Spring has sprung!

With the warm weather and nearing Easter holiday, I can't help but get excited with the anticipation of soon blooming florals, like the ones that these invitations below were inspired by!

(We have recently been approved as affiliates with following designers, so please click through to their websites and be sure to let them know that we sent you!)

by Hello!Lucky


by Oscar+Emma Design on Minted.com


by Molly Brekke on Minted.com

by The Green Kangaroo



by Modern Girl Invitations

Wedding Planning Seminar for brides

Only $125 for you and a guest!
Multiple dates to choose from.
View more details at: www.pmweddingsandevents.com/seminar.html

Top 5 Wedding Myths

I must spend a lot of money on my wedding, to have it be memorable and special.

Not True. A little, ok, a lot, of preparation goes a long way! Enlist in the right help (a wedding planner like myself, for instance,) and we can find unique ways to make your wedding yours, and stay on budget. DIY is all the wedding rage these days, and is a great way to save money, to a point. Just leave the catering, photography and some other important aspects to the pros. You can, however, make some fabulous embellishments to your wedding stationary/favors, create simple table centerpieces, and even make your own jewelry!

2. 2. I cannot have a big, traditional wedding if I am marrying for a second time.

Not True. Ok, long ago, Miss Manners would have disagreed, but this is a different time. Second, or third, or fourth time brides can wear white, they can be married in a church, they can have the big reception, do the cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter toss, all of it! Everything is simply up to the personal preference of the couple. One thing, however, might be considered a faux paux; to register for gifts. Although some of your guests may insist on getting you some sort of wedding gift, it is not proper etiquette to expect wedding gifts (or money,) if this is not your first wedding. You may however, only when asked of course, suggest that a donation be made to your favorite charity, in your name, in lieu of a traditional wedding gift.

3. 3. A cocktail and hors d’ouevres reception will save us money, rather than doing a sit-down meal.

Not True. Well this one depends on your definition of “hors d’ouevres reception,” but typically, for this type of party, I suggest 5 pieces of hors d’ouevres per person, per hour. So, if you are doing a 2 hour cocktail reception, at $3 per piece, that is $30 a head. That does not even factor in your waitstaff fees, which, let’s face it, are going to be doing more work continually passing food around. Also, guests drink MORE during a cocktail/hors d’ouevres only reception. So, if you are hosting the bar, you may end up spending a great deal more, than if you were to do a seated meal, or buffet. What it comes down to, is, what is right for you and your guests? What sort of mood do you want to set? Then be honest with your caterer about what your budget is, and see if you can work out some creative compromises.

4. 4. The bride always walks down the aisle with her father.

Not True. I can personally attest to this one. At my wedding, I walked down the aisle alone. No, my dad hadn’t passed away. Yes, he was at the wedding ceremony. But I chose to independently enter into my marriage, not to be “given away.” In this day and age, there are no “traditional” families, or at least very few that I have encountered. (Both sets of parents still together, everybody getting along.) Today brides may have to decide between, “do I walk down the aisle with my biological father, who has never been there for me, or my step-father who I have grown up with?” (My suggestion, if the decision is too hard to make, walk with them both, one on each arm!) A bride might choose to walk down with her mother, who has been her sole-support system. Heck, I am working with a bride right now who has to figure out how to incorporate a father’s male partner. So while there is no easy answer here on who should walk you down the aisle, the decision has to be a personal one.

5. 5. I can just hire a “day of wedding planner” or use my venue’s coordinator to ensure that my wedding will run smoothly.

Not true! While I do offer a package that I have come to refer to as “Week of Wedding Planning,” in all actuality, this package should be contracted at a minimum of 1 month prior to a bride’s wedding date. There is no such thing as “day of wedding planning,” or if there is, it is not going to be very beneficial to you! My package includes at least 1 month’s time of preparation, contacting contracted wedding vendors, checking checklists, organizing event timelines, looking over contracts, meeting with the bride and groom on several occasions, attending the site walk-through, directing the rehearsal and of course working a 12-16 hour day, the day of the wedding. Any planner that says that they can do all of this, without the proper preparation and experience, and just swing in, on the day of the wedding to hope that things run smoothly, is wrong! Your venue may come with a “coordinator,” which may lead you to believe that you need not hire a professional wedding planner. This coordinator works for the hotel, church, park, etc, they do not work for you! This person will not be your advocate for how you want things to go, on your wedding day. They will not be familiar with which family members the photographers needs in the photos, what songs are on your do-not play list, that uncle Mike should not be allowed near the open bar, and that it is very, very important to you to have your heirloom hair pin exchanged for your veil after the ceremony. Oftentimes, the assigned employee may even depart after you cut the cake, leaving your loved ones to be the ones to put all of the gifts in the car, clean up the décor, return rentals, sweep the floors and take out the trash! After all of the work that you all have put into planning this day, isn’t peace of mind worth hiring someone who is going to be standing in your corner?

FREE Save the Dates!

Over 60% of brides say they will be sending out Save-the-Dates. These should be mailed around 6 months prior to the wedding, and are especially essential if having a number of out of town guests. Save-the-Dates should be fun and personal with a photo, to be used dually as a magnet, offer a calendar as a reminder or can even be a game or scratch ticket!

Check out some of our favorite Save-the-Dates here:


Elegant Accents Magnet from Carlson Craft


Wheel of Love by Carlson Craft


It's Coming! by Carlson Craft


Save the Date Scratch-Off from Carlson Craft


For a limited time only, receive 100 Save-the-Dates from Carlson Craft FREE,
when you book our Total Event Planning Package
(Some restrictions apply)

Contact us today to schedule your complimentary initial consultation:
Katie Marie James
970-330-8584
720-297-6397
pmweddingsandevents@yahoo.com
www.pmweddingsandevents.com

Send me your Save the Date!

Berry and Orange Inspiration Board

Berries and oranges?! Doesn't this color scheme just sound deliciously fruity? :)

Sunny Side Up Inspiration Board

Event Design by Bold American Events and Catering Photos by Drew Newman

Design your own inspiration board like this one on www.Dessy.com

60, 30, 10 Color Rule

I recently read from a florist, about the one thing that they wish their clients new, before consulting with them about their wedding/event. The florist mentioned the "60-30-10 Color Rule." I had never heard of this "rule" before but immediately knew what she was referencing. Just recently I had asked my own client, when discussing her color scheme for her wedding, what percentage of your wedding do you want color A, color B, etc. Well, come to find out, there is an actual math formula to decorating.

eHow.com gives instructions on how to use this rule when decorating your home.

Basically, your chosen primary color should be seen approximately 60% of the time; think some of the table/chair cover linens, bridesmaids' dresses, men's vests and the majority of floral and decor items. In the inspirational collage shown above from TheKnot.com, this color would be "Aquamarine."

The secondary color should show up approximately 30% of the time; as in the neutral color white in the sample image shown. This color should compliment the primary color chosen, but not be too bold. The color "White" can be paired with the "Aquamarine" on the wedding invitations, in the bride's bouquet, and the men's dress shirts, as well as be the color of the cake icing.
The final color will be used as an accent, only appearing 10% of the time. Choose a bold, bright color, like the "Orange" in the picture. Use your accent color for the ribbon on your bouquet, the mens' ties, floral accents and for your guests' favors.

Contact Precious Moments Weddings and Event today to find your perfect color scheme and wedding theme!

Do It Yourself or Doing Yourself In?

EWedNews.com recently printed an article entitled: "Do It Yourself or Doing Yourself In?" The article talks about the current DIY trend that many brides have adopted due to dwindling budgets. The editor, although agreeing that doing it yourself projects can sometimes save money, might not always be worth the effort. Here is the introduction to the article, as well as my response to the post:

Do It Yourself or Doing Yourself In?

By Paul Pannone

Questions are being raised, whether napkin holders made from spent toilet tissue rolls offer the same personal touch to wedding affairs; or if what was originally deemed cute may have crossed the line, over to tacky. Are things really that bad that a few dollars spent to retain the services of a professional won’t maintain your standard of living? Probably not but it may avert the risk of people talking negatively about you for decades.

My response to the article:
Knowing the need to always be changing my services with the times, I now offer brides a "DIY Planning Package." This package does not advocate the ridiculous projects mentioned in the above article, but gives an alternative to creative brides who have enough time on their hands to execute planning their own event. My DIY (Getting Started) Package includes a budget template, (with realistic estimates of what they should be prepared to spend on each area of their wedding,) as well as a list of my preferred vendors, and some suggestions on exactly what portions of their wedding decor, etc, they can do on their own. For example, I offer brides use of my wholesale account with a local floral warehouse, to go and hand pick blooms that they might put in a bud vase to decorate their cocktail tables. I do, however, caution that they will need to contract a professional florist to create more complicated arrangements, such as their bouquets. DIY brides might save money, contracting this package, but they will not receive the hand holding, unlimited consultation hours and attendance at vendor meetings/other major appointments, as included in my Total Event Planning Package. This type of bride needs to be aware that they will need to be able to invest more of their own time to research, in detail, the best products and services for their individual needs. Additionally, the "Print Your Own Invitation Kit" at Target might amount to a cheaper, per piece price; but add in what your time is worth to buy ink, find the appropriate template and wording, making sure paper is centered in your printer, and assemble each piece on your own and then decide whether the headache is worth it. Plus, unless you have your own letterpress at home, the difference in the quality of professionally printed at DIY stationary, is quite noticeable. In sum, there are some smart DIY ideas, (and ways to personalize your event,) but each bride needs to weigh the pros and cons of these projects, the effects on their time and levels of stress.