Just a quick note. I just learned that some transportation companies in town are charging a $25 change fee if you make any timeframe changes to your reservation after the reservation is booked. Let me just give my professional opinion on this topic. If you book a mini coach, trolley, limo, etc 6 months prior to your event there WILL be changes to your reservation timeframe as your event gets closer and timelines are finalized with your ceremony location, venue, make up artist, photographer, etc. If you are booking with a company who will require a change fee for any timeframe changes, I would consider looking for a new transportation quote from a new company. Of course, once a transportation contract is made with specific timeframes, your ability to change times will be dependent on any reservations for that particular vehicle before or after your reservation. Changes happen, especially with weddings, as details become more solidified. Be careful to book flexible vendors who work under this philosophy.
If you need someone just to review your details and help you make a final timeline based on your specifics, we can do this for you.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Some of my favorite cakes
We're doing so many cupcakes at weddings this season, that it made me think of how much I truly love wedding cake (the cupcakes are fab too, but I'm a BIG fan of wedding cake). Here's a few pics from over the years. Most are from Sandy Danner of Creative Cakes (her frosting is to die for!) and Michelle Rice of Iced Art (we are big fans of her signature Guava flavor). As you can see, each cake is so very different and I can truly say that each cake reflects the style of that particular wedding.
Remember: A wedding cake doesn't have to be your traditional 4 tier, one flavor cake. Mix up the flavors per tier to provide a variety. Wedding cakes can also become a part of the festivities for all guests, not just the wedding couple. For Elizabeth and Tom's wedding (see second to last photo), we had small cakes on each guest table and each of those tables had a different flavor cake. Guests cut their own slice of cake, then went around to the other tables to try different flavors. Not only was this a blast, but the cakes had another purpose as well...centerpieces!
Remember: A wedding cake doesn't have to be your traditional 4 tier, one flavor cake. Mix up the flavors per tier to provide a variety. Wedding cakes can also become a part of the festivities for all guests, not just the wedding couple. For Elizabeth and Tom's wedding (see second to last photo), we had small cakes on each guest table and each of those tables had a different flavor cake. Guests cut their own slice of cake, then went around to the other tables to try different flavors. Not only was this a blast, but the cakes had another purpose as well...centerpieces!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Congrats to Carrie and Marcus!
Congrats to one of our own. Carrie and Marcus were married on Friday, March 26th. Check out the video and a few of our "non-professional" photos. A recap of details:
Lodge at Ironwoods
Robert G Weddings Videography
Creative Cakes
Catering by Hy-Vee
iWink Photobooth
Photography by Fara Rose (these are not her images)
Transportation by Pech Limo
Stationery-Jamie with You're Invited
Florals/Centerpieces by You're Invited
And to see the wedding video highlights click here.
Lodge at Ironwoods
Robert G Weddings Videography
Creative Cakes
Catering by Hy-Vee
iWink Photobooth
Photography by Fara Rose (these are not her images)
Transportation by Pech Limo
Stationery-Jamie with You're Invited
Florals/Centerpieces by You're Invited
And to see the wedding video highlights click here.
Monday, March 29, 2010
The Lodge at Ironwoods
One of our favorite venues in the KC Metro area is The Lodge at Ironwoods, located at 147th and Mission Road in Leawood. It truly is a great space for both ceremonies (indoor and outdoor) and receptions. After being out there the last two weekends, I thought I'd showcase a few photos of the events we've done out there over the past several years. But, before I do so, just a few points on why we love this facility.
Cost Effective and Flexible-The Lodge allows you bring in both your own caterer and alcoholic beverages, which makes the venue less restrictive and very flexible regarding your budget.
Blank Canvas-We have done so many different style events at the Lodge, you can just see how easy it is to transform the event space into your style of event. From the photos, you can see how easily we have worked in many different color palettes. Plus, there are a variety of locations on the property for photo opportunities.
Staff-The onsite staff is very accommodating and friendly. It's your event. They will guide you, but it is definitely your event to handle and create.
Here's a few photos.
Cost Effective and Flexible-The Lodge allows you bring in both your own caterer and alcoholic beverages, which makes the venue less restrictive and very flexible regarding your budget.
Blank Canvas-We have done so many different style events at the Lodge, you can just see how easy it is to transform the event space into your style of event. From the photos, you can see how easily we have worked in many different color palettes. Plus, there are a variety of locations on the property for photo opportunities.
Staff-The onsite staff is very accommodating and friendly. It's your event. They will guide you, but it is definitely your event to handle and create.
Here's a few photos.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
It's Summer "Day of Coordination" Special Time!
We have a special running for June and July 2010 weddings. Book your "Day of Coordination" package with Carrie Runyon and receive one of the following discounts:
The Big Event-$125 discount
The Occasion-$75 discount
The Hostess-$50 discount
Just mention this special in your request and we'll set up a complimentary consultation with Carrie!
The Big Event-$125 discount
The Occasion-$75 discount
The Hostess-$50 discount
Just mention this special in your request and we'll set up a complimentary consultation with Carrie!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Guest Blogging for the Solar Photographers
Check out my guest article for the Solar Photographers blog about "Selecting the Right Vendors".
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Engaged and Getting Started, The First Piece: BUDGET!
As we are still in the middle of engagement season (Valentine's Day anyone?), I thought I'd re-start my blogging in 2010 by writing about something we at You're Invited feel is incredibly important before booking anything other than the church: The Wedding Budget.
Not every bride's favorite thing to discuss as she comes off the "high" of just getting engaged, but an essential element before the planning even begins. Outside of what the day is truly about (the commitment, the love, the fun) the budget is a guiding force behind how and where to get started and I ask all of my couples to hold off on booking any venues/vendors until I have the chance to provide a fully detailed budget analysis. The first two questions I ask of every couple are: "how many people are you inviting (not the same as the number expected)?" and "do you have a budget?" These two questions will give me an idea on how to begin. For example, inviting 400 guests with a $15,000 budget is very different from inviting 200 guests with a $15,000 budget. It's a matter of how to breakdown that $15,000 budget to accomodate the number of guests expected, as well as planning the event of your dreams. Once everyone is aware of the budget and on board, I move forward with finding the reception venue (as it will dictate your food and beverage costs), then I move on to the other vendors in order of importance to the couple and their families. Without a true understanding of the budget, there is potential for issues as you realize what you have committed to (or over-committed to) before the completion of booking your vendors.
Of course, at You're Invited we have worked with budgets in all shapes and sizes. We do not have a restriction on what we believe families should spend on a wedding. But, we have ideas on how to make a budget work. Sometimes that requires a bit more flexibility :) AND, we don't have to plan a couple's wedding to provide them a proper budget analysis. For a small fee and completion of a questionnaire, we will gladly provide a fully detailed budget analysis for any wedding. Just shoot me an email: kimh@youreinvited2.net
Not every bride's favorite thing to discuss as she comes off the "high" of just getting engaged, but an essential element before the planning even begins. Outside of what the day is truly about (the commitment, the love, the fun) the budget is a guiding force behind how and where to get started and I ask all of my couples to hold off on booking any venues/vendors until I have the chance to provide a fully detailed budget analysis. The first two questions I ask of every couple are: "how many people are you inviting (not the same as the number expected)?" and "do you have a budget?" These two questions will give me an idea on how to begin. For example, inviting 400 guests with a $15,000 budget is very different from inviting 200 guests with a $15,000 budget. It's a matter of how to breakdown that $15,000 budget to accomodate the number of guests expected, as well as planning the event of your dreams. Once everyone is aware of the budget and on board, I move forward with finding the reception venue (as it will dictate your food and beverage costs), then I move on to the other vendors in order of importance to the couple and their families. Without a true understanding of the budget, there is potential for issues as you realize what you have committed to (or over-committed to) before the completion of booking your vendors.
Of course, at You're Invited we have worked with budgets in all shapes and sizes. We do not have a restriction on what we believe families should spend on a wedding. But, we have ideas on how to make a budget work. Sometimes that requires a bit more flexibility :) AND, we don't have to plan a couple's wedding to provide them a proper budget analysis. For a small fee and completion of a questionnaire, we will gladly provide a fully detailed budget analysis for any wedding. Just shoot me an email: kimh@youreinvited2.net
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