Why Hire A Planner?

Why Hire A Planner?

For all of you beautiful brides out there right now that are just beginning your wedding planning journey, I am sure you have a ton of questions! One of the main ones being "Should I or shouldn't I hire a wedding planner?". Well we are here to give you just a few reasons why hiring a planner will be your best choice yet! (minus the guy of course!)

1. We Will Be the Main Point of Contact:

As the bride you do not want to be the main point of contact on the day of your wedding. We keep in contact with all of your vendors at all times, probably more than we need to, to make sure that things are going well and according to schedule. Instead of calling you, the vendors will call us to ask for help or guidance. We want you to sit back, relax, and have a mimosa. Not taking calls from rental companies! 

2. We Set Up & Tear Down:

This is a biggie! It is our job as your day of coordinator to set up all of your personal items and decor. These personal touches are so important and makes your wedding what it is! We do this so your family and friends can enjoy the day and not have to worry about setting things up for you. At the end of the night, we pack everything up and put it safely into your car or hotel suite. You have been partying the whole night and the last thing you want to be doing is cleaning up. A planner is a gift you give yourself on your wedding day so treat yo'self!

3. We Know the Vendors:

The wedding world can be a very tricky one to navigate and you don't want to start by blindly entering things into your Google Search box! There are so many options and so many different people to work with. Lucky for you, we just so happen to know the very best vendors in town. We hope you will use us as a resource to find vendors that will fit your style, your budget, and your needs. There are also some people in this industry that don't necessarily have the brides best interest in mind. For this reason we are here to fight for you and be your biggest advocate throughout the process!

4. We Keep the Stress at Bay:

We are here to answer the tough questions! If you wake up at three in the morning freaking out about any aspect of the biggest day of your life, shoot us a text, email, or give us a call and we will do our very best to put you at ease. When in doubt, call your planner! 

5. We Double & Triple Check Your Contracts: 

Contracts can often be misleading with their wording and legal jargon. We double and triple check your contracts for you to make sure that you are given everything you were promised. We hope you ALWAYS read the fine print, but we've got your back!

6. This Isn't Our First Rodeo:

Many of the brides we work with have never been married before.  We keep track of the little things so you don't have to! It is our job to keep you on track and tell you what should be done and when. Trust us, we've got the who, what, when, where, and why of this wedding stuff down to a science.

7. Your Wish is Our Command:

One of our many jobs on the day of the wedding is to make sure our couple is happy. This is our number one priority! At your wedding, we will act as your personal assistant (and BFF) to make sure all your needs are met. This way you, your family, and your closest friends can feel like true guests at your wedding! We want you to enjoy the day and not sweat the small stuff!

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We hope this gave you a little bit better insight on the perks of hiring a planner!  Do we sound like a perfect match? Let's grab a coffee and chat more about how we can create the best day of your life! 

Vendor Spotlight: Ruby Jean Patisserie

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This week we are showing some extra love to Jennifer of Ruby Jean Patisserie

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Tell us about yourself and your company? 

Hi! My name is Jen and I'm a Midwestern girl that has love for all things food, mostly desserts though. Ruby Jean Patisserie is a special order bakery that creates beautiful and delicious dessert tables. We source our ingredients locally and organically; everything is created from scratch and made with love.

Why did you get into the wedding business? 

My business focuses on making beautiful dessert tables and wedding favors. I saw a need for this in the Denver area. I want to help create memorable dessert tables that are not only beautiful, but most importantly delicious.

How would you describe your wedding style?

Organic, clean, bohemian, and unique. 

Who are some of your biggest influences? 

I’m influenced by chefs and bakers all over the world, too many to name. 

What is your favorite venue? Colorado and elsewhere? 

The Barn in Evergreen, Colorado…I love the rustic vibe. And Chicago’s Botanical Gardens. 

What is your most memorable wedding to date? 

For me a good wedding has great food and an atmosphere to match. Some friends of mine had the most memorable wedding; food stations, a live band, a cocktail hour that was out of this world, and it was all black tie!

Share with us a few photos of your favorite wedding designs and explain why you love them! 

One of my favorite weddings was at The Barn in Evergreen; the bride was going for the rustic theme and wanted tons of cakes instead of a traditional tiered cake. So I made 17 cakes all frosted in the prettiest of pastel colors. She was the happiest and sweetest bride to date.

What advice would you give a future bride? 

This is your day and don’t let people try and persuade you to do what they want. Have good food, great music, and don’t invite anyone you don’t want there. Don’t forget to include your fiancé, they do have an opinion that matters too.

Tell us one thing we might not otherwise know about you! 

I’m getting married June 2017 in Sayultia, Mexico!

Did Someone Say Open Bar?

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Ohhh We're About To Get Our Drink On...

Lets be real, half of the fun at a wedding is the bar. In the world of weddings, where everything is personalized, how do you do the same for the bar? Here are a few of our favorite ways to make the bar all your own.

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His & Hers Drinks:

Because when else in your life will you be able to have your own drink? This is a cute way to show your personalities and show your guests what you like to drink. Use a his and hers sign to display your drink options for an added touch. Usually men pick something manly like an old fashioned and girls chose something light like champagne, but stay true to yourself. Pick what you would really want to be drinking all night long on the best day of your life. 

Frozen Cocktails:

We all know that wedding season falls in one of the hottest times of the year. So cool your guests off with a frozen cocktail. You can feel the New York vibes of Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar and add a popsicle to a glass of prosecco. Or you can do it yourself and make these watermelon tequila pops. I found these frozen champagne popsicles and I'm for sure ordering a box or three for my house. Check out Fornum & Mason's website to order some pops of your own HERE. Go nuts!

Special Glasses:

Nothing feels more festive than drinking from a fancy glass or cup. Stock the bar with Moscow Mule's so your guests can drink from the signature copper cup. If one of your accent wedding colors happens to be copper more power to ya! These mason jar wine glasses are perfect for a rustic style affair. And no winter wedding would be complete without a spiked hot chocolate in a personalized mug.

Fancy Fruit:

Having fruit in your drink means your basically drinking a salad (it's healthy, we swear). Freeze some fruit onto small skewers to keep your drink cold without watering down the taste with ice. You can also have fruit frozen right into your ice cubes. And you can't go wrong with sangria. Because Sangria. Add some fruit to your custom cocktails to brighten up your cup.

Custom Napkins:

Personalized cocktail napkins are always a good idea. You can add your names on them or show how witty you are with a trendy saying. Anything you want, it's your wedding!

Gettin' Coozie:

How else are you going to keep your beer cold in this summer heat? And why not give your guests a functional favor that they will actually use. There are a ton of websites where you can create your own custom coozies and order them in bulk. 

Great Signage: 

Signs are a great way to make sure your guests can keep up with the busy schedule of the day. Create a sign to point your guests in the right direction. As if your guests needed a sign to find the bar.....

Cooler Than a Cooler:

If you need a place to store copious amounts of beer, why not put it in a canoe? If you are having a wine and beer reception this is a clever way to keep your brews cold. This is a perfect solution for a more casual affair. No bartender needed.

enjoy responsibly my friends

Bridesmaid Dresses & Alternatives

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Welcome To The Bride Tribe

Just when you thought picking out your wedding gown was tough, now you have to make sure your girls look their best while standing by your side. There are so many options and it is hard to pick just one. So don't! There is no right or wrong way to dress your bridesmaids, but here are a few of our favorites and alternatives for some of our more out of the box brides. 

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Mismatched Dresses:

This is the best idea to make your girls feel like a group of individuals. Giving each girl their own pattern or color makes them feel unique. Before giving your girls the go ahead on buying a dress make sure all of the dresses fit well together and match the color palette of the wedding.

Skirts:

Are you an informal bride? If casual is more your style, no need to feel stuffy in a formal gown. Have your girls wear stripes for a preppy vibe or sparkles to make your ladies stand out.

Maxi Skirts:

Another awesome way to rock a skirt at a wedding. This is slightly more formal than the short skirt option but still gives off a more casual vibe. Pair the maxi skirt with a t shirt top or something more structured like a lined corset top.

Jackets and Shrugs:

I am in love with this trend. Adding a jacket or a shrug can totally change the vibe of a bridesmaids dress. The jackets can be taken on and off throughout the night so they are not a huge commitment. In the winter have your girls wear a fur shrug to keep them warm, or add a a leather jacket to turn your tribe into a group of biker bad asses. Adding this simple element will make for great photos that are sure to be pinned all over Pinterest.

Same Dress, Different Neckline:

This was the trend I saw everywhere last wedding season and it just works. Its a new spin on the old tradition of all your bridesmaids wearing the each same dress. You can pic the dress color and the fabric and then let your girls pick the best neckline for their body type. Some girls may look best in a halter top and some may be busty and opt out of a strapless. This gives your girls the option to customize how they will look on your wedding day. By going with this trend you are being a really really good friend. 

Patterns:

Typically bridesmaids dresses are one solid color. Break the mold and go with a bold pattern. Floral prints are an amazing option for spring and summer weddings. Polka dots, stripes, whatever your little heart desires. This is also another way to follow the mismatched dress trend and have your girls wear complimenting patterns.

Denim:

Because life is too short to feel uncomfortable. Denim is becoming a great new alternative for the rustic or country bride. You can use denim in the form of a button down chambray top, a denim dress, or a jean jacket. Pair them with cowboy boots for full country glam. If your a lover of a good pair of jeans, stay true to yourself with this look.

Jumpsuits & Rompers:

This is my favorite new trend. For a bride who wants a completely different look on their wedding day, dress your girls in a jumpsuit or romper. This look can be very bohemian like these kick ass girls in coral or incredibly chic like the ladies in white. Rompers can also be a cute outfit for you all to get ready in before the wedding. I am absolutely obsessed with this trend and I hope to see more of it this season.

Vendor Spotlight: Megan Cary Artistry

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For this weeks vendor spotlight I wanted a chance to sit down with the vendors I feature and really pick their brain on their journey to becoming a successful business owner (I have a lot to learn). In an industry as large as the Colorado wedding market it can be hard to find people that you click with, & Megan is just that. I reached out to Megan because I had seen her work not only in bridal fashion, but in high fashion and had to know more. This woman is incredible. Not only is she a bad ass business owner, but also a wife and mother to her beautiful 12 year old daughter. We bonded over lunch with some tempura fried sushi and miso soup at Hapa Sushi and by the end of our meeting I wished we would have gone to happy hour and cracked a bottle of wine instead.  I cannot wait to collaborate with this babe in the future. Here is a little more about Megan Cary and her amazing company.

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Tell us about yourself and your company

I personally am a small town girl that is actually quite the tomboy. Always on my quad or fishing or on my horse or in the ocean! I never was really into playing with makeup or hair when I was younger. I think as I got older my creative side took over and that is when I started to dabble in it. Behind the chair was never enough for me and I wanted something that could let me have the freedom to juggle being a wife & mother and something I could do remotely anywhere I lived. I LOVE traveling & know the value and convenience for on location services and that’s when I decided to start Megan Cary Artistry. Founded in 2012, Megan Cary Artistry has become Colorado & Central California’s Premier on-location hair and makeup team that truly loves what they do and it shows through our work!

When and why did you get into the wedding business?

I didn’t start out in the wedding business. I experimented with editorial and fashion looks prior to. It’s when I moved to Colorado and saw such a high demand for it, is when I decided to incorporated our artistic style into our bridal looks of today! That is what our brand is about! We love our brides and have realized that being able to have such a huge part on a bride’s day, it is truly rewarding!

How would you describe your style?

Our style is not your typical, cookie cutter bridal look. We are an artistry team that incorporates our Fashion & Editorial styling expertise into our bridal looks to give you that sought after bridal look! Whether you want to keep it a timeless & classic look or you want to go bold and try something trendy, I feel our team is your fit! Every bride that we touch we want to look like they came off a magazine cover!

How do you pick the girls that work for you?

I look for consistency in the brand. I look for the same quality and the
same style as well as an artist with a caring and patient personality. In
this industry there is no room for being impatient or uncaring. It
doesn’t matter how well you are at your craft, if you aren’t able to play
well with others we don’t want that for MCA. I learn a lot from my
girls. I think some of our artists are better at than me at hair &
makeup. The girls on my team are not below me and are on the same
level. Sometimes this is hard to explain to a potential client. Look at
our work, trust in the brand, and expect nothing but amazing work from any of our ladies!

Who are your biggest influences?

The people, artists, clients & family I have around me on a daily basis. They are all important for very different reasons personally & professionally.

What products do you never leave home without?

A hair tie to make my messy bun and some organic lip balm. I very rarely wear makeup myself.

Mac or Bobbi Brown?

At Megan Cary Artistry, we are primarily MAC Cosmetics users. It is a prerequisite for my girls to know the products. Of course there are so many awesome brands out there and I’m known to incorporate some of them as well in my kit along with the rest of our artists. Our staple is MAC because we pride ourselves on knowing our products inside and out and educating our clients! If people ask us questions we truly know the answers. An added bonus is if a client likes a product we use on them it is fairy easy for them to get a hold of it at their local MAC store.

What social media platform do you love the most?

All of them are my favorite for many different reasons. This business is all about social media marketing as word of mouth can only go so far. My blog is my favorite because I can incorporate pictures and describe the moment as if you were there that day!

What is one of your favorite products right now?

My Eucerin moisturizer. Feed your face some moisture, especially in a dry climate like Colorado. Healthy skin is a must to have your makeup look fresh and flawless. As far as a makeup product I would have to say Urban Decay”All Nighter” which can be found at Sephora. I haven’t found a setting spray that feels so light but locks in your look for hours on end besides this one. A must have for my brides wanting their look to last all day into the night!

What’s one hair, makeup or wedding trend that you wish would just go away?

Airbrushing and extreme false lashes. We promote enhancing your natural beauty while not changing your look completely. Lashes are supposed to add some length and thickness. There are many lashes to choose from that look completely natural as if you aren’t wearing them. There’s also mascara with fibers to help you or you may opt to get professional lash extensions from your local spa. You want to look back and recognize it was you! As for airbrushing, in my opinion, it is an unnecessary additional charge and truly makes some individuals look plastic at times. Definitely a fad that has stayed around too long that needs to take a hike. Many artists have to go in and use their hands anyhow after initial airbrush application. With time products have evolved & have been made to create a flawless look while not being too heavy, similar to the airbrush look. It’s our job to educate our brides that look to us for direction in that area. With that said, we cater to all brides and do offer airbrushing if desired.

What advice would you give to an aspiring hair & makeup artist?

Always be willing to learn. Keep up on the latest trends, as it will likely be requested from you. We are all still learning & products and styles are always changing. Also, be genuine to your artistic self. We are creative minds. Have your own style & clients will come to you for that. Lastly, there is value in providing services for free as long as you are selective & able to build your portfolio at the same time. This helps not only your self, but also creates lasting work relationships moving forward.

How do you achieve a personal/work life balance?

It’s one of those things that I most likely will always struggle with. Working for your self is a blessing but it’s hard to not let work overflow into personal or family time. Clients don’t know when your grocery shopping or out of town on a vacation or in bed for the evening so it’s up to us to manage our work flow properly while still getting back to our brides in a timely manner! With growing & expanding a business, I have learned to let the emails go late at night and tell myself it’s fine to address them the next morning. It seems to be a good compromise!

You have opened your branch of MCA in California! Amazing! How will this change you and your business?

We just opened a branch in California this year. Being from Northern California & Nevada my heart will always lie there. All along the coast & wine country makes for a beautiful wedding backdrop. We service the central coast, which is typically San Luis Obispo all the way up to Lake Tahoe. We have been very selective of our artists there to keep the MCA brand & style consistent. Since we cover a large area, artists are more spaced out across the state so it eliminates the outrageous travel cost for the bride.

Tell us something most people don’t know about you

I’m a perfectionist, always feeling like I could do better. It helps to keep me striving for more, but can be a negative as I can put too much unnecessary pressure on myself at times.