Sabrina, owner of Proposing Dreams, gives us some helpful tips for this year’s wedding season.
1. What color and design trends are you seeing for 2009?
Bold jewel tones – LOVE IT!
2. Any new event spaces that you are excited to see?
3. If you had an unlimited budget, how would you plan the ideal STL wedding?
Goodness that’s a loaded question. For myself or for a client are two different answers. For myself, it would the Worlds Fair Pavilion hands down! Choosing all the vendors would be torture! Honestly I would have so many photographers I would look like I had my own paparazzi. I would have 3 cakes, a band and a DJ. Don’t even get me started on picking a color – too many options. Having clients to narrow things down is much easier than trying to decide myself!
4. If you only had $5,000, how would you plan a STL wedding?
Backyard wedding – one of my favorite ways to go!! Really it’s not that hard and it’s so much more intimate. A budget wedding can be done for about $5000 and means light refreshments and help-yourself style fingerfoods, keep your flowers simple and your wedding party small. Keep the ceremony and reception close together to maximize your photographer time. Also consider Friday evening, Sunday afternoon or even a weekday evening to get the most for your dollar. You do need a few tables and chairs, to save money enlist some friends to do the pick-up and set-up for you.
Consider the “wedding season” when picking your date – deals can be worked out in the off season. Don’t try to work magic in May, June, Sept, or Oct those are peak months.
Start by creating a budget, call around and get pricing. Some couples have no idea what to expect. Write your priority list and work from there! Weddingwire.com has a great budget tool. It will suggest pricing but that’s not always reasonable so do shift for what’s most important to you.
Bottom line and I say it often – it’s about you and your marriage. If the budget doesn’t allow it, forgo the extravagant and splurge on what’s important to you. If it’s photography, then save on food and decor. If it’s food, then save on entertainment. If it’s your sanity, make room in the budget for at least a day of coordinator.
5. What is your favorite memory from your own wedding?
Walking down the aisle – my dad was practically running, my husband was crying and the flashes from cameras were going like crazy.
6. What are some of the most unique events, details or mishaps you have experienced in your line of work?
I’m an emotional gal. I love the first meeting, sending the bride down the aisle, allowing the couple to see the reception before anyone else. I love doing things different and surprising the guests. I have had couple do the announcing of the wedding party to make it more personal. I have had the groom invite his bride for the first dance and the guest to join them on the patio to watch. I love making anything personal that I can.
Mishaps don’t bother me – I tell my clients from day one – something will go wrong, I’m only human. But we try to be prepared as possible and let me deal with that, you have a good time. Don’t sweat it – the only reason a bride should be unhappy on her wedding day is if there is no groom. One bride, One groom, One officiant = wedding! The rest is just cake!
7. Please give a few tidbits of advice for a bride-to be.
Stay calm, don’t overdo it, don’t take on tasks you don’t have time for, delegate, stick to your guns if you want or don’t want something, don’t let your bridesmaids or mother stress you out, don’t expect them to be as involved as you are and you won’t be disappointed, ask for help, involve your fiancé as often as you can, don’t expect him to care about everything you do and you won’t be disappointed, ENJOY this – it’s supposed to be fun!
MOST IMPORTANTLY – get all your affairs in order at least 14 days prior to your wedding-pretend it’s 2 weeks ahead of time. For the last 7 days, let it all GO! Don’t worry about anything, don’t stress about something that didn’t come out just right – relax and enjoy the day!
8. How do we go about contacting you?
**www.ProposingDreams.com – watch for our updated website coming soon! Email is the best form of contact as I am often out of the office and this allows be to reply at the crazy hours I keep! I look forward to hearing from anyone interested in anything from Full Planning to a Day of Coordinator. It is always a pleasure to work with not only the talented Michelle Ross, but she’s a fun gal too!!
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See more of what Sabrina says here!