1 Elegant Event Vietnamese Catholic Wedding

Sometimes I get just excited by stuff as my couples!!! I was super excited to have these indoor sparklers for the first dance!!!

This weeks wedding pros:

*Coordinator & Wedding Management:

1 Elegant Event @cossie1elegantevent

*Professional Photos & Video

Fredrick’s Photo & Films (Shawna) @fredericksphotoandfilms (btw this is a fantastic clip!!! )

*Event Designer:

Joan Bertucci Events @joanbertuccisvents

*Florist:

Leslie Hartig Floral Design @lesliehartigfloraldesign

*Wedding Cake & Gelato Cart

Incredible Edibles @incredibleebiblesbakery

*Hair Stylist

Drew Inge Hair Studio (Robert) @domyhairdrew

*Make-up by Sac

*Dj (Larry), Photobooth, Cool Indoor Dance Floor Sparkler Machine, Rentals

Astro Entertainment @astroentertainment

*Venue

Our Lady Of Vietnam Catholic Church NewPort , News

*Caterer

Traditional 10 Course Vietnamese Wedding Dinner by Our Lady Of Vietnam Catering Staff

We do not own the rights to this music

The best financial tips and tricks for wedding planning!

By Guest Blogger:  Jenny Creno

Soon after couples announce their engagement, planning the wedding becomes one of the first financial obstacles that the couple has to overcome together. The best thing to do is to learn about typical trends when it comes to planning a wedding and what mistakes lead to the most financial failures amongst couples during this process. Should you put everything on credit cards? Or create a separate checking account specifically for wedding expenses to avoid overspending? The infographic below highlights information from couples who have gone through this process, wedding planners, and event coordinators to give newly engaged couples a few tips on how to save on their wedding, avoid financial conflicts, and lastly and most importantly the benefits of stress free well planned wedding. Want even more advice? Check out more tips on our community page, and our wedding budget calculator.

Those redundant words, your wedding day is just one day, may very well be the truth. But society has given us Bridezillas, Say Yes to the Dress!, and all the jazz to keep us wanting that one big day, to be one very big day. Don’t get caught up in the fuss, and listen to the advice from people who have been through this process before.

Check out our interactive wedding budget calculator based on the budget allocation in this infographic, and read more tips on our community page!
Like this infographic? Share your thoughts on your own blog and use the code below to embed it in your post:
<a href="http://www.creditcardinsider.com/insider/financial-advice-for-wedding-planning/"><img alt="Financial Advice For Wedding Planning from Credit Card Insider" src="http://www.creditcardinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Wedding-Graphic-3.jpg" border="0" /></a>


 http://www.creditcardinsider.com/insider/financial-advice-for-wedding-planning/

www.1elegantevent.com

"Tips to Surviving a Bridal Show": How to get the most out of your bridal show experience!

After much deliberation, Our friends have compiled a top list of things that will have any future bride, groom or couple prepared to walk confidently into any bridal expo and accomplish everything on their to do list without suffering a mild stroke. Enjoy!

1. Dress for the occasion. First off Ladies, I cannot stress enough the need for comfortable footwear! 5 inch heels are just not conducive to what should be a fun and enjoyable day at a bridal show! I saw girls weeble, wobble and almost tumble for two days straight while walking for hours on the unforgiving concrete convention flooring! Flats, boots or sneakers are going to help you get the most out of your bridal show experience! I imagine it would be extremely difficult to have a conversation with what could be the perfect vendor for you, but you can't comprehend anything they are saying because all you are thinking is "I can't feel my toes". If you still feel like you can't part with the pumps, at least throw a pair of cute ballet flats into your bag (you know, just in case). In regards to the rest of your perfectly plotted outfit - keep it simple. Try to avoid the bulky winter coats and sweaters. After about 20 minutes, you will be sweating and your coat will be on your last nerve. I recommend a nice pair of jeans and a light shirt, sweater or jacket to be most comfortable.

2. Part with the entourage. Do you have 8 girls in your Bridal Party? While we at 1 Elegant Event believe it is fantastic that you have such a large support system, we recommend you leave the posse at home. Sticking with Maid of Honor, your Mom or even your fiancée is best! When you have more than a couple of people with you - the experience turns more into a tug of war over what shade of blue you like best, or who is going to sit with whom when the fashion show begins. These show are a great opportunity to see vendors at their best! If you are constantly listening to the opinions of half a dozen people who have tagged along with you, it may be hard to hear your own thoughts or you may not approach that one photographer you think looked great because you didn't want to hurt a friends feelings. So in this case with friends, less is more!

3. Mailing Labels are your new best friend! Before attending any Bridal Show or Expo, take a few minutes to print off mailing labels with your contact information (Name, address, most important a correct EMAIL address, phone number, and wedding date). This will save you much time when filling out entry forms and you won't have to worry about someone not being able to read your handwriting. You wouldn't want to miss out on that free Honeymoon you could have won, just because a vendor couldn't decipher your email address, do you? (Yes, its has happened more than once!)

 4. Use your Vendor List to your advantage:  Lets say you are in the need of a photographer and cake artist, look up their booth numbers on your map and find out where they are located. Grab a pen and walk around, casually strolling by their booth. As you go through, highlight the vendors that spark your interest with their display, photos, personality, etc. Next, go back and have conversations with those who captured your attention. You should view their work, sample their cakes and ask questions that are important to you. Once you have done this,  it will be much easier to make a decision about who you liked best. Their product and personality will be fresh in your mind and as I always say, "Go with your instinct!"

 5. Write notes on the back of your favorite vendors business card! After speaking with over 50 wedding vendors at one time how will you ever remember that you loved "that" florist or "they" were your favorite photographer or this person offered you a special price. Write simple but clear notes to yourself on the back of their business card before you throw it in the bag with all the others. Quick, easy and will save you lots of time in the future!

 6. Put your money where your mouth is: If someone approaches you inside or outside of a show and wants to have a conversation with you about their delectable cakes, visually stimulation cinematography or awesome photo-booth - first ask what their booth number is. If they did not pay to be at the show, RUN! The Wedding Professionals at these shows work tirelessly to create a welcoming and positive environment for all the potential brides in attendance. Someone who is strolling in to try and attract brides without the footwork is no good to you. It shows they are not willing to invest the time, effort or money to solicit the right way. Think of it like the purse vendors in china-town who lead you into an abandoned building where you have to knock three times on the back door and utter a password to get your hands on a shoddy Louis Vuitton? It's just bad business.

 7. Pay Attention to Personality:  I've had couples tell me that it was my personality that first attracted them to come up and talk to me. That is such an amazing compliment! I believe in stress free Wedding Planning and I want all my couples to have the time of their lives, so this means so much! By working with a vendor who matches your personality, you are so much more likely to be satisfied with the end result of their work, no matter what aspect of the industry they are in. So taking a little bit of time and watching how certain vendors interact with potential customers will tell you a lot about their true personality.



 
8. Most Importantly, Have Fun! This is supposed to be the best time of your life! Take a deep breath, smile and enjoy the experience!

BONUS!!! Thank you , since you took the time out to read our very helpful blog, here are 3 more free bonus tips!

*** The Best time to attend a bridal show is when it first opens! The food samples are plentiful and fresh and the vendors have not been worn down from talking all day! 

*** The Best time to talk to vendors is the last hour of the bridal show. The crowd is thinner and many are starting to pack up. So if you want, get the return to event stamp or armband take a break and come back! Feel free to interrupt a packing vendor, they would love to spend that time answering your questions! 

*** No Matter if your budget is limitless or minimal, a great deal from a top sought after vendor would be great, right! A top vendor secret is, the best price you will ever get from a top wedding vendor is if you book them on the spot at the bridal show! Most of these vendors never offer discounts because they are of such high quality ( you get what you pay for right!), but at bridal shows only, they offer deposit deals or percentages off! Many may not have them out, but have new client contracts and mobile credit card scanners on hand for deposits. Bridal shows are the best places to get more bang for your buck, that is if you have bit of deposit money on hand to spare.

Click HERE to view these tips on our Monthly TV Wedding Planning Segment

 live on Fox Studio 10: Mobile, AL

Blog Written By Cossie Crosswhite, 

Owner of 1 Elegant Event, Wedding & Event Planning  

and National Event Specialist 

Visit www.1elegantevent.com

www.BrideRide.webs.com 

"Tips to Surviving a Bridal Show": How to get the most out of your bridal show experience!

After much deliberation, Our friends have compiled a top list of things that will have any future bride, groom or couple prepared to walk confidently into any bridal expo and accomplish everything on their to do list without suffering a mild stroke. Enjoy!

1. Dress for the occasion. First off Ladies, I cannot stress enough the need for comfortable footwear! 5 inch heels are just not conducive to what should be a fun and enjoyable day at a bridal show! I saw girls weeble, wobble and almost tumble for two days straight while walking for hours on the unforgiving concrete convention flooring! Flats, boots or sneakers are going to help you get the most out of your bridal show experience! I imagine it would be extremely difficult to have a conversation with what could be the perfect vendor for you, but you can't comprehend anything they are saying because all you are thinking is "I can't feel my toes". If you still feel like you can't part with the pumps, at least throw a pair of cute ballet flats into your bag (you know, just in case). In regards to the rest of your perfectly plotted outfit - keep it simple. Try to avoid the bulky winter coats and sweaters. After about 20 minutes, you will be sweating and your coat will be on your last nerve. I recommend a nice pair of jeans and a light shirt, sweater or jacket to be most comfortable.

2. Part with the entourage. Do you have 8 girls in your Bridal Party? While we at 1 Elegant Event believe it is fantastic that you have such a large support system, we recommend you leave the posse at home. Sticking with Maid of Honor, your Mom or even your fiancée is best! When you have more than a couple of people with you - the experience turns more into a tug of war over what shade of blue you like best, or who is going to sit with whom when the fashion show begins. These show are a great opportunity to see vendors at their best! If you are constantly listening to the opinions of half a dozen people who have tagged along with you, it may be hard to hear your own thoughts or you may not approach that one photographer you think looked great because you didn't want to hurt a friends feelings. So in this case with friends, less is more!

3. Mailing Labels are your new best friend! Before attending any Bridal Show or Expo, take a few minutes to print off mailing labels with your contact information (Name, address, most important a correct EMAIL address, phone number, and wedding date). This will save you much time when filling out entry forms and you won't have to worry about someone not being able to read your handwriting. You wouldn't want to miss out on that free Honeymoon you could have won, just because a vendor couldn't decipher your email address, do you? (Yes, its has happened more than once!)

 4. Use your Vendor List to your advantage:  Lets say you are in the need of a photographer and cake artist, look up their booth numbers on your map and find out where they are located. Grab a pen and walk around, casually strolling by their booth. As you go through, highlight the vendors that spark your interest with their display, photos, personality, etc. Next, go back and have conversations with those who captured your attention. You should view their work, sample their cakes and ask questions that are important to you. Once you have done this,  it will be much easier to make a decision about who you liked best. Their product and personality will be fresh in your mind and as I always say, "Go with your instinct!"

 5. Write notes on the back of your favorite vendors business card! After speaking with over 50 wedding vendors at one time how will you ever remember that you loved "that" florist or "they" were your favorite photographer or this person offered you a special price. Write simple but clear notes to yourself on the back of their business card before you throw it in the bag with all the others. Quick, easy and will save you lots of time in the future!

 6. Put your money where your mouth is: If someone approaches you inside or outside of a show and wants to have a conversation with you about their delectable cakes, visually stimulation cinematography or awesome photo-booth - first ask what their booth number is. If they did not pay to be at the show, RUN! The Wedding Professionals at these shows work tirelessly to create a welcoming and positive environment for all the potential brides in attendance. Someone who is strolling in to try and attract brides without the footwork is no good to you. It shows they are not willing to invest the time, effort or money to solicit the right way. Think of it like the purse vendors in china-town who lead you into an abandoned building where you have to knock three times on the back door and utter a password to get your hands on a shoddy Louis Vuitton? It's just bad business.

 7. Pay Attention to Personality:  I've had couples tell me that it was my personality that first attracted them to come up and talk to me. That is such an amazing compliment! I believe in stress free Wedding Planning and I want all my couples to have the time of their lives, so this means so much! By working with a vendor who matches your personality, you are so much more likely to be satisfied with the end result of their work, no matter what aspect of the industry they are in. So taking a little bit of time and watching how certain vendors interact with potential customers will tell you a lot about their true personality.



 
8. Most Importantly, Have Fun! This is supposed to be the best time of your life! Take a deep breath, smile and enjoy the experience!

BONUS!!! Thank you , since you took the time out to read our very helpful blog, here are 3 more free bonus tips!

*** The Best time to attend a bridal show is when it first opens! The food samples are plentiful and fresh and the vendors have not been worn down from talking all day! 

*** The Best time to talk to vendors is the last hour of the bridal show. The crowd is thinner and many are starting to pack up. So if you want, get the return to event stamp or armband take a break and come back! Feel free to interrupt a packing vendor, they would love to spend that time answering your questions! 

*** No Matter if your budget is limitless or minimal, a great deal from a top sought after vendor would be great, right! A top vendor secret is, the best price you will ever get from a top wedding vendor is if you book them on the spot at the bridal show! Most of these vendors never offer discounts because they are of such high quality ( you get what you pay for right!), but at bridal shows only, they offer deposit deals or percentages off! Many may not have them out, but have new client contracts and mobile credit card scanners on hand for deposits. Bridal shows are the best places to get more bang for your buck, that is if you have bit of deposit money on hand to spare.

Click HERE to view these tips on our Monthly TV Wedding Planning Segment

 live on Fox Studio 10: Mobile, AL

Blog Written By Cossie Crosswhite, 

Owner of 1 Elegant Event, Wedding & Event Planning  

and National Event Specialist 

Visit www.1elegantevent.com

www.BrideRide.webs.com 

Choosing Your Perfect Wedding Table Linens!

There are so many pretty decor idea's, 

how does a couple decide what to choose? 

Today we may make your decision a bit harder 

                              because our topic today is Wedding Linens!
 

Many hotels, halls, and major reception venues offer basic white linens with your room rental. There is nothing wrong at all with using what is offered. If you can, spice it up if you like with table runners, color napkins, overlays or spend the money you saved on chair covers which most do not offer. If offered, don't automatically reject the free linens, you can invest the money you save in another area!

 

Many couples choose to go with the matte polyester style linens, but if you like a shiner look choose the satin or silk! In most event rentals shops the cost is equal to the polyester style so you can choose whether you like the look of matte or shiny!

 

One of our favorite linens to use through-out a wedding reception is the Pintuck Style! It adds a bit of texture to the table and gives a since of luxury without having the up cost of renting couture linens! They are a bit pricier than the standard polyester or satin, but are still affordable and look stunning in most settings!

  

A very popular Linen style used is the Crinkle Satin! It looks great on all style tables and plus you don't have to worry about any of those annoying wrinkles!

  

Now that we have explored the most popular linens styles used, in most cases the couture style linens are used for cake tables, sweetheart tables and head tables. With that said, why not use Petal Style or Rosette full linens, toppers, or runners throughout your entire reception!

  

There are so many styles and patterns of Linens to choose from we could post and review for months, but our last style were exploring is sequins! Use it for the cake or if you're a sparkle girl, use it all over! It will cost quite a bit, but you can't beat the look! If you have any questions or would like to check out some of 1 Elegant Events couture linen samples, feel free to call for a consultation! 

 

 HAPPY PLANNING!

Blog written by Cossie Crosswhite

Owner and National Event Specialist

1 Elegant Event Wedding & Event Planning

visit our website: www.1elegantevent.com 

Tips to Survive and Enjoy Your Dream Beach Wedding!

 

I'm really not sure how brides pull off beach weddings with ease, without hiring professionals! There are just so many things that happen during these beach events, but we hope our few tips will help. This beach set is beautiful but it doesn't come without a lot of effort! 

Check out our Tips to see how to pull this look off!

 

Breaking down the beach set up. 1st you must get the arbor stabilized, easy right?! You never new how windy the beach was until you see your arbor blow down the beach, funny but true! Make sure it has side hooks and anchor 2-3 foot stakes in the sand to keep it in place!

Brides love beautiful beach chair decor and it goes on pretty easy, they catch is getting it to stay in place until ceremony is over. The secret to keeping all of your chairs in the sand, drum roll please.... Put your booty in them! You sit in each one and they will stay, easy fix! 

We all love flowers, shells, tulle etc... decorating the arbor! The key is lots and lots of zip ties. Just as the mighty wind wants to wisk away your arbor, it loves to blow away all your fine decor. So tie it tight, and keep it secure! 

Everyone tends to enjoy the soothing sounds of the beach until the soothing sounds keep your guest from hearing your ceremony. Don't have your guest trying to read your lips during the vows, have a simple speaker set-up so all will be able to hear your confessions of love! 

So you decided to have everyone go bare feet down the aisle, make sure you have someone to rake through the sand in the walking path before the wedding to make sure nothing dangerous is in the path to hurt their feet. 

 

 Our last Tip to Survive and Enjoy your Beach Wedding! Its so easy to go pick up a bag of fake rose petals to use for your aisle, unless your having an outdoor/beach wedding! Only dried or fresh flowers are allowed to be used in most outdoor locations, and it is the right (Green) thing to do! 

Blog written by: Cossie Crosswhite 

Owner of 1 Elegant Event Wedding & Event Planning 

visit our website

www.1elegantevent.com

For more free tips daily like our Facebook Page

www.facebook.com/1elegantevent  

"What's your first impression?" Deciding on your style invitations!

You have spent months maybe even years planning your fabulous wedding 

and now it's time to send out your invitations!  

Many brides/couples tend not to put a great amount of thought into these,

but why give your guest the wrong impression. 

This is the 1st glimpse of what your guest are to expected to see 

or experience at your magical day. 

Check out some of these amazing ways to began the excitement in your guest 

so they'll be running to the post office to mail back their RSVP!

These invites below would be great for a wedding that is being held at a modern museum or a chic modern styled reception location!  

Lace has been very much on trend for the past few years. These beautiful antique lace jacket invites would be a romantic way to announce your nuptials!  

Who had a pop up book at home as a kid that they open and closed so much it began to rip, yes I did! These elegant and so cool pop up invites will amaze your guest and probably keep them entertained even as adults for a while!
                           


Do you plan on having a second line at your wedding? Guest would be instructed to bring their fabulous silk handkerchief invites to be waved during the second portion of your celebration! This is a great way to get the reception party started and guest up and dancing! 

  

Having a whimsical wedding full of great fun details? This view finder invite will get everyone excited to see what's next at your event!                                              

I think my favorite type of wedding invitation is the Dupioni Silk boxed invites! They come in hundreds of custom color variations and styles. Many are clasped with brooches, flowers, shells and an array of other niceties. This one has a bonus truffle gift under the invitation for your guest to munch on as they send back there RSVP!
                                    


How about a Silk box with scroll invitation! This would be absolutely stunning for a formal wedding at an elegant ballroom or estate!

    

As the saying goes, all good things must eventually come to an end! Hope you enjoyed our topic today, "What's your first impression?" Deciding on your style invitations! We could go on for days with different styles of invitations. The point is, don't get stuck with the same, look around and find an invitation that speaks to you!                  

 

Blog written by Cossie Crosswhite, 

1 Elegant Event Wedding & Event Planning

www.1elegantevent.com

Ideas to keep you in your $10,000 budget!

Several years ago weddings were getting bigger and bigger and bigger! 

Now in these economic times weddings are trending to be more modest 

and more of an intimate affair. Although we are not budget planners 

everyone in all budget parameters want to know 

they are getting their moneys worth. 

Here are a few ideas you can incorporate to keep you eye on the prize! 

The wedding is over, but pictures must be taken, don't have guess sitting by hungry have a crudités plus cheese station and signature drinks to keep guest occupied when a full cocktail hour would be too expensive. Then when you arrive everyone will still be excited tosee you more than the food that's for dinner!

 

When trying to get the biggest wow for your buck, choose lighting and basic linens for your decor, and then adjust the centerpiece according to what you can afford. No one will ever know 

that what you saved on was flowers! 

 

When is comes to food choices appetizers are not always the way, choose pasta or rice based dishes from your caterer. They are cheaper dishes that feed lots of people for much less than a full meat dish and can still look pretty plated up! 

  

I am a true believer that you get what you pay for! With that said, in this budget size you can not afford the most exclusive photographer in town. You can find some amazing photographers with mid range prices! Always check their past work, and opt to take the CD package that lets you print copies at whatever printing location you choose.

 

For more free tips like our facebook page at 

http://www.facebook.com/1elegantevent  

Blog written by: Cossie Crosswhite

Owner and National Event Specialist

1 Elegant Event Wedding & Event Planning

www.1elegantevent.com