Wedding vendors across the US have generously sponsored products and services to the organization to help support this wonderful cause.

Yesterday, the organization posted a sad announcement on their national Facebook page: their first-ever wish recipient had succumbed to cancer.  They also posted a link to the story of the couple's wedding.  After reading the story, I was overcome with emotion.  It was at that moment I realized the impact that this organization has made, and will continue to make, on many lives.  It was also at that moment that I decided that I wanted to be a part of this amazing movement that is helping to celebrate more than just the union of two people, but is helping to celebrate LIFE.

As a wedding planner, I am fortunate to be a part of one of the most special days of a person's life: their wedding day.   I can only imagine how much more special it is to a couple that has been burdened with terminal illness of a loved one.  So, in saying all this, I have decide to apply to become a wish granter for Wish Upon a Wedding.  It would be my pleasure to assist in any way possible to such a wonderful cause.

If you, or anyone you know, could benefit from the services of Wish Upon a Wedding, visit their website or call (877) 305-WISH to find out how you can submit a wish application.

What's Happening - October 2010

It's that time again: another round up fabulous wedding events happening in SoCal.  We've created the list to keep you informed, prepared, and inspired when it comes to planning your BIG day.  So without further ado, here are just a few of the bridal events taking place this month:

Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010
BrideWorld Expo
 Pasadena Convention Center
300 E. Green St.
Pasadena, CA 91101
10am-4pm 
$10/$8 pre-registered
 Pasadena's largest wedding expo, featuring over 150 local wedding professionals, products, and services.  There will be fashion shows between 12p-2p, and a planning seminar at 1p.  Free magazines and workbooks when you register in advance.

Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010
The Wedding Party
Crate & Barrel
South Bay, Del Amo Fashion Center
21710 Hawthorn Blvd.,
Torrance, CA 90503
This is a free event.  Plan your new home together, get advice from design and registry experts, and enjoy food, drinks, and fun.  RSVP here.


Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010
WSEA Bridal Faire
Port's of Call Restaurant
LA Harbor Berth 76
San Pedro, CA 90731
$5 in advance
Door prizes, complimentary cake and food tastings, along with a bridal couture fashion show displaying the season's hottest styles and trends.  For more info, visit the WSEA website.


Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010
Expo Bridal 3rd Annual Fall Bridal Show
Universal City Hilton
555 Universal Hollywood Dr.
Universal City, CA 91608
$7 with online registration plus one free guest
Here, you'll find all the services you'll need for your wedding plus, you can enjoy the live gown fashion show, cake samples, free massages and free vendor giveaways.  For more information, call 213-272-0748.


Happy Planning!!!

On-Site Coordinator vs. Wedding Coordinator

As you begin your wedding planning journey, you are bound to run across a wide range of questions that you may have never considered.  One question that is sure to arise if you're having your wedding/reception at a venue that provides an on-site coordinator is: "What's the difference between a venue's on-site coordinator and a wedding coordinator?"  The simplest and short answer is: "An on-site coordinator works for the venue, while a wedding coordinator works for you!"

Since this is a first time experience for most brides and grooms, it would be a fair assumption that the venue's on-site coordinator will take care of everything related to the wedding.  However, that is not the case.  Now, don't get me wrong, I am NOT in any way bashing onsite coordinators or looking to take away from their overall importance.  In fact, I think they are an excellent help in making sure everything goes smoothly on the big day.  I just wanted to share the difference between the two roles so that there are no surprises if your venue coordinator says he/she will not, or cannot, perform a specific task for you.

An on-site coordinator will usually:

• Provide a list of preferred vendors that have previously worked at the venue
• Consult with you on food/beverage selections
• Create a floor plan for your ceremony/reception
• Detail your banquet event order
• Act as the liason between you and your wedding vendors
• Oversee ceremony/reception setup, food, etc. provided by the venue

A wedding coordinator's list of duties is far more extensive, and includes:

• Working with you during all planning stages of the wedding planning process
• Researching vendors that fit within your budget
• Scheduling and attending vendor appointments
• Negotiating contracts 
• Providing design and decor ideas
• Assisting with questions regarding proper etiquette
• Helping you stay within budget and creating a vendor payment schedule
• Creating a detailed timeline of the day for you, your bridal party, and vendors
• Confirming all vendors prior to the wedding day
• Arriving early to ensure timely and proper setup
• Providing an "emergency kit" in the case of unforeseen incidents
• Overseeing the event through its finality

When planning an event as big and special as a wedding, it would be ideal to have both an on-site coordinator AND a wedding planner.  The on-site coordinator is a wonderful asset to making sure all venue-related bases are covered, but make sure you have a wedding coordinator on your side to help make sure ALL bases are covered.  When these two professionals work together, your chances of  having a wonderfully orchestrated, stress-free event are doubled!